Christmas 2008

The last 2 weeks have been insanely crazy and busy for the Baker Family. On the 19th, we packed up the car (and I mean . . . it was PACKED) and made our way east. We spent 3 nights in Kansas City at the fabulous Westin Hotel and relaxed and caught up with old friends. We then headed to Lawrence for Monday night where we stayed with our very good friends Christian and Beth and their baby, Sydney. Sydney is 8 weeks older then Cohen, so it was fun to put them together - Cohen's future girlfriend! :-)

Uncle Christian and Cohen

Mike and Sydney and Christian and Cohen

Cohen and Sydney

Our next stop was to southeast Kansas were we had a wonderful dinner at Mike's sister, Kathy's, house with his whole family and then spent Christmas in Chanute, Kansas with Mike's mom, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. It was very relaxing and great to see all of them.

Christmas morning nap

Our trip ended with an adults-only trip to South Dakota for a college friends wedding. Yes . . . it was our first time leaving Cohen overnight and it was alittle dramatic for me. But we were going with our good friends Christian and Beth so it made it much easier. And it was so wonderful to see him again on Sunday. Thank you so much Judy for caring for our little man for the weekend - it meant a lot and nice for Mike and I to have some time.

We headed back to Colorado on Sunday evening and is nice to be home after 10 days of crazy traveling!

Cohen was absolutely spoiled by everyone for Christmas. Thank you all so much again for your generocity!

Thanks Mimi Marty for my Bumbo!

Playing in my Jumperoo!

Rollin'

Cohen hit another mile stone with his first semi roll over. It was hilarous . . . we are having tummy time, which he really doesn't enjoy at all, and then relaxing on his back. So we decided to give it a try! It took a few practice runs with my help but then he got it. It wore him out and he took a few hour nap afterwards. Check it out . . .

We are headed to Kansas on Friday the 19th for 10 days visiting college friends and Mike's family for Christmas. Not so much looking forward to the drive, but seeing everyone will be a blast. Will post tons of pictures and notes when we return.

Here are a few other recent pictures of Cohen. He is now smiling non-stop and very chatty. Always seems to have lots to say - like his father!

Everyone have a very safe and happy holiday!

Thanksgiving

We went to the zoo on Wednesday so that Madison and Cohen could see the animals. Who am I kidding . . . Cohen slept the whole time and could have cared less.

Thanksgiving was a busy one this year with lots of family and too much food (of course)! The night before Thankgiving we went to the Tavern at the Broadmoor Hotel with my mom, sister, brother-in-law, and niece. It was wonderful and oh so good!

Mike and I at the Broadmoor

The family at the Broadmoor

Katy, Mom and I at the Broadmoor

Then on Thursday we went to my aunt and uncles house who housed 29 of us Cogswell's for dinner. It was fantastic and so fun to be with all of the cousins, aunt, and uncles.

The next generation of cousins (Cohen looks terrified, doesn't he :-))

Two Months Old and GROWING!!

Cohen had his two month old appointment today and boy, has he grown! He is 12 pounds 2 ounces and 24 1/2 inches long. The nurse and doctor both commented what a big boy he was and that he is almost the size of a 4 month old!! I thought it was hilarious, but so glad that he is happy, healthy, and growing. You really have no idea how much he is eating when he is breastfeeding, but all you can really do is just feed him when he is hungry and that is about it. Unfortunately we did have to do the treacherous first round of immunization shots. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I envisioned Cohen just screaming his head off and being completely miserable. He did surprisingly well. He took it like a champ and only cried for about 5 seconds and as soon as we picked him up and cuddled him he was pretty much over it. He has been sleeping most of the day which is expected . . . but glad that is over with for now (until his 4 month old appointment - when we will have to do it all over again!)

Here are just a few pictures from the last few weeks . . . and please note that my kid does not just sleep all the time . . . contrary to the pictures!

Smiling at Mom and Dad

Taking a nap next to Daddy

Resting in my favorite chair

Visit from Aunt Katie

Another one of my best friends and roommate from college came down from Denver to meet Cohen and spend a little time with him. It was great to see her and Cohen loved her!! :-)

First Trip to Vail!

Yesterday Katy (sister) and I headed to Vail with Madison (niece) and Cohen to spend the night with PaPa (my dad) and Mo (step-mom). It was Cohen's first trip to the mountains and it was a very pleasent night! We had a great relaxing time at the house, watching the presidental election hoopla and enjoyed a wonderful dinner. We woke up the next day to a few inches of snow on the ground and all sat around and watched the Jungle Book. Such a good movie!! Thanks again Dad and Mo for having us . . . it was fantastic and we will be up many more times this winter!!

