I'm not so sure about this pool thing.
Really? What's the deal with this?
Maybe turtle can tell me what it's all about.
Oh yeah? Okay turtle, maybe I'll try it.
Hmmm, it's a little scary, but it's getting better.
Oh my God! It's full of stars!
Turtle, you never steer me wrong! This is wonderfu!
I love my turtle pool!
I told you so!
Holy shit this kid is in a pissy mood today. He'll have about 5 minutes of happy time followed by 45 minutes of inconsolable crying.
My guess is that teething is imminent, but right now he's up in his room "crying it out" while daddy takes a sanity break - and a qualude. :)
....and WoW! What a day. :)
Is there no end to the tyranny that the gays are willing to spout out in order to have equal rights?
Conservatives Warn Quick Sex Change Only Barrier Between Gays, Marriage
...even if he does have his sports mixed up.
My boy, decked out in his swimming togs.
The Easter Bunny visited Cooper in the night!
Let's see what he (?) left for Cooper....
Cooper just chilling in his Bumbo, wondering what all the excitement is about.
Um, guys? I don't want to alarm you, but I have bears on my feet.
Hey, what's this now?
That looks interesting!
Let's read my duckie book!
Wearing my fly hat, yo!
It's a giant That Caterpillar!
He's so soft!
That Caterpillar is my friend.
From Saturday: I'm tired of playing now, Mommy!
Sweetie Peaty.
From Sarah Palin:
In a speech she gave to the Alaska GOP last week, Palin told the story of the lead-up to her debate with Joe Biden, saying, "So I'm looking around for somebody to pray with, I just need maybe a little help, maybe a little extra. And the McCain campaign, love 'em, you know, they're a lot of people around me, but nobody I could find that I wanted to hold hands with and pray."
Jesus Christ.
Indeed.
Idiot.
Yesterday we took Cooper for his 2 month check up. Everything is looking really good. Developmentally he is on track.
Here are his stats:
Height: 22 3/4 inches - 40%
Weight 11.7 lbs - 42%
Head Circumference - 37 - 9%
So - long story short....our baby isn't fat, isn't short but has a peanut head.
He had a 50/50 shot. Anji's got a tiny little head and daddy has a melon sized head that would make even Donny Osmond go, "Wow - that's a big dome."
He's been running a little fever and been grumpy since the appt because he had 4 of his immunizations yesterday. Nothing we can't handle, but it is sad that he isn't feeling well.
Week One went off without any major drama. Coop and I are learning each others schedule and needs and I actually had a pretty good time. It's stressful as hell and there are times where I want to pull my hair out, but it's worth it in the end.
...at least according to one of the people who read our website (yes the same one that motivated the vague post about hasty actions) - I've decided that I might as well post a picture from tonight's bath where Cooper is sporting what can only be described as Hitler Hair.
In case there are more people that read the site who can't decipher humor, irony or sarcasm - that was a joke. We're not actually grooming our son to look like Hitler.
BTW....just so no one thinks that I only dislike the jews, I'd like to prove that I'm an equal opportunity offender and present Clansman Cooper.
Also - sarcasm.
Anji started back to work yesterday and I had Day 1 of being a stay-at-home-dad (henceforth to be referred to as SAHD on the site).
We survived. We're all still breathing. There are no holes in walls and no soothies got thrown. I have as many Xanax today as I started out with yesterday. All in all I'd say that's a victory.
I'm actually really excited about starting the journey despite being equally terrified. Anji and I both feel extremely fortunate to be in a situation where I can stay home with Cooper and really focus on his development. As I've said many times before - if anyone is going to screw this kid up, it's going to be me - not some 19 year old at the local Daycare Farm.
I'm hoping to be at least semi regular with my postings and completely honest about my perspectives. To be clear - this site will no longer be solely about posting cute pictures of Coop, though I can assure you that will be done too. We're both going to try and start posting anecdotes about how fun, horrible, exciting, terrible, rewarding, taxing and great being parents of a newborn is. However - we're doing it as us. For a long time this site has existed with a filter to protect the sensitivities of friends and family who read it at the expense of us really using it for what we want...a place to express ourselves as us. No filters.
