Gobble Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving! My mom and brother are here to share Turkey Day with us. I can't wait for the Gravy! YUM! Every year I swear that I am going to pay attention to how its done ... but every year I choose to nap on the couch or do something else. So, maybe this is the year. My grandmother, Mawmaw Bea, was the PRO at Turkey and rice and gravy. She definitely had a special touch because it can't quite be replicated. Although, my mom and Aunt Trudy come VERY VERY close.
Mawmaw Cynthia (Colin's mom) came for a long weekend and hung out with the boys. Jackson sure loved all the extra attention.
This week has really been great ... we really do have alot to be thankful for. Darcie and Adam are now the proud parents of beautiful twin girls. Jessica and David came over for a visit on Monday, and it was so nice to see them. Sam couldn't make it because 6 hrs in the car all in one day would probably not result in a very happy baby! I am also thankful for some little things - like the free milk I got at the grocery store yesterday - they were giving out coupons for a free gallon of milk! Wow! It really doesn't take much to put a smile on my face. What else am I thankful for ... oh, Colin brought our passat to the VW place for a tune up and came home with a Routon minivan to try out. Yes, I know, a minivan. How lame. But, I am willing to accept the fact that I will officially be a nerd, because I love it! The doors and the back open with the push of a button! YAY! And there is a ton of storage underneath the floorboard. There are 3 dvd players, and a camera that helps you back up. And heated seats. : ) You can fit the double stroller in the back without having to take off the cup holders and turn it upside down to cram it in there (like we have to with the Passat). Most of all, the trip to Louisiana for Christmas will be 100 times easier! In the car, there wasn't even room for me to climb in the back if one of the boys was fussy. So, we will probably be purchasing on over the weekend. I am also thankful that I am still too fat to wear my real clothes, because stretchy maternity pants will make PERFECT thanksgiving dinner pants. YAY!

Here are some pictures from the last week or so ...

Sporting his new hat - he refuses to take it off.

Helping Mawmaw Cynthia make french toast. All he needs is a little chef's hat.

Look at those cheeks. My goodness, we definitely have a football player in the making (he and Thomas will be on the same team, Kristen). Too bad he won't be allowed to play because I think it's way too dangerous. Golf, tennis, checkers ... those seem like safe alternatives.

Throwing a tantrum ... I can't remember what it was about, but it was very important to him ...

Sweet baby Cooper.

After he spit up all over his outfit, I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the chunk in his diaper. He weighs over 13 lbs. And he is just now 5 weeks old.

Looking a little scared...

Falling Down ...

Showing off his cute onsesie that Rebekah made him. It was a little on the small side so we didn't snap it - just tucked it in his pant. It was rather difficult squeezing his head through the hole, so he was not so happy about it. But, once it was on, it sure looked cute!

And we're done.

The St. Cyrs

While we were living in Illinois for a couple of years I decided to apply for a position at Crate and Barrel to be the design assistant. And, I got the job, and took a pretty substantial cut in pay - but who cares! I had the best time! The store designer was Darcie, and we quickly became great friends. Anyway, since we moved we have remained good friends, and I am very hopeful that she and her husband Adam will eventually move this way (they are from OK).
Every since I met Darcie - which was almost 5 years ago, she and Adam have been wanting to start a family. After failed attempts at costly fertility treatments, they started the adoption process, which has been a challenging road as well. You can read more about them on their blog (I have a link to it on my page).
I have been meaning to ask everyone that reads my blog to please pray for Darcie and Adam. They are going to make amazing parents, and I can't think of anyone more deserving.
After many heartbreaks along their way, they recieved new yesterday that they have been chosen by a birth mother who is due in the middle of December - only a bout 4 weeks from now. Darcie called me yesterday to let me know, and they were trying to be cautious and not get too ahead of themselves, since it isn't final yet. But, the best news is the mom is expecting TWINS!!! So exciting!!! After so many prayers, and trying to figure out God's plan - it seems so clear now. These two little ones are what God was having them wait for.
So, as if this isn't wonderful news in itself, I got another call from Darcie an hour or so later, and my heart sunk as I thought it might be bad news. But, NO - instead they got a call letting them know that the birthmother is in labor!!!! So, now Darcie and Adam have a flight to Oregon this morning to meet their two new babies!!! Please pray for them as all this is unfolding. What a wonderful time! God truly does answer our prayers - just not always how or when we expect it.

4 weeks today

Cooper is 4 weeks old! Yay! You would think that he would be going longer in between eating, but no. no, he is wanting to eat every 2 hours during part of the day. I just feel a little sad for Jackson because he spends most of the day following me around while I walk Cooper - trying to get him to go to sleep, or he sits on the couch next to me while I nurse Cooper. Poor thing. Eventually it will be different.


Cooper "smiled" at us for the first time yesterday. It was fleeting, but very very sweet.

Enjoying the bath

Jackson trying to hold Cooper - it was too funny.
Cooper didn't think so. (Note their matching outfits - thanks Chelsi!)

Getting ready to go to church for the first time

Poop

Today I was talking to my friend Rebekah on the phone while I was nursing Cooper and JAckson was climbing all over me on the couch. We were talking about the adjustment to having two kids when Jackson screamed and pointed to his foot. I quickly hung up with Rebekah to see that he had something on his foot - i thought food, but no... it was poop. Yep, Poop. He was only in a diaper because he had just eaten and his clothes were dirty. Anyway, he was very upset about the poop on his foot. I looked behind the couch where he had been sitting, and sure enough, there was poop all over the carpet. So, I hauled both boys upstairs and changed them both, and then waited for Colin to get home (he had an early day today) so he could clean up the mess. So, it has been a little overwhelming to have two, especially with Jackson still so young, but I wouldn't dare change anything. I can't wait for the two of them to be able to play together, and I look forward to giving them both a bath at the same time. If we can just survive these first weeks I think we can make it! By Christmas Cooper will be 2 months old, and we will be traveling to Alexandria and Lake Charles to spend some time with all the grandparents. Anyway, hopefully by that point we will be in more of a routine.

Eleven Pounds

Yep, already 11 pounds. He wants to eat all the time.

Chunky baby and Cranky Big brother

SO, things are going well here, though it has been a little crazy the last couple of days. Jackson has his first ear infection (go figure) and also a virus and a fever to go along with it. He has been in a very special mood. Poor guy. Thank goodness for the miracle drops they prescribed for his ears. WOW! It is like instant relief for him. Cooper is doing great - he is wanting to eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and he is getting even bigger. We went for his checkup on Monday and he was 9 lb 4 oz, and today he weighed 9 lb 14 oz. As of Monday or Tuesday he can no longer fit into his newborn clothes.
Here are some pictures from the last week:

jackson found the container of halloween stuff
Our little pumpkin.

He took a while to get the hang of trick or treating,
but once he caught on he couldn't get enough!
Cooper ... sleeping through Halloween festivities

Cooper in the crib
Look at these long legs! He's starting to enjoy his mobile and checking out the room
More tummy time