First Pediatrician Measurements

Colvin went to her pediatrician for the first time a week from last Wednesday. She weighed in at 8lb 14oz. The doctor was pleased that she had passed her birth weight in a week.

She is eating well. Sharis is happy that the feedings only last about a half an hour versus what sometimes took an hour and a half with Ryan. It especially makes the night feedings more manageable.

The last few nights, we have only had to get up once with her - versus 2 to 3 times for the first 2 weeks. She is a good kid. We feel very lucky to have another health kid.

Week 1 Pictures

Time to burp ...


You can't trust the hired help these days ...








First trip to the doctor ...


Big kiss from Big Brother ...






The two grandfathers with their new granddaughter ...

Pictures

The pictures are up on Flickr. You can click on any of the pictures below to be taken to Flickr to see all the pics or you can see the entire set here:

Colvin Entire Set

Sorry it took so long but I didn't sleep last night so I had to recharge and spend some time with Colvin today.

First picture outside the womb ...






Getting tested by the midwife ...



She weighs 8.5 lbs ...


Ryan meets his little sister for the first time ...


Ryan didn't want to hold her ...


Papa with his new granddaughter ...


Namo (which is Ryan's name for grandma) with her new granddaughter ...


Ryan counting her toes ...


"Here Colvin, it's for you ..."




The tradition in the our family is The Blue Glass Affair for all big occasions ...

"Baby Keep"

Today after Ryan met Colvin, my Mom was changing him in his room and he said to her:

"Baby Keep."

Apparently we have Ryan's approval to keep her.

It's a Girl

Colvin Marie Cooley was born at 3:05am on May 13, 2009. Both Mom and baby are doing well. She was a little rascal coming out. Sharis had a to push a lot more than she did with Ryan. And her head is quite large so it was a bit of a struggle. But she is out and doing well.

The name comes from Sharis' side of the family. Her mom's maiden name is Colvin. Sharis' middle name is Marie. And oddly enough, today is her Grandma Colvin's birthday.

I am sure Sharis would love to hear from everyone so just leave a short comment to let her know that you are there.

Today is a great day to be alive.

Amazingness!!

Sharis is doing so well. She is so calm and tranquil. Her water broke
at about 11:45pm. She was able to get in the tub at about 12:45am. The
tub could only be filled half way because we drained our water heater.
But at least she could get in. It made her feel so much better.

We waited for more hot water and the tub is now filled. She is hot
because of the 100 degree water but she is getting cold wash clothes
and ice.

She is able to talk between contractions. Earlier she told Rita, our
Doula, about how she injured her shoulder. And now she just told us
how different this is compared to being in the hospital. She thinks it
isn't as chaotic. In fact it is just the opposite.

She is smiling and happy.

Sent from my iPhone

Tub

Here is the tub that Sharis will labor in tonight.

Midwife

Both the Doula and the midwife are on their way. Contractions are
about 10 min apart and she can't talk through them.

Sent from my iPhone

Happy Birthday

Today = Sharis' Birthday
Today = Due Date + 4 Days

Happy birthday to Sharis. I'm not sure if it was a gift or not that she didn't have to labor on her birthday but we still don't have a little one yet.

Last night the cavalry came into town. My parents drove in from MN last night - they even skipped the Bruce Springsteen concert to do so. Sharis wasn't having contractions, but we felt it was time for them to come help with Ryan. It is so nice of them to come. They were a HUGE help today - and of course they loved every minute they were with Ryan. They watched Ryan while Sharis went to get acupuncture to try and get labor going.

For Sharis' birthday, we took a picnic out to the park and sat in some gardens they have out there. It was a perfect night eating cheese, chicken, talapia, watermelon and cherries and watching Ryan run around in bare feet.

She felt light contraction throughout our picnic and they have now turned to medium contractions. So we might be on our way.

Happy Birthday to the love of my life.

Making the Most of It...

Despite being a bit slower getting around these days, it's been fun being out and about so that I can see people and answer the question, "When are you due?"
Love their reactions when I tell them last Friday! Especially men that don't have kids. They freak out that I'm going to deliver right there on the spot!!

Mother's Day #3

Today = Due Date + 2 days

Sharis is still the mother of only 1 child that lives outside the womb.

