Easter 2012

Easter was spent here at home.  My family celebrated last weekend since it was my nephew, Dakota's, birthday as well and we could knock it out at one time.  Jason and I decided that we were going to stick around here and just get things done around home.  Good thing we did. 

We went over to the Thirtyacre side Easter lunch and it was nice visiting with everyone.  Cooper really enjoyed playing with Aidan and Sydney (cousins) and playing with all the toys.  When we got home that night, we noticed he was breathing funny when we put him down for bed.  His schedule was a little messed up yesterday, so he was not having it and was crying in his crib.  We called our sitter to see what advice she could give us about the breathing and she just said to keep an eye on it and give him Tylenol.  We did and he fell asleep.  I was nervous because of his breathing, but also because I just knew something wasn't right and I had travel scheduled this week to KS (9 hours away). 

Around 1:30-2:00 am, Cooper woke up screaming and still breathing funny.  We decided that something wasn't right and called my Mom to see what she had to say.  My parents came over to see what he sounded like and looked like and made us more certain that we needed to take him to ER.  So, off we went and after 2 pokes to the finger, 3 x-rays, and many different vital checks, he was diagnosed with croup.  They said that that's how it comes on...right in the middle of the night.  The x-rays showed swelling in his throat and that is what was causing his crazy breathing.  So, after more medicine, we finally got home around 4:30-5:00 am.  Cooper fell asleep on the 10 minute ride home and was out until 8:30 am this morning.  I made the decision to postpone my trip since I was not going to leave my little guy.  We called Cooper's doctor this morning and he does not want Cooper going to daycare for the next 3-4 days.  So, my Mom is watching Coop tomorrow and Wednesday and then I'm taking off on Thursday.  I have Friday off, so he won't go back until next week.  I think he would be able to go back by the end of the week, but I really don't want to get any of the kids sick, especially the babies. 

It was a crazy Easter and I guess we were meant to stick close to home.  Cooper still has the coughing, runny nose, and a slight fever.  I'm sure within the next few days, he'll be feeling better. 

Hope everyone had a great Easter!

my favorite things about spring....

....are these tulips under the tree :)

 
....this beautiful tree :)

...and just another photo of them together.  The green grass is another thing that tops my list along with the warmer temps, playing outside, and going for nightly walks.  Cooper is loving it too and we're having so much fun!

And here's a picture of the Cooper man.  He was a happy little guy tonight!!!

Jalapeno Popper Dip

I made this recipe a while ago and I've been meaning to post the recipe since it was delicious.  It's a great party dip recipe and I haven't made it since because it's not the healthiest for you.  But, oh my goodness is it delicious.  And it was a hit.  :)

Jalapeno Popper Dip
-2 8oz cream cheese, softened
-1 cup mayonnaise
-1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
-1/2 cup grated Mexican cheese
-10 jalapenos, deseeded and diced (I used only 5 big jalapenos)
-1/2 lb fried bacon, diced (cooked in the microwave to get extra crispy, put bacon into plastic bag, and used a rolling pin to crush)
-1/2 cup grated Mexican cheese

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2.  Blend together cream cheese and mayo until creamy.  Add in cheddar and 1/2 cup Mexican cheese, jalapenos, and bacon.  Combine well.
3.  Pour into a casserole dish and bake for 15 minutes.
4.  Add remaining 1/2 cup Mexican cheese on top of dip and return to oven for 10 minutes to melt cheese.
5.  Serve with tortilla chips!

This was so good and I'll be definitely making it for another party!

These past few weeks have been crazy.  Cooper and I had our round of the flu.  He got sick on our way to WI last weekend right as soon as we were heading out of Dubuque.  We thought it was a fluke and drove on after we cleaned it all up and then every 15-20 minutes from then on, he got sick.  We made the decision as soon as we got to Platteville to turn around and go home.  It took us 4 hours to get home from there since we had to stop frequently to clean the poor little thing up.  Saddest thing I've ever seen and it was so hard to watch him get sick and then cry. 

Then on the next day, I woke up and didn't feel the greatest.  I ended up getting sick and it was horrible.  I had exactly what he had, but mine lasted longer.  Thankfully the getting sick part only lasted 24 hours.  I was afraid it would continue into the next week and I wouldn't have been able to go on a trip for work, but I was much better by Monday morning and made the trip to KS. 

This week Cooper got to spend 3 days with Grandma and Grandpa Thirtyacre as both Jason and I were out of town for work.  I'm heading home tomorrow and Jason flew in today.  I can't wait to see my boys!!!  I was also supposed to go on travel next week, but that trip got canceled and I am more than thrilled since 3 weeks in a row would have been excessive.

