Cook Happenings

2009-01-29T15:12:00.003-05:00

December Memories

Our December was filled with a flurry of activity beginning with the decorating of our home. Each year we select a tree from Uncle Ronnie's tree lot and this year the boys gave a lot of input. Carter walked up and down the aisles while Brady scurried to keep up. Jim held up each tree we were interested in until we selected the perfect live tree for our home. Carter was so excited to help decorate and couldn't help but stop to nibble on candy canes. It was such a fun day and it was the perfect tree.

Next, Mom and I took the boys to Lunch with Santa where we were successful in getting the Santa lap photo. Brady being 18 months old was afraid of the man in red but was comforted by Mrs. Claus and her candy cane. They had such a good time with the games and activities and the exquisite lunch of pizza and potato chips!

Once family began to arrive at the Derham household, the real festivities began. One of our favorite nights was attending Christmas in Loveland. We began the evening eating pizza at the Works and then we ventured out to take in all the holiday spirit. The boys got to ride in a train and we then listened to Pop as he led his Christmas choir. After Christmas in Loveland, Steph, Gerben, Jim, and I attended a reunioun at a local bar for those of in town for the holidays. And this was all the week BEFORE Christmas. More pics to come. Our love to all!

2009-01-28T14:08:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving 2008

The Thanksgiving festivities began with a trip to the Northwest. Yes, that's right, Mommy went solo. I was supposed to attend a New Kids on the Block concert (I can hear you laughing) but they cancelled their show. Not to worry, Steph, Doug, Gerben, Miki and I had more time together. We had our own Thanksgiving celebration complete with a smoked turkey courtesy of Gerben. If you haven't ever smoked a turkey, I highly recommend it. We each contributed to the cooking (and drinking) and it was a fantastic meal. The Northwest weather was the perfect fall experience and I had a wonderful time.

The next day, we welcomed some of the Lepperts, the Kidd Family, and Donnie and Desiree to our home for Thanksgiving. I utilized my new kitchen in every way. Each guest brought a dish and we served the dinner buffet-style. It was a wonderful day filled with food, family, and fun. Our love to all!

2009-01-28T13:31:00.002-05:00

My New Kitchen

My favorite part by far is the microwave above the range. I hadn't realized how much space my counter top microwave was taking up until this renovation.

The half wall is my favorite feature here because it really creates the feeling of separation from the entry room. This half wall was the former entry way into the kitchen.

Well, we have one happy customer! Our love to all!

2008-11-12T22:51:00.002-05:00

Cook Kitchen Makeover!

So Jim and I were thinking one evening, wouldn't it be nice to have tile in our kitchen? Our house dates back to the late 60's and renovations were done in the late 90's. Some of the improvements were shotty and not well planned. We, (well mostly Jim), decided to raise the cabinets, put in ceramic tile, create a new entryway, put in a microwave over the range, and build a half wall. Jim started 3 weeks ago and is more than halfway done. Since he is only able to work at night, it has been an exhausting process. As you can see, it is messy to say the least. I am so proud of him for all the work he has put into it and it will be beautiful. For now, we are telling Carter that the kitchen is broken and he can't wait to have Daddy "fix it". Our love to all!

2008-11-04T19:08:00.004-05:00

A few pictures of the Derham/Cook Halloween. Why does Pop always get to the Reese's first?

Halloween 2008....The year of Spiderman and Tigger!

As you can see from the video, Carter has this trick-or-treating thing down pat. He remembered those magic words in which to receive his treats and most importantly remembered to say "thank you". It makes a Mommy proud to watch such good manners. He waited his turn and was very grateful. Meanwhile, Brady hung out with the festive neighbors with Daddy and Pop. Such a party animal! All in all, it was a wonderful evening with temps in the 70's. We hope you enjoy the pictures. Our love to all!

2008-10-29T12:25:00.003-04:00

Brady enjoying the balls at the pumkin farms

Brothers at play

Carter's first day of school

Brady at the Butler County Fair

Mommy and Carter at Hueston Woods

Goodbye Summer. Hello Fall!

I know that we are well into Fall but here in Greater Cincinnati, the seasons can be unpredictable. Take for example, our trip to the pumpkin farms. My mother and I decided to take the boys on our yearly quest to the local farms to pick a pumpkin. I was so excited to dress Carter and Brady in their finest Halloween long sleeve t's and fall boots. As the weekend approached, the days were getting hotter and hotter and the highs were reaching 75 degrees. By Saturday afternoon it was almost 80 degrees. Mom and I kept taking off layers until finally Brady was in a onesie and jeans and Carter was in shorts and barefoot! Fun was had by all and we are now experiencing lows in the 30's. I thouught everyone would enjoy some summer into fall pictures. Our love to all!

