Daycare

It had to happen eventually. I had to let the reigns go...I just didn't think it would be so soon! Yesterday was Cooper's first day at Trinity Lutheran Learning Center. Why didn't I post yesterday? Well, because I spent the majority of the day in tears. Approximately every hour I would think about Cooper sitting in the nursery, away from me and David, away from Dixie, and I would loose all control.

Here is the thing that SOME do not understand. I realize that daycare is good for Cooper. I am excited for him. It will be beneficial to have him socialized and used to noises (like Aunt Jill) and illnesses and the like. I think this is a great age for him to start as well. HOWEVER, it is a Mom's job to worry and so I am. Cooper has been with no one else but family and Dixie and he has had the pleasure of staying in his own home, safe and sound, waiting on Mommy every day when I come through the doors. Now, I am going to an unfamiliar place, leaving him with unfamiliar people and hoping that some other kid isn't stepping on him (like one of them did yesterday). It is another change in our lives and I am dealing with it the best that I can!

He has had two good days so far. The first day he was little out of it, but the second day he did much better; he ate, talked and even took a little cat nap. Apparently, he also likes bubbles. This morning was his first experience in the ball pit. Yes, they have a miniature ball pit for the babes to tumble in and out of. These pits are also referred to as cesspools (these people have NO idea who they are dealing with; do they know I'm in public health?). But, as I left the room this morning, he was enjoying playing in the pit with Ms. Courtney.

I suppose now we will wait on his first real illness: ear ache, runny nose, fever, etc. I'm sure he will make tons of friends. There are some baby girls in the class who are cute as pie. But, he's too young for that. He won't be allowed to date until he is at least 35 .

Cooper Driving and Hilton Head Pics

We're All In This Together

An interesting thing happened to me on Thursday that I thought I would share with everyone, especially mommies. I attended a meeting for work that was being run by an acquaintance that I work with across campus. She and I both had baby boys around the same time. We didn't know that the other was pregnant until we showed up at the same childbirth education classes at St. Mary's. I have not talked to her since December. Well, after the meeting, she followed me out the door and ran to my side to chat for a minute. Her face was slightly panicked and she looked like she really wanted to say something. It didn't take long before she unloaded. She began to tell me how stressed she was juggling work and the baby, how her thighs rub together because the baby weight isn't off yet, how clothes just don't fit, how there is no time for working out,etc, etc.

I really empathized with her. And I thought, as I walked away, we are all in this together. Every mommy is virtually the same. No matter if she is stick thin or the perfect task master, we all struggle with this thing called 'parenthood' and we all go through a period where our bodies just aren't what they used to be. As I bemoaned my own issues with baby weight, I felt like I wasn't alone and that I could talk to my friends who were going through the same things for support.

I read a blog yesterday about a woman who claimed it took her sixteen months to loose all of her baby weight. You should have seen the ninety thousand responses she had to this post. Women were literally commenting from around the world, praising this woman for coming out and telling her story. Some of the mommies said that it took them two years to get back on track with hormones, weight, hair loss etc (oh yeah, and did I mention my hair is falling out? Like CLUMPS of hair. I don't look bald yet, but it's only a matter of time before I hit Kojak status). So, I'd just like to pass along words of encouragement to the mommies out there that even though we all go through this period of wanting to wear mu mu's and potato sacks, looking at the product that we carried for nine months makes it all worth it. I wouldn't trade it for the world!!! Weight will come and go, but our children are forever!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 Month Check Up

Well, really 'almost 5 m0nth check up' at the doctor's office. Cooper did fine. He didn't cry until the third shot. Then he wailed until Daddy picked him up and he was fine. The worst part is when he realizes that it hurts and he starts to scream, but it's not a scream yet, it's a silent, mouth-open, red faced grimace and then when he finally breathes it is a blood curddling scream. Got a little crabby the day after the shots, but he seems fine now. Here are his stats:
Weight= 15.8 lbs= 65%
Height= 26 in= 80%

The doctor said that he should be able to make it through the night at an 8 hour stretch. He got in Cooper's face (jokingly) and said, "You can do better Cooper. You can make it. You don' t need to wake up Mommy and Daddy all night long..." to which Cooper replied, " blah bah blah bah blah," almost like he was telling Dr. Garrard where to stick it. It was amusing.