So, I warn everyone who reads the site - there will be profanity, there will be hyperbole, there will be no holds barred, public airing of just about whatever we choose to talk about. If there is any chance that may offend anyone who reads this site, we apologize and suggest that you scroll through all the text and just look for pictures.
And with that...Coop is awake. There goes my poignant moment. ;)
...it's important to remember that hasty actions can result in a hasty counter action.
Live and learn.
Todd, Brooke, Allison and Luke came over yesterday and Brooke took the first shots of Cooper and Luke together. Since they live across the street from each other and are only 8 months apart, we're hoping they become best buddies and really take over this neighborhood from the Albinos and Lipnicky's of the streets.
Okay fine...I'm eating, you can hang out on my baseball. :)
I'll keep this short, as this is one of the minute intervals between 5:00 and 8:00 when Cooper isn't screaming (of the past 3 days, anyhow).
I think he has colic, which it seems by the routine inconsolable screaming, even though it seems odd that it didn't begin until he was over 6 weeks old.
Stephen, however, is able to comfort him quite easily any other time, instantly, and has an uncanny ability to know what he wants. Even during colicky fits, he seems to have a decent success rate (though seemingly not permanent, sadly).
Helpful? Yes. Jealousy inducing? Also yes.
They haven't announced a specific date yet, but the U2.com is confirming that the band will make a stop here in Dallas in September or October of 2009.
Anji and I have been to the last two tours and have had an amazing time. Cooper will be a bit too young for a concert, so all of you people who have offered to baby sit...go ahead and get your name in the hat now.
Cooper has a very interesting relationship with the The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
We bought a little toy that hangs from the handle of his car seat and everytime we put him in it he looks at it very suspiciously. We think he's saying, "That Caterpillar is staring at me again!"
Lately, he's been showing a little more emotion in regards to That Caterpillar, but we still aren't sure what they mean because he's giving us mixed messages. The following two pictures were taken within 30 seconds of each other.
He either loves him or hates him...or both. Kind of like our relationship with Tom Cruise. :)
Let's wake up and get ready for playtime!!!
NO MORE PICTURES!
This is Cooper just chilling out in our oversized living room chair. Beep Beep!
Uncle Clay & Cooper
Aunt Sara & Cooper
Cooper is 1 month old today and hit the 4 weeks mark on Saturday.
He had his 1 month checkup at the Dr yesterday and all looks well. Our little fat boy is up to 7 lbs, 13 oz - which is a full pound and a half in the last 2 weeks.
He's very active, very funny and a big ball of fun.
Pictures later - I promise.
Cooper has obviously made Pooh bear his Valentine this year.
Sorry for skipping out on the picture a day thing. We've been tired and cranky.
Mr. Cooper helped us last night by actually sleeping all the way through only waking up once. We were very proud of the little guy.
Here are a few funny shots from the last couple of days:
Cooper and Daddy taking a nap.
This is Coop's best attempt in the early stages of tummy time! I realize the picture isn't that cute, but it's pretty impressive for a 12 day old baby to be able to do that.
I know it's out of focus, but he looked so cute in his "Little Devil" shirt that I had to post it anyway.
Cooper was sleeping really nicely one morning when Mommy and Daddy decided it was time for his first bath.
Even though he wasn't awake yet, Daddy started getting him ready for the big event.
If this bathtime thing doesn't work out too well, Coop is ready to be a centerfold in Playbaby magazine.
WHAT? You're going to put WATER on my BODY?!?!
That's IT! I'm going to Grandma and Grandpa's!
I'm still wet and this guy keeps flashing a light in my eyes. Very rude!
I'm just about to reach my breaking point here people!
Hmmm, maybe this clean thing isn't so bad after all.
Nevermind! You put WATER IN MY HAIR? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?!?!?!
Neat! My hair is curly like mommy's!
I'm going to reflect on this and get back to you with my thoughts a little later.
And that is the story of Coop's first bath!
