So behind, yet again...

I guess this is my norm for blogging- to never be on time with my posts. But, maybe I'll try and do more of a monthly post these days. A lot has happened since my last post! ;) I now have a 2 month old baby! Yep, that's right. I went into labor at 37.5 weeks. My water broke at 9pm on July 24 and my precious little miracle girl was born the following morning of July 25 at 6:32. It was an amazing experience! Being on the opposite side of things was different too. The past 2 months have been some of the most difficult times in Eric and my lives; yet, some of the most rewarding. The night my water broke, I had gotten off working an 8 hour shift and Eric came to meet me at the hospital to go and visit my grandmother at another hospital. While we were visiting, all of a sudden, I knew the time had come! Talk about a nervous wreck! And, I'm a L&D nurse--- why was I so nervous?! Ha! I said good-bye to my Granny, not knowing it would be my last chance to tell her how much I loved her. I love knowing the last time I saw her, she was as excited as me about her new great-grand baby on the way. She got very sick, very quick and quickly fell downhill. I did have the opportunity to see her before the final measures were taken to end her life, but I chose not go because I wanted my last memory with her to be a sweet and happy one. 5 days after Collins arrived, Granny passed away. Talk about a God-thing! He allowed life into the world as he took one life away. She never got to meet my sweet little girl, but she did see her picture and I did talk to her the morning after delivery. At just 1 week old, Collins had already been to her first funeral celebration. Because that's what it was- a celebration of her life. Then, at 1.6 weeks old, Eric's dad was on business working about 9 hours from here and had to be rushed to the hospital with a massive heart attack. He had to leave us late that night to drive up and see him. Thank God, he made it! He had 2 major blockages that stents helped fix. We are so grateful that all went well and he is now recovered and feeling so much better. Then around 3.5 weeks old, my dad was admitted back into the hospital with different complications. This whole time was very difficult for me as a brand new mommy. I didn't know what I was doing, I wasn't sleeping and I didn't really have much help since Eric had gone back to work during the day. All I wanted was for life to be "normal" again, to enjoy my new baby and family of 3 and it just seemed like I wasn't able to do so. I'm so thankful for my Heavenly Father and his unending love, mercy and grace. Without him, I wouldn't have made it through that first tough month. Not only was my dad in the hospital for about a week or so, he then went on to an alcoholic rehabilitation center to seek help and treatment. This was a long awaited answered prayer. He is currently still there, but thankfully coming home this weekend. It was a 30 day program. He seems to be doing really well. We are just praying that he continues to do so. Now, an update on my little toot! She changes every single day. I just can't get enough of her! I could hold her and kiss her all day long! Currently, Collins loves her play may and swing. She does tummy time quite well, while holding her head up and really strengthening those neck muscles. She has rolled from her tummy to her back a couple different time; the first time at about 7-8 weeks. She is beginning to be quite "vocal," talking to Mommy and Daddy. She is smiling more and more, seeming to recognize objects and faces more. She loves bath time and being naked! Ha! She went to her own room and big girl bed all by herself at exactly 8 weeks old. Talk about difficulty for Mommy and Daddy! Since then though, she has been sleeping about 5-6 hours at night, making day time naps shorter. We have been to the doctor for a 2 month check-up and shots. That was not easy on Mommy at all! Overall, she's doing great! I go back to work in about a month... SOOO not looking forward to that. I am going back part-time though, which will hopefully make things a little easier. Crossing fingers that I can update in about another month! :)