Cole's First Christmas

Christmas 2009 was our best Christmas yet. Cole wasn't old enough to open presents, of course, but it was so special knowing that we will have many fun Christmases to come. Christmas Eve is my brother's birthday, so we headed down to Kemah Boardwalk for lunch. We went to the early evening church service and then to Stephen's grandparents house. Christmas Day was just as busy. We opened presents at home and then headed to my in-laws for breakfast, lunch was at my parent's, and dinner was at Stephen's aunt's house. Cole received many toys and books as well as clothes and custom shoes. One pair has his name and birth date; the other pair was green and white golf shoes...so cute. Here are the pics from Cole's first Christmas.


Christmas Eve


Mommy's Little Deer


Cole was so interested in opening gifts Christmas morning


Cole's Custom Kicks


Christmas Bath and Nonnie's house

Weatherford Wedding Weekend

This weekend was Cole's first road trip. My cousin, Daniel, got married and we packed up the car and headed to Weatherford. Cole did great in the car. He slept most of the way and still managed to sleep good for us at night. On Saturday we drove to North Richland Hills and had lunch with my Dallas girls. Cole met the girls for the first time. We had a great dinner. Lots of exciting news was shared... Engagement, pregnancy, and new job opportunities that require a move to NY. I wish I could have spent more time with everyone. Here are the pics from the big event.


Cole's first trip to McDonald's... He loves Dr. Pepper.


Cole with Auntie Bres


Cole with Auntie Marisa


The gang by the tree


Madison kissin on Cole


At the reception


Flirting with all the ladies

Thanksgiving Day

Here are some pics from Cole's first Thanksgiving.



Watching the big game with Daddy...



Chillin on the couch...


Supporting his two favorite schools...

If it's not one thing...it's another

So Tuesday morning I was upstairs about to feed Cole when I heard a loud bang. I thought that something had fallen off the wall, so I went downstairs to check it out. After I checked out all of our pictures and mirrors, I decided to check the garage. Stephen had recently installed large hooks to hang our jogging stroller and other baby gear. When I opened the door to the garage, I was shocked to find that our waterheater had busted. I started to pick up items that I knew we wouldn't want drenched. By the time I got back into the house to call my parents and Stephen for back up, there was water coming in the house. Frantically I called my parents to come over asap. My dad tried to explain to me how to turn off the water, but I only managed to find the switch for the gas. By the time I called Stephen I was in tears. The baby was upstairs crying and the kitchen was flooding. My parents were there within 15 minutes and my in-laws and Stephen followed behind. They cleaned up the mess and spent the entire day setting up a new waterheater. Our new baseboards are only ruined in a few places and we are very grateful that someone was home. It would have been awful to return home to find water in the whole house. This is just one more thing to be thankful for...

Happy One Week Birthday Cole!

So Mommyhood is treating me well. There has only been one night that we didn't sleep. Cole has been a true bundle of joy. It is a little weird not going to work. I'm glad that I was prepared and ready to go because I really don't have time to even think about school. I have had helped everyday. Stephen took off Monday and we went to the peditrician. Cole's weight was 6 lbs. 5 ozs. He had gotten down to 6 lbs. 4 ozs. in the hosptial. Tuesday my mother-in-law came over, Wednesday my father-in-law came by and yesterday my dad came over. My mom has also been here every evening or she comes by during her lunch break to get her "Cole fix." My mother-in-law is coming by afterschool today too. It is nice to be able to shower or pick up or do laundry. I am living in pj pants and nursing tanks. We have friends bringing dinner tonight. I just may put on some jeans. I only have 6 lbs left to lose to be back to my pregnancy weight. I was down 13 lbs leaving the hospital. I am scared to try on my regualar pants just yet. Here is a few pics of Cole from this week.


In his bouncer after his morning feeding

Hanging out with mom

Slicked back hair after his bath

In his baseball outfit

What a difference a day makes....

