March for Babies

It was such a neat experience to be the ambassador family for Northern Utah for the March of Dimes this year. We were touched that they asked us. We are proud to say we were able to raise $1300 for the March of Dimes. We could not have done this without the donations of so many friends and family so we THANK YOU! We're glad to know this money will go to a foundation that is doing research to help save premature babies, and possibly help prevent it. We are grateful to be able to share our story and learn of others stories in the process. It's amazing to me how many children are born premature. We look forward to making this walk a tradition each year.

Us leading the walk.

Us with McKay Dee Hospital's team.

Our family that came. Aunt Katie & Uncle Scott came, too.

We had a wonderful time. It felt great to hear some the NICU staff say to us "seeing him makes us feel our job is worth it." Cooper got to play on an inflatable toy, get balloon animals, run around like crazy, and sit in a fire truck. He loved it! We were all exhausted once it was over, but we had so much fun!

The 411

Life stays so busy anymore. I wonder what we did with our time before when we thought we were busy. I know we will think the same thing as we have more children. I usually take pictures of everything, but have decided to just enjoy the moments. I still get photographs here and there, but I'm just trying to be in the moment with the things we are doing in our life, especially with Cooper. He's growing so fast. I was in tears rocking him to sleep the other night. I was rubbing his head and it brought back tender memories of him being in the NICU and me not knowing if my baby would really make it or not. We had high hopes, but you never truly know. He has been such a blessing in our life and though being a parent is so tiring and hard work, it truly is the most amazing thing. I love watching him learn. I think it's so neat to see what he picks up on. It's fun to watch him figure things out. I think he is going to be OCD like me because if a drawer or cabinet is open, he closes it. He puts things in rows. It's fun to watch. Some things in our life lately:

• I've been called to be the Beehive's advisor at church. I am excited and scared. It's such an important calling. It's intimidating, but I am excited to work with the youth.
• Chris is in the process of looking for full time work so I can be a stay at home mom next year. We aren't sure if it will happen yet, but we know whatever the Lord wants to happen will happen as long as we are trying and willing to make the sacrifices.
• A friend gave us a big, beautiful $3000 play set because her kids have outgrown it. We are so grateful and so excited for Cooper to be able to have it to play on outside.
• We went to the park today. We've played outside with bubbles, and dirt, and chalk, and water. 

Things going on with Cooper:

• He is walking like crazy. Where did crawling go!? 
• He is talking A LOT! Gets that from me, I guess. He is saying lots of words: T-t (Katie), Daisy, bye-bye, b-b (belly), Nana, Daddy, Mom and Momma, and so much more!
• He loves to climb!
• He has started hiding food. Cracks me up! He puts it in the coffee table drawer and inside our family Book of Mormon cover. Hilarious!
• He LOVES to be outside, which is an understatement. He always wants to be outside.
• He knows where his belly, eyes, and nose are.
• He blows kisses and even makes the "muah" sound when he does it.
• He is becoming more independent. He wants to feed himself with the spoon, not mom. He wants to walk up and down the stairs while standing. It's so cute going up because he grunts like it will help him.
• He gets into EVERYTHING!
• He knows how to unlock my phone and iPad. He even knows where his games are on the iPad.
• He likes to snuggle and watch a movie with mommy.
• I gave him his first haircut! It was scary to do, but he looks so cute.
• He winks! So stinkin' cute!

Here are a few pictures of some of our adventures:

Heard grunting and found him here. Not sure how he got there!

First hair cute!

So cute! I need to get a picture of it spiked!

Tucker, Cooper, and Gavin --- 3 for 3. 

First Two-Syllable Word

Wink, wink!

Sister Frederiksen

Today Rachel left to the MTC to go on an 18 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was hard to see her go, but we know she's going where she is supposed to be and that she's serving the Lord. She's going to do great in Hawaii. We're so proud of her and the example she is setting for Cooper and our other children. We already miss her.

March of Dimes - Ambassador Family for Northern Utah

Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. Our first child was born three months early for no apparent reason. My husband and I are walking in March for Babies because we want to support the research being done that helped save our son's life. We've been chosen as the Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes for Northern Utah and we need your help! Our goal is to raise $2000. Please read our story below; then, donate at http://www.marchforbabies.org/BetterThanPlanned. (Or click on the link on the right side of our blog!)

My whole life I knew I was meant to be a mom. I have always been fascinated with pregnancy and looked forward to my own. In June 2011, we found out that we would be expecting our first child in February 2012. We were even more excited to find out we were having a boy since boys are rare in my husband’s family. I had an idea of what pregnancy would be like, but my story ended up being anything but ordinary.

I had had a great pregnancy other than having morning sickness for the first three months. My brother had been born three months premature so my doctor was watching me to make sure I didn’t have the same problems my mom had. There were no signs of early labor.

On November 15, 2011, I started having really low pains and it was difficult to walk. I assumed it was what many
called “Braxton Hicks Contractions” and ligament pains. Eventually, I hit the floor on my hands and knees and was having to breathe through these pains. I decided to go to the hospital where they said I wasn’t having contractions because they weren’t registering on the computer. They thought I had an irritated cervix and a bladder infection. Then, they decided to do an exam and everything changed.

I’ll never forget the nurse’s face going white, the quick IV in my arm and shot in my hip, and the words “no membrane.” One moment they said I was fine and the next they told me they could see my baby’s head. I was dilated to 8 cm and would be having a baby. I cried. I asked questions. I was terrified to lose my baby. I knew it was too early. Though Cooper had been head down the entire pregnancy, the force of my water being broken flipped him and I had to have a C-section. It was the most terrifying night of my life, but I look back and in so many ways it was a blessing.

