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.

Big, Huge Prego Belly

Our little family just had the opportunity to take some pics with one of the most talented photographers I know. She just posted some on her blog, so I thought I would share them all with you. BEWARE: There is a huge bare belly in some of these pics! Cannot wait to meet this little one that kicks me so much. 1 more month (hopefully less though!)
http://jax-creations.com/blog/2010/09/mother-nature-idaho-newborn-photographer/

Date Day!

So I have to say.. I was sneaky. In a good way.

This past saturday I convined the Grandparents to take Jael for the day(didn't take much, she so cute who wouldn't want to take her for a day) and I was able to plan a date day for my lovely wife. We had a great morning and then we headed down to Kellogg and rode the tram up Silver mountain. For everyone that lives near us and haven't done this, go do it. It's the longest tram in North America I think(3+ Miles) it was an amazing day up there and we were able to go for a lovely hike up at the top and enjoy the view. I know I did.

I have to say how cute my wife is. I have to. Just sayin.

A Perfect Day

Just wanted to share some pics from our day. I found two new places in the area that have since become my favorite. #1 a U-Pick Blueberry farm in . We had a blast! Ja`el was quoting "Blueberries for Sal" the whole time and really was a tremendous help, despite the incredible number of blueberries that found their way into her mouth rather than the bucket. The old man that owns the farm had an awning set up, with an amp and microphone and was entertaining his guests with country, folk and bluegrass. I just loved him! They are open during all day light hours, and have a little shack where they sell homemade syrups, jams, dessert toppings and muffins.

We then loaded up and met some friends at a new spot (for me, at least) on the river. OH! I am in love! Not only do they have flushable toilets, but the beach is clean, the toys are great, and it is not crowded at all! I am dragging Jon out here this wknd and perhaps we can finally get some camping in this summer.

I didnt take very many pics, but I had to share this one. Ja`el played the whole time in this mud hole she made, instead of the big, beautiful river behind her. She never ceases to amaze me!

Summer so far

I would love to say that this summer has been filled with boating and swimming, hiking and camping. But, alas, it has been full of sore throats, snot, and sneezes. (lovely thought, isnt it?) Since the weather has turned warm, we have been battling sickness upon sickness. Ja`el is on her 3rd cold in the last 4 wks! In the midst of that, Jon got strep throat and I have been miserable with allergies. (Why did I move to a house that is surrounded by fescue?! Not very smart.) I cannot complain too much though. While people back in my hometown are dealing with 110+ degree weather, we have been consistantly in the 80s, with cool, sweet smelling breezes off the lake. We have gotten out and done a little hiking and playing in the lake, and we have been seeing lots of wildlife, right here in our yard--turkeys, deer, elk, moose, eagles, etc! So, although this summer hasnt been my ideal, we have had alot of fun. We got to play with cousins and family, and a few visits to the lake (so far).

Ja`el and me hiking up on top of Schweitzer.

Ja`el and cousins out on Lake Pend Orielle.

Show offs! (no we werent moving!)

Aside from all the sickness, though, we have been blessed. My Grammy from California has come to stay with us this summer and she will be here more the best part of 2 months. Oh how Ja`el has been enjoying her here! They have been playing the piano together, singing songs, and Grammy has introduced her to waterpainting. It is so cute seeing them in deep concentration, side by side, with the same determined look on their faces, only 3 generations apart. I am so glad Ja`el has had this time with her Grammy. She has certainly been a blessing for me too!
Grammy and Ja`el piano duet.
One thing I am excited about lately is all the locally grown produce, dairy and eggs I have found. I have this crazy strong desire to have a small little farm of my own, but, truth be told, I dont want to take care of it! I love the idea of having chickens and geese, a dairy cow and lovely garden, but I dont love the idea of all the work it would entail. So, instead, I have a modest garden (that I tend to resent when I have to water it) and friends and neighbors with hormone and antibiotic free livestock! I am especially excited about a new friend who sells me fresh-from-the-cow milk! You even have to shake it to mix up the cream! Delicious! So, although my romantic compulsions for farmlife go unfullfilled, at least my family and I can eat like they are!

No interesting photo of a cow being milked or chickens laying eggs here. Sorry.

And the big news: Jon turned 30 and Jael turned 3!!! Ja`el is finally wearing 2t clothing. She knows her ABC's (can recognize about 75-80% of them) and can count to 18 (can recognize numbers 1-10). She loves to be doing anything that involves outside and has mastered the tricycle. Jonathan is actively cycling and running. He completed his first triatholon last Fall and is looking forward to doing more in the coming years. He has beenworking really hard at the bank and at home, finishing building the front deck (which looks amazing!) and various other wood working projects.

I am excited to see what the rest of the summer will bring us. I am hoping it will extend into September, since we really didnt start getting good weather until early July. But, it is hard not to welcome the reds, oranges and yellows of Autumn too. I guess I am just a four season kind of girl.

I am a bad blogger

Okay, so I am a lame blogger. I fired Jonathan about a year ago for the very same crime I have commited here. But, since there is no one to fire me, that is where it will stand. I do have some really good excuses for why I havent blogged in over 6 months. They are all pretty lame as well, except one. So here is what you have missed in the Shine family since Sept of 09.

My little Ladybug. (Oct)

Ja`el’s and My first trip to Green Bay and, therefore, Lambeau Field for a Packer Vs Cowboys game. The Packers won. (Nov)

Christmas!

Trip to Bako in Febuary. Ja`el's first Black and White from Dewars.

And the big news—Little Shiney #2 making its appearance! We wont have the official “outing” until somewhere around end of Sept/beginning of Oct. But this baby is already making an impact on the world!

I promise to TRY to be better at keeping up on this. You can always hound Jon, though. He seems to be able to make a blog entry without cussing, whereas I am still struggling with that one!