...11 weeks...

Well, as of today I am 11 weeks and 4 days along. We had our second doctor's appointment today for baby and got to listen to their little heart beat. We found it pretty quickly but they kept moving around so the nurse had to keep searching for them. I'm convinced that our baby is taking advantage of how much space they have right now to play hide and seek! The doctor told us that everything is looking good so far, my labs came back just fine. I have lost a little weight ( I'm sure from being so sick ) but he said it's not anything to be concerned about right now, which is a relief!

Now, I was going to post these a while ago but I have not found the motivation to do it until now! I video taped revealing our pregnancy to immediate family so I could keep the memories, BUT, I, being really careless and not technology savvy, accidentally deleted revealing to my mom and my two brothers. I cried... a LOT...when I found out what I did. So, I'll just have to tell you how I did it.

For my mom and younger brother, the plan was that my brother, Buck, would doorbell ditch our house leaving a gift at the door ( so my mom wouldn't know it was from us ), but unfortunately she noticed the camera hidden in our kitchen and started asking what we were recording, so it kind of blew our cover. We gave her the gift anyway. It had a little note about a little pumpkin joining the family and her new name she would be given next summer. The name reads "Darling", which is a very special name in our family that belonged to my amazing great grandmother, a name that I would love for my kids to call my mom now. Here are pictures from that night ( at least I still have pictures right? )

For my other brother, Cameron, I had been texting him telling him I needed to sit down and talk with him. He was convinced that it had to do with an ex girlfriend because I wouldn't tell him over the phone and kept saying "we just need to talk in person" every time he asked what was going on. So, he came over and I had set up the camera ( better than the first time ). I told him he needed to sit down and panicked, because I didn't really prepare how I was going to actually break the news, so I, sounding a little crazy, started to say "Once upon a time, Jason and I met and fell in love...and now...we're having a baby!!" The look on his face was priceless, it went from total confusion to a big smile. I wish I had that on video still.

Here are the texts I received from my Dad, who was out of town at the time and had to be told over the phone, as well as from my sister.

When we told Jason's family. We told his parents by giving his Mom a cute little children's book as part of her birthday gift, then told his sister and her family over skype. Also, I'm sure my sister in law, Tiffanie, isn't as angry as she sounds about our announcement! And, turns out we weren't actually pregnant the night she is talking about :) I was just really hungry that night I guess, call me miss piggy!

                                                                                  

Here is a couple from filming aunts, we wanted to film more people but everyone was all over the place so it was hard!

     And last but not least when I announced it to my sweet husband. This one definitely did not turn out like I wanted it to. I set up a scavenger hunt of notes leading to his anniversary "present", but I totally messed up on the order in my excitement, I was a little upset, but oh well! Jas had actually asked me two days earlier if he could have his gift ( that was the day I took my first test that showed up positive, but it was so faint that I didn't feel totally sure I wanted to tell him and find out it wasn't correct). He kept saying "I need this, just give it to me!" and I would say "But what if you don't like it, what if you're disappointed??" and he would say "I PROMISE I will love it! I know I will! I need you to give me my present!" He totally knew what was going on but I was so nervous to let him down I made myself wait and take another test two days later. Anyway, here it is.

(Ok, this is really depressing, it won't upload the video of Jason, I will keep trying to figure it out and hopefully get it up here soon!)

There were quite a few other reveals that are special so us, but we're going to keep them special just to us :).

...so it begins...

Man...this pregnancy is already kicking my butt and I am still just in the beginning. First of all..wait what?! It still sounds so crazy to me to even think about the fact that I am pregnant. It's embarrassing to admit..but, after the first initial positive, I seriously took (in complete honesty) probably like ten or so pregnancy tests (after the first million I have taken ever since I got married..let's be honest married ladies..who doesn't get a little test happy?) because I just couldn't believe it. I even took one the night before our first doctor's appointment because I was nervous that my body was playing tricks on me and it wasn't real. I seriously thought when they did the ultra sound that there would be nothing there. But, thankfully, we did see our wonderful little peanut and their teeny tiny heart beating so fast.

Seeing our little one was the most surreal feeling. It seriously all felt like a dream. It's a similar feeling to the day I married Jason, everything felt like such a blur, I couldn't quite comprehend what was happening because I couldn't believe I was really marrying the man of my dreams. But this...this is like that times one hundred thousand. Every single day I wake up and have to go look at the sonogram of our mini Cooper because I can't believe they are really there. I think it's easier to feel in denial too when I'm not showing yet. Even all the sickness I have had...it just hasn't registered quite fully that it's because my body is working on creating another human being.

