Swim Lessons

Cooper started swim lessons earlier this month. There are so many options out there for swim lessons for little ones, but I decided to enroll Coop in a short four-week class as opposed to the semester long classes. Maybe next year we'll need something more intense like that, but for now, I just wanted something to get him comfortable in the water and something to teach me how to "swim" with him in the water. Layla and Jackson were both in our Saturday morning class, so having our friends made it that much more fun!

Now, I wish I could tell you that Coop is a natural in the water. A fish at heart. But, I'm afraid not. He was a little intimidated by the water and held on pretty tightly to me each week. He had fun and learned how to kick and move his arms through the water, and he really liked watching me blow bubbles in the water. He tried to blow bubbles, too, several times, but ended up just drinking the water instead, which he still got a kick out of. We sang songs to go along with different activites (like Row Your Boat and Wheels on the Bus), which helped Coop relax a little bit. I think the more we are in the pool this summer, the more comfortable he will get. But, as someone who hated the water as a child and who still can't go under without holding her nose, I'm really hoping Cooper sprouts his little fins soon!

Coop learned some great safety skills so he knows how to reach for the wall and how to pull himself out of the pool.

Coop and Jackson had a lot of fun sitting on the bench while we were waiting for instructions from the teacher. Bench time meant splash time!

Each class the teachers gave us the option of having the kids go under water. The teacher would do a 1-2-3 and then pass Coop under the water to me. He was a little shocked each time, but he never threw a fit about it. By the last class we had several opportunities to pass them under the water, and each time I did, Coop did ok. He never really liked it, but by the end I did see him puff his cheeks out, which is a good sign that he is catching on what to do!

Overall, I'm happy with the class and really glad we took some lessons. Now, I'm ready for a fun summer full of kicking, splashing, and enjoying the pool!

Mother's Day

Ok...I'm not going to lie.  My Mother's Day wasn't exactly a relaxing, easy-going kind of day.  Don't get me wrong, I had a great day filled with delicious meals (all prepared by Philip--yum!), beautiful flowers, fun gifts for the house, and time with family.  But, I also had a very sick, clingy, and fussy baby.

Our original plan was to have a picnic at the Arboretum like we did last year with our parents, siblings, and some of our best friends.  But, it rained.  It rained all night.  And it rained really hard.  I realized as soon as I woke up that our picnic was definitely not going to happen.  And as soon as Cooper woke up, I realized I had a sick baby on my hands.  Coughing, sneezing, runny nose...the works.  And you know what comes with a sick baby?  A fussy and clingy baby.  Really fussy.  Happy Mother's Day!

I had envisioned going to the picnic for the morning, bringing Coop home for a nap, and then taking advantage of a quiet afternoon.  Maybe run some errands on my own, return a couple of items to Baby Gap, and yes, probably stroll through the mommy-sized section at Gap.  And, because it was Mother's Day (that would have just been my excuse anyway) I probably would have stopped at Starbucks for a special coffee and maybe even a chocolate chip cookie.  But, nope.  It rained and I had a sick kiddo.

But, again, don't get me wrong.  We ended up having a good day.  Gammi, Poppi, and Auntie Ann came over for an indoor picnic and a couple of rounds of Mexican Train Dominos.  And, the best part?  I got to spend the entire day with my mom!

So, what's my point to all this rambling?  Well, yes, for Mother's Day, I could have gotten a day to relax and play and get some time to myself and enjoy a yummy coffee in peace.  But, instead, I got to play the role that I waited so long for.  The role that some women never get to fill.  The role that can be inspiring as well as exhausting.  The role that many women have played for me (and for which I feel I have big shoes to fill).  I got to play Mom to my baby who really needed me that day.  He needed me and wanted me.  Instead of alone time at the mall, I sat in the rocking chair in Cooper's room, holding him for almost three hours while he slept on my chest because that was the only way he would sleep.  He needed Mommy.  Instead of sitting outside at a picnic and watching Cooper run while other people chased him, I walked around with my son on my hip for half of the day because he wouldn't let me put him down.  He needed Mommy.

