First Christmas Gift

Jaci Maeve opened her first Christmas gift on Christmas Eve night. She received some "Bling" as her daddy calls it. We people called women understand how important it is to receive your first ring and bracelet. You can see in the pics that Jaci was relishing in the beauty that us women enjoy so much! :)

First time to eat Cereal...yummy!!!!

Mmmmmm! Nothing like some bland tasting cereal for your first taste of solid food!

Merry Christmas!

How quickly this time of year comes and goes. We had a great time in Fayetteville...Lots of parties to attend and once again a lot of people were able to meet Jaci Maeve for the first time. We did have a minor problem this trip...we forgot our camera. So in the absence of a very valuable machine...we didn't catch as many memories on film as we would have liked...but they will forever be burned in our hearts & minds. A few pics here and much more to come...

What a blessed night!

This gift from God never ceases to amaze me! Not only has she been sleeping 13-14 hours a night for the past 2 nights, but for the past 3 nights she has actually let me rock her before bed time. It is the most amazing feeling to look down at her while she is starring at me and watch her little face light up with a toothless smile. She is such a blessing and is teaching me more than I ever thought possible...love like I have never known! I will say...Christ dying on the cross for all of us means more to me with every passing day. Thank God for his grace!!!!

This video speaks for itself!

I'm sorry that the video is sideways - nevertheless...it is entertaining.

...

Video???

Jaci sleeping...this is my second attempt to see if the video will work.

The latest development at the Cooper household

Oh my a thumb sucker! She finally found her thumb. She has been working on this for the past 4 weeks and suddenly within 2 days...she is a pro! The beauty of it...she will suckle herself right back to sleep. :) There is no denying her ability to sleep. :)

The "other" bearded man...

Is it Daddy? Uncle Shannon? She knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. Jaci Maeve had her first experience with the funny looking bearded man...AKA Santa Claus. She was very interested in the face of this man..after a few minutes on his lap...her facial expression became that of concern. HA! We are so blessed and SO very thankful for this gift!!!

Jaci's first hair bow

It is official...Jaci is wearing hair bows. She certainly has enough hair to wear the clip ins - but I couldn't find the tiny bows - only the larger ones. Even though the large bows are extremely cute - I just wasn't ready for her to be wearing big bows.
Jaci Maeve despises hats! All the more reason to put her in one! :)

Daddy & Jaci Maeve

They both like to pose...

Sock Monkey & Sock Monkey mini me

Jaci has just started grabbing things. It is so amazing to see there little minds starting to work...the wheels are turning as they try to control their fingers and hands. It is such a blessing to be a mom! These are some pictures of Jaci grabbing (and eating) the sock monkeys that came from two very special people!

Big Girl

We officially moved Jaci Maeve to her own room last night. She slept well...I didn't! This move came after 3 or 4 disrupted nights - the disruption - she has grown to big for the bassinet and she would wake herself up hitting the sides and the end. We contemplated moving the crib into our room...but eventually decided it was time. :)
Some more pics - a new snowflake dress compliments of Grandmama Nancy. It is adorable!

Basketball???

WE have discovered that Jaci Maeve enjoys watching basketball with her daddy. Some pics of them hanging out in Gatlinburg watching the tube. Pretty cute if I must say so myself!!

Traditions?

So this is the first holiday season for Jaci Maeve. We have been contemplating what family traditions to get started...no better time like the present. I have a few ideas - first and foremost how do you make Christmas a celebration of its true meaning??? I would love to hear some things that you do to honor our Lord on this blessed day.
I want her first X-mas to be about our Savior - in order to do so I feel we should read the story of His birth on Christmas morning. So far...that is all I have.
What about Thanksgiving and the New Year?? Any suggestions?

Having fun in Gatlinburg

Jaci Maeve had her first SERIOUS road trip this Thanksgiving! She's a trooper and as always did very well. What a blessing! We went to visit the Colvert's on Friday - stayed in Nashville until Monday morning and then drove to Pigeon Forge for most of the week.
Jaci had a blast with all of us. She is sitting on Shannon's lap having fun in two of the pics below. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Alabama-Part II

