Introducing Evyn Michelle!!

She's here! Finally!
After a LONG pregnancy (seemed like the longest waiting time ever), she has finally arrived!
Born April 8, 2011 and weighing in at 6lbs 15oz and 18 inches long.
She arrived via C-section at 7:06am and was so quiet and little! I couldn't believe that she only weighed that much. Collin was a whopping 8lbs 8oz and 21 inches! In comparison, Evyn is so tiny. She immediately adopted the nickname "Thumbelina". LOL Her diapers are Preemie Smalls.... My goodness! I had to save one for her memory box. Collin was born into a size 1!
She had a difficult time with her Oxygen Saturation, so she had to be in the NICU for a day and a half on O2. I had the hardest time with this. She was (and is) so tiny to have all those monitors, tubes and an IV attached to her. 
The first day, I couldn't get up out of bed and no one was telling me where my baby was. I was having anxiety about it until finally I got an answer....then it only got worse. I lie there wondering the severity of her situation; my legs numb, and I was so tired from the surgery. Come to find out, it wasn't THAT serious. I guess a lot of C-section babies have that same issue since they don't get that squeeze that clears out their lungs when coming through the birth canal in a vaginal birth.
I was able to get up the next day and go see her. All I can remember walking slowly through that hall was "What am I going to see?"  "Is she going to be okay?"  Then blaming myself for having to have a C-section and not 'being able' to deliver 'regularly'.
I got there and saw here with all those things attached to her and just couldn't help but cry. Tiny Thumbelina with all those things hooked up to her. But then I looked around.... She was the least critical baby in the NICU... BY FAR. I just had to take the time to be thankful at that moment.
She did great though! I was able to feed her instantly, no hesitation from her at all. Her O2 stats went up quickly and they were able to take her off on Saturday afternoon. I was so happy to have her in my room!
Collin was so worried to not have seen his baby sister for more than 5 minutes on Friday. He would cry and wonder what was going on. We just told him she wasn't feeling good, but that he would get to see her soon. So imagine his surprise when they went to get lunch on Saturday and came back to the hospital to see baby girl Evyn back in our room!! : )
He loves her so much and is the best big brother ever. He is truly caring and compassionate. I am so proud of him. He always is asking if he can help and says "Don't worry, baby. I will take care of you."
I NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS would have seen myself with 2 kids, but now with Evy here, I can't imagine life without her here! (Don't read too much into that statement... I am DONE with kids for sure. 2 is plenty for our family!!!) LOL
She is growing fast and she is only 10 days old today. I can't believe it. She is a little piggie and I can't wait to see how well she is doing at her first doctor appt. Although I CAN wait for the shots   : ( So sad!
I think she is the most gorgeous baby I have ever seen (I may be a little biased!). But her features are perfection: Tiny ears, lips and nose. All that hair! Beautiful blue-purple eyes (that I hope turn brown!) and the TINIEST feet ever! She also has the best skin tone. I hope it stays the color it is. Must be the Native American in my blood coming through. I can't believe how tiny she is! McClain's family ALL had babies around the 8+ to 10+ lbs, so she is the tiniest baby by far. Everyone just loves that they finally have their little baby in the family. She has definitely won the popularity contest. lol
As for my photo model.....she HATES doing pictures. How silly is that? I have done a few newborn pics, but she hates it. LOL I have to laugh at that. Collin loves having his picture taken. I guess that's just her personality shining through. Spring/Summer is coming and there will be a million photos....like it or not! ; )
Anyway, as you can tell, we LOVE Evy. She is so mellow and wonderful. She does have an awake time from like 3:30am to 5am, but hopefully that won't last long. Other than that, she wakes once or twice in the night and that's it. 
LOVE YOU, KIDS! Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more lucky to have you both. XOXO

Don't mind the boob... Hey, it's the facts of life ; )

This breaks my heart....

All her cute hair!

Lil feet

Tiniest cry ever! It's literally "Wah!" and she's done. lol

Wheeler Farm

Collin and I decided to take advantage of this AWESOME day and go play at Wheeler Farm. I love it there! It's like 2 blocks from our house (too scary of a road to walk on, unfortunately) and it has SO much to do! I can't wait to get back out there and do photo shoots, too. 
We hung out with all the animals and I took some pics (of course!). It wouldn't be like me to leave home without my Nikon. : )
Our fave animals are the goats. I think goats are so dang cute! I mean, they are really ugly if you get up close, but I still think they are so funny. Collin always has so much fun feeding and petting them. My all time fave pic is of Collin feeding this goat bread and then taking a bite. It's so cute! I managed to catch another silly goat pic today. 
LOVE THIS DAY!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for more like it!

