My First Snow

Fall Fun 2010

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6 Month Update

I am halfway through my first year of life! At my 6 month check-up, I weighed 18 pounds, 8 ounces. Dr. Gilbert says that I am doing very well! Of course, I received more shots which I did not like!

My First Playdate

Today, I participated in my first playdate with my friend, Vella. Vella is 4 days older than me! She lives down the street and our daddies ride 4-wheelers together. I went over to her house and we played with her many toys. I can't wait to play with her again!

I'm 6 Months Old!

20 Week (5 month) Update!

Can you believe that I have been in the world for 5 months now? I can't! I am growing so quickly that mommy and daddy can barely keep up! First, let me tell you that I am teething like crazy! I roll around all the time now. I can sit alone for a few seconds and try to hold my bottle during every feeding. Speaking of feeding, I now eat solids on a regular basis. My day starts with cereal (and milk of course) and then I have veggies for dinner. Carrots are my favorite so far! Green beans and squash are ok. Next, mommy is gonna make zuchinni and sweet potatoes for me. Yummy!!

Mommy returned to work a couple weeks ago. Boy, does she miss me while she is gone!! I used to sleep in until about 8:30am, but now I wake around 7:00am so that I can watch mommy get ready for work. Granny Jo has been hanging out with me during the day (while mommy is at work). We do our daily stretches and soak up a bit of the sunshine (before it gets too hot).

My favorite toy is the Exersaucer. I love all of the cool things that I can push and hit. I know how to make it make noise and I also know how to spin around in it! As a matter of fact, I'm gonna go play with it right now!! Bye Bye!!

Baby Dedication

Pastor Vinnie

Godfather Rich and Godmother Angelina

On Sunday, August 8th, Dallas was dedicated to the Lord at Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church. This day was very important to us because of our journey to conceive. We know that God has been with us every step of our journey to Dallas. We were blessed to share the special service with so many loved ones who traveled from new and far. Dallas is such a special little boy and we thank the Lord for him!

I'm 4 months old!

I am now 4 months old!! Wasn't that a quick 4 months? I weigh 15 pounds, 3 ounces and am 25 inches long. The 0-3 month clothes have been packed away and the size 2 diapers are on their way. I eat rice cereal and will be starting other solids next week. I coo and babble all the time and readily recognize my mommy and daddy. Rolling over can be added to my list. Sitting up alone will be next real soon. I love to listen to music as well as when my mommy sings to me. My favorite song is "The Farmer and the Dell." I have visited 4 states and already have my passport! Haven't I been busy?!

Hangin with the Guys

Benjiman a.k.a. Cousin L.B.

Ashton a.k.a. Cousin Ash Bash

Carrington a.k.a. Cousin Red

During a recent visit to Detroit, my first cousins and I participated in a photoshoot compliments of my mommy's good friend Kennard Lajuan. I am the fourth grandchild (we are all boys) on this side of my family. My Auntie April (their mom) calls us A, B, C, D (our names are Ashton, Benjiman, Carrington, and Dallas). I wasn't feeling very photogenic on this day, but oh well!

Meet the Grandparents

My Granny Jo

My Grandma

My Maternal Grandparents

My Granddad

My Grandpa

I would like to introduce you to my grandparents! I am blessed to have both sets of my grandparents around to love and spoil me. I refer to my maternal grandparents (Mommy's parents) as Grandma and Granddad. and my paternal grandparents (Daddy's parents) as Grandpa and Grandma Jo or Granny). None of them live in Tennessee, but I talk to them on the phone and via Skype all the time. I am thankful for all four of them because if it wasn't for them, there would be no mommy and daddy.

Daddy and Dallas- Months 1-3

I LOVE MY DADDY! He is my favorite guy! I cannot wait to get bigger because I know that he is gonna do all sorts of cool things with me.

Dear Dallas

Dear Dallas,

As I sit here watching you fast asleep, I silently thank God for blessing me with you. You are lying next to me, so very innocent, mommy's precious angel. I never could have imaginged how much I would love you, cherish you, want to protect you. Had no idea that it was possible. You entered my world, turned it upside down, but I wouldn't have it any other way. When you cry, my only concern is to soothe your pain. Oh, but when you look into my eyes and smile, my heart simply melts. Your smile makes me forget about all of our sleepless nights and frustrating moments. With each day that goes by, you grow more and more and develop into the special little boy that God has destined for you to be. I wish that that I could press "pause", but mommy knows that you can't stay a cuddly baby forever. So, as you continue to grow and learn, remember that mommy loves you- always has and always will.



Love,
Mommy

10 Weeks Old

My apologies! I cannot believe that it has taken me so long to post on the blog. Let's just say that the current journey to Dallas keeps me busy and tired these days! So much has happened that I don't know where to start!

Dallas is now 10 weeks old and weight approximately 11 pounds, 3 ounces. He is 21 3/4 inches long, but barely fits into his 0-3 months clothes. He seems to changes before our eyes each and every day. He is able to recognize familiar faces. He definitely knows his mommy and daddy. When he looks up at me (mommy) with those precious eyes and flashes me his handsome grin, my heart simply melts. He holds his head up like a "big boy" and even tries to push up during "belly time".

All Smiles

My First Plane Ride- May 14, 2010

If you know my parents, then it is not much of a surprise that I earned my (flying) wings at such an early age. Although the trip was a few weeks earlier than expected, I was the perfect passenger. Mommy, daddy, and I flew to Detroit. Michigan to surprise my Grandma Bobby who was ill in the hospital. (Boy, was she surprised, too!) I slept through the entire adventure. Even on the ride home, I slept again!! Mommy had me covered nice and tight in my carseat. So many strangers wanted to touch me and see me, but mommy said "hands off!".

Happy Mother's Day- May 9, 2010

Thanks to the two special men in my life, I am able to say that I had a WONDERFUL 1st Mother's Day. I was presented with a bouquet of balloons, received very special gifts, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and was blessed with some quiet time in which I took a much appreciated nap. Loved ones from miles away sent me cards to share in this special day as well. Motherhood is such a wonderful thing- whether you have biological children or are a mother-like figure in someone's life. Being the mother to a sweet little person like my Dallas John makes motherhood even more wonderful!

I would like to wish a very, special Happy Mother's Day to the women in my life who have molded me into the woman that I am today- my big sister, April, my mommy, Bobby, and my grandmother, Bertha Boyd (I miss you so much).

Our Extended Stay

Our hospital stay was longer than usual. We were supposed to be at Stonecrest Hospital for 3 days, but ended up being there for 5. Dallas had a severe case of jaundice. This condition affects about 60% of all newborns around day 2 or 3 of life. Well, Dallas was born with a high bilirubin count due to us (him and his mommy) having incompatible blood types. To treat the jaundice, Dallas was put under lights in the nursery and received bloodwork 3 times a day to monitor the condition's progression. He was also fed frequently in an attempt to flush out his system. So, for three and a half days, we were unable to hold or feed our bundle of joy. The nurses were all extremely helpful, sensitive and encouraging- especially to a first-time mom who was overcome with emotion like me. God answered our prayers (once again) and we were able to bring our baby home knowing that he was going to be alright.

THE BIG DEBUT!!

The wait is over! The Maverick finally decided to make his big debut. Dallas John Cooks was born on March 25, 2010 at 12:46 p.m. weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 inches long!

After 12 hours of attempts to induce labor, Dallas decided that enough was enough. Although Mommy was contracting, her cervix never dialated. With each contraction (and there were some big ones), Dallas' heartrate dropped. These factors made Mommy's nurses (Kim and Pat) and Dr. Fox a bit nervous. Thus, a c-section was scheduled.

Of course, Daddy was in the operating room with Mommy. As a matter of fact, Daddy's face was the first that Dallas saw when he opened his eyes!! In the waiting room were Grandma Bobby, Auntie April, and Uncle Miguel. If you know this family, then you know that tears (of joy) were flowing everywhere!!

False Alarm

On Thursday, I tricked my mommy and daddy!! At about 3:45am, my mommy started to have really intense contractions with nausea. She was in a lot of pain and my daddy felt like they should go to the hospital. (My Auntie April was at our house, but she thought my daddy was joking about going to the hospital). Once they arrived at the hospital, mommy and daddy were put in a really nice room. The nurses acted as though mommy was gonna stay. PSYCH!!! After a few hours, Dr. Fox arrived and burst mommy's and daddy's bubble! The contractions had stopped and mommy wasn't even dialated 1cm!! So, they were sent home and told to return to the office on Monday. Mommy and daddy hope that I arrive before then- especially since Grandma and Granddad Ackerman and Cousins/Big Brothers Ashton and Carrington are in town! I may decide to make my debut this week. Then again maybe I won't. I will see how I feel.

Patiently Waiting

We have entered week #39, which puts is a week away from Dallas' due date. Well, Baby Dallas is making no attempts to leave the home that he has been habitating for the past several months. Mommy is experiencing contractions, but dialation is SLOW! Baby Dallas has a week to come on his own. Otherwise, we are going in for him!!

Bertha Boyd 3/29/1922- 3/6/2010

On Saturday morning our family was blessed with another guardian angel to watch over us. Our grandmother, Bertha Boyd, graced this Earth for nearly 88 years, and now has been reunited with her many loved ones in heaven. She was the greatest grandmother not just to me, my sister and cousins, but to all those that met her. She cooked the most delicious chicken and dumplings and kept a house so clean that you couldn't help but to adhere to the EAT ONLY AT THE KITCHEN TABLE rule! She led by example and taught me so much about how to carry myself as a lady, how to be a loving wife, and most importantly how to be a supportive and tender mother. As Johnny and I prepare to bring a new life into the world, we know that our Gramma has blessed our precious Dallas already and will be with us every step of the way as he grows and develops into a great-grandson that she would be so very proud of.

Update

We are counting down and preparing for our upcoming arrival! As we make our weekly visits to the doctor, we become more and more excited. In less than a month, our world will be turned upside down- in a good way. A special THANK YOU to each and every person that has contributed to the upcoming birth of our baby boy. Whether it has been through prayers, well wishes, advice or a tangible gift, we appreciate your love, thoughts, and care. As our due date of March 21st approaches, remember to look out for the notification that The Maverick has made his debut!!

Maternity Photo Shoot

During week #35 of our pregnancy, we participated in a maternity photo shoot to commemorate the upcoming birth of our first child. A very special THANK YOU to our friend, Carlton Adkins, for playing the role of photographer on this day. We hope that you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as we enjoyed taking them.

35 Weeks and Counting!

MY HAND
IT'S ME- CHILLIN!

MY FOOT!

This week marked my 38th week of gestation! Mommy and daddy celebrated by having another photo shoot of me at Dr. Fox's office. I was much more cooperative this time and let the nice ultrasound technician get some good shots of me. My big cousin (more like my big brother), Carrington, was visiting us from Michigan, so he got to watch the photo shoot. (I was really showing off for him. I wanted to make him smile.) It looks as if my head is down and I am in position to prepare for my debut. In the pictures, my feet look REALLY long. The nice lady said that they measure about 2 1/2 inches long!! She also estimated that I weigh about 5 pounds, 9 ounces already! If I gain half a pound a week like mommy's pregnancy books say, I'm gonna be a big boy from the very beginning!!

Yours truly,
Master Dallas John Cooks (aka The Maverick)