While in AL, Jaci Maeve spent a lot of time with her Grandmama Nancy. I have discovered that Grandmama Nancy really REALLY likes to spoil this precious little one. More than spoil, she likes to watch little Jaci Maeve take her naps. Which...as she would confess...is wonderful...except...she is SUPPOSED to watch little Jaci Maeve from afar. Grandmama learned this lesson the hard way...me looking over my shoulder ready to pull out the momma claws! :)
After having my own and learning how much naps mean to there little bodies & minds - I have become "One of those moms!" All jokes aside...I'm thankful she has grandmother's who love her so much that they want to watch her every minute!
We were able to visit many people that Jaci has never met. Aunt Robbie & John. John loved Jaci and has determined that she has a "Nice Face!" She met the Bailey girls, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Jene, Sis, and a number of other people at church.
Another special visit was from Uncle Allen & Aunt Eula Francis - who brought her a miniature sock monkey that you see in the pic.
Thanks everyone for enjoying this exciting time with us. We love that you love Jaci!

First Trip to Alabama-Part I

This trip went very well! I was extremely nervous - not only about a normal 5 hour trip but about sharing a car ride with the other Coopers and a newborn baby. It is one thing to listen to your own newborn but you sure don't want anyone else having to listen to a fussy baby. She didn't fuss! She slept almost the entire way to Memphis where we stopped to eat and feed her and then jumped back in the car to finish up the last half of the trip...which she slept.
The trip back home was almost identical. We made it back home around 11:00pm last night and put her down around midnight - she didn't wake up until 8:45am! I was certain something was wrong with her. From 6:30 until 8:45 I just watched her. I was torn between letting her sleep or waking her up! :)
Alright - all you moms out there - what do you do for little tummies when they cannot go to the bathroom? We are working on day 4 and a call to the pediatrician in about 2-3 hours if nothing happens. The only info I have - which I'm trying - is Milk of Mag. I have given her a 1/2 tsp last night and one this morning. Still...nothing. Any advice?

Swaddling & Experts...both wonderful things!

First of all, the practice of swaddling is an amazing thing! Also, it is amazing how good a parent feels when they have accomplished something as small as getting your 7 week (almost 8 week) old baby to lay down awake and learn to fall asleep on her own. I'm so excited and feel so successful.
Without experts and swaddling - this would never have happened. Yesterday - she cried for a solid 15 minutes before a nap...finally went to sleep and was then awakened by the UPS man who rang the doorbell. I now understand all you moms who have the paper note taped to the doorbell that states "Please do not ring doorbell!".
The strange thing - she will lay awake for about 20-30 minutes not making a peep before going to sleep for the night. Naps - a different story...but...I think we are finally getting there.
I have been so blessed by the experts that write books and share their knowledge with all of the other people of the world.
Little did I know that parenting was such a discipline! It isn't just about how much you love the little one - it is about TIME, EFFORT, DISCIPLINE, LOVE, HOPE, PERSEVERANCE, PRAYER..I could keep going but you all already know this! :)
I really felt the need to share in my excitement - It is only 10:00am and I feel like I have accomplished so much! I did what I shouldn't do - I went into the sleeping baby's room to take pics of her success.

Classic Bath pics

The classic bath pictures...you know the ones you hated of yourselves when you got older. I try to make them as modest as possible, but they are bath pictures. :)
I continue to post pictures of this little one for several reasons. Most Important Reasons:
1. For all the family & friends that are not able to see her very often.
2. I want to get this published as a book so she can have it to show her children.
So...who out there is reading this blog and keeping up with this little one? If you are and would like to leave us a note please click on comment and let us know. I would love Jaci to know who was watching her grow via internet.

Sweet Pea anyone???

Jaci's first costume - a Sweet Pea. We had a blast at our church Trunk or Treat last night. There were several newborns dressed up along with Jaci. Macy was a giraffe and Chase was a bumble bee. Macy and Chase both stayed in costume until the end of the party - Jaci...well she lasted a mere 3 minutes. She was not happy about being dressed up. I asked myself "Why do we do this to the poor children - she just wanted to sleep!" Of course dressing a newborn up in a costume is strictly for the parents pleasure and at the risk of dissatisfaction of the kid...it sure was fun! :)
For those of you who are wondering what Michael was supposed to be - I'm not sure why anyone would question this beautifully hand made costume...but just in case...he was a stem of grapes. I had an apple costume that was waiting - but I never quite made it. I was a bit preoccupied.

All Smiles!!

The munchkin has really developed a smile in the past 2 weeks. I think the 6 hours of sleep did her good. She is in the best mood and I thought I should share this sweet little smile! :)