Cooper is 3 Months Old!!

 

It is hard to imagine Cooper is 3 months old.  Time is really just flying by.  All Dave and I can say is that he is the best baby ever!  Seriously, he eats, sleeps and is just a champ.  He even likes to go to sleep on his own - just turn on his friends - the projector fishies - and he is fine on his own.  We are so lucky - and we know it!

We did not have a doctors appointment this month, so don't know his stats - but he's a whopper!  He is already in 6 month clothing and most 3 months stuff does not fit him.  The guy is looooong!  I am opting for footless outfits to try and get more use from them!  We are so lucky to have friends letting us use hand-me-downs!  

Cooper has a lot more control of his head and neck - can't wait to hear what the dr says at the 4 month appointment.  He is looking all around and even swatting for things in front of him.  Tons more smiling and I just can't say enough about him - he's the best!!

 

Marco Island

We've been going to Marco Island since I was a little girl - like 6 or so.  Every year my family goes - and the past 10 or so years the family has grown to the 18 it is today!  My 2 parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters-in-law, 2 nieces, 5 nephews, Dave and 3 kids - that's a big group! 

Some highlights from the trip include:

- Running on the beach!!  And swimming in the pool were a blast!  The girls can touch the bottom of the pool which made things really nice!  Ev really took to swimming and Erin also had fun in the water!  I am excited to sign them up for swimming lessons when we return home!

-  One of the most special things about the trip was the girls being able to have quality cousin time.  They just love being with their cousins.  They get all rowdy and have a blast trying to act like the big kids.  They seemed to especially enjoy spending time with my brother Brian's kids.  They live in Arizona, so we don't get to see them often.  The kids just loved playing together.

- The girls loved chasing birds.  Erin had a lot of fun with this - until the birds flew!  That scared her pants off! 

Cooper is 2 months old!

Boy is time flying by!  It is hard to imagine little Cooper is already 2 months old!  We had his 2 month check-up today and he is just about perfect!  He is weighing in the 70% at 12 pounds, 8 ounces and is in the 90% percentile for height!  I think he is tall, but my parents think that sounds funny - maybe he is long.  The only area for improvement is his neck - the dr says its strength is "less than impressive".  Perhaps that is because he thinks tummy time is really nap time. 

He's stared smiling - although it might still be exercising his muscles.  Regardless, it is super cute.  He is a very good, and super quiet kid.  Sometimes I have to look in the rear view to make sure I did not forget him somewhere!  He's got a pretty good schedule.  I usually wake him so we can get the girls to preschool.  His morning nap is on the go while I do errands or sit at Panera working.  We pick the girls up and head home for some awake time.  He naps from about 1-4pm and then is up until bed time around 7pm.  Typically he wakes once a night - maybe twice, but that seems to happen less and less.  But, a quick bottle or nursing session and he is back asleep.

The girls just love him and are really great with him. I still think that it is a perfect age difference.  I really have not seen any regression or them acting up because of the little man.  They treat him with such love - it is really nice to watch.

Guess who is smiling???

Super Dooper Cooper!!!!!!!!

New Year Resolution Update

I've been told to create a new blog for this - so as not to intermingle family and hobbies. So, please visit my new blog at:  http://www.trynewrecipes.blogspot.com/.

Is this a 3rd child or what?

New Years Resolution

Last year I was ambitious. I got rid of something using freecycle every day. This year my plan is weekly - and not freecycling, but cooking a new recipe. I'll post the recipe with my thoughts on it. This is nothing too creative, but I want to try some new recipes - and this might keep me on track!

Tonight will be Buffalo Chicken Casserole - I wanted something spicy!

Cooper is a Catholic!!

That's right.  Today was a very special day for little Cooper. We celebrated his baptism.  We were thrilled to have our close friends Luci and Larry act as his god parents, and we were surrounded by so many friends and family members.  It was a great event.  Cooper was in great spirits - actually, he slept through most of the party.  But, he was great at the ceremony - just hung out through it. 

The deacon that celebrated the event is the same family friend who married Dave and me and baptised the girls.  He is our own personal sacrament administrator!  We are so lucky to have him as a friend.  The ceremony took place at my family's church - Saint Philip in Northfield.  This is where I was baptized and had all sacraments with the exception of marriage.

Christmas Eve

What a special time.  This is the first year the girls really get Santa.  They liked ripping paper and opening presents last year, but this year they finally understand HOW they get under the tree.  We've been reading Christmas stories all month (a good balance of Santa stuff and Baby Jesus stuff).

So we get our PJ's on, brush our teeth, read our stories.  We talk about how important it is for the kids to go to sleep right away because Santa is very magical and he does not want kids to see him.  Only his helpers in the malls can see little kids.  The girls very enthusiastically jump into bed and tell me to leave the room so they can go to sleep (can it be Christmas eve ever night please?).

About 10 minutes later, Nancy and I hear this blood curdling scream.  "DADDY.... AAAAHHHHH, DADDY!"  I poke my head into the room to see what was the matter.

"We forgot to put out cookies and milk, Dad" Erin reminded me.
"Oh, that's a good point, Erin." I answered, "I wonder if it's too late to put them out.  What if Santa is already here?  We can't let him see us."
"Let's go very quick, Dad.  We have to give Santa our snacks.  He'll be so hungry if we don't" was her reply.
"OK. We better go downstairs and put the cookies out in that case.  Do you think we should do this fast so Santa doesn't see us?" I asked.
"Yes, let's go really really fast"

Erin, Ev and I tiptoed down the hall (at 7:15 PM) and started walking down the stairs.  As we came half way down the stair way I stopped to ask the girls "Is he down here?  Can you see him?"  Erin leaned way far over peaking her head down the stairway looking into the family room as covertly as I have ever seen her act.
"No, he's not down there."
"Are you sure?"
"Ya."
"OK, let's go... quick!"
Erin and Ev ran the rest of the way down the stairs directly to our fireplace and told me to get the cookies and milk.  We placed 3 cookies and a glass of milk on the girl's craft table next to the fireplace.
"We need to put out a carrot for Rudolf, too" Evelyn insisted.  So I grabbed one from the fridge.
"Are we all set, girls?"  They nodded. "OK, let's get upstairs quick before he gets here."
The girls scampered upstairs ran down the hall (no tiptoeing at this point), slammed their bedroom door shut and jumped into bed.  I can only imagine the dreams of sugarplums (and other things most likely) dancing in their heads.

What a nice Christmas Eve adventure to remember.

Work that Neck!

Cooper is in his Bumbo - what a great invention! He is still working on his neck, so he can't be in it too long without fussing. But, it is super cute to see him sitting and looking all around! It is also nice for him to join us at dinner or while I am cooking.