National Child Abuse Prevention Month

You may or may not know that this month, April, is National Child Abuse Prevention month. This subject is very near and dear to my heart. I wasn't going to make a post at all about it until a friend of mine did. Although she felt the need to take her post down, her story encouraged me to speak up.

I am not going to share my experiences here but I will say that I have experienced, first hand, the affects of child abuse.

I try to be as uplifting as possible when I share my feelings and experiences on social media, but child abuse is NOT to be taken lightly nor is it something that should be ignored or tip-toed around. It DOES happen. Likely, more often than you could ever realize. Children, on a daily basis, however severe the case may or may not be, are being hurt. Physically, verbally, and emotionally abused. 

When did this become okay? 

Is it acceptable to physically hurt your spouse, parent, neighbor, friend, or any other person? No.

Does it become acceptable to physically hurt them when they have made a mistake, whether it be that they were caught in a lie, or they have simply made a mess in the kitchen? No.

So, why do some feel it is acceptable to do so to a child? They are not our slaves. They are not here to serve us and meet our demands. They are most certainly not our punching bags; to smack around when we feel it has been deserved. 

We have been privileged with the task of raising children by a loving Heavenly Father. If in His presence, would we discipline our children if they have made wrongful decisions? Of course! We are here to teach them and raise them to be good people that contribute goodness to the world. But, would you hit or verbally attack your child in His presence? I would venture to say- absolutely not.

I am grateful for my life experiences. I am not sure that I would change them, because they have helped to shape who I am today. I feel that it has allowed me to connect with others in ways that might not have been possible otherwise. It has given me a perspective that others may not have. And it has given me a deeper appreciation for my loved ones and the grace that the atonement offers.

But I would never wish my experiences on any child. If I could, I would scoop up every child suffering and hold them until they knew how important they are. How precious they are. How loved they truly are.

Please, love your children and practice mercy. Pray to Heavenly Father to know how best to raise your children. Show kindness and mercy to children who are not your own, because you never know what may be happening to them behind closed doors. And show kindness and mercy to all, for you never know what they have been asked to endure in this life.

...Oliver Jason Cooper...

June 23rd, 2014.

6:40 AM

Last picture as a family of two, on our way to the hospital!

6:50 AM

Arrived at American Fork Hospital.

6:55 AM

Jason and I met with my mama. Ready to head up to labor and delivery!

7:45 AM

We were scheduled to come in and have a version done because our little guy had flipped to breech position. (A version is the procedure performed to turn the baby back to the head down position.) Somehow our acrobat had flipped a second time and was once again in the head down position ready to go! I was induced in order to avoid him becoming breech again and getting the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. 

I am SO grateful Heavenly Father heard our prayers and helped the baby return to the head down position. We were told that versions are less likely to work during first time pregnancies due to the uterus being too tight and also less likely to work the further along you are because of the baby's size (I was 39 weeks 2 days along). If baby was unable to be moved to head down we would have had to do a c-section, and I was extremely nervous about that!

Prayer is real.

9:00 AM

Keeping an eye on baby's heart rate.

4:30 PM

Been hanging out all day. Family has been in and out, being such a huge support to us!

6:30 PM

Literally took naps and slept through contractions throughout the day. Thank you epidural!

7:39 PM

Nurse says I am fully dilated now and am ready to push, we just need to wait for the doctor to come.

8:14 PM

Oliver Jason Cooper came in to the world.

7 pounds 10 ounces.

19 inches long.

I was very fortunate and only had to push for about five or so minutes.

9:43 PM

Finally, I get to eat food!!

We are so happy and so blessed to have Oliver in our family. We are so grateful for his health and the joy he brings to everyone around him, especially us! 

We love you SO MUCH Oliver!!

...37 week update...

Well, for starters, I graduated from school a few weeks ago! I am SO excited to be done with school, but I will definitely miss my Paul Mitchell family. I developed relationships with some amazing people, and I am so grateful!

(Clocking out for the last time!)

Now that I am done with school and Jason is on summer break from the nursing program, we have been preparing for baby! It has been a little weird for me to be home all the time, I still tend to think I am supposed to be waking up early to be to school. I have had a few times where I suddenly thought "Oh shoot! I probably have clients and I didn't call in to school to let them know I won't be in!" It has been nice though because walking (which really has turned in to waddling at this point) is not as easy as it once was! 

My sweet mama threw me a baby shower last week, which was really fun! We just did an open house so people could come and go as they wanted. We have been given some really awesome gifts, both from people who could and could not make it, and we are super grateful! I don't know what we would do without the love and support from our family and friends. Thank you to everyone who has been there for us! Here are just a few pictures from the shower :)

 (Me, my sister in law Tiffanie, and my mother in law Chris)

 (Yes, I am starting to swell up a little..but hey, whatever. P.S. Yes I always wear these pants..they are the most comfortable pair I own right now, so they continue to be thrown in to the washer and worn repeatedly.)

 (My second mom's from growing up, along with my actual mom!)

 (My Blackhurst family)

 (The feet and bum had cute little froggies on them!)

 (Not sure what I was doing in this pic, but my wonderful aunts and grandma got us a car seat/stroller combo that I am motioning toward!)

(My mom was pretty tired by the end of the night!)

(My awesome mom and I)

(Jas and I)

WEEKS?: 37

WEIGHT GAINED?: At my appointment two weeks ago I had gained one pound putting me at 137, then at my appointment yesterday I lost a couple pounds putting me at 135. I was a little concerned but my doctor said it's totally fine. 

STRETCH MARKS?: Oh yeah! I have them for sure. I'm not at all surprised because my stomach literally just keeps growing outward! I am short and have a short torso so it's no surprise.

BELLY BUTTON, IN OR OUT?: It's safe to say it is definitely out at this point.

HAPPY OR MOODY?: Really happy!!! A lot in shock, but seriously excited to get this little boy here.

MISS ANYTHING?: Not always feeling like I'm going to pass out! Baby has dropped but it's still a tight fit in there!

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Holding our baby for the first time. Jason and I were talking the other day saying how crazy it is that he will literally have just come from heaven. How cool is that?? I'm also excited for our next doctors appointment to see the progression!

DILATION/EFFACEMENT?: As of yesterday I am about 1.5 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced. 

NAME?: Still Oliver :) Haven't decided on his middle name yet. Stay tuned!

... Summer Begins / 32 Week Update...

Well folks, Jason has finished his second semester in the Nursing Program at UVU and now gets a break for the summer before continuing on to the third! I am so proud of him and all his hard work and dedication in pursuing his career. Way to go Jas!! I will be beginning my summer "break" soon as well. I graduate next Friday! I am so thrilled to be finishing this chapter in my life and beginning a very new and exciting one.

I can't believe how fast time is flying by. Some days it feels like it is dragging on and that this baby will never really be here... but I know he will, and I know it's coming..quickly! He will be here by the end of next month! Assuming he doesn't decide to be fashionably late and come in July...cross your fingers. Really though, I have felt like he will come a little early if not right on time, we'll see!

Honesty time. I have been having moments where reality really settles in and I can't believe that Jason and I are going to be responsible for a small, precious baby. He is going to be our son. A small version of Jason and I. A part of our family. Forever.

WHAT?

I am so unbelievably happy, but I have to be real, I am starting to freak out! Not like, break down in a panic attack, or going in to some kind of depression; but just having the hardest time believing this is real. Can this be real? Am I really being blessed with the greatest gift anyone could ever be given? Did Heavenly Father really find me fit to give birth to and raise one of his greatest creations?

It's all just so incredible and wonderful and breathtaking.

Anyway. On to a little pregnancy update!

WEEKS?: 32 Weeks, 3 Days

WEIGHT GAINED?: I have officially gained 26 pounds. From what I hear 25 is a healthy weight gain in pregnancy. Considering how small I am (being 5 foot 1 and regularly around 110-115) I am worrying that I am beginning to pack on the pounds a little too much! Haha! I know I'll be gaining more each week, which means I'll probably end up gaining somewhere around 30-35 pounds by the end of this...whew...I'm learning to accept it.

SYMPTOMS?: Extreme fatigue, sore joints, body aching like crazy, braxton hicks all the time, and feeling hot always!

MOVEMENT?: This shouldn't even be a question anymore. He is my little wiggle worm and I love it.

FOOD CRAVINGS?: Nope

FOOD AVERSION?: Nope

SLEEP?: Huh?

STRETCH MARKS?: I've started to get little ones around my belly button, not bad though. Jason said they are my "tiger stripes", my "battle wounds" to remember how much I went through for this little guy. He says I still look so beautiful... love him.

BELLY BUTTON, IN OR OUT?: For some reason the bottom half of my belly button is still fighting against becoming an outie. The top half is poking out a bit and the bottom half is flat! Haha

HAPPY OR MOODY?: A good mix. I get pretty cranky when I'm exhausted and hungry...and right now that's all the time. I've been working on having a more positive attitude and remember to be happy and grateful, but I still have my moments! 

MISS ANYTHING?: Obviously I miss sleep! I am really being able to go jogging and playing tennis. It will be worth it though, I know! 

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Meeting this little boy! I can't wait to use the clothes we have for him. I am mostly excited to see what features he has (who he gets what from).

NAME?: Alright, I give up on trying to keep it a surprise, because we have already told a ton of people. We are in love with the name Oliver right now. We are still in talks for his middle name. We will know when we see him if what we have felt is right, but as of now that is our plan.