4th of July on the river

Happy 4th of July!

We went to Alabama for the 4th of July. Cole's first time on the river.  He LOVED the boat, when it was moving. It was so hot when we would stop and the life jacket was so hot as well. The vibration of the boat and wind in his face was a hit for sure. Looking forward to more boat rides of the Elk River.

My first boat ride

On Sunday we went out on Jeff and Whitney's boat. We had all the babies with us too! It was so hot, but so much fun. Cole loved it. I think we wore him out. He slept for almost 12 hours that night :) Cole always loves hanging out with his girls :)

Carley is ready now

Jessi and Julia's first boat ride

Riding with daddy

We all loved the boat!

Jessi and Julia

Uncle Brad keeping me cool

This past week I took him swimming for the first time. He wasn't to sure of the pool water but it was a little cold. Once we got in he didn't seem to mind it to much. We went to my friend, Sandy's house. I use to work with Sandy. She is so sweet to have a day every week where she has an open invitation to swim at her house.

At the pool for the first time.

First Trip

Well, it was just to Alabama, but Cole did so good. We went June 17th-19th. It was so nice to have everyone all together. It had been way to long. Julie and Bert hosted there annual BBQ (Saturday, June 18th) and everyone showed up. It was Jeff and Whitney, Carrie, Zac and Aubrey (left early because poor Aubrey got sick), Adam and Shelley, Emily and Tyler, Shea and Todd, Elizabeth and Kevin, Shaviny and Stan, Regan and Dave, Amber and Morgan and then us of course! Cole was the guest of honor :) Everyone was so excited to see him. It was so good to see everyone as well. It is so funny to see everyone together with kids now!!
I guess we are growing up! hahahaha Here are the kiddos minus poor Aubrey.

We also transitioned Cole to his room/crib when we got back from Alabama. I had really been hoping to do it sooner, but his room is upstairs and our attic was messed up and leaking hot air so Casey had to fix it (which he is never in a hurry to fix anything :) so it took about a month for him to do. Oh well, it is done and Cole has moved in! Apparently he LOVES his bed too! The first night he slept in his bed he slept for 8 hours straight!!! I was not holding my breath that it would last, but it did, well it actually got better. The next night he slept for 10 hours! and that is what he has been doing now for the last week. He goes down around 8:15/30 pm and sleeps until 6:30 am. We cannot ask for better than that. Now we just hope he stays to this schedule.

He loves to smile these days. He is smiling all the time. He has the chunkiest little cheeks too. You can just eat him up with his cute little laugh and smile. We are having the best time with him.

2 Months

Can you believe it? Cole was 2 months old on Monday. We went to the doctor for his "well visit". Dr. Mishu said he looked "perfect", that is what she always says. She is really funny. Cole was 14lbs 10oz. and 24 1/2 inches long. His weight put him in the 95% and his height put him in the 90%. He is a funny little boy. He has started smiling and cooing now. It is so fun to see him "talking" and smiling at you. His sleep has definitely improved. He has not stuck with the 7 hours. He is a more consistent 5 hour sleeper, which I will take over what he was doing for sure (barely 3 hours). This has been a busy week. I went back to work for a few days this week while my mom watched Cole, Casey is in a training all week in Bell Buckle, TN (about an hour a way), and Casey and I had our 8 year anniversary on June 14th. It has been good though. Going back to work the first day was good. It was really good to see my co-workers. It seemed like forever since I had seen everyone. I am just working 6 days this month doing professional development. I can make a little extra money, plus it is good practice for being gone all day and seeing how that is going to work in August. We are going to Alabama this weekend to see "the gang". Julie is having her annual summer BBQ to get everyone together. We are really looking forward to it. This will be our first time back to Alabama since having Cole, well since the beginning of March at the shower. It will be good to see everyone. I am curious to see how it goes...the car ride, spending the night away from home, and just having a different schedule. I will have to post and let you know. Here are a few pictures from the last month.

Bath Time

Cole and Mommy

Watching the NBA championship with daddy

My Hog gear

Playing with daddy after work

Smiling! Look at those cheeks!

Add Dr.'s  office for 2 month well visit

Hanging out with Bella

I am 2 months!

Sleep!?!?!