2008-10-21T10:10:00.003-04:00

Sad News

Last night at around 7:30 pm, the Loveland Stage Company caught on fire and is now expected to be a total loss. Jim was checking the news and came in to tell me at around 11pm. I spoke with my dad and mom and they had been to the scene earlier that evening. I could hear the sadness in my dad's voice and I myself wanted to cry thinking about all the wonderful memories from the Loveland Stage Company. Paul Derham made his theatrical debut in 2000 with a very memorable Frank Sinatra rendition. And who could forget the pirate and the cowboy in later productions? Our most cherished memory is that of Carter and his Pop appearing together (but not sharing stage time) last spring in the LSC production of The King and I. We will be forever grateful for all the wonderful performances and we look forward with hope that the community will pull together and decide to rebuild. Our love to all!

Before the fire....

October 20, 2008 - http://www.cincinnati.com/

2008-10-10T14:46:00.001-04:00

2008-10-10T14:11:00.005-04:00

Welcome Gerben!

On August 8, 2008, Gerben Gerritsen and Stephanie Derham met in their backyard with family and friends to join their lives as husband and wife. It was a beautiful ceremony filled with personal touches for all to witness. Despite the extremely hot weather (102 degrees in the shade), everything went off without a hitch! Steph was beautiful in her champagne colored dress and Gerben was the handsome groom in black. He did, however, have a little trouble seeing Steph through the sweat and tears flowing for his bride. It was a day filled with eating, drinking, and celebrating! What a wonderful visit and our best wishes to the newest member of the Derham/Cook/Gerritsen family! Our love to all!

2008-08-03T21:09:00.001-04:00

I think the pictures describe the day beautifully. Thank you to all who shared in Brady's big day. Our love to all!

2008-07-15T07:32:00.009-04:00

Brady Flashback

I came across this retro newborn video the other day and thought I would share with all of you how much our little guy has grown. I love how Jim's hand put some perspective on how truly little he was. It has been a blessed year with a new baby and family that care so much for him. I have always said that the quickest way to let a year go by is to have a baby. He is such a joy in our lives and we are so lucky to have him. Enjoy the flashback and as always, our love to all!

Birthday, July 26, 2007

First cereal, October 2007

Learning to crawl, January 2008

Clapping on the beach, March 2008

First swing ride, April 2008

Brady's first cake, Sunriver OR, June 2008

Happy Birthday, Brady William! We love you!

2008-07-14T17:32:00.005-04:00

A Northwest Vacation

June 2008

We set off on our adventure with evening flights into Portland, OR. Big mistake! I thought for sure both boys would be tired if we flew out at 7pm. Quite the opposite happened. Carter was so excited to be on airplane and would not lay his head down for anything. Brady was just sleep-deprived and crabby. Let's just say people recognized us on our connecting flight. Once we made it we thought things would settle down but Brady ended up with an upper respiratory infection and pinkeye. Great news considering we were about to share a cabin with nine other people!

Once in Sunriver, we absolutely loved the accomidations as well as the adventures. We had a hot tub, ping pong table, bikes, foosball, and private rooms. It was a vacationers dream! Each night we spent hours in the kitchen catching up with Mom, Dad, Steph, Doug, Gerben, and Miki. It was the getaway that we all had looked forward to for months. On the last day, we celebrated Carter and Brady's upcoming birthdays at a wonderful restaurant on the pier by where we had canoed and kayaked earlier in the day. We ended the evening with a celebration back at the cabin.

Alas, we had to return to civilization but not without some sightseeing along the way. The Cooks then traveled to Seattle, Washington to check out Uncle Doug's new apartment. He and Miki chose a wonderful place close to many of Seattle's attractions. We walked along the pier and took in the sights. Doug and Miki then took us to the original Red Robin in Seattle.

Back to Portland for a final visit with Steph and Gerben. We enjoyed staying in their fabulous new place that they had moved into only a two weeks before our visit. Steph and I enjoyed some girl time and catching up on our lives. It was a wonderful trip to the Northwest and family time well spent! Our love to all!

2008-06-07T17:11:00.003-04:00

Brothers!

It is enough to make any mother proud. These two are tight...at least for now! Carter is such a good big brother and Brady hangs on Carter's every word and action. We are beginning the summer with two boys who love to play together. I finished up with work and school this week and am rediscovering how much I love to be at home. Brady is now 10 months old and Carter is approaching four. He had a wonderful first year in preschool.....pics and video are coming! Brady is starting to realize he can stand with no assistance and attempts to take steps when no on is watching of course. The Cook boys keep me busy but we will be leaving for a vacation in Sunriver, OR in two short weeks. I am sure I will have so much to post after that! Our love to all!

2008-05-24T17:28:00.006-04:00

We All Should Be Outraged!

