Wow! I can't believe a week (and a day) have gone by since Coleman was born. So many things have happened (and not happened, such as , sleep) it is ridiculous!

Coleman has a head full of dark hair and what looks so far to be a darker complexion. He almost looks funny next to my fair children. But I was born w/ dark hair so at least Brad can't question where this child came from- ha ha! There are people on both sides w/ darker skin tones that account for that. I do wonder how long the hair will last!

Lincoln loves Coleman (more than Catherine, he says) and I wish I knew what Catherine thought. When we first brought him into the house in his infant seat, she thought he was a doll. She grabbed his blanket off and was reaching for his hat when we veered her away. Then he started to move and then cry.... you should have seen her eyes grow large. She just stared at him. I do think that if she could talk she would ask when he was going back. Luckily, she isn't a cuddlebug or we would have huge lap jealousy issues. So far, it hasn't been bad. She is learning that we can't pat him as hard as the cat and that she can kiss him on top of the head. She loves his toes, especially when compared next to her's, and rubbing his head.

Catherine, my little Catherine, is not so little anymore. When I came home from the hospital she felt heavy for the first time in her life and she looked so BIG! Nothing was small about her anymore- it was kind of sad. I had only been away 2 days and she "changed" so much!

Coleman had terrible tummy pains for the first few nights home allowing me no sleep (the least 1 1/2 hours; the most, about 4). He is currently sleeping in the bassinet part of our pack and play in my room. So I hear every sound (good and bad). Thankfully, my mom has been here and I was able to get little naps during the day. However, since those first few nights, Coleman has been waking up every 3 to 4 hours to eat allowing me a total of about 6 hours of sleep which is very doable. That is pretty much what our days look like as well. The hospital started us eating at every 3 hours and that's the way Coleman has kept it. There are a few times, like right before bed, that he'll eat at 2 to 2 1/2 hours apart.

Not everything has been peachy keen. The baby blues really hit me day 3 and 4 after I had Coleman. It happened with every one of my children so I was expecting it but still... Those nights where I got no sleep left me very emotional. I questioned everything I did and didn't do. I knew that the lack of sleep coupled w/ the hormone overload were to blame but I couldn't help worrying and wondering. Then that little bible verse came to me (in song) "Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." And as I hummed it I broke into tears, I knew that God was directing my path as a wife and mother, that Coleman's tummy would calm down, we would all be sleeping soon, and that I wasn't a terrible mother! I also asked God to send me other affirmations to give me some peace and they came through my 4 year old. During nap on that first hard day, after the song popped into my head, Lincoln says "Mommy, you are such a great mommy to my baby brother". Imagine me choking back the tears on that one. The next night he says to me "Mommy, you are such a sweet mommy." Lincoln doesn't say things like that every day and he had know no idea that I had been upset. I believe God sent those words to me through Lincoln. That coupled with some sleep has put me back on my feet!

Sorry this blog has been so long. But there was a lot that I wanted to "muse" about!
Love to all of you!

We're Proud to Announce

the Arrival of

Coleman Wade Brown

Born February 5, 2007

at 7:08 pm

Weighing in at 6 lb 2 oz

and 19 1/4 inches long.

Lincoln's Musings

This week has been particularly interesting in Lincoln vocabulary land. He has made Brad and me look at each other wide-eyed wondering where in the world he got that. Now that I think about it, they may not be funny to you if you don't know Lincoln. Hmmm, well I will share anyway. And know that they really were funny.... at least to Brad and me. :)

First. Last weekend we went to Tullahoma. Catherine was fussy, ready to sleep, and wanting her pacifier. So, I started crawling around our van looking for it. I was up, down, in the back, reaching around seats- you get the picture. Anyway, Lincoln, very matter of fact says "Mommy, that is a safety violation (this is where Brad and I made eye contact in the rear view mirror and tried not to laugh. We didn't teach him that word combination)." He went on to explain exactly what he meant. "Mommy, when we lose something in our car, it is dangerous to look for it. You are supposed to be in your seat with your seat belt on." I told Lincoln he was right, found the pacifier, and sat down. He did go on to explain that he learned that on some commercial between kid programs (TV programs are educational). :)

Second.

Background information- we continually work w/ Lincoln to stop picking his nose.

Okay, it is Wednesday night and we are on our way home from church. Lincoln says, with his pointer finger ready "Mommy, my nose is telling me that it wants my finger to go in there." (that's the funny line) To which I reply "Well, tell your finger that he can't go in your nose." Lincoln says in a true disciplinary voice "No, finger. You can't go in there!!" I am not sure what ended up happening, but Brad and I thought it was funny that his nose was talking to him and that you could hear in his voice this great debate in his mind: to pick my nose or to not pick my nose. Okay, so it is not so funny once written. Oh well, it is still insight into my little 4 year old's nose, I mean mind! ha ha

Okay it is past my bedtime, I should probably put you out of your misery too! However, this is a true glance into our family.

Blessings to you!

Anticipating #3-

It won't be long before our little guy gets here- just 4 WEEKS (or less). He is constantly on my mind. I can't really help thinking about him all the time due to the fact that my belly SO gets in the way (thank goodness for Lincoln- he picks up most everything for me). I am not nervous about having a third child. I am concerned more about Catherine who is already needing more discipline/direction as she approaches two in April. I don't worry about her reaction to the baby- Brad and I (and our families) were very aware and patient with Lincoln, making sure to include him and not shush him away when Cat. was born. But she is needing more direction than I sometimes have the energy to give and that will be worse when the lack of sleep, mulitple feedings, and constant attention to little guy enters the picture. I know that with your prayers and the Lord's help everything will work out. I am so thankful that Brad is such a good father and that our families are close and able to help!

By the way, Lincoln has great discipline ideas for Catherine... maybe I could leave him in charge. Today, he told me to give her "the biggest spanking she's ever seen" when she climbed up on the counter for the umpteenth time. Which I didn't do, but he could have her shaped up in no time- ha ha!

Again, I do covet your prayers over the next several months. Pray that we can compromise on a name, have a healthy baby, and together (including L. and C.) make it through the first 3 to 6 months with our new little guy (whom I can't wait to meet).

Best wishes to all of you and your families as the new year begins!