Could this picture be any sweeter? Colton is finally asleep after a long afternoon. This peaceful face makes it all worthwhile. 

Is Captain Cranky-pants teething?

It's way too early to be cutting teeth, isn't it? But Colton has all the symptoms: excessive crankiness, chewing on his hands and drooling like there is no tomorrow... Oh when will it end?

Peek-a-boo! Colton and I having some silly time. 

Colton loves his bouncy seat too... Did WE have this many toys? :) 

DOH! 

Colton is a hit!

My husband came home for the weekend, which gave us a rare opportunity to be a true family for a few hours... For those of you who don't know, my husband is working and living in New Orleans! It's a great opportunity, but it means that he is away from his family Monday through Friday. He works until late on Friday and makes the long drive to Atlanta, when he usually gets home about midnight. Saturdays are a blur and he packs up and leaves Sunday afternoon to head back to New Orleans... I don't know who it is harder on - me, him, Colton, or Kodiak! It's the pits, but we're hopeful that a wonderful job in Atlanta will present itself soon. It better! I didn't sign up to be a single mom! :)

Well, on Satuday evening, we went out to eat at a nice restaurant and Colton was the center of attention. Everyone from patrons, the wait staff and the manager commented on how adorable and especially how alert he is. He didn't fuss much and it was incredible to be together as the McDuffie clan.

I am already counting the days until next weekend.

Father and son having a quiet moment 

The swing is the greatest invention EVER!  

This was taken on Colton's 2 month birthday. Kodiak had to be in the picture too. 

Kodiak is ready for the baby to go back to the hospital :)
I knew that my dog was spoiled rotten, but it has become quite evident that he is jealous too... I can hardly wait for my two boys to become inseparable.

Colton is finally here!

After a relatively uneventful pregnancy at the ripe old age of 39, my husband & I were blessed with a healthy and beautiful baby boy on February 1st, 2005 at 12:49 PM. A C-section had been scheduled because all my *many* ultrasounds had indicated that the baby was huge! They were calling for a 10-pounder...

The delivery was relatively painless - literally. The worst part was the epidural. It was excruciating. What made matters even worse was that the anesthetist repeatedly reminded me that if I moved at all while he was inserting the needle, I could become paralyzed. As if I needed any more anxiety...

Well, I had no feeling in my lower body at all within minutes. They wheeled me into the operating room and minutes later while the song "Born to Be Wild" was playing loudly in the background, Colton Lethe McDuffie was born. We are hoping that it is not a sign of things to come... :)

Soon after, they whisked Colton off to have his first bath and get weighed, measured, poked and prodded. He weighed in at only 8 pounds, 1/2 ounce and was 20 inches long. My OB was quite surprised. I was stitched up and sent to recovery. The pain killers truly did a great job and I felt wonderful.

I finally got to hold the baby in my hospital room. Heaven, I tell you. Heaven.

I am so precious! 

Here's Colton's changing table. Adorable letters courtesy of Kristy Hargrave. Thanks, Krusty! 

Colton's crib