Some things I never imagined would happen in my life...

1) Excitement to see another individual’s bowel movements change from a black, tar-like substance to a “seedy”, “mustardy”, yellow. Guys, they try to trick you with fancy names like “meconium”, but don’t kid yourself; cleaning these initial bowel movements is not fancy at all.
2) Getting the opportunity to dodge close calls from incoming pee and “projectile” poop. For fathers-to-be, you will want to do at least 3 months of cardio and weight-training to prepare for this. If you show up without being in top physical shape, your “innocent” newborn will definitely strike a menacing blow.
3) Doing multiple sets of “up-downs” throughout all hours of the night until you double over in exhaustion. Former athletes (I obviously use that term loosely), you know what I mean when I mention “up-downs”. The only difference between those hot, mid-summer, face-in-the-dirt exercises and these is; there isn’t a cool refreshing drink at the end from a bulleted P.V.C. pipe along side your buddies. The new, and improved “up-downs” don’t really have an end in sight. The second you hit the bed there is a new “un-expected” need from either the loving wife or helpless newborn. I have a suspicious feeling this updated version of a classic callisthenic will linger on many years from now.
4) Having a weird desire to drive 5-10 mph BELOW the speed limit. Why is this?? That baby is in more safety devices than Little “E” driving 200+ at Daytona. If those NASCAR boys aren’t afraid of that, I should have no issues with keeping up with the 40mph minimum on I16.
5) Following through with the strange, un-explainable urge to smell the residue on my finger after one of those early-stage bowel movements. I can’t understand a couple of occurrences in this scenario: A) Why am I not grossed out that I have another person’s excretion on my person?? B) Why am I not able to resist the urge to move it closer to my nose?? My brain is trying to transmit a message to my arm and thumb. Don’t do it!! You have nothing to gain!! My arm doesn’t get the message and my thumb reaches my nose. I am mentally prepared to experience the sensation of a profoundly disgusting smell; but to my displeasure, I smell nothing at all.
6) After 31 years of living I’ve reached 100% agreement with my parents. After hearing the news that we were pregnant, they kept telling me life was about to change. And not just in a minor way, but in a way that you can’t really remember what your life was like before. They were right (Yes, I said it. You can notate the date). Before Cannon, Kimberly and I wasted hours in front to the television. We took our time together for granted, knowing we would have the next, predictable night to do whatever we chose to do. Now we find ourselves living in the moment, enjoying every new sound and facial expression (he makes some of the greatest, grumpiest faces imaginable). Parents, thank you for being right!!
7) Finding myself even more in love with my wife today, after 4+ years of marriage, than on the evening I committed my life to her. I’m not trying to get all sappy on you, but it’s true. I love watching her nurse our newborn son. I love watching how he responds to her. With her he knows he’s 100% secure. Kimberly, don’t worry about Cannon ever coming before you, or between us. You and Cannon are a team, a pair, an un-separable unity and I will do everything I can to make sure both of you are as happy as possible. I love you both!! God has truly blessed our home and I know I’m not deserving.

First Visit to Dr. Ben

Cannon had his first appointment with Dr. Ben today. We were told upon leaving the hospital that most babies loose 10% of their birth weight and are expected to gain it all back by their 2 week checkup. Cannon weighed 7 lbs 2 oz when he was born and he weighed 6 lbs 8 oz when we left the hospital on Friday.

Expecting him to continue to loose weight over the weekend, I was curious to find out how much he weighed at today's appointment. He weighed 7 pounds!! He has almost exceeded his birthweight after only 6 days! I was so proud. Apparently, our "feeding" sessions are working out well!

Here is a picture of Cannon getting weighed today (right before he peed all over the examination table). He is not happy!

Cannon Thomas Corder Has Arrived!

Our sweet little boy was born on January 23, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and is 20 inches long. We will post more pictures and details soon...

Photo Session

We decided to document my pregnancy with a professional photo session.

Here are a few of the pictures. I'll post more once we purchase some!

This is one of my favorites.

I LOVE this one of my sexy husband. Look at those eyes!

To view more visit: http://hillisphotogalleries.com/OnlineViewing/

Click on Kimberly and Brett Maternity

Password: 9128447837

Pregnant with an Alligator

Friday night, I had a dream that I was pregnant with an alligator. In my dream it was not uncommon for humans to give birth to animals, the only uncommon thing was to be pregnant with an alligator!

When people would ask me "what I was having" they did not expect the human reponse of "boy or girl" but they wanted to know what species of animal.

Each time I responded, "A little Alligator", their faces changed to FEAR! Then they would say, "how on earth are you going to nurse an alligator"?

I guess this is just another crazy, pregnant woman dream. Please pray that Cannon is not an alligator. :)

New Year's Eve!

We had a little New Year's Eve Celebration at our home. Our friends, Gianna and Mike came in for the weekend from Boca Raton, Florida. Chris, Cheryl, Michelle and Brent all joined in our the yummy food and games! Brett looked up the words to the song Old Auld Lang Syne. I tried to sing the orginal version (quite difficult). We all wrote down goals/wishes for 2008. We did the same thing last year so we opnedn our 2007 envelope and read them! Some of us even achieved some of their goals (like me, I lost 20 pounds!!).

Here are the photos, enjoy!

Don't worry, it is sparkling grape juice for the pregnant girls!

I found the words! Thank God for Google.

Gianna and Mike

We are singing and Brett is making fun of me.

"I'm no Honker, I am a HOBBIT!"

Today, Brett and I went for my 36 week appointment. We had an ultrasound today to see how everything is progressing and how large Cannon has become. Well, contrary to what we believed in the beginning Cannon is no a HONKER, he is a RUNT! His estimated weight was 5 pounds and 10 ounces which puts him in the 28th percentile!


The ultrasound technician measured our fluids and listened heartbeat and to the placenta to make sure that fiulds were flowing properly and to ensure that everything was normal. All levels were fine. I was a little worried that he is so small but the doctor and ultrasound technician assured us that since everything else was normal that we should not be alarmed. They predict that he will gain 1/2 a pound a week over the next few weeks. If so, he should weigh around 7 pounds 2 ounces.


I was freaking out that we were going to have a short, puny little boy. I made Brett call his mom to find out exactly how much he weighed when he was born, apparently he was 6 pounds and 2 ounces. That made me feel a little better, considering he is no longer a runt. I knew we were both around 6 pounds but wasn't sure how close. Apparently, we were both runts! Both Sean and Chad (our brothers) weighed at least 2 pounds more than us!


Here is a picture from today. There is so little room in my tummy that it is hard to see details but just LOOK AT THAT BIG FOOT! We have our very own Hobbit!