It's a B O Y!

Welcome to the world Cooper Smith!
Born 7lbs 15 oz, 20.5 inches tall
on January 31, 2012 at 9:41am

Well, let's be honest, his name is not Cooper but I can't reveal his real name. Let's just say it's cute, classic and all American!!!

Hubs and I were so happy and relieved that Cooper arrived safe and sound. When Dr Jen held him up over the curtain I saw a pink face on a perfectly round head. When I say perfectly round head I mean the roundest head I have ever seen. There was no way I was pushing that head out.

Yeah!!! Cooper is here! Our son has arrived. The second coming of Christ is here. I now understand why every woman has a special bond with her son the same was a father/daughter has a special relationship. My son is here and he is the cutest boy I have ever seen, I can say that because I am his mother!!!

Gotta go! I'm on cloud nine however still feeling like a dying dog in the street!

To the hospital we go!

It's funny how I am somewhat in denial about what is about to happen today. I am fully aware that I did not consume any food or beverages because I was going to the hospital to have a BABY but why am I so calm. I was afraid that I was going to be a sobbing mess when it was time to leave Cupcake but no, I was calm. I gave her a big hug and kiss and told her that we were going to the doctor so I could have Cooper. She told me she loved me and bye Mommy! Everyone was so calm. WTF? Where am I?

Hubs and I drove to the hospital and passed what seemed to be 342 coffee shops, pulled up to valet, dropped me off and I headed to the office to check in while Hubs parked the car. Check in was easy since I already pre-registered and off we went to Labor and Delivery although no labor for this lady, just a nice, easy delivery! Hubs and I walked up to the nurses station and said "I'm here to have a baby, whom shall I see". I was brought to my little room for prep and to go over my history. The nurses were beyond friendly, nice, professional and caring. When it was time for me to discuss my last delivery the nurse called a few others in because they were in awe that I signed up for another baby. It wasn't that bad but I guess the one procedure the doctor did is old school and what you read about in text books. I'm sure they were just feeding into my drama and knew I would thrive on this discussion. (For those of you who don't know you can read over my story http://smithfamilyscrapbook.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-war-story.html ).

It was time to head to the operating room! I actually walked right in and hopped onto the stretcher. Where is the drama in this????? I should be happy it was easy and calming. The only problem I had was when it was time for my spinal and Hubs was no where to be found. Are you joking??? Who the hell is going to help me. I asked for Hubs a few times and finally my OBGYN Jen threw her hands up and said "Here, lean on me". Are you joking? She is all of 95 lbs and I am all of 435 lbs (mildly kidding) but didn't care because she makes the big bucks and if she has to harpoon a whale to make her bucks for the day then so be it. It was quick and I snapped her like a twig and was ready to roll. The anesthesiologist was 14 years old and also very friendly. He kept asking if I was feeling okay, Dr Jen was ready to roll and Hubs was the only one missing. Where the hell is he, if he misses this I swear I will hunt him down and give him a DNC. Oh wait, here he is. He showed up so happy and excited, I was feeling great but lost all feeling from the mouth down. I tried sneezing and coughing and felt as if I was stuck in some sort of Saw movie and no one was able to help me because I couldn't do anything. I coughed like Mrs. White from Clue and sneezed like Michael Jackson. All of a sudden a wave of nausea hit and I sat there thinking "this is what Marley must have felt like at the end of the movie before he passed". I felt like a dog dying and kept asking for help. I know that I went through hell in order to deliver my daughter and nothing compares to that HOWEVER the feeling of anesthesia was enough to make me want to shoot myself. I couldn't even focus on the fact that my son was about to come into this world. After what seemed like forever we heard three words that would change our lives forever............