My final prenatal dr. visit was Wednesday afternoon. The doctor mentioned that he would be at the hospital on Saturday if we wanted to come and have the baby. He sent us to a staff member to schedule an induction. The more I thought about it the less interested I became. There was nothing wrong with me, the baby wasn't in danger, so why did we need to go and induce labor. I had an appointment scheduled to fill out paperwork, but we held out on scheduling the induction. The nurse was going to call me Thursday to see what we had decided to do. I had decided not to go through with the induction and was going to let her know when she phoned.

About 7:15 p.m., mom and I sat down to eat some dinner. She had been over because we had our baseboards removed and redone (Ike damage...no rush there, Stephen). The workers finished Wednesday afternoon and mom and I were putting the food back in the pantry. Stephen had gone to play softball. I was having contractions when he left, but they weren't consistent or too intense. He had called to check on me when he arrived at the field and mom told him everything was o.k.

Mom started to touch up my nails about 7:45 p.m. The paint was chipping and I didn't want to have a bad manicure if I had the baby this weekend. At 7:50 p.m. my water broke. I called Stephen immediately and all I heard was, " Guys, gotta go...Steph's water just broke." I laughed uncontrollably as I sat in the chair at my kitchen table. My mom brought me a towel and I stripped down right then and there. I knew I had an hour or so to be at the hospital so I went upstairs to take a shower. Stephen arrived about 30 minutes later. He showered as well. Mom was on the computer trying to log in for my substitute. We couldn't find my pin number. (I have never called in sick to work before.) My mom ended up calling my department head and she took care of everything for me.

We hopped in the car about 8:45 p.m. and raced to the hospital. When we arrived the lobby was filled with our family members. Everyone had rushed over when they heard the news and they beat us there. We headed up to L and D and checked in with the nurses. They put us in the room and began the questioning/paperwork process. They asked me when I wanted my epi and I told them I was o.k. for now. Then the contractions really hit. They were painful and coming every two minutes. I decided to hold out for a while and they suggested a drug to relax me. It was awful. Never take Stadol. It made me feel drunk, but the contractions were still painful. I wanted to wait for the drug to wear off before I got my epi.

About 1:30 a.m. the anesthesiologist came in with the monster needle. I definitely didn't look at it. I was good to go by 2:00 a.m. and slept from 2:00 a.m. to about 5:00 a.m. I was only 4 cm when they came to check me at 5:00 a.m. The doctor decided to kick in the pitocin. All of the sudden, I was at 6 cm and then was at 9 cm when my doctor checked in around 6:30 a.m. The on call dr was set to deliver, but the dr is a personal friend of Stephen's friend Shaun. Shaun texted our dr when we were on the way to the hospital and he called us and told us he would come in and deliver.

At about 6:50, I was feeling alot of pressure. The nurses had told me to let them know if I was feeling pressure, so I did. They lifted the blanket and one said," Call her doctor, let's prep her this baby is coming." Stephen had stepped out of the room. I was afraid he was going to miss it all.

The doctor rushed in at 6:55. I pushed through 3 contractions and then Cole was here. Cole had been so hanging out so low the whole pregnancy, but in the end it made it so much easier.

Cole Thomas Bailey was born on November 12, 2009. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 ozs. and was 19.5 in. long. What a happy day.

Surprise Shower

So I meet for dinner every few months with a group of my former students. They range in ages from graduates of 2005 to graduates of 2009. We made plans to meet at TGIFriday's on Friday night. When I arrived they had purchased a cake and had brought presents. I was pleasantly surprised. I have been so fortunate to teach such wonderful, caring students. Here are a few pics from the dinner.

Kenia, Vanessa, Karla, Marissa, Abi, Esteban, Carlos

 

Say What?

