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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!