Cooper's buddies

I know I'm behind, but wow it's been busy!

Last Saturday we all met at Kim and Nathanial's house, it was a beautiful day, still a little windy but much better than what we've had.

This is the group of kids and parents that I met while attending a breastfeeding support group after I had Cooper, it's the best thing and I'm so happy to have made some friends out of it all. The kids are getting so big, 2 of them are walking, the oldest, Elliott and the youngest (and only girl), Greenlee.

Kim had pulled pork sandwiches and everyone brought something to share. I was running behind and completely forgot about it so I grabbed a thing of homemade salsa (it was a HOT one) and thank God we had a bag of tostito's in the freezer. You know how hard it is to just run into the store with a one year old just to grab a quick bag of chips, it's a hassle. So thankfully we stocked up.

Tom and I talked about going to open up the camper since the weather was so nice, so he loaded up the golf cart in his truck and asked if I'd mind if he just went to camper instead of coming with me, so that's what he did. It worked out great.

Here are a few of the pictures I captured, it was tough but not as bad as the last time.

From left to right, Elliot, David (he's trying to escape), Cooper, Charles, and Greenlee.

Cooper was pretty tired as he fell asleep on the way over but woke up as we were walking into the house, but he still had fun.  You can tell in the pictures that he was pretty tired, the 3 on the end did not move a peep, the other 2, they were another story. LOL

We always have so much fun and I can't wait for the next time these kiddo's get together.

13 Months Old

My little sweetheart is already 13 months (almost a week ago, on the 18th) and he's getting a personality like you wouldn't believe. He just cracks me up. Every day seems to be something different with him and thank God for this blog because otherwise I'd forget!

Pictures these days are REALLY hard to get, but I did my best! And I bought these stickers for the next year and as you can see in the pictures, he wanted nothing to do with it, so the next 11 months will be a challenge, so we'll see...

So here are a few things I want to remember about Cooper's 13 months of life:

• You are still wearing a size 3 diaper - we prefer Pampers Cruisers (you seem to be such a peanut)
• 12 month clothing, especially pajamas, are getting really snug, we have moved to a lot of 2 piece pajama sets, they are so darn cute and make you look like a little 'boy' and not a baby anymore, the one piece jammies are getting tight, so I've been buying 18 months but haven't put them on you yet.
• You are doing more signing, you did something the other night, we had no idea what you were doing so daddy asked when he picked you up from daycare and you were signing PLEASE!! It melted momma's heart! So now we see you do it all time, you'll do "more, please" all the time and "done".

• You point to anything and everything, especially when you want it, which is most of the time. 
• You are starting to throw some tantrums, that sounds harsh, but if you don't get what you want you let us know!
• Bedtime has become a chore! Mommy is still breastfeeding you, only at night, but after you eat, instead of relaxing and wanting to go to sleep, you want to get up and play. I made the mistake of letting you do this a couple times and guess what, you want to do it all the time. So, if I don't put you down, you'll get down, then go to town in your room. You'll start by going to your dresser and pulling your socks or pajamas, or whatever you can find, out and play with that for about 2 minutes, then you'll crawl over by your diaper can and bang on that for about another 2-3 minutes, then you'll find your tote of books and start playing with them. This will keep you busy for about 5 minutes... Finally, if I put you in your bed, you'll play for awhile but if I leave, you throw a fit, so we need to figure something out REAL soon!

• Momma is trying to wean you from breastmilk. You don't need it but when we are in your room, it's habit so I just let you go. I'm hoping real soon you'll not want it anymore. You really only enjoy one side so that's good.
• You go to bed anywhere from 7:30 until 8:30, well, we settle down in your room but some nights its after 9:00 before you actually fall asleep.
• You sleep through the night, most nights. Some nights are better than others but for the most part you sleep pretty good.
• Dropping you off at daycare is so much easier these days. You go to Ms. Angie very good and don't fight it anymore. I think it's because you know she's going to make something for you to eat.
• Speaking of eating...you love to eat! I don't think there's anything we've found that you don't like. However, you've become very picky/selective on what you eat, such as snacks. Aunt Steph and Uncle Luke got you Gerber Graduates - Lil' Chrunchers for Easter and you fell in love with them. If I mix them in your little snack container with goldfish, you'll dig around the fish until you find a cheese puff. It's so funny, if we're at a table or something you'll take the fish out so they don't get in your way. You are one smart little man!
• You still love to be held! And you're the biggest cuddler EVER! I hope my next child loves to cuddle as much as you do because everyone loves it.

• Your favorite toys are your puppy and your bike (these 2 things you can push around the house and you're everywhere)
• Whenever we ask you questions, you shake your head no! I'm hoping you don't know what this means, but I have a feeling you do. You will look at us with those sweet blue eyes and shake your head no, it's priceless!

• You are still crawling, in the last couple of days, you've caught yourself trying to walk, it was so cute! You'd go from hanging on to something and something catches your eye that's close by, you'll try and figure out how to get there without falling. You end up falling and crawling but it's so awesome watching you figure things out. I have a feeling when writing your 14 month post, that I might be saying - we have a crawler!
• Bath time is still one of your favorite times. You love helping me get your bath ready. You push all the toys into the tub.
• Getting your diaper changed is getting easier, still not your favorite place but you know it's usually quick and you come out with a clean/dry diaper.
• You love your Scentsy Lion, he's your favorite stuffed animal, not that we have a lot, but you will give him hugs and kisses all the time.

• You've started drinking Milk since you turned one. We buy the whole milk and we still can't figure out if you like it or not. I don't think you like it cold, but room temperature seems to go down better. We're still working on it!
• Still only 2 teeth!! The top teeth are popping in, I can see, when you let me, your swollen gums. Poor thing, I know you hurt sometimes but soon they will be through.
• You are so smart! You can figure things out really quick. You are constantly watching us and trying to figure out what we're doing. Such as the gate to the steps, we don't like you to watch us because you'll figure out how to open it. You'll sit and play with the dishwasher and put the baskets away and push close the door, it's so funny watching you!

Cooper, everyday is something new and I love to watch you grow. You love your brother and sister to death and your daddy too, of course. I love watching you interact with them and just watch your face light up when they walk into the room. You'll walk with your puppy all around the house until you find what you're looking for.

I love you so much!

Cooper walking

So cooper stated walking, first one step them a lot more TODAY! It seemed like we were trying to help him and all of a sudden BAM he's walking. So we will catch him walking short distances to and from something.  

Moving on up...

To the third floor! This past Monday, the 15th, I started a new job here at McGraw-Hill. My new title is an LSR - Learning Solutions Representative! So far I love it, but always lots to learn. I received a few treats for my new position.

Mom sent me a cookie on Monday, the congratulations card came from my friend, Jenny, who I now work with...

This came from my friend, Alice, downstairs who I supervised in Sales Support.

Everything is so sweet and let me tell you, I needed the cookie and the box of Twix is almost gone! Lots to learn but I know I'm going to love it! I'm working with the west region and I was just told they work and play hard, so I know I'll fit right in!

4 Year Anniversary

Today, April 18th, Tom and I are celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary - where has time gone?? I just wanted to post a few of my favorite pictures of our special day. I can't wait to see what the next year has to bring...

And to top it off, today I received a dozen red roses from my sweetheart, he is the best! I love you Tom! We are getting massages Saturday afternoon and probably going out to dinner. I can't wait!

Cooper's 1 year pictures

 

 Cooper had his 1 year photo shoot a couple of weeks ago, we ended up doing 2 sessions because the first session he just wasn't feeling good and when I changed his outfit, he wanted NOTHING to do with pictures.

Here are a few of my favorites! I think she did a really good job and can't wait to get a few around the house and in my new office at work!

These were from the 1st session, can you see the bags under his eyes, poor guy had a little fever.

 

 

Since we had a John Deere theme birthday, she incorporated the green and yellow into the pictures, these were taken at the 2nd session, can you see, he's much happier...

Except here, he did not like that I put his birthday hat on him. LOL

Then he got to smash a cake, who wouldn't love to do this?

And after the cake smashing, it was time for bath! The water he was sitting in, in the tub, was green! But he didn't seem to mind one bit.

We had so much fun with this photo shoot, now I have to choose one picture from each sitting, NB to 1yr and she'll put them in a special frame for us, I can't wait to see it.