Essence of Childhood

Cooper has loved Winnie the Pooh for some time now. He loves these characters we got him and plays with them on the mat. He knows where each lives. Hearing him say "honey pot" is adorable! Walking into his room and seeing him playing just made me think of childhood. I love having a child in our home.

Obsessed Golfer

Nothing can stop Cooper from golfing, not even his pants falling on the green. Always makes me laugh!

Hello, World 13 Weeks

Easter 2014

We enjoyed a simple, but fun Easter. Saturday was filled with easter egg hunts and time with friends and family. We loved getting to see our friends the Bennions and the Roses! Cooper got Buzz Lightyear in his Easter basket. As you can tell by him running and his face, he was SUPER excited! We then had an egg hunt at Aunt Johnnie's. We spent Sunday remembering the real meaning of Easter, the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Living Planet Aquarium

For my birthday, I wanted to go to the new Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. A lot of the animals are not there yet, so we will go back sometime over the summer. Nevertheless, we had a great time. Cooper enjoyed seeing all the animals and REALLY liked the 4D Shark Movie we saw while there. It was a fun day. We went to the aquarium, McDonald's for lunch, to Sheels to play around, and then home. Chris also got me LaFerrovia for dinner. Yum! We were all worn out by the end of the day!

 

Love

Words can't describe how much I love these two.

My Little Pro Golfer

Pictures coming soon.

We're Expecting Baby #2

Thursday, February 20th, we found out we were expecting Baby #2. We couldn't be more excited! We feel like it's time to add to our little family. Wednesday night I took a test, just knowing it would be negative, and I could BARELY see the line that would make it positive. After it sat for a little while it looked negative. I couldn't get that faint line out of my mind though. So, Thursday, I stopped by Walgreens and got another pregnancy test. Stopped by the house, ran in, peed on the stick, and ran back to the car with it. Cooper was in the car because we were heading up to see Daddy for lunch. Sure enough, I'm driving and it pops up "pregnant." I couldn't stop smiling. I still can't believe it. It's crazy to think our next little one is on the way. I am scared for miscarriage and I'm scared my body won't be able to hold this little one, but I'm trying to have faith that this was meant to be and we'll see what happens. I'm more excited than anything. I want to shout it out to the world, but we're waiting until our first appointment. We feel so blessed. Cooper is going to be a big brother in October! Ahhh!

Sunday, March 2, we told my mom! She was so surprised and excited that she's "going to be a grandma again!?" We had a cute shirt made for Cooper that she went to put on him after his bath and she read it and her mouth dropped open and face froze. It was so cute and funny. Love her!

I tried my hardest to get a picture in his "Only Child Expires October 2014" tshirt, but he wasn't having it. Here is the closest I got... he was being Buzz Light Year. Kid cracks me up!

My Depression

This blog has been such a blessing in my life. I enjoy documenting what's happening with our little family and during Cooper's NICU stay, it saved me. Today I am writing something personal because it is a part of my life. I was diagnosed with depression during my Junior Year of high school. It runs in my family so I was bound to get it at some point. After having Cooper, I felt I stayed pretty positive. Everyone said I handled the situation well. I look back now, though, and realize I've been in a pretty deep depression the past two years. For me, I typically have a chemical depression. I can literally feel it in my veins when something is off. And, of course, it's occasionally emotional. I usually recognize it really well. Over the past few days, I've realized I didn't see it at all. The past two years I've become a pretty negative person. I have started to HATE things I used to love! For example: teaching, cooking, photography, crafts. I just don't enjoy it anymore. I have little to no energy. I can't keep up with the cleaning on my home. I don't know why it has taken me TWO YEARS to realize how depressed I am. It's embarassing and sad. I now realize I have a lot of work to do to get back to where I want to be. I am so glad that I have a loving mom who helped me to finally see this over the past few days. I am still in shock I missed it. Life hit me hard two years ago when Cooper came early. He is the best. I absolutely love him. I never want him to think he was the reason for my depression. He brings light into my life everyday. The situation of him being born early though was very tough. Life didn't slow down after having him. It's been non-stop with no break in between. I feel so blessed to have a husband that has stood by me. He is always kind to me despite my lack of energy and motivation. I am still in shock that I have had it this long and not realized it. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that I know is there. He loves me and is aware of my needs. I have a lot to work on to get where I need to be and I'm so grateful it is not worse than it is and that it is something I can work on by organizing my home, reading my scriptures, praying, talking with my mom, and accepting it. I have a wonderful life. I just need to enjoy it more. I have to find myself again. It's going to take some time, but I'll figure it all out. Let me make it clear that there is nothing in my life to be depressed about. Life is good, I just have depression.