My doctor visit went well this week. He said that I was 2 cm dilated. He also mentioned that I may or may not make my visit next week. I guess that means that we could have a baby before next Wednesday. Needless to say, I went home and packed my bag for the hospital. I also stayed at school Thursday and Friday until 6:30 p.m. so I could get my lesson plans in for my sub. I have just about everything ready at home and by Monday evening I should be set at school as well. Tonight mom and I went to Babies R Us to buy out my registry. I mainly needed my breast pump and monitor. I had over $1,800 in gift cards and merchandise credit, so we also purchased some other necessities. We managed to do damage totalling $1,134. I think the lady that rang us up was in shock. Tomorrow mom and I are going to put all the new purchases away and daddy is going to work on organizing the garage.

The Countdown Continues...

Still 1 cm dilated; negative Strep B test; his head is still down. I go back Wednesday. I'll post an update. We had our 4th and final shower today. It was with our Sunday School class. It was more of a social/party for the month of October. We had lunch and watched football over at Kristin and David McKeel's house. There are two other girls in my SS class that are having babies, so it was a combo party. One of the girls, Kim, didn't make it to the party. She went into labor today. Crazy that will be me in a few days/weeks.

My 1st Weekly Appointment

So Wednesday I went in for my first weekly appointment. After my Strep B test (wasn't that a fun test)the doctor checked my cervix. (that was even more fun) It seems as though I am already 1 cm dilated. I had told him that I felt like the baby was laying sideways, but he assured me his head was down because he touched it when he was checking me. That totally freaked both Stephen and me out. He said that it was not as common for a first time mom to be dilating so soon. (35 weeks, 4 days) He also said I could be progressing early, but still be a week late and that this wasn't yet an indication that I would deliver early. As of yesterday I am full term, so everything would be fine if Cole came tomorrow. (though I am definitely not ready for him to be here just yet) I'll update you this Wednesday on my progress. FYI: My mom delivered me 10 days early and my brother came 2 weeks early. If I follow in her footsteps we may have a Halloween baby on our hands.

Cole is going to have a cousin!!

So we are finally able to share some news with everyone. My brother-in-law, John, and his wife, Stacie, are expecting. She is due April 27th. We found out Labor Day weekend, but we now have the go ahead to share the good news. We are so excited that Cole is going to have a cousin so close in age. Stacie and John found out last week that it MAY be a little boy. They won't know for sure until November, but needless to say the Bailey clan is pretty pumped. A healthy baby is always what anyone wants, but now Cole MIGHT have himself a boy cousin. Stephen and John are already talking about trips to Africa and Argentina with the boys and grandaddy Jack. Please keep Stacie and the baby in your prayers as she progresses through her pregnancy.

Third Times a Charm

I haven't updated in a while, so I am going to date this entry back to when I should have put it on my blog. I have too many stories to catch up on. My South Main Baptist Church shower took place on Saturday, September 26th at the home of Sherry Green. The turn out was great. I was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to celebrate with us. I began opening gifts promptly at 10:00 a.m. at the start of the shower and I didn't finish opening gifts until 11:50 a.m. I didn't even have a chance to eat my fruit plate and I would briefly sip my punch while I was waiting for a gift to be handed my way. It was a good thing I didn't drink anything because I wouldn't dare ask to take a potty break. When all was said and done, we had received almost everything we needed. Stephen came around Noon to load up the goods and my mom, aunt and I worked until 8 p.m. on Saturday trying to get things in order. Below are the pictures from the day.

Baby Shower--Part Deux

Today was my second baby shower. It was held at the home of Carole Helmle, a longtime family friend of the Bailey's. This shower was for mainly family, friends and coworkers. The shower was lovely. It had a very nice turn out and we received lots of nice gifts. Cole received his high chair. It is now in at the kitchen table awaiting his arrival. We received a booster chair, our extra car base, both baby gates, changing pad, sheets for the crib and pack and play, and lots of nice clothes and baskets full of goodies. This kid is going to smell great. Stephen is conveniently out of the country, so my mom and Stephen's mom helped unload all the goods into the house and then my mom, my aunt and I tried to do some organizing before my big church shower which is next weekend. The photos from the shower are below. Please enjoy!

