Cooper is here!

In case you haven't noticed (from the pictures and fb posts), Cooper is here!  After 32 hours of being in the hospital, he decided to grace us with his presence... 37 minutes before his due date.  It's funny how after you have a baby, it is so much more interesting to hear other women's labor stories and experiences.  I now have a better understanding of the verbage and can empathize in many ways.  And let me tell you, God is so faithful, gracious, and took care of us during the entire experience (not that I doubted He would).  Cooper was born at 11:23pm on Saturday, August 25th, weighing 8 lbs, 1 ounce and 20 inches long.  He had a little bit of a rough start, but is extremely healthy!  We're thankful that he is eating, sleeping, and relieving himself very well!  I think that's all you can really ask for from a newborn.  We had our appointment with the pediatrician at 2 1/2 weeks, and he weighed in at 8 lbs,  5 ounces (which he left the hospital at 7lbs, 13 ounces) and so he was very pleased that he had gained back his birth weight and above!  So now for some pictures--

Our first family photo. I know I look rough--and yes, I felt like I looked.

First ride in the stroller--he loves the carseat, stroller, Moby wrap, and Bjorn backpack

Sweet boy sleeping...which we swaddle him at night (and not typically in the day)

Bri came and took some newborn pictures. Can't get enough of him!!

He stayed awake and so content during his photo shoot

Dad got to feed the first bottle! I don't pump much, but he has taken 4 bottles now.

And now, since I'm almost 5 weeks behind in posting anything, we have a one month old!  So some updates (and things for me to remember later): We think he weighs between 9-9 1/2 lbs.  He usually wakes up to feed once during the night and then around 6am.  We're figuring out that he doesn't love to lay on his back all the time (when he is awake)--so we don't have the baby that just lays on a blanket during the day.  He like to be held and does usually pretty well in the bouncy seat.  I went to an infant massage class earlier in the week and he actually did really well with being on his tummy, so we might have a boy that enjoys tummy time when we get to that....and might become a tummy sleeper like his momma.  We have taken two trips out of town and he has done great with the car rides.  He has slept most of the time and then even if he is awake in the car, just hangs out pretty content.  Cooper isn't really a fan of bath time.  Today was actually the first time he didn't scream and cry through the entire bath--we're making progress :)  He is still wearing newborn diapers and newborn/0-3 months clothes...although some of his newborn clothes are starting to get too small in length.  He has been to church twice, out to restaurants, a few trips to the store, and over to friends' house.  He enjoys the stroller and has done really well on our walks.  Here are a few pictures I snapped when we took one month pictures on Tuesday.

One month old!

We're still doing sponge baths--we can do them quicker and today we had no crying!

We love you, Cooper Owen, and are so thankful for you!  One of the nurses in the hospital said, "So I hear that you had leukemia ... I guess the chemo didn't kill off your eggs!" This is exactly what my oncologist said to me too, which is just a reminder that Cooper is a gift from God.  And can I also say how much I love my husband.  I knew he was going to be a great daddy, but it's even more than I imagined.  I love our little family of three!

Coop's nursery

The days of Eric & Kelly Barb, the couple, are slowly winding down...and we are preparing (as much as we know how) to become a family of three.  I have now moved to weekly doctor appointments and everything is still going great.  We talked with our doctor yesterday about signs of labor, when to go to the hospital, and just got to ask her some questions about "how will we know?"  It's funny because I get asked all the time if I have had any contractions, lost my mucous plug, or if the baby has dropped.  And generally my answer is, "I don't think so- but I don't know what any of that feels like..."  We do have a small bit of progress though, because as of yesterday, I was dilated to "almost a 1" :)  I know that I could hang out there for weeks though.

I can't believe the summer is winding down.  Classes start back at SEMO on August 20th.  We have had a busy and really great summer: Summer Missions Orientation, Super Summer, two baby showers, time with family and friends, a trip to southeast Kansas, Campus Missionary Training, buying a new car, taking a couple of classes at the hospital, and getting the nursery ready for Cooper's arrival.  So do you want to see pictures?  I think we have all the necessities and all the things we don't need too.

We decided to piece together our own baby quilt.  (It is actually completely finished now and ready to be picked up!)  It was the inspiration that we built the room around for color.  I wanted something bright and fun--and to stay away from pastels or strictly blue and green.  The fabric is Alphabet Soup Boy by Riley Blake designs.

Here is the dresser that we got from an antique store and Eric painted.  I love the color!  He also updated the hardware.  We got the prints on the wall from Etsy and the dresser is also acting as the changing table.  In the next few pictures, you will see our new comfy swivel glider, Ikea spice racks turned into bookshelves, Ikea curtains, and homemade artwork.

Cooper also has his own rocking chair, that was made by some friends of Eric's from his hometown.

And then we have the crib, name on the wall, and storage unit with shelves, drawer, and laundry basket.  We haven't gotten everything put away, so the shelves and crib are currently acting as the catch-all.

I hope that helps you get a feel for the room!  I didn't have a great way to take pictures besides going around from wall to wall.   We're excited for our little man to arrive and be able to put all this stuff to use.  Who knew such a little thing could have so much stuff?! 

photo shoot!

