Colton Samuel | Month One at a Glance

::   Spent the first 8 days in the hospital fighting pneumonia
::   ::   Had a 2-hour ambulance ride on icy roads
::   ::   ::   Smiled a lot
::   ::   Was so photogenic there are over 1300 images in Mommy's personal file for February!
::   Loved being held and snuggled and loved on constantly
::   ::   Graduated to size 1 diapers and outgrew most newborn-size clothes
::   ::   ::   Topped the month out at 10 pounds, 2 ounces
::   ::   Became big brother's best friend

Colton Samuel

Welcome to the world, sweet and precious little man!

Our darling baby was born on Wednesday, January 30th at 6:29 PM. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long, much to the shock of his mama who wasn't expecting a near-2 pound difference from his big brother's birth weight (6 pounds, 9 ounces).

Little Colton's first 8 days of life were nothing short of adventurous--in a not-so-pleasant way. It included tests, x rays, inconclusive results, antibiotics, monitors, oxygen hoods, nasal cannulas, cpap, stomach tubes, sedation, a respirator, 2-hour ambulance ride on icy roads to Mayo in Rochester MN, a lot of tears, even more prayers, a miraculous turn-around, and a fabulous home-going to be together as a complete family. Someday soon I hope to write out his story, as writing helps me process things and I don't want to forget the mercies that surrounded us in this journey. But, I am a mom of 2 now and am treasuring every opportunity to hold and cuddle the blessings in my life.

And So We Wait

It is a blustering wintery mix of heavy snow and freezing rain today. The weatherman declared these conditions to make traveling "very hazardous or impossible." It made me cheerfully realize that it is a very good thing I will probably be pregnant for another 40 or so weeks (possibly months or even years), give or take, as it would not be a good idea to go in labor and have to navigate the 30 miles to the hospital in this stuff.

But I digress. I wouldn't mind having such a reason to make such a trip.

For those of you wondering, I am currently just shy of 39 weeks (I know, I know, I don't get to start complaining yet) and found out a couple prenatal appointments ago that things have definitely been happening and the verdict seemed to be left at every one treating me like a ticking time bomb. Which, given my previous birth history, I basically am (in summary, I may be known to have delivered 14 minutes after arriving to the hospital 2 miles away and have been informed that this particular bustling hospital still remembers me). To add to everyone's anxiety, this baby has been playing labor games with me ever since I found out my labor is basically half-way over.

But while we wait for this Winter storm to pass and the elusive true labor that probably won't be happening anytime soon, I thought I should post the photos my brother took of us in December. I know you probably think I'm tiny, but don't worry, I was only 31 weeks pregnant at the time and baby and me have grown by leaps and bounds since then.

I happen to think I do have the most adorable family in the history of ever....

After four years my sweet husband still remains my faithful best friend, soul mate, rock and.... dork. He always makes me laugh. I love him.

My son is the sweetest, most affectionate and loving child I have ever met. I feel so spoiled to be his mom. It completely melts my heart the way he looks forward to his baby brother's arrival. Yesterday he pulled up my shirt to give the usual hello-baby's and kisses and quipped invitingly, "Baby wanna play?"

 

A Moment of Silence

I don't think there are any of us untouched by Friday's tragedy. And now the names and faces of the victims are circulating and I realize just how precious and innocent and beautiful these little ones were. I lie sleeplessly in bed at night aching for the parents, the families, the loved ones, the police, firefighters and other rescue workers, knowing this tragedy is nothing short of impossible for them to accept. My own precious child sleeping safely in his bed just down the hall, tousled curls burrowed against his favorite puppy with not a care in the world makes me feel like the richest woman in the world. My attempts at formulating all the thoughts and emotions I feel as a mom regarding this senseless tragedy have failed. I just can't get beyond all the empty little beds in Connecticut. Oh Jesus, be near.

With that said, the plans for all the adorable posts I had planned for the coming weeks have been post-poned. Anything short of a moment of silence to honor the victims, their families, their loved ones, and their communities feels trite. 

I pray that somehow, in all the horror of it all, that comfort and peace would surround all those touched by 12-14-2012. May the God of all Comfort comfort their hearts and someday, somehow, bring joy back to their lives.

Because Normal Doesn't Come in the Family-Size Package

It is the goal of every mom who sets up family portraits for the Christmas card to get some nice shots of mom, dad, and kids... looking normal. Normal, as in happy and focused family. A painted picture of the family bond in all of its mild and loving glory. The cooperative children, obliging husband, a contented mom, and the American dream of living the perfect life. All one thousand words typed into the shutter of the camera pixel-y representing the elusive normal family.

I try not to infringe on the rights of people to their presentation of normalcy. 

However, in an attempt to prove the fact that real-life normal is actually a whole lot more interesting than put-on normal, I gathered up an excerpt (note that word: excerpt--just an excerpt!) of the evidence from a recent family shoot featuring my sister's not-afraid-to-be-the-Nelson-normal family. 

So, from the files of Not-to-be-Framed-and-Hung-in-the-Staircase, please enjoy the craziness of what makes a family normal.

[please note: while the production of these images feature only the most realistic normalcy of this family, we did succeed in capturing a few more dull-normal frame-able shots (which were indeed the whole purpose of the photo shoot) that are not included in this post]

What's your normal? Celebrate it.

Joel & Savannah: Husband & Wife

And then they tied the knot. 

(Belated) Congratulations to the lovely Joel & Savannah on their marriage. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of capturing your special day!

They wrote love letters to each other to read together right before their ceremony. That special moment was shared without breaking tradition and seeing each other. 

Your First Breath Took Mine Away

Every time I look at my now two year-old son I celebrate this incredible moment. 

James Teagon

9:14 AM

Friday, October 29, 2010

6 pounds, 9 ounces, 20 inches long

Born after 2.5 hours of labor, 

14 minutes after arriving to a hospital 2.8 miles away