A Friday picnic

Paige stayed home from daycare on Friday to hang with Cooper and myself. We stayed in our pjs for quite a while in the morning, and then decided it was too nice outside to be inside anymore. We planned a picnic at the park for lunch, gathered Paige's bike and the stroller. Paige rode her bike so well in town on the streets--I was amazed how aware of the cars she was and she even walked her bike across the busy street instead of recklessly riding. We grabbed sandwiches and headed back to the park to be attacked by wasps; so we ate our picnic at Gramma Jane's house a block away. It was safer there. Paige then declared she was too tired to ride her bike and would walk by the stroller. We strolled to the post office, the library and the bank before heading back to the park. That is a lot of walking for little legs. She only mentioned once that you could get strollers that held two kids! We got back home very tuckered out. . .oh wait, that was just me! Paige didn't nap but I sure wanted too. Cooper napped perfectly through our two hour stroll.

House updates

So we had the long awaited baby and have slacked for awhile with the house. Cowboy got back in the swing of things during the last few weeks; and all the light fixtures upstairs have been subbed out with newer ceiling fixtures--except for the ceiling fans--they aren't in yet. He also took down the yellow hood above my stove and put the new white one up. There isn't a trace of an orange/yellow appliance anywhere now! Dad and Ryan also got the woodburner put into place with some additional manpower last weekend. We still need to get the chimney pieces installed and Cowboy needs to do some tweaking with the chimney before he'll be happy. However, Dad did a great job painting the woodburner and getting it cleaned up for us. We are recycling it; as it used to be in my parent's house in town. My job was to get it started when I got home from school when I was in junior high and high school; and this stove makes it easy enough I can do it! I grew up in a house with this stove and running around in tank tops and shorts most of the winter because it puts out some heat.

On the Paige and Cooper side of things; they are doing well. Preschool was very successful last week. It was nice on Friday to be the one to drop her off and there were no tears--just a hug and she ran off. Paige, Cowboy and I attended the PRCA rodeo held in Bowman on Friday night and Cooper got to hang out with Gramma for a few hours. I was a nervous mom when I realized my cell phone didn't work in the metal building and didn't like the idea of a starving baby who had a mom that couldn't be contacted. I only stayed away about 1.5 hours; but was needed within 10 minutes of getting home. We also had company on Sunday; as Keith and Sandy came and met Cooper. He was a good boy for them; but didn't want to be awake for them very much.

I have a hard time keeping clothes on my daughter. Wondering when this phase will run out.

Cooper on 9-20-10--he's starting to fill out and get some cheeks!

He's also starting to stretch out and unfold--I giggle when babies start to do this. Most mornings in his crib he sleeps with his arms above his head like this.

First day of preschool

Today was Paige's first day of preschool. She will attend Tuesday and Thursday afternoons; and Friday mornings. She and Kyler were at daycare this am and super excited. I was to meet them at preschool; and there were some excited little people. Paige posed for me outside and took off for the door behind Kim and Kyler. Then. . .she sort of froze and reached for me with tears. A complete 180 in emotions--I know she's my daughter! She had a few hugs and a few tears; and then Kyler took her hand and they headed off to the main room. I took that as my cue to leave. Upon pickup, I hear she was sad for a whole 5 seconds and was then fine. It sure took Mom longer than 5 minutes as I had to stop at my mother-in-laws for Kleenex to wipe my sobbing face before taking Cooper to his doctor's appointment. Bless Jane for understanding and not giggling in front of me. I picked Paige up and there were 8 excited little people who had a great afternoon ready to be picked up. She had a wonderful time and chattered about the things they did. She exclaimed, "Mom, I made new friends!" I asked what their names were and she told me she couldn't remember. The good news is she wants to go back. Paige, Kyler, Kim and I celebrated with ice cream at Eats-n'treats afterwards before heading home. I have a tired little girl tonight.

On the Cooper front, his 2 week appointment went well and he's perfect. Dr. Jacobson poked and checked every crevice and said he's a keeper. We think so. He weighed in at 8lbs 11 oz--so a gain of 1 pound 1 ounce since we left the hospital. I have a good eater!

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.