It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I am finally feeling like it is Christmas time, I guess I thought if I procrastinated getting ready for it, then it just wouldn't come. A couple days ago I got into panic mode and finally got our Christmas card pictures done and finished up most of my Christmas shopping and now I feel like I can actually breathe, and finally blog! I am actually really excited for Christmas this year with it being Auri's first, I know she won't really know what is going on, but I still can't wait to open presents with her and Tink. This is the first year I haven't even thought about what I would like for Christmas because I honestly don't even care if I get anything, I really am more excited to give Cade, Auri, and Tink their presents. I guess this is what having a baby does huh? I love all the lights and I can't wait to go to Temple Square and see the beautiful Temple lights! This is the first year we will be able to go look at them because we live so close now. I truly have so many things to be grateful for this year. I am grateful Cade got the job so that we can live in Lehi which is closer to both of our families. So grateful that we can live in Cade's parent's little red house and be out of apartments (hopefully for good!), but most of all I am so grateful for my little family and the joy they bring to my life! Just a little update...Right after Auri was born, Cade had to start the interview process for Federated Insurance, (Which, by the way, is the most strenuous interview process in the world!) I had to be to 3 of the 12 or so interviews! So I went home to Altamont for a week, while he did some interviews and then Cade, Auri and I had to be to a Lehi interview, and then we flew out to Sacramento, CA for the final interview for Cade's job, and yes, Auri was only 3 weeks old! VERY NERVE RACKING! She had colic, and therefore, I was truly a walking Zombie, I know the Lord was on our side as we finished up the interview with the good news! After we came home, we started packing up and moved up to Lehi to our new little home that we're renting from Cade's parents. After we unpacked Cade began his month of hunting season and so again, I went home to Altamont. After hunting he had to attend 2 weeks of training for his job and so let's just say I went a little insane being a first time mom and all! And to top it off when he came home from training, Auri decided to work through her little colic digestive problems and become angel baby, so of course Cade wondered what all the fuss was about. So now only 3 1/2 months later we are finally feeling settled in. I really love our little place it truly feels like home! Auri is growing faster than I can blink and I can't believe it, time has flown. She is the cutest little thing alive! I can't believe she is mine. She is such a little squirm worm and can't hold still, she loves to sing, and she loves TV and her favs are currently Dora, and Strawberry Shortcake. I love hearing her little laugh, it is slow and she really makes you work for it, she doesn't just laugh at anything! I just love my little girl and I can't imagine life without her. Well, I am so glad to get a blog in and for those whoever check it, Happiest of Holidays to you!! Enjoy the picture overload :)

Auri's first time seeing Santa!

Me and Auri ready for Christmas pics!

Halloween (behind on the pics I know!)

Cutest Bumblebees Around!
Pics over the last 3 months

All About Auri

I never thought I would be writing this post! I can't believe she's here!! Auri Cooper was born August 23, 2010 at 5:29pm, weighed 6lb 8oz and was 19 1/4" long. I just have to say, labor and delivery was nothing like I expected it to be...It was awesome! Well, yes, there were a few little ouchies on the way but for the most part I really wouldn't mind having several more. (not at once thanks) The morning of the 23rd I went in to have my membranes stripped because I was sick of the false labor and contractions I had been having all month. The stripping part wasn't much fun, but really not as bad as others had let on. After I left the hospital Laurie, my Mid-Wife told us to go home and go on a walk and stay very active. So we did, and when my contractions were coming every 2 minutes we went into labor and delivery and I had dialated to a 3+ and so they admitted me and even offered the epidural. I decided to wait until I was in real pain(I don't know why?) anyway, my contractions started to slow down and so Laurie came in and broke my water so that my labor would progress. Right after she broke my water the contractions came, and they came hard! Cade was so cute, he didn't know what to do or say. I honestly didn't know what to do either, no matter what I did it just hurt. I waited about 40 minutes and told Cade I needed an epidural NOW! They came and I was already dialated to a 6. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me the epidural and about 10 minutes later, pure heaven. I love epidurals. I didn't feel a thing and Cade and I both finally relaxed and could enjoy the delivery process. I dialated very fast but luckily my mom and sister Katie made it before Auri was born. Even though it was just Cade and I in the delivery room when I delivered I loved knowing they were there. The delivery is like nothing I've ever imagined, it was so special and spiritual. I can't even describe how amazing it was to have such a beautiful little spirit come out of me and lay on my chest breathing her first breaths. Cade and I were speechless and I couldn't stop my tears from coming. I couldn't believe how much I already loved this little girl. She is perfect and couldn't have come to us at a more perfect time in our lives. I can't believe she is 3 weeks old, time has flown. Cade has honestly been a life-saver. He is the cutest dad, and even in the middle of the night when I feed her he asks if there is anything he can do even though I'm nursing. I feel like he was more ready to be a parent than I was. He is so cute with her and I'm so grateful we had a girl first because it has brought out a whole new side to him. I don't think he will ever be able to discipline her, he's wrapped around her finger :) Tink has been very tolerant and very patient with us. I think she finally knows that Auri is here to stay and she is not super happy about it but she is ok. She still is very spoiled and when I'm not holding Auri, I'm holding Tink. All in all we had a great experience and feel so blessed to have such great friends and family who were there for us and so happy for us! We now have our own little family, and it is so great to finally have our little Auri here!