Mother's Day #2

I forgot to mention one of my favorite stories about mothers. Sharis' sister Marla posted it a couple of years ago and I find it so fitting to describe mothers.

If you haven't read it, it is worth getting through the whole thing. If you have already read it, it is so so worth it to read it again.

Happy Mother's Day

We would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers we know out there. I am very grateful to have a wife who took all of the knowledge her Mother (and Father) bestowed on her and applies it with all her heart to her own offspring.


I am also very grateful to have a Mother who taught me right from wrong, to always keep your integrity because that is the only thing that we truly own, and to be respectful to others. I try to pass those lessons on to my children.


Unfortunately Sharis doesn't have any grandmothers left but I am thankful to have at least one. I don't get to see her enough but want her to know that I do think about her and thank her for teaching my Dad to be the man he is.


And let's not forget Godmothers. My Auntie Trish has been very good to me over the years.


Finally, stereotypically, mother-in-laws can be a real pain in the behind sometimes but I honestly (and I am being VERY honest) think I have one of the best mother-in-laws a person can have.

Poo

If you don't like to hear about poo (even if it comes from little kids), you should skip this post.

Ryan released his first poo into the toilet tonight. We can always tell when he is going in his diaper and as soon as we look at him, he tells us "no" because he knows we are going to ask him to try and go sit on the toilet. Well, Sharis has been telling him lately that Elephant is going to go sit on the toilet first. It works because Ryan goes right in and sits on the toilet after Elephant is "done."

So tonight, I pretended that Elephant and I were having a quiet conversation. We (Elephant and I) were able to get Ryan to try harder than he usually does. And we had success! High five to Elephant. One poo chunk in the toilet. Such a big Little Man.

Is the Baby Here?

Nope.

Chicago Skyline

We took a walk (about a mile each way) out to the lake on this
gorgeous Friday afternoon. Maybe it will get labor going.

What does one DO on their DUE date?

This morning I got up and made Ryan some eggs. For those of you who wonder how big your stomach can really get during pregnancy...I burned mine reaching for something above the stove while cooking the eggs! Not used to that!!
After breakfast we went to Babies R Us to do some returns and buy a few more essentials. During that outing, I was halted several times by a severe cramp in my hip. I've been getting that for about 3 weeks now, but it lingered more this time. The baby definitely has something to do with that, but I'm hoping maybe labor does too. We'll see...no contractions yet....
Thanks to everyone for all of your thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers!

Nothing Yet

Hey blog fans...Dan wanted me to give you an update so here it is! I was sick yesterday and the night before, but am feeling much better today. Feeling large and a bit uncomfortable and very ready to have this baby though! I truly thought the babe would be here by now...considering Ryan was born at 39 weeks. At my midwife appointment on Tuesday I was 3cm and 80% effaced, for whatever that is worth. Dan thought I would have the baby today. Nope. Tomorrow is my due date and at this point I'm thinking I'll go beyond it. Trying to focus on this precious "extra" time I have with Ryan still as an "only" though and that's been really nice. Whenever you are ready, little one...we are ready for you!

Starbucks on a Saturday Morning

Stuffed Animal Lineup

This was the scene one morning when we went in to get him. Even the pillow made the lineup.

A Few More Park Pictures

I figured I would put up a couple more pictures from the park the day the "Folded Arms" picture in the previous post were taken. These pictures are all on Flickr and you could have seen them by clicking the picture in the previous post and gone through all the pictures on Flickr but I know a lot of people don't do that. Also, my grandparents get to see them this way. Finally, I also know that with the new baby coming, these pictures will get lost in the shuffle if I don't show them now.

Always a good time kicking around a dirty tennis ball left behind by one of the puppies in the park in your red fire engine rain boots ...

The News Is ...

Arms Folded Pose
Originally uploaded by flowmug

There is no news. Sharis has been feeling nauseous the past couple of days, but still no contractions. A week and a half ago she was dilated to 1 cm but nothing else to report. She is getting quite uncomfortable unfortunately. She has an appointment with the midwife tomorrow so there might be news tomorrow.

There really isn't a point to this picture of Ryan except blog posts are ALWAYS better with pictures. Folding arms is Ryan's new thing. Here he is surveying the park scene before he attempts to put his fire engine boot back on and joins the fun.