So, yes, my Mother's Day wasn't exactly what I had originally planned.  But, I got to spend the day with my mom and with my baby who especially needed me that day.  I feel blessed and am forever grateful to have been given the gift of "Mom."

All Boy

I've said for a long time...since he was born, really...that Cooper is all boy.  From loving tools and fixing things to constantly falling and being covered in bruises and scrapes.  Today was a great example of my fearless all boy.

First, when we were at the plant store this afternoon, Coop fell off the side of a flatbed cart.  It's really close to the ground, but he kind of rolled off the side and caught himself in the gravel.  After a quick brush off, he was up and running toward their fountain.

Then, after we got home, Coop fell off a step in the backyard that is about 1.5 feet off the ground.  After a few tears from Coop and a quick once over from Mommy, I determined that he was fine.  However, once I put him down, he started limping.  Now, I was the one who started tearing up!  (And of course, Philip is out of town for the night!)  So, after a panicked phone call to Philip, he assured me that Coop is probably fine and just a little sore.  Sure enough about 10 minutes later, he was walking normal again.  Phew!  

And then tonight, he was closing the door to the bathroom and I'm pretty sure he was closing it at full blast because he not only hit his head on the door, but he also slammed his fingers in the door.  No tears this time, but he definitely had a look of concern.  He held his hand up to my lips for a quick kiss, and once again, all was healed and better.  Off to the bath he went!

I'm starting to wonder now...all boy or completely clumsy?

Full of Life

Cooper spent the night at Gammi and Poppi's house last night because Philip and I went to see the Norah Jones concert. (Amazing concert AND we got to meet her afterwards!)

Cooper had a great time at Gammi and Poppi's chasing Jack around the house, copying Poppi's every move, helping Gammi make dinner, and reading books with Auntie Ann. I love that he feels so comfortable over there. It's still difficult to leave him only because I miss him so much, but it makes it a little easier just knowing that he feels at home and always has a great time. My mom said that Coop started to miss me and began asking "Mama? Mama? Mama?" as they were going to bed, but he fell asleep with no problems and woke up a happy boy!

So, all that to say, Coop was such a happy, smiley, and lively little monkey today. (And don't get me wrong, he's happy and lively 99.9% of the time, but today he just had a little extra spark in him.) From the minute I picked him up this morning until the time he fell asleep tonight, he was, as Sarah put it, "full of life" today! I like to think that it was because he missed me and was so thrilled to have Mommy back, but more than likely, it's because that's just who he is--happy, loving, sweet, outgoing, silly, spirited...and yes, full of life! But...maybe a little because he missed me, right? ;)

So, a few super duper cute things Cooper did today:

• When Cooper first saw Jackson at Gymboree today, he squealed, flailed his arms, and ran over to Jackson to give a big hug, which almost turned into a tackle.
• He was silly, silly at Gymboree--throwing balls behind him, following Jackson around, and squealing and chatting nonstop!
• Every time he looked at his Gymbo stamps today (clown stamps that he gets on his hands and feet at the end of class), he would excitedly yell "Gi O!"
• Several times today, he would come up to me, pat my back, and say, "Mama." In which I would respond, "yes, Baby?" Then he would say, "Hi Baby."
• At different times throughout the day, Cooper would let out a big, excited squeal, and then look at me, put his index finger to his lips and say, "shhh."
• Coop is really into a couple of books that are filled with animal pictures, and when we read them today, he kept reaching out for the animals like he was waiting for them to come off the page and jump in his arms. It was so cute! He would look at me like, "why aren't the animals moving?" Then, I explained they were only pictures, and I guess he realized the monkey wasn't going to swing into his lap, so he leaned over and hugged each animal.

My sweet little angel. Full of wonder, curiosity, amazement, and life.

Easter Fun

Easter posts...finally!

First Easter Egg Hunt

Thank You Easter Bunny