A Walk in the Woods

Taking advantage of the wonderfully warm weather as of late (between snow storms and freezing temps), Evan, Cooper, and I explored the Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle last weekend.   We have found that Coopy adores the big outdoors, and is thrilled to hang from our torsos in his baby bjorn, warmly dressed, to take in all the sights and fresh air. 

Evan, with his affinity and love of maps, took some time to investigate (and critique) the trail map.

We chose a couple trails at random, hiked around an open field and trekked through the pine trees, met lots of fellow weekend hikers and their dogs, and came across several horses.  One lovely woman offered to take a family picture of us crouched on a bridge as Cooper was entranced by the running water.  Love this picture! 

We will have to return when the weather allows, and take Oma with us... she arrived in the US in late October, and is finishing up a two week stay in Virginia to visit with Cooper's Uncle Wybe and his family.  I will fly to VA with Cooper tonight for his first flight (wish us luck) for a quick visit so little Coop can meet Wybe and his cousins.  Stay tuned for an update on the quick trip and for family photos!

Happy Halloween!

Cooper just recently experienced his first Halloween, cutely decked out as a little duckie (or chicken; it is under debate) courtesy of Aunt Ruth!  This year, Halloween in Lowell was postponed due to a nor'easter that blew through the state and caused major power outages.  Just as well, as I was in DC for work and would otherwise have missed Cooper's first Halloween... So instead of trick or treating on October 31st, we hit the streets with his Aunties Lisa and Missy and cousin Ryan the following Saturday night.  Coop made it to five whole houses before bedtime and snagged a Reese's and Snickers for dear mom.  Thanks Coop!

Jet Setter

Just a short note to commemorate that we applied for Cooper's passport this morning!  Hopefully, soon enough our little guy will be able to join us on international adventures (tentative trip to Portugal planned for June 2012).

Below is the passport pic for bitty Coopy for the next five years...  Evan had to hold him in the air, and Coop seemed to enjoy it!

CHEESE!

Yes, we're still alive and well! Just busy...

Many apologies for not having posted stories, photos, and updates on Cooper in so incredibly long.  As you can imagine with my return to the workforce, several activities have fallen to the wayside as I struggle to find time in the day...

My maternity leave ended on August 9th and Cooper officially started day care on Monday, August 12th.  I cannot repeat enough what a relief and a blessing it is to have Cooper with his Auntie April every day.  Leaving him that Monday was difficult enough (as in sobbing driving away from the house and towards the highway, with passing vehicles showing concern for my mental health and well being); I can't imagine Cooper starting day care in an anonymous setting with strangers.  As tough as it is to return to work and leave Cooper in another's care, I love that he is with adoring and supporting family and engaging bright young kids to help Cooper adjust and socialize. He's thriving under April's dutiful care and absolutely adores April, Shaun, Nolan, and Summer.  He smiles at them, talks and coos, and happily gazes and drools with the other day care kids. Cooper's one happy baby. 

So.  What's new with Cooper, you ask?  Well, at his four month appointment at the end of September, Coopy was measuring in at 25 and 1/4 inches long (50th percentile) and weighing 16 lbs and 8 oz (75th percentile).  We joke around that his head and torso are massive, and his legs have yet to grow into the rest of his body. Whether Coop will inherit the Caten or de Vries height remains to be seen...  It's clear that he's a good eater and puts on weight rather easily.  No problem there!

Today Coop is four months and 21 days old.  He's almost sitting up by himself, is incredibly squirmy and wants to move around, smiles and laughs at people and things that amuse him, loves to spend time on his back gazing while you play and tickle him, be attentive to the people and environment around him while taking it all in with wide eyes, is more interested in exploring and handling toys, his play mat, and exersaucer. 

Exersaucer- oh fun!



I looove the telly!

His current likes include the "Captain Hold" where he sits up leaning against you, cradled and securely fastened, so he can view the world.  He also likes his bath time (surprise, surprise), napping completely covered with his blankie, watching television, and sucking on his pacifier, a finger, one fist and sometimes both fists.  We have discovered that he dislikes being purposefully woken up from a peaceful slumber, taking naps after daycare (wants to get in his mommy/daddy time or so I like to think), and getting strapped into his car seat.

Some of his "recent" firsts documented below include holding his own bottle at Auntie April's daycare, laughing at cousin Nolan (he LOVES Nolan), apple and pumpkin picking with our friend Lindsay, and blowing raspberries with Evan.  Check out the pix and videos below...



Look at what I can do!



