Babies, babies, and more babies!

Kaz One Month

It seems that this is the year for babies! Just in the past 5 weeks there have been 3 of us at my church that have had babies. There have been 5 born in the past 4 months. There are at least 3 more pregnant and two of them are due any time! It's crazy - that's just at Tampa Covenant! Plus, one of my cousins had a baby in January and one of Jared's cousins is due in May! Wow! That's a lot of babies! The fun part is all the kids will be close in age - he will have lots of friends! It's was fun being pregnant at the same time and now our kids can grow up together! I love the support and fellowship with those in the same stage of life as us.

We got Kaz's one month pictures back and I love them! Our photographer did such a good job! And of course it helps that he is so darn cute! He is growing right before my eyes! Last night Jared and I went to visit our friends Debbie and Glen in the hospital. They just had their fourth son - Levi Adam. He was beautiful and so tiny! Debbie warned me as I walked in that it would make me sad to see how fast Kaz had grown and she was right! My baby is getting so big! Although I love that my son is healthy and growing, it is hard to believe how time flies. My friend Jennifer gave me a journal (made by her - super cute!) so I can record my special moments with Kaz. What a great idea!

Love my boy!

Daddy's Love

Kaz is continuing to become more and more aware of things. He is making more sweet sounds and coos. He noticed the mirror the other day for the first time. It was cute! His neck and legs are becoming stronger and stronger. He holds his neck up pretty well and is starting to use his legs to stand (with assistance of course). We are using Skype to talk to my parents and my sister in Indiana. It's fun and they can catch a glimpse of Kaz as he grows and changes! We are praying that Lord allows them to move to Florida sometime in the near future (after Whit's wedding of course)! Thanks to all the family and friends who have blessed us their love in so many ways! We appreciate you deeply.

Kaz 1 Month Old !

Can you believe it!? Kaz is already a month old! Time flies! Sometimes it seems like just yesterday he came into this world and yet other times it seems that he has been part of our family forever. He is getting so big! Yesterday we went for a check up with the lactation consultant and he weighed in at 10 lbs. 8 oz. ! He gained almost a pound in a week! He his going to be a big boy! And his hair continues to grow like crazy! It has yet to fall out at all.

sleeping in his swing

Kaz is such a good baby. I love being home with him. I'm hoping this next month goes slowly because then I have to go back to work. Of course the sooner I go back to work, the sooner summer will be here and I will have three full month at home with my little man! It has been a dream of mine to be a stay-at-home mom. Jared's mom and my mom were both able to stay home with us and I never pictured anything different than that for my family. But, the world we live is very different than when we were kids. We are definitely a two income household. I am in constant prayer that the Lord will bring some sort of alternative income my way so that I could be home more. Although, I have to say that I am very thankful for both of our jobs. The Lord has blessed us with consistent, dependable work that provides for our needs. We are very blessed! I do enjoy teaching and as a working mother it is probably the most ideal job to have.

Kaz on Daddy's shoulder - one of his favorite places!

Kaz had his first photo shoot on Tuesday. We had his one month pictures taken. It was also the first time anyone has taken a picture of the three of us together! Can you believe that? One day I realized that we did not have a picture of Jared, Kaz and I together and Tuesday was the first time we were able to do so! I'll have to make point to do that early with our next child!

We started using our web cam this past week. My parents got it for us for Christmas and we finally got it up and running. We have made two video calls so far and it is so cool! It's really weird to hear my family coming through the computer! Now they can see Kaz weekly as he grows and changes! Unfortunately they are still trying to work out the kinks of Whitney's web cam on her computer so we can see them. They can see us, but we can't see them! It's still a lot of fun! Technology can be really cool sometimes! Well, I need to go get a shower while Kaz is still asleep. Enjoy the video below - he is becoming more active and responsive!

Just can't get enough of that Kaz!

Kaz is growing and changing daily! It's hard to believe he's almost 10 pounds already! His face is starting to fill out and I noticed his cute little belly is starting get bigger. He is such a content baby! He loves to stare right at you! In the middle of the night, if he doesn't go back to sleep after he eating, he doesn't cry he just looks at me! It's so cute! It's hard because I want to enjoy the moment and yet I am so tired I can't keep my eyes open. Kaz got his first real full bath on Sunday and really seemed to enjoy it! He smells so good! Below is also a quick video clip of Kaz stretched out on the changing table. He loves to look at the light coming in the windows of his room. If you're like me, you love to just watch him! Enjoy!