Cooper is getting another tooth, but it's in the back and you can't see it unless you pry his mouth open and look really hard.  This will be number 8.  :)  He's also understanding sooooo much and is trying to say more and more words.  I love hearing him repeat words we say and when he says 'Hi Mama' on the phone.  I just love him so much!

Other than that, Jason's work is going well.  My work is going well.  And Cooper is a normal 14 month old, almost 15 months.  He has a 15 month check-up on April 13th and he also has pictures that day as well.  I'm nervous for the pictures because I'm sure he's going really cooperate after getting poked with needles that morning.  I have no clue what I was thinking, but we'll just deal with it and see how it goes.

We have the Lady Antebellum concert next week and I'm really excited to go on a date with Jason.  It should be a good time! 

When I get home I'll try and post some pictures of the Cooper man.  He is growing and changing!  :)

weekend in review

I had Friday off  (my regular day off) and scheduled Cooper's first haircut!  He did so well....no tears or anything.  Of course he squirmed a little, but he was such a big boy.  My stylist, Chad, wanted to cut his hair and did a fantastic job.  We were more than happy with how it turned out.

Saturday, we woke up and decided that we were going to work on the bathroom upstairs....well, Jason did.  :)  He tore out the vanity since when he went to install the new faucet, the bottom fell out, and after he had fixed the wall and finished painting, we went to Menard's and bought a new vanity and counter top.  When we got the vanity home, it was way darker than what we wanted.  The counter top will work, but the vanity looked almost black, which was not what we were going for.

Sunday, Jason ran out to the farm and then in the afternoon, I attended a baby shower for my friend, Erin, who is having a little boy!  She's due this month and I can't wait to meet the little guy!  Jason and Cooper returned the old vanity to Menard's and went up to Home Depot where they picked up a new one.  It's beautiful and all that's left to do is put the counter top on, faucet installed, and we'll have our new vanity installed!  I'll post pictures when it's all put together.  We still need to take out the tub and get new flooring, but it's starting to come together! 

Now, we're just relaxing watching my Real Housewives shows and other reality TV....if you didn't know, I have a huge addiction with reality TV.  :)  It was a nice weekend and I'm ready to get this week started since there is going to be nice weather and maybe a thunderstorm...I can't wait to have our first one!  I love them!

what we've been up to....

Here are a few things Cooper has been up to lately:

Hanging out with Dad while Dad wears his tie :)

Riding his 4-wheeler down the street :)

Hanging out in the laundry basket while Dad pushed him around the living room :)

Eatin' in the Dells with Dad, Mom, Grandma Kathy, and Grandpa Don :)

Sittin' on a gorilla while Dad hides behind it :)

We spent this past Saturday in the Wisconsin Dells at the Kalahari Waterpark Resort.  Cooper hated the water and only liked the swings. The adults had a great time and I'm sure we'll be visiting in the future when Cooper's a little older. It was nice to see Jason's Mom and Don and we're looking forward to seeing them in a few weeks!

Yikes....

I can't believe it's been a month since I've posted anything.  Yikes!  Well, we're still alive and just a busy little family.  Cooper is into EVERYTHING and that's what's keeping us busy the majority of the time.  :)  We've given him free reign to the kitchen and Cooper spends most of his playtime in there.  He tries to get in all the cabinets, laughs at me when I tell him no, and continues on his wild man antics.  He's hilarious and definitely keeps us on our toes.

Last weekend we went to the Outdoor Show at the QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island and Cooper caught his first fish!  His cousin Molly helped him and I was surprised that he wanted to touch something that was flopping all over the place.  He did, but that was the last time.  :)  It was waaaay to slimy for him to touch the trout a second time. 

Work travel is starting to pick up again for both Jason and I and it starts within the next month.  Should be interesting with both of us being gone the same week for one of them....maybe. We'll have to see if we can do something about that.

Other than that, we purchased a new TV stand (I'm thrilled as I've had the same black one for, oh, 11 years) and I'm absolutely in love with it.  It just looks like we have a grown up house now.  :)  And we put in a new faucet in the upstairs bathroom.  We've decided to buy a new vanity and counter-top and instead of tiling out the entire shower, we're going to buy a new tub and just tile out the top.  Can't wait to see that change as it is long overdue.  Blue smurf tubs just aren't the in thing anymore.  But, maybe if we wait a little longer, they'll come into style again.....no?  Little by little it's all coming together.

And on a side note since it may be another month before I blog, on March 14th my parents will be married for 42 years!   I am so proud that I have such great parents for role models and I love them both so very much.  Happy Early Anniversary, Mom and Dad!!!