DISNEYLAND 2012!!!!

Another amazing Disneyland trip for the memory books!!!  (Another blog post consisting of nothing but cell phone pictures!) (I have lots more pictures to add from Dave's cell phone, but he needs to email them to me first!)

  Every year Grandpa takes all the grandkids (with at least one parent) who want to go to 2 blissful, crazy, fun-filled, cousin happy, exhausting but exhilerating days at DISNEYLAND!!!  This year did not disappoint! Even with Cooper- 3 months, and Addi- 8 months, it was a really low-key, low stress, and fun time!

  To start at the beginning, this trip has obviously been in the works for a loooooong time, and never once did I ever consider that I and Cooper would go.  Too hard, too stressful, too much anxiety for me, with a baby, to drive to Cali, stay in a hotel, be at Disneyland ,be off a schedule etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
  The day before the trip a dear friend gave me a much needed lecture about us now having a family of 4 and making the most of every opportunity to make memories together, and making it work with our new dynamics....it freaked me out, and make me a littly giddy, and I started thinking.... "Why not? Why don't Cooper and I go??"  I consulted Dave, who was a little weary, Emily- who had been to Disneyland with a 4 month old and said it was easy, and my dear lecturing friend for a few more pep-talks.
 I DECIDED WE WOULD DO IT!

I almost chickened out a few times and thought, "What in the ever-loving-heck am I thinking? I am going to die of the world's longest anxiety attack!"  But guess what?? SO SO SO SO WRONG!!!

I packed up Cooper and I, and we did it! The drive down was really well, even considering we forgot hot water for Cooper and somewhere between here and there had to feed him an ice cold bottle make with an icy water bottle from the cooler.  Guess what- HE LIVED!
  The hotel was not a problem either, he slept really well! 

We went a day early so that we could go to Knotts Berry Farm with Ryan and Emily's fam, and it was a really fun easy day!  There was NO ONE there, no lines, cool weather, and everyone did EVERYTHING they wanted, and we were still done by 4! We picked up take out on the way back to the hotel, and everyone settled in.  I told Dave I was going to lay down for a little around 7pm...and I fell asleep for the night! Guess all the worrying (For nothing) tuckered me out!


  The next morning we met the rest of the crew for free breakfast at the hotel - it was delicious! They had everything you could want, including fresh made omlettes to your specifications! I had an egg white omelette every morning with ham and lots of veggies! 
  All together we were Dad, Brit, Alyssa, Makenna, Jonathon, Ryan, Emily, and their 4 girls, Me, Dave and our two boys, and Tyler and Katie.  (Erin and Aurora joined us on Friday!)  WE headed over together and we truly had a fantastic time. 

Here is Cooper being loved on tram on the way over-

We stayed together for parts and split the kids by ages at parts. First thing on Thursday morning we all headed to California Adventure.  I waited with Cooper in the Fast pass line for over an hour to get everyone Fast passes to Cars Land Radiator Springs.  It's a new ride and if you don't get fast passes first thing, you either wait in the regular line for 3-4 hours, or you don't ride. The fast passes are usually all gone about an hour after the park opens. 

  I have to say, it was a wonderful day!!!  Cooper slept and woke whenever he wanted. 

Here's Coop doing what Coop does best- (we also discovered something about Coop- he loves to nap with a fuzzy blanket over his head! Go Figure...)

Dad pushed or wore Cooper occasionally so I could do some of the rides. Dave and I traded off occasionally too! Even Alyssa and Aunt Erin took a turn wearing him, but I Forgot to get pictures.  Coop didn't quite know what to think about the baby wearing, but it got him out of the carseat occasionally so I think it was a good thing!

  Everyone just went with the flow, ate wherever, did whatever, and had a low key good time!
   One cute/tender thing that happened (you have to know my Dad's back story to know how meaningful it is..) was that right when we got there, Grandpa said to the grandkids- "Here's the number one rule- NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO BE HUNGRY AT DISNEYLAND!"  He bought more churros, cotton candy, sodas, pretzels, lunches and dinners and in-between-snacks than a person could count, and it was probably his favorite part of the trip. 
  Mine (and Jaxon's) favorite part of the trip was when the "Phineas and Ferb Party Truck" stopped and set up right in front of us! Jaxon and all the little cousins got to dance with Phineas and Ferb (Jaxon's ALL TIME FAVORITE SHOW) and the Fireside Girls! They all had a blast, and I got some of the cutest video of Jaxon trying to follow the dances of the Fireside GIrls!!!  (On dave's phone, will be posted soon!)
  Thursday night we headed home around 6:30 with Me, dave, Tyler, Jaxon, grandpa, Katie, Jaxon, Alexis and Cooper.  Every kid was sound asleep by the time the tram came to pick us up at Disneyland- I'd say that means it was a good, full, FUN day!
  Friday Erin and Aurora joined us- and more fun was had!  Everyone had another great day! We split the kids up by age a little more and everyone got to go to the places they liked.

