Colton's First Photoshoot

Thank you Amy for once again providing us with pictures that we will cherish forever! Colton turned one MONTH old two days ago on August 2nd! I took him to the doctor's yesterday because he has a herniated belly button. He is in the 82nd percentile for his weight so I think we will have quite the chunkers on our hands! (I'm so excited for the growing rolls to plump up!) In 2 weeks we are flying to North Carolina for a lake trip! My sister-in-law Whitney's family has a couple lake houses and we'll be staying there. I'm a little nervous to fly with a 6 week old baby, I hope he doesn't get fussy. If anyone has traveling tips I'd love to hear them! On Thursday we met up with Katie and Brent and their baby girl Eliza. It was so fun to see them, we officially wanna move back to Hawaii. I miss my Hawaii friends! They are the most awesome girls and a couple have moved back to the mainland but there are some still there. We should all move back and have things the way they were! (I wish I could have gone to that surf video date night with you guys!) This past weekend we had Devin's cousin Brittany's wedding and on Sunday we had Kyla's baby blessing.

Colton Update

This weekend Colton got to meet his Auntie Jackie and Uncle Chris from Hawaii and their twins, Dexter and Darla! We were so excited to catch up with them! We met up at Justin and Natalie's (Devin's brother's house) and Colton also got to meet some of his cousins for the first time! Colton has been smiling alot more lately, it's absolutely adorable! He's so hilarious with all of his grunting and growling and the funny faces he makes! I'm loving being a mommy to this cute little guy, I never want him to grow up. It makes me sad to think he won't be this small forever. He never cries when I give him baths, which is a good sign for our future little surfer dude...he loves water! On Saturday my cousin Amy took some "newborn baby" pics for a birth announcement and they turned out super cute! She is so creative and so talented! I will post some in the near future. Colton still wants to meet all his other "Hawaii" friends and his Uncle Cameron whose on a mission!

2 Weeks Old!

First bath!

Great Grandma Beth

His cord finally fell off! Gotta love that belly!

Yesterday Colton turned 2 weeks old! His umbilical cord fell off yesterday as well, so today I gave him another bath and didn't have to stress about getting that thing wet. Colton seems to have put on some weight in the last couple weeks. I'm learning how to prioritize my time with a baby that has his own schedule. I eat and do everything when he lets me, it's definitely something new! I wonder how people survive when they already have kids and add a baby to the mix! He is so funny and every once in a while he smiles (yes, I know, it's apparently just gas) and it's the most adorable thing in the world. I've gotten to sleep pretty well because I make sure to sleep when he sleeps. He is so fun to cuddle and kiss all day long. He is a well behaved baby that cries for the basics. We love Colton so much and we are really enjoying being parents! I've recovered fairly well thus far. I'm still tender but I've been able to go on walks with the baby. Life is good!

Labor + Delivery

On Wednesday night we went to bed with the anticipation of waking up the next morning to be at the hospital at 8 am to be induced into labor. However, our baby decided to spice things up a bit and my water broke early Thursday morning at about 1:50 am! Luckily our bags were packed and ready to go since we were planning to be at the hospital later on that day. I immediately called labor and delivery and told them my water broke and they told me to come to the hospital right away. By the time we arrived at the hospital I still hadn't had any contractions. They put us in our labor room and put the fetal heart rate monitor on me and told us to try to get some sleep. That's when my contractions began, while Devin was sound alseep. Since they were still bearable I let Devin sleep and I eventually somehow fell asleep myself for an hour or two. As the contractions got worse, the baby's heart rate continued to take a dive during each contraction. They had me on oxygen and I was getting more and more dilated and had reached 7 cm. They told me once I hit 5 cm I would likely dilate 1 cm each hour. Unfortunately, I stopped dilating once I hit 7 cm. The contractions were getting very painful at this time and I started to hyperventilate/have an anxiety attack. My hands, face, and legs were tingling and my hand muscles were contracting, (on top of the increasingly painful contractions) so I decided it was time for the epidural. Once that came I could relax a little bit. Then they had to put a device on the baby's scalp to monitor the heart rate closer because it was continuing to dive with the contractions. The other problem was that the baby would not come down low, he was up at -1 so my doctor told me they may have to do a C-section. I was in shock when she told me that. I was in no way mentally prepared to hear that, I was so scared! Devin was so great and such a support through the entire labor. My doctor talked with a few other doctors and they all agreed that with my situation a C-Section was safest for the baby. They took me in for surgery very soon after telling me this news, and the baby arrived shortly after! Finally seeing little Colton was one of the happiest moments of my life. Devin held my hand through the surgery and he videod the baby being pulled out. Colton is such an angel, he's the perfect baby. I don't want him to grow or change at all, I wish he could stay like this forever! He is so precious and we love him so much. We are constantly entertained by the faces he makes. He is our pride and joy and we are soooooo HAPPY! I am still very tender and sore, but Colton keeps me smiling. We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father who sent us this beautiful baby boy and we feel so blessed!