Vegas, Baby!

Grumpy Collin at Rainforest Cafe. He didn't want his pic taken LOL

We had so much fun in Vegas! As much fun as a pregnant chick and her 3 year old can have... LOL I didn't take hardly any pics cuz I was busy chasing Collin and looking around. I didn't even take my nice camera! That is a first for me. It usually goes where I go. I just didn't feel like hauling it around. 
We ate at Rainforest Cafe. I hadn't been there before and it was fun! Collin loved it, but didn't love that I wanted a picture. He was really good the whole time. We went with my sis in law Merilee. She had to work during the day, so Collin and I hung out at the hotel (Monte Carlo) and explored. Then at night we went and did fun things.
We went to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay and the pirate show at Treasure Island. We ate good food (my fave part!) and just had fun hanging out with our Merner! She is so much fun and we miss seeing her every Sunday. : )
Collin and I went and played games at Excalibur. He loves games and tickets, so we had a blast! He popped a balloon with a dart ALL BY HIMSELF and won a prize! I was so proud of him and it made his whole day! We got lots of little junk toys, too, with his tickets, so he was set for the whole trip!
He napped in the hotel every day which I didn't think would happen in a million years, but I guess running up and down the hotel and exploring wore him out. : ) YES!
He is such a good dude and we had a ton of fun. I kind of consider this my last hurrah before baby comes, so thanks Mer for taking us and spoiling us. It was so much fun! Even the drive wasn't so bad because Merner is so much fun! THANK YOU!

Little Gym

So, Collin has been enrolled in Gymboree classes since he was TINY.. I think like 4 months old. They started getting boring and tedious (and a little too young, even for a 3 year old), so I decided to try an intro class at Little Gym today.
He had A BLAST! At first I was a little nervous because they seperate the kids and the parents. We moms had to sit out and watch through the window. EEK! I was so nervous! Not because I am high-strung (OK, maybe a little) but because my son is such a clutz! Really! He is the sweetest and best kid on planet earth, but let's face it: He could use a little more depth perception, balance and looking before he leaps.
The class was all about Outer Space this week and they do gymnastics and play time. I wanted to go in and play too! It looked like a blast! They did balance beams, summersaults, running and jumping. I was being a hormonal pregnant mom and had tears in my eyes at first; watching my little baby growing up so big and not needing his mom by his side. Plus, he was an ace at listening! Who knew!?? ; ) The teachers came out and told me what a good listener he is for a 3 year old and that he followed direction really well. I was so proud!
That Collin loves his mommy, too. He kept looking over at the window to wave at me or smile just so I would know he didn't forget I was there. I know he was having a ball, so that kind little gesture meant the world to me.
Afterward, he didn't want to leave, of course, but he wanted so badly to tell me all about it. It definitely was fun and I sure would love to take him back to see all his new friends.
I love that kid of mine! : )

What I LOVED in December 2010....

*Cap'n Crunch with Crunch Berries
*Chocolate Milk
*French Fries

*Collin's new-found way to stop his OWN tantrums lol Thank you, Collin!!

*'Spring' Cleaning (yes it's early and yes it's cleaning, but it's so refreshing to have it all organized and clean!)

*Collin's THIRD birthday party
*Christmas morning with my boys!
*All the gifts from my boys :) They are so sweet!

*Mashed potatoes (with lots of butter, salt and pepper)
*Ice Cream.. I don't care HOW cold it is outside! (Breyer's Neopolitan is my fave)
*Bizarre Foods (the tv show)
*Finding the Man vs. Wild I watched while in labor with Collin. It was kinda sentimental even though he eats a dead camel and drinks it's pee.... EW!

*The Posh Princess on FB.. She makes the cutest flower headbands

*Collin's 'effort' in potty training
*Collin's love for his baby sister even though he hasn't met her yet
*Feeling Baby B tumbling and kicking in my belly! She responds to much to Collin talking to her!

*Kid to Kid.. dropping off and shopping!
*Gymboree sales
*Orange Julius (now I need one...)
*Clain's mom's cooking.. Christmas Eve, Christmas day breakfast, New Years... It's SOOOO good!
*Egg Nog pancakes with egg nog syrup! (Courtesy of Mama Sue!)

