Prepping for Cooper's Arrival

When it comes to being prepared, I'd say I'm a pro. I mean, I don't leave the house to run any errand without a list! However, getting ready for a baby has to be the most exhausting task I've ever experienced. Making a thorough registry was a challenge. I even asked a friend who recently had a baby to send me a list of top priority items to add to my registry. I cleaned the baby clothes, blankets, and burp cloths in special detergent. Aaron and I were taking turns every week to buy diapers and wipes. Researching cribs, car seats, strollers and bassinets was confusing and time consuming. I had arrangements to go to the local Fire Station to get the car seat checked. We didn't even get to the pediatrician or childcare search during my pregnancy!


However tiring all this was, it was also very exciting and enjoyable. At 34 weeks pregnant, MiMi and Aaron helped paint Cooper's room. We left the standard creamy beige on the walls and painted 12 inch wide "Oatmeal" stripes to match his crib bedding. My mom did all the taping (thanks Mom) and Aaron and I did the painting. We were fortunate to get it done in one day!

Aaron and I also bought a dresser and gave it a new coat of paint. It took weeks to sand, repaint and add the blue details. We also painted an old oak bookshelf white for Cooper's toys and decorations.

Aaron ordered custom painted wooden letters to hang in his room too. I know it wasn't completely necessary, but I was so thankful to have completed Cooper's nursery before his arrival.

Showers for Cooper

Cooper and I are so lucky! At just shy of 32 weeks pregnant, my colleagues at West arranged a baby shower for me. There was good food, delicious cake, great company and lots of useful gifts. One gift in particular that I was really excited about was the Angelcare Monitor that my Foreign Language peeps chipped in to get. It's a sensored pad that lays flat under the mattress which detects the baby's micromovements. If it doesn't detect any movement for 20 seconds, it alerts the parents. Even though Cooper is sleeping next to us in the bassinet for a while, it will still give me peace of mind; well, at least enough to get some quality sleep.


Then, two days later, my best friend Patsy hosted another baby shower at my house. We chatted with friends and family and played games which involved smelling melted chocolates from diapers. It was really cute and fun! Cooper got a Bumbo (thanks Natalie) and a Baby Einstein exersaucer (thanks Patsy and Greg). We also got a convertible carseat, Diaper Genie, a Baby Bjorn, newborn announcements and MiMi got Cooper's bedding.


Both showers were really special and the Van Weys are so blessed to have such thoughful friends and family. We love you!

It's a BOY

Last night, we had our Reveal Party. So many of our family and friends came to visit with us and discover the sex of our sweet little angel! For those of you who are not sure what a Reveal Party is, I'll clue you in.

On Monday September 13th, Aaron and I went to the doctor for our anatomy ultrasound. We gave the technician an envelope and asked her to conceal the sex of our baby in it. She taped the seal and labeled the outside "Top Secret". It took a lot of will power to avoid opening it, but instead, we took it to our baker. I asked our baker to dye the cake batter blue or pink (depending on the contents of the envelope). Family and friends were instructed to wear pink or blue depending on their prediction. On Saturday the 18th, we would cut into the cake and reveal the sex of our child.

And that's exactly what happened! Aaron and I cut into the cake to discover that the cake mix was BLUE!

To our family... Thank you Mom, Jeff, Uncle John, Michele, Shawna, Brian and the kids! I am so happy that you came and enjoyed yourselves. You are always welcome back. Thank you to our friends also... Patsy, Greg, Sam, and Palvin! You were all so wonderful and you helped make this occasion even more special!

We are so happy and can't wait till we meet Super Cooper!!!

We're Expecting!

Aaron and I discovered in May that we are expecting our first child. I know most people wait to share the news until after the first trimester, but we were shouting it from the rooftops! It's such a miracle to be pregnant with so many factors working against us with polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance. We wanted to share and celebrate this little life that is going to bless our lives in a few short months. We are 16 weeks and due January 28th next year. We will post in a month or so to announce the gender of baby Van Wey!


20 Weeks



Two Year Anniversary

Even though Aaron and I have been together for 10+ years, we will soon be celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary, on June 6th to be exact! I know most people imagine these celebrations as romantic all-nighters in a cabana on the beach, but we just want to hang out with friends! So, we're traveling to Kyle, TX to spend the weekend with our best friends, Greg and Patsy! We're so excited to spend a day floating down the river and maybe do some shopping later! We might go to a nice dinner, but I hate spending $80 on a fancy meal... I'm not picky; at least not when it comes to food! As far as gifts go, we didn't want anything too expensive, so we decided to buy each other a pair of Crocs. Aaron got a light blue pair and I got a light pink pair. He looks like a little dutch-boy... I love it! But, Aaron surprised me this weekend with a Gateway Net Book. I knew he couldn't follow the rules! I'm glad he didn't because I really love my present! Anyway, I'd like to give a shout out to my best friend of almost half my life...


Aaron, I love you more than words can express. Everyday you do something that amazes me. You are such a genuinely good person and always strive to do the right thing. You are something to be admired and I definitely admire you. You're so funny and have no reservations about who you are. You will be a great example to our children and teach them so many redeeming qualities. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you! I love you... so much more!

La Casa Nueva

Well, after almost two years in a 3rd floor, 1,100 sq. ft. apartment, we finally bought a house! It was a long and challenging journey. I didn't think we'd make it through as stressed out as we were. Aaron and I are such stubborn and passionate people I thought we'd never agree on a house (like we had the option to be picky). But, we love it and the puppies love it too. Pepe spends a majority of the day outside and all the wiener dogs have a tan! And... the best parts are we don't have potty messes to clean up everyday, we don't have to walk up and down three flights at least four times a day to take the pups out, we always have a parking spot, and unloading groceries is a cinch!


Our home is a brand new Legend 1,900 sq. ft., 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths! Our backyard looks over the retention pond through a lovely wrought iron fence! It's very enjoyable because we have a lot of ducky families and there's a fountain that lights up nicely at night. Now all we need is a comfy deck to sit out on cool evenings and grill up some burgers and dogs! I painted the living area the day we closed (I'm so ambitious) on March 18th, but I'm going to have to hire a professional painter to clean up my imperfections. I actually did a pretty good job for a first-timer, but my OCD won't allow me to rest in peace in my own living room with these messy lines!