Today 07/31/2012

Today I loved hanging out in the hammock with the boys.  It was after Austin's afternoon nap and hotter than blazes outside, but we were getting a littler stir crazy inside, so out to the hammock we went.  We sat and swayed and sang songs for about 45 minutes.  Austin was on my lap and Coop was to my side.  Pure bliss to me.

(Before we all piled in the hammock.)

Coop lost his shirt pretty soon after we went outside, and when Austin started getting a little fussy, Coop so sweetly told Austin that if he took off his shirt, too, he'd feel better.  After stripping Austin down to his diaper, Coop asked, "Is that better, Buddy?"  So so sweet.  In the hammock is where Philip found us when he came home from work, and both boys were so excited to see Dad when he pulled up.  We all headed inside to make dinner, play and have a little dance party before bed.

I am lucky.

This was our "it's so hot outside!!!" face.

Where's the iPod?

The iPod went missing the other evening.  I searched and searched for it, but couldn't find it anywhere.  I knew Cooper had it in the morning.  In fact, I remember Cooper coming into our room after he woke up, maybe around 7:30 a.m., took the iPod off my night table and left the room.  Philip got out of bed at that same time and when he went into the playroom, he found Cooper curled up with Drake on Drake's bed.  He had propped the iPod against some books on the coffee table and was watching Toy Story.

But, sometime during the day, the iPod went missing.  Cooper couldn't remember where it was, so after we tucked Coop in for the night, I put my Cooper hat on and began to think like him.  Coop likes to gather things up and put them in bags or boxes or containers.  I noticed his Spiderman box neatly tucked away in the playroom shelves.  After opening it up, I found all these little goodies inside as well as the iPod!

I had to take a picture of the treasures in the box because it just makes me smile.  It's so Cooper.  He's done this since his hand could grip an item.  I love to see what he gathers; what's important to  him on a particular day.  In his little imaginary brain, it made complete sense to him to gather some food items (a pear, bread, tomato, hamburger bun, part of a fish), a bulldozer, a bird beak, his new dice, a big green bug AND the iPod.

I adore this little boy!

Helping Daddy

Philip is a project man, and Cooper is quickly and easily following (in) his footsteps.  I don't remember what Philip was building during the particular project, but Cooper made sure Philip wore his hard hat because, "that's what struction guys do on the struction site!"  Coop ran outside with an enthusiastic, "Let's get to work!"

Little construction helper.  (Austin at five months)

I love these two pictures below.  Cooper was having a conversation with the other workers on the site.  Wish I could remember what he was saying.  The picture on the right is a good capture of his serious, worker man face.  Whenever he talks like a worker man, he gets a serious look on his face and turns his head to his chin and speaks in a deeper voice.  Love, love it.

Excited to work with Daddy.

Austin made sure to keep an eye on the guys while using the big power tools.

My little Austin Boo!

03.13.2012

Another New Trick

Turned around to see Austin doing this, trying to peak into the playroom to watch Philip and Coop.

Since this day, he's starting to test his ability to pull up on things a little more.  Not very aggressive with it, but definitely showing an interest in figuring out this new move.

New Fireman Boots

Someone was so excited about his new fireman boots, that he wanted to sleep in them.  We have a "no shoes on the bed" rule, but since these boots were brand new, I thought it was a-ok for Coop to sleep in them just this first night.  I snuck into his room after he was sound asleep, and this is how I found him.

I was sure at some point during the night I'd hear through the monitor Cooper kicking off those heavy boots, but they stayed on his feet all night long!  He woke up the next morning, "ready to get to workin!"

Music Class Fail

We tried to attend a new music class this evening, just me and the boys.  But, this is what Cooper looked like by the time we arrived.

I tried for five minutes to wake him up, but he was SOUND asleep.  Didn't even budge.

The class started at 5:15 p.m. and I was a little nervous about how the boys would do.  Usually, we start our evening wind down, get ready for bath, dinner and bed routine around 5:00, so I wasn't sure what this would do to our evening routine.

I think I got my answer.  We're trying another class tomorrow.   This time early afternoon!

Austin's Newest Trick

This is Austin's newest trick.  He thinks it's hilarious and is super proud of himself for figuring out how to lift the tray up.  He's been doing this over and over and over and over and over and over.  And over.   Oh, yea, and OVER.  He'll lower the tray for a bite of food, then it's back up, where he laughs and smiles at me like, "Are you seeing this?!  It's SO funny!"

Today 07/12/2012

Today I loved playing pirate with Cooper and Austin in Cooper's room.  I was Captain Mommy, with First Matey Austin, and Captain Cooper Hook steered the ship.  We came across a treasure chest, an alligator and an ape hiding in the cave (aka: the closet).  We laughed and rolled around on the carpet (I mean, the ocean), and I absolutely loved playing with my two boys.

Today I loved how protective Cooper was with Austin.  While Austin was napping this morning, I asked Cooper if he wanted to go to the library with me and Austin could stay with Cheli (who was at our house today).  I told him we could have a Mommy and Cooper trip!  But Coop insisted that we stay home and wait for Austin to wake up, then go to the library because he wanted Austin to go with us.  THEN, just before Cheli was leaving, she joked that she was going to take Austin home with her.  Cooper heard her, snuggled up to my leg, and whispered in the sweetest tone, "I don't want Austin to go."  His protectiveness and genuine love makes me smile.

Today I loved how Cooper turned Austin and me into a trash truck.  I was laying on my back, with my knees bent up to my chest.  Austin was resting on my shins.  Cooper would raise and lower my feet, which lifted Austin up toward my head.  Apparently, I was the trash truck, Austin was the trash can, and my neck was the hopper.  We were all laughing more than talking through this imaginary scene, but I think I got what Coop was doing, and I thought it was pretty awesome.

