Maternity leave is ending soon...

With my maternity leave coming to an end very soon (13 days; nooooooo!) I figure I better get my butt in gear and organize all of the photos I've taken of Cooper over the last 10 weeks.  Somehow I've narrowed it down to 300ish shots, not to mention the ridiculous amount I've taken with my iphone.  Each second is more adorable than the last, so I cannot stop with the camera.  I've tried to put it away, but it doesn't stay in it's place for longer than a few hours.  Especially with all of the smiles we're getting these days...

Ten weeks old at GiGi's and Grandpa's

So, here come the photos...

My dad made this awesome banner to welcome us home~ I look horrid, but this shows what an unplanned c-section, a million bags of IV fluids and four days in the hospital

will do to you!

It was a beautiful day, so we went right out to the deck

Grandpa and Grandma were in town to visit for the week





Two of my best friends- Jenny, pregnant with baby Braden (born 8/3/12) and Sara,

 pregnant with Alana (born 8/27/12)



 My mom (GiGi)

My daddy

Cooper LOVES listening to great-grandma talk to him

Cooper in his Fourth of July outfit

Well, that covers the first week (almost!)  We'll save the birth/hospital stay for another post...

  ~ Heather

  



Show & Tell Monday

So, this is only my third post, but what better way to jump right into blogging than by linking up?  I just started reading "From Mrs. to Mama" a few weeks ago- her blog inspired me to start blogging!  I'm also a mom, and a nurse- I figure, if she has time to keep up on a blog, why can't I?  Also, check out her super helpful blog design post- it taught me ALOT!  Thank you Becky!  Not to mention this week's topic is weddings... ahhh, I miss mine.  10 days in Mexico, unlimited drinks and food, friends and family... let's reminisce!

1. Are you married? If so when did you get married, and tell us about your special day. If not? How would you describe your dream wedding?

          

 Andy and I were married November 14, 2009 on the beach at a resort near Playa del Carmen, Mexico.  The weather was perfect, thankfully.  The ceremony was beautiful, except that a coconut fell and hit one of our guests in the head during it (don't worry, she was okay!)  Almost 40 friends and family attended.  We also did a "trash the dress" session early the next morning; a great way to cure a hangover is swimming in the ocean in your wedding dress :) The best part?  The celebration lasted for 5 days instead of just one!  So many memories were made.  Once everyone left, we moved to a different resort for 5 more days for the honeymoon.   

     2.  Show us some wedding pictures. Either yours or of some that you love.



Ha ha, one of my favorite silly shots

Trash the dress

Celebrating on our honeymoon







     3.  How about the engagement? Tell us your story. If not engaged, what's your dream proposal?

Andy proposed on a weekend trip to Kansas City in December, on his birthday.  He kept talking about the Christmas lights in the Plaza and how cool they were.  So, he dragged me on a walk "to look at the lights" in 4 DEGREE WEATHER (we were the only people outside!) and proposed in front of a (frozen) fountain in the middle of the plaza.  It was perfect and a total surprise.

     4.  Show us your wedding rings or an engagement photo! If not engaged/married ... show us your "dream" ring.

5.  Tell us why you think marriage doesn't work out for so many? What can we do to make things last?   

I've only been at this for almost three years now, so I'm no expert, but... you have to respect each other.  Andy and I are really, really nice to each other.  I don't nag, or yell- in fact, we've never been in a fight.  We also are each other's best friends, and have a lot of fun together.  I am always cracking up at some stupid inside joke we have, or we're teasing each other.  We also don't sweat the small stuff.  I think you have to go in it believing that you are a team and we put each other first.  Add a little romance here and there, and you'll have a long, happy marriage!  

Dear Cooper...

Cooper is two months! (August 17, 2012)
                      

                     
                                        

Dear Cooper,
You woke up all smiles on your two month birthday!  We sat you in the glider in your room, and, as usual, took a million pictures.  You are becoming so alert!  Your favorite place is the temporary changing station we have set up on the dining room table- you love looking up at the chandelier giving us smiles, coos, and laughs.  Who knew we'd love changing your diapers so much?  You hold your head up when I have you on my shoulder.  Daddy can get you to smile so big!  You still sleep in our room right next to our bed.  You are starting to take bottles as I prepare to go back to work in a few short weeks.  Your two month checkup was today- you're getting to be such a big boy!  Ten pounds, 3.5 ounces and you've grown exactly two inches since you were born.  Last week I had to put away some of your newborn clothes that you've outgrown~ slow down, little one.  We love you so very much and can't wait to see what changes come this month!



So it Begins...

Elizabeth Willen photography

Welcome!  I'm Heather.  I am a 31 year old new momma who still feels 21, except the late night parties these days consist of me and my little man, Cooper.  I'm here to document my life as I attempt to balance being a wife, nurse, and new mother.  I'm also using it to keep family and friends informed about what's going on around here these days.  A little about me...I've been a mom for 8 years, to these little guys-

                                                 Winston  

                                                  Elizabeth Willen photography                               

Walter            

                                   Elizabeth Willen photography

And a wife for almost three years (where did the time go?) to this handsome guy...



THEN, on Father's Day, June 17, 2012, we welcomed our son.

Meet Cooper Thomas.

Elizabeth Willen Photography



Isn't he the cutest?

He's identical to his daddy.  That must be why I love him so much.

A little more about me~ I love...

 soaking up every moment with my hubby, Cooper and the schnauzers, happy hours with my girlfriends, a nice glass of wine or three, blasting Dave Matthews band in our house, going on walks around our subdivsion, attempting to decorate our home (something I thought I'd be awesome at that is way harder than I first thought!), trying out new recipes, Pinterest (do I even have to explain?), crafts, and I have a love/hate relationship with my career as a nurse.

I'm so excited to start blogging- I love reading numerous blogs so I figured it's time to give it

a try!  "Celebrate we will, for life is short but sweet for certain"  Dave Matthews