Christmas in Seattle

I spent the week before our flight to Seattle in a state of stress delicately tinged with panic.  I even started dreaming of entire flights of people that sit glaring as I try to comfort a hysterical Colby.  The fact I was bringing my three week baby into a crowded area, filled with potentially sick people, just added to the feeling of anxiety setting up camp in the pit of my stomach.

Fortunately my fears were worse than the actual experience.  Colby did holler through the security checks, but just motivated everyone to get us through as quickly as possible.  Once on the plane, he fell asleep and remained that way for the duration of the flight.

Then we had two glorious weeks filled with puzzles, reading, sleeping-in, exploring, door-bell ditching, texting (on Jory's part...he just started dating this amazing girl named Emily a week before break), basketball games, movies, and lots and lots of admiring the miracle that is my son.

Christmas Eve Jory and I set out our traditional eggnog, candy cane bread, and cheese (the cheese was added the year this commercial aired).  And since Santa seems a little more health conscious than in previous years, we added some roughage for good measure. 

We had plans to reenact the nativity, but Colby wasn't in a Christ-like mood, so after we got that boy to bed we snuggled up on the couch to watch It's a Wonderful Life.  It's a Hays family tradition that I love.  It's a beautiful reminder to me of what's really important in life.  And like always, I blubbered at the end.  Is it possible to feel overwhelmed with blessings?  

Colby woke me up in the early hours of Christmas day and after settling into our chair, I read him the Christmas story.  He won't remember it, but I know I will.  Holding Colby in the peace and quiet of morning is the closest I've ever felt to that "silent night" so long ago.

The following pictures are random snippets from our trip:

The Christmas Feast

We eventually gave up on our puzzle after we all got frustrated with the mass of gray, green, blue stuff above the town (Dad's hiding the part we didn't get to :) ).

Part of our Christmas present were tickets to see "Annie Get Your Gun" with complementary childcare.  I loved it and even Robb, who usually doesn't join me on the musical bandwagon, thought it was amazing.

Grandma Rigby snuggling with the Colbs.

Grandpa Rigby showing us the famous football hold (which he perfected during my infancy).

Colby with his pilot's wings  

Colby's present from us.  

Merry Christmas!

Colby James

I'm still getting used to saying it, but I'm a mom now :)

Colby James Hays was born on November 19th, 2011 at 2:06am. He weighed 6 lbs 1oz and measured 20.5 inches.

I wanted to have a natural birth without an epidural, an induction, or an episiotomy.  But you know what they say about the best laid plans.  When my water broke at 2:14pm on the 18th and I wasn't having any contractions, all my fine plans kind of went out the window.  I was induced at 5:30pm and braved three hours of pitocin-induced contractions before deciding I was done writhing around in agony and opted for an epidural.

Colby's heart rate dropped every once in awhile with contractions, causing our nurse to hustle in to make me roll over or put on oxygen.  As the contractions grew stronger, his heart rate dropped lower and more frequently.  At 1:45am Dr. Savage came in and gave me a short, but compelling pep talk, "If you can't push him out really quick, you're going to need a C-section.  You need to push like your baby's life depends on it, because it does."

It took four long, hard pushes (with Dr. Savage hauling on him with a vacuum) to get Colby out. It turns out the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck four times, but besides a large purple bruise on his head from the vacuum, he is perfectly healthy.  My doctor later told me she felt there was some divine intervention involved with his birth.  I agree.  His very existence is a miracle to me and I am so grateful for this little red-head who gave a whole new level of depth and meaning to my life.

Two weeks left...

I read somewhere that babies only arrive on their due date 5% of the time, but in my mind I see November 28th as my finish line and I am hurtling towards it.  The nursery is complete (with the exception of a few wants, but all our needs are covered).

I can't wait.

I am lucky...

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."

-Mother Teresa  

July and August in 50 words or less

It's been awhile since I posted last...so here goes two months in 50 words or less (and picture captions don't count...so if you're strapped for time, I suggest scrolling down really quickly and calling that good enough :) ).

July 

I got bigger (me at 19 weeks):

Camping trip to Bryce Canyon National Park:

 We celebrated another 4th of July together (click the link to see why we love this holiday :) ):

Ultrasound verdict:  It's a boy!!!

My amazing friend, Sanita, got sealed to her sweetheart:

Camping trip to Yellowstone National Park:

Grand Prismatic Spring

Old Faithful

Robb's birthday fell in the middle of our camping adventure, so I made cupcakes before we left and then hauled them around so we could celebrate.

Robb couldn't handle all 25 candles :(

Dragon's Mouth Spring

The Grand Tetons

August

Elder Rigby returns from Bangalore, India:

Jory putting on a brave face post surgery on his feet.

We moved to our new apartment and immediately set to work making it pretty:

And I reunited with some wonderful old roommates:

Congratulations on making it all the way through this ridiculously long post and I'll try to be a better blogger in the future :)