*Uno Moo (A game Collin can play and has the attention span for! And he always wins!)

*Olive Garden's frozen raspberry lemonade
*Double Stuff Oreos and ICE COLD milk : )
*Cuddle time in bed or on the couch with my boys
*Collin back to sleeping through the night without talking to us in the middle of the night.. more like shouting to us!

Wow! I guess I loved a lot of things in December! It is such a fun month since Collin was born. Busy, busy but fun none the less.  

Collin's THIRD Birthday Party

We had so much fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house yesterday for Collin's 3rd birthday party. His birthday isn't until Wednesday, but we had to do a weekend party so all his favorite people could come. 
He is such an awesome and sweet kid. Everyone who knows him loves him. He has a kind and big heart and a big personality to match. He loves his family so much, too. They all spoil him rotten and he is still so appreciative and sweet. I love that kid to death!
We had a blast playing games at Grandma's house and watching the girls sing. Collin got up and sang California Girls and Poker Face for the family. I really didn't think he would even though he said he wanted to. He is pretty shy about those types of things. But he got up and danced and sang! It was so funny and cute! He would look to me if he forgot the words so I would mouth the song along with him. So funny! Everyone clapped for him at the end and he was SO happy!

Collin and Merner watching the recording of him singing and dancing. LOL

I was so emotional all day. McClain's sister was just starting conversation with me the other day and was like "Can you believe he won't be your baby anymore? Are you okay with that?" And to be honest, I am not. I only planned on having Collin. I didn't want any more kids because I feel like people keep having kids and neglecting the previous one(s) and I don't want to be one of those people. I know my LOVE for him will only keep growing and my heart will make room for baby #2, but I have a serious PHOBIA, if you will, about him feeling 'abandoned' when the new baby comes. I am sure that's not the way it works, I just have always felt that time with a new baby will take away time that Collin and I have shared alone for 3 years. I don't want him to be hurt or sad.  I love him so much!

So, needless to say, that is what the emotion was about yesterday and is what it is about right now as I sit here and cry while typing this. I LOVE MY SON... ENDLESSLY. I cannot believe that on this Wednesday, three years ago, my little Eskimo was born. We have been through so much together and as a family and this is the last year he will be my one and only. We will have two little precious beings to love and take care of.... and it scares the bejesus out of me. I want him so much to stay the little boy he is today and know that just because our family is growing that he is STILL my #1 and always will be. That he was my first love and those feelings will never change and that I am going to do my very best and try my very hardest to MAKE him know that nothing is changing. That he will always be included no matter how frustrated, tired, onry, or whatever I am. 

Yesterday was a real eye-opener for me. Not that these things hadn't ever crossed my mind, but my little boy going on 3 and knowing that next year (well, in 4 months) we will have another babe just made for an emotional day. 
I love you Collin McClain. You are my angel and my 'boyfriend'. You are my best buddy and my life. YOU will always be mommy's sweetheart, Koala, Monkey Buns, Pumpkin (and sometimes my little stinker, too). I LOVE YOU! Happy Birthday!

I have been having STRONG feelings that it's a girl lately. I know we both REALLY want a girl, but I can feel it. You never know 'til you KNOW, but I am sure I do. I feel so much different and have been dreaming about baby girls. I dreamed of baby boys when I was prego with Collin.

I appeased my need to shop for baby girl stuff the other day and bought the cutest flower headband off ETSY.COM 

It is darling! It was only $6, so if the baby turns out to be a boy, then I will have only spent $6 on something we can't use. : )

I am sick as hell this time. I have tried to eat crackers in the morning, but it only helps a little bit. I haven't really been eating or drinking. I just can't do it! I know I need to. I am wishing my doctor's appointment was sooner because I want the anti-nausea pill SO BAD.

I have no energy. I would love to lay in bed all day and sleep, but I have a two year old this time. Talk about hard! He is such a sweetheart though. If I am ever in the bathroom being sick he knocks on the door and says "it's okay, mommy". He will rub me and kiss me.

He is super excited! He thinks 'it' will just pop out and be ready to play knights and Batman. lol He wants a baby girl so bad. He said she can be the princess. He said he will share his toys, too. How cute!

Anyway, I am going to go lay down now...again...like I have been doing all day long. ugh.. What can ya do? Nothing. Just pray that it only lasts a little while!

