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!

37 weeks

Well a week has gone by and not too much has changed. I am 2 cm dialated, 70% effaced and -1 station. He is definitely moving tons and working his way down. I am going to treat myself to a pre-natal massage tomorrow to try to alliviate some of the lower back pain I have been experiencing the last few weeks. I can't wait . . . I think it is just what I need. And always good to treat yourself every once in awhile. Please excuse the "shortness" of the shirts . . . even maternity shirts don't always do the job this late into pregnancy! :-)

Also, thought I would add these pictures of Naismith. He seems to think it is pretty funny when he retrieves the area rugs from the kitchen. And he is also quite patriotic!! :-)

We will continue to keep you posted if anything new comes about!

PS . . . whoever voted for Baby Baker to be born in October - I hope you are wrong!! Those that know me best know that I am very impatient and on-time, so that would just kill me!! Do you want to fess up?? :-)