Jaxon and Jonathon are special buddies!  They loved riding the new Cars ride together!

 

Jonathon said he really liked Splash Mountain...but....not enough to ride it again!

 By about 5 all the babies and little kids were done,but Jaxon on up wanted to have some more fun so Dave, Emily, Erin, Jaxon, Hailey, Peyton, Alyssa, MaKenna, and Aurora all stayed for several more hours! Dave said it was the most fun part of the whole trip!

  Friday also happened to be Dave's birthday! Before we left he got a new shirt, and 20 new pairs of CHristmas socks... no... this is not a joke, I really did get them for him.  NO....THEY were not a joke...he really wanted them!  Dave wears Christmas socks exclusively between Thanksgiving and Christmas! He loves it, so I indulge him!  After we got back he got one more shirt and the extended Lord of The Rings on Blu Ray.
  Saturday we packed up and hit the road. We went to the beach with Ryan and Emily's fam.  Why we chose the cold, sandy, wet, sandy, windy, sandy beach.... I'll never know! (I kind of hate the beach!)  Anyway, just as I told dave would happen- just putting toes in, expanded to all out head to toe swimming in the ocean with his cousins, and after the novelty wore off in about 10 minutes, we had several deliriously, hysterical-out-of-their-minds frozen little popsicle children.  I got Jaxon showered off in the outdoor showers and then we put on his warm fuzzy pjs and a big sweatshirt.  His lips stayed blue for another half hour!  After he stopped shaking, and his lips turned back to their regular color, he said that it was fun after all! 
  After the beach we drove as far as Palm Desert and stayed at a hotel.  There is a chance....a GOOD chance...that the reason that Dave chose to do this was that so we could eat at Pat and Oscar's, now called O's American Kitchen.  It is our favorite restuarant, and they are getting fewer and far-er between in California, so we take advantage when we can!  We got pretty bad service and it kind of tainted the experience for us...but the food was still TOP NOTCH!!!
    We duct-taped some black material up and made a little dark bedroom for Cooper in the hallway of the hotel room since we didn't have two rooms like at Disneyland.  (Yup, I'm the mother that travels with black material and duct tape...just in case!)

Here's Coop after his hotel room bath! Just hanging out! (note the new short haircut!~)

 The rest of the drive home on Sunday was easy. 4 hours is not too shabby.  Everyone did well, and when we got back into town we went straight to our new house to see the countertops and faucet that had been installed!  We are getting so excited to see all the progress being made!

All in all this is one of, if not the number one anticipated activity of the year. Jaxon (and Dave) absolutely adore Disneyland, and I love it because they love it.  Everyone was so fun and easy to be with, and once again, it was a trip that we will never forget!

  Thanks Grandpa!!!

Cooper's Blessing



 We had Cooper's blessing on Sunday, December 2nd.  It was a quiet affair here at my parents house, but we were lucky enough to have both sets of Grandparents, and one Uncle in the circle.  We had really hoped for more family to be here to share with us and more uncles in the circle, but it was beautiful just as it was...I mean- look at this ANGEL!!!

Mom and Dad Rogers made a quick trip down here for the blessing, between shifts at the Las Vegas Temple where they are now the Temple President and Matron.  Although it will keep us from seeing them as often as we would like for the next few years,  we are so blessed by their amazing service.  We know that thanks to Mom and Dad Rogers, our names were prayed over countless times at the temple when we were trying for Cooper, and for that we are eternally, ETERNALLY grateful!

  As usual, Mom and Dad Ferrell were hospitable and generous in the use of their home for the blessing and the luncheon to follow.  I can't believe in all the hustle and bustle I didn't get a picture with Mom and Dad Ferrell, not one! What's wrong with me???  Luckily we have lots of them with the boys as we have lived here, so it  could be worse! We had a delicous Mexican feast catered by my dear friend Laura which of course was delicious.

  The blessing itself was tender and sweet, and Dave always puts a lot of thought and prayer into the blessings ahead of time.  I have a copy of it, which will go in Cooper's keep sake box.  But one of the things Dave felt very impressed to say was that one of the reasons Cooper took so long in coming to us was a special relationship he would make with Jaxon.  That Jaxon would be an amazing example and leader for Cooper his whole life.  I thought that was so beautiful and special, both for Cooper and Jaxon! One funny thing that happened is that Cooper is SUCH a chill, quiet, baby, but he DOES not like to lay back if he is not snoozing.  He cried during his ENTIRE blessing, and I didn't have a pacifier in the room to give to him. DRAT~
  I need to get a copy of the picture from my other computer, but in the circle was Dave, Dad Ferrell, Dad Rogers, Uncle Ryan Ferrell, Tommie Bonner (Our old home teacher who we adore) and our Bishop, Bishop Turner. 