Speaking of sickness...oh my goodness. For those who are close to me, you know this already...but oh my heck child!! You are making me absolutely miserable right now! I am going to be one hundred percent honest right now, at the risk of sounding selfish and ungrateful, I am having the hardest time with everything these days.

1.  I am an emotional wreck. Today Jason got to go to Chili's with his classmates from the nursing program to celebrate the last day of their first semester of clinical's. I didn't admit this to him at the time... but, he came home and showered before leaving for work after the lunch, and I literally cried because why? Because he didn't have any leftovers. Honestly. Every little thing makes me just want to cry. I have even sat in our apartment and out of no where start crying and I have actually, out loud, asked myself what in the world is happening to me.

2. I feel like crap all. the. time. A few weeks ago I started getting so sick that I could hardly get out of bed because I was so exhausted and could not keep any food down. I had to take a break from school and from work because I was having the hardest time doing anything. Even laying around feels like a lot of work sometimes because of how uncomfortable I am, which is ridiculous. I had to start taking this medication called Zofran, which is generally prescribed to chemo patients for nausea. It has helped a TON. I still throw up sometimes and I always feel tired and sick, but seriously..being able to keep some food down is like heaven these days.

3. Change. I am starting to freak out. It is most likely all these hormones that are making me really scared, but I am terrified. This is something I have always wanted. I always knew I wanted to get married someday and start a family. I always looked forward to the day I would be able to be pregnant (minus the whole labor and delivery thing) and be able to see the sweet little angels that my awesome Heavenly Father saved for me. This is something Jason and I have prayed about constantly over the past couple years and it's something we took very seriously. It took a lot for us to decide to have a baby. We are still very young and we have a lot to accomplish in our lives, namely finishing school. We just felt very strongly that it was time. For a while we were pulled back and forth, wanting to make sure we did what we were supposed to according to God's will and not our own...but that's a story for another day.
I am really scared of having to go through labor, and I have really started to doubt in my abilities to become a good mother. I want to give my baby everything I have, and I want to do everything I can for them, and I have been really struggling to feel like I can do that. Partly because I have been so sick and haven't been able to go to work and school, which right now in my mind, is exactly what I need to be doing to ensure that my child can have the best life. And I can't even do that? It is the worst feeling. I feel like I'm being such a burden on those around me. But, I am so lucky, and I have some incredible people in my life.

My husband. My amazing, wonderful, handsome, loving, kind, sweet, incredible husband. He has seriously been my rock. I cannot begin to express how much I love him. He is human and he stresses about things, he gets over-worked and school and his job but when it comes to this baby...this baby is his world. He continues to tell me daily "I am here for you. I am going to make everything okay." and I feel the fear and the anxiety begin to melt. You guys, I don't know how I did it, but I found him, and he is mine for eternity. I am so so so blessed. I have felt like nothing but stress for him these days as I have had to rest at home constantly, but he has not once complained. He has not once allowed me to bring him down or make him feel worried. He has been so positive and so loving that I just can't believe people like him exist. This baby is the luckiest, they have Superman as their Daddy.

My family. My family has been a huge support to us. My mom is extremely excited and she is constantly checking up on me and asking if there is anything she can do. My dad has done the same, making sure we are taken care of. My in-laws have been so supportive and awesome too. They are so loving and gracious. I am so grateful for all of them. I don't know that I could ever get through all of this without them. It definitely is a relief knowing I can call any one of them up and they would be there for me in a heartbeat.

Now, I know I have rambled and complained, but when it comes down to it, I really am so happy, nervous and frightened, but so so so happy. Funny how you can feel both at the same time. I already love my little one so much. I can't believe how much our baby has blessed us already, I have never felt so close to husband and my family as I do now. I am so excited for this adventure and I am so grateful to have been given the best calling in the world, Mom.

...this thanksgiving...

With Thanksgiving two weeks away we have SO much on our minds that we are thankful for! Just to name a few...

(Jason): I am thankful for my family, my education, my testimony, and my friends.

(Brittanie): I am thankful for my home, my family, my friends, my puppy (the one I dream about having, and also my big ol' puppy back at home), and the gospel.

We absolutely love this time of year. The holidays are the greatest, getting to spend quality time with family and friends, eating good food, and stopping to reflect on what's really important in this life.

