So Now, Fireworks Aren't My Favorite

 I have had this post ready for some time, but I have been waiting to see if we could figure out how to post a video. We have some cute ones! No such luck so far.  Chris is working on compressing the files or something. No pressure or anything, Chris:)  Anyway, I will post them when we can.

I used to really enjoy the Fourth of July and all the fireworks.  In fact, I am sure I still will on the 4th.  However, it has become apparent to me that this will be a long week.  We live in the middle of firework central where you can pretty much shoot off anything.  It is also a sport for all of our neighbors.  Particularly past 10 o'clock at night. As I type this, several fireworks are going off-in the middle of the afternoon!  Now, I don't consider myself Miss Stodgy Pants, but with the combo of dogs and baby I have changed my once care-free position a smidge.  Fireworks go off, dogs bark, baby wakes up or can't go to sleep at all.  Sigh....a long week indeed.

 To pick up where I left off last post, Cohen's first road trip went rather well!  He slept pretty much the entire way down and half the way home.  Overall, he was the perfect baby. Bring his play gym along and he doesn't care where he is!  The same facts that exist here, existed there. He was upset if he was hungry, tired, or overstimulated. But, we really enjoyed visiting some of my family, some of Chris' family, and my cousin's wedding was beautiful!  We wish our family lived closer because we never get to spend enough time with them.  But, we never spend enough time with our family that lives here, either.  Time just gets away. There are so many people we want to see and spend time with, but it's just not very easy any more.  Life is so complicated yet so simple.  Plus, Cohen and I are somewhat hermits.  I want to get out and see people and do things, but sometimes the thought of it is overwhelming. Also, we are looking for a new car. (Chris has decided on a Pontiac Vibe if you know of one that is for sale!)  The only one I have right now during the day has no A/C. No bueno.  So, that limits my outings during the day.

Cohen is really teaching me that things are out of my control, which I knew was coming!  I can have the best, well-executed plan to go out or do something and he has other ideas that makes it a no-go.  And I am late everywhere for a reason, now.  The diaper bag will be packed, the dogs put away, I am dressed, Cohen is dressed and we are buckling him into the car seat then we hear that all-too-familiar noise and look on Cohen's face that means we need to make another stop at the changing pad. I think I am adjusting fairly well or at least improving as the days go by in being more flexible!

Cohen had his second treatment at the chiropractor last week.  We really think it is helping curb his fussiness and helping him sleep better at night.  Lately he has been sleeping through the night and going 6 to 8 hours without waking up.  Chris took Cohen to "Boot Camp for Dads" class that he had participated in before Cohen was born, but this time he helped teach the class.  Anyway, the facilitator had asked him and another "veteran" dad about sleep.  Chris answered that Cohen sleeps through the night and has off and on for weeks and the facilitator was quick to point out that this was not the norm and not to expect it.  And others say if we have another one, not to expect the early days to be this easy. But, we will take the sleep where we can and appreciate our fairly easy to take care of baby! We are just so glad he is healthy!

We had been killing ourselves to get our required tummy time in any way we could. Chris was researching it and I was trying all sorts of things out at home and using a plethora of distractions, but we could really only get him to be content for five to ten minutes at a time.  Thirty minutes four times a day was just not happening no matter what!  I am enjoying reading all of his books to him in segments while we are trying to get through this dreaded activity. I breathed a sigh of relief when the chiropractor said if we were doing it a couple of times a day for ten minutes we should be good.  That is a lot more doable!

Overall, Cohen is smiling and "talking" more. He loves his hands and tries to reach for things and is playing with some toys more.  He is getting more control over his neck and loves to look around . It never gets old watching him and playing with him.  Every day is something new in the midst of his old routine. We are loving it!

And now some current pics:

9 weeks

Lil' froggy

Sock monkey outfit

10 weeks

Tummy time

Kind of a smile!

More tummy time

Trying to be creative with tummy time! This is probably the one he tolerates the longest.

Little Bug

8 Week Tears

We have been busy! I can't say exactly with what, though. I guess just the new day-to-day stuff.  Cohen did have his dreaded 2 month check-up yesterday.   He is still doing very well except for the threat of a helmet if I don't make him do enough tummy time. Yikes!  So, 30 minutes four times a day of tummy time for all of us to endure from now on. Other than that, he weighs exactly 11 pounds which puts him in the 50th percentile and is 23.5 inches long and in the 75th percentile.  The nurse explained all the shots and why they were necessary and the side effects, etc. but that doesn't prepare you for the actual giving of shots.  Cohen probably did better than me, though. You see, so far, Cohen doesn't really cry a lot.  So, pretty much every time he wails, I cry.  He cried for a little while, then Chris comforted him and we gave him a bottle. He then fell asleep.  Whew!  It was still difficult to look at his bandaged thighs, even though it was Mickey Mouse.  The other concern is that we leave tomorrow on our first road trip to go to my cousin's wedding about 5 or 6 hours away.  That should be a challenge. I am already having a difficult time packing for a baby!

