Stream of Thoughts

1.  I love this little guy:

The minute I delivered him and the nurse placed his slimy, purple (and I mean purple), amazing little body on my chest I was smitten.  Seriously, the world basically stopped for me as I held and stared at this little miracle.  I have no idea what was going on around me and I don't even remember feeling any pain once I had him in my arms - I was just so happy that he was here.

2.  Every single person that sees Copeland comments on how much he looks like Ryan.  I can't believe I birthed a child that looks nothing like me.  Ryan and I had discussed several times that our child's looks were going to be a total wild card with my Chinese background and Ryan's all American looks but secretly I always thought he'd look more like me.  Ryan must have too because he recently told me that when he first saw all the dark hair on Copeland's head he thought "oh he's going to look just like Rachel" but when the doctor turned Copeland around so he could see his face he thought (but wisely didn't say out loud immediately) "he looks like me!"  You all be the judge.  Here's a side by side of Copeland and Ryan.

3.  I can't believe how quickly Copeland is changing!  I'm with him every day and it still seems like he changes fast!  I remember in the first week he would make this adorable little squealing sound that just killed me.  I tried to get it on video and never succeeded and he quit doing it after about a week and a half.  :(  Also, his eating patterns seem to change all the time.  At first he would eat FOREVER (like sometimes for an hour) but now sometimes he'll only eat for 10-15 minutes and be done.  And his face and little body are filling out.  Ryan weighed him on our scale last Thursday and he was 9 lbs!  We don't have a hospital grade scale or anything but I can't imagine it's that far off.

4.  Copeland has so far been such a chill baby.  I was really expecting him to be a wild child based on the level of activity I felt in my stomach while I was pregnant; however, he is really very calm. He does move his arms, legs, and head around a lot but he doesn't really ever squawk or cry unless he's hungry or is having extreme gas.  (Speaking of him moving his head - it really surprised me how much strength he has in his neck!  I thought a newborn neck would be way more jello-y and wobbly).  Because he's been so calm with us, we've already taken him to two farmer's markets, out to eat at Texas Roadhouse, shopping at the grocery store and Costco, and out for coffee.

5.  I've found that people love babies.  And people who love babies are so very generous.  I am overwhelmed by the well wishes and gifts and meals that keep coming our way.  Copeland is one lucky little guy to have so many people so excited about him.

6. I've been trying to take walks as often as possible, especially with how nice it has been lately.  I can't make it very far because I'm still recovering and I get tired very quickly.  This recovery business is no joke.  The fact that I am so easily fatigued and sore made it hit home with me just how much my body went through to bring this child into the world.  It really is amazing.  I joke with Ryan that I was able to go through 24 hours of labor and delivery without complaint (minus the one time I told the doctor "I kind of hate you right now") but now that I'm home and healing I'm grousing about the little discomforts like the floppy belly - yes, I did look like I was still 5 months pregnant after giving birth but instead of being a firm belly it felt like everything inside was swimming around in the wrong spot and it flopped around when I walked and hurt to laugh or cough.  So strange.  

7.  Ryan and I hit a new low.  We were out trying to buy an accessory for the stroller only to get to the cash register and discover that neither of us had our wallets.  We really didn't want to drive all the way home to get money so we turned the car inside out looking for cash and change.  I knew we had pretty close to the amount we needed because I remember how many dollars the item was but not how many cents.  I shared this with Ryan and he said "scan the parking lot for change!" LOL!  We both just started laughing so hard at our desperation.  I ended up going inside with what I had and had 15 cents to spare.  I actually think the cashier probably would have given me money out of her own pocket after that fiasco if I would have been short some change.  

8.  Think these fur babies are feeling a little left out?

They've actually been great with the new addition to our family.  They seem to always want to be around him and they throw fits when he's upset.  They will run to us and basically herd us when they hear him crying.  But I do think they are feeling like they aren't getting enough loving.  Poor little fur babies.  

9.  More pictures of Copeland:

At the hospital:

Tummy time:

Getting loving from Grandparents: