Wedding Bells & Muddy Trails

We went to Southern Utah a few weeks ago for Dave's best friend, Bryce's, wedding.  Days before our trip, we found out about Cooper's heart so the timing was perfect.  We were able to get away, spend some time together as a family, relax, and regroup.  The drive down and back also gave Dave and I some time to talk since it seems we only see each other in passing these days (Dave's working on his MBA on top of being super busy with work and church).

The weather was perfect, the wedding was beautiful, and we were lucky enough to stay with Dave's Aunt and Uncle who live nearby.

Congrats to April and Bryce. 

My 3 favorites crazies at the wedding. 

Dave's Aunt and Uncle live in a lovely home in a beautiful part of Southern Utah.  Uncle DC kept joking that kids don't really like him...they just stare at him.  Well, that might be the case for some kids but not all.  Cooper has not stopped talking about "Uncle" since we've been home.

Cooper was hard at work...obviously.

We took several ATV rides while we were there.  Cooper's saddling up!

Cooper didn't want to ride with Dave or me.  He insisted on riding with Uncle.

Since our trip, Cooper has said he wants to go far, far away so he can visit Uncle.  He's also insisted on eating pickles for lunch just like Aunt Claudia.  He loved playing in their secret passageways and would go back to visit in a heartbeat.

True to form, Sloan was a champ.  This was her first vacation and she took to her new surroundings like a dream.  She slept fine, napped great, and charmed everyone with her smile.

Sloan, 7 months old.

Dave and I are so lucky to have such wonderful family to host us for the weekend.  They really know how to show us city folks a good time!  Likewise, we're so excited for Bryce and April.  We wish them both all the happiness in the world.

Cooper at 3 Yrs. & 3 Mo.

* Loves superheroes.

*Says "last night" whenever referring to something in the past.

* Really likes white ice cream (a.k.a. Vanilla).

* Is learning to ride his new bike.

* Likes flying on the swing set and playing in the wet sandbox.

* Looks forward to going to nursery at church every week.

* Calls nice, new clothes "shiny".

* Randomly says, "I love you with all my heart".

* Still loves building forts and playing under blanket tents. 

* Blows bubbles in his milk.

* Likes watching Phineas & Ferb, doing puzzles, coloring, and reading books. 

* Is quick to compliment and notice when something is new.

Our Super Dude. 

Sweet Sloany Girl

I'm pretty sure Sloan is going through a growth spurt.  She's been eating a ton and sleeping like crazy.  I'm not complaining, just marveling at how quickly time passes and little bodies change.

7 Months

At her 7 month appointment she weighed 14.7 pounds and was 27 inches long.  She's in the 10th  percentile for weight and 75th percentile for length.  As expected, she's long and skinny.  The doctor said her fine motor skills are advanced and her large motor skills are a little behind.  Since she was two weeks early the pediatrician isn't terribly concerned (those two weeks still make a difference at this stage).  Getting mobile will come with time.  She's long since mastered the art of picking up small items, feeding herself, and reaching for everything in sight.  

Sloan at 7 months.  Too many cute pictures to choose just one! 

8 Months

* Finally starting sitting up on her own (thank goodness...this mama was starting to worry).  

* Started a regular nap schedule.  She naps two times a day.  Each nap is 1-2 1/2 hours long.  

* Goes to bed between 7:30-8 p.m. and wakes up between 8-9 a.m.  

* Lays in her crib awake for a long time just talking and playing until we come and get her.

* Claps

* Is starting to wave.   

* Started babbling.  She's made some sounds that resembled Mama and Dada but we think they were just coincidences.

* Loves being lifted high in the air.

* Laughs when we blow on her belly and nuzzle her neck. 

* Thinks Cooper is pretty cool.

* Not a fan of getting her nose cleaned. 

* Overall, she's an AMAZING baby and we are so grateful for her!

Our 8 month beauty. 

