Rolling Eph-ha!

You turn 6 months next week and I feel like I brought you home from the hospital yesterday. As much as I hate to see you leave your infancy and grow up- I do love getting to know you better. You're like my little friend. I feel your love for me in your eyes and I KNOW you know that I absolutely adore you.
You use your hands with that death grip every chance you can get. You're always looking for something to grab with those sweet, chubby, sweaty, strong hands of yours. Your favorite is hair. I can't tell you how many globs of hair you've snatched away from me and Meriden.
You're rolling. We've been traveling on our family vacation and while we were in our hotel yesterday Dad put you on the bed and in about 5 seconds you'd rolled yourself completely off. You were so hurt, scared, or whatever you were that you threw up all the dinner that Dad had so patiently put in your mouth after you would try and spit every bite out 3 times. We learned our lesson. You'll be on the floor from now on.
Your nickname list keeps growing. The latest is just "E", but still a lot of "Eph" and "Our fuzzy bear". Meriden especially loves to call you "Eph".
As mentioned above, you did just start solids. All you've had so far is rice cereal and cantaloupe juice with rice cereal.
You plank all day. That's why you're so incredibly strong. 

Your blessing aug 2

Your blessing day was a beautiful day. It surprised us and rained.  We were able to set up tables and chairs in the garage. I thankfully cleaned out the garage on Saturday not knowing we would need it. It was nice and cool because of the rain. It hasn't rained in a month or more. Aunt Rashelle came to take family picture before church. You looked so cute in your blessing outfit. We bought it when I was only five months pregnant when we bought it at last chance in Arizona. It is a size 6 months. It barely fit you. You are growing way too fast! You spit up a lot so I was worried that you were going to spit up on it. There were no major catastrophes in that department. When we arrived at church all her family and friends were already there and Dallen and Elizabeth saved us a seat next to them. Dad was holding you when you started pooping. He poopedand you pooped and you pooped. I was really worried that it would be seen through your clothes. Dad went up and gave you a beautiful blessing but you were not very happy about sitting in your poop. Thankfully it didn't escape. You cried really loud.The people that were in the circle were grandpa Jeffery Cooper, Tanner Carver, Jeremy Meldrum, Jeremy Cooper, Dad, Dallin Burk and Thane Kennedy.

After The blessing I change your diaper. You were kind of fussy after that so I stood in the back holding you and you fell asleep in my arms. You almost never fall asleep in my arms anymore. Dad bore his testimony and when I went to sit back down I decided to just keep walking up to the pulpit and bare my testimony. It was not planned, so it was purely from the spirit. I spoke of you turn off families and how lucky I am to have you forever and your dad and brother and sister. I spoke of how I miss my mom and how she was there with us. I spoke of our Savior is our very best friend and loves us and atoned for our sins. We stayed for for the block. It was fun to have all of our family and friends with us and Sunday school and priesthood/release society. During relief society we saying the Spirit of God. The last verse says the words Ephraim's blessing. I thought that was neat being your blessing day and all. You lay on a blanket during relief society and so did your cousin Grant just a few feet away and the two of you kept cooing and looking at each other. It was so cute.

After church everyone came to our house and we had chicken haystacks. They were delicious and everyone enjoyed each other's company. You slept. You sleep a lot. It is awesome.

Your blessing aug 2

Your blessing day was a beautiful day. It surprised us and rained.  We were able to set up tables and chairs in the garage. I thankfully cleaned out the garage on Saturday not knowing we would need it. It was nice and cool because of the rain. It hasn't rained in a month or more. Aunt Rashelle came to take family picture before church. You looked so cute in your blessing outfit. We bought it when I was only five months pregnant when we bought it at last chance in Arizona. It is a size 6 months. It barely fit you. You are growing way too fast! You spit up a lot so I was worried that you were going to spit up on it. There were no major catastrophes in that department. When we arrived at church all her family and friends were already there and Dallen and Elizabeth saved us a seat next to them. Dad was holding you when you started pooping. He poopedand you pooped and you pooped. I was really worried that it would be seen through your clothes. Dad went up and gave you a beautiful blessing but you were not very happy about sitting in your poop. Thankfully it didn't escape. You cried really loud.The people that were in the circle were grandpa Jeffery Cooper, Tanner Carver, Jeremy Meldrum, Jeremy Cooper, Dad, Dallin Burk and Thane Kennedy.

