Valentine's Day 2011 - 13th Anniversary of Our First Date

Yesterday was the 13th anniversary of mine and Nathan's first date. As we at a kid-free dinner at home (we had dinner after Coop went to bed), we talked about the last 13 years, how quickly they've gone by, and that we can't believe it's been that long. It's been a wonderful journey together!

I thought it'd be fun to put an old picture of us on here. This isn't quite 13 years old, but here we are 6-1/2 years ago for our engagement pictures.

Our first date was quite a story. We were both living in Boston. It was Valentine's Day, Feb. 1998, a Saturday. I'd just got off the phone with my girl friends, planning a "we hate V-Day/boys" party. As I hung up, the phone rang again, and I heard Nate say, "Hi. This is Nate Smith, from church. Do you know who I am? I have red hair and glasses." I said I think I knew who he was, and he proceeded to ask me out for dinner that night. I almost said no, simply because I already had plans with my friends, and I didn't usually accept a date less than 48 hours in advance. It was my rule. But I decided to heck with a stupid rule, and friends, I'd rather be on a date on V-day. So I accepted.

His side of the story is that I was his 3rd call that morning. The other two girls had turned him down. He says he almost didn't call me because he didn't want our first date to be on Valentine's Day--too much pressure, and too awkward. But he decided to give it a shot anyway.

I remember him at the door. He was wearing his "Cal" baseball hat. I was living with my parents at the time, and was nervous when I saw he was wearing a hat because my Dad hated it when guys wore hats all the time. What a funny thing to worry about.

We drove back to his place (a house he shared with 11 other guys--talk about a bachelor pad). He couldn't get a dinner reservation so last-minute, so he had made dinner for us. I remember he was so proud of the chicken fettuchini alfredo he'd made. But the funny thing was, my house was 45 minutes one-way, so by the time we got back to his place 90 minutes later, dinner was quite cold. I choked it down, and probably didn't eat much. But the place setting was cute. He'd moved the small kitchen table and chairs into the living room, put some candles on the table, and some flowers. It was cute.

After dinner we just talked forever, and then he turned on some music and we danced in his living room. I remember thinking how cheesy that was, but just went along with it. After being with him for a few hours, I was really starting to like him. I'd only kissed 3 other guys in my life, but for some reason, I threw all caution to the wind and kissed him. Yep, I kissed him on the first date. It surprised even myself.

I don't remember much else about that night, but I do remember him taking me home and asking me on another date before he left. We started seeing each other at least 2-3 times/week for that first 6 months, discussed marriage on our 3rd date, and the rest is history...

Happy 13th Anniversary, Babe! Looking forward to an eternity more!

I am NOT old...yet

My friend from HS had a blog post about feeling old, so I have to share this since we are the same age. If she's old, I'm old, and I REFUSE to believe that I am old yet despite.....

1. My hair stylist asking yesterday if I dye my hair to hide all the grays, or just dye it for fun. WHAT THE?! No one has ever comments on my gray hairs. I have to admit I've seen a lot more lately of those little gray buggers than I'd like to--too many to pluck. I blame it on stress, not age. Denial? What's that?
2. The other night I was preparing for an activity with the youth in our ward. I am over the girls ages 12-13, and part of the activity they'd planned was to share three items that represent things about themselves. I was going around my house trying to come up with three things, and asked my sister to help me decide. She said something about me liking music, and maybe I could take a CD. But then she made a joke that the girls wouldn't even know what a CD is, and how old I am for still having so many CDs. I was like, "Whatever! I can totally take my iPod!" and she was like, "You have an iPod? Ok--maybe you're not so old yet." I mean, really Sis?! Really?!

That night at the young women's activity, I told that story, and the girls laughed and said, "Sister Smith, you're not old. We know what CDs are; our Moms and Dads have them too and make us get them because they won't buy us our own iPods yet." I felt old.

But I'm NOT!....yet.

Sliding Doors

One of my favorite movies is Sliding Doors. It's a movie about a woman whose whole life changes by one split-second instance where she 1. Hurries and makes the subway train, and 2. She misses it. The movie goes back and forth between what happens thereafter as a result of that moment.

