He's here!

I am pleased to announce that our bouncing baby boy has arrived! Cameron James (CJ) Cook was born at 1:39pm on Feb. 7th weighing 7 lb 5 oz, 19 inches long. He is my angel baby. I am sooo in love with him, I just can't express it with words! Wes will catch me staring at him and tease me but I just can't help it. I think it's awesome how God has a sense of humor. The baby that I wasn't sure I was ready for has filled my heart with so much love in just 5 days! And good news....he didn't complain when he got home about the laundry not being done!

Here's how it all went down....

On Monday morning, the 7th, I woke up at 5 am with a painful contraction but then nothing really happened until around 6:30 am when I started having more regular contractions. I had thought I might be starting labor quite a few times in the past few days so I casually mentioned to Wes that I was having a few contractions but I didn't tell him he needed to stay home from work or anything. So, off he went to work and then the contractions got closer together, about 7-8 minutes apart. I called the doctor because she had told me to let her know when things started moving so I could get to the hospital in time. She said to go ahead and come in and get admitted.

I called Wes and he started laughing and said "I've been at work for about 5 minutes!" At that point, I was like "doesn't matter, get your butt in the car!" So, we met at the hospital and got admitted but my contractions were still about 7-8 minutes apart. By the time we got our room around 9am, the contractions started slowing and I was thinking "Oh great, they're going to send me home!" So, I started pacing the hospital room because it seemed to help the contractions come closer together. I was finally checked by a nurse and she said I was about 6 cm dialated. She then told me that there was only one person giving epidurals on the floor and that if I wanted to make sure I got one before the pain really hit, I should get one at that point. Well, I was already worried that my labor was slowing down so I didn't want to get the epidural and slow things down even more. So I said, I will wait.........

Around noon, the contractions were getting more painful so I said "I'm ready for my epidural!" and they were like "well, it could be a while." Hmmm....should have gotten it earlier. So then my doctor came in to break my water and said "You're 8 cm dialated and if I break your water now, you will have this baby with no drugs." That's not really something that I have ever wanted to do so they were able to get me moved up the list so that I could get some pain relief before the baby came. Around 1pm, I got the epidural but I was still feeling my contractions pretty regularly. About 1:30pm I said to Wes, "These contractions are painful!" He looked at the monitor and he goes, "Well, they aren't looking that bad on the monitor!"

At that point, if I had something to throw at Wes, I probably would have! So he said call the nurse then. So I call the nurse and told her I was feeling a lot of pain, especially in the tops of my legs and she said "well, the monitor isn't showing that bad of a contraction." AGAIN...if I would have had something to throw, I would have hit her in the face. So she checks and says "Well, now I know why they are painful...the baby's head is about to come out! THANK YOU!! Monitor...shmonitor!

The next 15 minutes are always a fun flurry of activity watching them get things ready for you to finally push out your baby. It signals that the end is near. And with one push, he was out! I like to joke that Cameron started birthing himself because no one believed he was on his way!

Since his birth, he has charmed everyone in his midst. Preston says he's so cute and is very much interested in making sure he is comfortable. He gets him his pacifier and also gets him blankets to make sure he is warm. Owen likes to point at the baby and trys to say CJ but can't quite say it. He also likes to use Cameron as a way of getting out of trouble. I was going towards Owen to punish him and he stops in front of Cameron and starts trying to talk to him, thinking that will make me forget he's in trouble! Little sneak!! Wes and my mom have been such a big help as well! This has been the best "bringing home baby" experience I've had with any of my babies.

So all you debating another child....I say go for it!! :) Go make some babies!!!

Baby Update

Hello from the icy state of Indiana!! We just recently had a "big" icestorm that kept things interesting around here. We got at least an inch or inch and a half of ice all over. The kids have been out of school since Tuesday! Makes me wanna be a kid again to get all of those snow days. They are going to be hating it later when they have to go to school until July! :)

I am just thankful that baby Cook didn't decide to make an appearance during the first few days of the storm. I knew I loved him! I went to the doctor on Tuesday and I was 4 cm dialated and she said things were progressing nicely. She said she's expecting sometime next week for things to happen. I say let's get this party started!!

My mom and dad will be here this weekend and then my mom officially becomes prisoner of the Cook house! My dad is going to come up on weekends to be with us so that will be really nice as well!

Preston has been fighting a small cold and then we just found out today that Owen has a double ear infection. But for all of it, they have been acting great. They have really started bonding since we moved them into their joint bedroom. Every night they lay down in Preston's bed and just talk and laugh and have a good ol time with Wes. It is so cute to see all of my loves together enjoying each other. I have so much joy right now when I see them together. And Preston has been teaching Owen to talk more. I hear them at naptime going over words with each other. It's quite cute.

Well, think of me in the coming week and pray for a good delivery if you would! I am ready to ditch this belly, that is for sure!! Hope everyone is doing well.

Continue prayers for Chuck!

