2 Weeks!

Wow! We have had baby Cooper now for 2 weeks! What a big adjustment this has been for our family. Cory and I knew our hands would be full with Cayman, so we tried to make having the baby a little easier on her. We decided to purchase an 8 foot trampoline for Cayman so she would be able to have something to play on in the yard and not have to go to the park with a brand new baby. We got it the day before I had my c- section. Cayman absolutely loved it!

She has been playing on it every day and it is a great lifesaver to be able to just open the patio door and let her go outside. It was a great purchase. One night, Cory and Cayman decided to sleep outside under the stars on it. I went out to get a picture and Cayman was already fast asleep. The neighbors sprinklers came on a little bit later and got them wet so that ended the fun. They will try again soon!
To make the adjustment of having a new brother a little easier on Cayman, it seems like everyone that got Cooper a baby gift, also got Cayman a big sister gift. She was so excited to get presents that I still don't think she understood why. Aunt Mel got her a Sleeping Beauty barbie doll and Aunt Alli took her shopping and Cayman picked out a princess crown, necklace, earrings and shoes. She looked so pretty!
Aunt Mel came and stayed for 2 days when I got from the hospital and I actually felt pretty good that on Thursday, we took Cayman to see one of her favorite princesses Princess Amerah. She is a manners and etiquette princess.
She had an appearance at the library in Murray. Cayman was so happy to see her but shy at the same time. Awestruck I guess! After that, we went to lunch with Aunt Alli. It was a good break for me and Daddy got to stay home with baby Cooper. I needed to spend some time just with Cayman to let her know things would be changing but I still could be with her just us! She is not behaving very well and will do many things to be naughty as all can be. I know she is just dealing with this in her own way. It is hard on us though. We knew to expect something, just not this bad. Cj and Jackie have taken Cayman a couple times to give us a break and so has Grandma Connie. Cayman seems to like going anywhere with them as long as its not home. Go figure. She loves her little brother so much though. You can see it in her eyes.

She has so much love to give and her hugs can be a little too much for Cooper. He will start crying and then she says Its alright. The other day she said he was her best friend. How cute is that? I love my bugaboo!



Cory has been really good at spending time with Cayman these last 2 weeks and they have been hiking, swimming, playing outside, riding the scooter, going on bike rides, jumping on the trampoline and hanging out. He even bought her a Snow White Princess outfit. It is really cute.


I try to do what I can and spend time with Cayman by myself. Today, Cayman and I went to the library and then got an icecream cone. It was a good outing.
We took Cooper to his first doctors appointment today and he weighed 8Lbs 9oz, 20 Inches long and head was 141/2 circumference. The doctor said he looked perfect. He has gained back his birth weight and then some and that is good. When he was born, they said his length was 21 inches, and now he is only 20 inches. I think they made a mistake at the hospital. So I am not sure really what length he was, maybe only 20 inches? He is eating great and that is what matters.


Cooper has been a pretty good baby. Eats all the time and sleeps when he isn't eating.
He is sure a cutie! I may cry at random times, not be happy all the time, and complain that I hurt, but I am sure grateful for a husband that has been here for the last 2 weeks to help me out. He has been a great help and a really good daddy. Today ends his 2 weeks of vacation and I am so very nervous about being alone on Monday with 2 kids. I hope I can do it and that I don't fall apart. It can't be that tough can it? Ahhhh! I guess we will see!
I want to also tell my family and friends what a great help they have been also. Alli and Paul, thanks for doing some shopping for me! Connie, thanks for the sleepovers, and dinner. Mel, thanks for coming down and spending time with us. Dad and Carma, thanks for coming and helping with Cayman. Cj and Jackie, thanks for taking Cayman on little outings and shopping and just letting her hang out with you guys even if she has little accidents that happen. Ooops! Candice and Dallas, thanks for helping us leave the hospital and packing all my stuff home. Friends, thanks so much for dinners and the presents and the care that you have shown. I am very grateful for my family and so excited to keep building memories and having fun. I love my little ones, Cayman and Cooper. Love you too babe! Stay tuned....

10 years ago...

Ten years ago today, my very special, wonderful mother passed away. She was diagnosed with cancer July 23 1999. The doctors said she had cancer in her brain. The following Monday, they ran more tests and found the cancer in her liver, lungs, back and in the bone. I had just turned 22 and couldn't believe that my mom who was 41 was going to die. Radiation and Chemo did not help and during that month I learned all too fast about growing up. My sister Alli was 21, Mel was 19 and Ryan was 14 just going into High school.
Growing up I would say our family was very close. We did everything together and had a lot of fun. Our home was the hang out place to be after school and in the summer we made our yearly school shopping trip to SLC to buy our school clothes. We spent numerous times in West Yellowstone and sightseeing the parks. We spent every birthday together as a family with a few friends over, and every dinner was spent at the table together. We could talk to our Mom about anything. She taught us about working. She worked hard all her life and taught us to appreciate what we have. My mom took me dragging main my very first time with all my girlfriends. First time driving at night. Granted she ducked her head when I got high centered on a curb, but we were all laughing so hard it was funny. She taught me how to cook and clean and grocery shop. I learned a lot from my mother. Too many to put on this blog.
She was the mom that all our friends liked. Our boyfriends liked being at our house. Our friends from school liked coming over and didn't care if our parents were around. My mom was very cool!
In the last few weeks of my mothers life, I was able to spend time with her, take her to radiation, and just sit by her side. I thought a lot during that time also. She would never see me get married, she would never hug me again. She would not be with me when I had babies, and teach me to be a mother. I couldn't just call and talk to her whenever I wanted and ask her how to make something or what should I take if I am not feeling well. She would not be here the rest of my life. It was a very sad time and very special. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her and what a great Grandma she would have made. I know she is in a better place, and that she is watching over me. I know that my babies have been with her in heaven and she has taken care of them before they came to me. I miss my mom everyday and I wonder what she thinks of me? I hope I have made her proud and that when my journey ends, I will be able to wrap my arms around her and never let go. Mom, I LOVE YOU!

