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TWO BY TWO Jackson Gabrielle Connor Brady Cooper |
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Stories July 4, 2007 Happy Independance Day! Brad was off work today so we started our day off with breakfast at home, together. What a treat! Then we went to the pool, it was cloudy but the kids enjoyed it just the same. After lunch was naptime (for us all) and then we went to Arbuckle Acres Park for fireworks. However, we got poured on by the rain and we came home. We opted for the fireworks neighbors were shooting off. They actually were really good, too. Ever since Daddy left I've been so busy. Brad's parents came into town Sunday along with Brad's Grandmother, Kathleen, and his cousin Jessica. Jessica is 14 going on 34! If I could hire her as my Nanny I'd do it in a heartbeat. She took care of my kids and helped me so much. We all went to the zoo on Monday. Kathleen loved it. She's 89 years old and she was smiling like a school girl. It was adorable. She's the sweetest little thing! Then we went to dinner at a little pizzeria and ate outside. It was lots of fun. Tuesday we all went to lunch at Chick fil A (bet you could have guessed that) and then they left to go to Kentucky for a while. I really hated to see them leave. It was a huge treat having them here. I'm so blessed that God gave me inlaws that I love and get along with so well. The kids are doing fine. I feel like a full time referee. They are all 3 really starting to fight a lot. It's driving me crazy. Gabrielle is talking a lot now. Connor is still trying. She's saying two and three word sentences and will mimic anything you say. Connor still does a lot of whining and grunting! But he's adorable when he does it. Jackson has stopped calling me Mommy or Mom... I'm now "Doll." I love it and think it's so precious. He hears his Daddy call me that all the time and he's picked it up, too. Mommy still comes out when he's hurt or tired but the rest of the time he calls me Doll. Thanks for all the name suggestions for our sweet little new baby boys. As I've said we are going with "Cooper Bradley" and I believe the other one will be "Brady William." I know I was asking for J-names but we just can't come up with one we LOVE. We still may change our minds but for now I think we agree on Brady. The boys are really moving around a lot now. Brad felt them move for the first time on Sunday. He loved it. He kept asking me the rest of the day if I was SURE that I wanted to be done having babies after these two! Can you belive that? I assured him that I am 100% done and very satisfied with a mere FIVE children! haha He loves his babies and would have 10 if I'd just say yes. What a great Daddy? The house is done now and we are settled in. The only room that remains to be worked on is the nursery. But we are not in any hurry to get that done. We'll get to work in there hopefully next month. We are having a dillema on what to do for our bedding situation. Right now Gabrielle is in a crib in her room, alone. I don't want to take her out of that crib until she's 16! haha Jackson and Connor share a room. Jackson is in a twin bed and Connor is in a crib. My best friend, Susan, gave me her baby crib to borrow for Cooper or Brady. That leaves us one crib short. However, we could take Connor out of his crib and give it to the baby and then put him in a twin bed that we have available. I'm just not sure if he'll be mature enough in 4 months to do that. Jackson was two when we took him out of his crib but he was a different two year old than Connor is. We just hate to buy another crib. We'll see what happens. Well, I better get to bed. It's kind of bittersweet because I'm so tired and ready for bed BUT my latest pregnancy woe is Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. My hands and arms are numb and they get worse at night. It's so annoying and a little painful. If it's not one thing it's another. But these babies are worth it all!
June 26, 2007 Daddy left today. We were all sad to see him leave. I enjoyed his company, not to mention having an extra set of arms around the house is handy! I took the babies to a sitter today for a while. Jackson wanted to stay with Mommy. He and I worked in the house and hung pictures. The house is starting to come along nicely. Tonight Brad and I went to the end of the year banquet for the 3 residents that have finished. They will be leaving this week and Brad starts his 4th and final year as Chief Resident on Monday. It was a very very emotional time for both of us tonight. Our good friends, Mindy and Jeremy, are leaving this week to go back to AZ. Also knowing that Brad's turn is right around the corner kind of hit us in the face. I see it so clearly and Brad just wonders how he can make another year. He's so worn out and ready to be done with residency. I'm so proud of him I just can't put it into words. What a long haul this man has made! We are almost there. Gabrielle today learned to say "I'm ONE!" and holds up one little finger. Jackson taught her and he thinks he's really something. Connor is trying to say it but it's not quite as clear. She's also singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... well, really it's just "Tinkle Tinkle Tinkle" over and over but it's adorable. Connor is working on animal sounds... every animal God created says "Quack Quack!" We've been calling him our little Quacker! I have a prenatal visit tomorrow. The boys are starting to move around a little more. I still don't feel that much movement. I'm feeling much better, too. I'm not having those dizzy spells like I was and my energy level is higher, too. Thank you, Jesus. Our struggle for names is down to just one now. We've decided on "Cooper Bradley" but still having a problem with another name. I'd like another J-name. Any suggestions?