Here is an update on Chuck since I haven't posted anything about his condition for a while. The news hasn't been great. Please keep Sara and Chuck in your prayers as they make decisions about the future! This is written by their neighbor, Lee.

Dear Friends,

Those of you who have followed Chuck's battle with cancer this past year, know that he has shown great determination and strength. As you already know, Chuck and Sara received the crushing news right before Thanksgiving that traditional chemotherapy was no longer viable and they began the search for a clinical trial. Earlier this month Chuck began the experimental treatment which consisted of transmitting chemo drugs directly into his liver via a port in his groin. Contrary to Sara's last posting, the process was brutal and Chuck lost yet another 7-8# and he now weighs 60-70#'s less than when this all began. Shortly after returning to their Houston hotel to recover from the procedure, Chuck declared, "No more chemo."

The next step was meeting with the alternative medicine doctor who will take a holistic approach to the cancer treatment -- this treatment has the same odds of success as the clinical trial chemo treatment. Chuck and Sara are mov ing into this next phase with the same determination and positive attitude as they have all through this struggle, but it is wearing on both of them. During this treatment, they will be able to live at home in Tampa with frequent trips to Houston, and Sara is able to return to work.

Stopping the chemo treatments was an extremely difficult decision for Chuck. Both Chuck and Sara need all our love and support and patience during this very difficult time Chuck's energy is limited because of the cancer; Sara's energy is limited because of her job, and the incredible stress of Chuck's disease and needs. There are so many things they wish they could do -- like visit friends, answer calls and write emails -- but they have to take what energy they do have and expend it wisely. Right now, they just need our love with no expectations.
We have just learned that Chuck's most recent tests show that his cancer tumors continue to grow despite his recent chemo treatment, thus reinforcing his decision to discontinue that treatment. He has begun the alternative medicine treatment including megadoses of tumeric, and this week at least, he is feeling good. As always, keep Chuck and Sara in your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to let them know you're thinking of them with emails, texts, cards (sent to their home address at 8733 Bay Pointe Drive, Tampa FL 33615) or messages here on the website.

Whoa. Sorry.

Here's my friend Melissa and I looking preggo! I'm a couple weeks ahead of her. This will be her second baby and my third.

I have been shirking my blogging responsibilities big time haven't I?? I am so glad I have people that ask me about it because it means that there are still people out there reading! (Love you Grampee!)

Part of the reason I haven't written lately is because the past few weeks have just been calm and nothing too noteworthy has happened! I am still getting ready for the baby by desperately trying to win the cleaning game against two youngsters that seem set on winnning the dirty game! I did breakdown last night and started bawling about how the baby was going to be horrified when he walked (yes, in my anxieties, he is walking and is very judgemental!) into our house and saw that I hadn't swept the kitchen floor! Poor Wes....he knows me well enough now to just let me cry about stuff and then we drop it. I also accused Wes of hating all of my meals and just prefering peanut butter sandwiches. You should have seen his face. Deer in the headlights!! :) He's a good good man.

Isn't it funny how nesting works? I'm actually thinking it's pretty pathetic! Today I will be ripping off all of the sheets from all of the beds and washing them because they couldn't possibly be dirty for the baby! He's not even going to be sleeping in any of the beds!! But I must do it. I must! I have already cleaned out the freezer and the pantry and Wes cleaned out the van. I've cleaned out the nursery and washed all the clothes. Because he cares!!! I know he cares!!!

Well, 3 weeks left as of today! I will keep you all posted on the progress if you care. If not, come back for pictures when my walking, judgemental baby is born! Hehe.

Goodbye, Old Friend

Today is the day we say goodbye to our little blue-green friend, Paci. He's been a part of the family for nearly 2 years. I was getting worried that he would never leave! But as quickly as he came, he was gone. Owen slept without it for the first time on Friday night and Wes and I decided it was time to pull the plug and we never looked back. Thankfully the transition was smooth! I was expecting to have to do this after the new baby came but I'm so happy that now I don't have to!

Now, I need a new type of pacifier for the baby because I'm not going to give him the same kind as Owen and then have him stealing it all day! And yes, I will be giving the new baby a pacifier so for all those who don't do pacifiers.....I need them! For my sanity!

So comment and let me know what brand of pacifier your kids loved!

New Year = New Attitude

The funny thing about my last post is that when I didn't write for a while, I kinda tricked you guys into thinking I've been shipped off to the funny farm! Well, thankfully, that hasn't happened. Yet. Thanks to everyone that commented on my last post as well! I really felt like a lot of you have been where I was at. Your comments made me laugh and realize that better days were ahead!

I am still here, happy and healthy! I had a rough December to say the least, but I feel like I am in a much better frame of mind starting out the new year. You know the thing that has helped me the most? Getting validation from people around me that I wasn't crazy!! My family came for the holidays and they all got to enjoy the "Owen experience." (Let me insert at this point that I LOVE this kid. I only make fun of his actions because I have been so unprepared for them!) By the end of our time in Memphis, Owen had my mom crying, my dad shaking his head and me saying "Finally, someone else sees what I'm dealing with!!" It was wonderful!

He will forever be responsible for any future gray hairs that pop out of my head.

But enough about him....let's talk about me.

This year is going to be a great one. I am going to make it that way if it kills me! Wes and I are going to be turning the big 3-0 this year! I can't believe that I am this old, but it helps that I still look like a freshman in college. I have so much to be happy for that 30 is going to be a time where I can thank God for all of His blessings. As my brother in law Chuck said over Christmas, "2011 is a year of overcoming!" I am going to make that my mantra as well.

Baby Cook is going to be here in 6 weeks! My anxiety has turned towards anticipation of his arrival. I have loved planning things for when he gets here. I have my house pretty much in order. (note I didn't say clean!) Another thing that has helped get me excited was seeing how active he's being inside of me! He is all over the place!! I love it! I think he's ready to come out now, but I think he needs some more time. We are going to be delivering at the same hospital that we had Owen at; Community North in Castleton. We had such a great experience last time that I'm hoping we can repeat it! His due date got moved from February 15th to the 14th, but I'm hoping he either comes before or after V-day and not on it! I don't want Wes to have any excuses why he can't take me out for Valentine's day!! ;)

I did tell my mom that she wasn't allowed to leave after visiting once the baby is born until I give her the okay. She could be here for months. Possibly years.

Hope you all had a happy New Years day!

I'm Freakin' Out.

Wow. I am normally a fairly calm person. I can usually let things roll off me and not be too worse for wear. Not this past week. I pretty much lost my mind. I couldn't stop crying, worrying about the future with this new baby. I stopped answering when my family called. I just didn't want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to wallow in my fears.

Finally on Friday, my mom called and I fessed up to her how much I was freaking out! You gotta love my mom. She said "That's because this baby is making you crazy!" She does have a point. My hormones have been sooo out of whack. With P and O, I was fine, not many crazy outbursts or crying fits (except for the time my MIL and I were playing cards and I got super mad...haha oops), but this time, I am crying at commercials. I'm crying for other people. I'm crying for myself. Basically I'm just a mess.

Thankfully, my mom invited me to come for a few days before Christmas down to Memphis so that her and my dad could take care of me and the kids. It was an offer I couldn't refuse! So, Saturday morning I packed up the kids and we headed South. I'm so glad we did. I was in desperate need of a change of scenery! And having my parents here to help with the kids has been priceless. So, now I can go into Christmas feeling a bit calmer than I was a few days ago.

Why am I freaking out about this new baby? Well, it's probably not due to the baby himself. It's due to his wonderful brothers. They are wearing me down. Here's a few examples:

1. Preston has been coming into our room for the past few months and sleeping on the floor at random times in the middle of the night. You never know when he's going to show up. At least we have it down to the point where he will come in and just lay down instead of staring down Wes until he woke up! Haha. Loss of sleep is never cool.

2. Preston has regressed in his potty-training. I know. I can't believe it. He has started having accidents almost everyday!! I mean....really???? He is 4 years old! This one has thrown Wes and I for a loop. We have tried all sorts of things to put an end to this and nothing seems to be working. I feel like we are potty-training all over again. Again...so not cool.

3. General mischief. Here is a common example of how things can go from in control at our house to quickly out of control. I was talking to Sara on the phone so Preston used that opportunity to get out a marker (thankfully washable) and colored all over doors, cabinents, tables, generally anything he could reach. He even wrote his name on the coffee table. Uncle Chuck said that I can be proud that he can write his name. For some reason, that brought me little solace.

At this point, I hope you can see why I might be freakin' out just a wee bit. Because Preston is my behaved child!!! I haven't even told you about naughty Owen.

4. I already shared with you about Owen's toilet flushing excursions. There's nothing like having to check before you pee to make sure you're not peeing on one of your prized possessions!

5. Owen took a nightlight and somehow burned out the bulb and then made the holder somehow start smoking. Thankfully I caught him before he burned the house down.

6. Owen has started hitting and pushing people. Especially if he doesn't get his way. Add on top of that his lovely scream I've told you about and you just have a wonderful bundle of joy to be around. It was so funny because we had a playdate with another little boy Owen's age and the boy started calling Owen "Baby Monkey" because of his shrieking.

Alas, these are the reasons I'm beginning to think I'm not cut out to have another child to care for. I can't even take care of the ones I have!! As Wes lovingly told me.."Stace, it's a little too late to back out." Yeah, tell me about it.

So, if you think of me, say a prayer for my sanity. That I can keep it!

As a parting gift, I will show you a picture of the aftermath of Preston and Owen getting into chocolate cupcakes while I was writing this blog. I don't make this stuff up, peeps. I was able to get him contained while I picked up the cupcake off the floor and the couch. Sorry Mom!

This just says it all in a nutshell.
If you have any words of encouragement for me...please leave them in the comment section. I will be eternally grateful!!