Cooper- 4 months

Our Sweet Cooper is almost 5 months...but these pictures WERE taken right around 4 months.  Now that we are in the new house, I finally have my pictures, AND internet on the same computer. Boy will that make blogging easier!

  It's hard to remember all the things I have loved about Cooper at this stage, becuase he has been sick for two weeks straight. He shoots snot rockets everytime he sneezes, and blows snot bubbles everytime he breathes. His eyes are red and watery and he whines or cries pretty much non-stop.  He snores like a bear, even when he's awake, because he's so congested! Just keepin' it real!  ;o)

In case you don't believe me- please see exibits A, B, and C below-

 But let's see- he adores Jaxon.  If Jaxon is in range, Coop will twist his head/neck/body around to see him.  And I HAVE GOT to get Jaxon talking to Coop on Camera, because it is hysterical!  Jaxon talks in  high HIGH pitched voice with a CRAZY look on his face which I know HE thinks is a smile, but actually looks like he is grimacing in serious pain! (Cooper seems to love it, so I guess he doesn't mind)

  Coop can roll to his belly from his back both ways, and has rolled from his back to his belly once!  He smiles a lot (When not sick) and chuckles occassionally, but has not started belly laughing yet.  We just moved him from the 1-2 Costco diapers to the 3's and they pretty much wrap around him twice!   He loves when you hold his hands and let him pull to standing, and then LOVES to stand up and look around!  He still hates to have his feet covered, and will kick any blanket or covering right off them.  As soon as he is well we are going to stop swaddling him, and stop going in at night when he cries (to give him his paci back) . The pediatrician says it's time to stop, and to just pull the bandaid off all at once!  he loves to suck on any part of his hand or finger, or anyone else's that he can get to his mouth.  He loves to chew on his bottle nipples on the sides of his mouth, like he is just gnawing on them!

 Here are some pictures for your viewing picture, of before the sickness turned by sweet HANDSOME boy into a disaster!!!

Can I just say that the reason I love this next picture, even though it is slightly out of focus, is Cooper's FOOT!  He has big ol' feet like Dave and can spread his toes out just like Dave too! I love seeing that!


PS- Come back sweet happy Cooper, COME BACK!!!!

Just a reminder...

I am ridiculously far behind on my blogging again, but instead of waiting to catch up to the present, I just had to blog some things I've been thinking about and that have been going on.
  We moved this past weekend.  So many miracles happened to make it work out beautifully, but here are my top 3-
1.  Mom and Dad Rogers called on Wednesday and said, "We heard you're moving in this weekend, so we are driving down to help!" I thought that was sure thoughtful, but had NO IDEA how absolutely amazing their help would be, or how absolutely helpless we would have been without them.  They are seriously so so thoughtful.  I love them so much, and love how they make what's important to us, important to them! Not only was dad Rogers like Super Man during the move, he helped Dave put together EVERY. SINGLE. THING that needed to be put together, and put them in the right place! So by the time they left, we had a lovely set up sitting room, a put together kitchen table, chairs and hutch, and almost every kitchen box unpacked, AND Jaxon's loft bed put together.  It would probably all still be undone if they weren't here to WORK WORK WORK!!!
Jax and Gpa in the new TV room!

2.  It rained pretty much non-stop all weekend. Like, to the point that there was no way to move our stuff out of the mobile mini and into the house in the down pour. (this is NOT the miracle!)  The new ward was all set to help us at 8am on Saturday but it couldn't happen- raining cats and dogs.  We grocery shopped, and headed to Costco. On the way out (around noon) it was still gray skies but no rain! We called the EQP and asked if he could get some guys to help us move in as much as possible before the rain started back up.  3 people came over, and between them, Dad and Dave, and me and Mom, we hauled our rears!  Every time it would start getting a little misty I would say a prayer in my head to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us clear out the mobile mini before it started again.  Sure enough, and the guys were carrying our LAST item- our couch, through the front door, it started to POUR! P.O.U.R!  It was such a tender mercy that I absolutely DO NOT chalk up to coincidence.  Heavenly Father heard my prayers.

