Hi, My name is Stephanie....and it has been over 1 year since my last post

I can't believe it has been well over a year since my last update. Time has flown, and then some. Apparently having an infant turn into a bit of a toddler in the last year has kept us busy! So busy, that I never even have time to check emails these days - all I want to do is pass out when rocking my little Co-Bear at night. For those of you with a 17 month old, and a mind that can't focus on something longer than 2 minutes (if that..), I knew you'd understand. For the rest of you, well - just tell me how you do it. I'm willing to try to learn ...maybe. :)

I guess I should start with our year in review - so I can somewhat catch up as long as I can remember what happened. No promises that the following happened in the exact order as they are listed, but I tried.

• In October of last year Brook was offered the opportunity for a promotion at work. He accepted and we immediately started 'de-cluttering the house' and preparing for our home to officially be 'For Sale'
• Brook started his job in November 2011 in Ankeny, IA where he was sleeping on a friend's couch during the week days until we could find a home and wrap our lives around a big move with an infant in tow.
• We eventually found a home at the end of November and closed on December 23rd, 2011. Merry Christmas to us! We took the keys, dropped off some things in our new home and began our usual holiday travels for family Xmas parties.
• somewhere in the crazy house shopping and offer negotiation, I was offered a job for a career changing opportunity.... on the other side of the state. Completely excited that I found a job, and one I really wanted, but it was a total game changer as to how we would work as a family for awhile.We decided that I should go for it (yay!!) and we'd figure everything out as we go.
• ISU played in the Pinstripe bowl over New Years, so of course - we spent a week out in New York with friends to celebrate the new year.
• As soon as we were back from New York, the moving company was moving our belongings into our new home, giving us 2 days to try to unpack and get ready before I had to begin traveling across the state for work that next Monday.
• My first few months into the job were pretty tough on all of us. I was gone about 4 days a week and would come home to a 6 month old who no longer slept through the night! Cohen had taken it the hardest with a new environment, a daycare and no longer having a mom during the weekdays. We didn't expect him to realize all of the changes, but it is pretty amazing how smart these little kids are today. It eventually took us 4-5 months until Cohen would sleep through the night consistently again.
• Once we had gotten through January and February 2012, we were pretty much slowing down and focusing back on our little Cohen again. Maybe I should no longer call him 'little' - he was enjoying solid foods that we were making and pureeing from scratch. Brook and I had a system of steaming veggies on Sunday nights and packaging everything up with breast milk, formula and foods so it was an easy transition for Brook in the mornings - grabbing a packed cooler full of everything Cohen needed for daycare and heading out the door.
• Since the last post - Cohen had rolled over, crawled, stood and then cruised with furniture - even had most of his teeth in. He was experiencing his first colds due to daycare germs and the awesome, never ending (so it seems) coughs that he just couldn't get rid of.
• We took a family trip to California in April 2012 to visit the famous Sonoma Valley wineries and spent a week with our parents, with Cohen in tow. His first airplane ride was successful. He slept through most of the flights and when he was awake, was all smiles to see grandparents all around us. I was just thankful we weren't 'Those People' who bring their screaming children on the airplane and don't try everything to calm their kids. Cohen only had a short whining session when another child across the aisle from us was screaming and in tears. once I calmed him down, I shared new books with the other mother - in case all her daughter needed was something new to look at. It only helped for a little bit... but I was happy to have her quiet for 10 minutes :)
• Cohen's first words were 'ball' and 'pup-pup'. Although he was picking up on a ton more, he has about 10 or 11 words down before his 1st birthday.
• Speaking of his 1st birthday...we celebrated with friends and family at our new house - all decked out with owl cupcakes, burgers on the grill and a few of Cohen's friends that would help open gifts and play ball. Cohen had a blast, and took a REALLY LONG nap - which was much appreciated for mommy and daddy that day (even Cody too)!
• Cohen started walking around 11 months... and finally had it down around his 1st birthday or a little after. Since then, he's running all over, chasing the poor dog and climbing everything he can so he can jump off or 'fly' into your arms. It's a constant issue at our house, knowing that when it's quiet... there must be something wrong because he's planning something wild and I get to drop everything to run and catch him as he leaps off of the back of the couch. Brings me back to my good 'ol softball days. Think fast and don't you dare hesitate!

We've almost been in our 'new' house for a year - and it seems like yesterday we were signing papers and handed the keys. Cohen will be 18 months on December 21! 1.5 years... it is mind blowing to know I can blink.. and he keeps growing another inch. Oh well - I'm enjoying every minute of it and every hug and kiss I get - so if it keeps me from posting on a weekly/monthly/yearly basis... so be it :)

Some photos from the past year...

