1.31.2014

Meeting the "Greats"

This past weekend we got our last set of visitors (well for a while at least). Cooper got to meet his great grandparents and his Aunt Megan. We had a weekend full of lots of passing Cooper around for everyone to hold. It was so neat to watch Great Grandpa Grodeon hold Cooper (who he is named after) for the first time. He truly is named after an incredible man who is always fun to be around and constantly makes us laugh!


Keith Kay, Joshua Keith, Cooper Keith


Great Grandma Grodeon

Great Grandma McDonald

1.29.2014

Two Months



Is this for real!? Our little love bug is growing like a weed! His current stats are 12 lbs 1.5 oz (50-75%) and 24 inches (75-90%).


Coop is still SO happy. This past month he has started to smile and laugh, especially at 6:30 AM after just waking up. (Good thing he's a morning person because neither daddy or I am)!! Did I mention he has the cutest dimples ever,  his belly is starting to hang over his pants + his double chin and cheeks are becoming one...so cute!? He loves being talked to and coos back at us. We started "Baby Wise" and it has been an instant success because he is sleeping through the night (up to about 6 hours)! Cooper gets out of every swaddle dad and I try to put him in so we've resorted to velcro-ing him into an actual swaddle me thing and it's a huge success. Our favorite time is at night when we get to rock him to sleep while reading a book or singing to him. We just love him and are so lucky for the joy he brings into our lives.



One more thing....one day last week while holding Cooper and having an "emotional moment" (mothers, you know those tears that just come for no specific reason?)...all of the sudden he popped his pacifier out and gave me the biggest smile ever. It was as if he knew I was sad and just needed to see his happy face.



1.12.2014

First Flight

This past week Josh had a work training in Denver and so Cooper and I decided to tag along so we didn't have to be home alone for a week. Since the "donor family" lives there, we figured Cooper and I could spend time with Lyndsey during the day while Josh was at his meetings. The only problem was Josh being on a different flight than us meant I had to fly alone with a newborn. I was a little nervous but everything worked out smoothly. The security guards were very helpful getting us through security and then this darling older couple helped carry my bags and stroller onto the plane while I carried Cooper. Of course with Cooper being the easiest baby there is, I fed him a bottle as we were taking off (so his ears would pop) and then he slept the rest of the flight without making a peep. I can definitely say it was a very successful first flight and I have no worries flying with him in the future..well maybe until he can walk...

Lyndsey is such a fabulous mother and so I was so excited to spend the week with her so she could help me get Cooper's "eat, wake, nap" cycle started. She taught me so much and he is already sleeping up to 5 hours through the night in less than one week of this routine. Thank you thank you Lynds!

sleeping baby= happy mom & dad
It was so fun to be able to see all of the family and especially Jaxon and Tucker who were so cute with Cooper and just wanted to hold him. Josh also enjoyed being able to "rough house" with the boys. Then on Wednesday night Lyndsey asked me to drive with her to pick up her friend at the airport. As we pulled up to the curb I started scanning the crowd and saw someone who looked freakishly exactly like Mandee and my mom. I did a double take and a gasp as I turned to Lyndsey and said, Is that Mandee?" Of course it was!! They had come to see us for a few days. Tears instantly filled my eyes as I got out of the car to give them both a big squeeze. It was the weirdest thing ever but I couldn't have been happier. We all know they really came just to see Cooper, but either way it was good to see them.


1.05.2014

Cooper's Baby Blessing


Last Sunday (December 29, 2013) was Cooper's baby blessing. He looked so handsome dressed in all white and was just as sweet as ever. The men who participated in it were of course Josh (Daddy) joined by Bill (Grandpa), Jason (Uncle), James (Uncle), and some friends in our ward. During the blessing he was wide awake, but didn't make a single sound. Josh did a wonderful job and was a complete natural at it. He choked up at the very beginning which made it even more special! After the blessing as Josh held him up to show the congregation Coop did one of his cute little sneezes. It was the funniest thing ever! Here are some of the things that were shared in his blessing:

you will have the knowledge of the love of your Heavenly Father

you have been born in the covenant and blessed with the responsibility to follow Heavenly Father's work

you will see those around you as children of God and seek knowledge to understand others troubles and relate and love them

you will love the gospel

you will know the love of your parents and relatives and will be raised in a house that teachers you to love Christ

you will serve others and grow with the desire to serve a mission

you will be faithful to the covenants of Father in Heaven




As parents, we are absolutely scared to raise our son during these troublesome and challenging times, but know he will be guided and protected as he follows our example and gains his own
 testimony. Cooper--remember that you are loved and have wonderful grandparents and relatives watching over you!


Josh's siblings (minus Megan) + parents
Josh's amazing parents