Hot Summer Days

This is what hot summer days are all about...
Helping Mommy with some gardening
Playing in your water table

Running in the sprinklers

Sharing a drink with your puppy

Playing chase with Mommy when you are both soaking wet, and then collapsing in the grass, giggling the entire time!

This was one of those days that I was so thankful to be home with Coop. We had such a great couple of hours outside--no deadlines, no rush, no need to be anywhere else. Just the two of us, enjoying a hot summer day at home.

Typical Friday

Every Friday morning, for about 20 minutes, you can find my little man staring out our front windows, completely mesmerized by the lawn crew mowing our yard.
Coop will run between the front windows and the back windows, following the crew's every move. Mowing, weed eating, blowing the leaves...Coop catches it all! In fact, this particular Friday, the crew arrived a little earlier than usual to our house and Coop was awake, but still in bed. But as soon as the mower turned on, I heard Coop on the monitor saying, "Mow mow. Mama Mama. Mow mow!" As soon as I got him out of his bed, he bounded out of my arms and ran to the front windows with milk and blankie in tow.

And, after the crew waves bye-bye to Coop, this is the look I get as they drive away. Luckily Coop has a toy mower he can play with until the real deal shows up again next Friday!

Adventures with Ooh-Ooh

Since our first zoo trip last month and our face-to-face meeting with a gorilla, Cooper has been obsessed with gorillas. He pulls out all of his animal books at home and flips through each page until he finds an "ooh-ooh." He'll flip through the books and pages saying "no...no...no..." until he spots a gorilla and he lets out a very excited "OOH-OOH OOH-OOH!!"and then leans down to hug the picture of the gorilla. At night time, before turning off the lights, Coop insists on finding this picture of the gorilla. He then says, "night night Ooh-Ooh" and gives the picture a kiss. So sweet!

Cooper also discovered the stuffed animal, Mr. Gorilla, in his toy basket--this is the same gorilla that Cooper would sit with for his monthly baby pictures. But, now, Mr. Gorilla, who has been renamed "Ooh-Oho," is Cooper's FAVORITE. "Ooh-Ooh" has meals with us, goes outside with us, travels in the car with us, and now sleeps with Cooper every night. I wasn't really sure if Coop would be interested in stuffed animals, but now with Ooh-Ooh, I love to see Coop's love and affection for a stuffed animal. It really is like his little friend!

Locked Out

Let me set the scene for you from this afternoon: Cooper and I had just arrived home from a fun Target outing, where we actually had to wait out a huge thunderstorm that passed by. Stuck in Target during a storm?! No problem...but it will cost you. Coop now has a new Toy Story dinosaur that roars as you squeeze it, a few new water toys, and maybe a few things jumped in the cart for me, too. Anyway, we got home and I unlocked our back door, put Coop and my purse down inside and turned around to head back for the bags. I always leave the back door open so Coop can go in and out, essentially following me, as I quickly unload the car. But, as I'm heading back to the door with my arms full of bags and diaper boxes, I see that the back door is closed. "Oh, Coop must have closed it," I think. Well, I quickly discover as I'm turning the knob that Coop not only closed the back door, but also locked it.
So there I was, standing in the drizzly rain holding several Target bags looking through the glass panes at my son who is grinning from ear to ear. He isn't grinning because he knows he locked me out; he's grinning because he was having fun waving to me on the other side of the door.

My first instinct was to ask him to unlock the door...
Me: "Coop, see how Mommy is turning the knob. Can you turn the knob like Mommy?"
Coop: He just touches the knob.
Me: "Coop, can you unlock the door for Mommy, please?"
Coop: Grabs my car keys and touches them to the knob and then looks at me like, why aren't you opening the door yet?
Clearly...that got me nowhere.

Panic set in initially, but I kept telling myself to stay calm. LUCKILY my phone was with me, not locked inside with my purse. I instantly called Philip and he confirmed that we didn't have a spare key around, so Philip dashed to his car and headed home.