The Ship Is Ready To Sail

Labor Day weekend has a new meaning. It was a Labor of Love weekend for us this year. We spent Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday finishing up Cole's room. Daddy had to do some touch up painting, put together his furniture, and install a new fan. Mommy and Nonnie did the decor as well as loads of laundry and got the room organized. Daddy also rearranged the furniture in our extra bedroom to accommodate the elliptical machine and some free weights. It is so nice to have the upstairs back in order. The dining room is still full of things that need to be assembled and other gifts that haven't been placed in Cole's room and the kitchen table is where I am currently working on Cole's scrapbook. All in all the house is looking more like a home---Cole's home. Here are some pictures of Cole's bedroom.

 

Baylor Zeta Baby Shower

This weekend was my first baby shower. My sorority sisters had a dinner and shower for me and Cole in Dallas. The girls really outdid themselves. Everything was perfect. We had dinner, played some games, and opened gifts. Cole's aunties and other guests bought him lots of neat presents. Cole got lots of clothes, blankets, his swing, bathtub, bath toys, a humidifier, bathrobe, and much more. Daddy and mommy both got a baby bag of our own. We almost had to leave my mom in Dallas in order to fit everything in the car. When we got home, Stephen unpacked the car and put everything in the living room. At this point there is no other place for anything to go. Hopefully Cole's room will be ready to load furniture by the weekend. Here are some pictures from the shower.

School Days

So I officially started back to school this week. I have been on duty since mid-July, but the kids have now joined in on all the fun. Monday was a Freshmen only day and even though I don't teach Freshmen, I help organize the "Freshmen First Day." It was a crazy day from start to finish. I was required to wear a new faculty shirt and slacks. I went shopping this weekend and purchased two pairs of slacks, both which require me to wear a small heel in order for my pants not to drag the ground. I looked great, but by the end of the day I was experiencing my first case of swollen ankles and swollen feet. I guess I wasn't used to wearing heels for eight hours and I hadn't stood up the entire day since June 5th. What a mistake. I am taking the new slacks to the tailor ASAP. I need to be able to wear my flats with them instead. Tuesday and today I wore dresses and more sensible shoes, but the swollen and aching feet are still an issue. I guess I need to start teaching from a chair in the front of the room or roll around in a rolling chair while they work on the computer. Oh how things are changing. I went to the doctor last week for my glucose test. The nurse accidentally ordered a thyroid test and if I hadn't mentioned anything to the lab tech then I would have had to come back and drink the yucky juice again. I definitely would have been ticked off. I go for my 30 week ultrasound on September 8th, so I'll post some more pics of our precious Cole. Here is a picture of me (and Cole) on the first day back with my students.

A Work in Progress

So Stephen started the process of transforming the workout room into Cole's room. So far, Stephen has removed the sport's border and taped the baseboards and door frames. He was going to prime the walls last week, but we found out the bedding wouldn't be in until August 7th and that has definately slowed down the pace. Here are a few pics of the progress thus far. By the way...I had to ask Stephen to put on clothes so I could take these pics. He was working in the room in his boxers because he was so hot. :)

Unloading the furniture

2nd story

Steaming

Removing the awful border

It took you how long to register?

Am I the only one who spent 5 hours in Babies R Us and still had changes to make and items to add to my registry? My mom, mother-in-law, and I got started at 11:15 a.m., took a 30 minute lunch break at 2:00 p.m., and finished at 5:00 p.m. When we went to lunch we had only made it through the Infant Care section of store. I can only imagine how long it would have taken if I hadn't done any research. My feet were killing me and my back was in need of a massage. Here are the pictures from the big day.

Comparing our bellies

Checking out the goods

What is this stuff?

Have you seen this before?

Love that gun...

Ladies Lunch

Wednesday my mother-in-law invited the ladies in the family to La Madeline for lunch to begin the celebration of our baby boy. Here are a couple of pictures from lunch.

Aunt Stacie, GiGi, and Mommy

Mommy and the Grandma's to be