Okay, so I pride myself on the fact that I let few things upset me in my professional life (Jim might say otherwise), but when a colleague brought this to my attention, it brought me to tears. Alex, who is not yet officially diagnosed with Aspergers (a form of autism), was singled out by his teacher and made to withstand a "Survivor-like" vote as to whether or not he should be part of his class. Alex is in kindergarten, that's right folks, kindergarten! It was absolutely heartbreaking to hear his mother describe the day and night that followed as he was voted out of his class 14 to 2.

I am bringing this to your attention to let you know that we have laws in place for students with special needs but it only takes a single action to make someone feel as if they do not belong. I will be researching this story more to find out what on earth would make a teacher (and I use that term loosely) think it is okay to do such a thing. Please take the time to watch this video possibly with your own children and have a discussion about what it meant for Alex to go through this ordeal. I think the two children who voted to keep Alex in the classroom are pretty special and that is definitely a lesson I want to teach my children. Our love to all!

2008-05-24T16:56:00.005-04:00

You Can Teach a Man To Do the Dishes!

If you start them early ladies, they just might "pick up" this thing we call housework. It is so hilarious...whenever I am in the kitchen making dinner, doing dishes, etc. Brady is at my feet. And when that dishwasher opens, he is right there and stays there until I close it. He pulls up on it, cruises around it, and grabs whatever he can get his hands on. Sometimes I make sure no knives are within his grasp! I will definitely tap into my little worker bee in the future! Enjoy the video. Thought you might enjoy Brady and Carter's all time favorite song. Our love to all!

2008-05-23T21:58:00.008-04:00

More Updates To Come!

Springtime Fun!

Our apologies for so few posts over this past Spring. It has been so crazy at the Cook household to say the least. It began with my minor health concerns (more to follow) in February. Then in March, my mom fell and broke her ankle. She has had a very strong recovery but we had to spend some time adjusting our childcare. Then in April, I had another health episode. In the midst of all of it, Jim had been working a side job while I was working on the two graduate courses I am enrolled in this Spring. This May has started to calm down but we have remained busy with work, school, and play. We are looking forward to summer vacation that starts in just two short weeks. I promise to post more soon. Until then, enjoy some springtime pictures! Our love to all!

2008-04-18T16:41:00.002-04:00

Good Boy, Brady!

Just five minutes alone and this is what can happen! Brady, oh so innocently climbed into the open box of dog biscuits and helped himself. He appearently loved them because as you can tell he was very upset when I tried to take it from him. Oh well, at least he will have good breath! Our love to all!

2008-03-29T09:07:00.004-04:00

Blogging on Brady

As a new mother of two, I am STILL learning to stop and enjoy the milestones that Brady is rapidly achieving. He is such an active little guy. No wait, make that active BIG guy! He is currently 24 pounds and about 25 inches long and at eight months old that puts him well into the 100th percentile. For those of you not familiar with the charts it means, 100% of his peers are under his weight and height! As for his milestones, he is now crawling all over the place and boy is he fast. He just started to pull up on things and people mostly to check out what Carter is doing. As for eating, Brady can't seem to get enough. He loves to drink from a sippy cup and enjoys cheerios, crackers, and biter biscuits. I am experimenting with table foods because he is starting to become bored with baby food. I think I have spotted a tooth which will help with trying new things. Brady's temperment is extremely easygoing and he rarely cries unless, yes, you guessed it, he is hungry. He loves to be entertained by Carter and prefers live interaction over any toy. It is so fun to watch the two of them together. I have a feeling it will be a very busy summer! Our love to all!

2008-03-07T14:51:00.006-05:00

The Post You Have All Been Waiting For!

(thanks to an unexpected snow day!)

Sitting with his "girlfriends"

Looking for Mommy!

Aren't you supposed to be kneeling Carter?

The royal introduction to the King

And now for some video......

This scene is Carter's "big one" where he was chosen to go under the King's legs and pretend to be sleeping. During this rehearsal, you will notice he had to be coaxed a little and the King had to shimmy into place to pull off the scene!

This scene is one of my favorites where Carter is praising almighty Buddha! You will notice Carter in the front row and he does get hidden at times by Anna's skirt. Hang in there, he reappears at the end!

Carter Steals the Show!

