Fun at Home!

We came home from the hospital on Wednesday. Immediately, we felt overwhelmed with transitioning our lives to include (or should I say, revolve around) Beckett. Where are the diapers? What time did he eat last? We need to start laundry. Beckett's crying...what is he telling us? Where are my pain meds? Where's my cell phone? Mom!

Although the first couple of hours we felt as though we started from ground zero, it was also refreshing to be home. Just the three of us. Starting our lives together. We were able to spend the entire evening admiring our son's individual characteristics. From his dark hair and long toes to the way he smiles while he's sleeping. He is an incredible work of God's!

We have had several visitors so far including Aunt Krissy, Aunt Too Too, Elizabeth, Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Lou. Grandma & Grandpa stayed with us for a couple of days. It was amazing to have my mom here to share some of my first "mommy moments" with. We changed a diaper that literally required 20 wipes, she helped me figure out the breast pump and other breast feeding issues, and took an early morning shift with Beckett. Grandpa Roling was at Beckett's every call! As Beckett slept, Grandpa admired him. As Beckett was awake, Grandpa cooed at him. We'll never forget some of our first memories with our son, and having family present, made these moments even more enjoyable.

Here's a few pictures of our first memories at home!

Grandma and Beckett...she is a FABULOUS grandma!
Beckett looking as handsome as ever all bundled up.
Trying out the bouncy seat...Beckett, mommy, and daddy loved the vibrate setting as it stimulated a long-awaited poopy diaper!
Grandpa spoiling Beckett
Our friend Elizabeth!
Daddy studying our little man.
Mommy and Beckett cuddling

He's Here!!!

The little life that has absolutely taken our breath away has arrived! We are so excited to welcome Beckett Charles Cooper into this world! Beckett's birthday is 10.19.09 at 2:29 pm. He weighed in at 8 lbs. and is 20 3/4 inches long. He is doing everything he should be doing...so pretty much crying, pooping, peeing, eating, and sleeping. Currently he's sleeping. Isn't that the life!

We get to go home on Wednesday afternoon. Although we have heard this is one of the toughest transitions of having a new baby, we are encouraged because he has been absolutely wonderful so far. The only struggle we have had is putting him down! We always feel like one of us should be loving on him and spending time getting to know him! All glory be to God!

Enjoy this little peek into our new life!

Headed Home! Just in time to cheer on the Tigers for Homecoming!
Proud father.

Uncle Mitchell
Aunt Lou
Aunt Too Too
NeNe and Papa
Grandma Roling and NeNe
Grandma and Grandpa Roling
Our FABULOUS midwife, Kimberly
Mommy, right after delivery
Trying to warm up and get cozy
The little man that took our breath away!

40 Weeks

Oh boy! Here we are, 40 weeks later and Beckett thinks he's better off in utero than in his mommy and daddy's arms. What will it take to convince him? Well, as I sit here (with my tennis shoes on because I just got done walking 10 flights of stairs and a mile on the treadmill) I am beginning to think God is in control and I'm not sure God can be convinced. I know. God in control? It's nonsense. But it's the only thing that makes any sense at this point! :)

Good news is that technically, I am in the first stage of labor! As of our doctor's appointment on Thursday, I am dilated 1 cm. But as Kimberly says "You've got a long ways to go honey"! Not what I wanted to hear! But, good news again is that we scheduled an induction for Thursday morning. So, it feels wonderful to have an absolute latest date to meet our son. We can't wait to see his little face, hold his little hands, and tell him how much we love him. This seems like the ultimate joy!

Beckett, son, we love you and can't wait to meet you! Daddy thinks you are going to be 22 inches long (bball player) and weigh 7 lbs. 8 oz. and mommy thinks you are going to be 20.5 inches long and weigh 8 lbs. 3 oz. Come on out so we know who wins!!!

39 Weeks!

We were 39 weeks on October 8th, the same day Mizzou had their ridiculous loss to Nebraska. We were actually hoping Beckett would want to watch the game with us (in person), but he didn't, and now we understand why! We also went back to our midwife that morning and we got better news than last week! Kimberly said we were closer; Beckett has dropped farther into "delivery position" and my cervix is thinning. No dilating yet, but like I said, Beckett is at least showing signs that he wants to meet us! He also has a strong heart rate at 160!

I have nested...nested again...and nested again. Not sure how much more cleaning and organizing our house can take! In fact, at this point, I am re-cleaning and re-organizing from the first round of nesting! The house is ready for Beckett! We've even got our fall decorations out! Oh, and I have cooked more in the last week than I probably have all year! Zach's enjoying every moment of it; he knows it's back to frozen pizzas when I've got a baby in my arms! Maybe the next pictures we post will be of Beckett instead of my belly!

38 Weeks

We went to see our midwife today, Kimberly. She's awesome and we've been so happy with her throughout the entire pregnancy. For some reason, Zach and I were anxiously awaiting our appointment today! We both had convincingly, high hopes that Beckett was on his way! Zach even joked before we left the house that we should put bags in the car, just in case we stayed. However, we left our appointment with a message from God, he still has more work to do. Our little man is hanging tight, sitting comfortably inside Mommy, still being molded and formed into the creation God wants him to be. What an important job God has!

Maybe, selfishly, we were expecting Beckett to arrive today because 10 years ago this exact day, Zach and I started our relationship and journey through life. How cool would it have been to welcome our first born into the world exactly 10 years later! But, we both know God's plans for Beckett's life are much greater than we will ever know! We are overflowing with anticipation to meet our son! Beckett buddy, come out and play!