Family Family Family

In the Collins household hanging out with family consisted of my sister, my parents, and myself. Occasionally my grandparents would be apart of the event as well. For Tre, family always had a different meaning. His family gatherings include his Granny, his Uncle Kris (and family), his Aunt Kelly (and family), his own family, and some of Granny's neighbors. It is at least 20 people, Karen is currently laughing at me as I try to count them all. When we were first married, I was very overwhelmed by it all. Now it would be weird if I didn't see everyone when we came to town.

Yesterday we were able to have one of these family gatherings. We had plenty of food for all the mouths, played lots of cards, and enjoyed some great conversation. The joy of course is watching all the little ones. Kyle, who used to be the youngest, is now four and a stud muffin full of energy. Him and Kaitlyn are best buds and love to dance and wrestle! Riley just turned one, and with blonde pigtails, is a cutie! Her laugh is contagious and she steals the show when she runs around the room. Kylie was overwhelmed by all the people and was occasionally fussy, but everyone loved her anyway. Being new parents in a new city, Tre and I feel blessed to have family close by.

The new pictures of Kylie were taken by Courtney Helton a photographer in Nashville, TN. We played soccer together at TNU and I would recommend her to anyone in the area!

We are here!

The past few days have been so busy and crazy that it feels like it's been a whole week. Friday night Kylie went to her first girls night! She was passed around and constantly held and loved by some amazing teenage girls. She even watched her first slip n slide!! Don't worry she was a safe distance away. On Saturday, we packed the truck and cleaned the house. We had some incredible help! That night we were able to clean up and go to Red Robin for dinner with the Drakes. It was so nice to just relax. Sunday was our last time at TCC. It was surreal to say the least. We were prayed for and loved on one more time. It's amazing to think about how much we have grown since we started attending TCC seven years ago. It's a great church, and we will always cherish the memories we have there. Monday morning we closed on our house and hit the road. Tre and Marley were in the U-haul and Lexi and I took Kylie in our car. We learned that Kylie doesn't like to be alone. She was would not stop screaming until I draped my arm in her car seat. Not the most comfortable position. After we stopped, Lexi sat in the back with her and she was great the rest of the trip. It doesn't really feel like we just moved. It feels like we are visiting Tre's family on vacation. Tonight we will drive to Clearwater and unload the truck in our new house. Crazy! There will be some people from the church there to help us, so it will be nice to meet them. It's been a crazy couple of months, but we have never left God's grip. Things have surprised us and caught us off-guard, but it's been part of God's plan this whole time. We trust that He will continue to carry us as we continue our ministry in Clearwater. I look forward to some time to rest and relax with Tre's family. Love you all!

She's eating!!

As you know, we have had weekly appointments with Kylie's pediatrician to check her weight. She had not been gaining the appropriate 7 ounces a week. Well, this week she gained 10 ounces!! She has been awake more during the day and now wakes up twice during the night to eat. She is still in the 25% for her weight and 10% for her length and head, which is on the small side. So she has a way to go to catch up to her cousin Kieren, but the doctor said she looks healthy and has no more concerns. Praise God!!

I was even able to see my OB for my postpartum check up. She was really excited to see Kylie and hear about the selling of our house, since she was on vacation when Kylie was born. I am also healthy and have healed well.

The house has boxes EVERYWHERE! Tre will pick up the moving truck tonight, and we will be loading all day tomorrow. Never a dull moment in the Jones' house, but all good news to report. We have had several people come this week to see Kylie and help pack up a box or two. We so appreciate the support and will definitely miss our family here in Nashville. We love you guys!

Becoming a Mom

There's no classroom, no book, nothing really that prepares you to be a mom. It's one of those things in life that you just have to figure out along the way. Thankfully, I am not the first one to do it. Being pregnant for nine months definitely helped me prepare myself for this transition and new lifestyle. I am sure that God had planned it that way. I wouldn't say that I am used to the term mom describing myself, but things are at least getting better with each passing day. Today, I am most thankful for conversations with other mothers. Since I am the first of my closest friends, I have not been around new mothers or newborns for that matter. This whole world is new to me, and everything is abnormal. I can't describe my emotions or why things are the way they are. However, I have gotten to talk to two different mothers this week who have been such a blessing. They were able to laugh about all the crazy things that happen, and remind me that I am normal. The process of becoming a mother and figuring everything out is not easy, as a matter of fact it's quite the challenge. I have been a person who can handle everything, and I am learning that it's okay when I can't. So I admit to you that I cannot pack my house, visit with everyone that I want to, take care of myself, and take care of a newborn. It's just not possible. So I sit here and am thankful for grace. I have to give myself grace when Kylie spits up all over me, the bed, the carpet, and the tub. I have to give myself grace when I have to reschedule friends for lunch. I have to give myself grace when I didn't pack one single thing today. Life will go on and things will eventually get done.