January 31, 2012

Well, the day has arrived and I am ready to head to the hospital. I did all my pre-testing, shopping, packing, organizing and set up my mom to stay with Cupcake while we welcomed her brother into the world. I can't believe this day is here!!! I barely slept last night, packed as if I was going away to a resort for 5 days and jumped out of bed at 5am for my scheduled C-Section at 7am. I would give a testicle for a cup of coffee, well if I had one I would give it. My nerves are somewhat shot but I'm shockingly calm. I keep thinking this must not be happening. I feel that as I go through life I'm not really understanding what is happening to me. Regardless, we are heading out the door at 6:15 am for our drive to the hospital and a life changing event. I wonder what he will look like, act like, mesh with Cupcake?!? Wish us luck, this Family of 3 will soon be a Family of 4!

TEBOW

I am sure that everyone knows by now who Tim Tebow is. I'm not a huge football fan however my brother is a HUGE Steelers fan so I typically tend to cheer for them whenever they play. Unfortunately the Steelers did not make it to the Superbowl this year and Cupcake was quick to show Uncle K what the Steelers should have done. She kept running around saying "TEBOW, TEBOW, TEBOW".

Too funny!!!

Another day, another kids museum

Did I mention that I became a HUGE fan of Groupon, Living Social and all the other sites selling discounted items. I fell in love about a year or so ago and became obsessed quickly that this site will offer discounts/deals on anything and everything. You can get a deal of manicures, waxing, oil changes, home improvements, teeth whitening, a shot in the ass, whatever you want. The only problem is that it seems like a great idea at the time but about a week before the deal you purchased expires you find yourself scrambling for ways to use them up!

Soooooo, I purchased a Living Social deal several months ago for a rainy day activity with Cupcake and found myself on the eve of expiration debating if we should use it or forfeit it. Hubs has been extra sensitive about my whereabouts, locations, activities and decided we would join us on this escapade (that and he didn't want me to lose the deal and throw my money away). We headed back to one of our favorite Children's Museums and had a blast. It was so warm outside (odd for January) and raining (that was putting it mildly) but we braved the storm and hit the museum. Cupcake had so much fun visiting her old favorites (you may want to look through old posts) that we just let her do whatever she wanted and visit all of her favorite places. Let's face it, the next time she will be here will be with a little brother. Do what you like Cupcake, it's all about you!!

We FINALLY have a date!

After many discussions, google searches and soul searching we decided that it was best for me to have another C-Section. My due date is February 4th (2 days before my 35th birthday) so we kept playing around with dates for this little ones arrival. I was back and forth with dates, meanings, numerology and had a list of reasons when/when not to have a baby. After a LONG time (are you shocked) we decided that Baby Smith will make his debut on Tuesday, January 31st! We are sooooo excited, nervous, happy and ready to meet our son. I still can't believe we're having a son. His room is done, a name is picked, the countdown is on. I can't wait to meet my baby boy on January 31st!

Side note: I couldn't find a picture of me pregnant because I'm usually the hired help however this is what I found. Look how big bun in the oven is getting!!!

Happy New Year!

Hubs, Cupcake and I spent New Year's Eve at home enjoying our new toys from Santa and resting before our big trip to meet with my family to celebrate Christmas and 2012! Our night was quiet but the next day was exciting! My sister decided to host New Years Day and I have to say that it was one of the best, nicest, funnest (lol) family gatherings we've had in a long time. Not that our gathering aren't fun but this one was different. Maybe it was because I am with child, more relaxed, hormonal, lol. Regardless we had so much fun! Cupcake hung with Tink (as usual) and we were able to see the original Fab 4; Boo, Kman (my brothers kids) Creed and Screech (my sisters sons) hang with their new stuff. Funny how years prior they were surrounded with dolls, legos, star wars, harry potter "stuff" but now they have endless electronics, clothes and grown up stuff. I'm not ready for them to be old, the little girls to grow up and our family to expand. Everyone had a fabulous time and before we knew it we had to go home. I hope everyone had as much fun as us because it really was a special day. Funny how when we were leaving I told everyone that the next time I saw them our little boy would be here. OMG, what is happening!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!! May it be happy, healthy and full of love and laughs!

