Cupcake has arrived!

This posting is submitted by Nana...

Collin made his debut Monday, May 11, 2009 at 8:13 pm. He weighs 7 pounds

2 ounces and is 20-3/4 inches long (a full pound bigger than Carter was).

I think he looks a lot like Carter, but his mommy thinks he looks a lot like Collin. Natalie was able to have him naturally which really pleased her. They weren't sure up to the very last moment if this would be possible as Collin kept turning and turning and turning.

I have a ton of pictures on my camera, but, unfortunately I can't find the cord to transfer them to the computer. Argh. Should have something up tomorrow (which means I'm buying a cord tonight).

My newest grandbaby is perfect...Well, perfect in his Maker's eyes. Collin was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome (wait to "Google" it until I'm finished) affecting both his hands.

Here's a description I found of what Cupcake suffers from:

The ABS occurs due to a partial rupture of the amniotic sac. This rupture involves only the amnion; the chorion remains intact. Fibrous bands of the ruptured amnion float in the amniotic fluid and can encircle and trap some part of the fetus. Later, as the fetus grows but the bands do not, the bands become constricting. This constriction reduces blood circulation, hence causes congenital abnormalities. In some cases a complete "natural" amputation of a digit(s) or limb may occur before birth or the digit(s) or limbs may be necrotic (dead) and require surgical amputation following birth.

In plain English, two of Collin's fingers (one on each hand) didn't fully develop due to this syndrome. The doctors have assured Chris and Natalie that Collin will be able to do everything just like Carter and Collin won't ever know the difference. Dr. Madden even dropped by to speak with them (he had this same syndrome which affected one hand and one foot) and had many encouraging words. Dr. Reese said she would file a referral to the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas - a world renowned facility for hand/feet indifferences.

As a grandparent I grieve for those missing parts, I grieve knowing some little kid will one day make fun of him, I grieve for all the "well meaning" responses/stares he'll receive, I grieve for the thought that Collin would have to struggle for one second, and as a grandparent, it breaks my heart.

As a believer, though, I know that God doesn't make one single mistake. He made Collin exactly how He wanted Collin to be made. And I praise Him for this! I know that many lessons will be learned and many hearts changed because of Collin. Ironically, Psalm 139:14 is painted over Collin's crib "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Natalie picked this scripture for this sweet baby, not knowing what was in store for him - - God knew... and now each time he is placed in his crib, ALL will be reminded that Collin is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Thank you all for your prayers and please continue to keep my sweet babies in them.

Love,

Nana (aka Granna)

Breech Baby!

I had another Dr.'s appointment this past Tuesday and I was shockingly informed that Collin has turned again. This time he has made his landing in the Breech position. So we are praying he will continue to turn and land head down, but if he doesn't we have a c-section scheduled for May 19. So that may or may not be Collin's birthday. If he does turn then we will be back to "Plan A" and just wait until I go into labor on my own. I have another Dr.'s appointment this coming Tuesday, so I will know more then. But either way we are getting close. I told Chris this morning, can you believe we could possibly be having this baby in a week and a half? It has come so fast, but we are ready. Bags are packed and the car seat is loaded.

Day out with Daddy!

Chris has been wanting to take Carter to the golf course since the day he was born. Well, a couple of weeks ago they took there first golf outing. I was so nervous that Carter would get to restless or in the way but they had a blast. Chris looked so proud to as he watched Carter try and hit the ball with his own putter. Chris loves golf and has become really good at it. I think he dreams for Carter to be the next Tiger Woods ;) And Carter loves golf too, but then again he loves anything that his Daddy does.

Carter would tell Chris after every hole, "That was a good chot (shot)"

Here he is showing off his own skills, I was impressed!

He liked to get the ball out of the hole for Daddy.

Daddy's little caddy, cleaning the golf balls for him.

They are the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Carter has a book I read to him at night called If Jesus Came to Visit Me. Its a children's story about what kids would do if Jesus came to visit them. Almost every page shows a picture of Jesus with a child except a couple. Carter asked me a couple of nights ago, "where did Jesus go?" meaning why wasn't he on that page. I told him "I don't know". Carter replied with the cutest comment ever............. " Maybe he went golfin?" I just smiled and said "yes, baby maybe he went golfing!" Kids say the cutest things. 

Cupcake

I had another doctor's appointment today. I didn't feel like Collin had moved so I was pretty sure we would be planning for another c-section. When the sonographer told me he was now head down I was shocked. I thought if he had moved I would have been able to tell. God is so faithful. I'm so excited to be back to plan A. So we will just wait until Collin lets us know his time. We are praying that I will be able to follow through with a VBAC. (vaginal birth after cesarean) The recovery would be such much easier and it is something I really want to be able to experience. With Carter I don't even remember his first cry because I was so loopy. We are praising God for he has done a great work. Dr. Doke said that everything else looked great. He is measuring around 6lbs 9oz.  That is bigger than Carter was full term. He also said that his head is measuring big. That makes me laugh. That comes from his Daddy's family for sure. So we are excited and can't wait to meet our new baby boy. I am due on May 26. Four weeks and counting.

My Belly is growing like crazy!

It might be hard to tell but this is a picture of his face. You can see his nose, mouth, and looks like chubby cheeks.

And more Belly :)

Easter 2009

Carter loved hunting eggs. He was very excited about all the candy inside.

A full basket !!!

Our Family

 They looked so handsome! I don't know why this picture is so blurry?

Thats my baby boy! He is getting too big too fast!

Move Baby Move!!!

I had a doctor's appointment last Monday to check on things with Collin. And well he is healthy and doing well but has decided that he wants to hang out sideways instead of head down. He is in the transverse position. So his head is on my left side and his bottom on my right. I was really hoping to try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) this go round but this might put a damper on my plans. We are praying that he will turn head down in this next couple of weeks. I am 35 weeks pregnant today so there isn't much time left. Dr. Doke said that if he doesn't turn by 37 weeks he will schedule a c-section. As much as I am hoping to avoid another c-section I also trust that God knows what is best for this delivery. So I will go back on Monday for another sonogram to check his position. So far I'm pretty sure he hasn't moved because everything still feels the same. No movement down low and feels like a baseball is in my sides. So pray that our baby Collin will get to moving. Move Baby Move!!!