Cooper's birth story really begins on Friday morning, though I didn't know it at the time. I had my standard weekly appointment that morning, in which the doctor checked my progression (3 cm, 50% effaced, -1 station for anyone keeping track- I had been 2 cm the previous week but never found out the other stats). The doctor gave her standard warning that the exam would likely cause brownish spotting, which it did until about 1:00 that afternoon. At work that day, people continued to comment that they didn't believe I would "make it" to my due date- which, hello- I'd been saying for months. In jest, I kept saying that I just wanted him to stay put long enough for Stephen to turn 30, too, so Cooper's birth certificate didn't have him as 29 and me as 30. (Happy Birthday a day late, babe- love you!)- but in reality I truly thought he was going to come on February 2nd versus the scheduled induction date of the 12th. As I was leaving work that night, exhausted, someone asked me how I was doing, and I lost the "brave little toaster" front I usually kept up and said, "I'm done. Just done."
That night, I was finishing up Cooper preparation (washing bottles, packing diaper bags- and more importantly, making the list of the items we still needed to buy/ do) and noticed I was spotting again- only this time, it wasn't brownish- it started as purple-red and got brighter. I decided I would call the doctor in the morning if it was still there. We went to bed, and even though I was exhausted I just couldn't turn off my brain and go to sleep. I threw in the towel about 7:20 that morning and figured I would run to the market before my 10:00 wax and pedicure appointment- we had NO food in the house and I wanted to bunker down. I rolled out of bed, took 4 steps, and stopped. It felt like I'd partially wet my pants, and I told Stephen, who was still dozing in bed, that the plans for the day had changed. Half asleep, he answered back, "What does that mean?". I told him that I'd either just peed my pants, or my water had broken. A little more alert, he says again, "What does that even MEAN?" I figured, since I wasn't sure it was really my water breaking, that it meant we should go into Labor and Delivery and get checked out. I hadn't had any contractions, so I just wasn't sure myself- but either way I figured birth wasn't imminent so we had 15 minutes or so to shower, finish packing the bags, etc. Once Stephen was in the shower, I was standing in the bathroom putting the last items into the hospital bags when a second flood occurred- and this time I was sure it was water breakage by the sheer volume of it. Now we kicked into high gear and headed out the door. That being said, still no contractions. I even drove over to the ATM to get cash for Stephen to use at the hospital and then drove through McDonalds to get him breakfast on the way. I wasn't hungry, but in retrospect I really, really wish I'd gotten something.
10 minutes later, the hospital is in sight and I have my first contraction. Not bad at all- no worse that the ones I'd had over the last month or so every day- and then 6 minutes after that as we are walking in to the hospital I had another. We make it up to Labor and Delivery, and as luck would have it, our timing made it so we were assigned to the nicest L&D suite, with a view. In no time at all I was undressed, in a gown, and on a table getting checked out and hooked up to IV drips of fluids, antibiotics, and a low dose of Pitocin to kick start the contractions. The nurse confirmed that my water had indeed broken, and that we were having a baby that day! I had a contraction monitor strapped to me, along with the fetal heart rate monitor too, and we could hear a healthy Cooper heartbeat galloping along. Now, at this point, time gets a little funny for me. The day literally zoomed by, so I am not really too sure of when some things occurred.
At some point, I got up to pee (a thought: it feels so funny now that I don't have to pee every 30 minutes now!) and as I was in the bathroom the first contraction that hit "painful" rather than "uncomfortable" hit. I came out and decided it was time for the epidural, and lay there squeezing Stephen's hand until the anesthesiologist arrived. It was pretty quick- must have been a slow day in L&D. I don't *think* it took more than 10 minutes, but then again, it was 11-something by then and I wasn't sure where the morning had gone. The epidural was also quick and easy- no pain!- and 10 minutes or so after that I couldn't feel anything from the chest down. No contraction pain- not even contraction pressure, so the Pitocin was turned up to kick up the contractions more. At some point in there the fetal heart rate monitor became erratic in the heartbeat tracking, and it turned out that Cooper was squirmy because I had progressed all the way up to 9 1/2 cm and was pretty much good to go. The doctor was called to find out when she'd be there, and said 10 minutes, so at 2:50 they said to begin pushing- and at 4:02 pm Cooper entered the world, crying like a pro! Super easy, super quick labor, and one perfect child later our boy was there to greet us and celebrate his Daddy's 30th birthday two days later.