Other exciting news is that Cohen is starting to smile!  Especially for my dad. He must think Grandpa is pretty funny!  He absolutely loves his play gym and  lays under it looking at all the animals, the color-changing smiley face, himself in the mirror and dances to the music. This is the new solution to taking a shower! I just bring him into the bathroom with his play gym.  However, I have not looked at the instruction manual in detail and the darn music turns off after a short time. So Cohen is going at it dancing and moving and talking and then he is just still. Completely still, looking up quizzically at the center of his play gym.  I'll need to fix that!  Cohen is also sucking on his hands and playing with them more.  He has grown out of his newborn clothes and is sometimes awkwardly wearing his 3 month clothes.  It seems as though most of the country has wide but short kids?  A lot of his outfits fit at the snaps but have a ton of extra room on the sides. He's just a tall little guy!

I can tell Cohen's personality is starting to come out. He is sweet and easy-going.  He is playful and cuddly.  The other day I put him in bed with me and he was kicking and moving until he was right next to me. He then rolled on his side and fell asleep touching me. Sweetest moment ever! But, never again since I learned this is a no-no because of SIDS.  That is my new worry.  It seems so random and I want specifics. Most nights I watch him breathe while he sleeps telling myself I will do this all night,  then I succumb to sleep and trust the Lord to watch over him like He has Cohen's entire life.  But, like one nurse told me, there will always be something to worry about.  We have already learned to rely on God so much during the pregnancy that we just need to continue!

Bath time!

Fun on the puppy mat!

Where he spends a lot of his day!

First outing in the jogging stroller!

7 weeks

Turtle, turtle!

More time under the play gym

 

Proof that we do tummy time!

Not sitting still at 8 weeks

Beautiful Chaos

These fellows are still doing very well!  Cohen had his 1 month appointment last Friday and he weighs 9 pounds 1 ounce and grew to 22.25 or 22.5 inches long (I couldn't read the nurse's scrawl).  I have not updated in awhile because Cohen takes all my time!  I still don't know how to explain to Chris when he gets home how I have accomplished absolutely nothing other than the fact that Cohen and I survived another day together!  I am completely exhausted and adjusting to a brand new life and routine.  Cohen has a schedule-just not one that runs by a clock!  Cohen generally sleeps in 4 hour blocks at night but has slept through the night three times so far!  He is a generally happy and content baby.  The biggest conundrum for me is shower vs. sleep.  Usually around 5 or 6  AM when Cohen wakes up, I can put him back to sleep for a few hours. So at this time the question is, do I forgo precious, hard to come by sleep, or attempt to take a quick shower?  It's a gamble either way.  If I go for sleep, I am running the risk of greeting Chris when he comes home with that messy hair, no make-up look, and " I haven't taken a shower in a day stank" (you all know what I am talking about!). This has happened. On the other hand, I can dash into the shower just to emerge a few minutes later with soapy hair clutching a towel and rushing to the upset, very awake Cohen who decides a shower is not very important. This has also happened.  So, it's a toss-up.

But regardless of the 24/7 required attention which involves the lack of sleep, missed meals, ignored house chores, and not stepping outside the house for several days, Cohen is such a joy and completely worth the upheaval until we figure out this new way of life. We enjoy a continual ritual of sleeping, eating, diaper changes and playing.  I am currently attempting to predict how long to wait before changing his diaper as not to go through three diapers in a marathon diaper-changing episode.  I must say I am improving !  He has a million faces to communicate several things and I am currently trying to decipher all of those, as well.  He just makes us smile all of the time!  He sometimes enjoys baths, walks in the stroller, outings in the car, and playing on the floor with his daddy. He is definitely growing and changing too fast.  He is in between his newborn and 3 month clothes and seems content in his newborn diapers which is proving to be quite expensive.  Overall, he is happy and keeps kicking and cooing!

