Home from the Hospital...Micah's first visitors

We got to come home from the hospital today after our 76 hour stay. Grandma and Grandpa Edwards came over tonight to visit with us and Micah.


High Resolution Versions posted HERE

Marcus & Micah (Daddy and Son)

I finally gave up the camera for a few seconds to allow Spring to snap a few photos of Micah and I.





High Resolution Versions posted HERE

Micah Day 2

A few photos from the hospital today:

His facial expression reminds me so much of myself in this photo

Staring into the camera

Mommy and baby

Too cute

Is that a smile Micah?

Micah Edward Cooke - 27 April 2008

Praise the Lord! Micah Edward Cooke was born on 27 April 2008 at 2:53pm. Weighing in at 6 lbs 13 oz. and 20.5 inches long. We thank everyone for their continued thoughts, support and prayers.

Micah 3:8
But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might...

Photos from Micah's first few hours posted HERE.

Contractions!

Spring started having contractions in the middle of the night. She is pretty confident that they are contractions and not false labor. We are that much closer....

Beautifully Pregnant at the Beach

With only a few days until baby Micah arrives we decided to do one last photo shoot. Took some photos in Seal Beach this evening at sunset. I went into the shoot wanting to get a silhouette of Spring as the sun set in the background. Enjoy!

Micah's Room

I haven't quite captured it the way I'd like to, but . . . here are some pictures of Micah's room. I love the chair!
~S

An Expectant Mommy's Done List

I often find myself writing "to do lists." I think it is just as important to stop and consider what has been done . . .

1. Washed all of Micah's clothing, blankets, and cloth diapers.

2. . . . I also folded everything and put it away.

3. Stocked up on and organized stuff for changing diapers.

4. Stocked up on and organized stuff for grooming and bathing baby Cooke.

5. Worked with Marcus to put the bassinette/play-yard together.

6. Read the manual for the carseat.

7. Packed my bag for the hospital.

8. Prepped and put several dinners in the freezer.

9. Taken a breastfeeding class, purchased supplies, and organized them in preparation for Micah's arrival.

10. Cleaned out the refrigerator.

I think that's all that's noteworthy at this time. I won't make a list of all the things I have left to do, that wouldn't be any fun at all right now.

~S

I need a snack :-)

Micah's Baby Shower Was the Best Ever!

It was really hard to pick pictures for this post because everyone who attended the shower on Saturday is someone special to us. So, every single picture could have been included. I've selected a few to share, if you'd like to see more, visit Marcus' flikr account here. Baby Micah is well loved and we can't wait to meet him . . . everyone else seems excited to meet him too. Marcus and I would especially like to thank Tonya and Melissa for everything they did to make it a special celebration.

~S

Breastfeeding Class Part 2of 2

It went well. I am also very glad that Marcus agreed to come with me both times. As a result, we have been able to make some informed decisions together. I did not have to convince him of the necessity of planning ahead for some things any longer, he took charge and has helped/empowered me to continue planning ahead for the things that we can plan ahead for.

Micah's nursery is coming along nicely. All of his things have been washed. There are still some things that need to be removed from the room and other things that need to be put into the room, but it is almost done. I don't think I'll be able to post pictures for at least another week or so because we are waiting for some things to come in the mail.

~S

Breastfeeding Class Part 1 of 2

I forgot to post about this the other evening. Umm. Breastfeeding class provided some useful information, this information could have been shared in all of about 30 minutes. The rest of the time we were subjective to some really painful attempts to convince us of the necessity of breastfeeding. Some of their tactics are really unnecessary. Anyway, we did learn that there are some things you can do to increase your chances for success. So, we will be attending part 2. They are supposed to provide some guidance about which products to buy for breastfeeding . . . I hope that information is useful as well.

~S

Hospital Tour

Marcus and I did the hospital tour this evening. I think it was worthwhile. One of the most valuable things we learned were some of the visitation rules. Our hospital only has 2 private rooms! These are available on a first come first serve basis and they have an additional fee that isn't covered by insurance. In the double occupancy rooms, the hospital makes every effort to provide as much privacy as possible. If you have a roommate though, your "coach" ie Marcus has to leave at 10pm! Marcus and I were not happy when we heard this. We recovered a little bit when they made it clear that if you don't have a roommate your coach can stay and sleep in the other bed. Most everything else seemed okay. The baby can stay in the room with you, they actually prefer not to send babies to the nursery unless it is medically necessary. Marcus can stay in the nursery with him and take pictures when he has to be there. Anyway, I hope Marcus doesn't have to leave baby Micah and I . . . I don't want to spend our first night as a family alone with the baby.

Oh. One mom talked to me while I was waiting for Marcus to pull the car around. She said that she was having her 3rd baby. I asked her why she was taking the tour. She said that she had a different doctor and delivered at a different hospital with her 2nd child. It was a terrible experience for her, she said if she'd taken the tour and seen what it was going to be like she probably would have changed hospitals if not doctors before delivering. So, the conclusion, a hospital tour is worth it, even though it is certainly not done in the most time efficient way possible.

~S

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.