Happy Birthday Cole!!

I can hardly believe it. Everyone said it would go fast. At first when he did not sleep I truly did not believe people when they told me that, but after 3 months, the last 9 months have gone so fast. Looking back the first three months went fast I was just so sleep deprived I couldn't even think straight :) Every month he is doing something new and changing daily before our eyes. He is such a good boy. Just a little update on where Cole is these days and what he is doing...Don't blink!
He is 27 lbs and 32 inches tall. He is beginning to walk. He has just taken off though. It is his new favorite thing to practice. He has 6 teeth with two more coming in currently. He is just now starting to eat some table food. He is very content with his bottle and baby food though. I am curious to see what the doctor tells us next week at his 12 month "well" visit. He is in sizes 18 months & 2T. He loves Mickey Mouse, bananas, peanut butter whole grain Cheerios, pickles, music, climbing stairs, playing in water and his wooby :) aka  his blanket). We are so excited about his birthday party next weekend. We are having it at Uncle Lincoln and Aunt Pam's house. The theme is Dr. Seuss in memory of Grams (Casey's mom). She loved Dr. Seuss and was a big fan of "Oh the Places You will Go". So that is the theme. Can't wait to post about the birthday party!!

A year ago...

Right before leaving for the hospital

I knew when you were coming. We do not have any great exciting birth story. Actually we probably have the most laid back one ever :) On Monday, April 11, I went in for my weekly check up only to find out I still had not done anything as far as progressing to have you. I had gotten really big and swollen really bad. At the visit today your heart rate was up and mommy's blood pressure was up. Something that had been very good the whole pregnancy. Dr. Macey had already said he was not going to induce me until after my due date, Thursday April 14th, but he changed his mind and said "Let's have this baby Wednesday". I said Dr. Macey do not mess with me I am to pregnant to be playing jokes. He said I am serious let's do this. Are you super stitous? I said no why? he said because it is the 13th, I said it's not Friday, plus my dads birthday is on the 13th. He left the room and came back with the papers telling me where to be and when. We had already discussed a c-section. He was going to check me Wednesday morning, but if I still had not done anything he felt the safest was a c-section (they thought you were 10 lbs and your head was really big :) I really did not want to have one, but only because I wanted to go through labor and deliver naturally, which daddy thought I was crazy for wanting. I decided that Dr. Macey was the doctor and  he knows best. If he thinks this is what I need to do then, I will. I was just ready to have you here and healthy. That night I packed and wondered about everything. How is it going to go? What are you going to look like? What am I going to feel like? etc... The morning came quickly as we had to be at the hospital at 5am. So we got up a little before 4am. I had daddy take a picture of me, as much as I did not want to take a picture I figured you may want to see what I looked liked the day you were born :) Everything was very smooth and easy. We got to Baptist about 4:55am, did some paperwork and then went back to a room. That is where I met nurse Bonnie, who was SO great. She prepped me and got me ready for surgery. You still had not done anything. You were in no hurry to come into the world. Daddy was with me before they wheeled me off to the operating room. I was able to see KK, Papa and Uncle Craig (Uncle Brad wasn't there yet. They moved our time up from 7:30 to 7:00). They wheeled me into the OR at 6:45 am and there were about 10 people in there. Everything was happening so quick. They gave me my spinal tap to numb me and we were off. They brought daddy in all suited up and it was game time. It was pretty funny though because I did not think I was numb. I told daddy I could still feel my legs. He was laughing at me, but then Dr. Macey assured me I was numb :) That was very weird and kind of funny to tell people about the whole experience. Having a c-section is very weird. You cannot see anything they are doing, but I could feel all the pressure and right before you came into the world I had two nurses basically jumping on my chest to help push you out. Then Dr. Macey lifted you over the curtain and said "hi mom and dad" as he was holding you up to us. I just started crying. It was so overwhelming! and truly an amazing experience. I could not believe that you were here, my little man. The one who had given me so much heartburn and made me so big. You were here, perfect and everything was wonderful.

Our first family photo

KK, Papa, Uncle Brad, Uncle Craig, Uncle Lincoln and Aunt Pam were all there waiting to see you. They got to see you in the nursery as you were getting all check out. Dr. Mishu (your pediatrician) had come in to make sure you were good and healthy. Everyone came in to tell me how beautiful you were and congratulate me. What an amazing day! My life has forever been changed and I thank God everyday for you and giving me the opportunity to be your mom. I love you Cole Bradford!! 

Welcome to the world!

Happy 1st Birthday!