Our Sweet Baby Boy

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!

We're Ready!

We've made it to the end!  Somehow with all the craziness that has gone on in our lives the past 6 weeks, everything seems to be coming together.  We are as settled as it's going to get in our townhouse in  Lexington and are ready to bring Cooper to his new home.  After my last doctor appointment (39 weeks), I received the greatest news that Dr. Thomas thought we were about ready for induction since I'm still measuring 3cm and Cooper's due date is so close.  She is on call at Baptist East on Tuesday, May 27, so we are scheduled for induction that day!  Scott came home this Memorial Day weekend and we decided to have a nice relaxing family weekend before our big day.  I keep thinking Cooper will make his arrival on his own, but apparently that is not the case!

We took Wilson to a dog park today to spoil him a little.  His world is about to get turned upside down!  He has been staying at Todd's house (Scott's brother) while we have been in Louisville, but I think he is ready for our family to be reunited again.  I know I am!

Cooper's cousin, Harrison!  He had fun playing and running with Wilson.  I'm going to miss living with him and the Holemans, but at least we are so close now.  Still hard to believe we live in Kentucky!

Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend, too!

Almost there

The countdown to Cooper's arrival is getting so close!  The last couple weeks have been going by pretty fast.  We reached the weekend of May 16 that was creating much stress for me and Scott.  He had to fly to Florida to meet the movers who are packing up and bringing everything to Lexington.  I had this horrible fear that I would go into labor while he was away but Cooper held off!  We are starting to feel more prepared and organized.  We have the keys to our temporary townhouse in KY and will be getting somewhat settled there prior to bringing a baby home.  Our hospital bags are packed and now we are eagerly awaiting a hospital adventure!  My appointments are going well and I have progressed to 3 cm and am 70% effaced.  That has to mean he's coming early or on time, right?!  It's so hard to wait!!

37 Weeks...Cooper is about 6lbs on ultrasound.  My belly is getting so large! Not much more room in there, Coop, might as well come out :)

 38 Weeks

A Kentucky Derby Baby Shower

I had almost forgotten how fun it is to be in Louisville the weeks leading up to Derby.  We even had a Derby themed baby shower on April 26.  My sister and cousin Meredith worked so hard to honor Cooper and me. I am so grateful to everyone in the family who attended!

The hostesses and me

 how cute are these cookies?!

 mom and me

 Scott arrived at the end of the shower to thank everyone

Harrison wanted to get in a picture, too :) He already loves 'baby Cooper' and tries to talk to him through my belly button! He also likes to tell me "that's a really big belly, kiki!"

 me and my love.  I'm so lucky to have him on this journey with me

Lastly, to get in the Derby spirit my mom, sister and mother in law went to a painting class to make jockey silks for a cute decoration!  They turned out great and were a lot of fun to make.  Now I just need a home so I can hang it from my front door!!