:: f l a s h  b a c k ::

 {my little Cohen at 3 weeks old}

I have three days before I become a mother of two.

My thoughts & feelings?

Anxious.

Couldn't be more happy.

Nervous.

Mind running like wild fire.

Lucky to have had such a great pregnancy.

Soaking up all the one-on-one time with Cohen as possible.

Going CRAZY wondering what this new babe looks like.

The time is just not passing fast enough.

Trying to remember how to take care of a newborn.

Can't wait to snuggle and kiss him.

 

:: July 4th, 2011 ::

 Here we are at Trinity River.

The festivities were great, and everything was FREE.

Very family oriented - I was quite impressed.

Every hour there was a jet ski show. CRAZY guys on jet skis doing way cool tricks. I couldn't get very good pics because they were too fast, and lack of a good camera. They were doing double back flips, barrel rolls, high jumps and diving completely under water on the jet ski. Very entertaining.

 Cohen thought it was pretty funny when the jet skis would spray the people floating the river or standing in the "spray zone" by the red flags.

 The heat was a KILLER, as always these days. We brought Co's swimsuit to get in the river but forgot Brock's. What a good dad for jumping right in, in his clothes. Cohen LOVED the river float.

 We had dinner in a cooler and plenty of snacks and liquid to keep us happy for hours. Everyone shows up and claims a spot of ground for the afternoon/evening for the firework show.

 COOL DUDE.

Cohen showing me his cool dude sign.

He thought the jet skis were pretty COOL.

 Free pony ride.

AWESOME.

Cohen loved it and talked about it the next day.

That was his first time on a horse.

 This year was WAY more fun watching fireworks with a little boy that was SUPER excited to see them and would yell out every color he saw. He was BEYOND tired at this point and still was all smiles.

 As you can see by Cohen's face, it was a LONG day.

Such a fun day full of great memories.

 Happy 4th of July!

I'm grateful for my freedom in this wonderful country that we live. 

What a fun holiday to celebrate with loved ones.

Other than getting stung by a bee and having to stand in line for 25 mins to use the potty, it was a very successful day.

I love holidays. 

:: HOME DEPOT activity day ::

 Every first Saturday of each month Home Depot does a free activity day for kids of any age. They get a apron and something to build {it changes every month} and when they finish the project they get a certificate and a PIN. So cool.

 Maybe next time the project will be something more interesting than a coaster set.

Way to go Cohen!

Mr. fix it.

:: the biggest tower EVER ::

 First we build....

 Then we break....

 Then we build AGAIN.

** This was our biggest tower yet. We used every block. The hardest part was convincing Cohen to be PATIENT and wait to knock it over until it was all done.

:: Mr. Cohen ::

 My little tool man.

This is one of Co's most favorite things to do these days.

He just takes a tool, holds it, stares at it, pretends to fix another tool with it, puts them in and out of the tool box.

He doesn't even need to be fixing anything really.

Just pretend.

It's fascinating to me how BOYS are just born to be BOYS. Naturally.

Like I've said before, this guy wants to be JUST like his Daddy in every way possible. It makes me fall in love with them both over and over and over again. 

 

A "funny" I don't want to forget:

When Brock and Cohen wrestle/tickle each other Brock will squeeze Cohen and not let him go until he says the "magic word". The magic word is always FROG {just like it was when Brock was little} and so now whenever Cohen wants out of some kind of wrestling or teasing from Brock he'll yell "FOG!". 

He catches on quick.

Something else I don't want to forget:

Whether Cohen is going down for a nap or bedtime at night, no matter how tired he is, he lays in bed and talks for at least 20 mins. EVERY TIME. Never fails. He has done this ever since he started jabbering, before words. It is one of my most favorite things he does. It's as if his best friend is laying next to him and they carry on a conversation about whatever is on his mind.

Also...

Whenever Co sneaks into Brock and I's room {not a play room} or being REALLY quiet for too long I know something is up. I will yell to him "Hey bud, come out" or "What are you doing Co?" And his response lately is "I pooping", whether or not he really is. He knows that we let him be to have some alone time to do his business if he really is pooping. Smarty pants. Already trying to trick his parents and he's only two.  

:: Baby Bump ::

 38 weeks

He's going to fall out, is all I have to say.

Two more weeks from today this little guy will be here.

I have a scheduled c-section for July 15th, which is a REALLY weird feeling. I'm not sure I like it. Yes, convenient. But stressful know the day and time. 

