Happy Birthday, Cooper!

Three years ago today Cooper entered the world and life has never been the same.  I went in for an amnio and Cooper was born less than an hour after the test due to complications.  She was the most amazing thing I had ever seen and there hasn't been a moment since she was born that I have not looked and at her and thought, "GOD IS GOOD!"

It has not always been an easy road.  Being a mother of a child born so prematurely isn't for the weak and I learned quickly.  However, being the mother of this amazing child has taught me so many lessons about strength, perseverence, patience and unconditional love.  I am a million times a better person for being a mom and there is nothing I love more.

You would never know now that Cooper had such a rough time the first year of her life.  She is easily the funniest kid I have ever met.  She is smarter than any other kid I know her age and is a quick study of everything.  She is a fantastic and loving big sister.  She has always been a Mommy's girl and I pray she always will be.  The bond we share is beyond what any words I could write here could portray.

I pulled out one of the memory boxes I have made for Cooper to get one of her baby onesies to take a picture with...and realize that I have kept so much stuff!  It is so hard not to want to cherish everything she does! 

I thank God today and everyday for my beautiful Cooper Elise!  I can't believe three years has come and gone so quickly!  I love her more than the universe plus infinity and am so thankful that she is so loved by so many wonderful people in her life!  I am so excited to continue to watch her grow and it is my earnest prayer that God continues to bless her and our family the way he has for the past three years!  Mommy, Daddy and Carsyn love you, Cooper!

One week old

11 months old- she still makes this face and it cracks me up everytime

1 1/2 years old

2 1/2 years old

Three years old- holding one of the baby onesies that she wore!

Word Cloud

I love these things...a word generator takes the most frequently used words in your blog and makes a "word cloud."  I think they summed up our life about right!

Trenton's the Man!

Trenton was recently honored at work during a trip to Nashville.  He won an award called Emerging Leader of 2009, which he was chosen for based on his performance and leadership.  We are very excited to go to Nashville next month when he will be honored.


He also recently won a safety award titled IFE Safety Champion and recieved an awesome Swiss Army watch.


We are so proud of him and it is so nice to see all of his hard work being recognized!  We love you, baby!

Cooper's 3rd Birthday Party

Cooper is like a celebrity in that she celebrates her birthday for weeks and has parties all over.  Cooper has had three birthday celebrations and still has two more to go- that girl is spoiled rotten!

We had her birthday party this weekend at a local gymnastics facility.  It was wonderful!  Our family has made a lot of awesome friends here and we are thankful they came to support us and celebrate Cooper's birthday!

The first hour was guided by an instructor- they had obstacle courses and a bounce house, as well as free run of the equipment.  The last half hour was for cake and visiting.  We had a friend of a friend make Cooper's cake- the party was Care Bear themed- and she did an amazing job!  While we were singing Happy Birthday, Cooper's friend Audry had her eyes closed and I knew it wasn't going to be good!  She blew the candles out before Cooper knew what was happening.  It was so funny- the pictures are hilarious.  Poor Audry started crying when she realized what she had done and Cooper was quick to tell her it was okay.  My child is always so thoughtful of other people's feelings! We had pizza for dinner last night and lit some more candles so we could sing and let Cooper blow them out.

We opened the presents at home because there was too many to open in the short amount of time we had.  Cooper got some really cool stuff and we are grateful to everyone for being so thoughtful and generous. 

We are very excited for Cooper's actual birthday next week.  I told her that on her real birthday she could open her presents from Mommy, Daddy, Carsyn, GG, PawPaw and Aunt Kim.  Her reply, "How about on my pretend birthday?!"  She cracks me up!  I can't believe she is almost 3 years old!  The Lord has blessed me tremendously with my sassy Cooper Elise and I am eternally grateful!

(Click on the picture for less distortion.)

This cake tasted as good as it looked!  (That is a cake on top- not just icing!)

Cooper said her favorite part was the "excersises."  (aka- warm-up)  Trenton has been teaching her how to do jumping jacks and push-ups.  It is so cute!

Audry is thinking about it...Cooper is oblivious!

Cooper is wondering what just happened!

Presi's!

Lots of cool new toys!

Big Girl had a blast watching Cooper open her gifts!

25 things I am thankful for...

1.  My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2.  Two healthy, happy and beautiful daughters.
3.  A husband who is more gorgeous on the inside than he is on the outside.
4.  A family that unconditionally supports me and I can talk to about anything. 
5.  My best friend, my sister.
6.  Being fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom.
7.  The awesome new friends I have made in Tennessee.
8.  The awesome friends I have at home.
9.  My education.
10.  The mailman, who Cooper also refers to as "Santa Claus."
11.  Refined sugar and Mexican food.
12.  My best friend, Jannon, who enriched my life beyond measure.
13.  Cameras and camcorders to document the amazing things happening in my life.
14.  The travel afforded to me by my parents throughout my life.  I appreciate that life is much bigger than Georgia and Tennesee.
15.  Barney and Dora the Explorer.  I don't know how I would have folded laundry and cooked dinner for the past couple years without them.
16.  Ernies's Steakhouse- the best job and some of the most fun I have ever had.
17.  Good books and magazines.
18.  My niece, who I love like she was my own child.
19.  The sound of my children laughing.
20.  Bouncers, swings and exersaucers.
21.  Georgia Southern University.
22.  Snail mail and email from my BFF from college, Ericka.
23.  Mommy friends.
24.  Tmz.com (guilty pleasure)
25.  The Bible- without which I would find no solutions and peace from my worries.

Big Girl- 7 Months

Tomorrow Carysn Grace will be SEVEN months old.  I can't believe it!

Seven months ago today I was exhausted from a long day.  I distinctly remember sitting on the couch with Trenton and Cooper and thinking to myself that this was going to be one of the last times it was just the three of us.  I couldn't sleep and I was talking Trenton's head off- I think the exact words he told me were, "Stop bugging me!  I have to get some sleep tonight."  So I went down to the car and got a magazine to occupy my mind.  At around 9:30 p.m. (approx. 30 minutes after Trenton told me to stop bugging him- I went to the bathroom and my water broke.  I ran to the bedroom and told Trenton he definitely wasn't getting any sleep that night! 

We were checked into the hospital by midnight and Carsyn Grace arrived via c-section at 8:02 a.m.  From the moment she has been born, she has been the happiest, sweetest and easiest baby I have ever known.  She is such a joy and she has completed my family and my life. 

Trenton and I were just talking tonight about how God had a plan for us and what a wonderful one it is!!! 

Cooperism's

Cooper always says the funniest things- I have to get better about writing them down.  Here are a few of her latest Cooperism's:

We were driving home from school the other day and a squirrel ran in front of the car and when I hit the breaks and yelled at the squirrel- she said, "Did we break him!?"

***

After having a runny nose for a week, this weekend she woke up and clearly inhaled and said, "My nose is gone!"

***

Cooper has really taken an interest in God and that makes me so happy and proud.  She knows tons of religious songs, can quote scripture and say her prayers.  She is really starting to understand about God and I love that!  There are still some things that she has questions about and she is always really cute when she talks about it.

Cooper:  "What's God doing?
Me: "He's watching us."
Cooper: "I don't see him."
Me: "I know, but one day you will.  We will live with him forever and ever."
Cooper: "Right.  Then we will come back to our house."

***

Cooper:  "Where does God live?"
Me: "He lives everywhere- in our house, at school, in our hearts, in our mind."
Cooper: (looks at me like I am an idiot) "No, he lives in my belly."

A Laid Back Weekend

This past weekend was the first in a while that we haven't been traveling, had a birthday party or a to-do list a mile long.  It was so nice for us to relax a little and just spend time together.  The weather was gorgeous, so we were all able to get lots of fresh air and play outside.  We did a little Christmas shopping, lots of laughing and lots of eating.  I was so spoiled this weekend because Trenton cooked every meal, I think.  And it was all yummy! 

We got out Cooper's high chair and cleaned it and we have stopped feeding Carsyn in the bouncer.  Food was going everywhere and it was not fun to clean up.  She LOVES the high chair.  She is happy to just sit there and play while we do some cooking and cleaning.

Carsyn also LOVES Cooper.  Cooper is easily her favorite person in the world.  She watches her every second and it is adorable.  Cooper can get Carsyn to stop crying in an instant by making her laugh like a crazy person.  This is a big help- but just like everything else- we are the mercy of Cooper- so it all depends on when she is in the mood! 

Carsyn loves to touch Cooper and especially loves pulling her hair.  Cooper acts annoyed, but she is so delighted that Carsyn is able to play more.  It fills my heart with happiness to see the girls interact.  I may be wrong, but I think in the future that Cooper is going to be the mischevious one and Carysn will happily be peer pressured in for the ride.

I am so proud of Cooper and the way she has adjusted to having to share attention. 

We bought Carsyn a seat for the bath (kind of like a bumbo for the water) and the girls were prunes by the time they got out of the tub last night.  Bath time is such a fun time in our house.

Overall, we have decompressed a little and are gearing up for the rest of the year.  We have something planned every weekend until 2010 and we are excited for all the fun things on the horizon...

Sicki Bo Bicki

Our house has been sick-free for almost a year and I can't believe that!  The last time any of us were truly sick was when Cooper had RSV (not fun!)  I knew it wouldn't last forever and it didn't!

Cooper had a runny nose and must have had a little bug- because Carsyn started acted super fussy and also had a runny nose.  If you know us, then you know Carsyn Grace never cries or fusses- she has perma-Kool-Aid smile!  So I knew she wasn't feeling well. 

I took her to the doctor and Big Girl has her first ear infection.  For two nights she did NOT sleep and we have been exhausted.  Thank goodness Trenton is so willing to help and so amazing with the kids- because I could have not survived these two nights without his support!  (He has really gotten to be quite the baby whisperer- it is adorable!)

Last night, I think the medicines must have kicked in and she must have been exhausted from the past couple days.  She slept through the entire night and Mommy and Daddy were VERY THANKFUL!  We woke up in the middle of the night and checked on her because we thought it was strange that she hadn't made a peep all night.  She was snoring away!

I am praying she is feeling better and that everyone in our family will be healthy this winter season.   I thought having one sick kid was hard work- two sick kids is complete chaos!  I am hoping the breastfeeding will at least eliminate the duration of Carsyn's ear infection and any future sickness.

This picture was taken last night- Carsyn is totally that baby that wakes up the second you put her down or in the crib.  But last night she was so tired that when Trenton put her down for me to change her diaper- she didn't wake up and was lost in her own world!

Self Portrait- Cousins

Cooper Magna-Doodled this picture of herself and her cousin.  I think it is the cutest thing I have ever seen.  (That circle on the right is a belly button, by the way.)

Our entire family is SO excited that my sister and her sweet family are coming to spend Thanksgiving with us.  It has been very hard for me to live so far away from my sister- she is my best friend and I miss her like crazy.  It makes my heart so happy to see the love Cooper has for her cousin and I know both of my girls will always have a best friend in my niece.

Trenton and I are going to be brave and try for the first time to do a real turkey dinner with all the fixin's.  We have both been spoiled by our parents cooking over the years and it will more than likely be a comical outcome.  We get an A for effort and excitement though, right?

Family

I love this picture- my mom took it when we were home in October.  It is so hard to get everyone smiling and looking at the camera- but I like the way this captured the moment. 

(BTW- click on any of the pictures to make them bigger and less distorted.)

Big Girl- 6.5 Months

Big Girl is growing up so much!  Yesterday she finally got the hang of rolling over and it is the cutest thing ever.  She swings her chubby little legs and is so pleased with herself.  I remember the excitement I got when Cooper first learned to roll over...and it is just as exciting now.  What a fun time for my family!  I write this as Carsyn is shrieking and laughing in delight as Cooper is dancing for her and cracking her up.  She is such a good big sister and Carsyn adores her.

Big Girl had her 6 month check up last Monday and she weighed 18 lbs and 2 oz.  She is now in the 80 percentile versus the 95th!  And she is 26 inches now, which puts her in the 50th percentile.  The pediatrition infomed us that we needed to go ahead and purchase her "big girl" carseat because she would soon have to change out of the infant carrier.  So much for waiting until over a year like I did with Cooper.  We are definitely going with the Britax Marathon which we use for Cooper and love.

She had a great check-up and is still the happiest baby I have ever seen.  Always smiling and rarely fusses. 

(Forgive some of my cell phone pictures that I am uploading- my camera is on the fritz and hopefully Santa will bring me a new one so I can capture all the adorable things the girls do everyday!)

Big Girl ~ 6 1/2 months

Professional Pictures

Here are some of the professional pictures one of my dear friends, Suzy Studdard Stark, took of our family last month.  She is an amazing photographer and I love the pictures we have seen so far.  I'm so happy to have some nice pictures to document this time in our lives.

Halloween 2009

Halloween this year was rainy and cold- but we still had a great time!  We had dinner and played games at Trunk or Treat at the church.  And Cooper was able to do a little Trick or Treating in a friend's neighborhood.  I'm not sure she has ever eaten so much candy at one time- she loved it!!

Mommy's Butterflies

Cooper and Carsyn both wore this butterfly oufit on their first Halloween.  Cooper was almost 1 years old and Carsyn is 6 months.  They both looked too cute in it!!!

Cooper~ October 31, 2007

Carsyn~ October 31, 2009

Paci Fairy

Cooper will be three soon and it is time to give up the "paddy's."  She only uses them at night and nap, but during her recent trip to the dentist- I was told that paddy was not good for her teeth and palette (sp).  So we decided to go cold turkey this weekend. 

The Paci Fairy came on Friday night.  We put all our paddy's in a bag and left them on a shelf.  In the morning- the Paci Fairy left Cooper some "presi's."

It has gone suprisingly well.  No tears really.  But lots of waking up because she is not used to soothing herself back to sleep.  Naps haven't gone so well- very short.  But I am proud of her progress!

My girl is getting so big!  No paddy's! 

Selfishily I am going to miss paddy and the peace and quiet that came with it!!

Paddy Face ~July 2007

Mexico

Last month Trenton and I went to Mexico for our anniversary.  It was a much needed vacation and we had an amazing time.  We stayed at the Excellence Playa Mujeres, which is about 35 miles outside of Cancun.  We will definitely return and for sure recommend this amazing resort to our friends and family.  It was so nice to sleep like a normal person and I read a book from start to finish.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary and mucho thanks to Trenton for an amazing week.  And big thanks to my parents for babysitting!

Welcome

I have been wanting to start a family blog after following so many cute blogs of my friends and their families. I hope I can keep up with this and it can be a way to eliminate so many random emails with cute stories about the kids and pictures of our latest adventures!  It might take me a minute to get the site cute- I forgot all the HTML tricks and need some help!

Thanks for following us!