Home Sweet Home

C: Mama got the green light to go home today, which means I get to go home too! Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Lucy, Papa & Bebe were there to see us off and celebrate with us. The day we've all been waiting for!

H: I can't wait to introduce Cooper to our puppies and kitty at home - and to show him all of *our* toys, our cool bunk bed, the time-out corners, how to feed Stirling, and all of the places we play ball in the house. Let's go!

H: No more sitting back here all by myself! I have been informed that my special job is to read books to Cooper:

C: I'm buckled in and ready to go. Let's roll!

Together at Last!

C: This afternoon I got a big surprise - I got to leave the nursery and go to Mama's room! This was a huge treat for both of us - especially since my big brother never got to share a room at the hospital with Mama. And the timing couldn't have been better - there were lots of friends and family waiting in the room to meet me! I have been waiting for this moment since I arrived - to be held all the time and snuggled in the arms of my family and friends!

Is it surprising to anyone that Mama's health improved so much after this move that she got to go home the very next day? Some things are better than any medicine!

My wonderful Aunt Kelly:

More of my lovely Aunts - Marilyn & Sara:

Ahh, finally a kiss from my big brother. And I spent much of the afternoon cuddled in Uncle George's arms - he was so comfy!

Sweet Aunt Marilyn:

H: Did you really think you were going to read a whole post without hearing from ME? Not a chance! Papa and Bebe got me some "Congratulations, You're A Big Brother" presents (aren't they thoughtful?). I got some of my favorite things -books! And these were just any books, but really funny Dinosaur books! I love them! Thank you Papa & Bebe!

After a perfect day, it's time for me, Mama and Bebe to get some sleep - good night!

Mama and the Boys

C: Today Mama got to hold me once again - oh how we both loved this moment! I don't think it's any coincidence that we both started feeling better that night...

H: Since Mama and Cooper have been in the hospital, I have gotten a treat and have been staying with Bebe and Papa every night. We go up to see Mama, Daddy & Cooper each day, and I think this is all kind of fun! There are these cool pedals in Mama's room that turn the water on in the sink, a curtain to hide behind, and really good food that Mama always shares with me. Plus I get to peek in the window down the hall and see my baby brother!

Family Time

C: Today I finally got to meet my best friend - Harrison got to come and visit me today! Daddy brought him into the NICU after he scrubbed up in the sink and put a thermometer strip on his forehead to make sure he wasn't sick. Harrison walked right up to my bed and said "I love you, Cooper!". I immediately woke up, turned my head and looked right at him. I have been so wanting to see my big brother after all of these months of listening to his voice while I was in Mama's belly - I know his laugh, his cries, his animated voice while he tells stories and how his voice gets all sweet and soft when he tells us he loves us.

As if that wasn't a big enough treat for me, Bebe & Papa came to see me too! No one was allowed to pick me up today, but I got to hold some fingers and listen to everyone's voice now - it is wonderful to hear the voices of those I love so clearly now! I love my family and I already know what a lucky little boy I am!

FYI - the contraption on my right hand is my IV. Yuck.

Hello Everyone! It's Me, Cooper!

C: I just felt like I was missing out on too much to stay in Mama's belly a minute longer - so here I am! I arrived into this colorful, loud, bright world on May 20th at 2:40pm, weighing in at a meaty 5lbs 6oz.

Mama was sick and I was a little early so we were separated for a while after I was born, but Daddy, Bebe, Grandmama, Aunt Sara and Aunt Kelly kept a close eye over me in the Intermediate Nursery. The nurses at Piedmont were wonderful and I knew I was in great hands, but I just wanted to be with my family!

I finally got to go to Mama & Daddy's room late that night and snuggled with them for a short, wonderful while, but then I was whisked off the the NICU early the next morning for some additional monitoring of my breathing. I didn't know it at the time, but Mama had gotten sicker too, and was stuck in her room for a few days and was not allowed to come and see me until Saturday (who knew that 3 days could feel like years?).

Anyways, all is wonderful now and I am in love with this new life of mine already!

H: I knew something fun was up when Aunt Kelly came to pick me up from school today! She told me that my baby brother was FINALLY here! Yahoo! I can't believe it! No more talking to Mama's belly - I can talk to Cooper now!

Aunt Kelly took me to dinner and then brought me to the hospital to meet Cooper for the first time. Unfortunately, I was not allowed in the Intermediate Nursery, but was able to look in the windows just after Mama & Daddy got to go in to see Cooper. I was a little shocked at everything (and why the heck is Mama in a wheelchair?) and wanted to be with Mama & Daddy, but Bebe and Aunt Kelly held me and helped me look at my handsome little brother. He's so little! But I love him to bits already - I can't wait to hold him! I love you Cooper!!!