We're definitely on the count down.

Sleeping is becoming quite funny.

It takes me about 10 seconds just to roll over.

Getting on the floor to play with Co or for any other reason is the most awkward thing I can do these days - it makes me laugh.
Just a side note - I don't have the lovely vertical line down my belly this time around, which is interesting because I had a very dark one with Cohen. Hmmm...

I'm still feeling pretty good, which is a blessing.

As of my last dr. appt I weighed 4 pounds less than I did when I delivered with Cohen. Do I believe that? I'm thinking NO. 

There is a reason why I cut my head off in all the belly pics.

Today I bought my first box of newborn diapers this pregnancy.

I AM....

ANXIOUS.

NERVOUS.

TIRED.

GIDDY EXCITED.

IMPATIENT.

HOT.

HOT.

HOT.

Baby #2 - I love you already oh so much.

Even though it feels like you're going to kick my hips out of their sockets.

 

:: Sunday with Garzas ::

Our best friends Reed, Melissa & Brooklyn Garza came over for Sunday dinner. We had a blast! One of my favorite things about our friendship is whenever we get together it's like we see each other daily, and we can talk for HOURS. We put the babies to bed and pulled a late night, well latER night and talked each other's ears off. We now only live about 40 mins away from them. YAY! Now we just need to work on getting the Allsops to move out here to TX for at least 4 years while we're here.

 These two little love birds had a great time together. They shared toys and by the end of the night Cohen was saying "Brookwyn" a lot, wanting her attention always. What sweet friends. I have a feeling they will be VERY good friends. 

Maybe even lovers one day if I have anything to do with it....

Cohen wanted to show Brooklyn "the dog". Sweet Brock lifts Co up over the fence multiple times a day to see the HUGE dog that lives next door. He's sort of a barker dog, but it's a very deep bark which isn't bad, also he doesn't bark all night long or anything too terrible. The big dog makes us feel safe in a way. He barks at any sound of an intruder around. Good dog.

WE LOVE THE GARZAS!

And just can't get enough of them.

We look up to them more than they'll ever know.

How blessed we are to have such great friends.

:: THE FORT ::

 A fort for Family night.

WHAT A HIT.

Cohen was in heaven.

We even had our lesson in the fort of course.

The next morning Cohen woke up, walked out to the family room and the first thing he said was "Where's a Fort?"

And the tradition of THE FORT begins....

:: Cars 2 ::

 This weekend has turned out to be WONDERFUL.
We have been productive, which hasn't been happening everyday lately, we've had loads of fun, and we all have been happy and positive. And I will just say - that hasn't always been the case these few weeks we've been here in Texas.

Here are a few events that have taken place this weekend...

- Brock and I purchased our first washer. FINALLY! Dryer will be coming soon. Brock rigged up a sweet clothes line in our backyard for now that works just fine. :)
- I FINALLY was able to go to a Dr. here. {We've been waiting too long for insurance to switch and process} My Dr. and his office and staff are definitely different than I am used to. I didn't realize how NICE everything and everyone was at my Utah clinic. But, it was do just fine. He is very nice, has lots of experience, and I will only be seeing him a couple times before this baby boy comes. A little update on the baby....as of now he weighs 5 lbs. 15 oz., 5 more ounces than Cohen was when he was born. We both are healthy. The only stressful part now is I am having to decide whether or not I should have a C-section or not. BLAH. Pros and cons to both. Due to my 4th degree tear when I delivered Cohen, it may not be smart to risk that happening again and have bad permanent damage. The hardest part of all is it my choice. I wish the Dr. would have just said go one way or the other. It will all work out for the best. I'm not too worried about it. BUT, if you are reading this and have any opinion or experience please give me your feed back. It is looking like this baby will be born July 15th IF he doesn't come earlier. Whether I deliver c-section or not I can schedule to be induced that day. YAY! That's at least a positive thing. A week earlier than planned.
- Friday night we were surprised to get a call from some old friends from our first married student ward in Utah, The Gillets. They asked to take us out to dinner to welcome us to Texas. That just made our night! We had a WONDERFUL meal at Macaroni Grill, and the company was even better. It was so nice to get caught up with them and meet their two youngest kids. Darling family who we look up to so much, and are excited that they live so close to us. We WILL be seeing them more.
- After we went to dinner we went to Brock's first softball game. He plays with our ward on a city league team. I was quite surprised how serious these games are, and how nice the fields are. Brock did say he was very rusty, but he had a blast. Cohen pulled a late night and we stayed for the whole game to watch Daddy. He thought it was so cool to see dad play baseball. On our drive home at 10:00 pm {way past Co's bedtime} Co said, "Daddy, fun game. That was fun." During the game he asked a few times "Mama, let's go home." Bless his heart, he was so tired.
- Saturday was a productive day, LOVE THOSE DAYS. I feel tons more prepared for this new baby to come. Then we found tickets to Cars 2 for $5.00 so we went to the early show. Co wasn't as interested as we thought he would be. He LOVES Cars 1 and watches the whole movie, but the Cars 2 was a little different. He'll have to get used to it I guess. He did surprise me how well he did at the theater, not knowing what to expect at his first movie. Bear {his teddy bear that is attached to his hip these days} came with us of course, and we had plenty of snacks. It was a good show. 
Although, Cars 1 still has my "favorite" vote.

