10 Months

Well, my little boy is growing like a weed! Cooper says "ba" for ball and when I ask him where it is, he'll look around for it. I'm amazed at his problem solving skills and now he can climb the stairs. (Sarcastic) Yay! He is so much more mobile now. I predict he'll be walking before he turns 12 months old. He's also a lot more hungry these days. He's our little begger, aside from the three weiner dogs. I think he's sampled just about everything MiMi, Aaron and I have eaten in the past month. His personality is really shining through, too. He's joyful, impatient, playful, talkative, active, and sensitive, but we have a hitting problem on our hands. He gets so excited and waves his arms around, then starts hitting. Sometimes, it really hurts, but he's still my precious baby boy. Let's see if we can't nip this in the bud by his 11 month mark!

10-Month Stats:
Diapers: Size 3
Clothes: 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 12-18 Months
Shoes: 6-12 Months, Size 3
Weight: 19 lbs 1 oz
Milestones: Crawling up the stairs, "ba"
Gift: Laugh and Learn Mailbox

The Patch

We took Coop to the Patch this past Saturday to take his first professional pictures. It was so much fun and Cooper was great! He even kept his moose beanie on for a good 5 minutes; enough to get some really good shots! Here are some of my favorites...

We're just gettin' started here!

Look at these blue beauties! 

"Hey, Dad!"

My angel

Pucker up for Mommy!

Coop picked both of these mini pumpkins for himself.

Our little family - Saturday October 22, 2011

9 Months

Cooper passed the 9 month mark this past Tuesday. Everything seems so surreal. Packing up his newborn clothes, browsing through old pictures, achieving new milestones all make me so sentimental. Aaron thinks it's silly, but I can't help it. Time is moving too quickly. And, I can't believe that I am already planing his first birthday party! I am having a blast being Cooper's mama, but there are moments that are so bittersweet I can't help but tear up.

Cooper is such a sweet, little soul and everyone loves him to pieces, even when he's sick. He loves to cuddle and gives kisses when I ask for them. The best part is that he is in much better spirits now that he isn't so sick. That has really eased my worrying and we are all so much happier now. I know being sick is part of the parenting territory, but it breaks my heart to see little babies uncomfortable.

Coop has also decided to add "mama" to his vocabulary and I was just elated to hear it. He waves bye-bye sometimes and Aaron also taught him to high-five. It amazes me how quickly he has learned these things. It seems to happen over night; which is just affirmation of how fast time flies. But, it's so easy to enjoy every moment with him because he is just so precious in my eyes. In that sense, I am a very blessed woman and mama!


9-Month Stats:
Diapers: Size 3
Clothes: 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 12-18 Months
Shoes: 6-12 Months, Size 3
Weight: 18 lbs 3 oz
Length: 28.75 in.
Milestones: Pulling up to stand, "mama"
Gift: V-Tech Sit to Stand Walker

 Nice teeth shot!

Look at me, Mom!

8 Months

I can't believe Cooper is already 8 months old! He started army crawling and cut his front top teeth the day before he turned 8 months. That's SIX teeth now! He has curiously discovered the dog door and water bowl. Now, we really have to keep an eagle eye on him! And, since we just had laminate installed, he can move at the speed of light, it seems.

It has been such a crazy month, though. Cooper has been sick with multiple ear infections and has, in turn, required breathing treatments for chest congestion. We put Coop back in bed with us so we could keep him within arm's reach and that has really calmed my nerves. However, my poor baby couldn't sleep through the night with all of his coughing and misery, and neither could we. He has seen the doctor three times this month! Everyone tells us to get used to it. So, I guess my baby is just going to build up his immunity for the next few years.

On a happier note, Cooper said "dada" as clear as day out of the blue. It was so sweet and I just couldn't believe my ears! I was hoping for "mama" first, but I was still so proud of my little munckin! And, I got it on video!