I cannot even begin to express the emotions I felt when I saw my baby boy sit on the stage during his first performance and take his cues. I was full of such pride, joy, fear, laughter, astonishment, and all the other emotions that come along with this thing they call parent hood! As Jim and I watched him I felt a renewed sense of family as well. I am so proud of the man I chose to marry and the beautiful life we created in Carter. And let's not forget about the little personality that Brady is beginning to demonstrate as well. Carter was fantastic last Saturday night. He remembered where to sit, he attempted to dance with the royal children, and I even heard him singing at times. At one point, I was laughing so hard, I think I began to cry a little. I was so overwhelmed with what I was seeing and had to keep reminding myself that he is only three and a half. Jim and I feel like we have found one of Carter's many talents. For those of you that can make the performance, you are in for a treat! For those of you who cannot, I am sure Dad will have at least one or maybe 500 copies of video lying around! Jim and I must send our kuddos to Pop also. His part in the play is pretty great too! Our love to all!

2008-02-24T11:14:00.003-05:00

Sunday Morning Humor and The King and I Preview

Carter absolutely loves venturing out into the snow so I just had to capture our ritual as he prepares for his trek out into Mt. Cook. Mr. Gerben gave Carter some classy new snow boots for Christmas which he prefers over his Thomas ones (thank goodness!) With his outfit complete, it brings Mommy and Brady a little down time to relax and as you may notice practice crawling around a little. Yikes, I am about to have two mobile children. No one warned me about that! Our love to all!

2008-02-15T13:00:00.002-05:00

BTW....if you ever want to enlarge a picture, simply click on the picture, and it becomes bigger. I know at times some of the pictures can appear a little small. Give it a try, the play pictures are just adorable! Our love to all!

2008-02-15T09:02:00.002-05:00

A Star Is Born!

Carter has officially gotten bit by the acting bug. He will make his theatrical debut in the "The King and I" at the beginning of March through the Loveland Stage Company. He is in five performances that require him to be on stage for about three scenes. Of course, Pop is in the show so he has the wonderful job of coraling Carter during practice. Carter has taken direction very well and the girls in the show just adore him. All it takes is his classic "thumbs up" and he melts their hearts. The specific dates that Carter is performing are March 1, 7, 9, 14, and 16th. The Friday and Saturday performances are at 8pm and the Sunday performances are at 3pm. If you are interested in attending, it is not too late to purchase tickets! We would love to see you there. Our love to all!

2008-01-22T16:55:00.001-05:00

Visit With Grandmom

As many of you already know, Dad, Mom, Brady and I decided to make a visit to Tampa to see Grandmom. I felt it was important to have her meet Brady plus, I have to admit, I was missing her. We headed down last Friday and found her in very good spirits. She could not get over how big Brady was and he was on his best (and most flirtatious) behavior. Needless to say, we had trouble walking through the hallways without being stopped! I was alarmed at how hard it is for her to get around even though Dad gives me updates pretty regularly. It also made me sad to see her struggling to remember short-term items and then go on and on about memories that occurred over forty years ago. However, in typical Grandmom style, she treasured every moment we spent with her. Her and I spent Sunday morning participating in exercises and saying the rosary. We then joined others for a party at Uncle CJ's and Aunt Linda's. Grandmom enjoyed her day and unfortunately we had to depart early Monday morning. My sincerest thanks to CJ and Linda for another wonderful stay and it was so wonderful to see everyone who made it! We are looking forward to being with Grandmom again in March. We love you, Grandmom! Our love to all!

First meeting

Brady meets his Uncle Jim and cousin Andrew

Grandmom, Brady, and Missy

Four generations together!

2008-01-10T13:28:00.000-05:00

Brady's First Christmas
We kicked off the season with a visit to Santa Claus. Having cried the last two years in row, we did not know what to expect with Carter. Much to our surprise, Mr. Cook was won over with a candy cane. From that point on, when asked what he wanted from Santa, Carter replied, "a candy cane". Maybe Mommy and Daddy should have stuck to that request!
A week before the big day, family began to arrive at the Derham house. It began with Uncle Doug, then Aunt Steph, followed by Doug's girlfriend, Miki, then Aunt Judy, and finally, Gerben. That made for a very full house at the Derham's. Good thing Santa's reindeer did not tire out because he would have had no where to sleep! On Christmas Eve, we made a huge meal complete with a turkey, ham, tofurkey (for the vegetarians), and every side dish imaginable. We then spent the rest of the evening eating, drinking, and opening presents. Carter's biggest surprise was his new custom-made train table built by his one and only Pop. As you can see, it is complete with a hole so that Carter can operate it from all sides. Pop hopes it will keep Carter entertained while Pop is "working" on his trains. Christmas morning was filled with presents and more eating. The Cooks then joined Daddy's side of the family for more gatherings. Unfortunately, everyone had to return home but not without another party at the Cook house. Christmas was filled with tradition but I have to admit a little chaos as well! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and here's to a blessed 2008. Our love to all!