PaPa, Cohen and Madison watching The Jungle Book

Cohen just chillin' with PaPa

PaPa, Mo and Cohen

Grammie/MiMi's Visit to Colorao

Mike's mom came to visit Cohen (and us) for the weekend and we had a wonderful time! She was here Halloween and for Cohen's pea-in-the-pod costume:

And on Saturday, we went to the park and on Sunday, we enjoyed a walk around the lake at the Broadmoor. And lastly some time at home before heading to the airport!

Luckily it won't be long before we will get to see her again as we are headed to Kansas to spend Christmas with the Baker side of the family!

Aunt Lou's Visit and Halloween

One of my best friends from college, Lauren (or as we call her, Lou) came to visit for a few days. It was so much fun to see her and have her meet and hang out with Cohen. While she was here Cohen also gave us his first smile so check out the picture and video below (please excuse my high pitched voice when talking to Cohen in the video)!

First Smiles

Aunt Lou and Cohen
Cohen's first Halloween was pretty uneventful. We had tons of trick-or-treaters at our house, so we handed out candy. But we couldn't let the holiday pass without putting Cohen into some sort of costume!

Pea In The Pod

Just Some Pictures!

Nothing new to report, just have some fun pictures to share!

Cohen and I LOVE to take naps together on the couch!

When Cohen woke up for his mid-night feeding, I walked into the room and for some reason and some how, he had scooted himself down his crib (his body is supposed to be between the supporters)! It made me laugh so I had to take a picture!

Cousin Madison over for an afternoon and thought it would be fun to play in Cohen's chair!

Will post more next weekend. We have a busy week coming up with one of my best college friends coming for a visit early this week and then Mike's mom here for Halloween weekend!

Already one month old!

Cohen turned one month old on Monday! Absolutely amazing. You always hear how quickly it goes by, but I had no idea until now! He also had a pediatrician appointment on Wednesday. He is growing so fast . . . now weighs 10 pounds 1 ounce and is 23 1/4 inches long. We don't go back now until he is two months . . . and then shots begin! UGH!

Cohen is starting to become much more alert and trying to hold his head up longer. I am amazed at how strong his neck really is at only one month old. He will look at you (or at least it seems like it) and starting to have longer awake hours throughout the day. He has also been a very good sleeper (knock on wood) with going to bed around 9-10pm and sleeping until 2-3pm and ready to eat, but falls right back to sleep and then waking again around 5-6am for another meal. Occassionaly he will sleep for 6 hours and then another3 . . . we like those nights! He is also eating like a champ - obviously with such the great weight gain - so that is helping him lasting longer at night.

Half naked in my favorite chair

Hangin' with Dad

This last weekend, my brother, Tim and his wife, Kinzie came from Las Vegas for a visit. It was the first time that they had seen Cohen in person (there have been a few meetings by Skype). It was so fun for Cohen to meet his uncle and aunt and we had a great relaxing time even though it went by SO fast!

First Meeting with Uncle Tim

Cousin Madison, Aunt Katy, MiMi, Uncle Mike, Dad, Mom, Uncle Tim, Aunt Kinzie

Family Pic at the Broadmoor

Football and Family

Well here it is the beginning of October and we are still having fabulous weather here in Colorado. Been in the 70's all week and sunny! So fantastic!

Mike and I had out first time without Cohen together (besides our brief grocery store run a few days following Cohen's birth) and went to a friends house last Saturday night for pizza and beer. Yes, I had my first alcoholic beverage since January. It was heavenly! :-) Thanks Mom for watching the little man for 2 hours so we could catch up with friends.

Cohen had his first football outing last Sunday. We went to our friend, Mike's, house to watch the Broncos vs. Chiefs game. I would rather not discuss the outcome of the game and we can wait till the rematch in December. At half time we headed home so that we could meet my dad who was stopping by to see Cohen.

Dad with Cohen

Tuesday my mom and I went up to Castle Rock to spend the afternoon with Katy and Madison. It was so much fun and love that we can just jump in the car and hang out for a few hours. Madison "cuddled" with Cohen for the first time. Hilarous (and a little scary). I've seen how she handles her own "babies," but she is surprising gentle with her cousin!

Cohen and Aunt Katy

Cohen and cousin, Madison

These 3 weeks have gone by quickly, but at the same time I feel as though he has been around for awhile. His cheeks are getting fuller and he is definitely putting on the weight - we can see it in his face and arms/legs. It will be fun to go to his month appointment to see where he is on the scale!