My Sweet Boy

I promise he is healthy! He's just skinny like his daddy! I loved these pictures of him. He's my sweet boy.

Spaceship Building

We had to get a new hot water heater so I thought it would be fun to build Cooper a spaceship. I think he enjoyed pulling the foil OFF more than anything!

My Little Handyman

Let's be honest ladies, who wouldn't want a good looking handyman like this? He sure makes me laugh! He turned around and saw me and got all shy and giggly on me!

Stickers

Cooper and I had a little bit of fun with the stickers.

No More Crib

Yesterday was a bittersweet day in our home. We took down Cooper's crib and put up his new big boy bed. He was so excited. As soon as it was up, he grabbed a book and climbed up on it and was just a smiling! He even calls it his "big boy bed." He didn't get out at bed when trying to put him to sleep, but he did wake up a few times in the middle of the night. This is normal lately because he is teething. He seems to love his bed though. When we laid down in it last night, he had a stuffed animal and talked and talked. It was like he was telling the animal all about his new bed and a number of other things. I couldn't understand any of it. Where has the time gone? My little micro preemie is now a big kid! I love the little moments when we are playing and laughing together. He knows he's my baby and always will be. I love being his mom. The Lord truly has blessed me.

{Pictures to come.}

Set, Hut, Hut

He loves football. He especially likes to tackle. Set, hut, hut!

A Sweet Little Moment

Last night Cooper and I were watching Princess and the Frog. When they started to dance, he came over to the couch, grabbed my hand and kept saying "dance, dance." Mind you, this is something we have NOT done with him. We have danced, but never to this movie or a "slow dance." I stood up and he took my hands and danced with me. It was adorable. What a fun, special little moment with my little guy. He's a man after my heart!

The Circus!

Growing up, I remember my mom taking us to the circus quite a few times. She loved it and after seeing her yesterday with us, she still does! It was so fun to hear her laugh and scream! She wanted to take Cooper so Cooper, Nana, and myself went. Cooper loved it! I think his favorite was the elephants. I asked him if he wanted to ride and he said "YES!" It was so cute! He hopped right on and enjoyed the right! There for hoola hoopers, rope "dancers", and acrobat, dogs that jumped through hoops, tigers that did tricks, a motorcycle jumper, and more! We all had a wonderful time. Thanks, Nana!

 

Daddy's Sick

Cooper seemed to know that Daddy was sick. Usually he will climb up in the bed and go crazy, but he climbed in bed, snuggled behind him, and layed there for a good 15 minutes. Then he was done. A sweet little moment. Being a parent is a wonderful thing.

Sleeping with Cooper

Or should I say, not sleeping with Cooper? I don't sleep well when Cooper sleeps with us. It's been a regular thing lately with him having had surgery. He wakes up many times in pain in the middle of the night. I thought this was a funny picture as I was getting ready to leave for work the other day.

My Sweet, Funny Little Kid

Also, Cooper discovered his birthmark on his face last night in the mirror after brushing his teeth. It made me sad at first and then I smiled. I taught him the word birthmark, which he says so cute. He will even point at it when you ask him where it is. The Lord has blessed me with such a sweet little Spirit. I have so much to learn from him. I am so glad he's mine.

On a lighter note, Cooper noticed his nipples in the bathtub and kept calling them "owies." Hilarious!