For My Unborn Grandbaby...
Collin Joseph

April 1, 2000: Once again, I find myself in complete shock and total disbelief, more so now than previously. Your mom kept telling me she thought she was pregnant, but I couldn't believe it and/or didn't want to believe it. Afterall, I'm still reeling in high heaven over the birth of your cousin, Taylor. Well, we found out today that you are definitely baking your way to perfection and will be arriving almost exactly 10 months after your cousin arrived into our family. I'm in shock, really, as your mama was in complete shock and dismay watching her twin sister going through labor. She was scared to pieces and cried when the doctor announced that your Aunt Radona needed a cesarean section. But, as you will discover throughout your life, even though the general rule of thumb is that none of us want to repeat history, history does often have a way of repeating itself, and as par for the course, our lives here are no different than most :-)

April 5, 2000: Today, we got official confirmation that you are growing inside of your mama. Honestly, I just kept saying "not again". I don't know what to say or do. All I know is that I keep thinking I don't know if I can go through all of the worry again, especially so soon after your cousin was born. I'm still not over all of that. It sounds selfish, but my nerves just aren't that strong *grin* Your mama goes for her first OB appointment on the 28th, and I know from past experience that they will schedule her first ultrasound. That is going to be exciting. So, we shall go from there. According to the calculations of the nurses, you will arrive somewhere around November 18, 2000. The ultrasound, however, will tell for sure. I find it rather ironic that your cousin, Taylor, arrived in the birth month of Aunt Amity and you are planned to arrive in the birth month of Aunt Holli :-) I will update again after the OB appointment.

April 28, 2000: Wow! Your mama had her first doctor visit today, and we got to hear your heartbeat -- so strong and so fast. You are still so tiny, so it was completely amazing!!!! Everything seems fine. They drew blood on your mom, and she nearly passed out on us. Boy, is she ever in for a big shock when she is ready to have you and they put the IV in *grin* They scheduled the ultrasound for May 19, so we will get to see you soon. And, who knows, we may just be able to find out exactly who you are, if we are lucky :-) I will update again soon!

May 19, 2000: Today was our first look at you, and what an experience that was!!!! The shots on the ultrasound were awesome. In the very first one, you had both arms up with your hands on your head :-) You waved at us at one point, and that was really neat, cause we saw your tiny little fingers wiggling :-) We even saw your little mouth open and close! The ultrasound said you are 15 weeks gestational age, and you are due to arrive November 10. We did not get to find out your gender, though. The ultrasound tech didn't even try. She tried to tell *me* that the genitalia aren't even developed yet. LOL LOL I guess she thought she was talking to a blooming idiot! NOT!!!! I immediately told her she was nuts and that *I* know they are very much developed (and I have concrete facts to prove that). Anyway, we'll just have to wait till the next time, and hopefully, we will not have that same technician *grin* I've been buying a few "frog" baby toys here and there for you, and today was no different...got a frog bath mit and a frog rattle. I also bought you two onsie type outfits that are really cute....one in cream and one in mint green. I also bought your basinnette, which is soooo pretty. I saw it a couple of months ago and we all fell in love with it. Once we know who you are exactly, I'll buy some gender related outfits for you :-) Your mom goes on June 2 for her next OB visit, so we will go from there.

Here's your very first photograph (your legs are crossed right leg over the left leg at the knee -- you must be a boy!!!!! *grin*), your right arm is up with your hand on your head, and your left arm is bent and up -- that white spot is your hand) -- you are sooooooo cute:

June 2, 2000: Your mama had another OB visit today, and all is well. She gained 4.5 pounds in the past five weeks, and you are growing so well. All of her previous lab tests are great (either negative or normal), so that is great news. Your mom is starting to have a well rounded belly and feels you move quite a bit, so you are making your presence well known. They offered another lab test called alpha fetoprotein (to check for neural tube defects and Down's screening), but your mom refused to have it done -- that needle stick thing! What a big chicken she is *grin* She goes back on June 30 for another check-up, and we'll go from there. See ya then.

