7 Weeks and Counting

I can't believe that this weekend marks 33 weeks down, 7 to go until we meet our dear little Cooper!  We got the call today that we are officially on the schedule for a c-section on November 18th.  I can't believe it!  In exactly 7 weeks we will be at the hospital with our newest little man, unless of course he decides to come a little early on his own.  We'll see what happens!! 

Eli is pretty cute, he talks to all his friends about Cooper.  Just yesterday, he had a friend over who wanted to play with Eli's old dinosaur toy.  When his friend asked him to get it out for him, his first response was "No!  That's for Cooper!  It's my little brother's!"  When I said it was OK, he said "OK, but it's still for Cooper."  And I love, LOVE how he says the name.  It comes out more like Cooooper.  hehe 

We've been trying pretty hard to prepare Eli for the changes that are coming.  He's used to little ones at the babysitter's house, but it will be different when we don't leave them there in the afternoon.  Our friends just had a little guy on Tuesday, so we went to say hi and meet their little guy.  All Eli wanted to do was see him and hold him.  It was pretty cute. 

Crimson Through and Through

Here are the pictures I promised.  We finally took our little man to his first WSU Cougar football game.  It was incredible. We started our morning by joining Don Hower and the Cougar Marching Band for morning rehearsal, spent some time playing on the turf of the field (really, how many people get that opportunity?), visited campus, and endured the scorching sun for a very hot, late summer football game.  

Ahhh.  The memories.  Here are a few we can share with you.

Eli LOVED being down on the field and played on the sidelines.

Daddy remembered to bring the football along for a little one-on-one football game of their own.

Even though I didn't run and play football with the boys, I was in my own heaven taking their pictures while they played.  There is proof I was there that day.  See....

During the game itself, we sat next to the CMB.  Eli thought they played too loud for his liking, but still enjoyed watching their horn flashes while listening to their music.

Part of our entourage included Auntie Sarah, Uncle Ryan and Brooklynn.  We didn't end up with a picture of the Lundes and Missa.  :( 

Aren't they just adorable playing together?! I love my guys.

Eli was thrilled to be sitting so close to the field when he got to see Butch.  Not once.  Not twice.  But THREE times!

We ended our visit with Martin Stadium with a family picture.  The next time we're there, we will have Cooper too as a Cougar family of four!

Hide and Seek

I keep meaning to update and every time I sit down to do so, I get sidetracked by other things.  Since school started it seems like I've been running nonstop.  School, meetings, soccer, appointments, playing with Eli, school events, etc.  A couple more weeks and then we get to settle down a little before Cooper comes.  

We made a trip to Spokane to take Eli to his first WSU Cougar football game during early September.  It was great.  Eli LOVED getting down on the field in Martin Stadium and playing a little football with Daddy after the Cougar Marching Band rehearsed in the morning.  I have some GREAT pictures of the two of them running and playing, but will have to add them in another post, they're saved on the desktop upstairs.  I will just keep you coming back for more as you impatiently wait for me to post them.  Other than a massive victory for the Cougars, the heat was incredible.  During the game it was a "balmy" 94 degrees.  Yes, I was roasting to say the least.  It was worth it seeing the joy on Eli's face though as he watched the CMB perform, the football players play and win, and getting to see Butch twice.  Yes, we have raised a Coug!  I'm sure this comes as a shock to you, right?  Ok, maybe not.

Eli is back in soccer, too!  His team is the Dragons are is run by Coach Daddy and Coach Scott.  It is really fun watching them both out their on the field.  It's amazing what a year will do in the realm of team sports.  Last year Eli was all over, literally.  This time around, even though he's still four and playing up with the big kids (he's in a 5/6 Pee Wee League) he is doing really well and keeping up with the others.  I can only imagine what next year will bring.  He loves getting his shin guards and soccer shoes on to head out to practice or games.  Here is our little big man in action:

Kicking it in for the Dragons.

This was actually before the game during warm up, but he was pretty cute playing in the goal.  This year, there are no goalies. 

Eli and his best buddy Jack.  They were both on the sidelines and this is how they chose to stand.  Such great friends!

.....then Eli went for the wet Willie....

Hamming it up for the camera.  

All in a Day's Work

On Friday, we got to go in and see Cooper!  He is growing like a weed, just like his big brother.  The ultrasound tech took some measurements, of his thigh bone, chest, and head circumference, to get a prediction of approximate weight.  At just under 28 weeks, they're predicting he's 2.7 pounds.  Which could be close, however, if Cooper is anything like Eli, he has a big head which means this weight could be off.  Big heads run in our family.  Eli was born in the 95th percentile for head circumference and since birth he's varied anywhere between the 93rd and 97th percentile.  He's a smart little cookie!

