INTRODUCING........MISS STELLA HANNAH COOPER

 

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And this time we are now a family unit of four vs. three.

 

After two long weeks of recovery, I am finally feeling more and more like myself.  The C-section went great and I'll admit the first week post surgery was pure HELL!!!!!  I had a hard time getting my pain under control, but finally had a breakthrough and am feeling like a human being again. 

 

Miss Stella Hannah Cooper made her way into the world on 5/6/13 at 7:29 a.m.   She weighed 6lbs 12 oz and was 20 inches long.  After hearing the most beautiful cry in the world, Steve and I both cried tears of joy.  She was a beautiful, healthy baby and that was all that mattered in that moment. 

 

We are so incredibly blessed to share this little girl with the world.  Without further ado, here are a few photos of our little one!!! 

 

 

 

We are having a baby this morning!!!!!  This is what you look like pre C-section!  Showered, made up and ready for those photos and visitors!  HA!

Pre-op, getting my IV and fluids

 

Recovery room before surgery - Steve looked absolutely ridiculous!  We couldn't stop cracking up! 

 

She's here!

 

 

Me and the little one after recovery

 

Big sis made it and I basically had to bribe her to take this photo.  She was not a big fan of the hospital or little Stella to start.  Thankfully she has come around to the idea of having a little sister!

 

My little kangaroo

Time to head home!!!!!!!  A big huge thank you to my sister for bathing me for two days while at the hospital.  She was amazing! 

 



 

Welcome home Stella!!

 

Newborn rock and play has been a huge hit just like it was with her sister!!!  Lifesaver!  We would not survive without the Rock and Play!  My babies do not like lying flat on their backs!

 

 

Proud Aunt Amy

 

Proud Dad!

 

Lottie and I pushing Stella around the halls, trying to start the healing process.  Lottie was really cute when it came to pushing Stella around - she loved it!

 

Proud daddy - heading home!

 



 

Our first little walk as a family of four at Colonel Beatty Park.  It was short, but nice to finally get out and about. 

 

 

Let the chaos begin!!!!!!!!!  Ha!  I am hoping to get back to blogging a couple of times a week here soon but I am a very tired mama right now.  Hopefully I can provide an update of life as we now know it in the next couple of days.  It has been a wild little ride adjusting to life with a newborn again but we are getting there. 

 

 

39 Weeks - Mini Coop #2 (Last Pregnancy Post)

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 6, 2013 - 1 day to go!!

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 33 lbs - in comparison to the first pregnancy (48 lbs), I am pretty pleased with the weight gain this time around.  Hopefully with a bit of effort, the weight will come off a little easier this time around.

Exercise:
ZERO!!!!!! 

Symptoms: INSOMNIA, bloody gums while brushing/flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty and bloody right hip pain that has me waking every morning with the worst aches and pains.  Honestly though, I don't have much to complain about!!!  I've had a wonderful pregnancy and am feeling pretty blessed!  I honestly feel like I could carry this baby for another 2 to 3 weeks if I had to!

Thyroid: Levels are looking good! 

Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!!  I am so over the maternity clothes.  It seems like it is the same thing day in and day out, especially these last couple of weeks!!!  I can't wait to get back into a regular pair of jeans!


Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!! It looks like I'm picking the first name and Steve is picking the middle name.  He is pretty passionate about wanting to use his "middle" name choice so at the end of the day, I'm okay with it.  It is a beautiful name.

Movement: Movement has definitely decreased.  I'm not sure whether or not it's because she is running out of room or if it's just that I've been so busy and running myself ragged, that little movements go unnoticed. 

Food Cravings: This past week, I've had the biggest craving for red grapes!!  OMG, Lottie and I could sit down and eat a whole bag in one sitting.  I've already told Steve he better plan on bringing me a bag to munch on while at the hospital. Other than that, I've just been pretty much allowing myself to eat any and everything this past week.  I just know that it is DIET time come this week.


Food Aversions: ZERO!

Best Moment of the Week:  Sooooooooooooooooooooooo many!!  Where to start....... hearing my little one's heartbeat on Tuesday, finishing up work on Wednesday, getting a mani/pedi, haircut and color on Thursday, meeting friends for dinner on Friday, visiting mom and dad's grave, visiting my grandma and finally feeling like everything is DONE! 

What I Miss: The hubs has been working very hard this week and had to work on Saturday.  I've been missing him.  Lottie is having a slumber party tonight with my two BFFs since I have to be at the hospital so early in the a.m., so looks like I'll get in a couple of hours of cuddles tonight before the big day tomorrow.

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: You would think that with this being baby #2 I would be a little less anxious, but it is just not the case.  I think it is because I have another little one to think about and live for that going into surgery isn't exactly appealing.  But, C-sections are done every day and they are a relatively easy procedure or so I keep telling myself.  :) 

Fears/Dreading: Typical fears - Praying Mini Coop is a healthy baby and everything just goes well with no complications!

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: UPDATE: My surgery got bumped from 12:00 p.m. to 7:15 a.m.  Hallelujah!  I have to be at the hospital at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning which means I'll be leaving my house no later than 4:30 a.m.  I can't tell you how happy I am to get it done in the a.m. vs. having to sit around and wait until 12:00 p.m.  At least this way, I should be in a regular patient room by noonish.  It usually takes a couple of hours to get the feeling back in your legs after a spinal so I'll be hanging in the recovery room for a few hours after the baby is born.  That is where I will nurse her for the first time, she'll be given her first bath and where I'll get to hold her for the first time.  To say I'm excited is definitely an understatement.  :)

Please lift our little family up in your prayers tonight as you go to bed.  Please pray that our baby is healthy and everything goes well during surgery. 

It has been so much fun blogging and keeping track of this pregnancy.  I only wish I had done it the first time around with Lottie.  I can't wait to look back one of these days and reminisce about this time of my life. 


Bump Photo: One Last Bump Photo!!!!!!!

 

A little chat and visit w/ her nana and pawpaw.  We went through lots of pictures this past week of my mom and dad.  I am determined for Lottie to know them even if it is only through photos.

 

A quick visit with Grandma Patterson (96 years old)

The Coops - Family / Maternity Photos

 

The lovely and talented Shannon Routh took these lovely photos of my little family of three.  Come Monday, we will no longer be three, but four and I couldn't be happier about expanding our family.  I truly hit the jackpot with these two and I'm sure Mini Coop #2 will be no exception!  

 

 Without further ado........