Parker's first girl!

Parker and I visited Paige Michele Baker today (born September 10th). I'm quite sure she is the cutest little baby girl I've seen in a while. The softest hair and brown eyes you could loose yourself in. Parker was defintely loving the play time, and sacked out quickly on her blanket (cute!). I can already see visions of Parker faking sleep when it's time to leave Paiges' house so as to strech play time with Paige. I remember doing that when my cousins would visit (remember that Kristin). I think we were certain that if your parents couldn't find us (smile) in the house ... that they would surrender, give up, and leave us all there. I can still remember stuffing you in the linen closet (or was that Jenn?). What silly memories!

Telling Secrets already!

This Maternity Leave stuff .... Love it!

So I don't remember feeling this fantastic after Tyler was born, but really I am so surprised at how great I feel. Parker and I hit the mall today to use up some gift cards I had been saving for once I wasn't prego any more. I had so much fun shopping in stores I would NEVER have shopped, and spending "money" on myself. I bought two new bottles of perfume, a new pair of jeans, and two new shirts. Parker was a dream baby, and allowed me two glorious hours of "mommy" time. It was a great day! Kisses from the Cobb's

Sacked out on the couch!

Brothers

Holding Hands

(I happened upon this while we were watching TV this week. I looked over to see Tyler holding Parker's hand ... only he wasnt looking at him, he was staring at the TV. Seemed to be the most natural thing for Tyler. "Just hanging out/watching TV/holding my little brother's hand".)

Ode' to My sister

I don't think I can fully capture in words what an amazing sister I have. I kept thinking to myself this weekend ... "who needs a husband". NO ONE would have nailed it in meeting my needs better, even my ex spouse. I'm telling you there was never a better advocate than Rayanne McCall Falco. From the moment I found out I was in this difficult position she has been there for me. Holding my hand, helping me cope, drying tears. I think at times I found myself looking at her wondering if she was more appropriately labeled my mom as oppose to my sister.

These last nine months, she as been an amazing stand in with Tyler when I couldn't lift him, or just got totally overhwelmed. Rayanne played grocery shopper, Moving/Packing Lady (I'm pretty sure she packed my entire kitchen by herself), Uhaul Driver, Comedian, Counselor, Laundry Lady, House Cleaner, Pillow Mate (on those first nights when sleeping alone was unbearable), Back/Foot Massager, Defender (I will NEVER forget my clean mouth sister charging into my house the night my world changed, challenging the past head of my household with a "WHAT THE F***", I don't think she has ever hit someone, but the blood boiling in her face proved that would have been the situation that turned her into a "fighter", I've never felt more safe, or more proud). She's helped me clip coupons, and bargain shop, Threw the Best Baby Shower EVERY, and then there is this weekend ....

DELIVERY WEEKEND!

Most of my family will agree that a stop at Dunkin Doughnuts on the way to the Hospital is VERY appropriate for me. My sister took me to the perfect breakfast stop and we had Chocolate Kreme Filled Perfection (I'm sure my doctor paid dearly for that consumption when it came time to push, but OH WELL!). Arrived at the hospital right on time 7:00 am with about eighty bags in tow (all of which RAYANNE had to lug into L and D! Don't put two women in one room for 60 hours and not expect at least three bags each! After we settled into the room Rayanne delivered the first of many "pushing presents" ... as if having her there wasn't already the biggest gift EVER I got tons of fun stuff, cute pants (which I STILL haven't taken off), Chapstick (it was funny ... It went something like this Me: "Dang I forgot my chapstick" Rayanne: "Lets see what we can do about that!" and pulled some out of a gift bag... What a girl!), EVERY gossip magazine, delicious Linen Spray, Hand Soap which we used all weekend (it smells DEVINE), body wash, new panties, and the CUTEST wreath for the hospital (we had compliments on it all weekend long). After we opened presents :) The Nurse applied Prostin to my cervix at 8:00 am and we walked for about two hours. I think Rayanne led me to every gift shop in the hospital pushing my iv pole and cheering me on! After starting at a 2-2 1/2 cm dialation when we arrived, the Prostin got me to about a 3 1/2 before they introduced Pitocin at 10:30 am. With Pitocin started, I was confined to bed. We put in "First Wives Club" (very appropriate I thought :) ) Pitocin started and by about 11:30 I was Ready for an epidural. Contractions were coming quickly and crazy, Rayanne was RIGHT there rubbing my feet, counting contractions, explaining everything, and asking all the right questions when my mind went blank. Epidural came at about 12:00 (I think?) and then it was quite a roller coaster from there. I stalled at 5 cm for about 8 hours and for a while we were nervous we would head to a C section. But somehow Parker's big head made its way down and We were go for delivery at about 9:00 pm. We had to hang out for a little while, waiting on set up and the Dr to get ready. After one practice push and a big pep talk from my Dr and my sister ... I was good to go. Started pushing at 9:32 pm (Rayanne was AMAAZING, as all my support team was, but she was especially awesome. I think she wowed even the nurses with her counting, getting me to push THREE counts of 10 with every contraction). And at 9:44 pm Parker was born, Rayanne cut the cord and followed Parker standing on her tip toes to give me thumbs up from the corner and catching my eye with updates and big smiles. Even as she was holding PAC's hand and getting all the updates with him, she kept peeking over to make sure I was good. We didn't get in a room until 12:00 and We were BOTH exhausted. Thankfully Parker was an angel that first night, but we still only got two shifts of 2 hours each of sleep. LONG NIGHT :) Rayanne hung out with me all day through a stressful Hearing test (which Parker eventually passed) ... horrible hospital food, Foot Fungus showers :), Industrial Toilet flushing ( I think I went pee at least five times in the middle of the second night ... sorry about that Ray ... that Toilet was LOUD!). She was such an amazing partner in crime, helping me change Parker (getting him cute for his pictures), loving on Parker, Driving us home (slowly and minimizing the bumps :) ), and stayed with us ALL day yesterday and all night, cooking dinner for us, and even running 2 loads of laundry. I can only IMAGINE how tired she is!!!

