My Son

I have a son. Still not used to saying it. He's a handsome little man if I do say so myself; and one of the two most beautiful babies to ever exist. He's a good baby so far and I can't stop just staring at him and thinking how lucky Cowboy and I are to have two healthy children. I have so many friends who are trying to have babies and have faced challenges that I feel a little guilty at times with my two beautiful children. We are blessed to have one wonderful daughter and then this little man comes along and is the icing on the cake. I was reassured during pregnancy I could love another child as much as I love the first one; and I am happy to say those people were all right.

First days

Paige made a 'crib' for Cooper last night when she was home. He's in there if you can see him amongst all the pillows and stuffed animals. Luckily he started to cry shortly after I laid him in there so I didn't break her heart when I wouldn't let him lay there for an extended period of time! She had great intentions.

Cooper this morning--one week old today and so far a good little man.

Cooper with his pony Paige gave him--one week old. I am hoping to take pictures on a monthly basis so we can use it as a measuring tool. We missed the one day old picture, so we are starting out at a week old. The pony for the time is named 'Windmill.' That is what Miss Paige named him when we were discussing him yesterday afternoon and I told her we needed to name him. We'll see if that name sticks.

Cooper and I spent out first official day together yesterday. Mom learned not to overdo it and I need to rest. I also learned his car seat is a little to heavy for me to lug around for a long period and our 3 trips (quite small) were about 2 too many. Today we are going to stay home and just venture out to get Paige this afternoon.

Cooper is doing quite well and we had a good night last night--hopefully not to jinx it since I am pleased with it! He let me sleep for a good 3 hour chunk and another of about 2.5 hours. Plus, when Ryan and Paige leave about 7:30--we both nap in my bed for a good 2 hours! This morning is a lazy morning and we are updating pictures and things of that nature. I may worry about a load of laundry; I may not!

Paige's preschool, which starts next Tuesday, had their open house last night at 6:30 so we went to check it out and see where we need to go. She did very well and didn't hide behind my legs or anything. Her buddy from daycare is going to be in her class and he was their already; so she ran off with him and they played. I know she'll learn to play with other kids, which she should, but I am very happy the two of them are in the same class. It will help out a lot with the transition.

Siblings

Paige Morgan, age 4 days

Cooper Ryan, age 5 days

The only child in me is amazed how similar my two children look. I know people who are exact copies of their siblings; and I know others who look nothing at all like the rest of their families. I was thinking Paige and Cooper were pretty good copies of each other, but I went back and looked and there are some good differences.

I know making these assessments at 5 days old is a bit early; but its still fun to compare their pictures. I feel safe saying this--they both are terribly cute :)

Cooper Ryan

Cooper Ryan arrived ahead of time, but still on his decided date. We were scheduled to be induced on Wednesday morning at 7am. He was born at 6:53am as my water broke about 1:45 in the morning. No Pitocin for me! All went well with the birth, even my cracked/fractured pelvis bone I injured the day before. That's a long story for another day. I was using a walker on Tuesday and couldn't move. A few hours after his birth, I could walk easier. The human body is an amazing thing. It could have been his 8 pounds, 1.6 ounces was gone and that's what abled me to move easier! He measured in at 19.5 inches long. He was almost 2 pounds bigger than his sister.

Wednesday was spent dozing, visiting with company, and getting to know Cooper. Someone named Paige really hasn't spent any time getting to know him yet. She was in the hospital all afternoon with us, but was more entertained my Mom's now useless walker. She's not exactly jealous, but not liking the fact that Mom is in the hospital. That's pretty tough to handle--the eyes were very big when they saw Mom's IV's, etc. She went home with Daddy last night and was pretty sad I hear. She's at daycare today for a while, and is doing just fine I hear. She and Daddy will be over tonight to see us and we'll all go home together Friday morning.

I have a baby with a roll or two! Long monkey toes and huge little hands.

My two guys. Daddy and Cooper a few minutes after he was born.




Cooper sleeping this morning. He and I had a good night and have had a nice relaxing morning cuddling and getting acquainted. He's been a good little eater so far and just has a hard time staying awake long enough to eat alittle bit. He had a great little scowl when he gets mad at us for unwrapping him so he stays awake to eat.

I'll post more pictures when I can on Facebook and update the Shutterfly site, but the wireless connection at the hospital won't allow us access to the sites.

One more day. . .

I am at home on 'maternity leave' today. I could have worked half the day but decided to just stay home and relax with Paige--our last Mommy and Paige day before little man arrives. It sort of makes me sad--a bittersweet kind of sad--that she won't be the only one anymore. Odd, huh. I am very excited to meet this new little guy, but I am starting to have major nerves and anxiety about tomorrow. I am excited to have a day for this pregnany to be done; but at the same time, the element of surprise is a great thing when you don't know when your baby will arrive as you can't worry so much! Its odd how different my two experiences have been.

So Paige and I are going to relax in our pjs for a while, cuddle and watch some cartoons, and have a good day until Gramma comes to get her late this afternoon. She's going to hang out with Gramma Shelly tomorrow while we are at the hospital so that she's in Hettinger with us--plus she'll help keep Gramma busy so she doesn't call us every 2 minutes!

Next post will hopefully have little man pictures!

Kid panels

I spent an hour this lovely cool Saturday morning stopping at a few garage sales looking for a car seat base. I didn't find a base, but have a few leads. I did score a great deluxe Exersaucer for $26 bucks; a swing for my mom's house for $2 and a brand new baby gate for $8. I was pleased. I spent most of my time rummaging visiting with people who kept going, "Are you still pregnant?" I quoted Bill Engvall in my head and then would smile and say, "for a few more days at least."

We are on the lookout for one of those portable play-yards--the kind that you can make go in a circle or other various shapes and can contain your child. Cowboy thinks we'll need one in a few months to block off the woodburner that is in the living room. He's Mr. Safety. I had him on the phone while I was rummaging and he asked if they had the corral panels there at the sale. I was very confused wondering why I needed horse panels when he said, "You know, the kid kind?" Glad I had that clarification--then I laughed!

8 days!

Had another doctors appointment today. I'm a day or two shy of 39 weeks. A normal pregnancy is about 40 weeks. I'm getting there. Baby and I are good, healthy, and he's content. So content he doesn't want to come out! I'm not progressing at the last two weekly appointments at all. I dream of going in there and my doctor says, "you are dialated to 2 cm," or something terribly wonderful like that. I don't hear words like that. Instead, I have an appointment next Tuesday and we're getting induced on Wednesday if the little man hasn't taken it up on himself to vacate by then. I am just excited to know I will finally get to meet this little guy soon. I'm starting to wonder what he looks like and if he's going to be an exact clone of his dad--that's my vote at least.