Guess Who's Back???

So why I have fallen into my bad blogging ways I don't know. I really need to keep up on things so that I don't feel so behind! A lot has been going on lately! Surprisingly this summer has been going super fast! I thought it would just drag on and on since I'm big and prego. I can't believe it's halfway through July! Here's a little update on what we've been up to! The end of April Cade, Chase, Sara and I all went and hiked Angels Landing in Zion, and it was such a beautiful hike! The view from the top was breath taking and so worth the strenuous climb! I couldn't believe how my motherly instincts kicked in as I was climbing, I normally wouldn't have thought twice about being too careful, but this time I could only think of the little girl inside me that would also be affected if I were to slip and fall. I love that she was able to join me on the hike but she did make it much more difficult! In May, Cade and I decided we should go on a baby moon, and we didn't really care where, we just wanted to go anywhere with a beach and anywhere warm. We decided to go to Maui, HI and it was a great choice! We absolutely loved this place, it was just what we needed to get away from the crazy weather that was going on here in Utah. It is such a beautiful island and we had tons of fun and were able to just relax. We went to a Luau and had the best food and entertainment we have ever seen! We drove the road to Hana, and we got to go to the volcano site. Our hotel was amazing, and we just hung out at the beach too. We also had the best shaved ice in the whole world! I was amazed at how delicious it was! Overall it was a great trip and was much needed before our little bundle of joy arrives. In June we went to Lehi for the Lehi round up rodeo and for the baby shower that my mother-in-law had for me. It was a way cute shower, and I got so many cute things! All the Cooper girls went in on a stroller/carseat combo I picked out and I absolutely love it! We only have a few more things to buy before we are completely ready for her to come!
It's weird how much pregnancy affects every little aspect of my life, I realized I have taken the little things for granted such as riding in a car for 3 hours and never even having to stop once. On the trip to Lehi we had to stop for me to pee, then we had to stop when my legs and back were stiff and cramped! I start sweating with such little exertion it is embarrassing. I can't bend over standing up, I have to do a squat to pick things up off the floor or tie my shoes. Needless to say I'm feeling very pregnant! We have also been over to Kanab for a couple more ultra sounds and I can't believe how big she is! I am 33 weeks and 1 day today and so I have just over 6 weeks left!!! I can't believe how close I am. I never thought I would be this close and I'm starting to get really scared about the labor and delivery. I don't know if I'm ready! I start thinking about the epidural not working or maybe having an emergency C-section or just having a super long and painful labor and it freaks me out a bit! I can only hope for the best and pray everything goes well! My baby is the size of a pineapple right now and that comparison alone makes me think about the damage that will be done to the area down there!! So yesterday I went to have my 2 wisdom teeth pulled and they could only pull one because the top one wasn't grown in enough. Throughout the extraction the dentist kept saying, "You're doing so good, labor will be a piece of cake, you tolerate pain really well!" I laughed in my head because for one, it isn't just a tooth being pulled it's a baby! And second they had so much stuff in my mouth there was no way to make the agonizing sounds I wanted to make! No, it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and I wish labor would be that easy. For some good news, I picked out the baby's crib bedding with my friend Sherrie the other day and I could not believe the deal I got! It is super cute and it was way cheaper than I expected, so I made up for it by buying the baby more clothes and bedroom accessories! Cade doesn't understand my logic but it makes sense in my mind! I can't wait to set up her little bedroom as soon as we get the crib down to Cedar! Well I will definitely try to update my blog more frequently but I very easily could have the baby before my next update!! Wish me luck!

Baby on the Brain

So Kandice I'm copying your last post about likes and dislikes of being pregnant, so thanks it was fun to think of some of my own!
I love waking up each morning and checking my pregnancy app on my phone to see that I'm one day closer to my due date and reading the daily tips. I don't know why but this just makes me so happy! As does (and I know Leandra can relate to this one!) each Thursday when I start a new week in my pregnancy.
I hate that I'm 5 months and still only half way, I always forget to count the entire 9th month.
I love feeling my belly in the morning and thinking that it grew so much through the night without me constantly rubbing it.
I hate that none of my shirts fit like they should and I only have like 3 that I can wear. I'm sure people think I should try shopping sometime, but I really don't want to bring myself to buy maternity clothes that I'll only wear for 4 months, such a waste!
I love feeling my little girl kick, it almost makes my stomach feel sick sometimes when she kicks just right and I feel like I want to throw her up! Jk I would never do that!
I hate that my face thinks it is a 15 year old going through puberty and nothing I do seems to make it any better.
I love going to my ultra sounds and seeing proof that there is a baby inside of me and how much bigger she is each time I go.
I hate when I forget to take my vitamins and feel like I'm already failing at being a parent! It happens right?
I loved Cades face when he felt her kick for the first time the other day. Priceless!
I hate when I stress out about being prepared when I go into labor and having my bag perfectly packed and all of the babies things ready to go! I only have what? 4 months to get that taken care of and yet I still get anxiety thinking it won't be done.
I love that I can use the "I'm pregnant" card whenever I am super moody and irritable and Cade can't argue with me about it.
I hate that I can't wear cute summer clothes and pick out cute swimming suits!
I love how much joy she has already brought me and she isn't even born yet!
I do hate looking at the cup half empty and thinking really, I'm only half way? I should think, yes! I'm halfway!
I love checking babysteals.com every morning at 9am just to make sure I'm not missing out on anything. Thanks to my sister-in-law Tara for getting me hooked on that site, it's definitely addicting!!
I hate when once in a blue moon Cade is moody. I don't think he should be entitled to any moody days while I'm pregnant, only me.
I love the fruit and veggie comparisons that all the books and websites refer to my little baby, which by the way she is a banana or a butternut squash now! Exciting I know!
But overall the good definitely outweighs the bad and I actually love being pregnant so far it has been a great experience! I can't wait for her to be here and can't wait to be a mom!
PS Can I be counted in Mother's Day this year? Ha ha only joking, but kinda not...:)

Missouri??

A couple of weekends ago Cade and I made a trip to St. Louis, Missouri to check out a Chiropractic College. Cade has been doing some deep soul searching trying to find out what he really wants to be and do in life. He has always talked about becoming a chiropractor because of his brother Braden's father-in-law who is an incredible chiropractor. He's also been thinking about financial advising because it would go along more with his degree. He's been stressing and I feel bad for him because he's had a really hard time sleeping lately. We decided we should go check out this college so that he could have a better idea of what he would really be doing and if the schooling would really be something he would even want to get into. Laney, Braden's father-in-law is the director of the Sports and Rehabilitation center in the college and so he showed us around and we also attended "Slice of Logan" which is the orientation for the Logan College. The campus is beautiful and so green, it feels more like a nature scene than a campus with all of it's trees and ponds. I was very surprised that Missouri was so pretty! It reminded me of Oregon a little. If Cade did this he would graduate with a Masters in Sports Medicine and a Doctorate of Chiropractic, this would be so awesome for him. We both felt really good about the whole experience, because the college is awesome and is the top college for chiropractic study. So we are now just continuing to do a lot of praying and weighing the options for what will be best for us, because if Cade decides to go the Chiropractic route we would be in St. Louis for 3 years. Really I think it would fly by because we will be super busy with school and the new baby. I would try to get going on my Masters as well, and so we would both be preoccupied. I've also really been thinking about what I would like to get my masters degree in and I'm thinking either counseling and then getting involved with LDS counseling, or else Secondary Education Counseling. I would be really excited about either of these degrees. So anyway, we feel like we have a lot of big decisions to make, especially because the baby will be here soon and if Cade started the program in September I would deliver in Missouri! (Scary for me a little) I wouldn't really know my doctor at all, but I guess people do this all the time. My family is also very concerned that they won't see us or the baby very much. I would be really sad about this too, but there are always Holidays and after 3 years we could be even closer than ever, forever! (That's a nice thought!!) He could also start the program in January if he needs more classes to get in and then we would probably go to St. George in the meantime and Cade would work at the Tax Club again to earn some money for the program. We have a lot to think about, that's for sure! On a less stressful, and happier note on the 21st of March Cade and I felt our little girl hiccuping! It was the cutest thing ever, I put Cade's hand on my belly and he was like, "Oh my gosh I felt her move!" I hurried to put my hand where his was and we both sat there amazed at the consistent little bump we felt every few seconds! It was such a big event for us! I have been feeling her move more and more ever since and I love it so much. She is so lively and I can't wait to see her!

Baby News!!

For all of you who voted girl you were....RIGHT!! We are having a little baby girl and I am so excited to finally know what she is. So at our ultra sound yesterday, Cade and I both were thinking it was a boy. I had just felt so strongly that it was a boy because of dreams and because our last ultrasound we thought we saw a little peep. Well dreams are wrong....ha ha at least for me, and my advice for all of you out there is to stay neutral on the sex of the baby because if you're like me I just hate to be wrong! I think Cade may have been a little disappointed to not get his boy, but he is very excited for a girl and I know he's going to be such a softy, it's just what he needed to get in touch with his feminine side! I love him he was so cute at the ultrasound even though it wasn't a boy and he is going to be the best dad ever. Now I'm so excited to start narrowing down names and buying cute material to make blankets and shopping for little girl clothes. They make such cute clothes for girls. Tink is way excited she's getting a baby sister and I can't wait to see her reaction to her. Well, that's the latest for us now and if any of you have any cute ideas for names or see any cute material for quilts let me know! Now this gaby girl just needs to hurry up and get here!!

PS American Idol sucks this year and I can't believe they sent my girl Kaitlyn home BOO!

Put the Lime in the Coconut...

Hey little blog it's been such a long time! I can't believe it's almost Valentines Day, time seems like it goes so slow in my pregnancy but so fast at the same time. Everyday I wake up and I think, "One day closer to another week being over in my pregnancy." I have decided I am one of the most impatient people in the world because I cannot wait until I find out what I'm having. Boy or Girl the big question... I have pondered over it so much lately! At first I didn't have a feeling either way but now I think it is a boy. I have had about 5 dreams that it is a boy and now I can't really picture it being a girl. I still really would love a girl and if it is, I will be super excited, but for now I'm convinced it's a boy. Right now my little baby, whatever it may be is the size of a large lime! Cade and I drove over to Kanab yesterday and got an ultrasound because my sister Katie knows the radiology people and they did it for free. We both could not believe how much the baby has changed since the first ultrasound! It actually looked like a little baby, it was moving around so much and we could see the little arms, legs, fingers, and toes! We also got to hear the heartbeat! It actually seemed more real to me when I saw it on the little screen. I haven't been sick other than a little nausea here and there, and so I haven't really felt pregnant yet. Seeing the little thing just made it seem more real somehow and I got so excited! The only things that remind me I'm pregnant is the fact that I don't feel like eating anything but cereal, Knor Rice Sides, and crackers, cheese, and pickle combos. My sense of smell is very magnified which can really be unfortunate at times. I am still very tired and have little energy, I hope this changes soon! I am almost done with the first trimester and that makes my pregnancy seem like it is moving by faster! So not much else going on here but countdowns, countdowns to the bachelor each week which has become my new must see series of the week! I hate that Allie left by the way, could she have been anymore dramatic? These things make me think that it is totally scripted just to bring in more drama. You know she'll be back! I really don't know who to root for now she's gone, I don't really like any of the other girls. Well anyway that's my pregnant life for now I'll try to keep up the updates!

Back to the blogging scene!

So I decided once and for all to start a blog up again. I am really wanting to become more of an active blogger because Cade and I are starting a little family together and I want to keep up on all of the little fun things that happen between now and when I deliver the baby, and after the baby is born! I want to be able to remember this special time in our lives and share it with our children to come! A lot has happened since my last blog including finding out we're having a baby! That was such exciting news for us! We decided in October that if it happened it was meant to be and so we were a little surprised to have it happen so soon! We have already started thinking of names for both a boy or a girl and I can't wait to find out what it is! We said we don't care what it is but I know Cade would be really excited if it's a boy, and I would be really excited if it's a girl! (I think they're more fun!) So in about 2 months we'll be able to find out, and I can't wait. My due date is Sep. 2, and I've been reading up on all the little pregnancy websites and reading my books about how my baby is changing. They say the baby is the size of a blueberry right now and so I call it my little blueberry for now! Tink is doing great, I don't know how she'll handle the baby when it comes though, I'm sure she'll be a little bent out shape for awhile but hopefully she'll warm up to it. I however have been nauseous and have had a hard time having an appetite, nothing sounds good to me, and it's weird not being able to get the normal hunger pains, instead I have sick pains and I want to throw up. I'm hoping I'll get to feeling better further along in the pregnancy, until then I'll be eating saltine crackers, and drinking sprite! Cade is such a happy little camper, it was so cute to see his little face light up at the ultra sound. When we saw the heart beat I thought he might shed a tear or two! He is so excited and has been really supportive of me and helped me out a lot. He is good to get me things and run to the store when I have a sudden craving for popcicles. He even went to the first exam when I got my awesome pap smear, ha ha he probably won't ever have the desire to do that again. But overall it's been a really good experience for us and we can't wait until it comes!
Other than baby talk we have been pretty busy with work and school. Cade is also gone quite often working out and staying in shape for Pro Day in March. He has signed with an agent and they are working together to get Cade the best opportunities for a possible career in the NFL. He is very absorbed and focused on that right now but we are both very excited to see what will happen in the next few months for our future. We know that whatever happens will happen for a reason and we can only hope for the best!
So with this blog I hope to post more frequently and have my memories recorded because someday someone may want to remember them! If not, I guess it will just be fun to write down my thoughts! I have a lot of them these days!