Eat by yourself or don't eat at all

I confessed to Dad today that I need a new baby... not that I'm ready to be pregnant again... but that you are growing up to fast Ephraim! I think you kind of skipped being a baby stage and jumped right into exploring and being independent. It is SO difficult to change your diaper! and dress you! You squirm because its like you think you don't have time to lay around and get those things done. You absolutely MUST feed yourself 100% of the time. You went from hardly eating anything- because you'd spit it right back at us to us testing to see if you could soft solid things like cooked carrots, PB&J sandwich, avocados, etc to you devouring them and eating AS MUCH as Meriden and Jeffie. You eat almost everything! My other babies like to be where I am always, but you sometimes will go in the kid's room- where all the toys are and just play independently all alone. You are happy as long as you've had enough to eat and aren't tired. You don't cuddle or care to be kissed except every once in awhile. I love you my sweet baby so much. Your strong personality (I'm guessing a red) will take you to great places someday.

Love,

Mom

Making messes

 It's hard to believe that you are going to be nine months this next week. The nine months of you in my belly are torture and the nine months of you out of my belly is bliss. You keep her family happy and smiling through everything you say and do. However, you are  currently dumping out all the diapers from the drawer that I just barely cleaned up. It's a good thing you are absolutely adorable. You follow me around crawling  as if it's your life mission to get to me.  Once I pick you up you don't know what to do. Yesterday while I was throwing a baby shower for a friend, Daddy gave you a bottle  and you drink it!  This was a first for you and dad was ecstatic!  You are sleeping about seven hours every night. You take Two good two hour naps during the day.  You still dislike food but you're getting better at tolerating it. You crawl super fast! I love you sweet boy!

On the move

 How is it possible that you're already moving? You scoot so fast I can hardly believe it! You love to discover. You put everything in your mouth. If you've put it in your mouth two times, you have no interest in trying it out again. You hate solids. Especially Apple anything. Daddy feed to you. He is so good to you. You sleep about five hours at a time. I should make you sleep more without feeding you – but I don't. I'm getting too soft.
 You never snuggle. Even when I'm nursing you or when you're sleeping. I kiss you all the time – and tell you it's my payment for being sick for so long when I was pregnant. I adore you. You smell like magic. I'm so glad you're mine. I love you My Ephraim. Oh and we often call you E for short :)

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.