Trick-or-Treat!

Colton dressed up as a skeleton for his first Halloween.  He started the day off by helping me with cut-out cookies for family and friends.  Then a quick photo shoot with his pumpkins...  all before it was time to do a little trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.  Daddy was very excited to finally get some candy this year!

Aunt Laura stopped by just in time to check out Colton's costume and take a family photo!

Off to the Mecca's house (our neighbor) for a pre-game pizza & beer party before a Halloween visit from Grandma CC and Grandpa Mike.

My little man and my Baby Daddy!

Halloween makes me sleepy!

The First Week at Home

Colton had many visitors his first week home and we were very appreciative of the extra hands!


We also made significant progress... Daddy has mastered his swaddle, Mom has mastered breastfeeding (we hope!), and Colton has mastered dirty diapers.

"If you think I'm cute you should see my Grandma"

Grandma CC took a few days off work to help with with things around the house, Colton was smitten with all the extra attention.

This is the second meal of the week from Grandpa Mike.  The only person we know who would make and deliver a full Thanksgiving Dinner (including homemade cranberry sauce)... yumm!









While Colton's umbilical cord hasn't yet fallen off, he was able to enjoy a sponge bath.  A little fussy at first but loves the sound of water in the sink.

Great Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit before their trip to Myrtle Beach. 

Our first trip out of the house was to Colton's Pediatrician.  He is almost back to his birth weight and we were told he is doing very well! 

Grandpa Greg brought over pizza with Colton's name spelled out in pepperoni! Yumm!

A sneak peek at some of the newborn photos Daddy took... 6 days old!  Birth announcements have been ordered, they should arrive in a few days!

Homecoming

It is finally time to go home!  Colton received good news from the neonatologist and he was brought back to our room.  Now it's time to pack up and go home!

Not so sure how he feels about the car seat at first, but we will later learn he loves the car!

Good reason to turn around (when you're almost home)...  2 ounces of breast milk left in the hospital refrigerator!

This is what happens when you make friends with lots of nurses at the hospital, we have many supplies to get us through the first few weeks!

Daddy says Mom sleeps this way

"Mom & Me & Dad"

Home Sweet Home... first night at home

Our Hospital Stay

I spent a total of six nights at the "Mercy Inn," Daddy and Colton were there with me for four. Fortunately we had a very nice hospital room with a pullout sofa and great nurses to take care of us.

Friends Danielle, Emily & Grandma Michelle are observing Daddy's diaper technique, I think this was a messy one!

(left) While we had a great room, the view was a bit less spectacular... the pigeons kept us entertained.

(right) Mom's well deserved caffeinated coffee!




Our unexpected visit to the Special Needs Nursery for a few days. 

Daddy resting in between visits to the NICU for feedings

Aunt Amy and Grandma CC came to keep us company while Colton finished his stay at the special needs nursery.

Colton's First Day!

Colton's first day was filled with visitors and lots of love.  Daddy got to the hospital early with flowers for mom.  Grandma & Grandpa Smith brought flowers and a card for Colton, they were thrilled to meet their third grandchild (Daddy calls Grandma a "collector").  Grandma CC & Grandpa Mike came back to the hospital and Grandpa Greg & Grandma Michelle are staying at our home for a few days so they can visit with the little man.  Aunt Laura, Aunt Amy and Uncle Steven visited and so did Great Aunt Jessie and Cousin Samantha.  Colton also met friends Claudia and Sarah... what a day!








Daddy's first of many diapers!  (with a little coaching from Nurse Peggy)

Meet Colton Michael

Our little bundle of joy was born at 12:46 a.m. on October 19, 2011 weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces, 20.75 inches long.

The first Smith Family Photo

Nurse Marcie who helped Colton arrive safely