Introducing Colton Scott Dickson!

Colton Scott Dickson

Born: July 2nd 2009

@ 4:49 p.m.

C-Section Delivery

Weight: 7 lbs. 11.3 oz.

Length: 20.47 in.

Mommy and baby are doing great! Colton is such a blessing and we are so excited that he joined our family. We will give details about the labor and delivery later.

Thank you friends and family for all of your love and support!

Overdue Baby Update!

Alright, June 29th was the baby's due date and my birthday. I had a prenatal appointment yesterday with my midwife and she told me I was still about 70% effaced and had reached 3-4 cm dilated. So there has been some improvement. She also set an induction date for the baby...it's TOMORROW! (July 2nd) So, today I'm going to try to walk this baby out but if he doesn't get here in time, I am supposed to be at the hospital at 8am tomorrow morning to get induced! Devin and I are so excited, he didn't sleep well last night. He's been so distracted at work always waiting for me to call him if I go into labor. I can't believe tomorrow we are going to be parents!

My birthday:

I had quite the awesome birthday weekend. On Friday we went to Johnny Rocket's with my family. On Saturday we saw Transformers with Devin's family. And on Sunday we got both families together for lunch and cake. Devin sure did spoil me this year! In addition to the cute cake Devin's mom had for me, Devin went to the Cheesecake Factory and got me a whole fresh strawberry cheesecake. So when they sang "Happy Birthday" to me I got to blow out candles on 2 cakes! He also surprised me with my a cute pink tennis racket and some tennis balls, plus an ipod shuffle with a itunes giftcard, the movie "Baby Mama", and some shopping money. Thanks to everyone who made this birthday so special and fun!

Only 5 More Days!!!

Alright, the countdown continues! I had another prenatal appointment with my midwife yesterday and (after a painful examine) she determined I was dilated to 2 cm and about 70% effaced. She said that the baby wasn't very low and was worried that because I'm so narrow that I'd probably end up getting induced. (If you know me, my hips are anything but narrow so I don't really understand.) She is planning to have my induction date around July 5th so I need to get this baby out before then! I went on a long walk today but I still haven't had any contractions. I've had braxton hicks contractions where I can feel my stomach tightening, but no painful contractions. Is this baby ever going to come? Right now I'm sitting on a birthing ball, hopefully it's doing something helpful. Did I mention I weigh in at 133 pounds? Yes, I thought my weight had hit a plateau at 129, but last week I had gained 4 pounds! I'm still feeling great though. I'm definitely ready to not be pregnant anymore though. I'm over all this extra weight!

10 Days To Go!

At my doctor's appointment two days ago,Wednesday, they told me the same thing as last week! Still at only 1/2 cm dilated and 80% effaced! I'm not super ready for the baby to come, but I am super ready to not be pregnant anymore. I'm running out of clothes that fit and I don't want to go buy more when I could have the baby any day now. The reality of it still hasn't hit! (I know I've said that a hundred times) I can't believe I could really go into labor anytime! Since the reality hasn't hit I haven't really gotten nervous or anxious. I'm just curious and excited for this whole experience of having a baby! It just doesn't feel real! Tonight Devin and I are going on a date night and just want to enjoy a weekend at the beach since this could be our last chance to relax before the baby comes and the sleep stops. What if the baby comes on Father's Day? Who knows! I can't wait to kiss my baby's face all over!

Belly Shot + Baby Update

On Saturday we went with Devin's family to see his sister Kiki's choir concert at UCLA. Before the concert we all met up with Uncle Chris and Anna and enjoyed dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.

Baby Update:

I am in my 38th week of the pregnancy. Today I went in for a check up with my midwife and she told me I was dilated to 1/2 cm and 80% effaced. She estimated that the baby was about 6 lbs. The baby is in the head down position. (Which means I have to urninate everytime I stand up.) Besides that I haven't had any other signs of labor. I have been so thirsty + starving and feel like I eat every 10 minutes! The odd thing is, my weight hit a plateau a few weeks ago and I weighed in today at 129 lbs. Last week I weighed 130 lbs at my appointment but my doctor told me the baby is growing because my belly measurements have increased. I feel great! I haven't been sleeping as well the past few nights and my hips get a little sore from sleeping on my sides. The belly is definitely not comfortable and the baby jabbing me has been a little painful, I think he's bored and wants to come out. Just to remind everyone the due date is June 29th. (Which is on my birthday.) Devin has been a great husband and helps me relax when I get anxious about the baby coming. I just want everything to be perfect for when he comes and I've gotten almost everything bought and organized. I'm so excited for him to get here, it just doesn't feel real yet! We still haven't picked a name yet. We need to hurry up though!