June 25, 2007 Well, we are in our new house. Things are coming along well. We've worked ourselves to death but it's paid off. Most things are in their places. We still have a lot of organizing to do. The kids seem to be adjusting. Jackson woke up from his nap in the new house and said "I want to go home." It made me really sad. He seems to be fine now. We came from a little over 1400 sq ft to 2400 in this house. We feel like we're in a mansion. I'm really excited to start keeping house here. I'll update more later. Take care everyone.
June 17, 2007 Happy Father's Day! We started our day off kind of rough. Brad was going into the hospital to round this morning "real quick" and meet us home before church. Turns out he didn't get home until after Noon. The kids and I decorated our "For Sale" sign in the yard with a cardboard sign that said "World's Best Daddy!" Then we cut fresh flowers from our yard and placed them on the table with a homemade Father's Day card complete with finger painted handprints. Brad was very happy with our efforts and was thrilled with the sign. He is a fantastic Father and a wonderful husband. I am so thankful that God placed us together! Our friends, The Cull's, came over for a cookout. They leave for AZ next week. Very sad! Mindy and I left for an hour to go decorate my room for Vacation Bible School this week. The rest of the day was very low key. Daddy called tonight and said he was surprising us and coming up on Tuesday morning. A friend of his offered him a last minute Buddy Pass with Delta and so he's coming to visit for a week. I am SO SO SO excited. I can't wait for him to see the kids. Jackson is ready for his "coffee buddy" as he calls his Papa to come visit. Jackson drinks coffee with his Papa and uses real china and saucers, too. He thinks it's a real treat. Ooops, sorry fellas, just remembered the china has already been packed. You'll have to settle for old fashioned coffee mugs!!! haha This week will be super busy. Monday and Tuesday are VBS days for me to teach. Jackson will attend all week. Wednesday is Connor's cast appointment and the cast is OFF! Thank you, Jesus. Thursday is a scheduled walk thru with our buyers so the house needs to have all the last minute details that were promised taken care of. Friday is closing and Brad's cousins from Kentucky and their wives are coming for the weekend to help us move. Saturday is the BIG move day. I'm so ready to get this all over with and be settled. Please pray for us as we get all this done. I may not update for a brief period until my computer and internet connections get hooked back up. Take care and we love you all!
June 15, 2007 It's been a hospital in our house this week. Gabrielle started with a fever. It was 24/7 and she was over it. Next was Connor, same thing just a fever. Then came Jackson... only he had vomiting with his fever. Needless to say I've had to wash everything in my house. He's feeling better but still has a slight fever. I have not been out of the house in 3 days. I'm going stir crazy!!! We'll spend our weekend packing. Next weekend is our move down the street. I'm afraid it will be difficult seeing my house everyday with someone else living in it. God has provided this larger house for us and I'm very grateful. Brad's parents have offered us airline tickets and hotel for a weekend getaway. We feel so blessed and we can't wait to "fly away." Brad and I are going to Key West, FL in July. It should be so much fun. Thanks Doc!!!
June 12, 2007 I had a prenatal visit this morning. Everything looks good. I'm 19 weeks and I'm measuring as though I was 28 weeks! That's how it goes with twins. The only concern my doctor has is that my blood pressure is so low. Today I was 98/64. This explains why I am so light headed and dizzy all the time. She's got me coming in again in two weeks to keep it monitored. A friend of mine came over to watch the kids while I was at the doctor. She told Jackson, "Can you belive your Mom is having twins?" He said, "Yeah, she likes to do it that way!" So funny. After the doctor, we went to Chick-fil-A for lunch and then to the grocery store. We are on target to close on our house June 22nd. That's next Friday. I'm going to be so glad when this house is empty and we can get settled in our new home. Words can't express how much I will miss my house. I hope the buyers will be as happy here as we were.