Growing like a weed . . . 2 weeks old!

We have had a very good week with surprisingly pretty good sleep and resting. He is waking about every 3 hours to eat, which isn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I am still getting about 8-9 hours of sleep a night, it is just interrupted for snack time!

Cohen had his 2nd PKU shot on Tuesday, which was pretty uneventful. No crying or screaming so that was a pleasant surprise. It is just a quick heel prick and doesn't last too long. So done with shots until he is two months old when they start immunizations.

Yesterday, September 25th, Mike and I celebrated 9 years since we first started dating (I know . . . kind of a funny milestone). We couldn't believe it had been 9 years and how quickly it had gone by! And all that we had done in these years - moved multiple times, wedding, baby, etc.

Today, Cohen had his 2 week appointment and he is growing like a weed. He is up to 8 pounds, 6 ounces (was 7 pounds, 4 ounces ten days ago at his appointment). And is 22 inches (versus the 20 he was when born). So obviously he is eating like a champ and putting on the weight! We will go back in a little over 2 weeks when he is 1 month old.

Cohen watching football last Sunday (yes, Mike put is hand in his pants!)

Cohen with his cousin, Evie!

Doctors, Baths, and Relaxing

Just one day after being discharged from the hospital, we had our first newborn follow-up appointment with the pediatrician. It was our first outing and we were only 15 minutes late!! The appointment went great and Cohen looks wonderful and even gained 2 ounces since leaving the hospital the day before. Which doesn’t surprise me as he eats like a champ. He really showed no interest in anything at the appointment except when the doctor lodged the tongue compressor in his month, but that didn’t last long. We go back in 10 days (the end of next week) for his appointment. More to follow . . .

On Wednesday the 17th, Cohen had his first at home bath. He did well and I don’t think he minded too much. I think it was probably more entertaining for Mike and I. Hopefully he will continue to enjoy these for many years to come.

I do not want to go one more day without thanking and talking about what a wonderful husband and father Mike has been and is. Throughout my entire pregnancy he has been nothing by supportive, loving and understanding. He did not miss one doctor’s appointment, went on walks when I asked him even though he doesn’t really enjoy them, went on a number of ice cream runs, and was understanding during any hormonal ups and downs. I also know that my labor would not have been nearly as short and sweet if it wasn’t for Mike. He helped keep me calm, collected and as focused as you possibly can be during a time like that. He also made sure I followed through with my breathing and movement that we learned in birthing class. Now that it has been almost a week that we have been parents, I can’t believe how quickly it has flown by. We have enjoyed this time with each other and Cohen at home with out any work, taking it all in and it has been so fun to just absorb this as a team. Mike . . . thank you for everything, for being my rock, the most unbelievable husband and father that you have already become and what is ahead for us. Cohen is so lucky to have you as a support system and someone to look up to and follow after. I love you!

Coming Home and First Night Home

After 2 short days in the hospital, we got to come home on Monday! Oh, and it sure is nice to be home, sleeping in our own bed, and having our own space. Even though the hospital was amazing, the staff was even more amazing - there is just nothing like your own house.

We left about 12pm on Monday. Got our things piled in the car, Cohen in his seat and headed home. I must admit, it was kind of anti-climatic. Not sure what I expected - but once we walked in, Mike and I weren't sure what to do! We did show Cohen is room and the rest of the house . . . which he slept through the whole tour! :-)

We spent the afternoon hanging with Mike's family and we each got a well-needed nap in. My sister and mom then brought over dinner for everything - which was greatly appreciated as we had nothing at the house! Grocery store trip was planned for Saturday - unexpected delivery day.

Then everyone headed home or to hotels and we got settled. We headed straight to bed - but as expected had a restless night of sleep. Cohen does not like to be swaddled as we kicks his legs non-stop removing all the blankets from him, causing him to get cold - which results in a little whimper. So we learned quickly that sleep sacks will be the way to go with him. Also, we are working on the feeding, changing, etc . . . so it was an interesting night.

Cohen continues to amaze me. I feel like he changes daily. He is quite a little noise maker. When awake (and sometimes as he sleeps) he seems to grunt and make little squeaking sounds. It is hilarious . . . his way of talking I guess with lots to say!

Cohen William Baker has arrived!

He is here . . . and it is absolutely amazing! As you know from my previous post, I wasn't feeling very good last week. A lot of uncomfortableness and pain in my pelvic bone and back. But when I went to bed on Friday night, I did not think that I would be having a baby the following day!

