ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

The Baby Bjorn helped Colin participate in decorating his first Christmas tree. 

We experienced the cold but beautiful Festival of Lights with
Grandma and Grandpa McManiman.

Colin patiently waited for Dad to wake up before
opening his gifts from Santa.

Lauren was finally able to hold Colin over the holidays.
She is such a loving and helpful cousin. 

2 MONTHS OLD



Colin's first play date with Bryce Jutte





This hairy dad is jealous of his son's smooth chest. 





Colin dressed appropriately for his first Thanksgiving.





Colin meets his birthday buddy, Cooper Novak, for the first time.



Colin's 2 Month Stats:  Weight - 9 lbs 7 oz;  Length - 20 3/4 in;  Head Circumference - 14 3/4 in

* All of his measurements are in the 5th percentile for a full term baby. 

Over the past month, Sean and I have enjoyed watching Colin change and grow.  He is more alert during the day; he enjoys looking around, especially at lights and fans.  He is beginning to smile at us and make noises other than crying or grunting.  In addition, he is sleeping a little longer during the night and doesn't always pee when we change his diaper! 

Colin has made some friends this month.  He hung out with Bryce Jutte, the Novak boys, and Parker Ballman.  



1 MONTH OLD

We can't believe it has already been a month!  Colin's current weight is 6 pounds 15 ounces, and his current length is 19 inches.  He was given his first homework assignment by the doctor today - tummy time! 

To show Colin's physical growth throughout the year, he will pose in a 12 month onesie each month. (See the first picture.)  Not only will it be fun to watch him grow into the onesie, but it will also be fun to look back at the pictures and remember how little he was. 

COLIN'S FIRST HALLOWEEN

Most Valuable Pooper



Colin with his Atlanta cousins - Lauren the Cowgirl and Meggan the Stinker

My sister and her family came in town this weekend to meet Colin.  As an added bonus, the Connells stayed for Halloween, and we all trick-or-treated in Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood.  Colin was very sad when they had to go home, but he looks forward to seeing them at Christmas time.

A GLIMPSE INTO COLIN'S WORLD



Hugh Hefner?  No, it's just Colin chillin after an eventful bath.




"This lifestyle is exhausting!"




Happy Who Dey!

Colin's Favorite Things: eating, sleeping during the day, farting, listening to music (He especially likes "Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj.), riding in a car, peeing and pooping at inopportune times (He likes to pee and poop when getting his diaper changed and when getting a bath.), and cheering for the Bengals

Colin's Least Favorite Things: sleeping at night, getting his diaper changed, and getting a bath

2 WEEKS OLD

Colin weighed in this week at 5 pounds 14 ounces, which is 10 ounces more than last week.  He is beginning to open his eyes more often, but unfortunately this seems to be during the nighttime hours.  Over the last two weeks Colin has developed an impressive skill set of pooping, peeing, and noise making.  Sean and I are enjoying every moment with him, and he continually makes us laugh with his funny faces and hand poses.   

SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN

COLIN SAYS, "LET'S BLOW THIS POPSICLE STAND!"

Colin relaxes in his monkey suit before his big trip home.

"Nan-nana-boo-boo, Grandpa!  I get to go home today!"



"Like father, like son."  The McManiman boys are tuckered out
after watching football all day.

After 6 days in the NICU at Good Sam, Colin Patrick was discharged from the hospital today!  His bilirubin levels have decreased, and the doctors are comfortable with his feeding progress.

We arrived home around noon and spent quality time together as a family watching football and getting Colin acclimated to his new surroundings.  We look forward to many more days like today.

QUALITY TIME IN THE NICU



Kangaroo Care - a skin to skin technique usually used for preterm
babies to help with development and bonding.  




Tummy time with dad




Our first family photo



COLIN PATRICK ARRIVES



My first few minutes with Colin before the nurses took him to the NICU.




One proud papa




Colin Patrick McManiman

Colin takes after his mother - he likes to follow directions.  Each night Sean and I would tell CG to wait until he/she was at least 34 weeks old to meet us, and Colin did just that.  He arrived at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4.  Colin was exactly 34 weeks old.  He was 18 inches long and 5.0 pounds.  Because of his gestational age, he was automatcially admitted into the NICU for close observation.  Fortunately, he was never hooked up to feeding tubes or oxygen.  The doctors simply monitored his jaundice levels (bilirubin levels) and feeding progress.

The magical moment of his birth made every minute of bed rest seem like an insignificant sacrifice.  He truly is the love of our lives, and we feel so blessed. 

MONKEY BUSINESS

Practice makes perfect!

