Day Two

We have had a great day today! We are falling more and more in love with our little girl and just enjoying getting to know her. Here are some pictures from our day.

Comparison

Look at how much we look alike!

What A Difference A Day Makes

Cooper Elyse Dane

August 31, 2010
10:07am

6 lbs. 13 oz.

19 1/4 inches

About 24 hours before delivery

10:08am

Beautiful

Feetprint for the Baby Book

The World's Greatest Labor & Delivery Nurse - Gillian

First time for Daddy to hold Cooper

Sweet

Heating Up - Hanging Out

Meeting Big Sister for the First Time

Kendall was so excited to meet Baby Cooper. She sang "Crinkle, Crinkle Little Star" to her. She wasn't at all intimidated by Mommy being in the hospital. She wanted to see everything in the room. During their first visit a nurse came to take Baby Cooper back for some tests - Kendall said, "Don't take my baby!" We couldn't convince her it was okay - so we walked down to the nursery with her and the nurse. Kendall liked meeting her friends.

24 Hours Old!


Cooper's delivery couldn't have gone better! We are so thankful for our healthy baby and healthy mommy. We came in at about 10:30pm on Monday night because Ashley was having contractions consistently at about 9 minutes apart. Between how far along she already was, how fast Kendall came, and living an hour away from the hospital we wanted be safe rather than sorry. The doctor agreed. She let Ashley labor through the night, and then at about 6:30am she broke her water. Contractions picked up quickly, and then at 9:45 it was obvious that Cooper was ready to arrive. Nurse Gillian saw that she was already crowning without any pushing. She called the doctor to come in quickly, and then 2 pushes later Cooper was out of mommy's tummy and in her arms. Everything has gone so well and we are so grateful.

All 6 of Cooper's grandparents were here for her delivery and then lots of family and friends were not far behind. We had a great first night in the hospital. We all got some much needed rest in between feedings, and Cooper is feeding really well.
In the course of a day you changed our life forever - forever for the better!


We love you Cooper Elyse!

One Month till our Due Date!

Today is August 16 -- we are exactly one month away from Cooper's due date of September 16! I went today for my regular check-up with Dr. Miller. I told her that I've been feeling pretty uncomfortable lately and I've been having some contractions. She did an exam and said that I am 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced! Crazy! She also said that the baby is for sure head down because she was touching her head. Again...that is just crazy to us!

I gained another 3.5 pounds in the past 2 weeks and measured 34 cm - which is still consistent with being one to two cm small each week. Dr. Miller scheduled my next appointment for 2 weeks from today, but said to pay close attention to my contractions and call her if they get stronger or closer together. Kendall came pretty fast, so we want to make sure we are on the ball this time!!

I know I could stay right at this point until our due date, so it's hard not to get our hopes up that she will be here any sooner. We'll see! We are ready to meet you, Cooper Elyse!

Cooper's Baby Shower

Tuesday night the girls threw Cooper and me the most fun baby shower! It was at Mary's house and everything looked so cute. My mom came in town for it and we took Kendall with us. She thought it was pretty fun to have a party for Baby Cooper!
It was so much fun to be with good friends and get ready for Cooper to be here! The girls had so much good food - chocolate fountain, sweeties, chips, salsa, and spinach artichoke dip, an awesome chocolate cheesecake, and coffee punch!

Cooper got so many diapers and nice gifts! We are so thankful. The big sister got a bunch of fun presents, too! One of the gifts she got was this dress from Kiki and Pops.
Debbie and Micaela Erskine got Cooper some diapers and then a present for Kendall...her very own "Baby Cooper!" She loves it so much and has hardly put it down since she got it. She is already taking such good care of her! Telling "the Debbie" thank you for her baby! Alden and Scott are in town this week visiting Kevin and Jan, so Mom and her were both at the shower! So fun! Kendall was such a good girl all night and helped me open Baby Cooper's presents. This is towards the end of the night when I asked her if I could take another picture of her and her baby. She pretended to take a picture of me, too!

Some of my favorite people! Holly, Mary, Kristin, Amy, and Noelle. Stephanie helped with the shower, too, but had to be out of town this week. I love these girls!!

It was a lot of fun to get all the presents out when we got home and show them to Randy. We are so blessed!

I loaded all the diapers into Cooper's closet. Can you even believe it?!

We are so thankful for all the gifts for Baby Cooper! Tomorrow we are 35 weeks....she is coming soon!!

31 Weeks

Thursday we will be 31 weeks along! I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and everything is still going great! It has been three weeks since my last appointment, because my doctor was out of town last week for the July 4th holiday. In these three weeks, I only gained one pound! Also, I measured 29 cm which is still consistent with me always measuring two cm less than how many weeks I am. My glucose test came back fine, but my blood count did show that I am anemic, so I have had to start taking iron supplements in addition to my prenatal vitamins.

Cooper is moving SO MUCH. She stretches out so far and kicks me in the ribs a lot! She wears me out the most in the late afternoons and evenings and Randy and I will just sit and feel and watch her moving all around in there. I can't believe we're getting so close to meeting her!

27 Weeks

Today was my 27 week appointment! I will be 28 weeks on Thursday. I had my glucose test today, and we should get the results soon. Cooper is growing and doing great! I feel so much bigger and a little more uncomfortable lately. I only gained 3 pounds this month - much better than last month! Dr. Miller said I've still not gained much more than 10 pounds total, so that's good. I measured 26 cm, which is still 2 cm less than how many weeks I am, but she feels ok about my growth. We start going every two weeks now!
When I got home, we were going to take a picture of my belly, and Kendall decided she needed to get her Elmo camera and take pictures, too! It was so cute.

After Randy finished taking my picture, Kendall said, "Take my picture, Dad!" All by herself, she went and stood where I was standing and raised her shirt to show off her belly. I love these pictures!!!

Cutest belly ever!