Saturday morning, September 13th, at about 3:30am, I woke up with a lot of ab pain, and it was coming in waves. Later to find out that is what contractions felt like. So Mike and I started timing them and they were about 6 to 7 minutes apart and about 1 minute long. So we hung out at the house, walked around, etc . . . and finally at about 5:30am, I said, "Alright, I think this is it . . . we need to go." They were just too painful and nothing like I had felt before. So we got our things together, put Naismith in the car, dropped him off at my mom's house and headed for the hospital. We arrived there around 6:30am and was checked by a nurse and already at 4cm and 100% effaced with my water able to break at any point. So was admitted and told I was going to have a baby today!

So once admitted, I was moved to my labor room and at that point had then progressed to 6 cm. This was at about 7:30am. So started doing all the important things that we learned in our birthing class . . . walking, breathing, etc. About one hour later, I was at a 7cm. My mom and sister had gotten to the hospital and I was so glad that they were there. Mike and I spoke with the doctor and each other and with my last few contractions being the pain that they were, we decided to get the epidural and all seemed to get so much easier. I couldn't feel a thing and most of the time had no idea I was even having a contraction. Mike would look at the screen and say, "do you feel that? You are having a contraction." And I would just look at him like I had no idea what he was talking about!

Soon after the epidural, the doc, Mike, and I decided we need to break my water . . . it just wasn't going on its own. So after that things continued to progress. At about 10:30am, I had moved from 7cm to 9cm and was getting close to the end. And 30 minutes later had reach 10cm! I did my work for the next 30 minutes and Cohen had arrived. It was amazing! I immediately got to hold him and of course Mike and I both got teary. The whole process was so fast and couldn't believe that 8 hours earlier we were sleeping with no sign of having him that day. They then took him to the other side of the room, weighed him and checked him out. And then we got him back. Mike went out to the waiting room to ask Aunt Katy and Grammy/MiMi (or whatever her name will be) if they wanted to come meet him. They got to the room and shortly after my dad and stepmom arrived. It was so great to have them all there for this amazing experience!

After a few hours, we were moved up to the mother/baby floor of the hospital where we would spend the next few days. As we arrived, we stopped in the nursery and Cohen has his first bath and first shots . . . not fun, but didn't last long. And then we headed we all headed back to the room for rest.

Mike's sister, mom, and niece arrived later that evening from Kansas. It was so special to have them here and meant the world to us that they made the long drive.

We hunkered in for our first night as a family. I had a really hard time getting any sleep though. Between nurses coming in to check Cohen, checking me, us working on the whole feeding thing, changing diapers, and just being emotionally on cloud nine . . . it was hard fro me to unwind and get any zzz's in.

Cohen being a name that Mike and I really liked, William being after my grandfather (my mother's father) that meant the world to me and such a huge part of my life). It was an absolutely amazing experience and I can't believe that Cohen is finally here. It makes the long 9-10 month wait absolutely worth it and Mike and I are just in love. Here are a few pictures from Cohen's first few hours!

7 years ago . . .

First of all, I can not believe that it has been 7 years since the horrific "9/11". Mike and I were talking about it earlier today how it seems like yesterday, yet a lifetime ago. I remember being in my 5th year of college, getting ready for class in the morning and turning on the tv and watching the 2nd plane hit. I just couldn't believe it. I was affected indirectly as I didn't know anyone in New York at that time, but still today think about them all and everyone else that had or knew a loved one that lost their life. It will be something I will never forget and I think about the people, firemen, policemen, and military that protected their country that day and still today.

Wow . . . already 38 weeks. It is starting to go by very quickly! Had a doctors appointment today . . . not too much of a change: 2 1/2 centimeters dialated and 80% effaced. I have been having HORRIBLE lower back and pelvic pain the last three days. My doctor measured me and said that he has definitely dropped very low so that is the pain I have been feeling. As usual, since they can't predict anything, he could come in the next few hours, days, or weeks!! Exhusting!

Otherwise, everything else is going well in Colorado. Mike and I have both been very busy with work the last few weeks, which has been nice to keep our minds busy. Also spent some time with my niece, Madison, this week. She is just over 18 months old and absolutely amazing! She calls me Chi Chi (randomly that nickname started and has just stuck) and she calls Mike - Bike. She is so funny and her personality is definitely showing each time I see her. It makes me that much more excited Baby Baker to arrive to watch him grow up over time.

That is about all that is happening in the Baker household this week. We will be sure to update the blog with any other news as soon as possible. Otherwise, let's hope for his arrival soon so that some of the pain can be relieved! :-)

I hate these pictures, but didn't have the energy to re-take them . . . so just don't make fun of them!