Welcome sweet Story K!

On Thursday evening, February 16, our sweet daughter Story Katherine Cobb was born at Duke Hospital.  She was 8 lbs 6 oz and 20.5 inches long.  I was blessed to have the same doctor, Dr. Nieves, who also delivered Tag.  He is TERRIFIC!  I'm convinced that little grace was an act of God because there are probably 15+ doctors in that practice and  you don't get a say in who will deliver your baby... it's just whoever is on call during that shift.    

My water broke Wednesday around 11:30 pm and we went to Duke on Thursday morning at 7 am when contractions didn't pick up.  We were admitted and told to do some walking to try to get the contractions I was having to become regular--no luck!  So at 12:45pm we started pitocin and were on pitocin ALL day.  I ate a quick lunch before we got the pitocin and around 6pm my awesome doctor let me have half a turkey sandwich (plain), and some peaches. Although I was having contractions (according to the machine) I couldn't really feel them regularly.  At this time he told us he really felt like we wouldn't have a baby until well after midnight and to try to rest (HA).  Brentley went home to help our family members put Tag to bed and get a few things while I rested.  Then, we watched our Thursday night line up (30 Rock, Office, etc.) and around 10pm the contractions went from 0 to 1 on the pain scale to maybe an 8 or 9.  I couldn't believe how quickly I was jolted into active labor!  By 10:30pm they were off the scale and the Doctor checked me to find me only 5 CM dilated.  Since It had taken me all day to get from 3CM (what I was when I came to the hospital) to 5CM, I decided to get an epidural.  They administered that around 11pm saying it would work in about 20 minutes, and as soon as they left the room my contractions became so powerful they forced me to start pushing.  The nurse called the Doctor in to get ready, and Story came a few minutes later at 11:26pm!      

 I don't have any good pictures of Story when she was first born, but if I did they would be a bit scary looking.  She came out with a terribly bruised head from the quick labor, or as Brentley put it, my body contracting on her face :(  It took a day or so for the bruising to go away which then revealed these lovely pink, rosy cheeks.

These are pictures of our little Story Kate at 7 days old.  It's pretty amazing how much they change each day these first few weeks.   

 She favors Tag in some ways but is much different in others.  Tag had much chunkier arms and legs than Story has.  And Story has much longer fingers and toes than Tag has.  And, obviously Tag had way more hair (and a bigger head, I might add!).   

Here is a picture of Tag meeting Story for the first time.  He was pretty amused by her.  We are still practicing "gently" stroking her head or touching her feet.  He loves to say "Bebe" and he enjoys looking at her up close (supervised, of course). 

Below are a few pictures comparing Tag and Story at their first well baby check ups.  Story on the left and Tag on the right.  To me, they do favor quite a bit!

   

I'm still not convinced that the second baby is "easier," but I think my expectations were set more accurately this time.  Nursing is still hard as heck, but I think knowing all the aches and pains are normal makes it easier.  So far, Story is sleepier than Tag was, so at night I have had a few really nice stretches of sleep (Lord, please let this continue).  But, she eats nearly every 2 hours during the day (ouch).  Tag was almost immediately on a 3-3.5 hour routine, even at night.      

Tag is learning to adjust but it's not always easy for him.  He seems to want to be in my lap exactly when I'm feeding Story, and cries "mamamama" which hurts my heart!  I hate not being able to immediately comfort him, but I know he has to learn to share his mama and daddy with his sweet sister. 

Anyway, I can't believe we're now a family of 4!  My heart feels full and happy and I am so grateful that God saw fit to bring Story into our lives! Praise be to God! 

PS:  Story is a name that Brentley and I came up with, just talking through things we both love (Both being English majors and book nerds and all...)  Katherine is my great-grandmothers name, my grandmothers middle name, and my middle name, so I kept it going.  My mother also has the middle name "Kaye" which is a shortened version of the name.  I like the juxtaposition of a very different name with a very classic name.  I also like the option to call her "Story Kate," though I'll probably be the only one to do that, as B isn't a huge fan of double names.  I hope that Story will grow up loving her name and loving the women whose name she shares.  I think the world of Story's grandmothers-- they are strong, kind, beautiful women with servant's hearts.  I love these women!!     

looking forward to february!

Yesterday my sweet dad came to help me with Tag as he had a follow up appointment for his broken leg.  Thankfully, the tedious 2 hour + wait resulted in confirming that Tag will only need to be in the cast for 4 weeks, rather than 6 total.  So, February 13th is the date that we have set for cast removal.  I CAN HARDLY WAIT!

Brentley is currently recovering from a mean stomach virus (possibly norovirus?), the likes of which I hope to have Lysol'd out of my house today.  I'm convinced that if Tag or I got that virus, we'd be hospitalized--for sure!  Besides, we've got our own battle going with a nasty cold which has been lingering for almost 2 weeks now.    

I went to the doctor today to confirm that baby girl is doing her usual thing and measuring 2 weeks ahead again.  So, she measures 39 weeks, but I'm only 37.  I'm not sure to pray for her to come early or late or what.  I guess my prayers are that I can just be patient and reliant on God's timing.  I've done pretty well with gaining weight, except this last week I managed to gain 5 lbs.  My doc said she was sure it was all water weight... which is evident to anyone who sees my ankles or hands! 

Anyway, we're surviving and hoping we fair better in February.  Despite the craziness around here, I'm finding so much joy in the anticipation of meeting our sweet girl.  I can't wait to find out her personality and see what she looks like.  I can't wait to bring her home to her super cute nursery, and begin our lives as a family of 4!

I have very few pictures for the past two weeks of balancing funky germs, working, a 17 month old in a spica cast, and weeks 35-37 in pregnancy #2 but here's a few that make me happy.

These pictures aren't great, but I love how everything turned out.  The walls are gray and furniture white.  The bedding is pink, purple, and yellow.  One day when the lighting is good, I hope to get some decent photos.  But until then...

Oh yeah, and did I mention that Tag can now crawl in his cast?  CRAZY!  Apparently it's 100% normal.  The docs say his leg is healing perfectly, regardless.  It looks sad, but it actually makes a huge difference in Tag's demeanor.  He gets easily frustrated, but the mobility helps him expend that extra energy.  Plus he can get on the floor and play with toys and sort through books on his own. 

Friday the 13th.

 My friend Kate told me when I was pregnant with Tag that each day forward as a parent just presents another opportunity to trust the Lord.  After nearly 17 months of theoretical opportunities and future worries that I obsessed over, this weekend, we had a very real opportunity to trust God.  Though nobody "wishes" for opportunities like this, I am thankful that I have my God to put my trust in, because we found ourselves as utterly helpless parents when Tag's leg was broken.

B and I were both on either side of him when it happened.  We had his hands and were beginning to pick him up slightly to sort of skip along in a parking lot, something we did a lot before this happened.  But as I went to lift him on the left, he slipped right out of my hand and fell onto the pavement.  It was such a small fall we were surprised he was even crying.  We thought perhaps he scraped his knee, but it didn't take us long to realize something was wrong. 

Watching Tag suffer in pain until we could get the right combination of safe medicines to help him cope, was AWFUL.  It lasted pretty much 24 hours straight.  I think adding to the situation the hormones of a 35 week pregnancy made for an especially difficult for me.  But, God was merciful.  Our friends and family lifted us up in prayer, and we have been blessed.

Here are a few photos from the past week.
  

Tag getting a bit of rest from spasms.  They progressively got worse from late Friday night after the cast was put on and they finally began to ease up around 6pm Saturday night.   

   


Tag eating a few bites of nearly the only thing he would eat in the hospital.


Laying on mommy in the chair.  He's such an affectionate, loving, boy, and this cast is really blocking his cuddle mojo!


Watching some familiar faces from Toy Story 3 while holding a paci and playing with his hair.


Taking the "coach K sighting tour" before being discharged.  The floor we were on had a wagon for such outings.  Seems pitiful, but it was nice for us all to get out of that room!

First and only Buzz cut (if we can help it!) We had to cut his hair from where it was matted and beginning to dread up from lying on his back so much in the hospital. 



Still laying on Daddy at home

A few days later...

Tag is adjusting pretty well, all things considered, to being immobile.  He has certain toys he likes to play with--mostly books.  We've found certain positions that we can sit him in that are comfortable and safe.  

Visitors have been especially fun for Tag.  Especially those that can easily carry him around.  When my dad was here, he kept pointing to the door and once we got him wrapped up and dad took him outside... he waved bye to us!  He was ready to get OUT of the house.  

I try not to pick Tag up too much since he is so heavy in this cast, but it's hard when he reaches for me.  I think 90% of the time, he just wants me to hold him so he can play with my hair.  Sad!