Here's our littlest dude hanging out practicing his yoga moves.  You can see his face (right side, looking up and to the left), his body to the left, his bum in the upperish left, leg going back down toward his nose - actually, his knee is right above his nose, and his feet are above his head.

A good profile shot of our littlest man.  

While we were in there, she explained how he was laying too.  He was laying across me, from side to side.  His head was situated on my left side, bum on my right, with his legs up above his body and head. His knees were just about even with his nose with his feet sticking up above his head.  Which really explains those movements!

We took Eli with us to see his little brother, which he was very excited about.  While we were waiting he said "When do we get to see Cooper?!"  He was getting a little antsy about getting in and seeing him.  On the other hand, we were eager to find out the results and determine if we had vasa previa or not, the real reason for the ultrasound in the first place.  The tech was late, which was kind of annoying, but she was amazing.  She talked us through everything and printed six pictures of our little man to take home with us.  Then we found out that we do NOT have vasa previa which is great!  Coopers growing just like he should be!  

After a quick trip through Ikea, we ventured to take Eli on his first surprise of the day.  We've been reading a book that has people bowling in it and he keeps asking if we would take him bowling, so that's just what we did.  He had a great time and was even beating both of us for a while!

When bowling was over, we decided to take him to see a movie and make it a full on Eli day.  During the previews, however, the power went out in the theater so the movie was a bust.  At least we ended up getting some free passes out of the deal.  Now we can go see two movies, any type of showing, any time!  I suppose that's not such a bad deal, now is it?!

A trip to Spokane!

To ring in August, we made a trip to Spokane.  Yes, I do realize this was a while ago, things have been busy around here and I actually haven't had the time or extra waking moments needed to update.

At any rate, Eli and I spent a total of 10 days visiting family and friends on the other side of the state.  It was extremely relaxing and it was great spending time with everyone and watching Eli play with his cousins.

Uncle Robbie and Cam took Eli fishing out on the Spokane River.  Eli caught his first two fish, ever, on this outing!  He reeled in, with help from his cousin, a Small Mouth Bass and a Rainbow Trout.  Both were released.

The weather was AMAZING while we were in town.  We finally found sunshine and heat by driving across the state.  Uncle Ryan pulled out a Slip n' Slide for the kids and boy did they have a GREAT time.

Me and my darling sister-in-law, Danielle.  In this picture she is 35 weeks along and I am 24.  She is now ready to pop and we've just hit the 3rd trimester!

Two darling cousins, Eli and Kendra.  It is clear they are related.  Both have the same brown eyes and many of the same facial expressions.  I think Eli's learned them from KG.

Another day we walked down the river to try to reel in some fish.  They were not cooperating this time, but we all had fun playing along the river.  In the inlet that Eli is looking at were thousands upon thousands of little minnows.  I have never seen them in those quantities, it was unbelievable.

The kids wanted to make their own Slip n' Slide later in the week at their house.  Unfortunately, without the bags, it just didn't work very well.  Cam had it all figured out, but Eli just couldn't quite get it.  He was frustrated and downright mad at the fact that it wouldn't work for him.  Here he is getting pointers from his big buddy.  For being 13 years old, Cam is incredible with the kids.  He played with Eli the whole time we were there and never complained about having a four-year-old around.  This kid never ceases to amaze me. 

Out with Cam and Uncle Robbie.

The cousins at this point.  Give it three more months and there will be two more in the mix!  

Cameron, Eli, Kendra, and Brooklynn

My little monkey hanging out on the back porch.

Thought Process of a Four Year Old

As Eli was getting ready to sleep tonight, we had the funniest conversation.  I'm really good at sharing these with Jess and a few people, but really need to start capturing them for future reference.  Our conversation went something like this:

Me:  We really need to start sleeping with your door closed.
E (after leaning in close):  I don't EVER want to start that.
Me: After *your brother* comes, when he cries at night, you're going to want to have your door closed so you don't have to hear him.
E (matter-of-factly): I will just tell him "ENOUGH of that! There is no need to cry."
Me (chuckling):  Oh.....

Eli's Perspective

We've been talking a lot lately about what to name Eli's little brother.  Some of his suggestions include:

• Little Big Jack
• Twinkie
• Cars Three

He has come up with more, but for the life of me, I can't remember them right now.   Shoot.  They were good.  We thought we had actually come up with one for the new little guy, then remembered that one of our cousins has already chosen that name.  Oops!  Back to the drawing board we go!