Baby Cooper is here!!!

We welcomed our little Cooper into our family on Saturday, August 8th 2009 at 10:21 am.
He weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 21 inches long. Has a full head of black hair! What a cutie. He is perfect!
I had my doctor appointment on Wednesday the 5th. I had not dilated,effaced, dropped or anything that remotely looked like I was going to try to have this baby. Dr. Ward said he thought I looked huge and he was going to weigh in the high 8lbs. He said we should schedule a C-section. I was hurt and disappointed because I had wanted to do this one on my own. I wanted to try at least. I tried, and because of the little progression we couldn't. At least now we knew our date.




I went in Saturday at 6am and we got prepped for the operation at 7:30am. CJ came to our home to watch Cayman and then with strict instructions, was to bring her up around 8:30am to see her brother. My dad and his wife Carma came up around 6:30am to visit with me and see me off. I was so nervous and anxious and just couldn't wait! I was the only c-section scheduled and the floor was quiet. This was working out great. With Cayman we got bumped 2 times because of emergencies. I hate waiting. Our luck was about to end. The quietness ended and an emergency c-section took our place in the O.R. I was bumped to be next. After an hour of waiting, Cory asked the nurse what was taking so long... the emergency didn't go so well and the lady was having complications. It would be a longer wait now.




I was so ready and Cooper would have been here by now. We called family and told them the news, we were still waiting. Finally after what seemed like forever we got to go in at 10am. Only 2 1/2 hours over our schedule. AHHH!!!!



At 10:21am Cooper came into this world. I didn't get to see him right away, but only heard his cry and I was overjoyed! Cory was taking pictures and got to hold him before me. He was so happy for his son to be here. The surgery went well and I went back to recovery where I finally got to see and hold my baby. What a beautiful boy. His skin was perfect, dark, thick hair, and kind of looked like me this time. Cayman was so cute and wanted to see him right away. She kissed him and held him and was all smiles. I was so happy that my family was here together and Cayman was okay with the new addition into her life.













Family came in and held Cooper and then off they all went to watch him get his bath. I felt pretty good other than a little naseua and itchy. It was a long day of visitors and family and it couldn't have been better. That night, Cayman stayed with my dad at our house. They would bring her up in the morning to switch with Connie who was watching her the next day. I had to get up and move that night a little bit and I was dreading the pain that I knew was coming. That first movement about killed me last time and this was not something I was looking forward to.
What a blessing, I could stand, move, and walk pretty easily. I washed my face and stood for a minute and it was not bad at all. The next day, I felt even better. The c-section was not as painful the 2nd time around. Yipee! We had a really good stay this time in the hospital and the nurses were really great. They made the stay a whole lot better.











Cooper is now home and we are just loving him being here. Cayman was very confused about me being in the hospital with the baby and kept saying to bring Cooper home. She is now so happy that we are all home. It seems like her decimal level has risen a couple notches higher than normal. I feel like she is yelling all the time and when we tell her to be quiet or whisper she gets even louder. This is going to be interesting I can tell. She loves him so much and is always trying to hold him and love him and she sings for him and I can already see what a great Big Sister she is going to be.











Thanks to our families who have been able to help out with Cayman. I wanted the transition to be easy, and with family around it has been. I will post more later in the next week.

Happy 5th Anniversary!

Wow, how time has flown! I can't believe that 5 years ago today we were married for eternity in the Bountiful Temple! Who would have thought that in those 5 years we would have built 2 homes, had 1 beautiful and joyous daughter with one son coming on Saturday, been on a cruise, been to Disneyland twice, Disneyworld once, California numerous times, been to almost all the national parks in Utah and hiked all the great trails, and so much more than I can put down on this blog! We have done a lot and have had great family and friends to share in our lives!
I have to say I am a very lucky gal!
Cory and I met at the Crossroads mall while he was working at Sporting Eyes, and I was working at American Eagle. Our stores were right across the hall from each other and he would always stop in and say hi. When we worked we usually talked most of the night at the entrance to AE. We became friends and eventually after about a year we went on our first date. We went to a haunted house in SLC. What a scary night. But, I got to hold his hand! After that, we were usually together as much as possible, even though he was seeing other girls! I knew I was going to marry him after our date and I was right. Crazy how things happen. Cory came to Idaho with me a couple months later during the winter and on the way home he told me he loved me. Wow! I was so happy! He then asked my dad if he could marry me in April and proposed at Ensign Peak. We were married in August at the Bountiful Temple and that was how it began.

Now, 5 years later after seeing me at my worst which includes: weight gain, scary no make-up face, onery, sad, angry at times, annoyed, happy, giggly, romantic, my best side, and my worst side we are still together. Cory, you are the best! I am not easy to live with, ask my family! I love you!
It may not be roses all the time but what rose doesn't have some thorns in it?
This day I will marry my friend, the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love.
Happy Anniversary! I love you with all my heart!