Our Island in the Green Lagoon

Collin made a new best friend yesterday; Ezra. They had so much fun playing in the creek, eating sand, finding sticks... doing what boys do best. They are so much alike, yet so different. It was so much fun! I always love when I find a good playmate for him. A kid that's polite, fun and sweet. They are hard to come by, but I am proud to say we have found a couple!

We found an amazing little lagoon to play in. We all want to live there. Just needs a couple palm trees and we are set! What an adventure!

The kids found the turkeys and were screaming at the tops of their lungs to get the turkey to gobble back... and boy did it! The thing was not only ugly as sin, it was mean! So much fun!!!

Collin was completely worn out by bedtime last night. He woke up this morning asking "Where's Ezra?" He can't wait until he comes up again to play.

It's also a rare occasion that I find I enjoy the company of the child's mom, too. That might sound terrible, but it's true. For me. It was nice to hang with Chanda and have someone to talk to that actually had interesting things to say and we had a lot in common, too.

Thanks, Chan and Ez for coming to play and for being such awesome free spirits. I hope we get to play again in the near future. Our boys are amazing and are such sweethearts. Not to mention THEE cutest little men on the planet Earth!!!

My Collin Says the Darndest Things....

This kid cracks me up! The things he says make me laugh....sometimes cry... sometimes want to kiss him to DEATH! lol But he is always sweet no matter what and is such a good, smart boy.

I wanted to start a list of all the funny things he says. Watch for updates!

"I love you, Mom" (When he's in trouble/doing something he isn't supposed to, or just to tell me but ALWAYS in a sweet way)

"What's that kid's name?"(ANYONE and EVERYONE, anywhere we go)

"When's (name)'s birthday? My birthday's in 'A-cember.' (December)

"I don't like meat." (Even though he eats it..??)

"Like....Um..."

"I want a baby girl so bad." (This is the newest thing he says since 'playing' with Melissa's new baby, Swayzee.)

I want (fill in the blank) SO BAD!"

"I am so excited right now..."

"HI KIDS!!!!!" (To kids ANYWHERE we go: park, mall, restaurant... as loud as he can and waving his arms to get their attention LOL)

"Hey. I'm talkin' you." Or "Talk to me." (To get our attention when we are in the middle of a conversation.)

"Let's go drive in the rain" (Whether it's raining or not. I LOVE this...)

"Mom, you wanna cuddle me?" Or "Let's cuddle in you bed." (Does it get any cuter??)

And my favorite:

"I saw this on TV".... Then I get a sloppy, wet lick (kiss) on my mouth and chin. Yes, it's disgustingly sweet. LOL

Me: "Collin. You can't say that. It's a bad word."

Collin: "I DO say that, mom. I'm A GUY!"

(OMG...Where do they learn these things?)

"Damnit I love you, mom/dad"

"40 seconds mom!" (Whenever I tell him I need him, to do something, or that we are going somewhere) LOL

Naughty, Mommy!!!

Warning: If you don't think naked pictures of babies are cute or if you think it is perverted to share them, please don't continue. This is a joke and not meant in any way to be offensive.
Now I know this may seem REALLY bad to a lot of people, but I am doing it anyway! It is too funny to not share.
So Collin gets called a girl EVERYDAY. No matter where we are, who it is, whatever, they think he's a girl! It used to really really bother me and make me so mad, but why get mad? I just correct them now.
I think it's a combination of his long blonde hair, his long dark eyelashes and his full lips. He's so damn cute! (I would say 'pretty', but McClain said it sounds gay). LOL
So this opportunity came along to FINALLY blog about all the people that call Collin an 'adorable little girl" and I couldn't pass it up. I guess this just proves they are right!

Collin's 'Gina'. LOL LOL

Yes, he was doing this himself in the tub. When I asked him where his 'neener' went, he looked down and started to cry!! It was so sad and so cute, I was laughing on the outside and crying on the inside. Poor kid! Everyone is going to make fun of him when he's older, but that's what moms do best; show embarrassing photos or their kids when they were babies.
I hope no one thinks I am a total perv for doing this! I think it's funny because he is a baby. If he were 4 and I did it, then I should be turned in to CPS. : )

Sharing his candy with Uncle Marshall

Kissing Daddy Darth

Happy Halloween!

Zombie Nurse Mommy

Cutest Sea Otter ever! He was adorable and cuddly.