Cooper's First Laughing Fit...

Cooper game us all a very sweet Easter gift.  In the evening we were all upstairs in Erin & Evie's bedroom getting ready for the girls to go to sleep.  We got them into their pajamas, brushed their teeth (Evelyn first with Colgate and Erin next with organic strawberry toothpaste), and started reading our three stories.  After the three stories were finished, Erin asked if Cooper could have a story too, so we selected Pajama Time.

But I told the girls I would read the book from the glider and they would have to go sit on the bed along with Nancy and Cooper.  When the girls climbed up on the bed next to Coop, his face lit up with the biggest smile.  Doctor Levin asked us if Cooper has started to show signs favoring one parent over the other.  Nancy and I don't think he has, but he definitely likes the girls (perhaps more than us).

Anyway, I started reading Pajama time and the girls (who were still a big giddy) climbed down off the bed and started dancing.  At this point Cooper busted out laughing.  Erin thought this was cool so she kept dancing which made Cooper laugh even more.  Evelyn got into the act too and both were now dancing (performing actually) for Cooper and he reciprocated with more laughing.

Nancy was practically crying this was so cute.  Both Nancy and I discussed how this was the very first time Coop laughed at something he saw.  Previously, he laughed but only when he was ticked.  But here through his laughing he was telling the girls he liked the crazy dancing he saw and they danced more.  It a really sweet way it was the first time he communicated with the girls directly.

Nancy and I are so lucky to not only have been there to see it, but see it together and to recognize it.  I hope that this will be the first of many, many, many, many happy times Coop and the girls have this sort of connection.

The blog goes private..........

For a number of reasons, I have decided to make this blog private effective May 1st.  If you want access, please just let me know and I am sure you'll be granted access.......

Cooper's New Friends...

I think Cooper's best friend is his thumb - so cute how he pokes himself in the eye while sucking on it!  And, he also found his feet and is trying so hard to reach them in his mouth and suck on them - I think his torso is just a little too long!  We can only hope that one day he'll be able to suck on those toes...

And, the pterodactyl has landed.  This boy loves to chat it up - especially at 5am!! I wish I could say it is cute - but man I want some sleep!!

Swimming Lessons!!

Today was our first day of swimming lessons.  The kind of lessons where the parents don't come in the pool.  Actually, we are not even in the pool area.  We watch from a viewing area!  They are getting so grown up!

They thought it was so fun to wear their swim suits and cover-ups to the lesson.  And, since it is in the evening, they came home in their nighties, complete with wet hair - this was super cute!

They both did great!  Ev ran away from us so she could be the first in line - this is VERY different from her usual ways.  Normally she will be the very last in line.  Not swimming.  They had 3 instructors and about 10 kids and had their lesson in the zero depth pool.  They wore bubbles on their backs, floated on noodles, worked on blowing bubbles in the water and even had a treasure hunt!  They can't wait to go back next Monday night!!

I'll add pics to this blog soon!

Cooper, Cooper, Cooper!

Cooper, Cooper, Cooper!  You'd think that's all this blog is about lately!!

So, here is an update on Erin & Evelyn!  They are both doing really well!  They love school and have a great time learning new things, going to the resource center (apparently that's what you call a library these days) and having music class.  We had parent teacher conferences a few weeks ago and got wonderful reports for both girls.  We did learn that Erin is trying her hardest to be helpful to Evelyn and answers on her behalf and corrects her - how annoying would that be!  Therefore, we've decided to separate them next year.  This will be a major pain in the neck, as I'll have to drive them to different schools and deal with 2 different ways of doing things.  But, it will hopefully help ensure Ev has her own space to learn and grow.  After much reserach, I found a nice methodist preschool Erin will attend 3 mornings a week.  Not sure if Ev will go in the morning or afternoon, but at least I know she'll have a program to attend and we'll just take it from there.

The girls really enjoyed the few warm days we had about 2 weeks ago.  When it got cold again Erin asked if summer was already over!  I sure hope not!  We are excited for the summer!  We're going to welcome a French foreign exchange student into our home.  I think it'll be a great experience for the kids and we're looking forward to learning about another culture and having a new member of the family!

Birthday parties are starting up here.  Seems like everyone we know has a summer birthday.  Tomorrow we have an Easter egg hunt followed by 2 parties - so the girls will have a blast eating cake and getting into b-day party mode!  We're planning on renting a bounce house for the girls party - they'll love it!!

On another front - Cooper is just wonderful!!

Cooper's recent dr visit!

We took little Coop to the doctor a few days ago for his 4 month check-up.  He is doing just great!  A full 16 pounds (75% percentile) and nearly 27 inches long (90% percentile).  No wonder he is in size 9 month clothing!  He's so tall!!

The doctor said everything looks great!  He said no more middle of the night bottles - thankfully he does not take them often - very infrequently.  Normally he wakes around 5:30am or so, has a bottle and sleeps another hour or so.

We got a referral to a pediatric plastic surgeon for the "nevus sebaceus" on the back of his head.  She is supposed to be a great doctor.  Not sure what will happen.  Our appointment is not until June! 

One funny story...  The doctor asked if he is rolling over.  We said no - he is not on the floor too often - most 3rd kids aren't!  So, Dave put him on the table and what does he do?  Of course he comes a hair from having his first roll.  The doctor just laughed at us - would not be the first time!

Other than that, it was a very routine visit - I'll take that any time!

Cooper is 4 months!

Well, Cooper is now 4 months old!  It is hard to imagine life without him.  Hard to remember what it was like to have 2 kids - and even harder to remember life before the kids joined us. 

He is the most amazing little guy.  We love every minute with him.  He sleeps like a charm and is growing out of his infancy - holding his head up nice and high and having much better control with it.  He has not yet had any solid food - we'll probably wait at least another month. But, I am certain he'll love it!  The boy likes to eat.  He also loves to talk.  Morning time seems to be his most vocal time of day - he just talks and talks - so cute!  He no longer wakes and cries - now he talks up a storm.  Not a big fan of getting baths - that's his time to yell and tell us he'd rather be doing other things.  So goes life......

His sisters love him to pieces and are constantly giving him kisses and telling him how much they love him - which is sweet to see. 

All in all, no complaints - not a single one!

Cooper is laughing!

Well, little Cooper is officially laughing!  Auntie Luci is the one who started it with tickles on his belly - and it is the most precious laugh you've ever heard.  I am hoping to replicate it for Dave...

The Pet Store

My girls are so lucky to have a great babysitter!  She is excellent.  Today she took them to lunch and the pet store.  At the store, they got to see snakes nice and close up.  Ev enjoyed petting it - and it even gave her a kiss.  Erin - not so much!  She would not go near it.  She was afraid it would eat her.

They could not be more different!

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!!