3.  Jaxon and Cooper were both pretty sick.  (Also NOT the miracle!)  And when we woke up and tried to leave G and G Ferrell's to head to the new house, Jaxon was beside himself. He was cold, tired, and not feeling well.  Heading to a place with no furniture, TV, or toys unpacked was NOT high on his list. Grandpa Ferrell came downstairs just in the nick of time and heard Jaxon's pleas to please not have to go.  G Ferrell said Jaxon could stay with him for a few hours and then he would bring him over.  A few hours later they popped by so Jaxon could say hi, but they were just passing through on the way to pick up the cousins to play.  A few hours later he popped in again, but this time just passing through to get a treat.  A few hours later G called and said, just let Jaxon stay here and sleep tonight!  It was so so sweet, but Jaxon did want to go to pizza for dinner with us! Jaxon stayed with Grandpa from 7am till 5pm that day, and as a result had a very special time, and we got SO MUCH DONE while NOT trying to entertain a very bored and slightly sick 6 year old. If you want to know the truth, I think Grandpa Ferrell is going to miss Jaxon as much as Jaxon misses Grandpa. They are absolutely best friends.  It's one of the most beautiful things to me, and as  mother, it is priceless.

  The next thoughts I have are how much I am enjoying my roll as full time mother here at the new house.  At G and G's, we were absolutely spoiled.  SPOILED ROTTEN! It was wonderful, and during the first 3 months when Cooper was tiny, not sleeping through the night, and my postpartum was in full effect, it was a blessing straight from heaven.  My mother is a saint for all that she did to try to ease my burdens.

    Now that we are in the new house, I am actually really enjoying, the cooking, cleaning, chauffering, and being the boss.  It warms my heart to have a house that I love to clean.  I am so completely exhausted. It has been a looooong 6 months of NOT doing any of these things, and at night I fall into bed exhausted, but so grateful.  Emily and I have been going to the gym together at 5am...yes, that's AM!! It's so nice to be accountable and have to pick someone up so I have to go.  Because, except for the 15 minutes between 4:45 and 5am when I am awake in the cold, dark, house and everyone else is slumbering warmly and peacefully, I am SO glad I went!

 Which brings me to one of the greatest miracles of the new house- COUSINS!! Jaxon has played with the girls everyday this week, and I absolutely love having my house full of LOVE!  I love the giggles, the sneaking snacks from the fridge, the playing, and I love that Jaxon is building friendships that will NEVER fade.  I'm sure the novelty will wear off and it won't always be a daily thing, but for now, I love this lovely noise.

  I am exhausted.  There is still so much to do, unpack, and get settled.  And I could not be more grateful. I love this work called "family".

The new kitchen!

Cooper's THREE MONTHS!

Boy how time flies..actually...no...it seems like Cooper has been here forever, like, what did we ever do before Cooper?  I love that boy!
  Ever since going to Disneyland, our previous, slowly established nap routine has pretty much flown out the window and we are back to 45 minute naps. BAH!  But, on the bright side, being out and about with Cooper and facing the nameless fear about being out and about with him that was causing me so much anxiety, has helped me SO MUCH!  I'm doing so much better, and even with 45 minute naps, we just do what we need to do!
  Let's see, some interesting things about Cooper are, he has started to chuckle, he LOVES to stand up while you hold his hands, (pretty sure he's showing off!)  he loves EVERYONE at this house immensely and smiles copiously at them, and he has started "talking" A LOT! My quiet boy now loves to hear his own voice, and it usually ends in blowing raspberries!   Cooper is drooling like a maniac. Maybe he will get teeth early like Jaxon did?! He's still so chill, rarely cries (except when he's constipated...which unfortunately happens quite frequently) and he HATES to sit in the backseat by himself. At first I thought he just hated his carseat, but he was a champ on the drive to and from from Disneyland, and AT disneyland, so I've noticed he only yaks back there when he is alone. Otherwise he is happy as a clam to have company! He can roll from his stomach to his back, and is very good at keeping his head up during tummy time. He can sit in the bumbo without much help, but it doesn't look too comfy yet, so I'm going to wait a little longer until his head is stronger! Jaxon still adores him, and is getting REALLY antsy to walk around with him, which I said he could start doing A TINY BIT when Cooper could hold his own head up. Jaxon talks to him in the sweetest high pitched voice, and loves everything there is too love about Cooper. I really can't wait until they can interact more! Below are Cooper's 3 month pictures, which are actually 3 months and 1 week because of Disneyland. I compared side by side with his one month, and boy has he changed-
here is a comparison of 3 months and one month!

Crazy huh?

Here are the rest of my favs!

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.