Cooper's Blessing Day

Last Sunday we blessed Cooper with a small group of loved ones at our home. We decided to do it at home now rather than wait a couple months when RSV season is over and we can take him to church. It was perfect. Devin did such a good job and it was a very special day for us. Cooper looked especially handsome in his mini tux. My parents came up that weekend and stayed with us a couple of nights. We had so much fun playing with the baby, playing games and watching movies. I love living close enough to my parents that we are able to do that. (too bad to most of my bros and sisters living so far away you are really missing out. =) All in all it was a great weekend and a busy one. Only a few more days till Christmas.. I can't believe how fast this last year went, looking back over the year we have so much to be thankful for. Most esspecially our wonderful families. I am convinved Me and Dev came from the two best families, and I am so thankful to be a part of both. I am also thankful for the little family we are starting, Cooper has been the biggest blessing and miracle for us this year. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We went and weighed Cooper today and he has hit the big 10 pounds! what a chunk. I can't even believe that he has gained 7 pounds since he was born. He loves sleeping by the fire and looking at bright lights. He esspecially loves the lights on the christmas tree, and when I dance with him and sing to him. I love spending everyday with my sweet angel baby. The world likes to make us think that success is measured by what career we have or what degree but now I can see more and more each day what was meant by "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." And I really truly think that if I don't do one other thing in life being a mother has made me successful. I sure love my sweet little boy. and in other news the holiday season has officially started for us in the Ball home! Devin just finished his finals and has a 25 day break to be home with me! Today was his first day to have absolutely no homework or tests to study for, and I just love having my husband all to myself. He did so good in his first semester of Nursing school and is loving it but this was a much needed break for us. And honestly I am more excited that he is home with me for the next little while than I am about Christmas. It feels a lot more like Christmas around here with Devin home!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cooper and his cute little hat ( Thanks Mel) Sweet baby (last time we weighed him he was 8 pounds 2 ounces)

We had Thanksgiving this year with my family. We had it at our house and had so much fun. With my fam usually it is lots of people and kids running around but since a lot of them are coming for Christmas they didn't make it out for Thanksgiving. But we had a lot of fun with our small group. Me and Dev were nervous about ruining the turkey but it ended up being so juicy! All the other food turned out great too. The boys all played Risk for a couple hours while the girls got the food ready. Then after dinner we watched family home videos of us growing up.. "TINILLE bring my shoes over here!"....me almost tipping over on my rocking horse...JanL pulling the wagon and pulling the wagon.. and my families all time favorite that we have to rewatch at least three times each year.. "He went the bathroom in his pants!" haha (Love you Ty Guy). Robert and Mel were going to head home after dinner but we got to chatting and it got later and later so they decided to stay the night. It was fun having my parents and brother and sister in law stay over. Thanks everyone for coming up!

The next day my parents stayed and watched Cooper while we went up to get Dev's little brother Dallin at the airport. He just got home from his mission to Philly, can't believe it has already been 2 years! Thanks Mom and Dad for watching Cooper. And can I just tell you what an Angel mother I have. While she was at my house watching Cooper she made my bed (we were in a hurry that morning) cleaned my house, made me a cassarole for dinner, and wrapped Christmas presents for us. I love you Mom and hope one day to be just like you!

New pics of our angel!

Since thanksgiving is in 2 days I have been thinking a lot about what I am thankful for. I'm thankful for an angel baby that has brought so much joy into our lives. I'm thankful for our families and the love and support that they give us. And I'm thankful for the blessing of an eternal marriage and that I get to be with my best friend forever.

Home Sweet Home!

The Baby's Room


View from the backyard

Where I try to cook =)

Living Room
Where Devin sleeps (I'm up all night with Cooper=)

Welcome to our home. It's official We are now homeowners! YAY! after 2 years of renting we are so excited to have a house of our own! Especially since I don't get out much anymore because there are limited places we can take Cooper, at least I have a place all my own to be in! its the best!

He's getting so big!

We took Cooper to the Doctor on Tuesday and he now weighs 7 pounds 7 ounces! He has gained 4 pounds 4 ounces since he was born! He is getting so chubby, I love it! They also measured him and he is now 20.5 inches long- so he has grown 4 inches as well. He has been awake so much more lately. He loves to look at bright lights and just stares wide eyed at them. Devin has been really busy with school lately and we are counting down the days until this semester is over. I can't wait to spend almost a whole month with my sweetie! It will be the best to have him home. Also we are getting excited for Devin's little brother to get home from his mission in less than two weeks. Besides schoolwork we have just been enjoying watching our sweet baby grow and get to be a big boy!

A day in the Mountains

Last Saturday Dev and I went fourwheeling with his Dad and Aunt&Uncle. We went up in the mountains by Gunnison. It was beautiful up there, Next year I want to go before all the leaves fall. But even then the mountains were so pretty. I love living in Utah and feel so blessed to be able to just take off up the mountains and its only a fifteen minute ride to get there. Our four wheeler ride ended up being 4 hours long, longest ride I've ever been on but we had a great time!

The Joys of Motherhood

Today has been quite the eventful day. This morning I got spit up on twice and peed on twice while changing his diaper. Then this afternoon while I was trying out feeding Cooper (He has taken a liking to a bottle and refuses to nurse so I have been trying to nurse him once a week or so to see if he will go back) So while I was trying to nurse him he was kicking and scratching me and then in an attempt to get it away from him he pointed it at me and squirted me in the face with my own milk! So back to the bottle we went. I have officially decided that he likes the bottle and there is nothing I can do about it. At least he is still getting my milk in the bottle. Besides that I am letting him have his way on this one. Then tonight while I was changing his diaper after feeding him I was wiping him when he spit up a lot so I averted my attention to that to clean him up when he poops on me and all over his blanket. It was like projectile poo! So after today I have come to the conclusion that I need to wear a plastic bag over my clothes to protect me from all the baby bodily functions thrown my way. And I wouldn't trade it for the world! Being Cooper's Mommy is the best job. I wouldn't give away the opportunity to be with my little one everyday for anything. I am so blessed to be able to be a stay at home Mom. I love every second of it! even when I am covered in poop =)

Halloween Fun!

Cooper and Mommy
Sweet baby Cooper and Gramma

Our little punkin

Baby Cooper in his Halloween onesie!

My Beautiful WIFE =) haha

Devin dressed up as Florance Nightingale for his Halloween Carnival for school
Devin and one of his teachers. They both won best costumes!

What we have been up to Lately- We went to a couples Halloween party for our ward members last week and had a really great time. We already love our neighborhood and everyone in our ward is really great. The pictures of Devin as Florance Nightingale was for his school Halloween Carnival. He got extra credit to dress up as a girl nurse! good stuff. I couldn't stop laughing at him, he looks so funny as a girl! He is gonna hate that I put these pictures on here, but I couldn't help myself. It isn't everyday that my husband dresses up as a girl! For Halloween we went to dinner with Devin's parents and then came back to our house to play cards. We had a great time hanging out. It is so fun living in Gunnison and being so close to family. Also Devin's parents have been great to help watch Cooper for us when we need to go out. They are the best! Happy Halloween!