We have been so blessed to be close to both of our parents, it can be challenging when trying to be at every event and dinner but overall we are extremely grateful for the love and support we have so close by. It has been so fun to grow closer to both families as we begin our own. You really don't realize how wonderful your parents are until you leave home. We owe so much to them for all have done and continue to do for us. We love you guys!!

We are really filled with so much gratitude for our family and the joy and love they bring in to our life together. We are especially grateful to be able to spend this family-oriented time of year celebrating the upcoming arrival of the newest addition to the Cooper family...

We are unbelievably excited to announce the arrival of Baby Cooper! Joining us Summer of 2014! Mostly we say "Summer" because they're due the end of June, and we're worried that the baby will decide to take their sweet time and not arrive until July, so "Summer" sounds a little better!

"The challenges ahead of me seem a lot easier now knowing my child is on the way. It motivates me to do and be better for them. I am so excited!" -Jason

"I am still in disbelief...but in a good way! It seriously makes me smile all day long hearing Jason repeatedly tell me how excited he is and how awesome it feels to know he is going to be a Dad. I am already so in love with the little family we are beginning!" -Brittanie

Surprise!!!

... prayer is so real ...

Do you ever have experiences that build your faith in God and the power that he holds? Well, Jason and I had an experience like that this week.

Sometime early Friday morning ( probably around 1 or 2 AM ) I was woken up by the strangest, scariest pain I have ever felt. It literally felt like my insides were twisting up in my stomach while being burnt at the same time. I had never felt anything like this before and it honestly scared me. I tried to calm myself down, thinking "This is going to go away any second, don't worry". I continued thinking that for about five minutes (which felt more like an hour to me ) as I gripped the side of the bed trying to focus on something other than the pain. I realized that the feeling wasn't going to go away anytime soon. I started to panic because it hurt so bad and was nothing I was familiar with, I was sure I was going to need to go to the hospital.

I shook Jason awake and told him "Hun, something is wrong." I explained to him what I was feeling. He popped up and started to rub my back and asked me what he could do for me. I told him nothing. He asked if we needed to go to the hospital. I told him we might need to. He leaned against the wall and pulled me back to lean against him and he just held me, reassuring me that he was there.

After a couple minutes I felt the pain slowly begin to subside and then completely disappear. I told Jason that I thought it had finally gone away, that it had started to fade and now I couldn't feel it anymore. After that I'm pretty sure I fell asleep in two seconds. 

The next morning as we got ready for the day Jason said "Well, last night was a pretty interesting experience!". "Was it?" I asked. "Yeah, when you had your stomach pain." he replied. "Why was it interesting?". "While I was holding you I said a prayer that your pain would go away and right after I finished is when you told me it was gone."

So cool. Not only did my Heavenly Father answer a prayer and help me when I was in need, but my husband knew that I needed him to pray and ask for help when I couldn't.

...new calling...

Wow. This year is just full of surprises!!  It really is turning out to be a pretty incredible year. As many of you may already know Jason and I have taught primary in our ward for over a year now. We have absolutely loved our calling. At the beginning of this year we started to teach the 6 and 7 year old's and we have had the best time. They are the sweetest little people and they have taught us so much more than we have taught them. We have fallen in love with those kids and have found an all new love for our gospel because of them.

Well. Two Saturday's ago Jason had a voice mail on his phone from a random number, so we listened to it. It went something like this...

" Hello, Brother Cooper, my name is Brother Mott calling from the BYU YSA 2nd Stake. Your stake president gave our stake president your name and we would like to meet with you and your wife. Please call me back when you get a chance"

So, of course, Jason called him back and set up an interview for the following Tuesday. We had no clue what we were meeting for but we were quite anxious over the next few days to find out what was going on. When the time came on Tuesday we headed off to the Wilkinson Center in Provo to meet with the stake presidency. They had us come in, sit down, and began to ask us all sorts of  'get to know you' questions. After about ten to fifteen minutes of talking ( still no clue why we are here ) they asked us to go in the hall and sit on the couch for a few minutes and fill out a paper with membership information. About five minutes later they called us back in.

"Now, Sister Cooper, we are going to ask you first, are you willing to support your husband in any calling the Lord has for him?"

Of course I said yes! I will always stand by my husband in anything he does.

"Alright then, now that we have the go ahead from your wife, the Lord would like to extend a calling to you to serve as 2nd counselor in the BYU YSA 21st ward bishopric, Brother Cooper. Do you accept this calling?"

