Sweet Boy!

Here are some more pics from Colton's second week of life! Today is February 29th and it is his due date. He is 2 weeks old today. I wanted him born today because leap day is really cool but I'm glad for two things: a) I wasn't pregnant these last two weeks and b) Clark, Colton and I have made it through these first two weeks and I wouldn't want to repeat it! Of course every day with this little guy is wonderful but I'll be honest with you - it's tough! But look at those cheeks! I'm in love.
I'm trying to get a picture of his face up close but it is hard to do with squirmy mcsquirmy and because his eyes close when the light flashes. Poor guy, he'll probably have to wear trifocles at 20 because I'm taking so many pictures.
This sort of doesn't look like him. Funny that I can say that about a baby. But he was trying out his bouncy seat. He's not sure he likes it yet but we'll keep trying!
A rare picture of the two of us because I usually am the photographer. Two weeks ago I would not have believed that I would allow this photo to be put on my blog in public! I guess someday I'll be able to do my hair and make up again. I love it when Colt is burping and he lifts his cute face up to look at mine. Oh, I could just eat him up! (But I won't).

Guess Who!

Colton goes for a car ride - wearing the hat his Aunt Mindy made for him!

Clark is absolutely in love with his son! It is so cute.

Buddies

Colton met his pal, Seth, this week. Seth has been waiting a long time to meet his new friend - about four months! Seth was very happy to have a new friend and Colton seems to be enjoying himself too! Seth seems a lot bigger than Colton right now but they are only four months apart. We see lots of fun times ahead for these two!

Colton the Cute

This is our little boy on day 5 of his life. We are getting ready to go see the pediatrician about his jaundice. It seems to be getting better now. Praise God!
Kinda fuzzy but it sort of looks like him!
Colton is chillin on the blanket my mom made for him. But not for long, if there were another picture after this it would be of him screaming :) But he's still adorable if you ask me and Clark!

CAB is here!!!!!!

Colton Alaka'i Barnett was born Friday, February 15th at 1:09pm. He was 7 lbs 7oz and 20 1/4 inches long. Alaka'i is Hawaiian and it means "leader". Colton's grandpa (my dad) picked that name but did not know we were going to use it until he was born! Colton seems to be a very cute, sweet-cheeked little guy. He has a bit of jaundice and had to be kept under lights all day Sunday before going home Sunday night. He may still need lights but we are waiting for more info from the doc. This is me and Colt's first picture. Despite the pain (yes, ladies, there is a great deal of pain regardless of the meds) I was overjoyed and actually in a bit of shock that I was a mom! Can you beleive it can happen like that - one second you are in labor and its all about you - next second it is all about you beautiful baby boy (or girl, make the story your own). Colton has a squeak in his voice when he cries but doc says he has a narrow trachea and it should develop more on its own. But Clark and I definitely agree that the squeak is adorable.

Amazingly enough we didn't have very many close up pics of Colton on our camera with his eyes open. This is the one where he has goopy stuff in his eyes that they gave him after birth. Oh, he's so cute!

Okay, not my best moment but I promise I wasn't using drugs. This is just the only picture of our little family of 3 and I wanted to share it with you all. Colton was induced because I had mild preeclampsia and so I had to have magnesium sulfate in my IV which makes you feel like you have been hit by a truck (or you have a really bad hangover). I'm going to post another cutie pie picture in the next post so look up!

Still Nothin'

That's all you need to know - still nothing! I go back to the hospital Thursday for another Non-Stress Test. Yes, folks, Thursday is Valentine's Day. I'm giving up the hope of not having the baby on Valentine's Day. I want him to come whenever, wherever! He can arrive in a box, with a fox, while I'm eating lox. He can wear sox, he can tell me he rox. Yes, I'm silly - delirious with water weight! Pray for us - health, peace and IMMINENCE!

And, if you're in the area, come visit! I've really enjoyed my visitors so far!

Now We're Ready!

Today we had our fifth and final baby shower! We are so incredibly blessed with friends, co workers and a church family who were willing to put the time, energy and finances into baby showers for us! Clark and I are truly humbled and appreciative of our friends and family. These pictures are from our baby shower today in Thousand Oaks. It was a mixture of people from various areas of our life but everyone seemed to blend quite well and had a great time. It was a classy day, a tea party! Hosted by Katy, my dear friend from college. She put so much effort into the shower and it seemed to be well worth it to me! Tons of food, fun and friends. This picture below is of me and Clark's Grandma Collins. She made this quilt for us! It is absolutely beautiful and even the stitching around the edges is in the shape of whales, rabbits and doves. She worked very hard on this and it will be meaningful to our family forever.

Here are the grandmas! Clark's mom is on the left in red and my mom is on the right in tan. We know they are both excited for the new grandson. This baby is very blessed with so many grandparents who love him already!