As far as an update on Chris goes, he is settling into his new role as "daddy" quite well.  He comes home and takes over as much as he can in caring for Cohen. And, yes, he is still getting up in the middle of the night to change diapers because he enjoys being with Cohen so much!  He is disappointed if Cohen is asleep when he leaves for work.  The other update is Chris' continual realization of his lack of basketball skills. Chris' recent purchase of a basketball net has led to frustration and disappointment.  Lately, Chris steals away for awhile to shoot hoops but returns complaining about his missed shots and disbelief at how horrible he is at this sport. I know this. He knows this.  I guess he thinks one of these times the basketball fairy will visit him. He  is generally athletic and is befuddled at this gap in talent.  He ranks his sports in order of best to worst as: football, softball, soccer, hockey, volleyball, weight lifting, tennis, table tennis, croquet, golf (and some more in here) , then basketball.  I guess I don't understand his frustration because I am basically unathletic.  Oh, well.

And now here are some photos:

One Week

2 Weeks

3 Weeks

One Month!

5 Weeks

Snoozing away

He loves his WubbaNub!

Ready for a ride

Playing

Mother's Day 2011

He Is Doing Very Well, Fellows!

This will be short, but I wanted to update a little.  The title is one of the things our funny pediatrician said to us in our first appointment! He is so entertaining!  I think the roles will be reversed with this doctor and maybe we won't always be making a spectacle of ourselves, but he will keep us laughing?
Anyway, it has been a very busy few weeks just trying to keep up with Cohen and all his needs.  But, I am happy to say we are starting to get into a rhythm and routine.  We really haven't had too many fussy times since the first few days. If he is upset, there is a reason!  I just have to decipher that specific reason.  I do feel overwhelmed with all of the lists in my mind, but am learning to let things (a lot of  things) go.  Chris and I are just trying to get the important things done.
Some days are really good and I feel somewhat accomplished, if I do say so myself.  On the other hand, some days I am lucky if Cohen is clean and fed and I have taken a shower! Today was one of the latter.  It was Chris' day to volunteer at church, so I was on my own.  I can do it! Right? Well, I guess not today. In an hour both of us had had a couple of wardrobe changes.  Cohen had managed to go to the bathroom on me and himself twice. Then after Chris got home and was mowing, the dog came in a threw up. Fabulous!  After that, I had to once again interrupt Chris as he was attempting to win the fight against the numerous dandelions in our yard to inform him that I needed assistance immediately to bathe Cohen after he wet all over himself, his hair, clothes, changing pad cover, the wall, me and the dog!  Poor Joey! And Cohen does not fancy baths at all.  So, as of this late afternoon I nearly managed to make lunch by 2:30, let alone accomplish anything else!
Even though it has been some of the most challenging days of my life, I would not trade them for anything. This little boy is our world and we fall more in love each day. I know we will figure out how to better take care of him as each day goes by.

One week old!

One of his favorite poses

He sleeps so much!

Time with Dad

The family

We Made It!!!!

We can not thank you enough for all of your prayers and encouragement these last several months! We know that God truly has had his hand on Cohen and us throughout this time. He truly is our little, amazing miracle.  As free time is scarce these days, I may have to divulge details of Cohen's arrival over a few posts.  Also, as I have had little sleep, as expected, my editing skills will be considerably lower.  I apologize in advance.

Anyway, we went in to the hospital last Monday evening expecting to get things started, but still expecting to sleep a decent amount. We were very wrong.  I was having contractions every two to three minutes after awhile. The only thing they offered me was some medication that had hardly any affect on the pain but made me extremely loopy.  As soon as they administered it, the room was spinning, I couldn't keep my eyes open and I felt heat rise from my toes to my head.  I'm pretty sure because I had diminished capacity from the initial dose, I foolishly accepted two more throughout the night.  I literally watched the clock until 5 AM when they could start the induction and I was allowed an epidural. We were in for a long day.  The day is very fuzzy for me because of the previously mentioned medication. The one thing I really loved in the hospital was the monitor they hooked me up to so I could hear Cohen's heart beat the entire time.  So, I constantly asked how high my contractions registered and how Cohen's heart beat was.  Throughout the day I steadily progressed. The strangely ironic thing was that Chris was nauseous and throwing up all day.He hadn't even gone to the Fair and eaten fried pickles!   The nurses were pretty worried about him and sympathetic but still could not give him anything.  Finally, he called and explained the situation to his doctor's office and they called in a prescription to the hospital pharmacy in the nick of time.  The doctor came around early afternoon and said it wouldn't be long.   Apparently his definition and my definition of "long"  is completely different!  So maybe four hours later he said it was time to push.  We were excited but my heart sunk when he said I had a fever over 101 degrees and he would administer an antibiotic via i.v. and monitor me and Cohen to make sure we were ok.  He said otherwise the options were to use the forceps or have a c-section. And then, even though I was unaware of it, the doctor went out and told my family that he would let me push for an hour but then he would probably need to intervene. 