Jason said Yes and I started crying! We were definitely not expecting this! It felt a little surreal, but exciting at the same time. Honestly, I have always seen Jason being called to a position like this, I did not see it happening this young, so I was caught off guard by that, but I wasn't surprised that the Lord would want him for this type of calling.

Jason had been feeling really nervous and overwhelmed all week after our interview. He felt that he had a lot more on his plate than he could handle. I was extremely excited and proud ( but at the same time sad to be leaving our amazing primary children ) so I tried to comfort him as much as I could all week. We then went to our first meeting with our new ward this past Sunday. It was AMAZING.

Jason and I were asked to share our testimonies in sacrament meeting. It was such a cool feeling. Both Jason and I felt peace and comfort. We knew this is where we are supposed to be. The ward was so awesome too. So many people shared their testimonies ( since it was fast and testimony meeting ) and it just helped us feel even better, knowing we were among some incredible people.

I am SO PROUD of you Jason!! You are going to be such a wonderful leader to these people and I know that they will come to love you and see you for the great person you are the way that I do. You were meant for this calling and I know you will fulfill it with all of your heart, might, and mind. You are a man among men my love. God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called. He will continue to qualify you and you will become an even better man than you already are. Thank you for the example you are to me. I love you so much!

... so many blessings...

Lately, Jason and I have been reminded over and over how incredibly blessed we really are. As I am sure you all already know we belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and we believe in a kind, just, and loving Heavenly Father. Honestly, it doesn't really matter what your faith is, if you believe in God or Karma, I think we can all agree that what you put out in to the universe is what you get back. You choose to have a negative attitude then you will most likely continue to have a negative attitude, even during good times. Choose to have a positive attitude and you will most likely continue to have a positive attitude, even during hard times.

Jason and I had the amazing opportunity to speak in church two Sundays ago. I was asked to pick a Christlike attribute to speak of. I chose Faith. Seriously you guys. Heavenly Father has a plan for us. He knows what he is doing.  In the beginning of writing my talk I hoped that I would be inspired to say something that would help even just one person and touch their heart. That person ended up being myself. All of the scriptures, talks, and articles I read in order to prepare for my talk were meant specifically for me. It literally had everything to do with the things I have been questioning and struggling with.

It's funny how you make one connection and suddenly so many things make sense and feel like they start to fall in to place. That's how life began to feel after that talk. I felt like I was beginning to understand and receive the answers I had been looking for. Literally two days after that talk I found out that Utah had passed a law that cut down the required cosmetology hours needed to get your license from 2000 hours to 1600 hours. It allows anyone who started school after January 1st to graduate sooner. Not only was that exciting news because I now don't have to be in school as long, but it was exciting because Jason and I have been trying to make some important decisions that were being made difficult because of the time I would end up graduating with the original hours. 

I felt overwhelming peace and joy when I heard the news. Things started to make sense. I also remembered back in October when I decided I was going to go to Paul Mitchell. I wanted so badly to just start in November so I could get going, but for some reason things kept getting in the way of me signing up. I was frustrated that I had to wait once I missed the enrollment deadline, but now I know why I did. If I would have started in November I would still need to complete my 2000 hours (which makes me feel so bad for the girls who started in the November class because I will actually graduate before them...ouch...but hey, there's a plan for them too!). 

I am so grateful for my husband. I am so grateful to be a wife. I am so grateful for my family and my friends. I am grateful for my schooling and for Jason's as well. I am grateful for Jason's job that supports us. We may not have many "things" but we definitely don't feel like we are missing out because it's made up for in happiness and blessings. I am so dang excited for this year. There is so much in store for us that I can't even begin to express how elated I am about all of it!! 

People, don't give up. Even when you're feeling discouraged, angry, lost, or hopeless, don't give up. Heavenly Father has a plan for you. You may not get what you want, when you want it, how you want it, etc. but that is because Heavenly Father has a better plan in store for you. It will be on His timing, but he will bless you none the less, and you will be so grateful He did. I know I am.

... highlights and predictions ...

Time has been flying by! Almost a month has already passed us by this 2013 year! We have been really enjoying this new year so far. We have both begun school. Jason has started his last couple classes before he applies to the nursing program in May, and I have started at Paul Mitchell. We are both having a lot of fun and are really loving the direction our life together is heading.

Now, it is a little late but we wanted to share some of our favorite memories and moments from 2012 as well as share our predictions for the rest of 2013!

