Cooper's Big Arrival

I figured while it's still pretty fresh on my mind, I better go ahead and write about Cooper's big arrival...even if I am 10 days late!

First of all, I must say that I was always and am still so glad I had a scheduled c-section.  It was so nice to get mentally prepared for what would be the biggest day of our lives.  Last Thursday morning (March 10th) started bright and early at 4:15 am.  Brad and I set our alarm, took showers, packed the car, and headed to the hospital at 6:00.  Once we got there the hour and a half we had to wait seems to drag by.  The nurses started my IV first and then hooked me up to the machine to monitor Cooper's heart rate.  Our parents arrived by 6:30 or so, and we all sat around and waited for the big moment.  Of course we had to snap a few before pictures...


Our last picture together before Cooper's big arrival

Finally, at 7:32 the nurses came in to take me to the operating room.  Brad had to go into a waiting room so they could get me all prepped.  From the moment I got into the very cold OR, time seemed to FLY by and everyone seemed like they were moving in fast forward.  The anesthesiologist started my spinal block, and within a couple of minutes, my lower half was completely numb.  After that, it seems like the blue sheet went up, Brad came in, and the c-section had started.  I remember everything so vividly.  I didn't feel any pain, but I felt a lot of pulling and tugging, and I remember my doctor saying what I was feeling was some type of electricity.  I'm still not really sure what that meant, but it felt like someone was constantly pulling on my ab muscles...it was a very weird feeling.  The next thing I knew, the anesthesiologist told me I was going to feel a lot of pressure for about 5-10 seconds, and I remember squeezing Brad's hand as hard as I could.  I didn't feel anything, but before I knew it, I heard everyone start saying that Cooper was here, and then I heard the very loud cries and screams. 


Cooper's first picture
Born at 7:59 am
6 pounds 15 ounces
20 inches long

The nurses took him and cleaned him up a little before bringing him over for me to see. The anesthesiologist captured some of my favorite pictures of the day...



Love at first sight!





First family picture

 I think I got to see him for about 30 seconds before Brad took him out to meet our families.

I love how happy Brad is in this picture!  Such a proud dad!

I stayed in the room for a little while longer while they finished fixing me up, and then they wheeled me off to the recovery room.  The nurse told me I would only be in there for an hour, but it ended up being 2 hours because the nurse that was monitoring me had about 10 patients, and it took her forever to finish my paperwork.  When I did finally get to my room, I had to wait another hour or so for Cooper to come in, but I must say, when I did finally get to see him again, it was love at first sight all over again! 

Seeing this little boy made everything we had been through over the past couple of years completely worth it!  He is absolutely PERFECT!!!