Cooper the Chunker

My baby boy was born weighing 6 lbs 6 oz.  Everyone that saw him insisted that he was "Tiny". I guess being so close to him everyday I didn't notice just how small he was. At our 2 month check up he only weighed 7 lbs 4 oz. The doctor wouldn't even give him his shots. So we started supplementing with a little bit of formula after each feeding. We went back the next week and he weighed 8 lbs 4 oz.  You know in that moment when the doctor tells you that your baby is too small, you don't question it, you just do what is necessary to take care of your baby. And I am so happy I did.  It is crazy now to look at the picture I previously posted, he was so tiny ( and his head looked so huge).
 I weighed Cooper today (almost 12 weeks old) and he weighs 10 lbs!!! Hallelujah!
Here is a pic of my little chunker....

Smiles

Cooper shared with us this week his first smile.  Needless to say it made me grin like a school girl.

And these photos make me smile a lot!

This is what Elle does every time she sees Cooper.

Cooper

I'm sitting here, on a rainy day, snuggling with my 6 week old baby.  If you would have told me a year ago that this is what I would be doing, I would have thought "Yeah I wish".  But here I am! I am absolutely in heaven being at home with this cutie.

Jon and I tried for about 2 years to start a family.  It wasn't until last July when I decided to find a new doctor ( one that would actually DO SOMETHING ) that things happened.  And surprisingly we didn't even do anything.  I think for the first time in 2 years I had the confidence that it was going to happen.

In the beginning the pregnancy went very slow.  I was very nausea for the first 16 weeks.  Then right before Christmas I found out that I had gestational diabetes.  Finding out you have to completely change your diet the week before Christmas is no fun!  And not to mention having to prick your finger 4 times a day... it put a damper on my mood for a few weeks.  But then I got a hang of diet, I found foods I could eat, and the pricking of my finger stopped bothering me.  Not everyone with gestational diabetes is able to control it with diet and exercise, but thankfully I was able to. This allowed me to not have to take an medication, and in the end to have a healthy baby.

Next thing I know, it is April and my due date was April 20th.

This was me 3 days before Cooper was born.

On April 21st I went to the doctor to figure out what the plan was going to be.  I knew that they weren't going to let me go much longer than a week past my due date ( b/c of my gestational diabetes).  And to my dismay I hadn't dilated at all. I was really bummed.

Long story short, we decided to go that day to the hospital to begin the induction process.  

Jon and I ran around like crazy, getting our bags, straightening up the house one last time.  I couldn't believe we were going that day!!! I remember we went to lunch before we went the hospital and I remember thinking... this is our last meal as just Jon and I.  

I won't bore you with the details of the induction. But everything went according to plan, even a little better than planned... and Cooper was born at 8:43 PM April 22.  

Picture by... Andrea Dozier

It is completely cliche to say... but my world totally changed. I knew I would be in love with him, but I didn't know the extent of that love until I had him in my arms.

Best decision I made was having Andrea come the following day to take pictures. I will treasure these photos always.

A Pink Balloon

Elle turns 1 year old next month and I have to say it has been such a blessing to be so close to see every little step she has taken over the past year.  She has grown up before our eyes. She brings so much Joy and Love to our family.

A little extra special tidbit about these photos..... the dress Elle is wearing was made for Abby by our mom ( probably 25 or 26 years ago ).

9

These are a long time coming..... but before I post her latest photo shoot I had to post these.

My Past 6 months in Photos

First Shayna and Matt got married... Jon and I were honored to be in the wedding!

Jon had a "Great" time at the reception!

Then there was the wedding of Jill and Shawn!

Jon also had a "Great" time at Jill and Shawn's reception!

Meanwhile our house was going up fast!

Then Brett and Abby welcomed their first baby...... Elle!

It is safe to say ... that we are completely and forever smitten with this little one.

and everyday she grows more and more....

And then finally we moved into our new home!

Point of the story...... there's been a lot going on....

Jill and Shawn Engagement Shoot

 Leave it to me to leave my camera battery at home and miss the first part of the engagement shoot, but thankfully I got the battery in time (thanks to my hubby Jon) to take these Lovely photos of my cousin Jill and her fiancé Shawn. These are only a few of my unedited photos.
Major shout out to Andrea Dozier and her ever inspiring ideas and style! I feel so honored to be able to tag along with her on some of her shoots and learn a thing or two!