Here are me and my boy before his his moment-

 

 

 A family shot- you can probably see why I postponed our Family pictures for a few more months. I am so happy to have a photo recollection of this day, but I CERTAINLY wouldn't be putting any of these pictures (of me) up in our home!

 

 

 Cooper, with his gorgeous blue eyes and curly hair, does .... sort of... look like a girl in this picture! I cut his hair the next day, but couldn't bare to part with his long locks before the blessing!

 

 

I really love this next picture of Cooper for a few reasons-
he is a happy baby, but he is very thoughtful.  He loves to just look around and take things in, ...kind of like this! The other reason is that you can sort of tell that he is about to blow some raspberries, which is now his current favorite way of communicating with us! 

And lastly- WHO IS THIS HANDSOME YOUNG MAN????  Seriously, with Cooper here so tiny, Jaxon just continues to look and seem so much bigger. He is so handsome and we just ADORE HIM TOO!!!

 

 

Lastly, I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that Dave holds The Holy Priesthood worthily so that he could bless our sweet Cooper, and daily bless our sweet little family.  



Thanksgiving!

Yup, there are a WHOLE BUNCH of pictures in this post, and they are all from my cell phone.  Might I just interject- I've been watching (and Loving!) a lot of Shark Tank, and if one of you would invent a moderately sized cell phone that had an SLR camera attached, I would seriously pay a few thousand dollars for it. So, go ahead and get inventing...and credit me with the idea...and pay me 5% royalties! 
  That being said, Here is a photo review of our Thanksgiving weekend!

We were invited (and were happy to accept the invitation) to stay with Scott and Erin in Laguna.  They are always such gracious and generous hosts, and our time there is always relaxing and refreshing, AND FUN!  I was most grateful this year to get a whole 4 days with Dave not working, because busy season with a newborn has not been very fun!
Here are Dave and Cooper on Cooper's first airplane ride!  He cried on the way up and down, and was perfect in between.  Jaxon held court between G and G across the isle, and loved every minute.  He got to preboard with Grandpa, so by the time Dave and I got on about 5 minutes later he was shouting to us- "MOM! DAD!  See this magazine?? (Skymall) Open it up to page 3! QUICK!  See this motorcycle, I WANT THAT FOR CHRISTMAS!!!" 
I swear that kid doesn't miss a beat!  It was like a powerwheels motorcycle, and if we hadn't already bought his big Christmas present, and if we weren't still working on him learning to ride his bike better, we probably would have considered it!

All of us couldn't fit in Dad's rental car, so dad, mom, Dave, and Cooper took the rental car straight home. Scott picked up me and Jaxon, and we drove to pick up Aurora for the weekend.  Boy was Jaxon excited about that! He adores Aurura, and she is so good to him!  We picked up Aurora, stopped for some dinner, and headed home. 
When we got home, Aurora the baby LOVER, who also has a pretty new little brother, just LOVED to love on Cooper- and it doesn't look like Cooper minded at all!

   Cooper and Jaxon both woke up super early in Cali (With daylight savings- bah!)  so on Thanksgiving morning around 6am our family of 4 bundled up and went on a chilly, foggy, beachy, wonderful walk!  We saw lots of other people out walking their dogs, and there were "Happy Thanksgivings" all around!
  We spent the day preparing, or mostly watching Dad preparing, a Thanksgiving feast. Cooper napped pretty (really) crappy all day, so by 3 when everyone started arriving, he went down for a very long nap.  Jaxon and Aurora played and mostly stayed out of the way, and Scott and Erin's guests, who were all completely lovely, started arriving. 
  Football was on all afternoon, and that's where Dave, and Cooper when he was awake, could be found-

  Thanksgiving dinner was delicious, and plentiful, and full of people I love.  I was feeling very grateful for all of my special blessings this year!  Cooper woke up halfway during dinner, and the rest of dinner was spent by most every person at the table making jokes about how Coop, and a darling little 6 week old there named Kate, were going to be married.
Everyone Joked it was a good thing Cooper wore his tie, and Kate wore her bow so they could really impress each other.  Kate had even more dark hair than Cooper if you can imagine, and we had fun taking some pictures- for which both of these very chill babies sat with LOTS of patience.  Towards the end Cooper did start trying to suck on Kate's headband, but all in all it was a super cute success!