For my own memory's sake, I do want to remember the challenges from these past two weeks.  When we got Tag home he began to experience a terribly cough.  Brentley had the cold the week before, so that's likely how he got it.  The cold, compounded with the injury, has made for some interesting preparations for baby girl.  Tag is sleeping in a small make shift bed we bought for him in our room.  The first week we were waking up every 2-3 hours comforting, changing diapers, and administering medicines to keep his pain under control.  Since he can't take any cold medicines, we also gave him water and tried to make sure he was in a comfortable position to cough.  He downs the water at night, making diaper changes more frequent than normal.

This week he is waking up more like every 4-6 hours and appears to have much less pain.  However, I have the cold now, which stinks.  I think because I'm still working full time and trying to care for Tag it's just even easier to feel worn down.  I've been going to sleep at the same time as Tag at night, so I can make it all day.  As I recall having zero sleep before giving birth to Tag, I'm making it a priority to keep up on my sleep as much as possible!

To those of you who have been praying, thank you!!! We took Tag to the pediatric ortho doc last friday and learned that he will likely be out of this cast in 4 weeks total, not 6.  PRAISE BE!!!  That brings his out of cast date to February 10th ish, instead of sometime between the 17th and 24th (my due date being the 22nd).

SO friends, keep the prayers coming!  And, please forgive me for not returning texts,calls, emails, etc.  I appreciate them and love being reminded that you care!  xo   

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I really wanted to get a family photo this year for our Christmas card, but it just didn't work out.  Instead I took some of just Tag (it only took about 200 shots to get this photo).  Then I found a groupon to order these cards from an online print shop. I didn't realize until they came that I ordered the square shape, which can cost up to $0.20 extra in postage... I took them to my local post office to ask about it, and the guy who helped me told me I wouldn't need extra postage.  But, a few cards were returned anyway.  So, sorry if you didn't get your card or you get it late with lots of writing on it!

Merry Christmas Everyone!         

so now you know....

30 weeks pregnant with baby girl cobb.

yes, now you know why i have slowed down so much.  when i see the pictures, i don't even know what to say.  it blows my mind what my body can do in such a short period of time.  and it also blows my mind how quickly second pregnancies pass.  they are neat though, second pregnancies, because imagining what your child could look like or be like isn't as difficult.  and imagining what nursing and changing diapers at 3am, and losing sleep (indefinitely)... also not so difficult. 

tag was just waking up from a nap and really needed some love, which was nice, because i absolutely hate having photos taken of me alone.  anyway, back to the belly... at my 28 week appointment i was told that i measured at 30 weeks.  at the 30 week appointment, i was measuring at 31 weeks. 

 

 30 weeks

When I look at these photos, all I can think is, wow i am as big as my Christmas Tree!  And I won't even write what I'm thinking about my face.  Regardless, I'm happy to be expecting this sweet baby girl.  Her closet is already filling up, and we're hoping to get started on her nursery in the next few weeks!  I can't believe that we will soon be a family of four!!!!!  

    

in the past few weeks...

i have slowed down, A LOT!  baby girl is wearing me down from the inside out and tag... well did you know he can run now?  he turned 15 months on November 23.  i am getting my money's worth from a nice heating pad, and trying my best not to do things i don't have to do.  but it's hard because we have a small house and need to make room for my sweet little lady and things need to be organized!  AND we all know "a clean home is a happy home!" 


tag began climbing recently.  yes, don't let the short legs fool you.  this dude can unlock the gate at the stairs and get to the top landing before i can get out of a chair.  he can also tippy toe walk, which is to say, he can do everything as quietly as a mouse.  sometimes he tries to tippy toe to something he's not supposed to touch while i'm watching him, as if it makes him invisible.  oh and i don't just mean he can climb stairs, that's really nothing (except that he can't climb down, though he recently has discovered scooting down on his bottom).  his big feat to beat is actually emptying his toy box, pushing it to the changing table, turning it upside down, climbing on top of that, pulling the second drawer of the changing table out, throwing everything in it on the floor, then getting into the second drawer of the changing table, then tossing everything from on top of the changing table onto the floor.  once he was done, he just screamed words i didn't understand but probably meant something like "mama help me get down, i'm all done here!"  i left him in his room with the gates up for 5-10 minutes and all that happened.  now, just so you don't think i'm crazy for leaving him in his room, know that i have left him in his room before and he's sat quietly reading books or tinkering with his toys.  anyway, the changing table is out of his room now, and we've tried to tag-toddler proof it to the best of our ability.  what's amazing is that he still hasn't climbed out of his crib--thank heavens!!