July 2, 2000: Hi again, little one!!! Another month has gone by and another OB visit down. Your mama gained another four pounds and is slowly getting a very well rounded belly :-) We heard your precious beating heart again, and it is so strong. The rate is steady in the 130s, and all the indications are that you are boy. We should find out in just a few more weeks. We figure they will schedule another ultrasound at your mama's next visit. Your mama is doing fine. Everyone seems to be amazed that she has not had "morning sickness", though, and at how tiny she still is for being 5.5 months along. She eats like a horse and has gained 19 pounds, so I know you are well nourished :-) Later in the day, I got to feel you kick my hand for the first time, and wow :-) that was wonderful :-) Time is passing so very fast, and before I know it, you'll be here!!! I can't wait to see you, hold you, and spoil you rotten. I know you are going to be such a joy...just like your cousin, Tay :-) See you again soon!!!!

July 29, 2000: It's me again, little one! Yesterday was another OB visit, and all is well. You are growing so well! Your mama gained 7 pounds -- whew!!! She's getting such a huge belly :-) She weighs a whopping 124 pounds *lol* For her, that's heavy!!!! We go back in two weeks for a glucose tolerance test (heaven help us...your mama is already "passing out" at the thought *lol*), and then we have another ultrasound -- we are hoping to find out exactly who you are!!!! My bet is still that you are a boy! We shall see!!! See you in two weeks.....

Augsut 6, 2000: Your mama gave us a huge scare Tuesday night. She called me at work around 7 and asked me if I was busy, tells me she's "bored" (she was at your great-aunt Jodie's and they had left her alone), and then tells me she hadn't felt you move in over 24 hours and needed to go to Labor and Delivery. She hung up with me to call Jodie, and I was frantic while waiting on her to call me back. She didn't, so I called over there and got no answer. By this time, all sorts of thoughts were going through my head, and I couldn't type at all. I kept trying to call and even had the operator call through, all to no avail. So, I leave and go all the way to Jodie's, and your mama was not there. I go home, and she wasn't there either. By this time, I was frantic beyond words. I calmed down enough to call the hospital, and guess what? She was there! Then I got furious that she didn't have the decency to call me back and tell me that your "Grandma Theresa" brought her up there. I could hear your heartbeating on the monitor, so I knew you were okay. I drove all the way back to Lake Charles, and when I walked in the labor room, I wanted to choke your mama. She just rolled her eyes at me, like "it was no big deal". That's your mama....as goofy as the day is long with no common sense and absolutely no consideration for anyone else!!! *lol* The only consolation I have with regards to you is that your mama is really good with your cousin, Taylor :-) So, I know she'll be good with you :-) Anyway, the doctor monitored you for about two hours, just to be sure everything was okay. It was. We could hear you moving about on the monitor, but your mama still couldn't feel you. I don't understand that at all -- unless you are back up and kicking her in her back *lol* Then again....she should still be able to feel you. Like I said, your mama is a strange one *lol* Oh, and she has changed her mind on your middle name if you are a boy. It is now Joseph, which was my dad's name :-) I like that better than James :-) I can't wait till Friday to see you again :-)

August 12, 2000: Your mama had her blood test drawn yesterday morning, and surprisingly, she did much better *grin* She did turn as white as a ghost after it was over, but her pink color came back as soon as I said "It's okay now, it's all over." I told her she probably had such a bad time the first time because they drew four vials of blood and this time was only one. She gained 1.5 pounds in two weeks, and all is well with you. We went shopping afterwards to kill time, and then I took everyone to lunch before we went to the hospital for the ultrasound.

