9 Weeks

Colin had his 2 month doctor visit last Friday, 2/27. He is officially weighing in at 12lbs. 10 oz and is 23 inches long. Our little boy is definitely a healthy, happy boy! He also received his 2 month vaccinations and it was definitely more traumatic for me than it was for him.

After his doctor's visit, Colin's Grandparents Mills visited. Colin instantly broke into smiles and coos when he saw his Grandparents. We all enjoyed their visit including Rob and I who were able to go out for a bit Saturday night. Thank you! For whatever reason, Colin loves his changing table and seems to be the most active and happy when he is on it. I guess getting a clean diaper would make anyone happy :)

We received some lake effect snow on Sunday, but that didn't stop us from going to a yummy brunch. Our little Chicago Baby just bundled up and slept through the whole walk and breakfast.

Today Colin was able to meet yet another friend, Sarah Dingeldein. Sarah is 3 weeks old and the daughter of one of my lifelong friends, Leslie. We have known each other a long time and it is so fun that we now have children who are so close in age. Colin and I had such a nice, relaxing afternoon with Sarah and Leslie. She is adorable! I can't believe Colin was ever that small.

2 Months

Colin is officially 2 months old! We are trying to take a picture with the frog every month so that we can see how big Colin is getting. Below are his 2 month pics.


For reference, here is his 1 month frog pic. Colin was not very cooperative this day, plus Rob is a much better photographer than me :)

Last week Colin was lucky enough to meet his Great Aunt Barbara. We all went to dinner Thursday evening and Colin was so good. He slept through the whole dinner.

Rob got his cast off this week so he is now faster at diaper changes and all things involving Colin. Both Colin and I are extremely grateful that his broken hand is healing.

On Saturday we went to visit the Mariers. We had such a nice, relaxing time and Kate was such a big help. She gave Colin a bottle and even burped him!

Colin is still being a great little sleeper. Last night he slept for 7 hrs. straight again. Thank goodness for swaddling! Although he is a bit fussy sometimes and it may take some time to get him down, overall we are thankful for the sleep he lets us get.

In addition, he is spending more and more time on his activity mat. He enjoys batting at the toys that hang, listening to the music and watching the lights. He is spending more time on his tummy each day and becoming stronger. We are also playing each day with some colorful toys and working with some black and white images that he can look at.

We go for his 2 month drs. appt this Friday. Wow, has the time flown.

Colin Makes New Friends

Last weekend Rob and I visited the Parkins and their new son AJ (Alastair). Both Ann and I were due on the same day, Jan. 2. Colin was born Dec. 27 and AJ was born Dec. 31. We all had a great time introducing the boys who we are sure will be life long friends. It was so nice out, we went for a long walk with the boys around the Parkin's neighborhood and then had a yummy dinner. Although Colin was a bit fussy that afternoon, he was great around his 6p bedtime and went to sleep rather easily and didn't wake up thru his diaper change, car ride home and transfer to his crib. Wow, were we lucky! Aren't they too darn cute together?

Last week was warm for Chicago, so Colin and I took advantage. On Monday we went to an outdoor mall and walked around. We also went for a lot of walks around the neighborhood during the week. Colin made his first walk to the lake, although he slept through it. On Friday, Colin attended his first (surely not his last) Chicago Auto Show, although he slept through the whole thing. We went with the Mariers to the auto show and Kate was such a big help with Colin. That night we went to our favorite restaurant, Uncle Julio's for dinner with the Mariers.

Saturday was Colin's first Valentine's Day. And of course we had to dress him appropriately (see pic. below). We were lucky enough to celebrate Valentine's Day with yet another new friend, Jackson Serge. It was his first birthday party and Colin had so much fun meeting new friends and just looking around at everyone. He was so good and didn't cry or fuss at all. He was just so enthralled with all of the new faces and places.

7 week update on Colin: He is now grabbing onto things including fingers, hair, shirts, etc. He is definitely a lot more talkative. He is cooing, squealing and overall being a lot more vocal. We are starting to see more smiles each day as well. Hope you enjoy the below video update! It is my first time posting a video, so I hope it works.

Colin 1 Month

I realize I am little overdue, technically Colin is 5 1/2 weeks today. However we have definitely been keeping busy over the past couple weeks. We had some more visitors, Ann, Gretchen and Patsy came to visit Colin. Plus his Grandparents Mills came to visit as well since the last time they saw him was in the hospital. Wow has he changed since then. We also had my Director, Jenni visit us with her daughter Maddie. They were so cute together!

Colin is now more alert during the day. He definitely notices colors and noises when you put toys in front of him. We are starting to see hints of a smile every now and then. He is just getting stronger and bigger every day. He now takes a bottle once a day. He took to the bottle very easily and we have not had any problems. Rob is now enjoying bonding with Colin when he gives him a bottle for one of his feedings each night. Plus, I can get some additional sleep!