Our lovely hostesses: Stacy, Katy, (me), Kathy aka Coco, and Ann-Marie. We are finally ready now. We can have the baby! I go back to the doctor Monday and I'm hoping that will be the day. I'm ready to not be pregnant and if my health is borderline at risk, it seems it would be okay to just have the baby! I don't want the baby on Valentine's Day and it is tough to be on bed rest. But of course, his health is the most important thing, followed by my health and so I won't do anything my doc doesn't advise me to do! Please keep us three in your prayers, specifically my blood pressure, swelling, delivery, possible C-section and a healthy baby. We are excited and we hope all our friends will visit us and meet him soon.

Not quite yet

I figured I should update everyone about my doctor's appointment yesterday. He was concerned about the swelling and weight gain (water again) and my blood pressure was up. He sent me to do some labwork and said if it came back abnormally he would induce me last night. They were normal! So now I have to go back Thursday morning and he'll check me again. With my blood pressure rising there is no telling what will happen!
Again, you all know this up in the air business is killing me! I just want to plan things out...but the Lord is teaching me patience and trust. Two good things to learn as I enter into the world of motherhood! So I'm going to sit and grudgingly learn these lessons while my feet continue to swell :)

Clark on the other hand, is very excited! He is not afraid at all. He ran around yesterday telling his coworkers he might be a dad in a few hours. He is so cute, I love it! I'm glad one of us is not freaked out of their mind. I'm not afraid of the labor, just the parenthood part.

But we will definitely let you all know when the time comes!! Thank you for your prayers!

Doc says he's coming soon!

So I went to the doctor a week ago Friday and he said that he is concerned about all the swelling I have been having in my feet, hands and face. Yes, that's right, it's not ALL fat! I can't fit any shoes, my ankles are as big as my calves. Actually, I'm swollen all the way up to my thighs (at least that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!) So my ever-so-eloquent-and-sensitive doctor says the next step is "preeclampsia and then you die". I told him I didn't want to die so please do whatever it takes to avoid this. He says he will monitor me and he will likely induce the baby early. So my due date is Feb. 29th but it looks like I will not make it that far. Right now I'm 36.5 weeks along. Usually preeclampsia (aka pregnancy-induced hypertension) comes with high blood pressure. So far my blood pressure has been perfect, however, this weekend Clark has been checking it and it has gone way up. My next appointment is tomorrow (2/4 Monday) at 11am. We'll see what the doctor orders. He may just set me up with bedrest (what the heck? What is that?) There are still quite a few things we do not have for this kid but I guess the Lord will provide as needed.
For those of you who know me even a little know that I would prefer for Baby CAB to send me an email with his plans for arrival. I'd like a short itinerary with when contractions will begin and the items I should be checking off my infamous "To Do List". If he would only do this for me, I could sleep a little easier, well maybe not but my mind would be more at peace. That being said, Clark and I are very excited and nervous. I'm still ready to not be pregnant, even more now than ever! I actually WANT to exercise (I'm sure that desire will last until I am able to exercise and then it will quickly fade). So keep checking this blog because it seems there may be a new development after tomorrow (how's that for a teaser?) I appreciate all your prayers for a safe delivery. I'm really not afraid of labor and delivery. I trust that my body was made for that. I'm more scared of the unknown and of actually having the responsibility of a little one. I'll keep you posted!

Church Baby Shower

Last weekend (the morning after Garth Brooks), our wonderful church family gave us a baby shower! There were 10 hostesses for this one and Clark and I are just speechless at how many people would give so generously of their time and energy to make this happen. My mom was able to come up for this shower and so many people were there to support us despite the wet weather!
Here are a few of the beautiful hostesses: Angie, (me), Regan, Kari and Jenny. These are not only incredible friends but they are Godly examples of amazing, integritous women. I will definitely look to them as parenting examples (Jenny's not a parent yet but she's still very wise!)
Several other hostesses: (me), Helen Young, Angie, Claudette Wilson. We are so honored that these Pepperdine icons and amazing Christian leaders would host our shower. We were at Helen's home (Angie's home too). Missing hostess are Brooke, Heidi, Tammy, and Lydia. We are so thankful for this shower and the love that went into it.

Garth Concert!!

I'm playing catch up with some blogging - sorry its been so long! More explanation later. Clark and I got to go see Garth Brooks live in concert last weekend at the Staples Center! He is incredible! He did 5 shows in one weekend and we saw the last one. My doctor said it was okay but I sure did think I might be in labor a few times during the concert! We sang our hearts out - we knew every song. He is such an amazing performer. All the proceeds of this concert went to benefit the fire victims of SoCal. See how close we were? The tix were very affordable but sold out so fast. I can't believe I was one of the lucky ones who got tickets. Clark and I won't soon forget this last cool "date" before baby.

Not only did Garth perform, but his lovely wife, Trisha Yearwood, made a special appearance. They sang their duet together and then "Walkaway Joe" with Garth doing back up. They are very sweet together. This concert was so much fun!!!!