After The blessing I change your diaper. You were kind of fussy after that so I stood in the back holding you and you fell asleep in my arms. You almost never fall asleep in my arms anymore. Dad bore his testimony and when I went to sit back down I decided to just keep walking up to the pulpit and bare my testimony. It was not planned, so it was purely from the spirit. I spoke of you turn off families and how lucky I am to have you forever and your dad and brother and sister. I spoke of how I miss my mom and how she was there with us. I spoke of our Savior is our very best friend and loves us and atoned for our sins. We stayed for for the block. It was fun to have all of our family and friends with us and Sunday school and priesthood/release society. During relief society we saying the Spirit of God. The last verse says the words Ephraim's blessing. I thought that was neat being your blessing day and all. You lay on a blanket during relief society and so did your cousin Grant just a few feet away and the two of you kept cooing and looking at each other. It was so cute.

After church everyone came to our house and we had chicken haystacks. They were delicious and everyone enjoyed each other's company. You slept. You sleep a lot. It is awesome.

Letter From Dad

Dear Ephraim,

Welcome to our Cooper family. It took Grandpa Cooper 15 years to get two boys but it only took me 5, thanks to you. I was super excited for you to join our family. Just a couple days after your due date Cherise's blood sugars were reading low so the doctor wanted us to have you that day. I talked with Grandma Cooper who recommended we should have you induced right away. You were fully baked and we wanted you here safely so bad decided to check into the hospital that evening. We made sure to eat some buffalo blue cheese fries at Cubby's before we got there. They were good. We checked in and they hooked Mom up to some medicine that would help you come faster. She started to have contractions so I helped Mom through the pain by massaging her legs and arms. I love you Mom so much. You were getting really close so the doctor broke your water. I got a little worried because every time Mom would have a contraction your heart rate would dip. I prayed for you to join our family safely. Heavenly Father answered my prayers when you came out. Your umbilical cord was wrapped around you neck so when Mom had a contraction it would choke you. That is why your heart rate was dipping during contractions. When you came out I got to cut your umbilical cord. It squirted me in the face. You started to cry and you made the biggest pouty bottom lip, it was so cute. I was so happy you were safely here. The nurses got you cleaned up and gave you back to Mom.  Mom did such a good job bring you here.  You were so healthy and perfect in every way. I got be with you as they took and measured your vitals in the nursery. As I looked at you joy and love filled my heart. 

We decided to name you Ephraim Jacob Cooper. One of my favorite role models from the Bible is Joseph of Egypt. He was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to be the head of Pottipher's house. He ran from temptation and sin to keep his covenants and was cast into prison. He had every reason to give up in life but he didn't. He knew he was a son of God and loved his Heavenly Father and zealously kept the commandments. Even while in prison for unjust reasons he was optimistic and happy. He knew God would bless him. In prison he became the head of the prison and was blessed with the spiritual gift interpretation of dreams. God blessed him to get out of prison and become second in command in Egypt. Joseph's second was named Ephraim. I am sure Ephraim was like his father. The tribe of Ephraim was blessed with the privilege and responsibility to bear the priesthood, take the message of the restored gospel to the world, and raise and ensign to gather scattered Israel. Ephraim you will be blessed to have these privileges and responsibilities. You were born in the last days when the fulness of the gospel is on the earth. I often marvel at how we can be so blessed to be born into the everlasting covenant with parents who love God and follow the prophet. Out of the billions of people who have lived and died you are one of the most blessed of Heavenly Father's children to be born under such circumstances. You have a rich heritage of ancestors who have loved God and served him with all their hearts might mind and strength. I bless you that you will follow the example of your ancestors and be like your name sake Ephraim, Joseph's son and live up to the blessings and privileges that God has given you.  Your middle name is Jacob. We chose this name because of your two Uncle Jacobs and your Great, Great, Great, Great Grandpa Jacob Hamblin. Both of your Uncle Jacobs are very loving and caring individuals. They will be great role models for you, just how my Uncle Lyle and Uncle Steve were great role models for me. Jacob Hamblin had many trials and blessings in his life and was great missionary and servant of God. He followed the prophet and was a peace maker. You will have a very happy life if will serve like your Grandpa Jacob Hamblin.

I love you Ephraim Jacob Cooper and I will do everything I can to teach you and raise you to be a man of God.

From spirit to spirit

My sweet baby Ephraim,
Jeffrey slept 7 hours at 7 weeks. You slept 7 1/2 hours at 7 weeks! You are a great sleeper. You generally got 5-6 1/2 hours during the night which makes a really great night's sleep for me which makes me a happier mama. You nurse fast 5-10 minutes on one side and then you're done. You still spit up a TON but not everyday. You poop once about every 4 days and rarely explode enough to get it on your clothes. You fall asleep quickly on your own with minimal fussing. You can only take being held for about 15 minutes before you start getting fussy. Usually you can take the noise, people, and everything just in your carrier not being held. I think being held is just too much stimulation for your little body. We took you to "Avengers- Age of Ultron" and you slept in your carrier and didn't make one peep the whole movie. You did the same for "Tomorrrowland". We went to the "Miss Salem" pageant a few days ago and you fussed quite a bit but once I just left you in the carrier and the cover open so you could see out, you were happy as can be just looking around.