LOW RIDER

Sean's Family (sister, grandma, and mom)



My Family (sister-in-law, mom, and sister)



I had my weekly doctor’s appointment on Friday (September 23), and she checked my cervix.  Nothing has really changed since the last cervix check (September 6) – the cervix is still closed and CG is still “ridin’ low.”

Kristi, my sister, and Meggan, my 19 month old niece, came in town this weekend.  Even though I was lying on the couch most of the time, it was so fun getting to spend time with them.  Meggan definitely provided the entertainment, and Kristi patiently provided the in-person parenting advice as Sean and I bombarded her with questions.

There was a time during this process when I wasn’t sure if I would be able to experience a shower.  I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to have two showers in my honor and to celebrate CG’s upcoming birth with my friends and family. My second shower was on Saturday and held at my parents’ house. (The doctor gave me permission to travel short distances!)  My sister-in-law, sister, and mom planned this exciting event.  I am very appreciative of their flexibility, creativity, and attention to detail because the day could not have been more perfect.  It meant the world to me!  

I am 33 weeks today, but it was last week that was a huge sigh of relief.  At 32 weeks the baby reached major developmental milestones, which help the baby to survive outside the womb.

31 WEEKS

Sadly, this is the first picture of Sean and me since I have been visibly pregnant. 

A picture from my first baby shower

My next doctor's appointment is not until Friday, so there is no new baby news to report, which I guess at this point is good news. 

On Sunday I was able to enjoy my first baby shower given by my best friends from grade school.  We started a mother/daugher tradition with wedding showers and decided to continue this tradition with baby showers.  Even though the shower had to be at my house, it was perfect - low-key, delicious food, and enjoyable company! 

3.5 POUNDS

This is one of the 4D-type pictures we received.  You cannot see part of CG's head
becuse it is so low.  However, you can see his/her closed right eye, nose, mouth,
and right hand, which  is just under his/her mouth. (This is a head-on view.)

I made another appearance at the doctor's office today, but unlike the previous visits, this appointment was scheduled.  The doctor requested an ultrasound to check my amniotic fluid, which measured really well.  At 30 weeks the amniotic fluid should be above 9 cm and below 26 cm;  my fluid measured at 16 cm.  In addition, the technician measured the weight of the baby.  CG weighed in at 3.5 pounds, which is a little above the normal weight at this gestational age!  Sean and I were also able to see a 4D-type view of CG.  CG was not too active during this viewing, but he/she smiled for us twice.  This was definitely an exciting moment for Sean and me.  The doctors can no longer predict what is going to happen. (Actually, I think they gave up awhile ago!)  So, right now it is somewhat of a waiting game, which we hope lasts at least a few more weeks.

30 WEEKS

After a long 9 weeks on bed rest, I have finally hit the 30 week stage of my pregnancy!  Even though I am not in the hospital, I have become a frequent flyer at the doctor's office.  Due to my increased contractions, the doctor checked my cervix again today, and it has slightly changed since last Thursday's check.  The cervix is still closed, but it is really soft.  In addition, the baby's head has dropped even more.  We continue to talk to CG about staying in Mommy's belly as long as possible and to keep growing.

ALL-INCLUSIVE VACATIONS

My first vacation at Good Samaritan Hospital (July 6 - July 11)



My second vacation at Good Samaritan Hospital in the private butterfly room
(August 1 - August 23)
I am 26 weeks in this picture. 

Who needs Hilton Head when you have Good Sam? 

I was hospitalized in July (at 21 weeks) because of a shortened cervix. (Minor contractions caused my cervix to decrease in length.)  Being hospitalized allowed the doctors to closely monitor me as well as calm my uterus/contractions through medicine.  After three weeks at home on strict bed rest, I was sent back to the hospital on August 1 (at 25 weeks) because my cervix had significantly decreased in length and I was experiencing a lot more contractions.  Again, I was closely monitored and medicated to calm my uterus.  My stay in August was much longer because the doctors felt more comfortable sending me home at 28 weeks when the baby's survival rate increased.

Thank you to all of my family and friends who emailed, sent cards and flowers, called, and visited while I was in the hospital.  These acts of kindness not only helped pass the time, but made me feel loved and helped me keep a positive attitude.

INTRODUCTION

Because my pregnancy has been everything but boring and we assume parenthood will follow suit, Sean and I decided to start this blog to keep our family and friends informed of this joyful time in our lives.  We hope you enjoy reading about our experiences as much as we enjoyed living them!      

The sex of the baby still remains a surprise even though we have had many ultrasounds (13 to be exact).  To prevent from referring to the baby as "it" or "he" as we often found ourselves doing, Sean and I decided to nickname him/her CG.  CG stands for Colin Grace, which are the boy and girl names we have chosen for the baby.