Initially we chose McKay Dee Hospital because it was close to my husband’s work and if I went in labor he would either be with me or there. We soon learned that McKay Dee Hospital was one of two hospitals that could care for babies as early as ours--26.5 weeks gestation, that’s 13½ weeks too early. They took care of our sweet little boy and us. They made sure we were informed of everything happening and why. They answered all of our questions. They even made sure that we had our “firsts” with Cooper the best they could--- his first bath, his first cry after his ventilation tube was taken out, his first diaper change. There were many ups and downs in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He had serious bleeding in his brain, a blood transfusion, bad reflux, a heart valve problem, and so much more, but he also soared while in the NICU and came home four weeks sooner than they thought he would. It was in large part because of the care he received. These people will forever be considered family to us.

Though my first pregnancy didn’t go as planned and though our little guy had a rough start to his life, it has been one of the biggest blessings of our life. We have learned so much and feel the biggest thing we have learned is that our Heavenly Father has a greater plan for us than we have planned for ourselves. We’re happy to say that preemie
is thriving! He’s already caught up to his actual age and brings more joy to our life than we ever thought possible. We’re grateful for all that was done to save our little guy’s life because he has truly blessed ours.

Please support our walk. Making a secure donation is easy: just go tohttp://www.marchforbabies.org/BetterThanPlanned and click the 'donate now" button. (You don't have to attend the walk to donate.) Thank you for helping us give all babies a healthy start! Also, visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/524411014266957. Thanks for all your support!

Happy 25th Birthday!

I had a great, simple birthday. Cooper, Chris, and I went to Olive Garden for lunch. Grandma and Grandpa Frederiksen and Aunt Sarah, Rachel, and Camille went to Zupas. Grandma Smith got me flowers for my flower pots. The three of us also went bowling. Cooper would push the ball. He beat both Daddy and I. It was a wonderful birthday.

Curious Cooper

Cooper LOVES his new toy, Mr. Potatohead. He is really good at putting pieces in the little holes.

 Cooper also helped me bake my birthday cake. He's such a good helper!

Easter Weekend

It was fun to get ready for Easter. We've decided to celebrate with a hunt and basket on Saturday and focus on the real meaning of Easter on Sunday. The Easter Bunny made a trail of Easter grass and eggs from Cooper's room to his basket. The eggs along the way had goldfish in them. He stopped to eat them along the way.

 Then he saw his Easter basket! He loved all the goodies especially the chalk!

We also went to the city Easter Egg Hunt that morning and one at Aunt Johnnie's later. It wasn't one of my proudest moments. We woke up late and after getting there realized my undershirt was on wrong-side-out and you could see my tag. Cooper's outfit was too small and when he sat down for a picture it popped open at the diaper area. I couldn't help, but laugh. So embarrassing!

Dad and Cooper ready for church on Easter Sunday

Easter Pictures

Coloring Easter Eggs

I remember growing up and always coloring Easter eggs with my grandma. We made sure to do it while we were in West Virginia. Cooper enjoyed it. He got it all over! My grandma was so cute wanting to help all of us color our eggs. We had a lot of fun and it's a memory I will never forget.

Sweet Home West Virginia!

Going to West Virginia was more of an emotional experience that I thought it would be. I couldn't mention how excited I was for my grandparents to meet Cooper without choking up. When they announced we were minutes away from landing and I could see the trees, I couldn't help but cry. It had been almost 5 years since I had been back and two since I had seen my grandparents. I felt like I was home and couldn't hold back the tears.

Cooper traveled well. He loved opening and closing the cover on the window. He would press his face up against the window and look out. He would point out the window with his finger. He wasn't comfortable on the flight and and fortunately I caught his throw up in his blanket and prevented a major mess! The flight home was much better. We enjoyed our visit.

It was great to see family. Cooper loved his great-grandparents and they adored him. He would smack kissed at Great-Grandma. He would also try trading his toys for her drink. He loved sitting on Great-Grandpa's lap because he would feed him lots of food. They loved him to pieces and I'm so glad they got to meet each other.

Great Uncle Donnie feeding Chelsea peanut butter bread. 

Chillin' with Great Grandpa.

Sharing his lunch with Great Grandma Call.

I love how he looked at her. Reading with GG Call.

Grandma wanted to feed him everything. Of course, Cooper loved it. {The dates on the pictures are wrong.}

Landed back home. So sleepy.

He also loved Cousin Chelsea and wrestling with Chelsea's little dog. It was crazy to see Chelsea help take care of my little guy because I took care of her when she was a baby.

Eating angel food cake batter.

 My grandma went into the hospital our last day there and we almost lost her. At 2:15 AM we received a surprise knock on my grandparents door and there was my Aunt Dora and Cousin Kasey in from Tennessee to see grandma! They were so excited to be able to see Cooper!

Great Aunt Dora and Cousin Kasey

I have never seen the Grand Canyon. It was so cool to see from the sky. Left me in awe! The large crack made me speechless.

Hearing Specialist

As a parent of a three month preemie, the people in the NICU will always be considered family. They kept our baby alive. They took care of him AND us. The people that have come to our home on a monthly basis to check on Cooper will forever be family as well. Today we got a picture of Cooper with Jennifer Kite (Jen). It was her last day with Cooper. She is Cooper's hearing specialist. He couldn't hear much of anything due to the fluid in his ears because of oxygen until 9 months when he had tubes put in. He was slightly behind when she started visiting him once a month and now he is beyond what he needs to be. He is already saying more words than most his actual age. We're so grateful for all she has taught us and Cooper and all she has helped us with. We're eternally grateful.

Chocolate... yum!

I made some chocolate pudding to go on a dessert and decided to give Cooper the spoon. He was in heaven. I love his cute little chocolate face.