8-Month Stats:
Diapers: Size 3
Clothes: 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months
Shoes: 6-12 Months
Weight: 17 lbs 6 oz
Milestones: Crawling, cut two more teeth, "dada"
Gift: Poppity Pop Musical Dino, Shake & Crawl Racer

My bashful boy!

7 Months

Well, Cooper has been doing such a great job sleeping in his own bed!  He adapts so well and is a loving baby.  The older he gets, the more affectionate he is!  I'm sad to see him growing so fast, but I love how he reaches for me and grabs my face when he gives me kisses!  He opens his mouth real wide, grabs my cheeks and leans in for a big, slobbery smacker!  Cooper has also taught himself how to sit on his own!  I have to admit, I'm relieved that he has learned this because he has become a "hold me" baby which can be physically taxing.  And, we no longer have a food fight with fruits.  He pretty much loves everything (just like his momma)!  His newest favorite activity is to blow "bubbles".  He learned this during our swim lessons when I was teaching him to blow under water.  Now he does it all the time!  It's really cute!
Lastly, Aaron and I have started back at work and it is still definitely just as difficult to leave him as it was the first time after maternity leave!  I can tell.  I'll be one of those sentimental mommies, crying as I leave my baby boy at college.  But, let's not think about that yet!

7-Month Stats:
Diapers: Size 2 & 3
Clothes: 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months
Shoes: 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months
Weight: 16 lbs 11 oz
Milestones: Sits unsupported, blows raspberries
Gift: Stacker, Toy Cell Phone

 

Just Keep Swimming

To end our summer fun together, Cooper and I took a "Mommy and Me" swim class at the YMCA.  It was so much fun teaching Cooper how to play in the water and he even made a new friend, Landon!  The instructor said that Coop was a natural in the water because he was so comfortable floating on his back.  We played games, sung songs and kickboarded!  Daddy even came to visit every day.  Parents of frightened, older kids were using Cooper as an example of how simple it is to swim.  I love my little water bug!

Miss Lauren, Cooper's Swim Instructor

Photog Credits: Daddy Van Wey

6 Months

Cooper had his 6-month well check today.  He was such a big boy for his shots.  Only a little crying, but I was so proud of him!  He has 4 teeth now and the pediatrician said he was cutting another!  I can't believe he is growing up so fast; and right before my eyes!  While Cooper is currently sleeping through the night, we are going to transition him to his crib soon.  Daddy and Mommy want their bed back (maybe Dad more than me)!  The pedi said that he is out of the woods for SIDS (sigh of relief), but I still want a monitor for my own peace of mind.  And, suprisingly, Cooper loves, loves, loves veggies, but hates fruit!  He literally gags.  I can't believe it, but we'll keep at it.  Lastly, I'm so excited for our next adventure!  Cooper and I are going to take infant swim classes at Daddy's YMCA at the end of this month!  Coop loves the water and I've heard this is the best time to teach babies before they develop a fear of the water.  Wish us luck!

6-Month Stats:
Diapers: Size 2
Clothes: 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months
Shoes: 3-6 Months
Weight:  15 lbs 12 oz
Length: 26.5 inches
Milestones: Working on sitting up unsupported, cut 2 more teeth
Gift: Monitor, Jumper

Swimming with Uncle Greg & Aunt Patsy

Roadtrippin' 2011

Whelp, we survived our first family roadtrip with a nearly 6-month old baby.  Don't get me wrong.  Cooper was such a good little guy.  Aaron and I were really impressed!

Day 1
We left Spring, TX at 8:45 AM and went through Texarkana, Little Rock, West Memphis and stopped at a motel for a snooze in Sikeston, MO at 9:45 PM.  FYI, do not stay at a Super 8!  Pay the extra $20 for an upgrade.  I'm so glad that I am a little anal and brought our Lysol wipes!  Otherwise, I'd be balled up in the fetal position in a corner rocking back and forth, sucking my thumb!  But, on the bright side, Cooper was amazing as usual.  He fussed a little when he was simply too fed up with his car seat.  We're blessed!

Day 2
Aaron and I got out of that God forsaken motel at 9:45 AM and got to Vincennes, IN around 2:30 PM (1:30 PM CST).  The time changes just as soon as you cross Illinois into Indiana.  We decided to check into our hotel first to get Cooper fed and to relax a bit.  We booked our stay at the Holiday Inn Express in advance based on reviews from other travelers.  That was the wisest decision made and money spent so far.  It's really accommodating and comfortable and, as many of you know, those things are important with a baby in tow.  After an hour at the hotel, we visited Aaron's dad and grandparents.  There were 4 generations of Van Weys in that room and it was really nice to catch up.

Day 3 - 4th of July
Today we took it easy.  First, we relaxed a bit in the hotel.  Then, we visited with family.  A lot of Cooper's cousins came to see him and catch up.  They were going crazy for Cooper and, of course, he was soaking up all the attention.  Then, to end the night, PawPaw, Aaron and I took Cooper to his first fireworks show at the George Rogers Clark Memorial.  It was beautiful and Cooper had his own glow sticks to celebrate Independence Day.  He did really well with the loud noises.  He even fell asleep!

Day 4
Today, we decided to take Coop to the zoo!  We figured he'd really enjoy discovering these really strange animals.  So, PawPaw, Aaron and I took him to the Indy zoo.  It was perfect!  It was in the upper 80s (Hoosiers were complaining about how hot it was!) and the zoo wasn't too crowded or big; very manageable!  Cooper loved anything in water!  I bet he would've made MiMi proud!  He was mesmerized with the dolphins and fish!  He even got to pet an elephant!

And the penguins, too!

Day 5
Once again, we decided to take it easy.  Hey, it's vacation!  We slept in, went shopping, and grilled some burgers at Ani and Grandad's house.  We even visited Aunt Dink and Uncle Jack.  Aunt Dink said that Cooper is too pretty to be a boy!  But, this day was a time for goodbyes too.  It was hard leaving for everyone.  We sure will miss you and promise to make it up there for a Christmas season soon!  I want a true White Christmas!

Day 6
Of course, we got up late and left Vincennes around 12 PM.  We always stop in Charleston, MO. to see Boomland on our trips up North.  They have all kinds of goodies like homemade jams and sauces.  But, the coolest thing they have is a giant shop of any kind of firecracker you can think of!  We bought Cooper a little red Mini Cooper model car and a black bear named Midnight.  We traveled for about seven more hours and made it Texarkana, AR. (literally just outside of the Texas state line) and stayed the night at the Clarion.  It wasn't like the Super 8, but it definitely wasn't like the Holiday Inn.  At first, they gave us a smoking room and I was not going to put Cooper's health at risk.  So, I asked for another room and the receptionist politely agreed.  Well, the second room smelled like sour throwup.  Ewww!  So, I explained that I was not trying to be a pest, but we could not stay in that room either.  She said it was probably the cleaner, but indulged my request one last time.  Thank goodness, third time was a charm.  It smelled... normal.

Sound asleep at the Clarion

Day 7
On the road again!  This time we went through Dallas, down Waco and reminisced in Belton, TX where Aaron and I went to college almost 4 years ago!  Wow!  It was so surreal to relive that period in time when our stresses were trivial and there was no Cooper.  I realized that I am so blessed to have such a valuable education and an amazing, little family!  We continued south through Austin and finally arrived to our last destination:  Uncle Greg and Aunt Patsy's house in Kyle, TX.  We ate bratwurst (well, I ate a hotdog) and watched House Hunters International till 1 AM!  We're so cool!

