Thursday 1 May 2014

Baby Boy has Arrived!!!.....a while ago



HENRY JAMES COOPER
 Wow who would have thought it would take 3 months of Henry's life for me to actually get around to writing a blog post! Well that pretty much sums up having a newborn. HUGE amount of respect for the tons of blogging mommies who are posting moments after giving birth, you are amazing and I don't know how it's done.
 
Our little man arrived on February 3rd at 1:56pm a whopping 9lbs 4oz, who would have thought?! I had an amazing delivery that went so smooth and I am so very thankful for, I am also thankful for the sweet sweet goodness of an epidural :) I was only in labour for 7 hours total and gave it a good go before getting the epidural, which I had pre-decided I would have unless something miraculous came over me convincing me otherwise, this did not happen and an hour after getting it I was pushing and 30 minutes later he was out and perfectly perfect. It was such an amazing experience and I think a part of me didn't believe I would be able to do it, the next few days after I would catch myself thinking about giving birth and how amazing it had been and that I actually HAD done it and my baby boy was finally here, best feeling ever! Sam was a champ by my side, encouraging me and not cracking too many jokes as per my request :) My mom was there too which was so special for both of us and calming for me.
 
FIRST PRECIOUS MOMENTS WITH DADDY
 
RIGHT AFTER ENTERING THE WORLD, SO HAPPY
 The first night in the hospital I didn't sleep a wink, just watched Henry the entire night to make sure he was breathing, he slept soundly. We were excited to leave the hospital two days later, even though they were great, we wanted to get home and settled a bit. I sat in the back seat with Henry on the drive home and cried the whole time because of how we were endangering his life by putting him in a moving vehicle....oh pregnancy hormones, much more of that to come!

ALL DRESSED TO COME HOME, SAME OUTFIT MOMMY WORE HOME WHEN SHE WAS BORN IT WAS KNITTED BY GREAT OMI VIKTORIA SO ITS VERY SPECIAL
 
HELLO WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE ARE DOING :)
The first week home was pretty good, he slept a lot, didn't really cry and would just cuddle with us and I thought I got this down. Now I know every mom out there tells you how exhausting it is, and to get your sleep before hand ( like you can use it later, I wish) and I while I was pregnant I inwardly was so annoyed with everyone telling me this over and over like they wanted to psyche me out, and a part of me thought they were probably overreacting a little, how hard can it be?! For those thoughts I am truly sorry and I have a huge, massively ridiculous amount of respect for all mothers and fathers out there and even more so for those who go on and have a second, third, dare I say fourth child, I am in awe of you and actually don't know how a toddler and a newborn happens at the same time...we will get there. Don't get me wrong Henry is a really good baby and was a pretty decent sleeper for being breastfed but its just the endless demands of that first month, you're feeding you're pumping you're feeding you're pumping over and over again and oh so little sleep, your body has just been put through the ringer, but somehow you do it, and it's amazing because your little one is finally in your arms and your love for them is overwhelming. I am so grateful for my mom being here that first month and taking care of us, doing laundry, feeding us and giving Henry lots of Omi cuddles. Sam was again amazing being by my side those first weeks as we did our best to figure everything out together, also meeting my endless demands for water bottle re-fills as nothing will make you more endlessly thirsty then breastfeeding.
SWEET BABY BOY, HIS FAVORITE WAY TO SLEEP
After the first month it felt like a fog lifted, my body was feeling more energized and we were feeling more comfortable with the whole parent thing, we were also mostly ready to let my mom go home, though I miss her terribly as I do all my family. Every week gets a bit easier and more fun!! We are at three months now and couldn't be more in love with our little man. The three month mark is amazing because there just seems to be so much growth and change when they hit that age, my little newborn is gone and turned into a sweet baby boy. I find myself reminiscing about his first weeks when he was so little (well smaller then he is now ;) But I am loving this new stage where he is interacting, chatting away to us smiling, grabbing things starting to roll over and just turning into his own little person. I still see myself in him though not as much as those early days, he is slowly morphing into a mini Sam just like I always knew he would and I love it. Henry loves to read with me, blow bubbles, suck his fists and just to interact and be given attention by everyone around. He sure has the serious stare down and will beat anyone at a stare off, but he loves to smiles tons, giggle, chat and coo and it will melt your heart, already a little ladies man :) He hates hates hates the car seat, and will scream his face off until he passes out in exhaustion, if we aren't that lucky the screaming continues. But that is really the only thing that gets him upset, that and when he wakes up from a nap and realizes he was hungry 5 minutes ago.

SO GROWN UP, MINI COOPS
This past week we had a great time away with my parents in Palm Desert. It was just what we needed and Sam and I have decided we won't be vacationing without them for the next 2 years ;) Seriously though it was so great to have the help and support and of course family time and grandparent cuddles for Henry. Henry also had his first swim experience and was our 'little squirt' copying me putting his face in, blowing bubbles and kicking his legs, soooooo cute and sooo fun :) We didn't want to leave we all love it there andI didn't want to see my mom and papa ray go, its hard to be away from home right now. There are days I love being in the sunshine of Santa Monica,  walking on the strand and enjoying all beautiful California has to offer and other times I have had enough of LA, miss my family and would have our bags packed in a heartbeat. That is life I guess and I hope it is making me stronger having to be so independent right now, and when I have that extra support again I will be all the more grateful :)

OUR LITTLE SQUIRT, SO FUN
Well that is our little Cooper family update for now, Mr. Man is starting get a bit fussy. Over and out
for now.

MAMA AND HER BABY BOY XOXO