Cole slept for 7 straight hours last night. Whoo Hoo! I was not sure that was going to happen. I thought I had him on some what of a schedule, but apparently it was not strict enough for him. Then I figured he just liked to eat more than sleep. I questioned everything! Apparently that is what you do as a parent, right? Question everything you do and wonder if it is the right thing? When we first came home I was feeding every 3 hours, then she (Dr.) told me he could and should go longer. So I was letting him tell me throughout the day when he was hungry, which would be from 2 1/2 to 4 hours usually. He did not nap hardly, just cat naps. He never napped longer than 30 mins. I wondered how do people get anything accomplished? or have any type of life with a newborn? I was reading books and they said that newborns will sleep around 16-20 hours a day. I thought "who's? not mine". So I started keeping up with his sleep and he was only sleeping about 8 hrs total ALL day (broken up). I thought what happened to newborns sleeping 16-20 hours a day? I kept saying well at least he isn't screaming his head off all night. Well, then that started! I write all this to say I think I was depriving my child of sleep! He needed consistency and a schedule. He needed that reassuring that his needs were going to be met I guess. I had a friend remind me about baby wise. I have heard pros and cons and I wasn't sure about the whole letting him cry forever, especially since he is so young. The first day I did it I was scared he was going to cry and scream and I didn't know how long I could let him to that, but he didn't. He went right down and fell asleep. I also was not sure how long he should or would nap? What was realistic for my cat napper? So I just followed his cues. The first day of the schedule he woke up, I fed him and he had only been awake for about 25-30 mins after I fed him and he started yawning. I thought "already?" Do I need to lay him down for his first nap? was that enough "waketime"? So I did. I told myself I was going to be consistent; nap in his bed with a fan on and wrapping him in the same blanket. It worked!! His first nap he fell right asleep and slept for 2 1/2 hrs. The rest of the day went as smooth. Then I was worried he was not going to sleep at all that night, but he did! The first night he slept 4 hrs straight, night two was 5 hrs and night three was 7 hours!! Crossing my fingers he continues :)
The schedule is the whole theory of making sure he knows days and nights and knows that he is going to get fed. You as the mom decide his schedule (somewhat I say-I mean I was following his cues). 
So far his naps get a little shorter throughout the day. His waketime is usually at least 30 mins and like I said I watch him. If he starts yawning I go ahead and put him down. That is how I figured out how long of a nap he needed. This has been his schedule and nap lengths...I have even had to wake him up to feed him during the day. I thought "how mean to wake a sleeping baby?" but apparently Cole needs to get full during the day in order to sleep at night. He needs to know that his momma is going to feed him and not let her baby go hungry! hehehehe...Well, it is working for us so we will continue to do it. The book worked great for us. I would recommend anyone to try it. So far as a mom I have realized that you (being a mom), need to do what you need to do to be the best mommy to your child and that is going to look different for different people/babies. So whatever works for you and your baby-good for you! This is what is working for Cole and I...
7 am-ish:First nap is usually 2 hrs
10 am-ish:Second nap is 1 1/2 hrs
1 pm-ish:Third nap is 1 1/2 hrs
4 pm-ish:Fourth nap is 45 mins
7 pm-ish:Fifth nap is 30 mins
10 pm: Feed and Lay straight down for bed
Here is a picture of his scratched face-sad. I do cut his nails, but I swear they grow over-night.  Made me feel like a bad mommy already.

1 month old!

Hard to believe! Cole has been with us for a month. We have all survived! hehehe... He is just great! We are loving every minute of him. He is so funny with his noises and facial expressions. This was a big month. Cole met Paw Paw Wilb from Arkansas, we had Easter, and Mother's day. He is getting so big and loves to eat!! more than sleep for sure :) At his last appointment, 2 week 5 day, he was 9lbs 12 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. I have not measured him but I weight myself, then held Cole. It was 12 lbs exactly. Not sure how accurate that is, but I know he is getting bigger. Dr. Mishu said he would be about 5 lbs heavier or more at next appointment (his 2 month on June 13). Looks like he is on track. Right now I am still trying to figure out how to do much of anything. We are just taking it day by day right now. I cannot imagine if I had to go back to work at 6 weeks. I am so lucky that I have 4 months to figure it out before going back to work in August. Hopefully things will get a little easier or at least I will feel better with it and we can make more trips out to see people and maybe even try church! New adventures to come for sure.