One of our rest stops for Cooper

Day 8
Today, the boys went floating on the river.  The girls and Cooper went shopping at the Outlet Mall.  Cooper banked some new clothes and Mommy got a good deal at Bath & Body Works!  Then, we all met up at Patsy's mom's house and swam the evening away.  Cooper loves the water and was floating on his own for a few seconds!  Then, we fixed up some fajitas and ate some homemade peanut butter ice cream cake!  Yummy!

Day 9
Today is the day we make our voyage home!  But, before we left Kyle, we got to see the US Girls soccer team win against Brazil!  It was an amazing comeback and we were all so excited!  I loved visiting family and friends, but living out of suitcases with an infant is tough!

First Father's Day

Since this was Aaron's first official Father's Day since Cooper was born, I wanted to make it special.  So, I tried to hand-make a few of his presents.  First, I made a card for him.  It looks like a man's dress shirt.  Inside, the shirt was a handwritten note from mommy and Cooper's signature.  Well, his footprint.  I put a gift card to Footlocker in it too.  Then, I stayed up the entire night making cupcakes.  I made 18 with green sanding sugar, toothpicks with white flags and little "golf balls".  I made 6 more with the green sugar and mounds of crushed graham crackers for the bunkers.  In the end, Aaron had himself a nice, edible golf course!  He said, "Wow!  You make me look like I play well, Babe!  All the golf balls are really close to the holes."  I think he really enjoyed it.  We went to Outback later that afternoon and had a nice meal.  It was a good day for daddy!

First Father's Day - June 19, 2011

5 Months

Cooper turned 5 months on Sunday the 12th.  A week after he cut his first tooth, he cut his second right next to it!  I decided to get Coop a Sophie the Giraffe since it helps relieve sore gums.  He's still not too sure what to do with it, but he smiles when I squeak her.  Aaron hates that we spent $25 on a "dog toy", but I think he knows Cooper will love it eventually.

Cooper had his first taste of carrots last Friday.  He loves them!  He gets so eager, reaches out for the spoon and spills them all over the table (or himself)!  I hope he'll feel the same way when we start peas later this week.

I love my baby boy's personality!  He's so happy and joyful!  He smiles and giggles for anyone and he's sensitive too.  And, I'm extremely surprised by the mommy I've become.  At first, I thought I was an advocate of the "Cry It Out" method, but I can't imagine leaving my baby to cry himself to sleep.  If we were in the wild, we'd never just let our babies scream and cry.  Predators would come from all over the jungle to eat them!  These moments will only last so long and for now I decide to love and cuddle my precious boy.  Parenting is definitely not what I expected it to be; it's way better!  It's a bonus that I'm momma to Cooper!

5-Month Stats:
Diapers: Size 1
Clothes: 3-6 Months
Milestones: Cut second tooth, began solids
Gift: Sophie the Giraffe teether

4 Months

Cooper is 4 months and he is just the sweetest boy ever!  We suspected that our little man was teething and what do you know, one day before his 4-month birthday, Cooper sprouted his first tooth!  He wasn't so bad during the process either.  If it weren't for the extra messy diapers and the red gums, I wouldn't have even noticed.  We are truly blessed!  Even when my bubby isn't feeling well, he's still the best baby!


4-Month Stats:
Diapers: Size 1
Clothes: 3-6 Months
Weight: 13 lbs 7 oz
Length: 25.25 inches
Milestones: Cut first tooth May, 11, 2011, began rice cereal
Gift: Rattles and squishy number blocks from MiMi (thank you)

First Mother's Day - May 8, 2011

3 Months

Cooper turned 3 months this past Tuesday. I was thinking to myself, "He'll be going off to college in about 17 years. I have so much time with him." And then I realized that in 17+ years I will be looking back on this day and asking myself "What the heck happened to time?" My baby needs to stop growing! There won't be another checkup until 4 months, but I can tell he's grown a lot because he's gotten legs rolls and chubby cheeks. I always say he has the cutest double chin. I've noticed his hair and eyes are getting lighter and he's beginning to look more and more like Daddy.