So this is to my sister, my heart, my rock. Thank you for everything this weekend. For being the most incredible part of my life. For always staying so involved! I am so incredibly blessed to have you in my life.

Here are a few pics from this weekend and Rayanne's amazingness ...

Spending some quality time with Tyler before Parker's Arrival

Breakfast stop

Pushing Presents :)

The Sisters

Right by my side!

PUSHING!

(sorry if thats a little TMI, but Just wanted you to see my rockin sister litterally in action!)

OH MY GOODNESS!

The Pushing Team

(minus Nana)

I could NOT have gotten this 10 pounder out in 12 minutes had I not had these five women by my side. It was an amazing experience. One I will never forget!

First Family Photo and then Mommy and Paker


Parker definitely does his "own stunts" ... I'd say diving out into the world in 12 minutes should be considered a stunt on some level. First Casualty of P's stunting is his left cheek right below his eye (notice the scratch) ... caught it with his thumb nail on the way out ... poor baby! What a tough cookie!

Amy and Paker right after delivery
Big Thanks to Amy who stayed with me the entire day Friday, bringing SPRINKLES cupcakes in the am, I'll fill you in on all Amy's awesome duties later this week! She is the most amazing friend!! (At one point during pushing I looked up to see her STANDING on an end table in the corner of the room, camera in hand, mid text, shouting encouraging words ... now THAT's multitasking!

You're mine alright! I'd claim you every day!

Ray and Paker right after his first feeding, She was the first person to ever burp him (notice the amazing burping form ... Ray is a pro at EVERYTHING! I've already learned SEVERAL new tricks I didn't know with Ty) Biggest Award of the weekend goes to Ray ... I would NEVER EVER EVER have been able to do this without her. She stayed by my side the entire weekend from our sleepess night Thursday (in anticpation to induction), to ALL day laboring and a roller coaster delivery, to awful hospital room beds, and bad food, to feeding and changing and loving on PAC, to photographer, chauffer, foot rubber, hair stylist, kleenex lady, the list goes on and on and on... I will have to do an entire blog devouted later ... she was absolutely the rock! xoxo What I did to deserve her for my sister I don't know, but I only hope some day soon I will be able to pay her back even HALF of what she has done for me this weekend (well the past nine months really, well no, my whole life)

Ty and Parker hanging on day two

On our way home

Mommy and Ty playing after we brought Parker home

I will post more later this week after I've had a little sleep ( I use the word little loosely ... although as I type Ray is taking the next feeding so I'll be getting some shut eye after all ... like I said that Ray ... what a woman!)

Kisses from TY and PAC

Tyler Turns 2

The Birthday Boy when he first woke up! "Birfday" mommy "Birfday" ... he was so cute. First present from mommy, was a Wiggles "ipod" full of his favorite Wiggles songs. Sounds more fancier than it is ... but he LOVED it! He's holding it here ... very proud!

Tyler's Party was at the Wiggly Place Center, which is actually one of Tyler's favorite "hang outs", we can be found there at least once a week. This worked very much in our favor ... as he knew all the best places to play and was happy to show all of his friends his favorite spots. Tyler spent 90 percent of his time jumping and running with his friends! Couldn't even be bothered to open most of his presents ... too much to do! He was so much fun to watch!

Dorothy Visits Tyer's Party

(Tyler's Friends pictured from left to right: Tyler, Madison, Mason, Nicholas,

Cameron, Jordan, Jett, Antonio ,

not pictured: Aiden, Hunter, Lydia, and Logan )

Jordan, Jett, and Tyler riding the pony!

Madison hugging Tyler and Dorothy the Dinosaur

Dorothy Dancing for the group

The Wiggles!

You're singing to me?!! COOL!!

I can't believe you're TWO Tyler!

Tyler visits Mommy at work

Ray and Tyler came to visit me during my last days at work. It was so fun to have him hanging in my office. The multiple lines on my phone where a big hit when we were able to "call" tyler on this phone. What a doll! "My Pone" was the phrase of the day

Tyler's Bug!

Tyler found a lady bug out on our back porch this week, he let it crawl all over him, thankfully the bug survived and escaped Tyler's death grip. But it was so much fun watching Ty play with the bug. On his haunches, hands on knees staring that bug down " Hi BUGGIE" he yelled. My kid is so freakin cute!