Exhibit A-- happens in about 15 seconds

 

tag is a solid eater and drinker, and at his 15 month appointment was in the 75% for height and weight.  he's hitting his milestones on time, and we are super proud of him.  i know this because recently we had lunch with friends and brentley and i couldn't seem to stop talking about tag and his new tricks.  he can show you where his nose is and he knows the cat's name now (luna) but he says "nah."  he does a barking sound when he sees dogs and he is capable of obeying simple commands that we give him like "no touching" or "sit down" (he likes to stand in his high chair and any other chair he can climb into).  we are working on holding hands when he walks, which he HATES.  he is still taking two naps most days and one is usually around 2 hours.  he crashes hard by 7:30pm and is an early riser.  On a good day he wakes up around 6:30, and other days he's chirping in the monitor at 5:30am.  i stand by my 6 am rule though, we don't get up until 6. 

tag is still having nightmares a few times a week, so that's loads of fun.  i was fooled into thinking that "sleeping through the night"  actually meant, "sleeping through the night."  apparently it means a baby that sleeps 6 hours straight without eating.  but it doesn't really mean "sleeping through the night from bed time to morning time" as I think the saying implies.  so for all you realists out there... NO, at 15 months we are still not 100% completely sleeping through the night in the real way!!!!!  AND, yes, i do question my sanity when i think about the fact that i'm adding a baby to this mix in roughly 3 months.  BUT, i know that God is sovereign and that in my weakness His strength is made perfect.  
 
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9)


"Have you not known? Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)

      

did i mention that tag and durham are getting along like siblings lately?  tag harasses durham and she comes over to me to tattle on him. in this photo, tag poked and prodded and pulled D to get out of her chair so he could climb into it.  then he propped open his book to "read"... and below you'll see where durham came to let me know she wasn't thrilled about it.

these are pictures of tag at his 15 month check up.  he loves to re-arrange furniture, in addition to climbing in chairs.  he's smart too.  he knows that if he arranges a chair beside a table with a computer on it he could possibly touch the keyboard or screen-- assuming mom isn't looking.  tag did pretty well with the shots.  the flu shot hurt him, but he only cried for a few seconds.     



the holiday week was nice, but also kind of nuts.  naps were rough, and sometimes non-existent.  we (I) ate too much.  there was much to much to do and people to see and not enough time to do it all in.  i still have no idea why or how people have time to go black friday shopping--are the deals really that good??  don't people need that day to catch up in life?  i cleaned my bathroom and sorted 2 of 4 attic spaces making more room for my sweet lady.  i took an insanely long nap, and still passed out around 8pm.  i never even left the house, i don't think?    

anyway, i have a feeling we will be paring down our holiday ventures in the next few years while we still have babies.  it was a rough weekend of recovery for us all from just a few days of craziness.  though, in all honesty, i'd still probably trade crazy babies for having to make my own Thanksgiving dinner for a while longer...

 

Happy Birthday to My Main Squeeze!

I'm a day late on posting this as Nov 21 is Brentley's birthday.  But I couldn't resist a little post about him (and some cute pics), since we've been celebrating him, and all!  

Gosh, I just LOVE Brentley Cobb!!!  He's so stinkin' smart!  Just the other day, he beat me by like a hundred points in scrabble.  I love how, with the exception of Thursday nights, he can be found reading before bed.  He encourages me to read and sometimes will even read to me.  He loves Jesus, and he leads me to love Jesus more because in everything he acknowledges His goodness towards us.  He loves animals, and finds God's creation utterly facinating.  He works hard at work and he works hard at home.  He does everything without complaining.  I am terrible at complaining, so being married to a non-complainer (which inevitably motivates me not to complain) is just more evidence of Gods grace to me!    

Brentley adores our little family and is the best dad ever.  I wish I had a video capturing how Tag's face lights up when he hears Brentley's voice first thing in the morning or when he comes home from work.  Tag is daddy's little man for sure!  Here is a picture of my dreamy man and his mini me brushing their teeth on the morning of his birthday.  Crazy cute, right??  I am so blessed to have them both!!!  He's my perfect match, and I love him to pieces!