2008-01-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas With The Cooks

This year one Mr. Carter Paul Cook received a surprise call from the big man himself, Santa. On Christmas Eve, Santa called the Derham household to remind Carter to go to bed early and to leave cookies and milk by the tree. Needless to say, Carter was very excited and enjoyed the attention. He got right to the point and was all business with the man in red! The evening was full of family, traditions, and I must admit, a little chaos. Would we have it any other way? Our love to all!

2007-11-27T10:48:00.001-05:00

Brady William Cook Is Baptized!

On Sunday, November 18, 2007, Brady was baptized into the Catholic faith. The godparents we chose were his great aunt, Judy Leppert and great uncle, Donnie Bergner. Many were in attendance to celebrate with us including those who traveled from Louisville, KY. After the ceremony, we had a luncheon in our home where the Cooks were able to show off our new bamboo floors that we put down the week before. It was a wonderful day and we are so grateful to all who made the trip to celebrate Brady's big day. Our love to all!

2007-11-27T10:30:00.001-05:00

Halloween 2007

Sorry that it has taken me so long to blog but I have an excuse. My digital camera was stolen from my car after Halloween. I was hoping it would turn up but no such luck. Thanks to mom and and old-fashioned camera, I have some pictures that were taken recently. We will be replacing our camera soon with all the upcoming holiday sales. Word to the wise.... digital cameras are hot items and are easily swiped! Know what I mean, Dad? Learn a lesson from me and take care of yours!

Anyway... here are some Halloween pics. Carter, of course, dressed as his favorite blue engine while Brady took the time to catch up on some ZZZ's. Carter practiced long and hard and was an old pro at Trick-or-Treating! He used his "thank you's" which made Mommy so proud. In the end, his eyes lit up at the sit of his plastic Thomas bucket filled to the top with goodies. Both Daddy and Pop were pleased at the all the chocolate he scored including full size candy bars. Needless to say, there wasn't much left once they got their hands on it. It truly was a wonderful evening. Our love to all!

2007-10-18T15:26:00.000-04:00

Exciting News!

No, I am not pregnant! I was made aware this week that I have received full tuition to the University of Toledo's special education scholarship program. The state of Ohio is recruiting current classroom teachers to complete licensure that provides the opportunity to become a certified special education teacher. Since I am maintaining a position under a temporary special education license, I was given priority into the program. I will complete the program on a part-time basis via distant online learning and will not have to be away from home. There are currently only 10 candidates across the state of Ohio participating in U of Toledo's program and I am lucky enough to be one. I will begin next week with anticipated completion in the summer of 2009. From there, I will be about 5 classes away from my Master's degree. Once finished, I will be certified to teach special education from Preschool to grade 3. It is all very exciting and the best news is we won't have to pay a dime. It will be a lot of work but a piece of cake compared to being the mother of a toddler and an infant! Our love to all!

2007-10-09T20:18:00.000-04:00

This One's For You Uncle Doug!

Just another Sunday at the Cook household! Even though our Bengals aren't stepping up yet this season, we celebrate every game in our Bengals gear. Carter is actually starting to sit on the couch with Mommy and Daddy as we cheer for Cincinnati. I can't help but feel that this is only a small glimpse of what my future holds. And as a friend commented..."It looks as if Carter may be a quarterback and Brady will definitely be a linebacker!" Who Dey! Our love to all!

2007-09-23T22:51:00.000-04:00

Meet Mr. Brady!

It is always so wonderful when you are able to capture those first social interactions! Brady is officially two months old. He is growing very quickly. His most recent weight check has him weighing in at 14 pounds which is almost double his birth weight! He eats every 3 hours and is taking 6 ounces. We are currently trying to get him on a schedule which is proving successful. He has cut out one of his middle of the night feedings which has made me very happy! As you can see, he is beginning to respond to social play and loves it when his brother talks to him. I only have two weeks left until I return to work but I am excited that the boys will be spending their days with Nana. Our love to all and I will keep you posted!

2007-09-23T22:34:00.000-04:00

Preschool: Here I Come!

Carter started preschool this fall at Queen of Peace which is the church we attend. He is going two days a week for two and half hours each day. As the mommy and a teacher of young children, I knew all the different scenarios to expect. The first being the clingy child in which the teachers must pry the new student from the legs of his mother. The other reaction I expected was that he would rush in the room without the slightest hesitation. I am happy to report that on his first day, Carter acted as if he were right at home. He immediately began to participate in the all the activities his new preschool had to offer. He loves to talk about his day and is learning a lot in the short time he has been there. Mommy and Brady are enjoying the preschool time as well! Enjoy the video and our love to all!

