1 Month Old

Wow, time has flown by!  I can't believe Cooper is a month old already, seems like yesterday we just had him.  We have been working on getting to know each other these few weeks, trying to figure out what each cry means.  Cooper is a huge fan of sucking whether it be his bottle, hand, toy or pacifier.  We attempted to breast feed but was not for either of us so we have gone straight to the bottle and he is eating between 2-3 ounces every 3.5-4 hours.  We are still working on the naps during the day but normally he sleeps well at night.  He wakes up usually two times to be fed and then goes back to sleep, although we have had a few nights where he didn't want to go right back down.  Unfortantely, Cooper does not like to sleep flat on his back so we are not using the crib right now.  We have bought a rock and sleep for the time being which allows him to sleep elevated.  I think that he is struggling with a little reflux and that wakes him up when he is laying flat so this allows him to stay elevated while sleeping...it has been a life saver!

Now here are a few pictures from Cooper's first month of life...Enjoy!

Cooper Eugene McDaniel has arrived

At my last doctor appointment on Feb 21 the midwife decided due to my severe hand nerve pain it was a good idea to go ahead and induce on Feb 27.  I was excited and scared at the same time because it was all becoming real very very soon.  On Feb 24 my parents came into town to help us prepare and be here to help out after he is home for a few days.  On Feb 25 Reid had a school function that we attended and I began having contractions we were timing them about 10-12 minutes apart and thought that we may have Cooper before the scheduled induction.  My older sister Alice came down to be here for his birth and help us out as well.  Well the contractions died down and so Sunday evening we checked into the hospital and found that we were  4 cm and 80% effaced and we were set for induction to start at 5am Monday, Feb 27.
5am came and they started the pitocin and contractions began.  The fetal monitor kept going in and out so they decided to break my water and put an internal monitor on him so at 10:14 my water was broken.  By 11am my contractions were 2 1/2 minutes apart.  At 12 I decided I couldn't deal with the pain and went for an epidural which I got at 1pm.  By 3:25 I was 7cm and by 5:10 I was 10 cm but he was still high so we waited a while to see if he would move down.  At 6:20 I began pushing but by 8:25 I had made very little progress and the doctor decided a C-Section was bed decision for Cooper and I.  At 9:47pm Cooper Eugene McDaniel was born weighing in at 8lbs 2oz and measured 19.75 inches.  At 12:55am I finally got to hold my precious angel for the first time, True Love!  Although, I do not remember a lot from that day or the day after I thankfully had my sister keeping track of everything!

The first 24 hours I was confined to bed so Reid had to do the majority of the work.  When it was time to feed he would change his diaper and then bring him to me then rock him to sleep.  He was amazing!!  I am truly blessed by Reid.  

Here are a few pictures of Cooper meeting the Varga family that was able to make it down for his birth:

Bubba saying hello

Weeva saying hello

Aunt Alice feeding the big guy

Cooper meeting his God Parents Clint and Lene 

Cooper ready to go home:

Nearly 37 Weeks

How far along?: 36 weeks 6 days







Total weight gain: according to my scale +10 according to doctor's scale +13

 



Stretch marks?: No new ones just the ones I have carried on my body for years.






Sleep?: Not great but not terrible.  If you ask about Reid he doesn't sleep much because I snore when I am on my back...but that is the only way I can keep my arms elevated  high enough to keep my hands from throbbing all night long.  I know everyone has their own issues during pregnancy and up until last week I really had a simple pregnancy.  My older sister had Carpel Tunnel issues from about 20 weeks on and it hit me at 35 weeks.  If you've never had it you are very lucky, cause it stinks!  I sleep with my arms propped on pillows all night and still wake up with extreme finger pain or joints locked and of course my thumb and pointer finger are numb and occasionally my middle finger.  I can't hold on to anything so just call me butter fingers. 




Best moment this week?: My work had a baby shower on Feb 8 for us and gave us our 2nd stage car seat and many wonderful gifts from my CAREGivers.  Not baby related: on Saturday we had some new friends over and Reid made dinner and played Mexican Train...I haven't laughed that much in a very long time, thanks Bryce and Dani!





Food cravings?: Nothing in particular but I am still enjoying my Popsicles.





Labor signs?: Starting to have more and more contractions, still not regular pattern but coming more frequent.  I can feel Cooper really low now and he likes to place his hand in my hip socket.





Belly button in or out?: It is completely in







What I miss: This week I have been missing my niece and nephew...I know it's not baby related but it is what I am missing!

 



What I'm looking forward to: We are attending our Childbirth class tomorrow and will get to tour the hospital and ask all the questions we have.  Our last appointment was February 1st and she said that everything looked great and he had moved into my pelvis...so we have a check up on Valentine's Day and hoping that Cooper is ready to come out! :-)









35 Weeks






36 Weeks







Baby Shower at Work




The Car seat my Co-workers got Cooper--Of Course it had to be UGA colors for Reid!

Lastly, our cloth diapers came in and have all been washed and put away waiting for Cooper's arrival!



