Cooper's First Christmas

Here are some pictures from Cooper's first Christmas. He really enjoyed it and was such a good boy. We had a great time with both of our families. I hope you all had a great Christmas too! -- Ann

Many Faces

Merry Christmas

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Hanging Out

Funny Faces

Going Home

Eyes Wide Open

Cooper Waving

Wenesday Morning

We are going home today!!! That is very exciting news for all three of us. Here is what has happened the last day or so. We were discouraged by his lack of eating on Tuesday but yesterday was great. He was eating like his dad at Golden Corral which was a very welcome sight. We have fed him every 3-4 hours for last 24 hours or so he has gotten plenty to eat. We had a little bit of a scare this morning when the paediatrician told us he had a heart murmur but the cardiologist just left and said that he has a very healthy heart and that the murmur will correct itself. That to me is incredible. We can't wait to be home in our own house with our own stuff and especially our own bed.

Thank you all so much for your prayers over the last few days. We don't know where we would be without all of you in our lives.

Mommy and Baby

Tuesday Night

Cooper Tuesday Morning

First Night

He's Here

Cooper Malone Howell has arrived. He was born at 12:13 PM, weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and was 20 inches long. Ann did great and now she and Cooper are both resting. Thanks for your prayers and support. We truly appreciate it.

On Our Way

In case you were wondering, here is what two terrified parents to be look like the morning of their first child's birth.

Cooper's Room

Maggie at Play

Hold On, I'm Coming

I just wanted to let everyone know that Cooper will be joining us Monday. November 26 at 12:00. He is breach which means he is feet first which also means he is upside down. We have a C-section scheduled for that Monday after Thanksgiving. I have no pictures of him but pictures of his room are coming soon. I can tell you that he is about 6 lbs, 10 oz right about now. Feel free to give us some nickname ideas for him. We have already heard Deuce, Little Deuce Coop, Coop Doggy Dogg, Cooper the Pooper and Super Cooper so get creative.

IT'S A BOY

Ann and I found out that we are having a little boy. Cooper Malone Howell is his name and he should be here right around Thanksgiving. In case you were wondering, Cooper is just a name we liked and Malone is Ann's mom's maiden name. Here are a few pictures from the ultrasound so you can see him. We also have video and as soon as I figure out how to put a video on here, I will.

The Heartbeat

Today, Ann and I actually got to hear our baby's heart beat. I don't know if you've ever heard this phenomenon before but it sounds like it's underwater. Dr. Crowe said that it sounded just like it should and was beating strong. Luckily for Ann's nerves, Dr. Crowe was able to find the heartbeat very quickly. She also said that the baby was about the size of a lime. A month ago, it was the size of a jellybean so it's growing everyday. It's really amazing when you think about what's going on in there. Ann is feeling almost back to normal which she appreciates greatly. She is getting her Mother's Day gift this weekend with a prenatal massage which she is really looking forward to. We go to the doctor again June 19 so she can give us another update.