I am THAT mom....

I have followed several blogs of women that were expecting.  I noticed a similar pattern with each of them, frequent updating posts while waiting for the baby to arrive then after birth posts are almost non existent.  Now I see why!

Cooper will be three weeks old tomorrow.  I can't believe it.  Our lives have changed so much and I can't imagine what our life was like without him.  This past weekend we had his pictures taken.  A co-worker of mine has a daughter in Dallas who is starting up her photography business.  She came up last weekend and brought a mini studio for Cooper's pictures.  You can go here to see his pictures.  I think she did a great job!  I don't know how I am going to choose between the pictures.  We ordered a couple of the professional pictures from the hospital and I'm glad we did because he has changed so much in 2 weeks!

Ok so I have to admit that I am THAT mom.  You know the overprotective, paranoid and over analyzing one?  I think it has to do with the fact that it is flu season (and that I have known two babies under a month old that have been in the hospital recently with RSV).  I have been so nervous to take him out and about.  We have been to church a few times but we have kept him "locked up" in his carrier and covered with a blanket so everyone can look but not touch.  I also have 3 bottles of hand sanitizer in my house.  One by the front door, Cooper's bedroom, and in the diaper bag.  I never thought I would be the mom to say to someone "did you wash your hands first" before they touch my child!  It is completely a feeling that I am responsible for him and he can't protect himself right now.  That and I don't want to have to take care of a sick baby!! 

Here is another reason I consider myself THAT mom.  If you will remember from my previous post at Cooper's appointment last week he had only gained an ounce.  Well Tuesday (exactly a week since his last appointment) Clay and I took him up to the doctor's office to have him weighed on the scale.  It was well worth it to me because he weighed 8 lbs 15 oz.  Last week he weighted 7 lbs 14 oz so he gained a little over a pound in a week!  I really needed to hear that.  I was thinking that he had gained weight because his cheeks are filling in and he is getting a double chin.  

We are still trying to work on his nighttime routine.  He did well for a couple of nights only getting up every 3-4 hours to eat.  Monday and Tuesday nights were rough.  Clay was sick on Tuesday and we didn't want him around Cooper so I had the whole shift and we slept for 3 hours total!  I was glad Clay was feeling better to help out last night.  Cooper was wide awake after his 10pm feeding until his 1am feeding.  He then went to sleep and ate around 4 am and 7 am and woke up twice in between where I just rocked him back to sleep.  This weekend Clay is taking the youth group on a retreat and Cooper and I are going to stay with my mom for the weekend.  I am so excited to see her and my family and let them spend time with Cooper.  But at the same time we are going to miss Clay and I know he is going to miss Cooper.  I hope Cooper is on his best sleeping behavior this weekend!

Firsts....

Cooper has had quite a few "firsts" this past week.  Starting off with his first bath.  I didn't get too many pictures because we were video taping it.  He didn't like it at first but once he got warm he was fine.  He has had a few since and Monday he didn't cry at all.  I think he likes it, and his parents are getting the water temperature right.  

Friday night (on his one week birthday) we took his first outing to Home Depot.  I have been very paranoid about getting him out since it is flu season and I have heard of several babies getting RSV.  We just kept him covered up in the car seat and he never made a peep.  

Todd, Marlee, and Nana were with us

Dad and Cooper in their matching camo

Dad trying to imitate Cooper's face

Family picture, I don't have any camo to match

Our first trip to church Sunday morning.  He slept in his carrier the entire time!

Cooper had to say good-bye to Nana Sunday.  We were so greatful to her for staying with us for a week.  It was hard on all of us when she left.  We miss her!

Cooper had his first appointment with Dr. Carpenter yesterday for his newborn check up.  He said Cooper is doing great!  I was concerned that he has only gained an ounce since we left the hospital last week but Dr. Carpenter was not concerned.  I just feel like he should have gained a lot more than that.  He is having a ton of wet and poopy diapers a day and I guess that is how you gage that he is getting the nutrition that he needs.  He also took his circumcision ring off, it was hanging on by a thread literally.  Cooper didn't cry at all.  We were proud of him!

Here are a couple of sweet pictures that I took of him over the past week.  

Dad and Cooper were having a staring contest.  They stared at each other like this for minutes it was so funny.   I think this picture is precious.  Clay is such a good dad!

We are working on our sleeping patterns.  Cooper still has his days and nights mixed up.  He is a good baby.  He only fusses when he is hungry or needs a diaper changed.  I am feeding on demand which averages out to about 3 hours, occasionally 2 and twice 5.  He usually eats somewhere around 10:30 and at the nightly feeding he wakes up!  Those of you that know Clay know that he has a really weird sleep pattern and he usually doesn't go to bed until around 2:00am and he is good to get up at 7 or 8.  I, however, NEED 7-8 hours of sleep so this has definitely been an adjustment for me.  Dad usually plays with Cooper after the 10:30ish feeding while I go to bed.  Then he wakes me up for the 2:00ish feeding and I can usually get him to go down after that feeding.  Then we are up around 5:00 and 8:00.  However, last night Clay was up with him until the 5:00 feeding.  I felt horrible because he had a meeting at 9 this morning and he had to be in the office today and church tonight.  I can't imagine being a single parent of a newborn!!  I really think the bottom line is we need to keep him awake during the day.  We have been trying really hard to.  Saturday night he stayed awake quite a bit during the day and he only got up once during the night before getting up at 7:00 and it was time to get ready for church.  I guess God really wanted us to be in church Sunday morning!  I know I am probably going out on a limb here by asking this but I feel that those of you who actually read my blog I would trust your advice.  So, any suggestions about getting him to sleep at night and stay awake during the day?

I LOVE HIM!!  God is SO great!  I look at him and I can't imagine how in the world he fit into my belly!  I don't know how anyone can go through pregnancy and the birth of a child and not believe in God and his power.  I am so thankful each day for my perfectly healthy beautiful baby boy.  As much as I love my sleep, I do love Cooper more!  

Home Sweet Home....

We got home from the hospital yesterday.  We are glad to be home!!  Mercy hospital and the nurses were great, but there is nothing like the comfort of your own home.  Saturday and Sunday nights at the hospital were pretty rough and we did not get much sleep.  Last night he was still up every 2-3 hours but he would at least sleep for that long at a time.  Who knew I would be so excited about getting 3 hours straight!  We are learning  more about his habits and figuring out how to make it easier on all of us.  Overall he is a great baby!  He is a very good eater and made the art of breastfeeding easy.  He sleeps better during the day than at night.  But isn't that they definition of a newborn?  It is a good thing he is cute because that is what keeps me going at the wee hours of the night.  I could just sit and stare at him forever!  He is such a miracle and an adorable one at that!  I knew I would love him but I had no idea it would be this much!

A few pics from the hospital.....

waiting to go home.....

In the car seat....

Dad checking to make sure we are ready....

Outfit for home....

I snapped a few pictures with my camera while the hospital photographer was taking his pictures.

My precious baby  boy.....

The hospital photographer took some sweet pictures.  Click here to see them on the hospital website.  We could not resist purchasing some even though we have a newborn photo session set up with a photographer next weekend.  After all he is only a newborn once!