Cooper Alexander Wilkinson made his arrival on Tuesday, May 27th at 6:10pm! He weighed 7lb 12 oz and was 20 inches long. It was by far the most amazing thing we have ever experienced. The whole day seemed perfect and ended with the birth of our perfect little baby. The morning started early with a phone call to Labor and Delivery at 4:45am to find out that they had a bed available for me and to come on in!
Here is Scott and me leaving the house!
Once we got to the hospital things progressed at a good pace. I got settled into my room and Pitocin was started at 8am. I had just purchased a new book from my favorite author so I attempted to pass the time reading (I even tweeted the picture of me reading to her!) and texting updates to friends and family. Labor really started picking up after they broke my water around 9am.
Reading my book!
and sending text updates
loving those ice chips
After they broke my water and turned the Pitocin up I was having good contractions about every 2-3 minutes. Finally around 11am I decided I was ready for the epidural. As much as I thought I would just LOVE it, I actually found the loss of control and sensation in my lower body was so bizarre! But I would definitely get one again. I was immediately more relaxed and comfortable for the rest of the birthing process. After the epidural we were all waiting around until I was 10cm.
Scott reclined and napped in the afternoon. I was joking around that labor was tiring for him
and our families waited patiently for Cooper in the waiting room...2 thumbs up for Cooper
At about 5pm I was at 10cm and ready to start pushing. Of course it takes awhile to get everything set up, but by 5:40 I started pushing. We had baby Cooper just 30 minutes later!
My nurse calling Dr. Thomas to let her know we were ready!
Scott getting his spot ready next to me
he wasn't sure if he was ready for the pushing part (see him hiding)
making progress!
....and then our lives were forever changed!
Someone did not like getting weighed
7lbs 12 oz!
I love this picture of him while the nurses were getting him measured and checking his APGAR score
he loved sucking on his hands!
I think that's a little smile!
we did kangaroo care for an hour post delivery and then everyone came in to see baby Cooper
we also had some visitors on the Mother Baby Unit
The rest of the hospitalization was a mixture of excitement, happiness, sleepiness and so much learning about how to care for our newborn.
Daddy's first diaper change!
By Thursday we were ready for discharge and to go to our new home in Lexington. We picked up Wilson and made our drive home successfully. Finally we were all together!
Cooper Wilkinson in his going home outfit
Wilson and Cooper on the drive home. The first interaction went surprisingly well and Wilson continues to be a great big brother! He is very interested in Cooper and wants to be by his side as soon as he hears Cooper crying.
The hour car ride home
Cooper sleeping in his Rock and Play and Wilson keeping watch
Two very happy (and sleepy! haha) proud parents
How can you not love this cute little guy?! He is handsome just like his daddy :) We already love you so much Cooper!
