So, we made our first "over night" venture out of the house over Labor Day week-end...and it was quite the feat! Let's just say, when we take off for a trip, not only do we have the extra challenge of a baby, but we also have to take our geriatric cat with us ( who is on two/three pills a day ). There's nothing like driving down the road with your cat strapped into the passenger seat and your baby strapped into the car seat(one meowing, the other crying). It was a LONG 4 hour trip to Oceanside(which usually takes 2 hours).
Scroll down and click on "1st Trip to Oceanside" to read more

But once we got there we had a great time. The ocean is so relaxing and it was nice to stare at different walls for a change. Cohen enjoyed his grandma and grandpa and his first walk on the beach. And lucky for us the ride home was a dream!! Cohen slept the whole way without a peep! And so did Pineapple (our cat).

It's hard to believe we've been parents for two weeks and 3 days now The three of us are doing well, especially Cohen! When Cohen came home from the hospital, he was in the moderate/high zone for jaundice...which meant he had to be wrapped in a "billie blanket" to receive light therapy for a couple days. And luckily, it only took a couple days for him to pass the jaundice through his body. Yeah! Last week Cohen went for his two-week appointment. Dr. Costa said he was "perfect" ...just what new parents want to hear! Here are his stats:
8/14/08 7lbs. 0.5 oz.
8/21/08 7lbs. 3 oz. 1' 9.25 inches Head: 35.6 cm
8/23/08 7lbs. 5 oz.
9/7/08 8lbs. 7oz.

Cohen has also enjoyed meeting all his cousins, friends, and family. Cohen's cousins can't wait until he is ready to play!!

Cohen and I were invited to our "1st party" in honor of his Grandma Butler. If you've never heard of a "Grandma Shower"...it's a pretty cool thing! Basically, it's a celebration of becoming a grandma for the first time...and this celebration was a total surprise to Sue! Her friends Cammy and Jan pulled off the ultimate party filled with baby clothes, books, bath towels and soaps, all to fill Grandma Butler's house when Cohen comes to visit. We all had a great time and Cohen was a dream He pretty much slept the whole time so everyone go plenty of snuggle time!!

As the story continues...after we went home, I got about 2 hours rest until my contractions started back up. By nighttime, they were very intense! But I waited as long as I could before going back to the hospital because I didn't want to get turned away. Finally around 6am we took off...only to find out I was still 1 cm. I just about died! The nurses couldn't believe it either. My contractions were peaks and mountains with not much let down. So back in the tub for an 1 1/2...when I got out, I was a whopping 1 1/2 cm dilated! Thank goodness the nurses took pity on me and fudged a little to get me admitted (between you and me, there was NO way I was leaving). So, long story short...once I got an epidural my body relaxed, dilated, and a few short hours later "Cohen" arrived.

Cohen arrived at 6:17pm with a head full of dark hair and big brown eyes. I was shocked..I was expecting a bald baby with blue eyes. But now, after a few days his eyes are turning blue and blond hair is appearing at his temples. (so cute) He weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. He has long fingers and long toes (especially his big toes, they look like little fingers)
On Tuesday, 8-12 we left the hospital for home. Parenthood is wonderful...but very tiring. Thank goodness for Grandparents to help out! Grandma Butler has been a dream and real trooper (staying over night and helping with Cohen's wake and sleep patterns...which allows Chris and I to sleep for a FULL two hours in a row). We couldn't have survived the last two days without Grandma and Grandpa Butler running errands, bringing us food, doing laundry, etc. etc. We are so LUCKY!! Now come tomorrow, Grandma Rathbun is coming to help (it's been hard for her to stay away for the first few days...but she didn't want to get Cohen sick)
That's it for now...keep posted for more!

Looks like Cohen wants to make an appearance! Early Saturday morning (4am) I went from discomfort to "oh my!" My contractions were 3-6 minutes apart and lasting 30-60 seconds, off to the hospital we went. After evaluation, I had dilated 1 cm and seemed to be moving along, so I went in the jacuzzi to see if I'd continue to progress. While the jacuzzi was so nice, it slowed down my labor and I was released to go home. We have been home all day trying to sleep and rest for the next big push. Pray for us...maybe we'll have a little one by tomorrow!

Cohen still appears to be quite comfy! We are off to our non-stress test to make sure all is well I think Parker and Rowan said it best on my voicemail this afternoon.."Tell Cohen it's time to come out now!!! OR as Grandpa Butler would say it time for "little Beijing" to meet the world!

Our test went well! Cohen is happy and healthy. He has plenty of fluid and a strong heart beat Now we continue to wait...if nothing happens over the week-end we'll go in on Monday at 11:30pm to be induced.

For those of you who haven't heard this story, at the beginning of our pregnancy, we were told our due date would be 8/8/08 but after one of our ultrasounds our doctor moved us up to 8/5. But now, since 8/5 has come and gone, maybe 8/8 was more accurate...At any rate, we are over due and patiently waiting for Cohen's arrival. During the last week or so, I've had some tightening or at least I thought it was tightening? But after many trips to the doctor in the last week, he has assured me "nothing" was going on. Maybe it was just gas...ha!ha! So, if we don't go into labor by Friday, we'll have a non-stress test where they monitor the baby for a half hour by ultrasound. Basically, they will check to see if he is still thriving, ie. maintaining his weight, heart rate is good, enough fluid, etc. Then if he still hasn't arrived by Monday, we go to the hospital at 11:30pm to start the "induction" process. Pray for us that we'll go into labor before then...
Luckily, I feel good and have been able to sleep well
Check our website for updates!! And remember to create a login and password so you'll be able to see pictures of Cohen (once he arrives)
Love to all!!