We had a male tech this time and went into the "perinatology ultrasound room", where we had a huge monitor to see you. It was GREAT!!!! I was joking when I saw the top of your head and said "Look at all that hair!", but the tech said that you really did seem to have a lot of hair and showed us the "white fuzzy areas around your head" :-) I bet it's blonde!!! I had to laugh when I saw your little arms with clenched fists. They had to be the skinniest arms I have ever seen. The rest of you seems perfect, though *grin*

Well, the first look at your "bottom" was only a 90% estimate. I told the tech my guess was a boy, and he said that was what he thought, too, but....the cord was laying over one area, and he really wasn't 100% certain. We were all so excited, though. Your mama and I knew you were a boy from the get-go.

Anyway, the tech went on and looked at your stomach, liver, heart, the cord, and etc. Then, when he went back to your "bottom", he laughed and said "Yep, it's definitely a boy." When I looked, yep, it was obvious!!!! :-) So, now we know who you are, and I am beyond thrilled. I have to admit I wanted you to be a boy real badly just like I wanted your cousin to be a girl real badly :-) How lucky can I be!!!! :-) Your due date has changed by one day to November 9, so we have about 13 more weeks to anticipate your arrival :-) The tech estimated your weight right now at 2 pounds 6 ounces, so you are thriving real well :-)

Needless to say, we went shopping last night after I got off from work, and I bought lots of blue outfits, sports oriented onsies, and some blue Precious Moments outfits, along with lots of frog toys :-)Today, we went shopping again, and I got two Precious Moments blankets (one is a receiving blanket in blue that matches the gift set I got last night and one is a beautiful blue shawl with an embroidered PM logo on it). With everything I have gotten so far, you will be set for a while after you arrive :-)

My birthday is Monday, the 14th, and finding out for sure you are a boy is a perfect gift :-)

Here are the pictures from the ultrasound:

Aw......you're sucking your fist :-)

:-)

August 19, 2000: Your mama's GTT came back positive, so she had to go through a FOUR hour GTT yesterday at the hospital. Needless to say, she was not happy about this, but she really did well. There was only one stick that made her queasy and nearly pass out, so that was really good considering she was stuck five times that day.

September 5, 2000: Time is drawing closer to your arrival, and I'm anxious to see you :-) I've been ordering lots of things on line and buying things in different stores for you...tons of frogs from a "frog in the box" to a chime ball frog to musical frogs, vibrating frogs, frog bootees, frog stroller toy, frog rattles, frog bath mit, frog flashlight that ribbits, frog bibs, frogs on clothing, and even a frog rattle that can be used to put on your wrist or around a bottle. Even your "saucer" has a frog on it -- in a pond of water, sitting on a lilly pad :-) I sure hope you like frogs, Collin :-) The theme for your crib, however, is Precious Moments, so I've been going nuts buying PM items when I find them -- the crib bedding and tons of clothes, blankets, pillow, bottles, pacifiers, brush and comb, rattles, muscial bear, and etc. You are loaded with toys and clothes already, plus you have a brand new crib that Auntie Renée bought (and she sent you tons of outfits that are just too adorable -- two are "frog" outfits -- and a stuffed frog) and the ultra saucer and the bassinette that I've gotten. We really only need you now (and some diapers *grin* I have yet to buy the first newborn diaper). Your mama has grown to an enormous size, but it doesn't seem to bother her much at all. This heat wave would have killed me if I were eight months pregnant *grin* But, she's doing fine. The four hour test was negative, by the way. So, that was good news! I think she's getting nervous, but that's to be expected. We're trying to plan a baby shower for your mom and you, so we shall see how that goes. More soon...you and your mama go to the doctor on Friday for another check up.