Time has been flying by... Cohen is already 10 weeks old and had his 2 month check up on Brook and I's 2 year anniversary. Not only has 2 years gone by super fast (it feels like just last month I was in a wedding dress, hugging people I didn't know :oP hehe), but the last 2 months of mommyhood has gone by faster than I expected. In a way, I feel like our little Cohen has been with us the entire time, but then again I can't believe he's 10 weeks old... makes me feel that much older ;o)

Cohen's 1 month check up went really well - so well ... that I kind of forgot to update you. My memory has been more focused on when I last fed him and trying to remember to eat myself. I had a million questions for the pediatrician for month one. I can imagine how annoying I was, but I'm sure the Dr. hears this all of the time. Then again, maybe she doesn't... we do live in Ottumwa (only joking...seriously). For month two, I had one concern. Cohen has a bit of an issue with his right eye. Every morning it is caked in goobers and throughout the day I have to clean it out after napping sessions. It comes and goes for how severe it is on a daily basis, but I wasn't sure if it was caused by allergies or just from being a newborn, new to all of the elements. She confirmed that he probably just has a smaller tear duct that hasn't fully developed and will grow with him. We should just give it a few more months and he will probably get it all figured out. If not, we're keeping an eye on it!

Little C is... well, little. He's gaining weight, and is very healthy - but is still on the skinny side for a baby. The nurses said we have homework to do b/c they'd much rather give shots to a baby with chubby thighs than to skinny chicken legs like he currently has. Oh well - he's cute as a button to me and if the Dr. has no worries about his weight/size, then I don't! I'm just glad I can gradually get used to his weight gain because even at his current stats, he gets heavy after awhile to handle!

Here are his current growth stats (I will update this once I find the rest of the stats!)

• Birth: 
• 7 lbs. 9 oz.
• 21" long
• head: 36 cm
• 1 Week: 
• 7 lbs. 1 oz. 
• 21" long
• 1 Month: 
• 8 lbs. 1 oz. 
• 21 1/2" long
• 2 Months: 
• 10 lbs. 7 1/2 oz. (10%)
• 23 3/4" long (25-50%)
• head: 15 1/2" (25-50%)

7 week toes!

sleepy boy

Don't you dare take my binky!

He has such skinny legs :o)

Business in the front

Proof that he's cranky every once in awhile

Cohen's favorite part of the day - walking with daddy!

First official family photo (including Cody this time)

Tiny smirk... he'll be such a big flirt

Twins.

Grandpa and Grandma Bahnsen came to visit :o)

Whoopsie Poopsie!

As weird as this posting might be, some of the moms out there might understand where I'm coming from when they read this. From what I read throughout my pregnancy, I THOUGHT that a breastfed baby was supposed to have more dirty diapers than a formula fed one... according to my pediatrician, this is not the case. Breastfed babies tend to have less dirty diapers and can sometimes even go up to a week before having a BM. Awesome - this is where the HUGE blow outs come in.

For awhile (and when I say 'awhile' I mean... the past couple of weeks) Brook and I have just assumed that Cohen has my genes when it comes to our digestive system. He's gassy like his daddy, but it could be several days before you see anything besides a hundred wet diapers. It worried me, but Cohen's Dr. keeps telling us it is totally normal as he is growing. Anyway - he had gone almost four days before having anything in his diaper and Cohen loves to choose the PERFECT time to let it all go! We were out celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday and having a nice dinner with family and friends when I looked over at Cohen's car seat and noticed that there was something yellow-ish on it. I immediately looked at Brook's plate to see if he had anything from his meal that may have spilled. Nothing...

Huh - what in the world is that? Wait a second... gross! I opened up Cohen's blanket and WHOA - it was all there waiting for me. probably a week of built up awesomeness left for me to clean up in a public restroom. We weren't prepared at all! I used to keep extra clothes and blankets in his diaper bag, but have given up on them since he was growing so fast that I needed to get the newborn sized clothing out and had yet to replace them with the 0-3 month sizes. My bad! Cohen had blown through his diaper, onesie, shorts and blanket...did i mention, the awesomeness of this? I spent the next 15 minutes using every wipe in the diaper bag to clean up his legs, butt and clothes.

