Cooper Patrick Lease is here!!

I know, I know. This is old news by now, but for those who want details, here they are.

Cooper Patrick Lease was born at 11:43AM Friday, October 23, 2009. He weighed 7lbs 3.4oz and was 20.5" long.

He is absolutely the most handsome little guy I have ever seen.

Our day started about 4:00AM. Quentin and I were both so anxious that we couldn't sleep anymore, so we got up and dressed. We had planned to leave for the hospital around 6AM (I was supposed to be there by 7:30) but we jumped the gun on that too, and I was all checked in at the hospital and in an "assessment" room by 6:30AM. Apparently it was a crazy morning, and even though I was not supposed to stay in the "assessment center" I did because there were no rooms in Labor and Delivery available. The nurses came in and hooked me up to the monitors, started an IV, and then we waited.

I was anxious, and there of course was nothing on tv, so the time seemed to pass like molasses. Finally, at 9:00 we decided to ask about the expected timeline and they told us that there were at least 2 emergency C-sections ahead of us, and they weren't sure how much longer it would be. My scheduled C-section was at 9:30 - so we knew it wasn't going to be on time. Not long after that they came in ad got me to go over to Labor and Delivery so that final preparations could be made. Anesthesiology came in and told me all about the procedure and the checked to make sure Cooper was still head down, and then the ball really started rolling.


I have to admit, it is quite strange walking yourself in the operating room. Once we got there I sat up on the table and they did a combination spinal block / epidural. It is nerve wracking sitting there while you know someone is about to stick a giant needle into your back, my legs were shaking uncontrollably and I was scared to death I was going to move and mess everything up. It didn't help matters that the doctor that I thought would actually be doing it was standing to the side of me telling a grad student what to do as he poked and jabbed before finally starting the procedure. All in all, it wasn't that bad and life was numb. I laid down and they checked me about every 2 minutes to see how far up I was numb. By the time they quit poking me with a toothpick, I was numb up to my armpits, and couldn't feel anything but "touch, tug, pull, and pressure". I could feel everything, but there was no pain. I heard the doctors talk about getting started and had to send someone to get Quentin (he wasn't allowed in the room during the epidural). He came in the room literally right as they were starting.

I remember everything, the lights, the monitors, the sounds, the weird feelings of body parts moving around, everything. The actual C-section was relatively comfortable, except right when they were delivering Cooper. There was a TON of pressure on my ribs and stomach area, it almost felt like I couldn't breath. I was laying there feeling like it was taking forever to get Cooper out, and when they held that little purple guy up over the drapes I was instantly in love. I remember being completely overwhelmed with joy and even crying. When Quentin told me it had only been 13 minutes since they started I couldn't hardly believe it.



They took Cooper over and got him all cleaned up and weighed. Quentin got to go over and watch, but he couldn't get the camera out because of his scrubs so we didn't get pictures of him in the delivery room. They let Quentin bring him over to me and I was able to see him. My arms weren't tied down, but I was afraid to move them so I didn't even try. They finished putting me back together, which really did take forever. I was in a hurry to go hold my baby after all.. They moved me off the operating table and I had an awful feeling that they were going to drop me for some reason, and off we went to recovery. Cooper came with us and I was able to hold him and nurse him immediately. I was really worried about breastfeeding, but my milk came in on the second day and we have been going strong ever since.

After a couple hours we were ready for visitors. I was so excited to see Adyson's reaction to her baby brother. My mom, Grandma Bonnie, and Adyson came into the room, and Adyson was immediately awestruck. She knew right away that he was her "baby Cooper" and the he came out of mommy's belly. Adyson absolutely LOVES her little brother and she is a wonderful big sister.

We came home from the hospital Monday afternoon. Recovery has actually been a little easier than I expected, don't get me wrong, the first few days were awful. I felt fine as long as I was laying down, but when I stood up I felt like my stomach was going to fall out onto the floor!! Today, a little over a week later, I can get up and out of bed onmy own, up and down the stairs with no problems, and even went out trick or treating for a little bit with Ady and Coop last night. Each day it gets easier and easier.