Cole’s First Birthday!

My baby is one year old today!  Yesterday and on Sunday, I was kind of sentimental, because if I went by actual days, Cole was born on Monday, and that Sunday I was in labor.  I kept looking at the clock thinking, ‘last year right now, I was in Ryan’s room, lying on the floor, breathing through the contractions’, or ‘this time last year, we were on the way to the hospital.’

Cole was born at 9:43 PM after 41 hours of labor (whew).  He weighed 7lbs, 5 oz. and was 19 inches long.  I was ecstatic I was able to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean) birth with him.  Labor was the most intense thing I have ever done, but also the greatest.  I can honestly say, I have never felt more accomplished and fulfilled then those first few minutes after Cole had been born, and I realized I had done it- I had given birth to him!  

I have truly loved every day I have had with Cole, despite some very challenging times, during the past year.  We are SO lucky to have such a healthy, happy, and lovable baby boy.  As Cole continues to grow, I know my love for him will continue to grow as well, and I am excited to see what the future holds for him. 

We went grocery shopping today, and Ryan and Cole were riding in the double cart together, and they usually fight- each trying to get each other’s steering wheel.  But today, Ryan reached over, out of the blue, and put his arm around Cole.  Cole responded by leaning his head on Ryan’s shoulder, and they just sat that way for a good two minutes.  I had tears in my eyes, and wished I had a camera.  It is so neat to see not only my boys growing, but also seeing their relationship as brothers developing. 

It seems like it really has been a year most of the time, and then at times, it seems like I just came home from the hospital with Cole.  Ryan still talks about my ‘tummy being big when Coley lived in there’, so I think he still remembers too. 

We are going to go over to Joe’s parent’s house on Wednesday night to have another cake, and then one of my friends and I are planning a little one year birthday celebration for Cole and her son, who was born just 8 days after Cole, sometime in June.  So Cole’s milestone of turning one, will be well documented. 

I have to include some pictures of one of the best days of my life- the day we got to meet Cole:

 This was taken the day before I went into labor (May 20, 2006- I was 39 weeks and 2 days preggo with Cole).

 Cole’s first picture- seconds after he was born.

 Nursing for the first time, just minutes after he was born.

 Ryan meeting his little brother for the first time, about 12 hours after he was born.  (Ryan looks a little freaked out, doesn’t he?  🙂  )

 Mama and Cole, resting in the hospital.

 Cole, about 48 hours old.

Happy First Birthday, Cole!  I love you with all my heart!