Fresh baby belly

He just had a morning bath. Smells delicious. And is chilling looking out his window. :) I might eat him with a spoon this morning!
Oh and is it a crime if I crank up the heat so he doesn't need clothes today? This skin is the best!

Homecoming Queen

April 4, 2012 ~Our Homecoming was overwhelming.  Having been in the hospital for over a week I couldn't wait to step outside the hospital.  Not to be too dramatic, (Sometimes that's hard for me) ;) but it felt like a glimpse into what it feels like to have been behind bars for a few years and then finally let outside to see the real world.  

This song came into my head as soon as we began packing up.......

I couldn't wait to bring Henry into our home, to lay him in his crib, to rock him in our chair.  B got lil' man all snug in his car seat and took our two cart loads of stuff down to the car.  Then it was time to load up the family.  

I sat in the back with our new and perfect passenger.  Looking out the window I couldn't believe how things had changed in a week, leaves on almost all the trees, flowers blooming everywhere, it was a wonderful surprise.  :) 
The moment I walked down the hallway towards Barry who was holding Henry outside the door to his room, and I broke.  I felt the weight of a thousand elephants lift from my shoulders, the comfort and peace of our amazing family and friends, and the blessing of being a healthy mom to a healthy baby.  I broke.  In the form of clothes soaking tears.  

What a feeling it was.  Glory be to God. 

The Days After You Arrived.

The moment you arrived a rush of happiness entered our lives as if we were a balloon being constantly filled with happy helium.  That feeling extended outside our little hospital room, filled the hallways of the hospital, and touched our family anxiously sitting in the waiting area.  

Your Grandparents taking a good look at your handsome features.

The new grandfather loving what he sees.

Your great grandparents. (Great Granny and Pepaw that is)  :)

Your two wonderful aunts.  :) 

Your proud and super cool uncle Chris.

Then you decided to show us your eyes and throw us overboard into a love fest.  

That night your Daddy and I sat watching over you as the best day of our lives, got a little bit better.  Ya know the cherry on top kind of better.  :)  

Your first sporting event happened to be watching our beloved Kentucky Wildcats when their 8th NCAA National Championship.  (Some of us think that's why you wanted to get here so badly.) 

The following day you had a joyous group of visitors coming to see how wonderful you are.

Aunt Leigh-Ann, who is caring your best girl friend Savannah Elizabeth.  You will be her little bodyguard.  :)

Your wonderful aunt Nami, whose going to make sure her baby boy Kiran shows you how to grow big and strong.

Aunt Ali came to see you.  Her little man Woods will show you how to throw a ball and generally smile 100% of the time.

Your Aunt Lauren is going to love you to pieces.  She will make your stomach hurt a lot when you're older from laughing so hard. :) 

Aunt Lauren and aunt Sarah brought along little Reagan who is quite the Cougar.  :)  

We spent the rest of our day and night loving and holding you.  It was almost a surreal moment.  We had to pinch ourselves constantly to remember you were real and ours forever.  

We love you Henry Boo.

A piece of heaven- April 2nd 10:07am

         My thoughts have been away at sea for the past week.  They arrive back at port for a moment today to share with you the joyous news.

On April 2nd, at 10:07a.m. a piece of heaven was placed in my arms.  He's like nothing and everything I've ever known. At 19.5 inches and 5.13lbs Henry Thomas Cooper and all his perfection has Made Barry and I's world a miraculous place.  

 

I'll be sharing our story when I can.  Right now my time is spent learning how to be the best mother I can be, praying thanks, crying happy tears, feeding, and staring at this precious angel who is now in our home.  

Thank you to all who kept praying for Henry and I.  Words can not express the appreciation we have for that, and we sure felt them, every last one. 

Henry Boo, We love you.  

Henry-This was playing as you entered the world and will forever be ingrained in my memory.  

Mother Goose

My other birthing partner.  :)  This mother goose is sitting outside my window in her nest of leaves.  Sounds strange but it make me feel better to know there's another momma around here working for her babies.  :) Even through the pouring rain today she sat. Calm. Cool. And collected.  I hope I'm as good as her.

Imagining Love

There are some things our human brains just aren't capable of understanding no matter how hard we try.  When I think about heaven my imagination only goes so far before it stops abruptly on the edge of a ledge.  Thinking about how something that seems as simple as a honey bee is so complex and the same God who made them capable of finding their way back to their hives by the position of the sun in the sky also created and loves me is mind blowing.

The same is true when I try to imagine you Henry.  For quite some time now you have consumed the majority of my thoughts.  I think about how much I love you and how much more I will love you each day of my life.  I think alot about your little tiny feet, chubby toes, sweet wrinkled hands, the back of your little neck with the peach fuzz on it.  What I can't imagine is your face.  Try as I may picturing what your face looks like is impossible to my little human brain.  We have this 3D picture of you from your 18 week ultrasound, yet I know you will look different, fuller, real, and will take my breath away. 

My brain can't understand the journey that will lead you to us tomorrow and the mental, emotional, and physical roller coaster that is about to take place makes me more than anxious.  I just can't wait to be on the other side of it all. To hold you in my arms as your mommy will be a life changing moment that all other moments in my life will be measured by.  Tomorrow we begin that journey sweet baby boy.  Until then my eyes and brain await your awakening of our senses.  I love you forever. 

Love,
Your Mommy

The Super Hero Dad Who Loves Us

Baby Henry,
Your Daddy loves us so much.  Of course you probably have heard me say that before, but the last few days he has been a super hero of sorts.  Hanging on to questions and few answers given by our doctors each day has surely been an emotional/mental strain for him, but you wouldn't know it.
He has spent each day right here with us, not wanting to leave our side.  I know you like it when he talks to you through the belly button microphone.  He sleeps on the little make shift bed next to us each night and during the day does anything he can to make us feel better and more at ease.

Since mommy hadn't packed our bags yet this has involved him going home each day to have a scavenger hunt.  He reads and follows instructions such as "get waterproof mascara, the pink tube not the gold one, in the third clear plastic drawer under the makeup brushes, on the bottom shelf of the bathroom closet".
He picked out mittens, hats, and onesies for you to wear (of course he threw in some UK gear).  He has also worn his super hero cape to stores that are typically despised by most men, like BuyBuyBaby where he purchased girly things such as a diaper bag and belly butter.  :)  He bought you sheets that he then took home and washed so you would have a clean place to sleep when we get home. 

The best thing your Daddy does is let us know how much he loves us.  He's always telling us how much we mean to him and touching us to make us feel good.  He prays with us daily in such a strong way.
Your dad can't wait to meet you Sweet baby boy.  (and your mommy can't either)  :)  Your so loved.