Welcome Cooper Todd

We welcomed Cooper Todd Graves on 11/17/10 at 8:08am. He weighed 6lbs 12oz and 19inches long. He has a TON of dark hair! We feel incredibly blessed that he has joined our family. We know that SO many people have prayed for his safe arrival and for that we are truly grateful. It was a long 9 months I must say! Chase is adjusting well so far. He wasn't too interested in being at the hospital ("hosibal" as he says), except for all of the big brother presents he received, but now that we are home he has really taken to Cooper. He said "I love having Cooper at our house. He's cool" and has requested to hold him several times. He even shared his "white blankie" with Cooper and that's HUGE for Chase....he doesn't give that thing up hardly ever. Night #1 of being home was a little rough as Cooper was up for most of it but night #2 was much better. I've attached a few pictures and hope to continue with more. Depends on how much blogger lets me do!

October

It's official.....our computer hates me and this blog! I have tried several times to update this month and it takes FOREVER! I'm not quite sure what's going on but I promise I tried. So I selected some pictures from the month and it's going to have to do. It's hard to believe it's November already and that the weather has been so nice! Here is a recap of our October. Chad's grandma was in town so we brought her over for a visit. Chase played Candy land(his new favorite game) with her. He actually calls it "candycane".

A couple belly shots

32 weeks

34 weeks

Jason and Leslie got married!!!!! Chase was the ring bearer...it's he handsome? I didn't take a whole lot of pics on my camera because we were busy but I do have the CD of their pictures so some day when our computer decides to be my friend again I'll share some of those. It was a beautiful wedding and we are SO excited that Leslie is an official part of the family now.

We carved some pumpkins. And by "we" I mean Chad did. I sat in the chair and took some pictures as sitting on the floor pulling yukky stuff out of a pumpkin isn't too appealing to a pregnant lady. And chase tried to tell Chad how to do it but really wanted no part of it. Chad liked it though...I think.

Halloween

I dressed up as an M&M with my girlfriends.

This picture is randomly thrown in here out of order but on one of the many nice days lately we played outside. And I just really loved this picture.

Chase was Shrek for Halloween. We didn't go trick-or-treating, however, because in Chase's words "I don't love those max". Translation: I FREAK OUT if I see any other child wearing a Halloween mask. And he does freak....it's not a joke. So we didn't even attempt it this year. He got some goodies from grandparents and we went to a Halloween party(luckily no masks present). He does love his costume though. It's still out and he loves to play in it.

Family Pictures 2010

Here are a few pictures from our recent photo shoot with Lindsay

They turned out GREAT but take a while to upload so I only chose a few to post for now. Stay tuned for more.

September slacker

Here are the only pictures taken in September! See below for update.


29 weeks

Celebrating my birthday with my big bro...at Carlos of course!

Yep....I'm a slacker.....well maybe that's not totally true. I have been working LONG LONG hours at work lately and I'm just tired! This is not exactly what I pictured when we decided that I would go back to work full time but I have high hopes that the transition at work will soon be less stressful. I am very thankful to have a job though...don't get me wrong. I am hoping that October will bring more normal hours for me as it is Chad's busy month as far as basketball is concerned. With that being said....I've only taken a few pictures this entire month! Here's a small update for ya!

I turned the big 3-0 on 9/7. Crazy! Can't say that I feel that much older so maybe it's not so bad after all. My awesome husband organized a super fun surprise party for me with my girlfriends. He claims he had nothing to do with it besides having the idea but I beg to differ. I was TOTALLY shocked and surprised. I had NO idea it was coming. It was a night of pampering and I had a blast. I didn't have my camera, of course, because I didn't know I was going to a party. When I get pictures from my friends I'll post some.....hopefully.

Chase started pre-school this week. He is going to the pre-school at CCHS again this year. The advanced child development classes offer a free pre-school at the end of each trimester. Chase went in the spring and loved it! He didn't do so hot going into class on day 1 this year. He cried and clung to Chad as he dropped him off. Thankfully Chad is just upstairs at the school should they need him. But all was well a little later as the pre-school teacher called Chad and said that Chase was smiling. Day 2 was better. It's fun to see the things he doing/learning there and I just can't believe we are even thinking about him being in school!

I am now about 30 weeks along with Cooper. I had another appointment about a week ago and he is still looking beautiful. I am feeling good.....pretty tired...as I mentioned above but I think that goes along with having a bowling bowl attached to my stomach. :) I truly can't complain as this pregnancy has gone smoothly so far. Although I do want Cooper to join our family as soon as it's safe for him to do so.....I'm ready to meet this little man!

zoo

We went to the zoo last weekend with my parents and Tyler. We LOVE the FW zoo!!! It was an awesome day. I actually have some more pictures than this but am too tired to upload anymore! Maybe next time!

Giddy- up Tobie

Chase got this wooden horse(on a stick) for Christmas and had it out last week. He was riding it around the house with his cowboy hat on. So I asked him "What is your horses name?" He looked at me and paused for a little bit then said "Um.......Tobie." Then he scurried off!!! I was cracking up!!!!! So then we had to call Paw Paw Tobie and tell him about it. Too funny! Calling Paw Paw

Riding "Tobie" around the living room

cute cowboy

One of the days he added the green boots for a nice look (on the wrong feet no less)

South Haven, MI August 2010

Some shots of our trip to South Haven, MI with Nana. We had a BLAST! I seriously felt like we were in Florida and we'd only driven 2.5 hours. The water and beach was awesome!!!! I hope we can go back next year. I thought Chase was smiling better in this shot but I guess not

Our hotel

Chase playing in the sand......with some crazy hair

One of the days it rained so we watched movies inside

I totally encouraged Chase to jump on the hotel bed!!!!

Chad and Betty

crack shot

Playing in the water

22 weeks

Sara & Luke 7-31-2010

Pictures from Sara and Luke's wedding! What a wonderful ceremony and reception. Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Diehl!!!!!!

Chase working on some cake

Matthew dancing

Ryan and Jamie

Kyle and Lindsey

Leslie, Rhonda and Jason

Grandpa and Grandma Kessie

Uncle Tom and Aunt Marcia

Mom and Dad

Uncle Dave and Aunt Deanna

Rachel and Adam

Sonja and Cara (we decided that the last picture we had taken together was when we had braces and were playing basketball at CCHS)

Leslie, Cara and Jamie

Sara and Anne

Uncle Dave and Aunt Jean.......the proud parents of a beautiful bride!!!!!!