July 31, 2012

This time last year...

As I was thinking about Cooper's birth story...I also started thinking about Owen's.  Cooper's story is so much different.  Don't get me wrong, it was a birth...and it was an amazing day.  But there are lot less details to share because in comparison to his brother's grand entrance into the world...his was much less eventful!! Guess that happens when your birth is a schedule c-section that has a beginnning start time and an OR booked and ready for you!!

If you are interested, you can read my recount of Owen's birth story starting here. As we approached his first birthday, I retold it. It's a long one, but it's a good one!!

But this year...I'm recounting Coop's birth story!  So here's a little about what we were doing as we waited for him to join our family!!  Leading up to his birth we:

Did some reminsicing
Worked on creating a prehistoric wonderland
We had a lot of Owen-filled fun...here, here, and here.
I did a little pregnant girl cooking
I got really nervous about my pending surgery and posted one last post!
And I didn't post this till after Cooper was here...but this is how we spent our entire last weekend as the Linley 3.

Boy did life look different then!!  I will never forget the night before heading in...I TRIED so hard to sleep...but was completely unable to. I tossed and turned from horrible heart burn...and my thoughts would not allow me to rest. I promised myself after being so nervous with Owen...I wouldn't allow myself to do that with Cooper. Well with Cooper I was nervous but in a different kind of way...and a whole different set of things to wonder and worry about. Will the surgery go fast? Did I make the right choice to have a c-section?  Should I have tried for a natural birth? What would two kids be like? Would he be a good sleeper? Or would he take after his brother?  Would I ever feel like I could love them both enough? I also wrestled with memories of post c-section pain and all the needles and medicine and machines.  All of the things that sort of fade from your memory until your marching right back into them...in less than 24 hours! I know why I had trouble sleeping.

Needless to say...all those things were running through my very tired, 9 month pregnant brain and I didn't get as much sleep as I would have like. When we got up that morning to shower the tears started. Stacey was on her way to get Owen...and I knew as soon as he left I'd loose it completely.  Somehow that last piece of the puzzle made me cry the hardest.  I knew the tears were coming. All the worry, concerns, excitement...it all bubbled up...and when my baby left the house...never to return to our little family of 3 again...life was different in that instant.  I am pretty sure I cried till we got to the hospital...and suddenly...as I climbed into my hospital gown and they began to prep me...I got excited and the tears stopped. Sure I was still nervous. But the nurses good moods and excitement was infectious. We are having a baby today! Cooper Ayden was joining our family.  The baby that had been kicking my ribs for months...was about to be here! 10 fingers. 10 toes. Kissable cheeks and sleepy baby snuggles. All of that awaited us. We were getting ready to meet the mini-Cooper for the first time and just like with Owen...our lives were about to change forever in the best way possible!

July 20, 2012

Long Overdue!

Another important business matter to deal with was that Owen was much overdue for a haircut! 

Before:

After:
See what I mean???

A Night on the Town!

We don't break down and buy tickets to performances very often, but when Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Calliat announced a show in our area, we decided to jump on it!

We had a most amazing evening of dinner, wine, exploring a new place and listening to wonderful music!


 We started with dinner at Tony's:

Filet over a crab stuffed mushroom...to.die.for!
 Self Portrait number 1.




The show opener was Andy Grammer and he was awesome!! I could have listened to him some more and I really even know too many of his songs.
He came up into the higher balcony and sang with the crowd. So fun!
 The middle of the opera house ceiling turns this pretty blue in between sets.
 Self portrait number 2.
Colbie on stage.

 Setting up for Gavin DeGraw
 He's performing! And he did not disappoint!  Awesome performances from every singer that night. We picked a great show!  Thanks babe for a most wonderful reminder that we can still date like we used to...even if we are yawning through the 11:30pm encore!!

July 18, 2012

Swim Partay - Linoski Style!

This crew knows how to enjoy themselves :)  We did just that, along with delicious lunch and soaking up the summer sun! Owen even got a boo-boo and a band-aid before we called it a day!! Successful summertime fun!

Cooper wasn't so sure about this whole swimming thing at first...but he came around!

In the kiddy pool, next to his cute little girlfriend of course!


 The bubbles were a hit!

Owen and Dadda


Coop and Uncle B...who was pretending to be a shark...


 P buggy taking a snooze...

This is more like it Dad...I gotta wear shades.

Mr Big Stuff climbing out of the pool!


Aunt Steff hanging on for dear life...




Good buddies.

Taking a Tour!

The third weekend in June we took off on a Linley-sized family adventure!! With the hot weather we decided to do a small outdoor outing and keep the rest in nice cool air conditioning!  Our adventures took us to tour the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower.  











 Even though the tour was short and the view was very cool, I think we were all ready to get cooled off.  We did just that by traveling down the road to short way and visiting a free local museum.  The kiddos were a little too small to appreciate the whole museum for its interesting replicas and history of our area...but it was a fun way to stretch our legs before dinner time!






We followed up with a delicious and relaxing dinner in Edwardsville and fun was had by all!