So, the doctor told us to feed him and put him to bed at the normal time, 8:30. Then, wake him up at 11:00, feed him 6 oz and put him back to bed and he'll sleep until 7 am. Yeah, right! Worst idea ever. He did not want to wake, did not want to eat, and then, when we finally roused him, he wanted to stay awake for forever!!! He didn't stay asleep longer than 2 hours after that. Now, the day after he had his shots he apparently ate a TON, slept a TON and then only woke up one time this morning at 4:30am and then went back to bed until 7:30am. I think we'll stick with our plan until further notice....

Rice Cereal

WARNING: CONTENTS OF THIS POST ARE FOR ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY (well, those who have a strong stomach and new mommies or mommies-to-be)

So, you may be wondering what in the heck this email is about. Is it about the new Sex and The City movie (fabulous by the way)? Is it about some tawdry rumor that I heard about a high school classmate? Not really. This post is about what it's like to be a new mommy and talk to other new mommies. It's a special relationship, really. Gone are the days that you talk about the latest fashion, what's happening on the 'shows', who's dating who, etc. Nope, now it's about what our babies are doing and what it's like to be a mommy. Recently, Cooper came down with a case of the 'runs'. Not a pretty picture, though he has remained relatively light hearted about it. The following is from a real conversation that I had recently:

AW: So, Cooper has had the runs. What did Owen's diapers look like when he had them?
JF: They were brown and runny.
AW: Well, Cooper's are sort of like that. His are still pretty seedy.
JF: Yep, Owen's are a little bit, but breastfed babies will have more, so that's why Cooper's probably look like that.
AW: Do you think it's from teething?
JF: Probably. They drool a lot and have a lot more saliva and it upsets their tummies.
AW: Well, Cooper has also had a really bad runny nose and his diapers look like what comes out of his nose.
JF: Yep, it probably is. Because all they have to drink is milk, they don't digest things like we do and it all comes out looking the same.
AW: Well, I guess we will try some Pedialite if he starts getting dehydrated.
JF: Yeah, that's a good idea. That's what we did with Owen.
...........

You get the picture. Listen up mommies-to-be, this is what you are in for. You will be CONSUMED with what your baby's diapers look like, how many diapers they have, how much weight they are gaining, if they are hitting milestones, etc. And it's worth every ounce of worry. They are so precious, and they provide us with constant entertainment. It is the most rewarding experience ever.

I have now four friends who are pregnant and all due in the same month- January! I couldn't be more excited that we are all going through this together. It's the circle of life!!!! Oops, I've got to go, Cooper just 'went' on Daddy's hand!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!!

My Little Mascot

Sorry for the delay in posting lately. Time gets away from us sometimes! Cooper has been busy being the UGA College of Public Health Mascot. Let's see...he's been to my office for a day while I worked, he's been to a faculty meeting, he's been to student poster day, he attended the College field day, he's a busy guy!! I figure, since I have to go back to work due to the inability to have REAL maternity leave (I think we'll move to Europe for the next one so that I can have one year off), I might as well take him with me every chance I can get! And, it is always nice to hear how everyone thinks Cooper looks like Mommy every once in a while (he's definitely David's child).

Cooper has now developed a high pitched squeal that he likes to use as his inside voice. It's quite cute really; there is no better sound than all of his babbling, and the scrunching noise of a diaper. I love them all. It's what makes being a mommy so great! Speaking of great, we had a nice Mother's Day weekend recently. We did the obligatory tour of Loganville and Cooper got me a really nice gift. He's so sweet.

The four month doctor's visit is coming soon! I actually have been called in for jury duty the week that he goes in for his second set of shots. I tell ya- I have always wanted to be on a jury, ever since I turned 18, and I have never been called until now, which is the worst possible time. They'll really love me at work if I get assigned a case...'maternity leave AND jury duty?" Geez.

We take our first trip to the beach in five weeks. I can't wait. If anyone has a car topper, call me- we'll definitely need it with all of our beach stuff plus Cooper's gear. Just call us the Griswolds. Here are some pics for you to enjoy of the last few weeks! PS, I've added music to the sight. you can scroll to the bottom to see the artists. Yes, I've included NKOTB as they are reuniting this summer!