What a sweet boy!

Kaz's first bath!

Family Love

Daddy and Kaz

Kaz has a big family who loves him so much! Jared and I truly appreciate the love and support of both of our families. As I mentioned in the previous post my mom was able to surprise me at the hospital the morning after Kaz was born. Then, my dad and sister were able to fly in the following Tuesday (the original date planned for my c-section). Jared's parents, his brother James and his wife Holly all live here in Tampa. Jared's mom, Debbie, will be taking care of Kaz when I go back to work in mid April. Although I desperately want to stay home with Kaz, it is such a blessing, since I do have to go back to work, that he will be with his Nana who will love him and give him plenty of attention! I am looking forward to having the whole summer with him! One of Jared's other brothers, Mike, and his family happened to be down here for a visit about a week after Kaz born. Our nephew Lance has been so sweet to Kaz! Needless to say, we love our families and the love they have for our son. We are so thankful that they will all be an important part of his life! We are looking forward to introducing him to more of our family when we go to Indiana for my sister's wedding in May!

Grandpa Jimmy


Aunt Whitney





Poppy




Nana


Uncle Jim

Aunt Holly

Introducing Kaz Harper Collins!

Our Boy

First of all, we want you to meet our newest family member and the love of our lives Kaz Harper Collins! The little guy came earlier than expected, but we couldn't be happier!
Let me back track to February 11th. That night, from about 12:30 a.m. on, I was having contractions on and off. They never turned into a consistent pattern, but to say the least, I didn't get any sleep that night. I tried to go to work that morning (I really wasn't prepared to have a substitute yet - my last day was supposed to be the 13th), but that didn't last long. Within an hour, I was on my way to the doctor. When I got to the doctor they determined that I was not in active labor but was on my way there. I was 1 cm dilated and more than 50% effaced. Kaz was still breech, so they did not want me to go into active labor. I was sent immediately to the hospital. This was all a very unexpected, so I had to call Jared at work and he had to go home get all our stuff and then meet me at the hospital. By the time he got to the hospital I was already admitted, triaged, and about 30 minutes away from entering the operating room. It all seems very surreal now - it happened so fast! They took me into the operating room around 12:00 p.m. and allowed Jared to come in after they had given me the spinal (anesthesia). It seemed like an eternity to me, but Jared said it seemed like seconds. Before we knew it, the doctor was telling Daddy to pull out his camera because the baby was almost here! Kaz was born at 12:21 p.m., was 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 1/2 inches. He cried very quickly, which was the most beautiful music to my ears! Of course, we could hear all the nurses going on about his head of hair! Jared was able to walk around and watch as they cleaned him up, weighed him, etc. Soon thereafter I had my beautiful baby boy in my arms! (Of course, Jared had to help me because I was shaking so badly). He was just looking at us with his bright eyes! To say the least, it was a whirlwind of a day, but the happiest of our lives!

Mommy meets Kaz

Of course Jared couldn't be a prouder father! He is in love with his son! Bless his heart, that first night at the hospital I really couldn't get out of bed and so he took over all the diaper changes and he rocked! I know that first day was very exhausting for him.

Daddy and Kaz

Kaz after his first bath

Another big surprise, besides the one of Kaz coming 2 weeks early, was the morning after Kaz was born, my mom surprised me at the hospital. I wasn't expecting her until the weekend because my parents and my sister had already scheduled their flights for my planned c-section on the 17th. I was beyond delighted that she was able to be there so quickly and of course I sobbed, which after a c-section hurts! It was a big help to have her there at the hospital with us. She was able to give Jared a break so he could go home and clean up!

Grandma Jan

Those days in the hospital were pretty crazy. I have to say that I was very happy to come home! He is such a sweet boy and I think I am the proudest mom on earth! I now know the meaning of that instant, deep, deep love for my child from the moment I laid eyes on him! I cry just at the thought of what an amazing miracle of God he is!

Going home!

