Colin Emerson

We finally decided on Colin's middle name about a week ago and I'm excited to share it!!

Colin Emerson

(Emerson, as in Ralph Waldo Emerson, is one of my Dad's, as well as one of my, favorite American writers and thinkers.) I look at Colin's 20week profile and think that he looks so similar to his big brother, yet at the same time he is his own. He has his father's chin as well. I am beyond ecstatic to hold Colin, and am anticipating his arrival more so than I was E's, which is ironic. I have always wanted a 'Colin', and two boys, and it is so sweet to know that we have the two boys we always dreamt of. They couldn't be a more perfect reflection of our love for each other. Unlike with E, B & I have hardly done any nursery planning (we were done with E's by 20weeks). B is holding on to his office (the third bedroom) until the last minute, which have it note, makes him responsible for moving all the office furniture, electronics, painting, and setting up the nursery;) Yes, this means that the office needs to be relocated, but we've yet to determine where that will exactly be- most likely the living room which we never use anyways. With everything that has gone on the last several months we have no plans to purchase a crib or dresser anytime soon; fortunately, Colin can sleep in the playpen/bassinet for a little while if need be. I did see this bedding set in the Baby&Child (Restoration Hardware) catalog and I think it is just perfect for Colin (cloud blue and white).

I love the soft colors and the pickstitch- simple, but perfect for a baby boy, and not too similar to E's nursery colors. And, I think it would look good with the Sandstone paint color we have for the walls. When we do get the crib we are still going to go with a dark (espresso) color for the furniture, as well as the drapery.

Closer look at the pickstitch bedding.
Wonder if this the quilt/bumper/bedskirt is something I could make myself (and by that I mean would I have enough time before he arrives).
I was floored that B actually pointed this out to me the other day at the Kohl Children's Museum. Side by side, and Colin was even spelled with one "l".

Big Brother-in-Training!
I am seriously terrified of how E might react to Colin's arrival and not being the sole focus of my attention every waking second. My biggest fear was that he was never going to get used to 'independent play', but since 18mths he has surprisingly gotten used to, and enjoys, playing by himself for an extended amount of time (30min+) several times a day, and more comfortable with me leaving for a few minutes and coming back. The second issue is how he is going to react to seeing me hold and cuddle another little one. So, I pulled out my old baby doll (which is about the size Colin is currently). I let E play with the doll and pretend that it is 'Baby'. I hold it from time to time so he gets used to that, swaddle it, and 'dress' it. Hysterically, E has just started wanting show Baby all his toys and how to play with them, read him books, and make sure that his socks are on. And, sometimes he'll bring me 'Baby', like he is in this picture.
That would be B's Banana in Pajamas- Ha!
I already have E turning on/off the bouncer's music and vibrator so I won't have to when my hands are full ;)

E has been amazing with the 'idea' that he has a baby brother on the way. He knows that 'Ca'/'Ca-in' is in my belly and likes to try and 'see' him through my belly button. He loves reading all the library books I get from the library about baby siblings, particularly the series by Rachel Fuller. Recently he wants to include Colin- a couple of times when I reach to pull him out of the crib in the morning he just pulls up my shirt and gives Colin a kiss (oh, I cry), or he shares his beloved Teddy by waving him against my belly, presses his cars against my belly to share with this little brother. The sweetest was that he now wants his nighttime storytime to include Colin- he lifts up my shirt and opens the books against my belly. Oh, I do hope these two boys are the bestest of friends.