June 9, 2007 Today was very relaxing. I have a cold and Brad let me sleep in this morning. That was nice. Our neighborhood had a yard sale so we all went strolling trying to find a deal. Our only find was a Barney book we paid a dime for! Big spenders, huh? Later the babies and I took naps while Brad and Jackson went for a haircut. After that I took Mindy to lunch at Rick's Boatyard for her birthday and a big thank you. She's been a good friend and helped me out so much with watching my kids during all these doctor appointments. She heads to AZ at the end of the month and I'm so sad to see her and her family leave. We took the kids to the pool to play for a while. Connor loved watching and playing on the side with toys. His day is coming very soon to splash around... we can't wait. After that we had dinner and let the kids play in the backyard. Brad and I are still playing around with boy names... Austin, Mason, and Luke are some of our favorites. We've got plenty of time to narrow it down. We are so blessed!
June 8, 2007 Well, it's official, we are having two boys!!! We are thrilled and so very excited! Brad was able to meet me at the doctor. This was his first ultrasound for this pregnancy. He was tickled to death to see the boys. Baby B has to have the biggest feet ever recorded. He was kicking his brother right in the head. It was a very special moment for us. Both boys look healthy and are right on target. Baby A is vertex and B is breech. Poor Gabrielle, her first date will be complete with all 4 brothers lined up holding shotguns and Big Daddy in the back just smirking! Connor's Neuro appointment went very well. The surgeon is not concerned and thinks everything looks just fine. Thank you, Jesus.
June 6, 2007 What a day! The morning started off as any other ordinary day. My friend, Mindy, came over with her babies. She offered to watch Jackson and Gabrielle while I took Connor to the Ortho Clinic for his cast appointment. Connor and I left for the doctor. We got to the clinic and Brad was able to meet us there, too. They took Connor's cast off, did an x-ray, and decided that it needs 2 more weeks to heal. The break is healing great but Connor was still very tender in the break spot. He got a new cast that is white with soccer balls on it. Jackson thinks it's really cool. After we left the appointment Brad took us to lunch at the Children's hospital. While in line for a quick sandwich I started having double, blurry and spotted vision. I got really light headed and dizzy. I called my OB and she wanted Brad to check my bloodpressure. Brad wheeled me to the ER at the Children's Hospital since he knew them and that's where we were. They hooked me up to some fluids and my OB had several different lab works taken. Turns out my bloodsugar had dropped and I was dehydrated. It had been so busy getting Connor ready for the appointment that drinking/eating had slipped my mind this morning. By the time I finally drank something it was 1pm. My stupidity but thank God it wasn't pre-eclampsia or something worse. Brad took the rest of the day off and I rested. I'm feeling better. Like I said... What a day!
June 4, 2007 We had a great weekend! Brad and I will celebrate 8 years of marriage on the 5th. He took me to dinner Saturday night to The Oceanaire. It's a wonderful seafood room. We had a great time. We also got lots of packing done. I finally feel like I'm ready for this move. Tomorrow, Mom's group will meet at my house again. We should have a very good turnout since all the kids are out of school. I just hope it doesn't rain and send us ALL inside!! haha It's going to be a very busy week with doctor's appointments. Wednesday is Connor's Pediatric ortho. Let's pray the cast comes off. Friday is Pediatric Neuro... I'll be sure to update the site on what the doctor's have to say. Thanks to everyone who checks the site and cares about our family. It really means a lot to us to stay connected.
May 29, 2007 Today was a very busy morning for us all. We started off with Gabrielle and Connor's 18month well check. Their doctor is refering Connor to a Pediatric Neurosurgeon to follow up with his head. For those of you who are not aware, we have had concerns with the shape of his forehead. It protrudes out at the forehead. We had a MRI a year ago and it seems to be the Metopic sutures that are not closing in. Hopefully they are closing and it will just take more time. He's also going to see a Pediatric Opthamologist because since he was born he has had issues with tear ducts... his eyes constantly are running tears and filled with water. Gabrielle got the okay. She weighed 26lbs 14oz (50th percentile) and she is 32 1/2" long (75th percentile). Connor is 27lbs (50th percentile) and he's 33" long (75th percentile). After their appointment we went to the other side of the hospital for my Prenatal visit. I actually had yet another ultrasound (my 6th I think) and we were able to tell the sex of one baby. Baby B is a BOY! Baby A had the cord between it's legs and had it's legs to tight together to tell. I have another u/s in two weeks and maybe we'll get a better look then. We are so excited to know we'll have another son. What a blessing. What if Baby A is a boy, too? Poor Gabrielle would never stand a chance with any boyfriend her entire life!!!! Sounds good to us. We did not get home until 1:00pm. We were all so tired. We did go to a friends house later in the afternoon. They have a bounce house and the kids loved playing in that.