The very next day, he was at it again. We took a trip to Menards on Sunday afternoon to grab some home improvement essentials and a few sale items from their newspaper ad. I had him in a front carrier the entire time, just chillin' as we strolled through the aisles. As we were checking out, I felt a little rumble and thought nothing of it, then more and much much bigger rumbles as he let out a big 'ol SIGH. Uh oh. I started laughing, hoping that we could just get him in the car and get home quick. Just incase, I wanted to check it out to see if it would be an emergency melt down as we drive across town. Little C just gave me some raised eyebrows as I quickly realized he had blown through his diaper once again and it was about to come through his bodysuit. Luckily, we made it home and into the nursery before he started to fuss about his dirty attire. Needless to say, laundry was done ASAP after that one!

What really lead me to write this blog about Cohen's last few days was our trip to the local YMCA this morning. I did my usual routine, fed Cohen, changed him and quickly fled to the gym so that I know I have at least two hours of 'me' time to get whatever I need to done while the ladies at the Kids Cove watch him. He was sleeping as we arrived so I knew it would be another easy day for them to watch. As I finished my workout and headed back to the Cove to pick him up, I noticed that his diaper bag was moved from the little lockers and brought into the play area. The two ladies working there were just staring at him and snickering. I started thinking... oh great - what happened?! As I walk up... I see my son in a light pink onesie. He was fast asleep and all bundled in to his car seat, ready to go. I looked back up and the women started laughing. One of them started to tell me that she heard him farting a little bit so she had picked him up to change him. Apparently, she decided to take the diaper off a little too quickly and Cohen had blown out, without a diaper on. She said he had not only gotten poop all over the changing station, the walls and himself... he managed to get it in her hair! I immediately started laughing, then appologized - but come on, even I know better than to let him go diaperless after a few toots!

Cohen: 3 ... Us: 0

Here are a few photos to share the laugh. Cohen will hate me when he's older and I have proof out in cyberspace that he was put in a pink onesie in public... that will be my blackmail when he's older, finally settling the score :o)

Thumbs up mom! Check out my sweet new outfit!

"I was like... oh no you DIDN'T take my diaper off... pssh!"

Wait... are you actually zooming in. Stop. Now.

Now this is more like it!

For the record: I'm a tiger, not a princess in pink.

Enough with the pictures... it's almost my nap time.

Welcome back to reality :o)

I suppose it is about time that I update this blog.... whoops - its been 5.5 weeks since our little one was born and way too long since coming back to this site to update my fellow readers/stalkers ;o) hehe.

Looks like I won't have much time to write up crazy long stories or rant about the new parenthood life that has been thrown at us, but I'll try to update much more often, with more photos and tips and tricks of what we're learning along the way. AKA... I can only do what I have time for, between feedings, naps and a child screaming in the next room.

Here's what you've missed so far:

Cohen Christopher Richardson was born on June 21, 2011 - yes, the first day of Summer! What a great way to start off the season, with a newborn - stuck inside the house while we get through the heat wave of the Summer months. It has been such a blessing - although I miss the sunshine and the feeling of a sauna when I walk outside to let the dog out, I see this as an excuse for another year without skin cancer! I would most likely be hanging out at a friend's pool, soaking up the sun in baby oil and bronzer instead of SPF 30+ or staying inside like I should. So - thank you in advance, Cohen, for keeping us safely indoors, and pale as hell :o)

Just a couple of hours old. Proud Daddy holding his son :o)

Daddy dressing Cohen before we leave the hospital.

Holding Daddy's hand

Already liking a 'binky' - YIKES!

All wrapped up and ready to rock 'n roll.

 

First car ride home.

Cohen gets to meet his big brother, Cody...

And now... here come the last few weeks:

First tummy time (cheating on the Boppy pillow)

Cohen got this awesome owl hat from our friend Amy! Love!!

He's just chillin'

3 weeks old - hanging out on the changing table.

That's all for now - more photos and updates will come later. Now it's time for Mommy to get on her treadmill and try to burn off the large thighs that decided to stick around after this pregnancy was over!

Playing the waiting game

Aww...

Just wanted to do a quick update of this week. Week 39 has come and ALMOST gone - and still nothing. I keep getting phone calls and text messages for people, which I totally appreciate - but I'm much more impatient than they are and I just keep telling them 'no news really means... NO NEWS!'

I finally had my week 39 check up. Lost 3lbs since last week (must have been retaining water for the last month like crazy) and my blood pressure was abnormally high for the first time of this entire pregnancy. It was a hot day yesterday, and I spent some time outside in the sun. I'm not in the medical field or anything, but I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary of how I felt... even though the doctors started asking me tons of questions, trying to rule out preeclampsia. Just to be on the safe side, I had my blood drawn for tests and am collecting my urine for 24 hours. Gross. Once I started actually paying attention, I realized that even though I was going to the bathroom a million times yesterday, nothing much was coming out. Not to mention, my urine was really dark for all of the water I had been consuming throughout the day.