...here are some more shots of the Coop that were taken in the hospital. Some were taking by Marissa and some were taken by the hospital photographer.
The first night at home went well. Coop is eating and pooping and peeing very nicely and other than two uber-cautious parents who got more freaked out by silence than wailing he had a very nice first night.
Anji's typing up the birth story and should post that sometime later today - Cooper permitting.
Here are the pics (which you probably looked at first anyway):
Cooper was born on Saturday, January 24th at 4:02 pm. He came a little early, but he's a very nice 6 lbs, 6 oz and was 19 inches long exactly.
He's a sweet boy.
Once we get some some rest, showers and feel human again will post with more pictures, the full story and details.
36 Weeks: 2 cm Dilated
Big brothers survey all of the Coop loot from the baby shower at Anji's office and mommy and daddy picking up everything else.
Diaper Cake from Anji's office shower.
Yes, that is a "Wee Block" and yes, it does say "Tinkle Tinkle Lil' Star."
An investment in aroma therapy along with an extremely jaunty Coop hat.
Bath time!
Loot.
Brainwash them now - less resistance.
Butt Paste!
Every kid in the world should have these keys.
Smiling on the outside..."Dude, get this out of me!" on the inside. ;)
This past Wednesday night was the baby shower that Brooke (and Todd) threw for us. Like an idiot, I forgot to bring a camera, but luckily Brooke was taking pictures. The downside to that is that you will actually see me in them.
This was the bar area that they had set up. I very rarely drink, but those little cans of Pineapple juice along with Malibu Rum was too good to resist.
These are the very lovely place settings that they put together for us.
A very cool sign that Brooke made.
Brooke had asked everyone to bring their favorite Children's book instead of a card. Here is Anji thumbing through one of those now.
The highlight of the evening for me was receiving this ultra stylish Stay at Home Dad tool belt that the Ragas' put together for me. In included a couple of clean onesies, a diaper, some baby powder, shampoo and lotion and of course - butt paste. :) Note the very manly drink in my hand as well.
Sara's back, me and Clay:
Clay, Sara and I post dinner:
Anji opening up the Sparkly Penguin book that Clay and Sara got us.
Anji opening up the backpack diaper bag she wanted that Dre so wonderfully wrapped in pink paper. It was either that or Christmas wrap. ;)
One of the games we played was the sticker on the back with a children's literary or movie character and you try to guess as everyone else acts it out. Guess who Clay was.
Grant, Anji and Amy small talking:
Thanks again Brooke for putting all of this together!
I know, I know...we haven't had a lot of updates lately. That's because there really hasn't been a lot to update you on.
Cooper's good. Anji's good. I'm good.
We've been passing our time playing World of Warcraft and hanging out.
Clay and Sara are coming in this weekend to spend Thanksgiving week with us. We have a baby shower that Brooke is throwing for us, we're going to at least 1 - maybe 2 Cowboys games and we're going to have a family Thanksgiving.
I can't wait to see them!
Also - the day of the baby shower (Wednesday) we're going to get our 3D/4D Sonogram done. That means we can actually make out facial features on Coop! Pictures will be provided. ;)
I'm so elated that you'll be born into a country that is lead by an inspirational figure who I truly believe will pave the way to make your life better.
I voted for Obama but it's so much bigger than that. It was a vote for you. A vote for all of your future friends who have not yet been born. A vote to ensure that the principles that this great nation was founded upon stay intact and you can have the life you deserve.
I'm truly happy that you will now be born into a better world.
Sorry guys for the lack of updates lately. Anji and I have both been absolutely obsessed with playing World of Warcraft.
The shower in GA was a lot of fun. Lot's of clothes etc. Currently they are all piled into the and not really picture-takeable, but I'd like to thank everyone who came out and especially my mom for throwing it!
... the Very Large edition:
...and close up (ignore the cat hair, I had just been holding Nolan):
It's a long clip, but a must see...
...make sure that it passes all safety regulations. :)
I feel horrible this morning.
That's all.
How cute is this little Peacoat and hat set?