After dinner uncle Scott broke out the drinks for all his guests (minus the Ferrells and Rogers) and even made Jaxon and Aurora a virgin version-

I wasn't thrilled with the idea of sensationalizing drinking for Jaxon, but aside from the picture, true to Jaxon form, he wasn't really interested in his drink at all, so it was a moot point.
 After dinner we also all went around and said what we were most thankful for, and it is always so special and such a good reminder, that NO ONE, EVER says they are thankful for material things. Not Wealth, cars, houses, toys, etc.  Every single person was most grateful for the ones they love, the friendships that sustain them, and their health.  Someone said that Thanksgiving was their favorite holiday because it's the least commercialized and focuses our attention on each other rather than our things.  I loved that, and will hold Thanksgiving even more dear to my heart.

  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, since I got up in the night with Cooper, Dave would get up with him whenever he woke up, usually around 5:30, and take him on a walk with Jaxon, while I got to sleep in.  The cool ocean breeze from the open windows, the enormous bed with deliciously fluffy pillows, sleeping completely soundly because I knew I wasn't listening for Cooper--- yes, I REALLY enjoyed those extra few hours!
 Also each of those days Coop got to spend as much time as possible with his sweet Aunt Erin. She had a special way with Cooper, and he was particularly mellow and smiley with her.

  Jaxon too had a special affinity for blond women (true story!) and the only reason I'm not completely offended is that Cooper definately knows I'm his mama, and still loves me best! (Shhhh, don't tell!)

  Friday for lunch Dave and I borrowed the rental car and the 4 of us drove a half hour to what was previously Pat and Oscars, but is now O's American Kitchen.  This is mine and Dave's favorite restuarant HANDS DOWN, and we have SO MANY FUN memories at it's various locations in California, and even the one that was in AZ for a short while. we ALWAYS get the same thing- Lemon Chicken Greek Salad, and LOTS OF THEIR DELICIOUS AMAZING breadsticks.
On the way, both of the boys took a snooze, and Dave and I listened to Christmas music and the breathing of the best two gifts we've ever been given!

(Jaxon can sleep in the most ODD positions!)

 

 

When we came home, Aurora's friend Grace was there, and the kids swam in the heated jacuzzi, and the very VERY CHILLY pool.  Jaxon loves both Aurora and Grace, and he tries so hard to be mature and impress those girls so he can play with them.  They were, for the most part, so kind to let him tag along, and only a few times was he invited to vacate Aurora's room, for some girl's only playtime.  We completely understand that two, 10-year old girls that let Jaxon tag along for 80% of the time, and are completely kind to him during that time, are pretty much GEMS! They made up songs and plays, played games, colored, and wrote letters!

 



That is Jaxon's letter to Dave-
"Deare Dad you are fory genarars you o are the best dad in the word. love. jaxon. farame. jaxon. to. David"
Translation-
"Dear Dad, you are very generous. You are the best dad in the world. Love, Jaxon. From, Jaxon. To David.

Mine was also cute, but without as many compliments and darling misspellings!  (PS- "Dear" "from" "very" and "world" have all been Jaxon's spelling words. And later that day when I asked him to spell each of those words for me, he spelled them out loud correctly!) What a nut!

Saturday Cooper napped poorly again, but is always a sweetie in between, so I'm not sure why it's so hard for me and makes me so nervous!?  Here he is sitting with one of his other favorite ladies in the whole world- Grammie!  (Please note- Cooper and I have lots in common, including curly hair that got crazier and crazier the longer we were at the misty-aired beach house!)

Cooper also got a bath in Scott and Erin's GORGEOUS kitchen sink! He loves the water, loves baths, and most especially LOVED all his bonding time with his daddy, who he really hadn't ever gotten to know yet due to busy season!

Saturday afternoon Dave stayed home with Coop, G and G went for a drive to Riverside, and Jaxon, me, Aurura, Grace, Scott and Erin went to lunch at CPK, and then went and played at Dave and Busters!  Scott and Erin are always so generous and make sure we do something fun (and delicious) while we are there.  I let Jaxon play all the money on both of our cards at Dave and Busters, and he and I had the time of our lives.  Jaxon is all about the games that are low skill, and high ticket yield, and that is just fine with me!