2007-08-17T17:39:00.001-04:00

Brady' s Birth

As you can imagine, it has taken me a while to finally be able to sit down and blog about the birth of Brady William Cook! It all began on the morning of July 25th. I went to my 39 week checkup at 8:55 in the morning. My doctor checked me and revealed that I was still at 3cm and that my
cervix was starting to soften. She then asked if I wanted my membranes "swept" which I had done with Carter. At that point, I was hot, tired, and extremely anxious. I felt a little intervention was necessary to move things along. It worked like a charm! That morning and afternoon was spent with Steph, Doug, and Carter. We went to the mall and then to the Butler County Fair. I wanted to stay active because the contractions were beginning to come. We went to my mom and dad's for dinner and I started timing the contractions. At about 9pm, I decided to call the doctor. She had us come in at 10 minutes apart knowing about my short labor with Carter.

When we arrived in triage, things got a little dicey. Upon checking my dilation, my nurse discovered that Brady was in an unusual position. He was positioned face up, neck back. My doctor then explained that he would have to turn on his own and if he didn't we may be facing a c-section. Needless to say, I was very worried. I never considered the possibility of a c-section and really hoped to deliver like I had with Carter. My doctor admitted us and it then became a waiting game. I held off on the epidural because I knew things would slow down once it was administered. Jim helped me take a bath and I tried to walk as much as possible. Around 5 am the pressure began. My water broke on its own and things began to happen very quickly. Dr. Bonar checked Brady's position and reported that he had miraculously turned and could now be delivered like expected. Once I felt the pressure continuously my doctor had me begin to push. It was all so exciting and I could really feel the effects of pushing. I felt so active in Brady's birth and the experience was one I will never forget. In the end, I only pushed for about 10-15 minutes and he was out. We felt so blessed that his delivery was without incident! His cries were very strong and lasted about 10 minutes. Brady weighed in at 8lb .02oz and was 21 inches long.

As for Carter, he met his new brother about 5 hours after he was born. When he walked in the room he headed straight for me in the bed. He laughed nervously and began saying, "My baby!" He touched his brother gently on the head. Carter seems to be okay with having Brady around. We left the hospital after one evening and looked forward to coming home. Our first evening home, friends and family gathered to celebrate Brady's arrival. It was such a wonderful birth experience and we thank everyone who was there for us throughout Brady's arrival. We are lucky to have all of you in our lives. I promise to update this blog and share some of Brady and Carter's significant milestones. Our love to all!

2007-07-11T11:50:00.000-04:00

Carter Dresses Himself!

Well, you read all the parenting books and you learn that at some point the toddler wants to do everything for themselves. Last week, I found that to be true when it comes to dressing. Carter came out of his room and insisted that he wear his Mickey Mouse hat and suspenders to compliment the Elmo pj's he already had on. Luckily, we weren't going in public for a few hours. I couldn't resist but to help him get everything in place. I, then, had to capture the moment. And now, I share it with all of you! This is a pretty big milestone that may need a little direction down the road! Our love to all!

2007-07-11T09:38:00.001-04:00

Still Pregnant!

After going to the doctor on July 2nd, Brady is growing healthy and strong. He is now weighing in at 6lbs 10oz and that was at 36 weeks! From the ultrasound, on the left you can see he has big feet like Carter. On the right, his fist is pressed up against his head. The doctor thinks I will go into labor on my own and we have opted out of induction, for now. On Monday, at the doctor, I found out I have dialated one centimeter. I am feeling very close and as you can tell, running out of room. I am starting to feel run down and sleeping is becoming more and more difficult. Brady's room is almost complete thanks to Daddy! We have decided to go with a sports theme. Carter is preparing to be a big brother by talking about him often. We are so anxious to meet the newest member of our family. We will keep you posted. Our love to all!

2007-07-11T09:07:00.001-04:00

Carter Turns Three!

On June 23, 2007 we celebrated Carter's third birthday. Once again, we invited numerous family and friends. We rented a castle that the kids could jump in. This kept them entertained much to all the parents liking! Thomas the Tank Engine was the theme throughout. My mom and dad were so generous to host the party at their house. Carter received so many nice gifts especially all the Thomas gear! It was such a fun day to catch up with friends and family. Thank you so much to all who came and we missed those who couldn't make it! Our love to all!

2007-06-12T21:12:00.000-04:00

Toddler Wins Third Place in Local Fishing Tournament!

Carter participated in a fishing tournament on Sunday and came in third place in his age group (1-6yrs). He used his Spiderman fishing pole to catch his first catfish on his own.... well, maybe just a little help from his Uncle Donnie and Aunt Desiree. The winners received a certificate and a plaque as well as a small toy. When he brought home his awards, it almost made his Mommy cry! As you can see, it was a beautiful day and a tradition we hope to maintain for years to come. Our love to all!

2007-06-12T14:47:00.001-04:00

Six Weeks and Counting!

