Cohen's Blessing Day

Cohen was blessed on Sunday September 13, 2009. We hadn't originally planned on blessing him at only three weeks old but the Braves were in town playing the Cardinals...so that is when my brothers "could make it!" It worked out great though...and we were glad to have almost everyone there. We missed Ryan and Carrie and there family and also TJ's grandparents and Ryan. It truly was a great weekend. TJ gave Cohen a beautiful blessing. And on a less important but still important note...the BRAVES swept the Cardinals!!!

The boys with there baby boys!

Always remember: "I was the first woman to fall in LOVE with you!"

Daddy and Mommy with Cohen Brody on his special day!

I love this picture!

The whole group...Thank you again for all coming to support us! We love you!

Bunnell side of the family

Anderson side of the Family

Grandpa and Grandma Anderson...I would also like to note that my dad has his scriptures with him...even on vacation this man has his scriptures with him at church...such a good example! Cohen I hope you grow up to be a lot like your grandpa!

Great Uncle Mike was so nice to write down a few notes following the blessing. I am so glad he did because Cohen will be able to have it forever!

Cohen's Blessing

I was just part of Cohen's blessing. His father did a wonderful job and though moving and squirming the whole time, little Cohen kept quiet the whole time!

He was blessed with the aquisition of knowledge in his educational period and to excel in his studies. He was blessed as he grew that he would know the spirit and feel it's whispers. He was then blessed to prepare to serve a mission to the Lord and be able to accept that call when it would come. He was then blessed to find a worthy companion to be with him in this life and through the eternities. He was also blessed to magnify his callings.

Cohen was honored with the presence of many of those who love him. His grandparents (Anderson and Bunnell), his two uncles, the Karlinseys and Fullers too. We certainly felt the prescence of Dale and Shirlene.

Cohen's First Weeks Home

For the most part Cohen was a very healthy and happy baby! He rarely cried except during the first week when he would try and eat. He had a very difficult time learning how to latch on and suck right. After about a week of both him and I crying through most feedings in frustration I decided I would just pump and bottle feed him. That also quickly got old...but I continued at it and tried to get him to latch on once or twice a day but didn't push it. Eventually at about 3 1/2 weeks old he finally got the hang of it! Here are a few of the many pictures we have of Cohen's first weeks home!

Cohen during one of the many photo shoots we had with my mom and her camera....so cute and so little!!!

Here is Cohen playing daddy's guitar...TJ always talks about how he can't wait to teach Cohen to play the guitar...he's the best daddy!

Cohen cuddling with Grandma A! Grandma came on the 20th of August and was there for Cohen's birth. She was such a great help. Laundry was always done...everyone got fed very well...and she even got us out of the house! She also did such a great job taking lots and lots of pictures...I'm so glad I have so many from Cohens first 3 weeks home...I wish she could be here all of the time to be my personal photographer! Thanks again for all that you did Grandma we love you!

Cohen during another photo shoot with grandma. This is one of my absolute favorite shots that she got. He is such a great baby...and other than some difficulties with feeding he was a happy content amazing boy!

Aunt Meme with Coey. Merilee came out the 11th of August and left the 8th of September to go back for school. We had lots of fun mostly just hanging out before Cohen was born...we did go on a few adventures (St. Louis Mills) but we mostly just stayed in and watched a lot of Friends and took lots of naps! Merilee was also there for Cohen's birth....she was also such a great help! We loved having her and are so greatful for all that she did! Cohen loved cuddling with his aunt Meme....he misses her lots and lots!

Merilee and I playing with our new favorite toy!

One of Cohen's very first outings was on a ferry boat tour of the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis. My dad suggested we do this and I'm really glad we did. It was lots of fun and educational too!

Cohen's first trip down to the Arch with Grandpa and Grandma.

Cohen's very first outing was to the St. Louis Science center with mommy, daddy, grandma and aunt meme. We went to a omnimax film that was pretty cool than just walked around. It was a pretty quick outing but we still had lots of fun!!!

Cohen sleeping on daddy in his dino jammies....he love, love, loves his daddy!

First week going to church: 1 week old! I really thought that after having a baby I would want to stay home for a couple weeks before going back to church...but TJ was eager to show off his baby boy so we went (just to sacrment meeting)...Cohen was perfect and slept the whole time!

First bath at home...his cord stub hadn't quite fallen off but was very close at this point so we decided to put him in his little bath....he looks so little! He did very well and only did the heart-wrenching chin quiver a few times!

When Cohen left the hospital he had a billi level of 14.1. When we took him to the doctor on the 27th it was up to 17.4 so they made us do the whole billi bed extravaganza. I absolutely hated this though...he was on it for a week and we were supposed to keep him on it all the time except during feedings! Yeah right I just had a beautiful baby boy and I can't even hold him or dress him! Plus a nurse came almost everyday and poked him with a needle in the foot to draw more blood. In order to get off the billi bed the billi level has to be below a 10...it took Cohen a whole week...probably cause we had a hard time leaving him on the bed!

Cohen sleeping in mommy and daddy's bed...isn't he the sweetest thing you have ever seen!

Daddy was assigned to dress Cohen but decided to just cuddle instead...I love my boys!