The errand of angels is in women...

stretching his lungs

Apparently we think he is hilarious...
he likes to sing and talk over me... the louder I get the louder he gets.

of Halloweens past...

Halloween 2007

Halloween 2006

Halloween 2005

A Little Pick-Me-Up

Hi Ben and Jodi and Reid and Oliver and Roger!

Look how happy I am!!!

I rolled over yesterday, Rog, I'm on your tail!

Wild Wild West

If you're planning on visiting the Cope's out west, prepare for a wild ride! This family moves at high velocities and leaves a trail of fun and laughter wherever they go. With Papa's blessing, James and I ventured out for a little vacation in the canyons.

James survived the first flight out of Cedar Rapids to Las Vegas like a champ! Unfortunately, his mama spent the whole ride with her face in a lovely little white BARF BAG. But the Hand of Mercy was on me as I soon discovered the BEST WOMAN IN the WORLD sitting next to me. She was an angel! In conversation I learned she had 7 kids and many grandkids and an enormous amount of neices and nephews, and that she was HAPPY to have the wonderful opportunity of helping me. Little did she know she had a puker on her hands! I think James may have made up for some of it because he was as cuddly and talkative as ever :) I did not get a single complaint out of him. We landed on time and the pilot helped me find the passenger pick up where Ben and Jodi were waiting. I thought there would've been more shananagans going on about the airport but there werent! Bummer I missed them?!

Driving through the canyons on the way to St George

... they were friends in the womb

We visited Zion National Park, the St George temple, Mountain Meadows Massacre, these honeycomb rocks campgrounds... saw lots of the sights just driving through the canyons... and spent an unusual amount of time hunting for SPIDERS!

We went crawdad fishing in a little stream a few minutes from their house!

... three tarantulas in one day YUK... you'll never catch me picking up one of those things...

We got to see Reid's 2nd ever soccer game!

It was a fun-filled adventure and we will DEFINATELY be back... next time we'll let papa come too!

Sweet Baby James

Not that every post has to be about the baby, but he is all the excitement in this family right now!

Oompa Loompa

This is what we found to cover his ears at the farm since mommy forgot to bring a hat!

My Cup Runneth Over <3

Just an update... papa and tiago

i carry your heart with me by E. E. Cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

A Walk in the Park

Baby Tree

My parents plant a new tree every time a grandchild is born! James' is a chestnut tree!

.... and we roasted weinies and burned up the old couch in a bonfire (:O

Heads up!

Blogging Debut

What a better way to start a blog than with new baby pictures! July 19 2008: weighing in at 7lbs 8.2oz, standing 19 1/2 inches tall... James Russell Garrison, executive consumer of mama's time, energy, and milk stores! This perfect human specimen came fully equiped with advanced development in practically every area, a particularly special spirit, and devilishly good looks that are frequently used to manipulate his mama and papa!

When we left the hospital on Monday, July 21, he had lost 5oz. (which they tell me is normal) and he was eating like a champ and we had the worst night at home of our lives! He had just been circumcized and was sore and upset the whole night. None of us slept a minute! (All you moms are probably laughing at this prima gravida as I'm sure it is typical to not have a good first night.)





Eat - burp - poop -sleep - repeat!









On Thursday - only 5 days after birth, he was back to his birth weight! (7lb 7.5oz) He started eating like a gorilla and didn't quit for the next two weeks!

Isn't he cute! We were all so distracted by the Peanut, we ALMOST forgot Todd's birthday! He turned 30 the week we brought James home from the hospital. He was all too glad that James stole the moment - but no other birthday gift could have made him happier.

Sunday, August 3rd 2008 James' Blessing

At age 3 weeks, James weights 9lbs 1.5oz!!! He is growing like a week - look at those chunky little legs!

And at one month he weighs almost 10 1/2 pounds! As you can see his little face and body have filled out quite a bit. Developmentally he is at 2 months. He can push himself up on his elbows, roll onto his side, and hold his head up - though he gets wobbly after only a short workout :) He turns his head towards sounds and can follow you with his eyes. He can stand on legs for a short duration. Wow I guess I'm one of those ridiculously proud mamas. We got his hair cut just before his 1 month birthday because it is growing so long in the back! We won't be tolerating mullets in this familia!