One pumpkin amongst many



And how can I resist showing you some of these shots?  A few of my favorites...

1. A series of pictures with Coopy on his belly where he looks like he's laying nude on a bearskin rug, but he's really wearing a diaper and on his brown blankie. 
2. Wearing his warm, cuddly brown bear suit
3. Family photo taken when Coopy was around 3 months old
4. Tummy time photo taken this past Sunday
5. Typical napping pose

And to tease you with upcoming posts and photos, we are all so very excited for my mom's upcoming visit to the US and the holiday season... Coop's Oma arrives in late October and will stay through the holidays until early January.  She'll get to experience all of Cooper's first holidays- Halloween (to be dressed as a duck courtesy of Aunt Ruth), Thanksgiving, my 32nd birthday, Christmas, and New Years.  How fun!







Morning Fun and Games

I did it!  While playing and talking with each other this morning, I snapped several photos of Cooper making sweet faces, and I captured a smile!  Woohoo!

New Places, New Faces

What a busy month for little Cooper!  July just flew by- with 4th of July festivities with family in Windham, NH and Westford, MA; a trip to Madison, CT to visit Lauren, Kevin and baby Dylan; a week-long vacation with the Harts in Gilmanton, NH; and with yesterday's jaunt to Plymouth, MA to visit with Bindi, Tim and Mira while they were visiting from the west coast. 

Coop's becoming more comfortable with others and we're happy to let family and friends hold and cuddle him so that he's used to being around people with whom he may not always be so familiar.  It's also a learning lesson for Evan and I- how we can expect Coop to react, what it takes for him to be overstimulated and overtired, how we can soothe him and take the much needed steps to calm him down, how we can all adjust to new surroundings and expose ourselves to new situations, and how I can be a bit more flexible and be okay with the fact that babies cry-- and sometimes, Cooper just needs to cry to wind himself down a bit.  I'm slowly getting there...

This month Cooper began to smile!! His first smile was when he woke up in the morning of Tuesday, July 5th.  Seeing him in the morning and unwrapping him from his swaddle and seeing his sleepy, happy smile just makes my day... and gasp!  Coop actually smiled at me during his bath last week!  He also has developed his "cooing" sounds, and now just loves to talk to me, Evan, and himself during play time.  We have yet to capture these smiles on photo, but I'll post one as soon as I can!


Coop also went into a lake for the first time while we were staying by Crystal Lake in Gilmanton, NH last week for vacation.  Hated it.  It reminded me of his first sponge bath... I sprinkled the water on his feet and Cooper was NOT happy.  Maybe, much like bathtime, repeated attempts and practice will encourage Cooper to enjoy it at some point. 

The cats, Chandler and Riley, have become accustomed to Cooper and no longer circumvent his gear or avoid him altogether.  Chandler was rather indifferent and ambivalent, and is now showing an interest in Coop.  He likes to be in the same room, and when Cooper is crying, Chandler will often come close to investigate.  Perhaps he's concerned and showing paternal instincts?  Or maybe he knows that our presence will soon follow Cooper's cries and Chandler would like some attention also.  Riley is content to sniff Coop's head and feet when asleep or nursing, but that's about it.  A far cry from hiding in the attic, however.  The family is slowly coming together!

Lastly, Cooper had his two-month appointment this morning.  Aside from shrieking and being incredibly upset at receiving several vaccinations, we were happy with the visit.  The Coop is now measuring in at 12 pounds, 10 ounces in weight and 23 and 3/4 inches in length.  And we love every inch! 

Happy birthday, Oma!

Cooper wanted to share this short clip and a few pix of him wishing his Oma a very, very happy birthday!  Much love!

I'd Rather be Stinky

Since his first sponge bath at home on day five of life, Coop has detested bath time.  Hated it.  Despised it.  Roared and screeched and shrieked.  So much so that Evan and I have had to close our doors and windows in an effort to limit the screams escaping into the neighborhood.  Our neighbors probably have their fingers poised over the phone, ready to call DSS on bath night, thinking that we're maiming our child.  But fear not.  We are only cleaning him.  When we graduated to the toddler tub a couple of weeks ago, we thought that perhaps Cooper's feelings about bathing would change.  Sadly, no. Spastic crying and wriggling ensue.

I'm happy to report that on Wednesday night, for the first time, Cooper calmly reposed in the supportive sling of the infant tub, let his arms and legs dangle as if he were in a hammock, and didn't utter a peep as the warm water lapped at his lower half and a wash cloth dabbed here and there.  I won't go so far as to say he enjoyed it, but he certainly didn't hate it.  Progress perhaps?  Or just resignation?  Either way, we'll take it!