2 weeks 4 days

Ok, I really had intentions of updating weekly, Ha! As you can see that did not happen. We are settling in. It is crazy the schedule you are on, if you even call it that! I am trying to breastfeed. Are you kidding me? I have realized that some women are milk factories and some are not. Some have to work much harder at it. I would not be a milk factory. Everyone keeps saying that it will get easier. I figure it has to or there is no way women would do this, especially for a year or more. I was told that it is typically harder for first time moms, especially if you have a c-section. Apparently since you did not have your kiddo go through the birth canal your body was not triggered that you had him, therefore telling your body to make milk. Cole left the hospital a little jaundice, barely though, but to get rid of it we had to give him 2 oz of formula after every other feeding. Well, my body was producing tbl spoons then he gets this gush of 2 oz. It turned into formula at ever feeding because he would get so mad and be sucking on his hands and screaming. It was like where is the fountain that had all the fast flowing milk? We went to the doctor and his jaundice was gone, he had gained 8 oz in 3 days (doctor said she wants him to gain an ounce a day), and she helped me with breast feeding too. It did seem to get better, but I am still having to supplement. I do not feel that I will ever make enough to satisfy my big, aggressive boy (what they called him at the hospital :) but I am going to do what I can for now. Like a friend (one who completely believes in breastfeeding, had NO problems, and breastfeed all 4 of her kids for a year) of mine said "When you only accomplish nursing and caring for him today, you did what you were called to do. For most people it's not easy to nurse, so don't be discouraged, and each day you do it is so good for him, so be proud of yourself. Don't think it comes easy for everyone." So that is what I am doing, one day at a time. Everyday I am able to give him breast milk is one more day of the best nutrition. If that day ends tomorrow, I did my best for as long as I could.
His sleeping is hit or miss. He started off pretty good, about 4+ hr stretches, then it was every 2 hrs. I thought maybe a growth spurt? Who knows? last night was a 3 hr stretch, fed, then a 4 hr stretch. So I guess I cannot complain with that.
I had a doctors appointment this week and checked out great. The doctor said I am healing quickly and looking good. So that was good to hear. I go back in a month for my 6 week check up.
Cole is so funny and has so many expressions (I know you cannot imagine that from our kid-Hahaha). Casey and I just sit and watch him and laugh. We are having the best time with him. Casey went back to work this week. I had to send pics and videos during the day to him, since I think he had some Cole withdrawals :) My mom was with me this past week. That was nice to hang out and get a few things done. This week is just Cole and I. I know it will be fine. Looking forward to new adventures :)
A few pics from the last 10 days...

Laying with daddy

Big stretch!

My 1st Easter-April 24, 2011

Just hanging out! with my tongue out :)

New outfit from Paw Paw Wilb (Casey's dad)

Cole is HERE!

Our family of 3! :)

and he is absolutely perfect! He was born Wednesday morning at 7:19am. He was 8lbs 7oz and 19 1/2 inches long. It was the most amazing experience. We are in bliss with this amazing little guy. He did not want to come so we did have to do a c-section. That was really crazy. We go in on Wednesday morning at 5:00am, do some paperwork and then go back to a room. That is where I met nurse Bonnie, who was so great. They prepped me and got me ready for surgery. Casey was with me and before they wheeled me off I was able to see my mom, dad and brothers. I got to 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 Casey in all suited up and it was game time. If you have not had a c-section it is very weird. You cannot see anything they are doing, but you feel all the pressure and right before he came I had two nurses basically jumping on my chest. Then Dr. Macey lifted him over the curtain and said "hi mom and dad" as he was holding Cole up to us. I just started crying. It was so overwhelming! and truly an amazing experience. I could not believe that was him, my little man. The one who had given me so much heartburn and made me so big. He was here and perfect and everything was wonderful.
I had to go to recovery for a few hours after I was put back together. I got sick a few times from the anesthesia, but I also think from them pushing on my belly/uterus. I know that did not help. They would check me about every 10-15 mins and push on my uterus. I cannot remember why now, but it was sensitive and uncomfortable. After I left recovery I went to my room, very drowsy. They had given me finagrin for the nausea, which makes you very tired. I could barely hold my eyes open. My whole family was there and Casey's brother Lincoln and wife Pam. They all came in to tell me how beautiful he was and congratulate us. We were at the hospital til Saturday and now we are home. We are adjusting to our life of three and just enjoying this blessing that God has blessed us with.

Justin and Lisa came to see you!

Thank you to all of you who have been on this journey with us. I know that we have this little guy because of all your prayers, love and support for us. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough. I cannot wait for you to all meet him. He is just the best thing ever! :)

Pure sweetness-your a miracle

Right out of oven-waiting to get checked

Getting checked and hair washed

Worn out after being checked out

JuJu came from Alabama

Hello everyone :) 1 day old