About a week ago I had a really neat experience. Jeffrey and Meriden were napping. It had been a busy morning and I was really tired and you had slept all morning and were ready to play (this happens a lot) and I really wanted to just feed you and go take a nap. Well, I finished nursing you and you were just looking around. I had this feeling, "put the phone down" (i was looking at something very unimportant like Facebook or pinterest). I put it down and looked into your beautiful wide eyes. Then I had this overwelming spiritual connection with your spirit. It wasn't words, it wasn't thoughts, all it was was feelings. The feeling was one of of love and gratitude as if we were one again as we were while you were in my womb, except instead of being a physical unity, it was a spiritual unity. I seemed to understand how grateful you were to me for going through so much discomfort and pain between pregnancy, birth, and nursing to provide you with a wonderful healthy body. But the feeling I felt the most was LOVE. I know that you love me and oh, how I love you baby Ephraim. You are straight from heaven and I know your pure heart is one that he been pure and strong for a long time. You will do amazing things in this life building God's kingdom and going forth as your name's meaning to spread the gospel. Your family loves you so very much. Dad can't stop kissing you, I can't stop staring at you and Meriden can't stop saying "He's so cute and chunky. Hims like a princess". Jeffrey (when he's not stepping on you or clobbering you- which you need to get him back for those things when you're older) stops during the day his play to stare and smiel at you. He loves you!

But most of all I LOVE YOU my sweet Ephraim.
Love,
Mom

close to the veil

You are already six weeks old. Please stop growing up. I could hold you all day and stare at your perfect face. Your smell is amazing. When I look in your eyes I feel like I'm closer to heaven. This week after I was done nursing you, you were playfully looking at my eyes. As we stared into each others eyes, I felt a spiritual connection to you. It wasn't words. It was feelings. I felt an outpouring of love from your spirit to my spirit. Tears came to my eyes as I realized The special connection we were experiencing together. I believe that for the past six weeks you have seen the beautiful good spirits that well in her home including my mom and others that have passed away from her family. I believe that you see them more than you see me and our family. As the color comes into your eyes it is as if you're seeing me, dad, Meriden, and Jeffrey for the first time.it makes you laugh and smile. I know that you are happy to be here on earth even though I am sure it was hard to leave the spare world.  Thank you for joining our family. We needed you. Your brother and sister adore you. They want to kiss you and touch you all day.every time Jeffery sees you he gets a bike grin on his face and with a wide smile says "hi Epha!"
I love you so much I can hardly stand it. Don't ever forget that!
Love,
Mom

Epha! Jeff gave you your nick name:)

My sweet Epha!
Jeffrey has given you your first name. It is Epha! you are laying on my chest right now looking at me with those eyes. You started looking at us this week – making eye contact with us. You slept five hours at a time. It was nice to be able to sleep. Thank you!
You have had major reflex. When I asked the doctor about it he said that you just over eat. You love to eat! Even when you tell me is really full you still want to eat. I don't mind, except for when you spit up on me and I am covered in spit up. I oftenhave to change your clothes and my clothes in the middle of the night because we are both soaking wet from your spit up.
Dad and I took you on a date two weeks ago. We were going to go shopping for new couches. In the car before we left I was ready to put you in my wrap. We decided to change her diaper before we left. As I was wiping your little bum all of a sudden an explosion came out of you and I was covered in your poop. He then proceeded to pee and soak through the only outfit we had brought. Thankfully poop mostly landed on the wrap. I took that off and was okay to go in. You however, only had a diaper to wear. You when your diaper and your car seat cover you in a blanket and went shopping for a new outfit for you. We found a cute little blue outfit at the children's place. I put it on you. We then went to the furniture store to look at couches. When we get there you want to eat so we sit on a couch and feed you. When we are done putting you, we begin looking around. Then we hear on the loudspeaker the store will be closing in 10 minutes. We had 10 minutes for our date – thanks! This is a date we will never forget and you are well worth it! Since you are #2 boy you were not going to get any new clothes, you made it possible to have a new outfit. I think that was your plan to get a new outfit all along! Jk.
Your brother and sister love you so much. Whenever you cry Jeffrey comes to me says Epha ky-ing!! Very concerned! We had some friends over last night and they jokingly said they were going to take you home and Meriden in tears yelled not my Ephraim! You can't take him! Yesterday I found their favorite toy in your bassinet. They wanted to share with you and are so anxious for you to grow up. I however would love for you to stay a snuggle little infant forever. I love it.
We're so glad you're in our family!
Love,
Mom