34 Weeks

How far along?:  34 weeks

Total weight gain: according to my scale +9 according to doctor's scale +12

Stretch marks?: No new ones just the ones I have carried on my body for years.

Sleep?: Still can't complain all that much, cause I am able to sleep!  I wake about two or three times to go to the bathroom.  I still sleep best on my back.  Reid tells me Cooper is very active at night but I honestly am able to sleep through it!  

Best moment this week?: We had two...First, we had my checkup on Thursday and everything is great.  She is very pleased with my progress and says that he is head down and in position to go!  Secondly, we have finished Cooper's room!

Food cravings?: I have had a sweet tooth this last week and my craving is Popsicles!

Labor signs?: Whenever I walk I am having contractions.  So, I really don't care to do any shopping these days!  Thankfully they stop once I stop the activity!

Belly button in or out?: It is completely in


What I miss: Being able to bend over and grab the things I drop!

What I'm looking forward to: I know I have a few more weeks before we are suppose to have him but I am getting very excited to see Cooper and watch Reid with our son!

33 Weeks

34 Weeks

Baby Shower and Cooper's room

On January 7th my family and friends had my baby shower.  We are very blessed to have some wonderful friends and family, thank you all!  We got lots of things from our registry and have been able to stock Cooper's room!  Now all we are waiting on is his arrival!  Here are a few pictures from the baby shower and a few pictures of his room:

Cooper Eugene McDaniel's Room

Picture from the doorway

Our handmade crib bumper and handmade blanket to match

Dresser Full of Clothes and...

A closet full of clothes

Toys

Lil' Buckaroo

Rocking chair and Cooper's rocking horse

Catching up!

I know I have been bad about updating the last few weeks, Reid had finals, we celebrated my birthday, then we traveled for Christmas and not to mention two snow storms.  So December passed us by very quickly!  As far as Cooper goes he is doing great.  We had an appointment December 22 and everything went well.  I was very concerned about the last appointment because I was measuring 6 weeks ahead.  In this practice you see three different midwives and so this time I saw a different lady and she assured us that everything looks great.  I was still measuring ahead but only by 3 weeks.  She said that they always give a 3 week window both negative and positive so I am within that window.  She found Cooper is head up and said that this can attribute to the measurement and once he flips I should measure just about normal.  She said she is not concerned about him still being head up, she said if by 36 weeks he has not flip we will discuss other options.  My blood pressure and urine were great and she is very pleased with my weight gain.  She said we have a very active boy who likes to move from any type of disturbance in my belly.  He continually moves from the doppler when they try to find his heart rate...little stinker! 

How far along?:  31 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain: +7

Stretch marks?: No new ones just the ones I have carried on my body for years.

Sleep?: My hips are really hurting now so sleep comes and goes.  I can sometimes go for 2 or 3 hours but it is rare.  Here recently Cooper has woken me up by playing kickball on my body, which I really don't mind! 

Best moment this week?: We were able to get the crib and changing table built and after our baby shower this weekend will be putting the room together. 


Food cravings?: I can officially say I have had a craving...GRAPEFRUIT!!!  I love it and can't get enough of it!  Although I have had to slow down the last few days because my tongue is killing me from all the acid.


Labor signs?: Over the last week when I go walking or vacuum I have some braxton hicks contractions but once I stop the activity they go away.

Belly button in or out?: It is completely in


What I miss: Again being able to do things on my feet.  Reid was very sweet and bought me a pair of slip on ropers for Christmas and it has helped because it has much more cushion but it is still hard to go shopping for long periods. 

What I'm looking forward to: Our baby shower is Saturday in Albuquerque.  I am looking forward to seeing friends and family and celebrating Cooper! 



We have our next appointment on Friday and really hoping we can get a glimpse of our little guy on an ultrasound!  We registered for our Childbirth class which will be February 11.  Seems like time is flying by and we are very excited to meet our little guy!

Okay here are some pictures:

29 Weeks

30 Weeks

31 Weeks



Here are a few pictures from our most recent snow storm on December 23.  Our house got about 8 inches of snow when it was all said and done...let me remind you we live in southern New Mexico where they don't know how to handle a snow storm! 

Here is a picture of our crib and changing table put together.  After the baby shower this weekend we will finish putting the room together and will take a picture of the entire room!

Lastly, here is our picture we took on Christmas Day!  We were very happy to be able to spend the holiday with my family.  We spent the day eating, opening gifts, watching football and playing card games.  To highlight a few gifts: Reid got a meat grinder, a watch, and a coat.  I got a charmed memories bracelet, slippers, and a new pair of shoes.  Cooper got a new outfit and bath robe, an ornament and money.  The money will be buying him his cloth diapers...yes we are choosing to do cloth diapers!    This is the website we are ordering from:  http://www.alvababy.com/index.php&zenid=28c67s6m5auovrf6arrh6mecp1

Well, I wish you all a very Happy New Year!  We look forward to our little guy making his arrival!