It is hard to believe that my second pregnancy is almost over.  I am doing very well but I am tiring easily.  We have decided on a name for our second son which will be Brady William Cook.  Having a name picked out makes it seem so real and we are able to talk to Carter about his brother using his name.  I have gained about 30 pounds throughout this pregnancy and my doctor's appointments are going well.  On July 2nd I will be having an ultrasound so that the doctor can get a good idea of his size.  She also spoke of induction but that is something I want to think seriously about.  Carter came on his own and I would like for Brady to as well.  I have a pretty good idea that Brady will be very long in size because when he kicks, I feel him on both sides of my belly.  We have started to prepare by purchasing furniture for a new baby room.  Carter will be transitioning to a "big boy bed" and we are beginning to work on potty training.  I am now out of school and enjoying being a stay at home mom.  Jim and I want to get away for a short weekend in Gatlinburg before our family becomes four!  I promise to keep everyone updated and thanks for checking in!  Our love to all!

2007-04-25T19:31:00.000-04:00

A Visit To the Zoo
On our last day of Spring Break, Nana and I decided to Carter to the zoo. He absolutely loved it. He throughouly enjoyed visiting the elephants, apes, zebras, and birds. Carter's favorite was the cat house. He was able to walk back and forth with one of the cats along the glass window. It was so funny to watch! We hope to make it out many times this summer. Our love to all!

2007-04-25T19:06:00.000-04:00

EASTER IN FLORIDA!

The Cook's spent a wonderful Easter in Tampa, Florida this year. Since Aunt Steph was going to be in the Sunshine State, we decided to pack up the Tahoe and head south. Little did we know, Florida was getting ready to experience a cold snap but fun was had by all regardless. We were able to visit Grandmom and cheer her up with a little visit from one spunky toddler. On Easter Sunday, Aunt Linda and Uncle CJ and family had a wonderful celebration at their home along with a fabulous egg hunt. Carter was very successful and got the hang of it almost immediately. On Monday, Steph and I attempted to take Carter to the beach but unfortunately it rained. We had to settle for shopping instead. We ended up with wonderful deals on Peeps and an Easter basket for baby Cook! After saying our goodbyes to all the Krafts, we headed back north to much, much colder temps! It was a wonderful time and will hopefully become an annual trip. Our love to all!

2007-03-06T21:18:00.001-05:00

THE RESULTS ARE IN: It's a boy!

We are very happy to report that Baby Cook #2 is a healthy baby boy! It was unmistakable today as we were able to see all body parts involved. He weighs 11 ounces which is typical for a baby at 19 weeks. During the ultrasound, this little guy was extremely active. Both Mommy and Daddy are very happy that Carter will be having a brother. I have to admit that a little bit of shock set in as I pondered if I had enough energy for a lifetime full of football and smelly socks but then I realized that we are truly blessed. And as Jim put it so eloquently, "for now, Mommy will remain the princess!" Our love to all!

2007-02-13T09:54:00.000-05:00

"The Baby Bump is Back!"
I am now 16 weeks pregnant. I feel just great but have to stop myself at times to rest. On February 6, I went to the doctor. I have only gained five pounds total in the pregnancy. I was very happy with that considering my past. The heartbeat was strong and 160 b/minute. Some would say that is indicitive of a girl! However, I remember Carter's being fast also. My doctor scheduled the ultrasound for next month when we will be finding out the sex. On March 6, we will know if Carter will be having a brother or a sister. He will be attending the ultrasound. I, of course, will be blogging the results. Until then, have a wonderful and hopefully warm month!

2007-01-27T15:11:00.000-05:00

Another Wonderful Holiday!

The Cook's celebrated the Christmas holiday with visits galore. We began celebrating with the Derham's on Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful dinner and opened presents to kick off the festivities. Carter was once again spoiled rotten with gifts from Aunt Steph, Uncle Doug, Aunt Judy and Mommy and Daddy. We then headed off to midnight mass at St. Columban. On Christmas morning, the Derham house was stirring with the opening of presents and the smell of a wonderful breakfast. We then said our goodbyes to the Portland crew and headed out to another celebration with Jim's family. For the first time in many years, all of Jim's siblings were able to visit his parents. It was wonderful to all be together and catch up. The kids played together and the adults talked for hours. It was truly a celebration. I was able to announce my pregnancy which excited everyone. Yes, Carter will be a big brother this year! Cook baby #2 is due on July 31st. I will keep everyone updated. Happy New Year to all!

2007-01-27T12:38:00.000-05:00

First Snowfall 2007!

We finally had our first snowfall of the winter season. After unseasonably warm temperatures and lots of rain, we were hit with about 4 inches last Sunday morning. Carter was very excited to play outside and learned very quickly that the snow is cold. He became very ambitious when Mommy suggested we build a snowman. He helped to pack the snow and at times wanted to take over the whole process. He put the arms in the proper location and helped to put on the "buttons". For many days following, Carter wanted to build the snowman a friend. Unfortunately, the snowman didn't even make it 24 hours before it melted! Better luck next time, I suppose. Bring on the snow!