On a semi-positive note. We went back to the pediatrician today for a weight checkup. Kylie currently weighs 7 pounds, 8 ounces which is above her original birth weight. She gained 5 ounces this week. Newborns should be gaining an ounce a day, so she is still behind but making progress. I have to meet with a lactation consultant sometime this week (in my spare time). Then I will go back to the pediatrician one more time. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement.

Family Weekend!

Last weekend Tre's family came to visit us from Sunny Florida. They had originally planned on coming in August, but with Kylie's early arrival they just couldn't wait. They all loved Kylie in their special way. We ate great food, played lots of cards, and even put them to work. Tre and his mom fixed the kitchen faucet, Jordan and Lexi ran errands and worked on the toilet, while Kate, Granny, and I packed the kitchen. We are very excited that they will get to watch (and help) Kylie grow up once we move to Clearwater.

This week has been very busy. Kylie is now three weeks old! She continues to sleep well, and we are working on her eating more. She has been spitting up and even projectile vomiting this week. She continues to be as sweet as can be and has traveled everywhere with me. We have gone out to eat, visit friends, watch daddy play softball, and we even went to read to kids at the park!! She has another doctor appointment tomorrow. As of last week, she was still not up to her original birth weight. Hopefully, we'll get a good report tomorrow. Packing has been another challenge. There is so much to do, but hard to work. We close on our house July 27th, so we'll just do as much as we can each day.

Two Weeks Old!!

It's crazy to think that Kylie is already two weeks old!! In just two short weeks, she has turned my world upside down. I am still living my life, but she effects every aspect. Even when my friends ask me about my day, she always comes up in conversation. Overall, things couldn't be better!!! Kylie is sleeping well most nights. She eats about every three hours during the day, and four hours during the night. I am out and about during the day and taking Kylie everywhere I go . . . church softball, Reading in the park, Wal-Mart, the bank, ect. We are learning her noises and facial expressions too. We can tell the difference between hunger, gas, and pooping. I have experienced vomit at 3 in the morning, and Tre knows what happens when the diaper isn't on tight enough (oops, sorry about that). Marley is also adjusting. She no longer gets up with every coo and sound, but is still very attentive and protective.

In case having a baby wasn't enough of a life change, we have been going back and forth with a buyer for our house. We received final confirmation today, and we will be closing on July 27th. We had planned on moving in August, but the Lord has other plans. Thanks to the flexibility of others, everything seems to be falling into place. We have begun the packing process and are enjoying every moments with our friends here before we leave. Here are a few pictures of Kylie this past week.

A Whole New World

One week ago today, I didn't realize how my life would change. I woke up like any other morning, except for a few minutes later my water broke. I had said for awhile that I wanted Kylie to come a little early, so we could enjoy her longer before I had to start work. But were we ready 3 and a half weeks early??

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have seen the Lord move in this last week. He deserves all the praise and glory for everything that has happened. First, in the few days before Kylie arrived we had bought our first box of diapers, finished birthing class, organized her things in the nursery, and packed our hospital bag. Then, on Wednesday as labor began to progress, I had the most amazing sense of peace that only the Lord could give. My whole life I have been scared of having a child because of labor and delivery. You hear stories and see people on TV screaming and basically hating their husbands for putting them in this situation. I, however, had a completely different experience. I was in very little pain, and my contractions were mild. I only asked for an epidural at 8cm because I was scared of delivery. Throughout the whole day I was relaxed and just enjoyed the experience. Plus, I never hated Tre, but was in love with him that much more. In reality, sprints I had to run in college were harder than this.

Bringing her home from the hospital was another fear that was in the back of my mind. Were Tre and I really ready to be parents, did we know enough about taking care of a newborn baby? Probably NOT, but again the Lord continues to provide. I have continued to have a sense of peace, not confidence, but peace that He will guide me each and every step of the way. At three in the morning when she refused to go to sleep, I pray and thank the Lord that she is here and healthy. During the day when we are taking her shopping, I thank the Lord for the energy to be out and about.

Ever since she arrived June 24, 2009 at 5:23 pm, we have been surrounded by family and friends. It is amazing to watch this little girl light up the world and be so loved all at the same time. I love it!!

Oh and in case the Lord hasn't provided enough. Wednesday morning, we got a call from our realtor that our house had sold. She brought us the contract in the hospital and we signed it two hours before Kylie arrived! We always said that the Lord would provide one way or another. Secretly we hoped it would sell before she was born, I guess two hours was enough.