Cooper: 1 Month

Can you believe it? Cooper is already one month old. Time sure is flying by. Seems like just yesterday I was waking Jon telling him I was having contractions. It's only been a month with Cooper-- I can look back on my life without him but now I can't imagine life currently without him. He as brought so much joy, laughter, and love to our family. 

Feedings
Well, our nursing journey together was short lived. As much as I enjoyed our bonding time while you nursed I was in serious pain. Pain I thought was normal and quickly found out that the damage you had done to my nipples were not normal and in fact infected. I was not eating or sleeping hardly at all, causing for long days where I was miserable. The doctor took a look at them and basically said "eh, good luck..." I took a leave of absence from nursing to let them heal. As a family, we decided to just keep pumping and bottle feeding you. We quickly realized I was a much happier human being. I was eating and we were both sleeping much better. However, you, my love, are a pig. You eat so much and I cannot keep up with you from pumping. We started mixing half formula with breast milk and you are one happy camper!! I refer to you as a ticking time bomb because you give mom and dad NO warning when you are hungry. You wake up and by the time we are done changing your diaper all hell as broke lose and you let us know that you want your bottle and you want it right then. It's actually rather cute. You also HATE burping. The second we pull the bottle to burp you, you start snorting and then again, all hell breaks loose- and again, we think it's adorable and you wouldn't be you if you didn't do that. :)  You love that other people besides mom can feed you. Dad feeds you when he gets home from work and during the night and that is your bonding time with him. It's a very special time for him and enjoys it very much. 

Sleeping
You're such a good little sleeper. Our first two weeks was a little rough - as expected- but the past 2 weeks you sleep any where from 4/5 hours at night. During the day your naps are more like 3/4 hours apart. You aren't all the way in your crib yet, still in a bassinet in our room. However, you are a very loud sleeper {only at night} so mom is trying to transition you into your crib but dad is not having that. Your dad likes to cuddle with you, on a pillow in bed until you fall asleep then will put you up- mom doesn't like this habit but again, it's a very special time with your dad. He doesn't get to see you every day when he's on duty so he spends as much time with you as possible when he's home, even if that's night night time. You usually do a really good job of eating and falling right back to sleep {praise God}! You aren't a big fan of being swaddled, you hate your hands being 'stuck'. You are a constant mover, even in your sleep. You are the most DRAMATIC waker-uper I have ever seen. Your dad says you get that from me- psh! It's a good 20 min ordeal in the morning when you wake up- you stretch like a grownup and grunt and talk and all sorts of things before opening your eyes. Your dad and I laugh as it's so dang cute. 

Clothes/Diapers 
You're still mainly in newborn clothes. Some 0-3month tops fit you but shorts/pants-- no way! I can't wait until I can get you in all those clothes hanging in your closet! 

You're still in newborn diapers as well- however, I don't think it will be long until we're up to 1's. 

Milestones
From the day you were born you've been quite the head lifter. I remember that was one of the first things in the hospital we noticed about yo. Anytime you were on mine or your dad chest you would raise your head up. We knew we were in for quite the ride then and there. You are really starting to like tummy time because of this. You are really getting then hang of moving your head side to side! We don't think it will be long until you can really hold your head up by yourself. I'm almost pretty sure we've gotten a couple 'real' smiles vs 'i'm pooping smiles.'

Coopers Likes:
*Carseat
*Car rides 
*Fred {his wubbaNub paci}
*Swing
*Walks
*Baths {90% of the time}
*Tummy Time
*Music
*Lights and Fans
*Passing Gas {cooper, my little little cooper- the nosies that come out of your back side sound just like your fathers... we can't get over how loud and how much you fart!}

Coopers Dislikes
*Diaper Change
*Being Naked
*Burping
*Sun {you squint your eyes and shake your head whenever the sun hits you}
*Not being fed quick enough