At this appointment, I am progressing - but nothing too exciting. I am dilated 2cm, 50% effaced and Baby is at 0 station. We're finally engaged! Maybe this means I'll stop feeling the banging around in there while the head was floating. It was still a little disappointing to hear that I am only at 2cm, but that is better than still being stuck at 1cm - which is where I was a month ago. I keep telling the LO that we're running out of time and on deadlines here, so lets kick it into gear and get the show on the road. Literally. Once Baby R has arrived, we have weddings to attend. July 2 is officially 2 weeks away and I have a bridesmaid dress to fit into!

Brook and I spent the evening trimming tree branches and loading them in the truck to take out to the landfill. When I say that WE were working... I mean Brook. I wasn't trimming, just dragging branches across the yard trying to keep myself busy. Otherwise I'd be pacing the house looking for something to do with myself. I could do laundry, maybe clean - but I'm not that type of nester. I'm more of a cooking/baking type and we don't have room in the fridge. Not to mention, my urine is being stored in there :o) mmMMmm

No photos have been taken lately. So I have no belly updates. I guess I could take them myself, but maybe I'll take one tonight and post tomorrow. Probably not ;o) hehe I'll just add a few images from our pregnancy photoshoot a few weeks back. Kelli Jo Heimer is awesome - and even though it was raining out when we were doing outdoor shots - it was still a bunch of fun. We had photos taken in Nora Springs, Iowa. This is the town I grew up in, and where KJ lives - so we spent some time in the park, in her studio and by some good 'ol fashioned grain bins. I love them - I just can't pick which ones I like the most to actually purchase!

Heart.

 

My favorite book as a child.

Are We There Yet?

This week marks the final stretch... I've made it to 37 weeks, and then some. Baby R is full-term and will be perfectly healthy if we decide to have an early arrival. As I keep checking my non-existent wrist watch, any time now... would be great.

Last week we had the cultures tested for Strep B. I haven't heard anything back, so I'm going to assume as always - no news, is good news. If you've ever experienced this, you know how I felt at this dreaded appointment. Enough said. Anyway - I was also 1cm dilated! Whoop Whoop! Not that 1cm is anything to be excited about - I still have a ways to go, but it was good to hear we're somewhat on the way to a delivery. Some extra walks were put into our weekly schedule and maybe a few more next week will help get this little one moving.

The doctor ordered yet another ultra sound to make sure baby was in a good position and to check the size/weight. I am apparently measuring a little smaller these last couple of visits and haven't been gaining much weight. I look at this as a good thing - as my stomach kept gaining inches around, even if the scale wasn't moving. Less for me to work off when we're done right?! :o)

This week's appointment and ultra sound went as everyone thought it would. Baby is growing just fine, we're measuring a few days ahead of schedule - which means nothing. We could go into labor any minute, or wait out the 40+ weeks. I've been trying to coax the little one out, bribing my belly with all sorts of fun promises. He/she just hasn't been listening. I may get a kick here or there, "Shut up mom... I'll be there when I'm good and ready.' Seems to be taking after me, and not Brook. I'm not sure this is a good trait - as I am ALWAYS at least 10 minutes late for everything. I can just see our family trips going down hill from here as Brook is impatiently waiting in the car for the rest of us to finish packing and pacing the house to make sure we don't forget the pack of gum we just bought. Good luck with that hubby.... I'll sympathize for you now, but I can't promise to be better prepared tomorrow.

The ultra sound also estimated that this little one is about 7 lbs, 4 oz at the moment.... which means I could have over a 9 lb. baby if we go to the full 40 weeks before delivery. I know this baby's cousin was 10 lbs., but I"m just really praying they're way off with the prediction and I'm not actually going to have a baby that huge the first time. Wanting this as natural as possible without epidurals or pain meds, we may be in BIG BIG trouble! Let's just hope for an early delivery.

I'm off to do some squats and maybe go walk on the treadmill for a bit. I'll check back in next week with an update. With my luck, I'll still be dilated to 1cm and this baby won't want to come out until July. In the meantime, here are some belly shots. These were taken at 36.5 weeks (last weekend).

36.5 weeks

36.5 weeks

 

 

 

Belly stats: At 36.5 weeks I was measuring 37 inches around. Oh, and I've gained 28 lbs so far (on a good day) LOL