*Some of Jason's 2012 highlights :

I have always loved spending time with family. Therefore I love the holidays. One of my favorite memories from last year would be the thanksgiving holiday. We were able to see lots of family on both sides and share time together. We also went shooting with Britt's family the day after. It was fun to do something that I had not done in years. They put me up first with the rest of the family just watching. I had not shot a gun since I was 12 and had very little confidence that I would be able to hit a clay pigeon. Britt's grandpa tossed one out after I told him I was "ready as I'll ever be I guess" and I nailed it! The rest of the day was so fun as well and I enjoyed getting to know her family a little better.

Another favorite memory of mine was our anniversary. We were able to get a cabin up in Scofield that belongs to Val's family (Britt's aunt). It was a huge place and felt great to get away from the world and stress. Well for the most part we did. One night I managed to get us locked out of the cabin at night (we were looking at stars). I guess the story is on here already but that was one of my favorite stories from 2012.

Lastly, I would have to say a tie between the 24th of July and seeing Britt perform in her singing competition at the Scera. The 24th was a fun relaxing day full of activities with our friends Blake and Sheila. It was fun to do so many different things with them. We rode dune buggies and horses, went to bridal veil falls for a picnic,  went bowling, and tried a new restaurant called Sammy's in downtown PG. We also made homemade fireworks.

The reason I loved seeing Britt perform was because I love her and am proud to see her use and develop her talents. She did really well and moved to the semi-finals. I was proud of her and can't believe how daring she is because I could never sing like that and even if I could I would not have the guts to get in front of so many people. Go Britt!

*Some of Brittanie's 2012 highlights:

There was a night that I had been gone at work until about 9 PM and was just ready to come home and hang out with my husband. I got home and on the door was a note welcoming me home. I came in and there were notes leading me throughout the apartment. Finally I was led to the ipod and instructed to press play. I did and "My Best Friend" by Tim McGraw started to play. This was the song that played for our first dance at our wedding reception. We just slow danced there in the apartment together for the first time in a long time! I was reminded of how sweet and thoughtful my husband is and how grateful I am to have him!

My next highlight is more than just a one night thing. We have the greatest friends in the world! Blake and Sheila have always been so good to us and have always had our back. We have been through good and bad times together and they have never left our side or turned away from us for any reason. We had so many great memories together throughout the year. From riding horses, to riding dune buggies, to making homemade bombs/fireworks, to billions of different movie nights (at the theater and at home), and much much more. All of the times we shared have been fun and special to us. I definitely feel like they bring out a better side of us. I am so glad to have them!!

I have SO many fond memories from 2012 but as I look back on the past year the thing that sticks out to me the most is how wonderful my husband was to me. I went through long periods of physical sickness which took it's toll on me. I experienced losing a job and stressing about finances because of my health as well. It was a hard year physically but my husband never let me down. He took care of me even when the world seemed to be weighing on his shoulders. He is such a trooper! I love him so much for all he has done and still does for me. He is my rock. I love you Jason!!

*Some of Brittanie's predictions for 2013:

I seriously have so many predictions for 2013. I just see so much for us this coming year! I have to hold back on revealing ALL my top secret plans but you're more than welcome to ask me later :). This year I definitely see my husband getting in to the nursing program! He has worked so hard to get the grades he needs to be a qualified candidate. I am so proud of him for his hard work and really hope he gets what he deserves.. a spot on that acceptance list!

This coming summer I predict... Disneyland!! I get a week break from school in July and I am totally planning to start a trip fund in order to get us there. If it doesn't happen in July, then sorry family! I am going to have to do it over a holiday break! I LOVE Disneyland and am dying to finally go with the hubs. What can be better than good ol' Disney with the love of your life??

The last prediction I will list on here is a lot more adventures. I see a lot of "firsts" coming for us. We have had a lot of "firsts" but we still have so many more to experience! I hope to make this year a unique one. We are big on making everything really special! From birthdays, to anniversaries, to first / last days of school, to getting good grades, and so on. I see us becoming closer in our partnership and becoming stronger than ever. I love my husband and am so excited to go through another year together!

*Some of Jason's predictions for 2013:

I am going to say 3 things that I want us to accomplish this year. One of my goals is to get into the nursing program as Britt mentioned. 

Another goal or prediction is to read and finish the Book of Mormon this year as a couple. I want us to have good spiritual habits and am excited to learn and grow. 

My last goal for us this year is to save up for a good vacation. Britt is going through hair school and will be done early next year. It would be awesome to be able to go on a nice trip to celebrate her accomplishment and would be really nice to maybe go out of the country.