A few weeks ago, our friend Bri took some maternity photos for us.  We took them in Hannibal at Riverview Park during a weekend off between two weeks of Super Summer camp.  Luckily, we were able to take them before it was TOO hot outside and I didn't want to go too much farther in the pregnancy. 


If you'll remember correctly, Bri took our engagement pictures....

and our wedding pictures....

....so we were thrilled when she moved to Missouri and we conveniently had time for a maternity photo shoot! 

Thanks Bri for capturing this special moment for us!

updates from the Barbs

Well, this post is going to be all over the place!  We've been pretty busy, so I'll try and play catch up!

1. Baby Barb
Baby is doing extremely well ... and he has a name!  We decided on Cooper Owen Barb.  We had several options of boy names that we liked, and Cooper made it's way to the top.  We've shared this with anyone who asks and already bought letters to put up a name in the nursery, so it's not a secret and no turning back now :)  It's a pretty big deal to name a child ... I mean, this stays with them forever!  We tried to think through all the ways it could be changed, etc. and we know that it rhymes with Pooper ... but I don't think that's too traumatizing.  I got called Smelly Kelly and my feelings weren't hurt and I think I turned out okay ;)  We had an appointment a couple of weeks ago and everything is still going really well.  He is growing right on track (as am I) and so even though I still look small (relatively), we are on track!  I do feel like there has been a little growth happening this last week.  I feel bigger, look bigger, and my ever-growing basketball size uterus has made itself known as it pushes in and makes room.  I don't think there is any hiding that I'm pregnant.  So one week left and we enter the 3rd trimester!  It has been so fun to feel a living, growing being inside of me.  Maybe I won't feel this way in the heat of the summer as the kicks get harder and I get more uncomfortable, but I really have enjoyed being pregnant.  Another fun thing is that we have our pediatrician lined up!  We just went with Dr. Hoffman, who goes to our church- so lots of friends recommended him (including our OB doctor).  He also happens to be one of the best in town! 

May 20, 2012- 26 weeks

2. Chick-fil-A
This also marks my last week as a full-time manager at Chick-fil-A.  I'm now going to be the part-time Marketing Director!  I know I will miss being with my friends and team members that I enjoy working with and the guests that I enjoy serving, but I will still get to play a role there.  This will allow me to be pretty flexible and able to stay home with Cooper.  We can work with Eric's schedule and that way we aren't hiring out a babysitter or finding daycare options.  Our restaurant is also almost 9 months old now, so we are ready to really get our feet on the ground with stuff in the community too!  I'm also excited that I'll have a flexible summer to be able to spend with Eric, since he has such a flexible summer, and that we will get to be a part of Super Summer and MBC things :) Plus we have weddings, showers, and all kinds of other fun stuff lined up this summer!

My first CfA event -- Leadercast (cookie break)

Lunch at Leadercast

3. Showers
We've already had 2 surprise baby showers!  Our students threw a shower for us back at the end of April and we got so many great goodies....like pacifiers, bathtub, hygiene items, bottle refills, washcloths, towels, onesies, books, blanket, stuffed animal, and giftcards.  We've registered at Target- which was kind of just a shot in the dark.  Everyone has what has worked for their baby, what they never used, preferences, etc...so we registered for all the necessities we could really think of.  I'm sure there will be favorites that we get from people and we didn't bother to register for clothes, because I'm sure that will come too.  I also had a surprise shower on Friday at Chick-fil-A.  They gave us a Target giftcard and our jogging stroller!  We've already been blessed so much!

Some of the goodies from our BSU shower

$7 well spent at a yard sale across the street :)

Coop's first bowtie!

4. Vacation
At the end of April, we took a little trip to Los Angeles.  One of my friends that I met in Ethiopia was getting married!  Reuben (who got married) and Matt made the trip to Missouri for our wedding, so it was fun to be able to do the same!  We spent 4 days in LA and really enjoyed our time.  Eric got to experience Ikea for the first time, we went to Santa Monica pier and beach, went up to the Griffith Observatory, and just shopped and dined!  We got to have dinner with my friend Tracie (from high school) and her husband Ben at a great little Italian place.  Plus, we went to Reuben's wedding and an out-of-towners luncheon.  We love traveling and this was such a great opportunity to get away for a few days.  We'll have quite a bit of travel this summer (close by), but we wanted to get one more flight and travel a little further from home in before Cooper comes.

Reuben & Matt from our wedding- brought their own props for the photo booth!

Reuben & Nicole's wedding

Griffith Observatory--can barely see the Hollywood sign back there

I know there is so much more that I could write about, but it would be even more random than it is now.  So I'll just stop here :)  We've started work on the nursery--as in we know where it's going and have curtains, baby quilt, and the inspiration leading us, but I'm sure I'll have updates as we really begin to put it all together.  Thanks for reading :)

Love,
E + K

$5 prom during Finals week-- we know we're gross :)

Want to read a sweet post from my husband's blog....grab your tissues!