life's journey...

On December 8th, 2009 Casey and I woke up that morning in a state of confusion. Jet- lag probably had something to do with that, but I think our minds were very distracted and confused about what was to come. Jennifer and the girls stopped by that morning.... not sure why, can't remember... probably to drop off something for Cooper. It is all a blur. After that, we took it easy around the house. It was a cold, rainy day.

We were to be at Lifeline around 1pm, I think. We took our time getting ready. We left in plenty of time. There was no packing of luggage, no sending Brock off to stay with someone, no locking up the house. Just a little drive down the road to Hwy 280. We made a pit stop by Target. Can't remember what we bought. Nothing significant. We had everything we needed. Our house was full of Christmas decor and baby STUFF when we returned from Hawaii!! So we were set. All we need was Cooper Isaiah. I had not eaten. I do not think Casey had eaten much. (Honestly, we had not eaten much since we had gotten the call on Thanksgiving Day. It was so much to process.) We left Target and proceeded towards lifeline. Such a blurry drive. Not many words were spoken. We were in such a state of shock about that reality of what was happening.

We arrived at lifeline and went into a room with our social worker to sign LOTS of papers. That took about an hour. At this point I needed a vomit bag, but I some how manage to hold it together. Once we were done, things happened so fast. I guess they did not want us to change our minds;). Margo took all our stuff and directed us towards the room. We turned the corner to see all the staff lined the walls cheering us on as we headed towards the precious child. WOW... what a moment. They opened the door. We entered the room and their he was lying in the white bassinet in the room all by himself sleeping so peacefully. I stood there for a moment taking it all in. Not real sure still what was really happening. I finally picked him up. Holding him for the first time was strange... this child.... I do not have to give back. I could not help but think often of Nathan. After a few moments I gave him to his daddy. After a couple of moments as a family, the staff and foster parents joined us.

We continued to hold and stare at this precious blessing that was JUST placed in our arms FOREVER. It was too much to handle. So many emotions. So much to grasp. It was Cooper Isaiah Allums.

We finally headed home where family greeted us and met Cooper for the first time. He slept through ALL of it!

December 8th is a day that changed my life. Cooper has changed my life. I am so thankful for God's plans. Although God's plans are NOT easy, I am thankful for them. I could not imagine life without Cooper in it. He has brought so much joy and God has taught me so much though his little life.

Cooper turned ONE on November 19th. I can not believe it! Where has the time gone???? We had so much fun celebrating him! On his birthday Casey was off and we spent the day together as a family and just enjoyed the day. The day after we had a party at our house with family and friends. Cooper was not sure what to think about all those people in his house plus he had a double ear infection so he was a little dazed during the party but he had a blast!

Cooper is growing and changing so fast I feel like I just can not keep up! He weighs 20.5 lbs (15%) and is 28 1/2 inches long (60 %). i think we are going to have a tall lean little guy! He is really close to taking off and walking! He took a few steps the day of his party after most people left. I think when he makes his mind up I am just going to look down one day and he is going to be walk. That is just how he does things. He is really starting to talk. His favorite word (other than DaDa) is Ball! He recognizes anything that is in the shape of a "ball". Even the blueberries that I "try" to feed him. HE LOVES BALLS!!! All the ornaments on the Christmas tree are "balls". Other words he can say are "mama, brock, football, and dada, bye-bye, hey, baby, ba-ba (bottle)." He will sometimes try to mock what you say so now I am having to watch what I say, especially to the dog as I discipline him often;).

Cooper has 8 teeth and is now cutting his bottom right molar. Not a fun tooth to cut! That thing is huge! He is on whole milk and doing great with it! We are down to one bottle a day. I have set a date to give that one up. "Mama" has had a hard time letting go. Her baby is growing up.

We are still working on table food. I never dreamed Cooper would be a picky eater, but we have arrived! This child would live off of cheerios, yogurt and bread if I would let him. I have got to trick him into liking vegetables.... think, think, think.....


I can not begin to express what a joy this child is. Cooper has been such a blessing to Casey and I. He is ours and we are his. Nothing can change that. The week of Cooper's birthday I though so much about Cooper's birth mother and what she must have been feeling and remembering that week. I prayed that God was giving her peace and filling up any empty feelings in her with His love and comfort. Words could never express to her my gratitude for the gift that she has given us. She is such an amazing woman. The SELFLESS act that she performed on November 19th, 2009.... it just simply AMAZES ME! There are no words..... I am forever grateful to her.

We love you COOPER ISAIAH ALLUMS! HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SUNSHINE!

We took cooper on his first beach trip back in September. He loved it and did great! We had a great time and can't wait til the next trip!





thomas donuts!




not real sure about the water...


attempting a nap on the beach....


attempt.... failed;)

We are so excited that football season has begun! We enjoyed our first game with family!

where is my baby going?!?!!?!?!?!??!!? this first year is flying by! i am so sad in some ways, yet so happy in others. i love watching him change and learn new things! he is such a joy!!! always happy!!!

He is doing so much now! He is all over the place... i can't keep up with him! he is eating great, yet still soooo tiny! he weighs 17.10 lbs (10th %). he is 28 1/4 in. long. Praying we hit a good growth spurt soon so we can get out of the helmet and fit into our 12 month clothes for the fall/winter months;). He is saying dada, but still refuses to say mama. He loves to wave bye-bye. Tonight daddy taught him animal sounds. My favorite is "moo". He has four teeth now and they hurt;)!! mommy is so tired of the drool too! i cant keep his bibs dry!! He has started cruising on his toys and furniture. I am thinking this boy will be walking very soon! We have started trying more table foods and he has done great so far! he LOVES bananas!!!

we discovered a couple of weeks ago that chlorinated pools exacerbate his eczema. so it is only fresh and salt water for us! he loves playing in the water!!

Cooper is growing and changing soooo fast!!!! I can't keep up!!!!

Well, as you can see Cooper has a blue helmet. No, we are not wearing this just for fun or preparing for football season... it is not fun at all. Cooper has a moderate asymmetrical shaped head. We are wearing this to help correct. Hoping we get it off in a couple of months. He wears it 22-23 hours per day, 7 days a week! Overall, it is going well aside from the funky smell we have to wash off everyday and the flare ups with his eczema. He acts like it is not even there! Us on the other hand have threatened to run over it with the car or burn it;).



We are cutting our two top teeth... those teeth are sooo mean!!!! Aside from mild fussiness and a few ruff nights of sleep, he is taking it like a champ!!!!

After a bath... sometimes we have to chase his naked little self to just get a diaper on;)

8 months old.... where does the time go?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?! So big!!!

now that we have teeth, we brush... or just eat the toothpaste:)

Teething these days have not been too much fun. Cooper has his two bottom teeth and now we are working on the two top teeth... a whole different story! DROOL!! Wants mommy all the time (i love it!) and everything goes to the mouth which creates more DROOL!! Despite the hurt, swollen gum, Cooper is still such a HAPPY BOY!!!! We are enjoying each and every minute because I have learned many times... each minute is precious and priceless!!!






Brock and Cooper getting to know each other:)

they are still not real sure about sharing their mommy's attention.... nor are they sure about playing together at this point.


trying to be friends and be nice....


nice time is over! (trust me, he did not bite... he just nibbles)