May 27, 2007 It has been raining all weekend. We've not really done much. We ran a bunch of errands Saturday. Brad's contract is signed and on it's way to Georgia. He starts with NW Oral and Maxillofacial on July 7, 2008. It's a huge load off our shoulders. Today was church after that the kids and I went to the mexican restraunt to eat. They love mexican, just like Mommy. Brad was on call today. He had to go in at 7am and it's 9:30pm and he still isn't home. The Indy500 was today and so it's kept him pretty busy. Lots of mandible fractures. Tuesday is going to be a really busy morning for us. Connor and Gabrielle have their 18mos well check at 9:30am and then at 10:50am is my prenatal visit. I'll update the website after that with details from our doctors visits. Connor goes to the Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon on June 6 for follow up on his leg. That will be 4 weeks and 3 days since the cast. I really hope it comes off but I'm trying not to get my hopes too high. It could potentialy stay on another 4 weeks. Please pray that if that is the case we will all be able to endure. Also, I think I failed to mention earlier that Connor will be needing a revised circumcision. The surgery will be done by a Pediatric Urologist and is scheduled for July 10th. Poor baby boy has really been through a lot his first 18mos of life.
May 23, 2007 The day really flew by. As a matter of fact... time of itself is flying by. I am approaching my 17th week of pregnancy. In twin terms that puts me at the 1/2 way point of my pregnancy. I'm in a good phase though, I'm not uncomfortable, not sick, and really am able to enjoy my belly. Jackson pats my belly everyday and wants to know if "they came out yet." As if he wouldn't have noticed? So funny. He's in this stage of telling Brad and I that he loves us. I mean he tells us like 50 times a day... "I love you, Mom." We never tire of hearing it either. Dinner time was fun tonight. We made him eat 1 entire baby carrot that had been steamed and loaded in butter. As well as 3 green beans. You would have thought is was bleach the way he acted. He's so dramatic. Wonder who he gets that from? haha Connor on the other hand ate like there was no tomorrow. I love to see my kids eat good. It's such a blessing to see their little bodies be nourished and eat well. Gabrielle was picky tonight. She ate some cantelope and bread. She loves sugar and starch.. just like Mom.
May 21, 2007 Today was a productive day. We woke early so our cleaning lady could get in and work. (She's a gift from my parents... the best gift ever!) The kids and I went to look for rental property. Just in case we need a back up plan. Then we went to Sam's Club. Mom's Group from church is meeting at my house tomorrow. I'm going to supply the dogs/buns/drinks and they are pictching in the rest. It should be fun. After that, we had lunch and then ALL of us went down for a nice 2 1/2 hour nap! =) Anyday I get a nap it's a good day. After naptime, we went outside for a while to play. Then came in for dinner (pizza night), bath and down for bed. Our appraisal information came in and we were right on target for our selling price. This is great news not only for us but for our neighborhood. We listed the house higher than any home similar to ours that had sold recently. Thank you again, Jesus. You always watch out for us.
May 17, 2007 The kids were all in Mother's Morning Out today. I was able to finally do our unpacking from vacation and get some light cleaning done, too. I even managed to take a nap when the kids went down. The day started off a little rough. I had random morning sickness right when I woke up. I thought I was done with all that stuff. My hormones must be surging because I was in tears for the next 2 hours after that. Everything was out of perspective. After a long talk with my Mom, my Aunt Linda and Jesus, I was back in the saddle and suddenly things seemed okay. My girlfriend, Mindy (who has a set of 6 month old girl/boy twins herself) came over today to hand down some baby gear. She brought over two bouncy seats and I'll go pick up two swings this weekend. She's given me tons of clothes, bottles etc. to get me going. I had gotten rid of lots of 0-6mos infant stuff when Gabrielle and Connor outgrew it. I thought we were finished having kid-o's. But then we got that itch. Guarantee there will be no more itches to scratch after these next two arrive! Brad is off all weekend and I am very excited. I have a sitter coming Saturday night so Brad and I can go out to dinner together. I can't wait. Yesterday Gabrielle said "GG, cheese and airplane." It was a huge vocabulary day for us. Connor has a speech therapist that comes weekly to work with him. We are still working hard with them both. They'll come around.