PS- Many thanks to the Wicke family for the personalized blue elephant hooded towel...  Cooper loves it- not only because it is adorable, but because it signals the nearing end of bath time!

Happy One Month Birthday!

(Pulled from an email originally written on June 24, 2011)

It's nutty to think that Cooper is already one month old!  And it's even nuttier to realize that Cooper has thus far survived our parenting attempts and that Evan and I are living through the sleep deprivation... :)  We are all doing well and Ev and I have fallen so madly in love with our little guy.  It's hard to imagine our life without Cooper in it.  We miss him when he is out of sight!

We're becoming more savvy in deciphering Cooper's cries and needs, which is making us more confident in our parenting abilities.  In turn, I think Cooper is beginning to trust that we're not completely without skill and that we really do have his best interests at heart...  Many thanks to all of you for continuously checking in, offering sage advice when I call with random questions, and for modeling how to care for and soothe a fussy babe (special props to Lauren, April, and Lisa for their frequent assistance).  Thank you also for your visits- we have averaged about one a day since his birth- Coop has enjoyed meeting you all (though he may have slept through it) and is increasingly comfortable with new people and being passed around for cuddles.  What a sweetheart!

Coop is growing well. He has already grown out of his newborn clothes and now fitting in 0-3 month outfits.  He had his 1-month pediatric visit this morning and measured at 22 inches long and 10lbs, 5 ounces.  That's a two inch growth and 3 pound gain in four weeks!  Healthy little bugger...  His belly definitely seems somewhat out of proportion since he's constantly eating and sating his appetite! Just over the last few days Cooper has extended the pause between feeds from 1.5 - 2 hours to at least three hours and needs less soothing and calming to fall back asleep at night.  That extra hour has been incredible in giving us a mental and physical break, particularly during the evening hours.  I think we have some time to go before we get longer sleep stretches, but I'm happy with these three hour stretches when we can get them...

In the Bumbo... I kinda love it, kinda hate it!

Happy Father's Day, Pops!

What?!? I'm not allowed to drive yet?

Evan has since returned to work, and my mom flew back to Portugal on Monday night.  She is tremendously missed by us all, not only for all the help she provided around the house, but because of the close relationship she had formed with Cooper in their 3+ weeks together.  Aside from Evan and I, Oma ("grandma" in Dutch) has spent the most time with Cooper and has been omnipresent since he was born.  We look forward to her next visit in November!  This week was my first at being with Cooper alone at home during the day and managing his needs on top of what needs to be done at home.  I've come to realize that my daily To Do list has been drastically reduced from about 20 items to about two.  If I get just one item crossed off my list, I'm happy.  (I tried to make dinner about two weeks ago- I started prepping at 10:30 am and it still took me all day.  Ridiculous!  And it wasn't even that good... My expectations of what I can get done have officially been lowered)!

Week Two in the Life of Cooper

(Pulled from an email originally written on June 9, 2011)

Hi all,

A number of you have called, emailed, or texted multiple times over the last few weeks to check in and I'm sorry if I've been somewhat unresponsive... I do appreciate all your contacts but have been soooo distracted and haven't been able to get back to you- especially on an individual basis!  Whenever I seem to find a free moment, it's only several minutes long, and I end up tidying around the house, doing a load of laundry, writing thank you cards, and spending time with Evan, my mom, and playing with Cooper during his alert/awake times.  The day goes by so quickly and yet so slowly at the same time...

Cooper is a total sweetheart and such a good little boy.  I love watching his facial expressions, him waving and discovering his arms and legs, learning what he likes (consistent ssh'ing noises, being spoken to, sleeping on his side with arms up, light touches, playing with his hair, his sleep sheep) and what he doesn't (diaper changes, getting dressed and undressed, baths, his pacifier until he realizes what it is and he actually does want it despite initial protests).  The last week has been a bit rough in that he seems to have trouble passing his gas and stool.  When he works it out, he gets a bit fussy and upset.  Once he starts to cry and fuss, he gets all worked up and can't seem to stop.  Towards the evening, we try to anticipate when he might be a bit overtired and overstimulated so that we can prevent new bouts of fussiness just before bed.