2006-12-09T08:41:00.000-05:00

December 2006

Carter has been very helpful this holiday season making the Cook house very festive. He helped Daddy load the fireplace with wood when we had our first lighting of the season. He also enjoyed helping outside with the Christmas lights on an unseasonably warm Sunday afternoon. Carter was very excited to get our live Christmas tree last week. He helped to pick it out from numerous trees on the lot. When Daddy brought it in, he reminded us "Ooh, cold" as he touched the branches. He did not have much of an interest in putting up ornaments, he does however looooove to take them off and bring them to Mommy! He enjoys pressing the button to light up the tree every evening when we get home from school. The next few weeks will be filled with tradition and new adventures. We are practicing sitting on Santa's lap by exposing him to Santa pictures and walk-bys at the mall. Hopefully it won't be as tramatic as the Easter bunny! Our love to all for a warm and wonderful holiday season!

2006-11-11T08:04:00.000-05:00

HALLOWEEN 2006

The Cook's celebrated a very spooky Halloween in Loveland, Ohio. Since we get no tricker-treaters, we turned out our lights and head to Nana and Pop's. As you can see, Carter went as Elmo. He was very excited to wear his costume and even wore the hood the whole time. It did not take him long (oh....about three houses) until he was saying "Trick or treat!" and helping himself to candy. He received numerous "He is soooo adorable" and "Look at that cute little Elmo". Carter lasted about ten houses and was ready to show Daddy and Pop his loot. We were so grateful that most of the houses were generous enough to hand out chocolate! After Pop inspected it (and stole Reese Cups), Carter headed off to take a bath and dream of ghosts and ghouls. Another wonderful Halloween for the Cook family!

2006-10-07T10:06:00.000-04:00

Carter Rides Again!

Well, it is October and we are staying very busy! Carter had the opportunity last weekend to ride his Aunt Lisa's horse (with assistance from Daddy!) He rode her last year and had a wonderful time. This year he was listening to Lisa's instructions and seemed much more comfortable. He then had the experience of feeding the horse a carrot. He really enjoyed his day at the barn!
As for us, we remain busy with work. Jim spends two days a week in Louisville for Reliable. He enjoys the travel but I miss seeing him every night. I love working for Hamilton City School District. I am taking a sign language class at St. Rita's School for the Deaf which is so much fun. I have to admit that I am counting the days until Christmas break! Speaking of Christmas, please let me know if you locate a Tickle Me Elmo in your town. I am on the hunt for the "hot gift this year". They are flying off the shelves in Hamilton!
Have a wonderful fall and thanks for reading!

2006-09-02T09:11:00.000-04:00

"A BOY AND HIS DOGS"

I have now started my new job. After some much needed time off, I began with Hamilton City School district. I will be an itinerant Kindergarten teacher. This means, I will be working with children who are identified to have a delay in specific kindergarten skills. I will work with between 15-20 kids. I am so excited to finally be working in a district. The hours are wonderful which means I have more time to spend with Carter and Daddy! I hope to obtain a classroom postition, but in the meantime I am gaining a wealth of experience. Thanks to all who supported me through my job search. I really felt so many people pulling for me. As for Jim, his ankle is not broken. The doctor has given him a brace to wear and he will begin rehabing it soon. He is beginning to feel like himself again. Love to all!

2006-08-26T11:29:00.000-04:00

2006-08-24T00:22:00.000-04:00

Well, the summer is winding down and I am sorry to report that Jim is out of commission. On Thursday, he fell and severely sprained his ankle. He is having an MRI done to determine a break in the ankle bone. His foot is turning purple and the swelling has not gone down. He hates having to ice it and misses being able to play and wrestle with Carter. We will know more by next week. I will be adding some pics as soon as I find my cords. Possibly Carter's fault? Love to all!

2006-08-07T22:42:00.000-04:00

Carter is two! On June 24th, we had an amazing celebration with family and friends at our house. Carter was excited to open presents. With each one he helped to open, his comment was an enthusiastic "WOW!" He had a wonderful day surrounded by many loved ones. I have to say, next year we may consider a party outside the home! Mommy and Daddy were exhausted! Until next time, our love to all!

2006-08-07T22:12:00.000-04:00

Tampa - May 2006

2006-08-04T16:24:00.000-04:00

Well, I have finally discovered a way to constantly update all of our distant loved ones. I have created this blog to post Carter's developmental milestones as well as what is going on with his parents. I hope you all enjoy it and I promise to update frequently!

P.S. Thanks for the idea Little Bro!