I hadn't given the "pushing" part much thought, but it was tough!  Chris was a great coach but I was struggling with the fever and having had a sinus infection, I was all stuffed up which made the "breathing" part somewhat difficult.  Let me just say that there is nothing glamorous about this part or those infamous bedside photos after the birth!  I was on so many medications and i.v.s and things that when I look back, I don't recognize myself at all.  Although the labor nurses gave me no indication whatsoever how I was progressing, they finally said we were close a little after an hour and they were trying to contact my doctor. They had a difficult time reaching him and I can only think that is because he didn't expect me to get this far on my own.  They had me stop pushing.  I was getting a little upset when he didn't come and was thinking, "Hey, buddy-we've been at your office every week now for several months and we are all in this together, so you better show up!!!"  He did. He delivered Cohen and I could tell he was perfect! They whisked him away and Chris left my side to be with him.  I couldn't believe all this had just happened!  Then in came the family who I don't think could believe it all either.  My doctor told me before he left that he thought I was a "powder puff" and wouldn't be able to do it on my own!  Just because I ask a million questions and worry about things doesn't mean I'm not tough!  Anyway, the evening was long and I got no sleep, but we were so excited! Chris was able to sleep, but the funniest thing was when nurses would come in to check on me and Cohen he would pop up with a glassy-eyed, not-all-there or awake look and mumble something incoherent then lay right back down.  He needed his rest, though, because we were immediately in for some sleepless nights.

So, things are going well. We weren't able to leave the hospital until Thursday morning because I had several rounds of i.v. antibiotics I had to take because of my fever.  We were beyond exhausted the first few days, but doing so much better since my mom stayed a few nights and we were able to get some sleep.  Also, Cohen's first pediatrician appointment went well as well as his first chiropractic adjustment.  I know, I know, it sounds weird, but Chris did the research so ask him!  We don't go back to either for a month.

I have to put a word in for Chris. He has been absolutely amazing through the entire ordeal and he is a wonderful dad already! He is a natural-changing most diapers, helping with baths, calming Cohen down, waking at all hours of the night to do whatever needs done and keeping track of Cohen's feeding/sleeping/diaper log.  I will really miss him when he goes back to work!

Well, since it has taken nearly four attempts at writing this post, I will call it good.  Who knows when I will get enough free time next!

The Final Update

Time has been moving like molasses the last few weeks. I am ready for Cohen to be here and safe!  We had our final OB appointment yesterday.  Just like two weeks ago, Cohen decided to take a nap during the bpp sonogram. Not good.  After several minutes, Cohen only had 2 out of 8 points.  The lady was pushing and poking him and had me turning on my sides, but to no avail.  Finally, she had me get up and walk around to see if that would wake him up. If it did not, we would be sent to the hospital for further testing.  Ironically, he usually moves a ton.  Especially lately.  So, when he sleeps, he sleeps hard!  So, after returning and unbeknownst to the lady, I gave my whole stomach a good, few jiggles, Cohen woke up and proceeded to pass his test! The newest weight estimate is 7 pounds 13 ounces, although the doctor thinks he might be a little more than that.

We only waited an hour to see the doctor. I will spare you the details, but he decided I will go into the hospital  on Monday night to get ready for Tuesday's induction, barring any different plans on Cohen's part.  We found out last week that due to scheduling conflicts, we wouldn't be able to go in early on Monday the 11th, like we thought.  So, it should be a long week!

We are excited, but I would feel a lot better about everything if Chris hadn't decided to so generously share his cold with me.  I had been successfully avoiding him all week! So, now I find myself in quite a miserable state.  We are just praying it doesn't turn into a sinus infection or strep, like what often happens to me.  It is difficult to tell, since no matter what I get, it starts with a sore throat.  So I am working on my attitude and outlook as things could be much worse.  I can't help but have visions of not being able to hold my own baby because I am such a health hazard.  I will just hope for a plain, quick cold. And hopefully the next time I post, Cohen will be here! It's so hard to believe he is almost here. We are so blessed!

Cohen's Corner

So, I am pretty sure Cohen will be here before his dresser drawer is, so I have given up on waiting until we get it to post pictures!  Cohen's nursery theme is puppies and my sister, Jennifer, and my mom did all of the painting.  I am so thankful for all of their help! I could not have done it without them. So, without further ado, here are pictures!

Aunt Jen painted the tree, puppy and sign! (Please ignore the gaping hole in the dresser!)

 

Aunt Jen made this as a shower gift

My mom made the curtains

Aunt Jen also painted his hanging letters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed the little tour!  We have a few more finishing touches to do eventually.  But, we hope the nursery will have a new little tenant soon!