Daddy's Graduation Day

Today is graduation day for Daddy! He's worked so hard to get here! He graduates with a Bachelors Degree in Integrated Studies. He focused on Business Administration, Marketing, and Sports Management. His paper will even get published and put into the library at Weber State University! You should be so proud of Daddy! For the first two years of our marriage, he was working full time in Salt Lake City, riding the FrontRunner to get there, interning at REAL Salt Lake ALL day on game days, and going to school full time. He's definitely earned his degree. We hope you always know the value of education and find something you love to major it. Daddy loves sports so this is perfect for him!

Short Changed

The past few days have been emotionally difficult for me on the inside. I haven't shared my feelings with anyone until tonight as your dad held me in his arms and I cried. I think I've been trying to push them away for a few days, but I couldn't any more. My whole life I have known I was sent here to be a mom. My whole life I looked forward to the day I would be pregnant. Lately, I've been thinking of my pregnancy and the whole experience we went through and I just feel short changed. Three months of something I looked forward to my whole life was taken from me. So many people say I am lucky I didn't have to deal with the issues of the last trimester, but I wanted that experience. I am sad that I didn't get to give birth to you vaginally. I'm sad that I missed out on 3 whole months of getting to experience you growing inside of me. I'm sad you wouldn't breast feed when you came home. I feel like 3 months of bonding was taken from us. I'm sad we didn't get to have newborn pictures taken. I am sad I didn't get to hold you on my chest when you were born or even remember you being born. Some days, it breaks my heart. However, I know that there is a loving Heavenly Father who for some reason felt you needed to be here early. I know he felt that I needed to miss the last three months of our pregnancy. I may never know why, but what I do know is that he knows me and he loves me, and us, and that he always takes care of us and knows what is best for us. I can't say that knowing this prevents me from wishing I still had those last three months, but it does help me to feel his love and know that everything really is okay.

Middle Ear Evaluation

Basics: Fluid still behind ear. Tubes in his ears in 3 months or so if not cleared. No bacteria so that's good! We thought Cooper was probably the doctor's youngest patient. No chairs to hold this little guy! He had to sit on Mommy's lap!

Missing Daddy

You're such a smart kid. Lately you've started to pick up when daddy is supposed to be home. If he isn't home when he is supposed to be, you get extremely cranky. When daddy comes home, you're just fine. It's cute that you recognize he isn't home and want him, but you sure can scream! Silly boy! We love you!

You rolled over!

Scream! You rolled over last night all by yourself! You rolled from your belly to your back! I put you down for tummy time again tonight and you did it again! I yelled for dad and it happened so fast that he missed it! I was so excited the first time I kind of screamed and cheered and you looked at me like I was crazy!!!!

A nurse visited you today and says you're doing great! We're supposed to keep working on tummy time and work on you reaching for toys and following moving things. Doctor appointment tomorrow!

First Family Home Evening

Tonight for family home evening, we took a walk. It was the first time you were in your stroller. You loved it. You slept the whole time. We enjoyed the walk through our new neighborhood and are looking forward to many more walks! I got to go to our new ward on Sunday and loved it! It's going to be a great place to grow up!

Oxygen Update: You're off your oxygen most of the day right now. You're sleeping more which has me a little worried. You seem to sleep all the time. We visit the doctor on Friday for your 5 month appointment and see what she thinks then.

My New Favorite Picture

I love you more than anything. I love being your mom. It's the greatest blessing and calling in the world. I hope we're always close and you always know that I am here for you.

EKG

You had your EKG on your heart today to check your ASD (hole in your heart). You were hooked up to 13 cords. Before that, they took your blood pressure on both arms and both legs. Doctor said you're looking great! The hole is small enough that it should close within a few years. It isn't affecting you and shouldn't. When you saw her (Dr. Judd) you just cooed and smiled.

Your New Room

Your room is pretty close to being finished. I forgot how much you loved your bed until today... you took a nap all alone! That never happens! You laid in your bed and just enjoyed it. You love your new room and you love having your bed back!

You & Grumpa Frederiksen

Grandpa Frederiksen stays pretty busy because he's such a great guy and likes to help everyone, but he took a moment to hold you and this is what happened:

You're probably wondering how grandpa got the name "grumpa." Well, he was grouchy the day we we told Daddy's family we were expecting our first little one (he was worn out from cousin's camp). Your aunts immediately named his "grumpa." It stuck.

Keepin' Us on Our Toes

We love you, Cooper! You're keeping Daddy and I on our toes. It's hard to find time to update your story when we've been busy taking care of you, moving, working, and Mommy has been sick. We can't say enough good things about you. You just make us so happy.

• Your eyes are starting to turn more blue.
• You love to pucker your lower lip.
• You're a huge pooper! It's a blow out when it occurs!
• You're happiest in the morning. You love to talk and smile.
• We haven't heard you giggle again since the first time. We can't wait until it happens again!
• We painted your new room green and are putting up bead board.
• You still love to hold my finger when you drink your bottle.
• You LOVE gas drops. It's like candy to you when it touches your lips you quiet right down.
• You love morning snuggles, but you enjoy snuggling anytime!
• You've got your daddy's toes... where the second is bigger than the big toe.

General Conference

This weekend was the first time you got to hear the prophet speak. You behaved fairly well. Sleeping during some and screaming sometimes, too. It was our first experience with a baby and church. We found out it's hard to listen, but we'll figure it out. You couldn't go with daddy to priesthood, but I thought I would dress you up anyways.

You and Daddy ready for priesthood meeting: