Cooper Charles Smith
The first week!!!!!
So, Cooper is now a week and two days old! What an adventure. He was born July 11, 2012 at 2:45 am. After fighting the good fight mom had a c-section and Cooper entered the world safely. The doctors were great and ensured that mom and baby were both safe throughout the entire procedure.The nursing staff on both the labor and delivery, and in the maternity ward were some of the most compassionate people we have ever met. They did everything they could to ensure that mom was comfortable and to make sure that the transition to having Cooper in our lives was as seamless as possible.
At birth Cooper weighed 7lb 12oz and was 20.5" long. He had a bit of a cone head from his attempt to travel the birth canal. We were planning on a natural birth, but after several hours of little to no progression his heart rate dropped and everyone agreed that a c-section was the best way to make sure everyone stayed safe. Dad was in the O.R. with mom and and Grandma was waiting outside. The operation seemed to take forever as mom and dad waited for Dr. Chisolm to hold Cooper up. When Cooper was finally out, he was taken to the warmer immediately as he was a bit lethargic. Shortly after there was a little crackly cry and Cooper announced his arrival by testing out his lungs. As soon as dad was able to, he picked him up and brought him to see mom, who was still on the operating room table. Cooper had a full head of dark brown hair and the most beautiful grey eyes you have ever seen. He was absolutely adorable. Mom, looking at his tiny tear-drop lips and said, "definitely not the flute"! From there several minutes were taken to talk about what instrument Cooper would play. This gave the O.R. staff a good laugh. When mom was all done with her operation, the nurses placed Cooper in her arms and mom and baby were wheeled to the recovery room. Cooper was alert, quiet and completely content.
Right away we knew he was a strong little boy....and stubborn too!! In the recovery room we spent over a half hour trying to get the little guy to nurse. His arms were so strong as he fought mom and the nurse. In the meantime, Dad went to bring Grandma back to meet her grandson.
In the morning grandma and dad went to get breakfast, at the full buffet, and brought it back to the room for mom. The afternoon brought Cooper's first fan club visitors; Uncle Jon, Aunt Liz, Grandma Cindy, Great-Aunt Susan, Grandpa Dennis, and Grandma Sharon. Grandpa Bob and Grandma Dorothy came by after dinner.
In his first week of life.....
1. Cooper got a bath at the hospital (which he didn't like) and got a bath at home (which he loved)
2. Got his first car ride (he slept all the way home)
3. Almost rolled over in the bassinet.
4. Pushed himself up with his legs.
5. Went to visit Dr. Gellin for the first time.
6. Had some home visitors
7. Started to grow eyelashes.
8. Learn how to breast feed
9. Become infatuated with Daddy's silly made up songs.
10. Found his hands.