Life at home is definitely changed forever, but we wouldn't have it any other way! Kaz is such a joy and we can't stare at him enough! He definitely is the most beautiful baby boy I've ever seen (not that I'm biased ). He really is a pretty content and "chill" baby - he has his father's personality. He really doesn't cry too much and is pretty scheduled throughout the night. I think last night he slept for a 4 hour stretch! We will try to continue to keep you updated. Hope you enjoy the pictures of our little man! Please keep the three of us in your prayers!

A Quick Update

On Monday I went to the doctor for my 37 week appointment. Long story short... we found out that the baby is still breech! ( I was misinformed last week, I guess.) Confirmed by an ultrasound - his is still frank breech with his butt down and his feet folded up in face - kind of like a pike position. Although c-section was not the way I wanted to deliver my first baby, I guess God has other plans. I have accepted them and am focusing on the scheduled delivery date of February 17th (which is also my grandma's birthday as well as my volleyball player Star and her twin sister Sky!) Less than two weeks away! I can't wait to meet this tiny miracle inside me! The doctor said according to his measurements on the ultrasound he is already approximately 7 lbs. 8 oz. Sounds like he was going to be a big boy! They could also tell that he has a head full of hair. I actually have started to progress a little myself - on Monday I was dilated 1 cm. and 50% effaced. And that's without the head being down! I hope I can hold off until the scheduled date - my parents and my sister have their plane tickets and are ready to come down for the 17th! It is all in God's timing though - I have learned that I truly have no control! And I know that is for the best! Keep us in your prayers as we we prepare for this little one!

The Time Is Drawing Near!

mom and dad expecting

pregnant mama profile

We are now only 3 weeks away from meeting Baby Boy Collins! (And yes you'll find out his name...when he is born!) I will be 37 weeks on Monday. This past week was a long one - it is getting harder and harder to do all the things I need/ want to do. As a pretty independent person, this is hard for me to accept. I am trying to be good, slow down, and pace myself for the sake of the little guy. At my appointment this past week the doctor confirmed that the baby's head is down! Praise the Lord! Thanks for all of your prayers that he would not be breech! I really want to start with a natural birth - but of course most of all, I just want a healthy baby boy! I had also dilated 1/2 cm - which as my doctor said, "it's better than nothing!" Well see on Monday if I have progressed any farther!
Last weekend my mom and my sister flew down for my baby showers. I had one with the people from work and one with my church. I was so glad my mom and my sister could come down. It would not have been the same without them! Plus, we could not remember the last time we had had a girl's weekend together - just the three of us! I took the day off on Friday and we went shopping (at Babies R Us of course!) and spent a lot of time just enjoying each other and talking! My first shower was Friday night at a tea room! It was hosted by my team teacher Shelly . It was lots of fun - good food and fellowship! It is so wonderful to be blessed and supported by friends and family! We came home with a car load of baby gear! Then Saturday morning two ladies in my church hosted another shower. I was overwhelmed by the nearly 60 women that crammed into my pastor's house - it was standing room only! I am just blown away how God has placed such loving people in our lives and who I know will continue to support Jared and I as we begin to raise our family! It was a blessed weekend and by the end Mom, Whit, and I were exhausted! But of course we did have time to go to David's Bridal to try on bridesmaid dresses! Not only are we anticipating the arrival of our baby, but my sister is planning her wedding! Our timing is impeccable, I know! She is getting married at the end of May so she has been busy! Lots of exciting things going on in our family!

Mom, Bri, and Whit

Bri and Shelly (my team teacher)

Bri, Mom, Whit, and Deb (Jared's mom)

Whit and Bri and the monkey

a beautiful hand made blanket

Prayers of Blessing

The baby room is almost ready. Jared has painted the room and put up the blinds - it looks great! I have progressively been organizing all the wonderful gifts we have received! It is starting to come together! If you know me, I like to be as prepared as possible - I realize that virtually nothing can prepare me for the next few months of our life, but having his room ready, his diaper bag packed, and his clothes washed helps me feel a little calmer!
Before I go, thank you for those of you who have been praying for Jared to get a job. The Lord provides! Since he has been laid off he was given temporary work that helped sustain us and now has a new job. We praise and thank the Lord for meeting our needs! We are humbled by those He has placed in our lives to help in a time of need.

The baby's bed

Daddy getting the car seat ready!