:: Fort Worth Zoo ::

 We braved the heat, and went to the Fort Worth Zoo.

Our biggest bribe was the half price admissions day.

How could we pass that up?!

We are trying hard to take advantage of this precious time we have all together before Brock starts med school and his life is over....just kidding. We were impressed with the zoo. The grounds were very nice, especially the areas that the animals were in, and there was multiple animals of each kind.

 Brock sometimes forgets to count "1,2,3" when taking pictures. 

This is the outcome above - I'm talking and Co's picking a boogie.

But the birds are cool!

 As you can see, it was quite WARM. This boy sweats the second he steps outside, but he doesn't mind at all. By the end of the zoo, I was one sweaty swollen pregnant mama.

 Here Cohen is debating on whether or not he wants to touch the snake. 

He got up the courage and did a quick touch, but only once.

The lions were sound asleep, which was a bummer. And the zoo now has robotic dinosaurs throughout the zoo. The bear in the picture is a Sloth Bear, the name doesn't make him sound so mean. But he was ready for lunch I think, pacing back and forth looking like he was ready to pounce. A little unnerving.

Surprised to see the zebras. Not sure why...

 KING OF THE JUNGLE. This big boy looked like he has some major attitude. He gave us a good BUM shot and shook it a little. I recorded it on the video camera.

 This was taken inside the reptile/aquarium building.

Co was checking out the little boy monster in the tank. Just Kidding.

We are enjoying living in a big city with so many fun things to do. Like I said before, we are soaking up this free time with Brock. Cohen is in absolute heaven. Fort Worth is treating us well so far. It was rough getting here and settled, but it's coming along. We are having many good days in a row.

And that makes us all happy.

:: Cohen turns TWO ::

 MY BIRTHDAY BOY turned 2 yesterday, June 20, 2011.
We had "WAFFOS" for breakfast, his favorite, with candles in them because he loves to blow them out so much. He blew them out twice.

 After breakfast we opened a few gifts:
a WAY COOl Cars coloring book with magic markers that only color on the Cars paper, given to him by Abs. She sent it all the way from Arizona. {Thanks Sommers!}

 A Lightning Mcqueen chair just his size from mom and dad.

 A new squirt gun, another one of his new favorite things. 
He opened it and said "It's BIG!"

 We filled our day with doing things Cohen LOVES:
Going to the library and played a bit and checked out some new books.

 Went to a park and almost got blown away by the CRAZY Texas wind.
Still had fun, especially playing with Daddy, his hero.

 That evening we went to my Aunt Davita's for a BBQ/SWIM Birthday party. It was just perfect. Nothing to big, it was just great. We did a little swimming, and then ate some VERY GOOD BURGERS.

 Corbin {Em's boyfriend} :: Emily :: Cohen

 Aunt Davita gave Cohen this little Dallas Cowboys Romo jersey, just his size. ADORABLE! He wanted to put it on right away.

 Chocolate cake made by Mama, this is about how fancy I get with cakes. That's why we usually leave them up to Daddy. Again, Co blew out the candles twice. He loves it!

 I think by this dirty mug we can see he enjoyed his birthday cake.

 Happy Birthday Buddy!
You are my sunshine, & make life wonderful & full of happiness every day. Thanks for being obedient, active, funny, friendly & CRAZY to make our lives exciting & enjoyable.
We LOVE you.

p.s. this is my 300th post.