Finding His Voice

Yes, the house was as loud as the pictures make it appear.

Cooper Says...

Coop says the cutest and funniest things these days. I've been keeping a running list...

October 2011

Let's show Drake some tricks tomorrow, when he gets older. How to jungle (that means juggle), hop like bunny, smell plants, and play in hoops.

November 2011

Helping me give Austin a bath, and Cooper notices Austin's birthmark on his back...
Coop: Austin dirty! I gonna wash this spot off. (Starts scrubbing)
Me: That's just Austin's birthmark. He'll have that his whole life.
Coop: Oh no! You mean Austin be dirty his whole life?!

December 2011

Whoa, Santa has to potty!

Ok, Drakie, Bubba. Time go outside. Get some that energy out!

I santa and Drakie santa. We brothers together!

January 2012

Merry holidays, Mommy. I love you. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. (He said this in a very calm and loving tone, then gave a hug and a kiss.)

I gotta go work now. Build a mini-mall. Just call me if you need anything.

Walking into Austin's room..."Who is it, Austin? It's yooouuurrr Bbiiiggg Bbbrrroooother!!!"

Hi my sweetie cutie. Hi my little chocolate chip cookie. Yum Yum!! (Pretending to eat Austin's nose.) I just being silly. You not chocolate chip cookie!

Is my birthday in soontember?

With a hammer, I can do anything!

Philip: What are you going to play, Coop?
Coop: I'm going to imagine things.

February 2012

Me: That was a good idea, Cooper.
Coop: Yep! I'm always thinking!

I saw a cherry picker today! They were giving trees a haircut. That's weird...I never heard of that before!

March 2012

While talking about compliments and what they are..."Mommy, my compliment to you is that I love you."

Me: Cooper, what is your full name?

Coop: Fireman Cooper Clements Lamb. But you call me Fireman Cooper.

I pulled the visor down for Cooper in the car to help get the sun out of his eyes, and he responded, "Mom. That was awesome." Very cool and very matter of fact.

Me: Ok, Coop, after we put on jammies, we are going to pick up your toys in the playroom. And if I have to ask you twice, I'm going to start taking toys away. Ok?
Coop: Ok, Mom.
Me: Ok, what are we going to do after jammies?
Coop: Well, first I'm going to turn into a tomato... Then, I'll pick up toys.

I had good dreams, Mom! I dreamed about Austin and you and we all playing together! Awww...(giving Austin a hug)...I love you, Austin.

(In a whisper voice, wearing space jammies and fresh from a bath) Good night my firedog Drakie. Fireman Cooper has to go to bed. Have sweet dreams, Bubba. See you in the morning, my fire dog. (Finishes with a huge hug and kiss.)

Daddy, I love you sssoooooo much, and I know how to do Hook 'Em Horns.

April 2012

Seeing the dark chocolate eggs the Easter Bunny brought... "Hmm. Easter Bunny brought me rocks. That's weird. I never heard of that before."

After an exhausting several days celebrating Annie's wedding, Coop suddenly sat down and started crying...
Me: Oh, sweetie, you are so tired.  We'll just stay home and rest today, ok?
Cooper: I don't want to rest today.  I just want to sit here and cry today.

Cousin Julie walked into the room where I was sitting with Janey...
"Ah!  There are TWO Janeys!"

Hey, look at that Fireman poop!  (Examining what he left in the toilet.)

When I grow up, I can be anything I want to be.  Superman...Batman...or a baseball player!

I was cleaning his feet when he stumbled... "Whoa!  Good thing I didn't break my leg."  (Said in a very matter-of-fact kind of way.)

Looking at a seashell...
Coop: Who made these spiky things on this seashell?
Me: God made that seashell.
Coop: No way, Jose!
Later on...
Coop: Did God make this window?
Me: No, the construction man made that window.  But God made you and the trees and the ocean.
Coop: And Daddy?  And Austin?  And YOU?!
Me: Yep, that's right!
Coop.  That's awesome.

How to speak Cooper:
checkum = ketchup
jungle = juggle
cabbage = cabinet
tag = tie (as in neck tie)
forum = uniform
ready, steady, go OR on your mark, get steady, go = ready, set, go

Dropping His Nap

I don't even want to type the words because I feel like it makes it more real...  Cooper is dropping...has dropped...his nap.  My super sleeper is changing his schedule.  It started a few months ago when he began skipping one nap a week.  At first I thought it was just a phase and he'd go back to napping every day, but then a few weeks later he'd skip two naps a week.  Then a few weeks later, it was three naps a week.  That's when I realized IT was happening.  And, of course, just when I was getting the boys' afternoon naps lined up!

So, just in the last week or so, I've officially stopped even trying to get Cooper to take a nap.  It was starting to be a struggle and a battle between us, and it wasn't worth that or the grumpy Mama and three-year-old that it created.  

 It's taken us a few weeks to adjust to a new schedule.  Earlier dinner, earlier bath and in bed by 7:00 p.m.  And, if we get to 7:30 p.m. and Coop still isn't in bed, let's just say, it's not always pretty.  He has also started sleeping later in the morning, so I can tell his body is adjusting to losing that 2.5 hour nap.  He's not waking up until about 8:00 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. (most mornings).

We had to work through some tough behavior for the last month that I'm attributing to dropping that nap.  But, knock on wood, I feel like we've come out of the whirlwind mess that lack of sleep can bring on and we are all adjusting.  Coop slows down around 2:00 p.m. everyday, so that's when we have some "quiet time" around the house.  Well, as much as possible at least.  But I've found that that helps keep him happy and going through the evening.

Just another thing to remind me that my little monkey is almost FOUR YEARS OLD and taking another step in being a big boy.