Christmas Vacation - a children's museum

Hubs took some time off from work so we could have some "family time". I looked through all the things to do in our area and I was determined to have activities planned and fun times ahead! Our first trip was to a local Children's Museum. This one is smaller than the one we usually venture off to. We are fortunate to live near a few bigger cities, a few small cities, country, beaches and many fun things to do! Cupcake walked in and started coloring, decorating, painting, playing, etc. She never ceases to amaze me. She just goes with the flow and has fun doing it. She may be a bit shy however she is so focused working at all the stations and really working at the task at hand. This place was great, they had a construction zone, rowing on Boat Row, a "New Years" section with decorations and all winter activities and my favorite "The Bank". I loved the bank because Cupcake and I played bank teller. I was able to work the window and talk to her about her transactions and wish her a good day. This place was great, so much fun. After a few hours I was exhausted, Cupcake was sleepy and Hubby wondered what we do all day because he thought this stay at home mom didn't do much, he was tired too! We are really enjoying our time together!!

Christmas Day with the Grandparents

When I was pregnant with Cupcake, Hubs and I celebrated our last Christmas prior to her arrival with our parents. We wanted to keep Christmas small since I didn't think I wanted to cook for a large group and a "Thank You" to our parents for all that they do. This go around we felt the same way. I have about 5 weeks to go and I'm not looking forward to cooking for everyone although I love having a house full of people. Anyway, Hubs and I had our parents over on Christmas Day. We were very happy to celebrate this way and even happier Cupcake would have her grandparents to herself ALL day! The day was fun, full of love, laughs, games and relaxation! It's hard to believe that next Christmas Santa will have trains, trucks and toys for a little boy. We are so excited for our sons arrival and fingers crossed Cupcake will love her new best friend very much.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas - 2011

OMG, Santa came to our house and he left a toy store behind for Cupcake. She must have been an EXTREMELY good girl this year! Hubs and I think he lost the video we sent of temper tantrums and meltdowns because she really did get many gifts this year. All kidding aside Cupcake is a good girl and it seems this year is full of arts/crafts, dolls and painting stuff. Santa even left a special message for her on her new easel. Oh wow!!! I think the biggest hit is the trampoline. Oh why, oh why did Santa leave that, lol. That seems to be the question everyone asks me and I just laugh and say "Santa has a sense of humor". (S)he is a funny one! Hubs and I are very blessed to have Cupcake, bun in the oven and each other along with many family and friends. This may be our best Christmas yet!!! Have to run and get ready for our visitors!

Christmas Eve - 2011

Christmas Eve is here again and you all know how I feel about the Eve of our Lord's birth, the anticipation of Santa and the Smiths annual 7 fish dinner!!! 7 fish, holy hell I LOVE this night! Well, I normally love this night however I'm pregnant and am restricted from some of the 7. No need to fret, I will eat my weight in the fish I can eat (don't laugh and no that's not that much fish, just the size of a whale). Cupcake, Hubs and I ventured over to Nonna and Pop's humble abode for the feast of 7 fish. I think I covered the fish in the past but in case you aren't sure I believe we consume large amounts of shrimp, calamari, smelts (don't ask but they are fabulous), baccala, cod, linguini with clam sauce, mussels and possibly a few other fish thrown in a sauce for good luck! If you can't find what you like or you don't eat fish then there are plenty of other fish free items to eat.

Moving on.......Cupcake had so much fun this year with her cousins and really "gets it" that Santa is coming (she only saw 35 of them). She also understands that she receives gifts from everyone too! This Christmas seems to be full of Rapunzel (Tangled) and dolls! I wonder what Santa will bring!

I am definitely nearing the end of my pregnancy because 1) I'm hormonal and everything makes me weepy (I'm not the weepy kind) 2) I'm larger than life 3) I'm weepy. I can't believe I have about 5 weeks left to go and we will meet our baby boy, Cupcake will meet her little brother and we will welcome the newest member to the Smith family. This Christmas will be Cupcakes last Christmas as an only child and I'm happy that she will welcome a sibling however I'm sad because her world is going to change forever. Regardless, we are blessed, happy and looking forward to the new year!!!