Super Cooper

And we're back!

Since I last wrote, I had a freakin' baby! Cooper Radley was born February 27th at 12:11 AM. He was a big boy, weighing in at 9 lbs 6 oz. I had a rather challenging delivery, with an epidural that stopped working (but kept my legs paralyzed) and a baby that was face up that didn't want to come out. After 24 hours of active labor, 3 hours of pushing and a scary vacuum extraction, our sweet little son joined us in the world.

He is perfect.



I love being a mommy but it's not as easy as it seems in the beginning. They don't tell you how absolutely terrifying the first week or two is. More times than not I thought I was going crazy and didn't know how I would ever become a functional mommy. I don't know how I would have gotten through the first two weeks without the help of Jory and our families. It was overwhelming... yet my natural instincts got me through it. You end up knowing what to do and have to trust yourself.

Now, I'm trying to balance my days. Trying to get enough sleep. I have had a tough time with nursing, but it's seeming to get easier every day. Hopefully in a few weeks it will be effortless. Today, Cooper is 18 days old and I have already lost 35 lbs from my weight right before he was born. I hope the nasty rainy weather calms down so I can resume my walks with Cooper. I hope to start yoga this week to help center and balance myself.

Our parents are proving to be wonderful grandparents, they are naturals. They are just as filled with love for Cooper as we are and I love seeing them all so happy. Cooper has five grandparents and six great-grandparents. He is one lucky and extremely loved little boy.

I had no idea how much love I could have for someone until Cooper was born. When he looks at me and smiles my heart melts and I'm filled with warmth and pride.

Now, I am going to focus on being a mommy... but also on getting myself back in shape and resuming my healthy lifestyle. I will be transitioning back into a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle and hope it's not too difficult for me. Tonight Cooper's daddy is out with the boys and I plan on finding some tasty vegetarian and vegan recipes.

Good night!

Foster the People

While I go stir crazy and patiently wait for my son to arrive, I am exploring the internet for new music.

I have been in love with this song but had no idea who sang it.

Thanks to my amazing boyfriend (who may I add dislikes this song), I have the answer and will now share it with you.

Still.

Yep. Still waiting. I had this amazing feeling run through my body when the doctor told me I was dilating, as if I were going to go into labor within the next 24 hours.

Nope.

Regardless if I am induced or go into labor before then, Cooper will be here within the next 14 days.

Patience is key.

I just can't wait to meet my son and kiss his little face.

The contractions are coming like crazy. Cooper is clearly comfortable and not yet ready to join us.

So. Damn. Close.

Today the doctor told us that I'm starting to dilate! This is wonderful! Cooper will be here soon! Since I am beginning to dilate it's less likely that I'll need to be induced and more likely he'll be right on time.

I started drinking red raspberry leaf tea this week and it has brought on a ton of contractions. I can feel them almost immediately after a few sips of the tea. Our doctor advised us to keep on drinking it, to keep the contractions coming. I had no idea it would be this efficient of a labor inducer! Many of my books say not to drink it before 39 weeks because it could cause early labor... but I suppose I didn't think it would have that much of an effect on me.

I stopped by Kohl's today to pick up a sports watch so I could time my contractions. It's cute and purple. The only thing I need now is a robe for the hospital and I couldn't find one that I liked or that was black and white (babies like the contrast).

Hopefully I can get another update in before the baby gets here, and I'd really like to make my hair appointment tomorrow... we shall see :)

Come On Now.

I've been having more and more contractions... getting used to them now unfortunately. I thought I was heading into labor a few times this week, but the contractions have proven to be teasers.

I'm not sure what the deal is with my sleep habits, but it's been impossible for me to sleep at night. Friday I fell asleep at 7:30AM after a night filled with bathroom trips and contractions that almost made me buckle over. Since then they've been inconsistently coming. Hopefully they'll gain some rhythm soon, as I am ready to meet this little man of ours!

Jory has been very patient with me and my cranky moments, which seem to happen more often as time progresses. He is wonderful about making dinner, getting me beverages, helping me out of the bath and any other little request I have.

I have a few little-itty-bitty stretch marks but nothing like I thought I would have. My belly is completely stretch mark free, which I can thank my mother for since they say it's genetic. The other little ones will likely disappear after the baby is born and this weight starts to come off.

My due date is in 10 days and although I think he's going to be early, I really don't care when he comes as long as I can get a full night's sleep beforehand.

We are both getting very excited and can't wait to be parents. The last 9.5 months have been quite an experience for us and has brought us closer than I ever thought it could. Every day I feel thankful for the wonderful man in my life and how lucky we are to have each other. I can't wait to see Jory with his son as I know he is beyond excited and will be an amazing father.

Now... hurry up baby!

Nerves!

I'm starting to get a little more nervous! I've always been a little nervous... but the nervousness is growing! I can't believe Cooper will be here so soon. He has dropped a bit, which from what I've been reading, indicates that he will be here in 2-4 weeks. This will make my early delivery prediction accurate (only a week or two early).

He has barely any room to move around, is it odd that I feel bad for him? Soon enough, he will be here for us all to hold. Although I can't wait to share him with the world, I'm pretty sure I'll be reclusive for the first couple weeks... at least. We're at the point where we see the doctor every two weeks, and after next week we will see her one a week until Coop decides to join us.

It's nice to be on maternity leave, I'm happy I took leave when I did. I feel like this week has brought a whole to intensity to my level of soreness and exhaustion. And yes, I realize I have no idea what true exhaustion is yet (everyone likes to remind me of that, as if I don't know).

Today, Jory and I are celebrating our 3 year anniversary. He surprised me this morning by telling me he'd schedule today as a vacation day and we got to spend the day together. Tonight we are going to one of our favorite restaurants, Bucci's.

Cheers!

9 Months

And here we are, at 9 months folks. I will be full term in 5 days. FIVE DAYS! I can't believe it. He could, technically, come at any time and I am totally OK with not having to wait another month to meet him. I have all these ideas of what I think he'll look like. And of course, he probably won't look anything like how I imagine.

Big brother Bucko, Cooper and I: