Please Help Me in Welcoming to the World...

Samson Stephen Cox

arrived 06.09.10 at 6:05 pm

weighing in at 7 lbs 12 oz and 19.5 in

hanging with namesake #1 (Sue Samson Peterson)

and namesake #2 (Stephen Cox)

So far he is really enjoying:

• keeping his mouth wide open
• skin on skin
• cuddling with his daddy
• visitors
• all his loving aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins
• stethoscope on his chest
• ESPN

So far we are really enjoying:

• his high pitched squeal
• his itty bitty snorts when he cries
• his fuzzy back - such a little monkey!
• his silly old man faces
• cuddling our little cone headed doll
• watching his looks change each day
• again, his high pitched squeal - seriously the cutest thing ever

We couldn't be more in love with this little dude, and hope you enjoy the pictures. I'm sure there are many more to follow!

Giveaway!

Go to my friend, Morgan's, blog. DO IT. Go.

Now!

...why are you still here?

Fantastic Sister #1

Here are the types of things Sister {1} does for me. And really, many other people.


House warming gift, and first bit of food in our house!

Notice the scissors tied on top. Why, you ask? Dear Grandma Sally used to cut our Totinos pizzas with scissors when we stayed over at her house. Our own individual pizzas, mind you. And at the age of oh, 7 or so. You bet I did my best to down the whole thing, but was never successful. 'Tis not the case anymore!


A bit of decor for the child's nursery, and I heart it oh so very much!

Such talent, that Megan-sister of mine has! And I'm so lucky I get to reap the benefits of her finished work!

Oh, and yes, that's a chalkboard wall in our kitchen (thanks to some extra chalkboard paint mamasita had). It's super rad.

Relocated

We are officially moved!

It's great to be in our own place, but moving suuuuucks! However, with the help of our fantastic families, some pre-packing, and a GIANT Nu Klean truck it was pretty painless!

All the cleaning, repairs and painting...now that's another story...thankfully, we've had a lot of help with that from family as well!

I have to give my husband serious kudos for all the work he's put into making this house a home, I couldn't have married a handier dude! I sure love him to pieces!

Happy nesting to us!

Two Totally Different Shoots

We have some awesomely great friends...have I mentioned that yet?

One of my besties from hair school drove up from Vegas for my shower and gifted me with a super fun, and different maternity photo shoot.

Let me just preface this post by saying I really hate pictures of myself right now. Really. But everyone has told me that I'll want some fun pictures to look back on in the future, so...I went with it. And surprisingly, I'm glad!

Jessica is one heck of a makeup artist/hair stylist extraordinaire/photographer, so basically this shoot turned out really great!

I also wanted some pictures with Tadd since, duh, he's the dad. Our friend, Pete, and his wife, Marie, did a shoot for us in PG at the freakiest, but coolest rundown house. They did an awesome job, and I really like how they turned out!

Had to use the little fireman boots!

For those of who don't know the name yet...stay tuned!

Did I Mention...

my sister, Whitney, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on May 9th?

Little Violet Caroline

*photo usurped from Rookie Cookie

One of Many

Since I have some of the most amazing friends and family I have had four different showers. Four! I feel guilty for accepting all of them, we've just been so spoiled!

I only have pictures from one of the showers...just too busy socializing with loved ones to bother with visual documentation!

With both grandmas!

I can't even express how grateful I am to all of our friends and families for their love and generosity! Our little dude is so lucky to enter this world surrounded by so many people who can't wait to love on him! Thank you everyone!

Before & Afters

You want proof that the fire academy physical training kicked Tadd's ars? Behold!

Taken January 3rd

Taken May 2nd
What a dish!

Tadd swears he wasn't pushing his stomach out. Believe him. I saw him shirtless plenty of times to tell you there is no exaggeration in this photo!

Mmmmm Hmmmm!

How kind of him to lose those inches while I'm gaining them by the week!
But seriously, he looks so hot! He worked so hard, and it certainly paid off!

post edit: I absolutely had Tadd's permission to post these pictures!

Pomp and Circumstance

16 grueling weeks

9 lbs lost, 2 3/4 inches lost

5:30 AM alarm Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Roughly 30 peanut butter and raspberry jam sandwiches for lunch

Hours and hours of intense physical training occasionally resulting in projectile vomiting

All completely worth it

Best graduation I've ever been to. Short, concise, genuinely enjoyable! And I only got teary eyed a few times, which is a huge accomplishment for me these days, yay me!

So much of our family attended Tadd's graduation, and we are so grateful for their love and support!

Check out my hot husband!

Tadd with his company "Team Money". Silly, silly men.

Standing with some of his class. Class 55 started out with 26 students, and dwindled down to 19 as students either quit or were kicked out. This program is no cinch; not for wimps!

Instructor Dennison. He was their physical training instructor, whom Tadd described as the energizer bunny.

Receiving his graduation certificate!

Posing around the new podium made by his class

Madi, Mazie, Elllie and Andrew made Tadd candy leis!

Nieces Kyra, Adrie and Bree

Each class leaves the academy with a class plaque, which Tadd and these other recruits made in his dad's woodshop. Best plaque the academy has ever received (in my opinion, anyway)!

We got all the nephews these shirts to match Uncle Tadd's!

Tadd is the new family hero in Jack's eyes!

Shaley and Roman

Lo, Dad, Mal, Nick, Whitney, Haley and Addie

Griffin and Crew, who could not have been more excited to wear their "fire shirts" and see the yellow firetruck!

The proud parents!

Breezy, Kris and Kecia

Almost all the nieces and nephews (Ava, Lyla and Addie were a bit camera shy)

Addison so admires her fireman uncle!

Such a handsome firefighter!

Tadd with his maternal grandparents. They were so sweet to come!

After graduation we headed to Rick and Lacey's for a graduation BBQ!

I surprised Tadd with a firefighter-themed cake, which my friend, *Kristin, made. I love having talented friends!

Could this have been any more perfect!? I was thrilled with the outcome, and it was delicious to boot!

My mom has a thing for spray paint. So, she appropriately gifted Tadd with a gold spray painted fire extinguisher!

Chris and Tysen & Co. gave Tadd a "Mt. on Fire"!

He's legit!

An adorable gift we received from Kecia!
Just like daddy!

We are so excited about this incredible accomplishment of Tadd's, and look forward to what this brings to our future! Wish us luck job hunting!

*interested in hiring Kristin for an event? well, you should! visit pieceofcakery.blogspot.com

Introducing...

UFRA Recruit Cox!

Tonight my awesome husband graduated from the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy. He is now a certified firefighter! I am absolutely beaming with pride, and it'll take a lot to bring me down from cloud nine!

Even better, I see a huge boost in Tadd's self-esteem, and there is nothing better than that! He has worked SO hard to obtain this, and should absolutely be proud of himself. I am just so pleased with him...so proud! So very proud! Am I sounding redundant yet?

Me and my fireman!

*more on graduation and the post-grad festivities later*

Some Stupid Things Bug Me

And not just when I'm pregnant. Want to know some of the things that seriously irk me beyond belief, but are pretty stupid?

Placing a "?" before a "!" when pairing them together

Fingernails scratching on a suit coat in church

Saying "Nordstroms" instead of "Nordstrom"

When Tadd naps on Sundays, but it's ok if I do

Also, is it just me or did my stomach seeeeriously expand in a matter of 3 days?

4/16

4/19
32 weeks

YIKES!

Pancakes @ 1 o'clock

Today is Mall-Roy's birthday. I've always felt we have the best birthdays. Both the 13th, and both in a month beginning with "A". So happy best birth-day to you, deary!

The Utah residing girls were able to gather for lunch. Lunch? I mean breakfast for me. I can't resist when a restaurant serves breakfast all day.


Glad to spend some girltime with most of my sisters and ma.