Newborn Pics via Jax Creations

My friend Jackie has done it again! We were lucky enough to have her do some newborn pics of our Miss CoCo and she has amazed us once more. Visit her blog at http://jax-creations.com/blog/2010/10/baby-collette-north-idaho-newborn-photographer/ to see them!

Introducing Collette Elaine Shine

We are thrilled to introduce to the world the newest bit of sunshine in our lives, Collette Elaine Shine! She was born at 11:43am on Monday, September 27, 2010 (a early Bday present to her momma!) She weighed 7 lbs 11oz at 20 and 3/4 inches long. (At her one week dr apt, she was already up to 7 lbs 15 oz! The dr was amazed.) I would love to share how long I was in labor with this little one, but to be honest, I am not sure. I started having contractions Friday night at around 9pm, but they were in the front (and not the back like "normal" labor) and erratic, 10 min apart, then 2 then 5, etc. The thing was, they continued to be like that all weekend. I went online and researched what the experts had to say and all the signs pointed to "false" labor, so, although they were painful, I didnt worry too much about them. The thing was though, they were keeping me up all night and I wasnt able to get any sleep. So, Sunday night, monday morning at around 3:30am, I woke up Jon to tell him that, although I didnt think I was in real labor yet, I wanted to go to the hospital to see if they could give me something so I could at least sleep some before real labor started. I was seriously convinced that they would check me and tell me that I was only at a 1 or 2 and send me home (that is what happened with Ja`el).So, Mema and Papa came over and stayed with the J Bean and Jon and I went on to Bonner General. The entire drive into town I was telling Jon"this isnt real labor. I know they will just tell me I am at a 1 or so. I just need something to sleep!" (We had already decided that we were going to have another natural childbirth, so meds during "real" labor wasnt an option. I just figured if this wasnt real, I might as well have something!) Imagine my surprise when the nurse checked me and said"you are at a 6/7. You will be having this baby this morning." I started bawling and crying "Praise God!! Thank you God!!" The rest of the labor was really weird, totally different that my first. The "emotional signposts" that we were trying to go off of (according to Dr Bradley of Husband Coached Childbirth were completely off by one. Jon and I were laughing and joking all the way up to Transition, and I didnt get to the "I cant do this. This is too hard" confusion state until Second stage. It made the long run easier, I guess, but trying to push while you are completely confused and disoriented is hard!! So, I guess I was in labor for 3 days, but it wasnt anything like the 40 hours with Ja`el.
So now that the 9 months of feeling terrible and the 3 days of labor is over, I turned to Jon and say "I could do that again." I was afraid he might hit me. Instead he smiled and said "ok!" It is hard not to look at this face and know that it was all worth it.

Collette is here. She is beautiful and has captured our hearts. Ja`el has been a wonderful big sister, kissing and loving and helping all the way. We are truly blessed and cannot help but praise God with every breath for the honor of rearing two perfect little girls. Ja`el helping Daddy take Collette to the car.