Our days when Rob is at work are full of diaper changes, sleeping, playing, tummy time, singing, dancing and eating. Sometimes it can be a little challenging on the sleeping. We definitely try and get out for some fresh air when the temp. is over 25, but that has been rare the past couple weeks. In addition, I have started our search for a Nanny for once I go back to work. I can't believe my maternity leave is already 1/2 over. Wow, has time flown.

Our nights changed once he hit 5 weeks. He is not falling asleep quite as easily as he used to. Although he is still sleeping for a good 3-4 hrs once he falls asleep. It is a bit harder to get him back to sleep during the night once he is up. We have had a lot of late night floor walks. Although he slept for 7 hrs. straight the other night!

On the weekends, Rob and I have been just enjoying our time with Colin. Unfortunately both Colin and I were asleep before the Superbowl even started last weekend! Don't worry, I saw the commercials online the next day.

Colin is 20 Days Old

Even though today was a record cold for Chicago, Colin had his 2 week Dr. appt. Apparently it is the coldest Chicago has been in 15 years! It was -17 degrees before any wind chill when we left for his Dr. Appt. Of course, Colin slept through the whole car ride around the block to the Drs. office. We are lucky that his Pediatrician is just a block and 1/2 away. However today it was a bit cold to walk with the wind, so we drove.

He is officially weighing in at 9.5 lbs and 4oz. He is 21.5 inches long. He is growing like a weed. He has been doing great on his tummy time and is still finding his thumb every now and then to suck.

Earlier this week we had Colin's first bath. As you can see he is also sucking his thumb. He did great for his first bath, no crying!

I should also mention that during Colin's first week home, our friends Nicole, Pete and Caroline also visited Colin.

The sandwiches they brought Rob and me were extremely yummy and appreciated! Thank You

Everyday Colin makes us laugh with a funny face or unusual pose.

Thanks again to everyone for the wonderful gifts and food. We can't say enough how fortunate we are to have such wonderful friends and family!

Colin is 17 days old

Colin is now 17 days old. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Everyone keeps saying that it goes fast, but it has. Now that Rob has gone back to work, my Mom has been here to help. It has been so nice to have an extra set of hands to help out with as I have been transitioning from being able to do things when I want to, to now doing things when Colin enables me to. aka when he is sleeping. Plus as each day passes, Colin is showing us his personality and is getting a little more fussy so it has been great to learn tricks of the mommy trade for soothing.

We had some more visitors last week. Bill and Caryn from my old job stopped by for dinner. It was great to see them and they brought Colin some great boy clothes.

Colin is now sleeping about 3-4 hrs. at a time during the night. Most of the time I need to wake him up to feed him. We are considering ourselves lucky. So we will see how long that lasts.

This past weekend we were able to get some additional professional photos taken of Colin at 2 weeks. So we will be sure to post some of these once they are ordered. Otherwise, it was a pretty relaxing weekend. Unfortunately the Chicago cold is definitely keeping us inside on most days. However we were able to take advantage of the 30 degree weather yesterday and go out to Babies R Us and eat out for lunch. After being inside for the past week or so, it was great to get out.

In addition, yesterday Colin found his thumb and went to town on sucking it. Although we are not sure that he will find it again soon, it certainly did the trick in soothing him last evening. Now that his cord has fallen out, we plan to give him a real bath soon. Colin is so lucky to have a ton of bath toys for bath time, that it should be fun.

Each day Colin is more alert and getting bigger. We will post more pics soon once I can get on Rob's computer.

Colin is 6 Days Old

Today (Jan. 2) Colin had his second Pediatrician Appt. He is almost back to his birth weight. He is now weighing in at 8lbs. 4oz. The Dr. is no longer concerned about any jaundice and he gave Colin a clean bill of health.

Although the past couple days have been filled with diaper changes and feedings, Rob and I have enjoyed every minute of it bonding with Colin. Plus we have been so blessed to have my sister and her boyfriend here who have pitched in on diaper changes as well as loving on Colin.

Colin was a trooper on New Years Eve helping us ring in 2009. Although he did sleep thru the ball dropping and all of the noise makers.

New Years Day consisted of watching the Winter Classic and lots of napping for Colin and his brothers.

Today Colin was lucky enough to meet the Carpenters. Both Kelly and Ryan have been friends with Rob since our Miami days, so it was great for them to meet Colin right before his nap. Later this evening we went out to an early dinner. Rob and I have been going a little stir crazy so it was great to go out for a quick dinner with Becky and Shawn. And of course, Colin was great and slept thru the whole dinner.

In addition, since we have been going thru so many diaper changes we have of course been subsequently going thru many clothing changes. Thanks to Great Aunts Dixie and Mona for his adorable onsies. Colin has been so lucky to have such great friends and family that have given him the most adorable clothes that he has rapidly been going thru over the past 6 days. I will do my best to take pics and post them of many of the outfits. But thank you to all for the adorable clothes! It is certainly a lot easier now that we know he is a boy instead of "Baby Mills" :)