It's bright and loud out here in the world!

Couldn't they have heated that thing up before pressing it on my chest?

Ahh, the heating lamps feel divine. I'm exhausted.

After a long, long, LONG wait, Mama finally got to come and see me:

My first look at my sweet baby brother:



And a kiss from Mama (I think she missed me):



Late that night, I got to nap with Daddy:



And a delicious snuggle with Mama. Good Night!

Vacation at Papa & Bebe's

Mama went to the doctor today and we found out she was a little sick, so she has to be on bed rest until Cooper arrives. For lucky little me, it meant getting to spend some extra time at Bebe & Papa's house!

Not only that, but Papa & Bebe surprised me with some new toys to keep up at their house. I got Memory, and quickly started concentrating on beating my Grandparents! They also got me a special magnetic alphabet book, which I loved doing over and over. We went on several fun adventures - we played on the Chick-fil-A playground and went to Barnes & Noble to play in the kids section.

I had a great time, as always - thank you for everything Papa & Bebe! I sure do love you!

Punching out the game pieces for Memory:

Keeping Papa on his toes as I prepare to make a match!

A match!

Loving my alphabet book:

In the CFA Playground tunnel:

It was love at first sight when I laid my little eyes on the train table at Barnes & Noble!

Things got a little too crowded over at the train table, so I went and found some car books, complete with wheels!

Mother's Day with the Grandmas and Papa's Birthday!

Today we woke up and walked up to Pastries A GoGo to treat Grandmama to brunch for Mother's Day. I mostly ate off of Uncle Zach's plate and had a great time being silly with my family. I taught Zach the game "I'll Throw Crayons on the Floor and Laugh While You Pick Them Up", which I know he just loved!

Afterwards, we walked back home and played Star Wars in the yard with Grandmama while Sara and Mama and Daddy sat on the steps and chatted.After our visit, it was up to Bebe & Papa's to celebrate Mother's Day and Papa's birthday (busy month!). After opening presents, we headed out to Longhorn for dinner.

What a fun weekend this has been - showing some of my favorite people how much I love them!

Patiently waiting for our food at Pastries A GoGo:

Try as I might, I just could not get the crayons to write on my face!

Oh Papa, you're so silly!

This is one of my favorite jobs - Present Opener! Looks like Papa got a new wallet from us!

Now it's time to help Bebe open her present!

Bebe, you just sit back and relax - I'll do the hard work!

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

This morning me and Daddy woke up early and got to work in the kitchen. We let Mama sleep in while we made Mama a breakfast feast of eggs, bacon, cheese biscuits and strawberries with cream. We brought it to her on a tray with flowers and piled on the bed and ate with her. A perfect way to start the day!

Then we headed to the Zoo, at Mama's request. We both had so much fun when we went last week that we were anxious to go back and have Daddy with us this time. We had a blast and when we felt like we had seen most of the animals, we went to lunch at 5 Guys. We stuffed ourselves with peanuts, cheeseburgers and fries, and then walked over to Lowe's. We helped Mama pick out a bunch of flowers and stones for the yard. Sadly, by the time we got home it was time for my nap, but Mama told me that Daddy worked hard on a beautiful flower garden for her while she sat outside in a chair with her feet up, reading magazines and drinking nice cold water while Daddy slaved away :)

Once I woke up, I helped Daddy make a yummy spaghetti dinner and then we played and laughed and played some more before it was time for bed. I think we did a pretty great job of showing Mama how much we love her - she said she felt like a Princess all day long, being taken care of by her boys! We sure do love you Mama!

Introducing Daddy to my friends, the goats:

Riding the choo-choo train around the Zoo:

Doctor Visit

I may not like going to the doctor when I am the patient, but boy do I love taking Mama to the doctor! Lately, I have kept her entertained at the Dentist, the Angel Kiss doctor (aka Dermatologist) and now the Baby doctor. Turns out I am such excellent company that Mama doesn't even want to go anymore unless I am with her.

Today we were making sure that Cooper is growing just right inside Mama's belly. I read books to everyone in the waiting room , charmed the nurses with my singing, and talked to the doctor about Cooper. I got some sad news from the nice doctor though - she told me that Mama cannot carry me around anymore until Cooper is out of her belly. Mama promised me it wouldn't be too much longer, so I guess I can wait. Until then, holding her hand will have to do!


Reading to an audience in the waiting room:

Drooling about my lollipop that the nurse gave me: