Moved to happiness.

For a few weeks now I've wondered, was that you I felt?  An odd sensation here a flutter there; each one bringing excitement taking me to cloud nine that I quickly tried to talk myself down from, in case it wasn't real.  Last night you made a statement, for a full 3 minutes you fluttered around kicking or swatting at your current surrounding.  16 weeks and 5 days old you're a move and a shaker little one.  
It was distinct, it was unmistakeable, it was wonderful, it was you.
I will be anxiously awaiting your next move.  and the next.  and the next.

Love,
Mommy

16 weeks- C2PO

Dear C2PO (Lil' Cooper #2,

You are growing at rapid rates these days equivalent to the size of an avocado.  I have had two moments where I thought I felt you moving, sat as still as a statue and waited for more.  It was a teaser and reminder that soon I'll be feeling you constantly and everywhere I go I'll smile.  We heard your sweet heart beat this week and you were a lovely and rapid 152.  You gave mommy and the nurse quite a scare because you were so hard to find....apparently you were swimming laps in there because you didn't want to stay in one place for long.  I think that's a good thing, you and your big brother will have lots of fun wearing each other out someday.  "Tag your it!"
Speaking of that big brother, he sure has been asking about you a lot lately.  He wants to know where you are and what your doing.  I think we are all getting more and more excited with each passing day at the thought of little you.    We can't wait to see your little face in an ultra sound soon.  Keep growing and sleeping my little one.  We love you so!


Mommy

Our Easter to Remember

 

Easter went down like this:

A successful first egg coloring.  

We got to play Easter bunny and watch this little man get quite giddy over books, chocolate (which he pulled out of each egg and placed in a neat row)  and find his chocolate bunny which he immediately said "I'ma gonna bite it!!!, I gonna bite his ears, I gonna bite his eyes."  

 A gorgeous Easter day to enjoy the blessings of an amazing Easter service, and our wonderful family. 

 We got to stare at this dapper little lad in his Beaufort Bonnet Company Baylor bow tie. 

 

 Some quality family time down in Somerset where we enjoyed good food, cousins, aunts and uncle, and a visit with his Nanny and Pop that was long over due.  Not to mention a classic Easter egg hunt! 

This Easter season was by far the best I've ever experienced.  Maybe it was the Word.  I have been blessed this year to be a part of BSF and for the first time in my life get up close and personal with the Bible.  It's unlike any other bible study I've ever done, complete with homework and lots of reading but each week I have been more amazed at the truths that it contains.  So as we studied Matthew most of us did not realize how it would line up for us at the end.  The Passover, Arrest, Crucifixion and Resurrection all perfectly aligned with the season of Easter.   I found myself thinking on his sacrifice in a way I never have before, and overwhelmed at the love our God has for me, and for you.
Maybe it was the weather.  I don't remember a prettier Easter with flowers and trees at perfect bloom and the weather a delightful sunny 76.
Maybe it was our family.  We adored our time with family and feel blessed to have them all in our lives.  A day where Henry can see both sets of grandparents and all his aunts and uncles is a complete treat.
Maybe it was our growing family.  Henry was so much fun to watch as he set out through the wet grass in his rain boots and pajamas early Easter morning to hunt for eggs.  The things he says and does these days just melt your heart, and he couldn't have looked more handsome.  Knowing that I have the blessing of a second child growing inside me was a constant thought in my head as well.  I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of blessings we are showered with.

and I cling to this.
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

2 + 2 = 4

My cup runneth over.

At a time when I feel so blessed beyond belief, God has shown us that he has even more joy in store.

Everyone says your second pregnancy is different, and it has been for many reasons.

I've been in disbelief.  I knew I was pregnant, I felt pregnant, at 5 weeks I already looked pregnant but I couldn't believe that I could possibly be experiencing this again.  After being blessed with a healthy child who truly has become the most wonderful little thing I've ever known, how could God possibly let me experience this a second time!?  

Then we saw our little peanut and it became a whole lot more real.  To be honest I expected for something to be wrong, for us not to hear a heart beat for us not to see it move.  But all my fears were quickly put aside as we watched the blood pump in and out of the teeny tiny heart growing in my belly.

Being pregnant made packing, moving, and caring for a toddler a whole lot more interesting too.  Let's just leave it at that.  Physically the body acts totally different with a second child than it did with the first.  It's already been through the precious war zone before. 

The belly is growing, and growing fast!  I felt like I didn't show for quite some time with Henry and if I look back at my belly photos with him I'm already lining up at least 2 months ahead of the game.  

Oh Whelll.  It's all for an amazingly good cause, so this little bump I shall embrace! 

With a second pregnancy you have some one else to share the news with......Henry.  Who proudly announced that he is "gonna be a brutter" to both sets of grandparents to let them know we were expecting.  He has surprised us by asking about the baby several times and I think he will be at a perfect age to be a big bro.  They will be 2.5 years apart, and whether it's a boy or a girl their gonna be such buds!

We are overwhelmed with excitement and can't wait to find out what little C2PO (Baby #2) will be!  

A look at our Wild Thing turning 2.

The little Wild Thing turned 2 last week.  

 We started the day in joyful fashion.  Getting to walk into the room of a very happy boy.  While mom and dad smiled through squinted eyes, going on three hours of sleep.  It seems that two of his 2year old molers decided to be quite punctual and come on the eve of his birthday.  Yowzers.  But, despite the lack of sleep and mouth pain this guy partied like a rock star. 

He started the morning off with a drive around the block in his new ride.  It felt like we got a glimpse of what it will be like to see him driving away at 16.  (yeah, dramatic I know)  He enjoyed a birthday breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and bacon; his all time favorite. 

 

Then the real fun began as I baked up a chocolate cake with the assistance of the birthday boy! 

 We had a wonderful day playing and enjoying the freedom to lick icing bowls, and do what ya want.  It's a birthday of course!!! 

We had a Where the Wild Things Are themed birthday party, and I enjoyed getting my late night craft pants on.  The chocolate cake recipe was one I had not used before but it is absolutely a keeper and I highly recommend it to anyone needing to make something delightful for dessert!  The recipe was doubled here to give the height that I wanted for the cake. 

He had a blast partying with his family and for a 2 year old, teething, and going on little sleep, he was such a trooper!!!  :)

 

I could say it's hard to believe he's two years old, but I won't.  Although time has flown by I do feel like I have been blessed to enjoy him at each stage of his life.  It seems like so long ago that he was a newborn baby and as much as we loved him then we love him that much more now.  He is the perfect combination of sweet and gentle, thoughtful and caring, serious and silly.  He is like nothing we have ever known before and we couldn't feel more blessed to call him our son.  Henry Thomas Cooper, we could "eat you up we love you so."