When we had played all the cash on our cards (thank you! Uncle Scott) Jaxon had 2260 tickets!  We cashed them in and "went shopping" at the prize store.  Jaxon takes this SOOOOOO seriously, and we were in there so long deciding that we had to pause for a bathroom break! He ended up with a giant slinky, (I tried to disuade him, but it turned out to be so fun. Aurura got one too and they would race them down the stairs at the beachhouse) a medium sized football, with which he has already played catch with me, Dave, and grandpa several times, a soft monkey plush toy for Cooper, which Cooper loves, and Jaxon is SO INCREDIBLY PROUD of, a roll of sweet tarts, and a sucker/flashlight.  All in all a great haul, and picking and showing off his prizes are just as fun to him as earning the tickets in the first place!

Here are the 3 Amigos, plus one of Jaxon and Gracie-  If you can tell he is blushing in that one....I think there's a very good chance Jaxon had a little crush on Miss Grace!

Saturday night was more football, with everyone (all 9 of us) snuggled on the couch together. I love those moments, LOVE!
 Sunday morning we packed up and headed out.  It was the end of a perfectly relaxing weekend, and just what the dr. ordered before heading into the craziness of December and the continued work on the house!
  Jaxon sat between G and G again, and Cooper slept in Dave's arms from liftoff to touch down- pretty awesome!
  I am so SO very thankful for my amazingly amazing husband, my TWO sons, my dear brothers, sister, and their wonderful spouses, and my sweet friends.  I loved having time to reflect on those things, and think about how to make gratitude a bigger part of my life, all year round!

WORST. DAY. EVER. (Cooper edition)

Holy Smokes.  Remember how I said this kid is, "Quiet as a mouse" "Never cries" "Best baby ever"???  Okay, well I still think he is the worlds best baby, but the other two, well...I know have to prefice them with... "as long as he hasn't gotten shots!!!"

 This boy screamed like I have never heard screaming, cried his blue little eyes out, and never forgave me the rest of the day after his darn shots!

The day started out well enough. A lovely bath which Cooper adores, just like Jaxon did!
After wards he snuggled in bed while I got ready- (This is a rare view of Coop without some CRAZY hair..his wet little curls stuck to his head!)

 

 

Then we came upstairs for some snuggle time!

(I figured I'm not in too many picturess these days...plus I had sort-of done my hair, plus I'm holding Coop in front of my body and the camera angle is hiding a mryiad of sins!!!) :o)

 

 

Then I had to wake Coop up after only a 45 minutes nap to go to the Doctor.   Even then he was just happy as a clam---

 

Step 1- Smile at mom.

 

 

Step 2- Flirt with Mom. (smile, then look away, then look back shyly to make sure I still have her undevided attention!)

 

 

 

Step 3- REPEAT!

 

 

 

 

Then....

 

What was that? Pardon?  I don't remember hearing anything about "shots"...?!?!

 

And it's been pretty downhill from there. 

Scream, cry, sleep for a short amount of time, repeat.

It didn't help that we had him out and about for a marathon 3 HOURS that afternoon! (He has never been out that long before!) We had to look at flooring for the house and then head over to the house to talk to our contractor. Ryan, Em, and the girls came over and the kids went to the park. (YES! LOVE that there is a park across the street) while us adults talked house...and other stuff!

 

He went to sleep fine that night but wouldn't eat much. At 3:10am he let out a cry to beat all and I rushed in there and gave him his paci.  Then I went to make a bottle, because I had told Dave I would probably have to feed him in the middle of the night because he had eaten so little that day.  But he didn't make anymore noise until 5:10 when he started screaming again.  It is making me so sad, all this screaming, because he has never done this his whole life. Even when he's hungry he starts with a whimper and gives us a chance to feed him before he gets going! So I fed him and put him back down, but noticed he felt a little warm.  Between 6 and 6:45 he was fretful so we gave him some tylenol. At 6:45 I went to get him for the day, but as soon as I picked him up he snuggled in and closed his eyes. I sat in bed holding him and browsing the internet on my phone for 2 hours!  It was sweet, and I think he needed his mama as much as he needed his sleep.

 

The rest of today has been better than yesterday, but with real crying, and occasional screaming which we have never dealt with before.  It's all kind of freaking me out a little. I read online that these symptoms should be gone in 48 hours which is 10:30am tomorrow morning...so I'm trying to keep my anxiety in check until then...

In happier news- Here are Cooper's updated stats-

Weight- 11 pounds 8 ounces = 26th percentile

(Dave and I were so shocked about this! We though he was looking downride chubby!!)

Height- 23 and 3/4 inches. = 61st percentile

(again we were surprised, he actually went UP the curve- last time it was 59th percentile, and we are pretty sure Jaxon has never moved UP the curve in his life!)

Head circumference- 16 1/4 = 66th percentile

(Once again surprised- we Rogers/Ferrells have HUGE HEADS! Way bigger than the 66th percentile!)