There & Back Again by Bilbo Baggins...

What a week! Collin Tidwell arrived Thursday evening (7/8/10)--he weighed 8lb 12oz and was 22" long with tons of dark hair and beautiful skin--lets hope it lasts! He is the perfect little boy, sleeps/eats/poops, rarely cries (I think I've heard him twice) and just slept from 2am until almost 7am this morning!

Getting him here was quite the adventure--hence the title of this post. We had a missed epidural stick, another attempt that poked through causing a "not quite numb in the right places" result & spinal headaches after. Then the first solution for the incapacitating headaches didn't take so I was back in the hospital less than 24 hours after discharge trying the blood patch procedure again--needless to say 4 epidurals in 4 days wasn't my idea of "feeling better after the baby was born". However...we have felt very blessed in many other ways. Our friends, family & ward have been incredibly helpful, the recovery process has been amazingly quick with almost no "post baby hormone" issues, grandma is here taking care of us all--what more could we ask for? The Lord has truly inspired those around us to help when we needed it most and Collin is healthy and happy. I'm sure more photos will come in the next week but here are a few quick shots to satisfy the grandmas/grandpas and out of towners DYING to see the little guy.

What about...

ok, I'm being neurotic I know but I hate not having names narrowed down this close to d-day. What about Evan or Jake? Or anything else remotely good since we still have no feeling one way or the other?

Catch Up...

There is A LOT to post about but I have no time for that right now. First we have to figure out what to name baby boy #3--I refuse to be calling him "baby" for the next several months because his father & I can't think of anything good. We are pretty traditional, we want something that isn't too trendy & will fit with the other two kiddos (jason & ryan). The middle name will most likely be Jack, Joseph, or Paul after our grandfathers. Take the poll, leave comments...help us PLEASE!

Psychiatric Help--5 cents!

So Ryan has been going through what I HOPE is a phase! He won't stop hitting, whether playful, powerful or on purpose he just won't stop. I have mentioned before that this is one stubborn child and what took Jason seconds to learn, seems to take Ryan months. We have tried time out, sitting in the corner, the "naughty" stool (super nanny), taking away toys and eventually spanking and he just isn't letting up. It has become embarrassing taking him to nursery/friend's houses etc.

He has always been a very physical boy--loves hard, plays hard (nothing from hugs to punches/kicks are ever soft)--and it seems like he can't DO or communicate anything without some aspect of physicality. He has to constantly touch you, usually by hitting, anytime he wants your attention/emphasizes a point/gets frustrated/even playing has to be accompanied by some element of hitting. I'm not sure what to do anymore--I'm ready to lock him in a dark room and walk away for a few days! Any advice??