3-Month Stats:
Diapers: Size 1
Clothes: 0-3 Months, 3-6 Months
Milestones: Giggles, discovering hands
Gift: My Little Lamb Swing

2 Months

Cooper had his 2-month well check on March 14th. We spent most of the time asking our wonderful pediatrician lots of new parent questions. We discovered that Cooper has acid reflux so he's taking Prevacid for a few months. The worst part was the shots. For Cooper's 2-week checkup I had to take him by myself and heard his first painful cry. It was the saddest thing ever! So, since Aaron came to this appointment, I excused myself while Daddy took care of the cranky baby. What do you know, Cooper was a champ for him! That's my boy!

2-Month Stats:
Diapers: Newborn
Clothes: Newborn, 0-3 Months
Weight: 10 lbs 12 oz
Length: 22.75 inches
Milestones: Smiles socially
Gift: Sully the Seahorse (that's what we call him anyway)

We love you, Mr. Man!

The Delivery, January 12, 2011

Well, at 37 weeks the doctor decided it was time to induce due to blood pressure issues. I had been sent to the hospital for monitoring two times during the last two weeks for it. I was very nervous about being induced as I've read that most inductions result in c-sections. I definitely did not want a c-section! That's major surgery and I want to be able to see my baby and hold him after being born.

After the initial shock of being told I was going to be induced in four days, I kind of hinted at being induced on Monday so I could deliver on Tuesday 1/11/11. That didn't fit the doctor's plans. I went to the hospital at 7 PM on the 11th and received Cervadil to prepare my cervix. Then, at 7 AM the next day they broke my water and gave me Pitocin to start my labor. After doing so, they noticed Cooper had had his first bowel movement in utero which means we were now deinitely in a time crunch! After that my contractions became very intense. The doctor immediately offered the epidural and I'll tell you that what they say about contractions and the epidural is true: You don't even care about the fear of getting a shot in your spine compared to the intense pain of contractions!

Around 9 PM on the 12th, they checked me for the last time. I was only at 5-6 cm and Cooper was ready to come. So, they decided it was time for the dreaded c-section. At that point, I just wanted to see my baby and to know he was healthy and normal. They prepped me and sent Aaron and me to the OR. As they began working, I couldn't tell what was going on because I could literally feel nothing, not even pressure. Once Aaron confirmed that Cooper had been delivered (@ 9:25 PM), I waited for the cry, but there was nothing! I asked the doctors and the nurses what was going on. "Why isn't he crying? Is he okay? This can't be normal!" No one answered and I still couldn't hear his cry. I began full-on panic mode! Aaron said the nurse behind me said to the doctor, "Doctor, I think it's time for the vitamin D." And then, I remember nothing because I was knocked out! I guess vitamin D is code for Demerol. That is exactly the c-section scenario I feared so much.

I woke up four hours later and felt like I had been hit by a train. They wheeled me to the nursery so I could see my baby boy for the first time and I'll tell you what, I fell in love instantly! He was beautiful and perfect. And Aaron with his son, I have never seen such a love! We were kept in the hospital for 6 days because I had fevers. I was so frustrated. I just wanted to go home and heal. Well, fevers were the least of my problems. The next Sunday, on the 23rd, I had to go to the ER because my incision was seriously infected! That was the worst pain imagineable, even with 4 cc's of morphine! I was like a child. I had no control over my pain, my reactions, my emotions. I was crying hysterically and screaming at the top of my lungs as the OB on-call was digging a track in my incision to drain the infection. Then, she had to pack it with gauze. I spent 4 more days in the hospital for complications. It has been 5 weeks since that terrifying ER visit and Aaron is still packing my insicion with gauze everyday.

Next time, I hope will not be such a challenging recovery, but I am so blessed to have such a caring husband and a beautiful baby boy! Knowing what I know now, I'd go through this all over again just to have Cooper in our lives.