I'm back on the baby food-making bandwagon.  It's been fun creating new combinations for her to try.  I've also branched out more than I did when making baby food for Cooper.  I made my first batch of teething biscuits yesterday and they turned out great.  I know making baby food takes a little more time but it's so much cheaper.  Yesterday I spent 88 cents on carrots and made 24 servings of baby food and 19 teething biscuits.  I had to add a few things to the biscuits (like rice cereal and cinnamon but it was all stuff I had on hand) so I basically made 43 servings of baby food for around 2 CENTS PER SERVING!!  Plus, Cooper likes helping me turn the food processor on and off.

The Heart of the Matter

I'm pretty sure this is the longest I've ever gone without blogging.  We started this blog 6 years ago to document our adventures and keep a journal.  I've always loved writing, taking pictures, and scrapbooking so blogging was a natural match made in online heaven.  Since that time life has evolved...and we've welcomed each change with open arms.  

While I love writing and will often find myself constructing an entry of some sort in my mind, I have less time now.  Two kids and a work-from-home schedule will do that to a person.  Combine that with my very conscious attempt to simplify my life and this blog has taken a back seat.  

It will take a back seat again, I'm sure of it.  But I'm here for now and I've got some updating to do.

Cooper needs open heart surgery.  I know if I say it enough it will start to sound normal. You know, like one of those cool things you can tell people at a party..."I had open heart surgery when I was three.  Don't believable me? Check out this cool scar!"

I wasn't there at first.  I was just sad.  I know Cooper will make it through the surgery with flying colors.  I know he'll live a long and healthy life.  But even with all this knowledge I was still very, very sad.  I talked to a friend whose daughter had open heart surgery 14 years ago.  She told me you tend to mourn the loss of what you thought was your healthy child.  I get what she's saying.

We found out weeks ago when our pediatrician heard a murmur at Cooper's 3 year appointment.  We went to visit the cardiologist for what I thought would be a quick visit.  One EKG, Echocardiogram, and several hours later we had his prognosis.  Cooper has a hole in his heart and a faulty valve that both need to be fixed.  They're not effecting him now, but left unresolved they will cause irreversible damage in adulthood.
 

Cooper loved going to the Cardiologist because they turned him into a robot and let him watch a movie!

Dave and I have both been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we've received since sharing the news.  Cooper's name has been on prayer rolls for numerous religions, we've been given lots of great advice from other "heart parents", and we've received much needed referrals for local surgeons.

We've only started down this path, but we are now grateful that Cooper's problems are repairable.  If you have to have heart problems, these are the kind to have.  We see a second cardiologist one week from today and hope to schedule surgery for June.

We're blessed and we know it.  Experiences like this have a way of putting things into perspective very quickly.  Material possessions don't matter.  Clean bathrooms and blog-writing can wait (and clearly have).  Instead we've spent our time playing with friends at the park, camping in the basement, and eating our weight in chocolate chip cookies and brownies.  I love my Cooper Boy and my Sloany Girl.  I'm incomplete without my husband. And I'm grateful for my Lord and Savior.  I am very, very blessed.

Cooper doing one of his favorite things: eating batter...er, I mean, making brownies.

Sloany Bug at 6 Months

We commemorated Sloan's 6 month birthday with a tutu-filled photo shoot.  Cassidy took and edited the pictures.  She did such a good job and I don't think anyone would ever know Sloan was sitting in a Bumbo on my parent's kitchen floor for most of these pictures (dang it...I just gave away our photo secrets). :)  Thanks Cass for the great pictures...we'll treasure them.  And thanks Sarah for letting us borrow the tutus. We seriously have the best family and friends evah!

My love for her is very big!

Little miss priss.

Gotta love a ruffle bum.  Thanks for the cute diaper cover, Taryn. 

"Nobody puts baby in a corner!"  Oh well, she doesn't seem to mind. 

Little details + pedicured toes.

Pretty in pink. 

• Sloan is laughing more and more and her hair is sticking up less and less.  
• She prefers sitting up.  If you lay her down she'll either roll over or lift her head and legs up.  She is going to have 6 pack abs from all the Pilates-style moves she keeps practicing.  
• She adores her brother and lights up when she sees her daddy.  
• She is a cuddle bug (which I am taking full advantage of).  
• She loves baths, eating, sleeping, playing, and getting her diaper changed. There really isn't anything she has consistently objected to.