Today at church we had stake conference (a semi-annual meeting where all the wards in an area meet together as a congregation and listen to talks from stake members and leaders). I was in and out of the hall with Cooper the entire two hours, as were many other parents of small children. At one point, Cooper was pointing to a baby, and I looked over at it and saw that the father looked vageuly familiar, but couldn't figure out why. Later on, I was out in the hall with Cooper again near the end of the two-hour meeting, and this same guy passes us in the hall, stops and says, "Is your name Chrystal?" I looked at him and recognized a guy I had dated as a senior in high school, and again later in college--Blaine Edwards. Instantly I was thankful that as teenagers and as early 20-somethings we had minded our p's and q's and there was nothing embarrassing between us. However, it was still awkward. I had broken this guy's heart-- terribly.

We'd gone out 5 or 6 times in high school, but I'd always kept it barely more than friends since I knew he'd go on a 2-year mission for our church that summer after HS, and I didn't want any serious relationship. I was dating then just for fun and socializing. But after Blaine got home from his mission, Nathan and I were on a break, I was living back in Utah at the time finishing school, and Blaine asked me out. After three dates, while saying good night, he tried to kiss me, and I TOTALLY dodged him. I felt so bad. I mean, we'd been out at least a dozen times between HS and then, and I knew it was going to come up. But Nathan still had my heart, and not wating to lead Blaine on, I made it clear I just didn't feel that strongly for him. We were good friends and had a really good time together, but there just wasn't that spark.

Anyway, there's the history, and that was the last time I saw him. After that, he joined the Navy and moved to Maine. That was the last I'd heard of him. So there we were today, awkwardly making small-talk in the hall at church after 11 years, each of us holding our own baby. It was one of those moments that just makes you think...a Sliding Doors moment.

I wondered if I'd kissed him that night whether we'd have ended up together, and what the last 11 years of my life would have been like. Would I be as happy as I am? Crazy to think that Cooper wouldn't be a part of my life, but then again, maybe I'd have 4 or 5 rugrats by now. It was just one of those weird "Old Lang Syne" moments that just made me wonder.

It's crazy the roads life takes you: the meanderings, the times when you feel like you're on a fast-track and just can't slow down, and all the unexpected bumps and turns. That's life, I guess. But there are so many small decisions we make every day that affect larger things in life. I think about things I choose to do or not to do each day, things I've done in the past, or plan to do in the future, that have or will affect the major outcome of my life. It's so important to live right, to stay in tune with the Lord, so you don't just get lost in all of it. I'm so thankful for the place my life has lead me thus far. I'm thankful for the Atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the power of forgiveness, so that when we do make mistakes, we can make it right again. I'm thankful for my husband and my son.

I'm thankful to be in a place in life where I can say that I'm truly happy with myself. It's not easy to say that sometimes, and I know life will eventually throw things in my path that will make me question my abilities as a woman, a wife, a mother, an employee, or whatever hat I will be wearing at the time. But for now I can say I'm truly happy, and I thought I'd better record it. :)

New Year's Resolutions

It being the last day of January, I thought I'd better get my new year resolutions written down. I've never been much for resolutions, and never have really written any down before, but as my life has become fuller in many ways in the past few years, months, and weeks, I think it best to record a few of my resolutions of this year so I can look back next year and see whether I am able to complete them...

1. Read at least 5 pages per day minimum of the Book of Mormon. Side studying doesn't count, nor do other church publications.

2. Drop a pant and shirt size (about 10-15 lbs).

3. Stick to our monthly household budget so we can reach our financial goals for the year and I can...

4. Quit working full-time out of my home by the end of the year so I can become a full-time stay-at-home mother.

Here's to a great year!

Cooper 16 Months

Cooper turned 16 months old last week!

Lately he likes to hide. He thinks if he can't see you, then you can't see him. Guess that's why most of his hiding places are something like this...

or this...

He's definitely getting bigger.

Just over a week ago was also a family milestone. Ellie and Cooper posed for the cameras...

But the star of the show was really Cooper's newest cousin, Kate.
Of course, Grammie is in town to take care of Mom and baby, but Cooper (and I) are sure enjoying having some time with her too!

Cooper says...

I thought it'd be fun to be able to look back on this later and remember some of the things Cooper "says" at almost 16 months old.

1. Encyclopedia

(just kidding)

Ok for real this time.

1. Daddy - says it clear as a bell. Prefers to shout it gleefully.

2. Mommy / Momma / Ma - very clear as well, but doesn't always use it to address me. Uses randomly too. Nate says it's "I want," like "I want you to pick me up."

3. Uh-oh!

4. Naughty = nau-ee

5. Chelsey (his nanny, my sister) = tess-ee

6. Ellie (his cousin) = eow-ee

7. Brody (our dog) = Brawdee

8. Baby = beebee (He's fascintated with babies lately, and I can't WAIT for him to meet his new cousin, Kate, just born yesterday. Coop is sick with a bad cold, so I'm having to hold off on him seeing her. It's so hard, because I know he is going to be so fascinated with her.)

9. Yes = yeh

10. No = nah

11. More = mah

12. Please = beese

13. Bottle = ba

14. Owie = owie (Note that he uses this word not just for injuries, but any time, for anything he doesn't like. Going to bed, eating vegetables, changing his diaper. You get the picture.)

15. All done = ah duh

16. Light = igh (sounds like eye)

17. Tickle = deeka

18. Belly = beh-yee (thinks this is belly button, not just belly)

19. Nose = no

20. Eye = eye

21. Knees = knees

22. Mouth = mow

23. Drink = dee

24. Wee = wee (like "Wee, this is fun!")

25. Snack = snah, or nah

26. Up = uh

27. One = uh (notice the similarity to the word above--LOL)

28. Two = do

29. Three = fee (I have to share here that the other day he was climbing on something he shouldn't have been. I gave him a time out warning. The second time I started counting. "Cooper, get down right now, or you're going in time out. One..." He looked right at me stuck his neck out, stuck his arms straight out behind him with fists, as he bent forward a little and defiantly said, "DO!" His version of "Two." I was dumbstruck. Nathan started laughing hysterically, which did little for the time out that ensued. I had a hard time keeping a stern look and stifiling the infectuous laugh. Oh my.)

Some of these words he'll say without prompting, while others he'll say all the time, like light. He loves lights and light switches.

Parts of the body he'll say on his own too, and point to them. Lately he's obsessed with eyes and will randomly say "eye" and point to yours or his own. Must have done it to me today at least five times.

Speaking of body parts, he does know one more word--a word for the male body part (peepee). We have no idea where he learned it from. I was shocked to hear him correctly identify his own body part one day after his bath as he was running away from me, naked. I ignored it and gave no praise for using the word, but I have heard him say it a time or two since. I'm just waiting for the day that he blurts out something like that somewhere embarrassing. You know it's going to happen.

Cooper 15 Months

Welcome to Toddlerhood!

Cooper turned 15 months old on Christmas Day. This month more than ever, it seems he is growing up.

Lately he INSISTS on doing things the "big boy way." This is very frustrating for Mommy, Daddy, and Chelsey Nanny, since this means that he most times WILL NOT drink from a sippy cup, or a cup with a lid--it must be a REAL glass. Do not try to trick him into anything different or a terrible fit will ensue. The unfortunate thing is that he hasn't mastered not pouring the contents all over himself. Yeah--fun for all!

In this picture, we were out to dinner one night after Christmas, and Bryt, Liz, Mom and Dad were giving me a break from my cranky toddler whose bed time had long-since past. He was having one of those "do it himself moments" with this cup. Imagine his surprise when a few seconds later the entire contents of ice and water were all down the front of him. My sister had thought I was crazy for bringing three changes of clothing that day. After that little stunt, we had used the third change. Toddler = expect the unexpected. Mom has learned to BE PREPARED.

This month I found myself packing away many more of the baby toys, clothes, and things he's outgrown. This week he added to the cup/glass thing, the hatred of his high chair. He insists on eating half sitting, half standing precariously on one of the normal chairs at the table, absolutely REFUSING his high chair by all means possible for a 15-month old. (Picture screaming, rearing back, biting, and a very snotty-nosed, crying child after one particular stand-off between mother and toddler as to him remaining in his high chair for dinner. He was eventually removed to his room to calm down. Stand your ground, Mommy, stand your ground!) Ha. Ahem. Coop has now been bequeathed with a booster chair for dining at the table on one of the "big boy chairs," and the high chair has gone the way of all the other items we've packed away this month. He LOVES it. After two nights of a nearly silent child, stuffing his mouth full of food by himself with no coaxing, and being able to have an actual dinner conversation with Nathan, I am wondering why we didn't get one sooner. We may be pushovers, but the enjoyable mealtimes have been SO worth it!

This kid has hit the terrible two's already. He can throw a lying-on-the-floor-screaming tantrum like any two year old. What happened to my sweet little boo? Ok. He's still my sweet little boo at times like this...

Stats (as of 1/7/11):

Weight: 25.2 lbs (50th percentile)

Height: 31" (45th percentile) - Yay he's growing taller!

Head Circumference: 20"(over 100th percentile--still)

At his checkup, the pediatrician asked how many words he says. I guesstimated 20. Later that day, I was thinking my guesstimate may have been too high, so Chelsey helped me list them. Total was 21 words. Among them, he's learned to say naughty. He'll say, "Uh-oh! Naughty!" and then do it anyway. I'm thinking we need to teach him the meaning of the word, not just how to say it. ;o)

Coop's climbing antics have gone to new heights. He'll use just about anything as a step stool onto anything else. Latest step stools of choice: toy drum, storage baskets, flimsy laundry basket turned upside down, wooden box for block shapes (8" x 8" cube), and scooter. Did you find yourself catching your breath when reading any of those? Welcome to my world. His favorite thing to climb onto is stepping apparatus of choice, onto ottoman, onto couch, onto end table, where he stands up and dances, so proud of himself. (Picture panicking mom worried he's going to fall and really hurt himself.) We've had to remove a few toys and rearrange a few things lately to Cooper-proof.

Tuesday this week he had climbed onto the ottoman in our living room (pictured behind him here). He fell off it and fell weirdly on his right arm. Took him to the orthopedic urgent care, and after x-rays of his shoulder, arm, elbow, and wrist, the doctor found a little place on his radius right at the wrist. Apparently toddler's bones are "bendable," and Coop has a place that looks like he bent it when he fell. No need for a cast or any immobility, but he is sure to say, "Owie! Owie" when it gets bumped. Thank goodness it wasn't broken!! I'm not ready for that first broken bone... I had to laugh at the doctor. He was a great doctor, except for the advice. He asked that we "slow him down" and "prevent him from climbing." Yeah, right. We've had to temporarily remove a few toys and rearrange a few things, but knowing Coop, he's gonna figure out a way to do it anyway!

But he can be so sweet. Today I was working from home and heard Coop wake up from his nap. As I opened his bedroom door, Coop's head popped up from his crib. He heard his cousin, Ellie, playing downstairs, broke into a huge grin and said, "Ellie!" (Which sounds very nearly like "owie." Sometimes I can't tell which one he's saying.) I said, "Coop, do you hear Ellie downstairs? Should we go find her?" He gave a head nod in the affirmative. As we got to the top of the stairs, Ellie appeared at the bottom, and Coop shouted, "Ellie! Ellie!" and tried to lean out to give her a hug. He couldn't wait to go play with her. I've never seen him so excited to see her. It seemed they played very well together today, a rarity. Usually there's much weeping and wailing and biting of teeth (Cooper's), along with some hair pulling (Cooper to Ellie). He can be downright vindictive sometimes. But today was blissful. Or maybe I've just learned to block it out. ;o)

Must tell about the head nods. Any question asked of him that could be answered with a yes/no/maybe gets a head nod of yes/no, or a shrug of shoulders with hands up in an "I don't know" style. It cracks me up. He can say yes and no, but prefers the head nod. What a kid.

Latest trick: Daddy says, "Coop, show me your muscles." Coop flexes his muscles, well, more like straightens them out at odd angles, and grunts (euhhhhh). And he is SUCH a Daddy's boy.

Last, but not least, I couldn't stand the uh-uh-uh-ing that toddlers do when they beg for something. So I decided to teach him to say please. Big mistake, Mom, big mistake. Now instead of uh-uh-uh, all we hear is "Bees, bees, bees," which in Cooper language is "please, please, please, " which in Cooper language also means, "I'm saying please, now I should get whatever I want and if I don't, I'm going to throw another fit! Don't tempt me!"

Ahhh toddlerhood...