September 8, 2000: The check up went fine this morning. Your mama has gained lots of weight -- she's 133 now, which is outrageous for her!!!! I bought you another PM item today -- a beautiful blue PM walker that has a musical activity center on it. I had seen this months back, but I hesitated buying. Needless to say, the line sold out in a flash. However, we found ONE today on clearance sale, so I snatched it up real fast :-) It's adorable!!!! I know you'll love it :-) I also bought the invitations for your shower and some thank you cards. Your mama goes back in a month, and then the visits go twice a month and then every week....time is drawing near! :-)

September 24, 2000: Last weekend, I got the layaway out with all the crib bedding and etc. I also bought newborn diapers, a new baby book, more baby wipes, and the PM crib mobile, amongst other things. Your shower is two weeks from today. Your mama goes back to the doctor the day before, and the countdown will really be on. She'll be 35 weeks and start going to the doctor more often. Time has just flown, and I can't wait to see you. I keep dreaming about you, so I'm anxious to see if my dream is correct as to what you really look like :-) See you later.

October 3, 2000: I had to take your mama to the hospital yesterday afternoon. She thought her "water broke", but it didn't. We were there for over four hours. She was having Braxton-Hicks contractions occasionally, but you aren't even close to being born just yet. An exam proved that! A urine test showed your mom had an infection, so they gave her an antibiotic. The doctor also ordered another ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid level, so we got to see you again :-) All is well, and you have grown so much since the last one. Your estimated weight right now is 6 pounds 12 ounces. :-) She goes to the doctor on Friday, and we'll go from there. She's miserable, though, and is anxious for the time to be here. I am, too :-)

Here's the ultrasound pic:

October 6, 2000: Another doctor visit down, and all is well. We go back in two weeks and then every week after that till the big day . Tomorrow is the shower in your honor. I put your car seat on layaway today. Your other grandma is buying the matching stroller. They are so pretty -- navy with a lighter blue patchwork print. Tomorrow's gonna be fun....and I have my camera ready :-)

October 14, 2000: The shower went well and was a lot of fun! You got a lot of much needed goodies, too. Here are a few pictures..... Time is wearing down...four weeks and counting :-) Your mama is miserable and can't wait till you arrive!!!!!

October 20, 2000: Things are starting to change -- time is growing closer :-) Your mama is experiencing some "changes" (a little dilation), so the countdown is really on. All is well, though. She gained four pounds in two weeks - whew! All we do now is watch and wait. She goes back to the doctor in a week, and we'll go from there.

October 27, 2000: Another OB visit has come and gone, and good news...the progression increased :-) Your mama didn't gain any weight in the past week, so that's wonderful. The nurse had a hard time getting your heartbeat as you kept moving and kicking up a storm. Dr. B said you seem to be a big baby, and they won't let your mom go passed 39 weeks -- that is NEXT week :-) So, next Friday, we will see if they will schedule augmentation of labor, that is, if your mama doesn't explode before then. I'm so excited!!!! So....we wait just a little bit longer :-) See you soon, and I hope the next time is in person!!!!! :-)

November 3, 2000: Well, I guess what Dr. B said doesn't matter :-( The RNP has a different plan! Anyway, the next time I update should be to tell the whole world that you are here :-) There was no change in today's exam, so we go back on Thursday, the 9th. If there is still no change, they are going to place Cervidil in your mom to start getting things ready, and then we'll go into the hospital that afternoon. If there is a change, we will go into the hospital early on the 10th (your due date) for induction. So, either way, you will be born in a week, and we are all nervous and excited :-) See you in person real soon :-)

November 13, 2000: As I stated above, here I am to announce your birth to the whole world :-) You were born Friday, November 10, at 8:29 p.m. via cesarean section. You weigh 8 pounds 3 ounces and are 21 3/4 inches long with dark, dark brown hair, and are as precious as the day is long :-) I am so happy all is well and that you are here :-) My little man :-) You are sooooo precious, and Mawmaw loves you more than words can say :-) Although this means my diary comes to an end, as with your cousin, I will complete the saga on your arrival with "A Baby Story 2" as soon as I can find the time to scan photos and type the story -- right now, I'm too busy holding you and loving you :-)

Anyway, for the time being, people interested in meeting you, can see your hospital photo and a very short video of you at LCMH.com :-) (It will only be there for a short while and then will be taken down -- Please note, those really don't look like you!!!)

Back home