Mommy Milestones

Enough about the baby for a minute...I've hit some major milestones and want to shout it out.
Boys/men may want to stop reading at this point--it's all very "girly."

1. That's it, declare me the "Biggest Loser." I have lost 30 lbs in 10 days!!! I know, I know, it's pregnancy weight, but still. That gives me only 8 lbs of pregnancy weight to lose to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and that's WITH clothes on, and obviously includes the Dolly Parton-size ta-ta's I'm sporting now. That goes to show that most of my weight was baby, water, and other quickly expelled pregnancy accessories. I am so excited!!!! (At this point I'm not mentioning SIZE--that's another story. Will this jello belly ever go back to normal?! Will I ever wear non-maternity pants again?....Back to celebrating; Let's focus on the positive.)

2. I have normal feet again! No longer do I have elephantitis-looking feet that bulge over any shoe I try to wear. I can start wearing cute shoes again. Time for a peticure. There are actually visible VEINS in my feet again. Haven't seen those babies since May/June. Welcome back!

3. The cankles are gone! Nuff said.

4. I have bony knees again! Who would have ever thought I'd want bony knees again, but I missed them.

5. I can bend from the waist! (albeit gingerly)

6. I can see my own feet when standing straight!

7. I cut my own toenails a few days ago without feeling like I needed to come up for air before I passed out.

8. I slept on my side for about 20 minutes last night. After several months of mandatory side-sleeping, you'd think I'd be sick of it and want to sleep on my back. But after being so used to sleeping on my side, sleeping on my back without the OPTION of side sleeping due to the c-section has been really frustrating. Pre-humungo prego belly, I used to sleep on my side to fall asleep and then roll to my back. So falling asleep the last 10 days has been hard for me. Last night was a little painful still, but it felt good nonetheless to turn over in bed.

I was trying to think of 10 things, but 8 sound good. I have 30 minutes before The Coop will be awake for feeding again, and I need to catch a few Zs before then. Thanks for celebrating with me! :o)

I love my little baby Cooper, but having my body morph back to its pre-pregnant self is a wonderful thing.

1 Week Old

Cooper was 1 week old today (Friday 10/2). I can't believe it's already been a week since he entered the world. My how things have changed in the last week, but I wouldn't ask for it to be any different. I can't imagine it getting any better than this...

The Perfect Baby

I am hesitant to blog about this subject, lest I jinx our house. Cooper is THE perfect baby. He does not fuss unless he's hungry, needs a diaper change, or has a tummy ache. This is his demeanor much of the time when he's awake--just chillin'.

He is a strong baby, lifting his head already and moving it where he wants it. He usually sleepts for 3-1/2 to 4-hour blocks. We have actually had to wake him up a couple of times to feed him. He is a great sleeper; sleeps through almost anything; sleeps almost anywhere; puts himself to sleep if he's already feeling sleepy and you lay him down swaddled in a blanket.

He is such a joy to us. Can I ask for a more perfect baby? Our little family feels so complete, and we are so content right now. This is the life....

A Massage, and then Bed Time in Nana's PJs

After his bath, Cooper was treated to a full-body massage, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He was all about Momma rubbing him down with baby lotion, despite the scared look in the first picture. Daddy was playing paparazzi again.

Once the massage was over, it was time for bed. We chose some PJs given to us by Cooper's Nana (Great-Grandma Gunning). They were so soft and comfy....
...and made Coop look utterly adorable.

First Bath at Home

Another big first...the first bath at home. Cooper didn't really like his first sponge bath at home, that is until we got to his head. He LOVED having his hair washed. He quieted right down and enjoyed the nice head massage. (Daddy had been helping but is not in the pictures.)

Going Home...

After three days in the hospital, we were more than ready to go home. Cooper got all dressed up for the occasion, looking like a dapper little man.

He decided he needed a nap before we made the "journey" home, but refused to give up his paci even though he wasn't sucking on it; he clung tight to it as if for security.

Then he was nearly ready to go.

One more family photo first...do we look tired yet? :o)

Visitors from Afar

Several visitors have come from afar to see the new babe...

Great-Aunt Denise (Nathan's Aunt) and Great-Uncle Jim traveled 3 hours from Columbia, SC to visit Cooper the day after his birth. We thoroughly enjoyed their visit and hope they are able to visit again soon.


Monday night after we arrived home from the hospital, Grammie (Chrystal's Mom) came to stay. She will be taking care of us for just over 2 weeks. Aren't we lucky (spoiled)? Cooper loves his Grammie and already responds to her voice.