Dr. Evil Ty

The one thing I like more than taking the world hostage is playing with water. Check me out and listen for my cool Dr. Evil laugh.

A Special Visit

It has been a month since my little brother Cooper was born and passed away. So last Sunday Mommy, Daddy, and I decided to visit him.



While we were there, I noticed that there were balloons and flowers and toys left for some of the other kids that are in the same place as Cooper.

It was fun to play with those kids and my baby brother.

After our visit, daddy gave me my first driving lesson, but mommy wouldn't let me drive home. Maybe next time.

Melts in your....

mouth...

on your chin....

down your arm....

and in your hand.

But Klondike bars sure are oh so yummy, and totally worth the mess.

Wonderful Water

I love to play in water. I don't care how cold the water or the weather is--it's always fun.

Mommy and daddy bought me this fun water toy a few weeks ago. You hook the hose up to it and it sprays water into a pool that is just my size.

It's like my own personal drinking fountain.

Even though I love playing outside, it's always more fun when someone else is there. So if you want to come swimming with me, just let me know! It's supposed to be sunny and warm for the next 10 days!

Piano Pals

Last week my friend Katy came over to play. We had a blast playing outside in the water (sorry, no pictures of that) and then we played the piano together when we came inside.

We are great multi-taskers: reading and playing the piano at the same time:

Looking for just the right song to play:

Fun pictures

I'm learning how to smile for the camera.

My big smile--I learned this from one of my books.

These are my arms--I also learned that in a book.

Daddy's personal favorite.

Playing and Learning

I've been a bit slow in the talking department--I really don't see the need to use words when pointing and grunting work just fine to get what I want. But over the past few weeks I've had a lot of attention from different people. I've been able to play with both my Grandmas and Grandpas as well as a lot of my aunts and uncles, and my friends have been over for play dates too. All of this socializing has made me start to use words more often and I'm also using sign language a lot more. Here are a few fun pictures with my aunts:

Aunt Kari desperate to get a picture with me before she leaves.

I gave in and did a high 5 with her.

Aunt Denise bribing me with chips in order to get a picture with her before she leaves.

A spontaneous raspberry blowing contest with Aunt Denise--no bribing necessary.

By the way, I won as you can probably tell from the spit marks on my shirt and the mattress and the drool hanging from my chin.

I've also gotten a lot of books from people recently that are so much fun to read, and they've helped me learn new words. My Baby Einstein videos are also fun to watch. (Some people may think it's a bad idea for kids my age to watch videos like that, but I've really learned a lot from them!)

In Loving Memory

Little Footprints

How very softly

you tiptoed into my world.

Almost siltently,

only a moment you stayed.

But what an imprint

your footsteps have left

upon my heart.

~Dorothy Ferguson

Over 100 people attended Cooper's funeral on Wednesday. We couldn't believe it as people continued to arrive and offer their love and support. Brian's mom shared some thoughts and Brian read some journal entries about how he felt and what happened with Cooper. We enclosed a few things in Cooper's casket that he would be buried with: a family picture of Brian, me, and Ty; a little Beanie Baby cougar since Brian was going to call Cooper his little "Cougar" (just like he calls Ty "Tiger"); and letters from me, Brian, and Ty. As part of the service, Brian and I shared the letters we had written to Cooper. Tony Kibbie sang "In the Hollow of Thy Hand" and had to stop three times as he was overcome with emotion. Brian's dad offered a beautiful dedicatory prayer. And Bishop Anderson closed with some touching remarks.

We could not have asked for a more beautiful or spiritual memorial to our son. It's hard to believe the way he touched so many lives in the short time he was on this earth. We want to thank everyone who has called, visited, provided meals, and sent flowers, cards and emails with words of love and sympathy. We are healing and managing to return to normal life--although it's a new kind of normal.

We know we will see Cooper again because we know families are eternal. Our Heavenly Father has called him home much earlier than expected. But as Brian's dad said in his prayer, we are grateful that our Father in Heaven shared him with us for even a brief time.

We love you, Cooper.