The First Month

My blogging time has decreased dramatically due to a certain little person who needs my attention.  :)  Cooper is a wonderful baby - I may jinx myself here but he only cries when he's hungry or needs a diaper change.  He's growing so quickly and has graduated to size 1 diapers and 3M clothes.  Nothing newborn about him now - at his one month check up, he weighed in at 9 lb 13 oz. 

 Here are some photos from Mr. C's first month:

First NFL Sunday with Daddy

Smiling during his birth announcement photo shoot

Meeting Grandma and Grandpa 

Meeting Basha and Gramps

Peaceful sleeper

Our family

First walk

So many cute clothes for this little guy

Very animated

Snuggle time with mommy

Trying out the Baby Bjorn with Daddy

Happy boy

Trying out the Moby Wrap with Mommy

Sad about the Mariner's disappointing season

More snuggles

Cooper's new buddy, Ben

with Auntie K

Tummy time

One month old

As the Baby Bump Grows

I meant to post this before Cooper was born but didn't get to it in time.  These past 10 months flew by and it seems like so long ago that I was pregnant.  I must say, it's nice to be holding my baby boy in my arms instead of my belly...

15 weeks

17 weeks

19 weeks

23 weeks

24 weeks

27 weeks

30 weeks

32 weeks

34 weeks

36 weeks

37 weeks

38 weeks

39 weeks

40.5 weeks

and finally, on Sept 6,  I got to hold Baby Cooper in my arms.

He's Here!

Introducing the cutest and newest addition to our family:

Cooper Thomas Via

A Labor Day Baby

7lbs 9oz

22 inches

We are filled with love for this little guy.  We can't wait to have our family and friends to meet him!



The Garden

Our backyard was pretty ugly when we moved in last summer....and we finally did something about it during the spring.  The holly trees were removed, the layers of white rock and bark were dug up and only the crepe myrtle was spared.  Then the clay breaker and new topsoil filled the beds and the planting began.  


Ethan's always wanted to grow hot peppers, so we started some red and jalapeño pepper seeds (unfortunately, only the red peppers survived).  We also planted some brussel sprouts seedlings, which we just found out take 6 months to produce sprouts.  Good thing we planted these in April, so we just might be able to enjoy them before we move. I also planted some wild flower seeds, dahlia bulbs, bleeding heart and my favorite, sweet peas.   All the flowers have done well, except the sweet peas.  Apparently, they don't appreciate the hot and muggy Virginia summer.  We love the way the garden turned out and it's nice to have something pretty to look at in the backyard. 

Before

After

Ethan's prized peppers

The first pepper harvest - time to make some hot sauce!

A "Handmade" Photo Shoot

I wanted to capture the memory of my first pregnancy, our first baby and my first baby bump with some photographs.  When I looked into rates for professional photographers, I couldn't believe the prices I saw!  So I thought, with my tripod and camera, I could try to take these photos myself.  I don't have the Photoshop and lighting skills of a pro but I am happy with how they turned out.  And now we will forever remember this special moment in our lives.  

The Nursery

With only 9 days until our baby's due date, our house is officially ready for the new resident.  Here is his completed nursery; however, Luna seems to think this is her room too...

Daddy assembling the crib

Job well done

It's a safe bet that Luna won't like this spot once there are dirty diapers nearby...

Our nursery project is complete.

Here's hoping there's lots of sleeping done in this crib.