Everybody has their labor story..

Here's mine!

Timeline:

Wednesday, April 14
1 pm - Felt mild contractions, but nothing to scream about
5pm - Took Jack for a long walk with Andrew
7pm - Begin to get very anxious about Cooper's arrival...need something to do
7:30 pm - Pressure wash deck furniture
9pm - Start watching American Idol and timing contractions...6-7 minutes apart...thinking about Dr. Shirk telling me - "Don't call until they are 3-5 minutes apart for an hour!"
11pm - Decide I'm not in labor and go to sleep


Thursday, April 15
12:30 am - Wake up to another contraction and decide to wake Andrew up and start timing them again
12:45 am - Decide we better call the hospital... I'm in pain! They tell us to come in so they can check me out... I really hope I'm not in false labor... Cooper's due date is still 5 days away!
1:30 am - Arrive at hospital to find our instructor, Lynda, is our nurse..yeah!! And she tells me I'm dialated to 5cm!! (Now we're glad we came in!) Music to my ears...I can get my epidural now!
3am - Get my epidural...all is good now. Dr. Shirk comes in and tells us to relax and try to get some sleep...yeah right!

After my epidural...laboring away!

3am - 6am - They break my water and the next thing they tell me is I'm dialated to 10cm. Time to start pushing!!

James O. Shirk - my amazing doc!


6am onward - PUSHING, PUSHING, PUSHING!!!
6:48am - Cooper arrives looking EXACTLY like his daddy's baby picutre...they put him on my chest right after he is born and it's heaven on earth!



Andrew was a huge "coach" throughout helping me every step of the way...and watching everything (I hope he's not traumatized!).

Wordless Wednesday...

Or not enough time to write a post Wednesday...
So a sweet picture of Cooper will have to do!

Where has the time gone?

Dear Cooper,
You are 1 week old today!! We can't believe that you are getting so old! You have been a good baby so far, you just like to eat, eat, eat, and mommy can't keep up! We went back to Dr. Greg's office today and you don't even have to go back again for a weight check because you gained more than enough! We love to watch you make funny faces, but we also love to watch you sleep! Our world has changed, but it is totally worth it and will just keep getting better.

Your big brother Jack loves you just as much as we do. He loves to sniff you and give you kisses and is not bothered at all by your late night screaming. He just keeps on sleeping!

You look exactly like your daddy's baby picture and your hair is getting lighter each day. I bet you are going to look more and more like him!

We love you Cooper!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Speechless...

I think this says it all:

Showing signs...

Cooper is showing some signs that he might be coming sooner than later. I had my "show" this morning and lost my mucous plug...I won't go into details...and had to go back to the doctor again! (I just went yesterday and she said I wasn't dialated). Today, Dr. Shirk said I was dialated almost to 2 cm and my cervix was thinning. So I'm showing progress which is good. I've been having back contractions on and off today...more on than off...but nothing timeable. I'm been keeping myself busy being off of work...mainly going to the doctor and spending quality time with Jack. I'll keep everyone posted if there are more changes! Hopefully, Cooper will come this week!

The nursery...missing 1 thing...

All our nursery is missing is our sweet baby boy! Hopefully he will be making his arrival soon! Here are some pictures of the (somewhat) finished product:





Check this outfit out that Jami got for Cooper...how adorable...we're crossing our fingers for a Master's baby!

16 days...

In 16 days....(+ or - 10 days according to the doc)I will be a mommy! Andrew will be a daddy! I still have tons of stuff to do...Andrew needs to hurry home so we can get this ball rolling! I am sort of hoping it rains today so I am forced to stay inside and get some things done. The sunshine is just too alluring. Here's what's on my checklist:
1. Pack hospital bags
2. Put together Coopers's monitor, bouncy seat, and all the other contraptions that
go along with a new baby!
3. Get car cleaned and install car seat...in both cars! Scoot over Jack...there is a
new Pratt in town!
4. Figure out how to add Cooper to our health insurance and put the info in the
hospital bag (see #1).
5. Nest (I think this means...according to all my friends...that I am suppose to go
on some mad cleaning spree and scrub the toilet with a toothbrush.) This hasn't
happened yet.
6. Read up on my BabyWise...again.

I'm sure there are about a million other things I need to do (I'm thinking of them right now). Can't wait for my cute hubby to get home so he can help!