We haven't yet settled into an eating/sleeping routine, and are likely several weeks away from experiencing something somewhat regular.  The only consistent pattern is that Cooper awakes and is ready for the day around 5:30am.  Evan and I aren't getting much sleep at night, and I'm not much of a daytime napper, so we're are most definitely sleep-deprived and a bit loopy.  There have been a few times where we've gotten a 3-4 hour sleep stretch at night, but most often we're up every 2 hours to feed the little guy.  Between nursng, diaper changes, and soothing him back to sleep, we generally only get about an hour before he wakes up for the next feeding- exhausting!  Coop loves the boob, and is eating well and going through TONS of diapers.  All good signs that he's getting what he needs, that I'm making enough milk, and that he's growing.  Unfortunately, I feel like a milk machine with very sore udders.  I also feel tethered to the living room/dining room where I've set up everything I need during the day so I can keep one eye/hand on Cooper and multi-task when the situation calls for it. I've been good about trying to get out and about (on errands, walks, etc) with Cooper in tow so that we both get used to it.  Practicing breastfeeding and diaper changes in public makes perfect!!

Cooper had a good pediatric visit at his two-week mark and has grown an inch and put on a pound since we left the hospital on 5/26.  He's slowly but surely outgrowing the smaller newborn outfits, so I'm putting him in my favorites as often as I can to get as much wear out of them as possible before he moves onwards to the next size. 

Both Evan and my mom have been amazing in so many ways.  My mom has been taking care of the house and the cats and most of the dinners while I'm otherwise occupied with the Coop.  Evan has been up with me at every night feeding to make sure we're comfortably set up, and to do all the diaper changes and soothe Cooper back to sleep as needed.  He went back to work this week, so he gets about a 10-hour break from it all during the day, but misses Cooper tremendously and is so excited to see him when he gets home for some daddy-son time.  I'm usually very grateful to hand him off at that point and get some housekeeping done!  My mom heads back to Portugal on Monday, June 20th and then I'm on my own!  I'm eager to see how I'll manage with Cooper and other demands on my own, but I'll miss my mom and her assistance tremendously.

Many thanks to all of you for your gifts, flowers, food, messages, visits, and support!  It is so sincerely appreciated and please know that I'm thinking of you and wish I could be more in touch with you than I am at the moment... I'm trying to get the hang of this, determined to figure out Cooper's cries and needs, and manage the household (and stay somewhat connected at work) all at the same time.  I'll be back to normal within a few months, I promise!! 

Welcome to Cooper's Corner!

In full disclosure, this is my first attempt at blogging.  I'll admit I'm a bit hesitant since this is all new to me, I'm not sure whether anyone will actually be interested in reading my ramblings about dear little Coop, and I don't know whether I'll have the time, patience, or werewithal to keep this blogging up.  We shall have to see!

I stole this blogging idea from my lovely friend, Betsy.  She came up with her own blog to detail the chronicles of her own baby daughter and share them with friends and family without posting to the world of Facebook or sending out mass emails.  Seems like a great idea, and I love being able to check in on Betsy's family on my own time and catch up on what I'm missing.  Because most of my family and friends- and many of Evan's friends- live far away, replicating a blog spot for Cooper might be worth a try.  You'll have to let me know whether it's worth our time!

So... about our little man. 

Cooper Jackson Caten arrived on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 4:47 am.  He was born at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts and received with bundles of love and joy!  Labor was amazing; an incredible experience.  Not without pain and hard work, but it couldn't have gone any better...  Evan, our doula, and the L&D nursing staff at BIDMC were all so supportive and wonderful and really made my labor and delivery a smooth, uncomplicated, and inspiring experience.

I began having contractions about 3pm on Sunday.  I wasn't even sure they were contractions until my doula (labor coach) confirmed that, indeed, those sensations were in fact contractions.  I stayed home and breathed and paced around the bedroom through the increasingly uncomfortable surges until my doula called to check in around 9pm.  After spending an hour with me on the phone to time the contractions and get a sense of my discomfort, she suggested to Evan that we head into Boston. We checked in at BIDMC around 11pm to discover I was already 4 cm dilated, and reached 7 cm within another two hours.  I paced and circled that hospital L&D room over, and over, and over again.  Evan jokes that I must have walked about eight miles within those six hours of laboring at the hospital!  I took my doula's recommendations seriously that walking, staying active, drinking loads of water, and squatting would push things along... and she was right!  As soon as my water broke around 4am, I went from 7 cm to fully dilated in under 20 minutes.  Cooper was ready to meet the world, and in a mere two contractions and four pushes later, he joined us in a calm and serene fashion.  He measured in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 inches long.

Evan and I fell in love instantaneously.  What a cute, alert, and sweet little bugger.  We hope you agree!