May 13, 2007 We are trying to get back to some normalcy around here. We drove all night from Georgia, got home around 2am, went to church and then took a great long nap! Mother's Day was a blessed one for me. My sweet children and their Daddy got me a log rocker for outside. I love it! Mom is doing as good as can be expected. She's recovering with lots of much needed rest. The kids are doing just fine. Our trip to Georgia (despite the accident) was still productive. Brad had two 2nd interviews and we've pretty much decided where we want to be. He has a contract with Northwest Oral and Maxilofacial Surgery Associates. www.nworalmax.com He just has to have it reviewed and sign the papers before it's a done deal. They are a great group of surgeons and he's really looking forward to this opportunity. We'll be living in Canton, GA and he'll be working 3 days a week in Blue Ridge, GA and 2 days a week in Woodstock, GA. It's a load off or shoulders to have his job pinned down. In all the chaos I forgot to mention we have a contract on our house. We close middle of June. It's very bittersweet for me. I love my house. We just really need more room. We've found a 4BR, 2 1/2 BA, with a loft and a study. The best part is... it's only 7 houses down from our current home. We'll rent for 1 year before we head back to Georgia.
May 10, 2007 Mom actually came home today. She's had a very emotional day and has cried alot. I told her that's normal and a little self sympathy is okay. She's doing so great. The kids are just fine. We took them to see her for the first time and Mom had a really hard time seeing Gabrielle's black eyes and Connor's cast. It looks worse than it really is. She's got a long recovery and a lot to think about. Thank you to ALL who prayed for us. Knowing we had you to count on and knowing you would be on your knees meant the world to us. Please continue to pray for speedy recovery and a safe trip home. We love you.
May 9, 2007 Life can change in an instant. Sunday morning we were in worship service singing praises for so many blessings in our lives and Sunday night we were on our knees crying out to our Heavenly Father to spare our family such grief. God is good through it all. I still sing praises to him. My Mother is nothing short of a miracle. Yesterday, she was sitting up in a chair! She is not going to require one single surgery. It's just a recovery process from this point on. Her neck is broke at the C1 and had it touched her spinal cord she would be paralyzed from the neck down. Her pelvic fractures are hairline and should heal on their own as well as the compression fractures at her back. Connor is so sweet. He is pretty frustrated that he can't get around like he wants. He does not seem to be in pain. My precious baby boy is just fine. Gabrielle has black eyes and some scrapes. She's just as fiesty as ever. She's singing and twirling like any little girl. Jackson has scrapes and is quite emotional since it all happened. He wants Daddy ALL the time. He just needs love. I can't explain to you all how close we were to losing our family. Connor was thrown off the 4wheeler and found only a couple feet from the waters edge of a mirky deep pond. Gabrielle was found inbetween my Mom and the 4 wheeler. Jackson was wondering around the site crying. My mother wanted to move but wasn't able. Her body would only stay in one position. If you died tonight, do you know where you would spend eternity? This isn't a question to take lightly. This is the most important decision you will ever make. You can know you would spend eternity in heaven by accepting Christ as your savior. Admit that you need him, that he died and rose again, that he is the creator of all things. Surrender you life to a savior who through good and bad is still worthy of being praised. Commit your life to being a servant of Christ and following him. Dear Jesus, Thank you for sparing my family of death. Thank you that even if you hadn't you would still be my sweet Jesus, my father, my savior. Please prick the hearts of those who have not accepted you. Help them to see their need for you in their lives. Help them to follow you wholeheartedly just like Caleb did in your word. I love you Father. Amen
May 7, 2007 While in Georgia on vacation my Mom and the kids were in a 4 wheeler accident. The kids are doing well, just scrapes and bruises... Connor broke his leg and is in a cast. My Mother broke her neck at the C1 and has compression fractures at T6 and T7. She also broke her pelvis in multiple places. We are waiting to find out from the doctors if surgery is going to be needed. Please pray for us as we wait.
May 2, 2007 My OB appointment went well. I had another quick ultrasound to check for heartbeats and all looks good. They were both just kicking away. I should find out the sex of the babies the 2nd week of June. My next OB appointment is May 29. We will schedule me for an extensive ultrasound (customary for multiple pregnancies) to check every single little detail of the babies development. I can't wait to find out what they are. I really have no idea.
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