My goal was to keep Coop as close to the door as possible so that he didn't get into trouble, and I wanted to make sure to keep an eye on him. Thank goodness we have glass panes on our back door! At first Coop was really confused and kept saying "side ('outside' in Coop speak) side Mama side Mama side." I knew he was wondering why Mommy got to be outside and he didn't. It would be at least 30 minutes until Philip got home, so I started racking my brain for how to entertain a 1.5 year old through a door. We sang, we danced, we stomped our feet, we sang some more, we jumped, we blew kisses, we did fishy faces...anything I could think of to keep him engaged and close.

Each time Coop started to walk away from the door, I would bang loudly or clap my hands to get his attention. A couple of times I even said, "Coop, Daddy is home!" because I knew he would run to the door for that. I felt bad tricking him, but hey, it got him back in my eyesight.

At one point, Coop started picking up Drake's food and giving Drake one piece at a time, but then Coop turned to me and started putting the dog food in his mouth. The more I said no and tried to discourage it, the more he put in his mouth. Now I was officially panicking because I didn't want him to choke. I quickly decided he needed to learn how to spit or I was going to put my foot through the window.

Me: "Coop, can you spit like Mommy? Watch Mommy spit." (A couple of sentences I never imagined myself saying.)
Coop: smiling with a huge mouthful of dog food pieces
Me: "Watch Mommy. Can you spit like Mommy? Do this...can you do that like Mommy?"

And then it worked! Coop started spitting out all of the dog food! Never mind it was all over the floor, the rug, the windows, his clothes, and face. Dog food panic over.

Just when I was running out of entertainment ideas, the gate opens and Philip pulls into the driveway! Phew!

All in all, Coop did great. He got a little fussy a couple of times, but I think it was more out of frustration as opposed to fear. It was a long 45 minutes, but I learned my lessons: spare keys are a must and a new roll of paper towels has endless entertaining possibilities.

Summer Gear?

It's summertime!!!! And, according to Cooper, that means break out your wool bear hat and fleece camo gloves. (He pulled these exact items out of his drawer on his own and insisted on putting them on!)
When you wear camo fleece gloves, it takes a little extra work holding your sippy cup.

Happy summer!!

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

Fun Day Thursday

It's days like last Thursday that I realize how lucky I am and how thankful I am to be a stay-at-home mom. Sure I miss certain aspects of working full-time. Probably mostly because of where I worked and the great, great friends I have there. But when Coop and I have a super fun day like we had last week, I'm reminded how lucky I am to be able to experience each and every day with my little monkey. And, how blessed I am to be a part of his fun day, too.

What did we do today that was so fun, you might be wondering? Well, we went to the zoo, had a picnic lunch by the gorillas, took a good nap at home, had a productive trip to Target, played outside, and worked in my vegetable garden! Phew!

Coop has been to the zoo before, but it's been six months or so, and that can make quite a difference. This time he really noticed the animals and would get excited when they moved or made sounds. I think his favorites were the monkeys, otters, elephants, and the BIG gorilla that we saw. Oh, and the Zoo Keeper truck and the broom the Zoo Keeper was using...of course. And, to make our zoo trip even more fun, Auntie Ann came with us as well as Jackson, Sarah (Jackson's mom), and Jackson's Aunt Audra!

Cooper loved to watch these monkeys swing around. They were like acrobats swinging from the building to the tree to a rope and back to the building.

Next up, elephants!

The otters were really active, and we had several opportunities to see them swim right in front of us, but it seemed like just when they were swimming by, one or both of the boys would turn away and look at something else. This is the only picture we have of everyone looking at the tank. Jackson was really entertained by the fan and Coop kept looking for brooms.

After saying goodbye to Jackson, Sarah, and Audra, we had a little picnic lunch and then headed over to see the gorillas. We lucked out because as soon as we rounded the corner of the viewing area, this is what we saw...

A huge, giant gorilla! Have you ever seen an animal this large up close? I sure haven't...wow! And, then, my sweet little monkey decided to offer some goldfish to the gorilla.

When you are around gorillas, you have to learn how to walk like a gorilla, right?

After seeing the big gorilla in person, we had to go check out these statues a little closer. First, Coop walked up slowly and looked directly at the statue. Then, he touched the statue and examined his face--touching his eyes, nose, and mouth.

And then, leaned in and gave the sweetest little kiss!

And THEN, he hugged the statue and blew him a kiss! This was all on his own doing, too. Coop is really affectionate with our animals at home, so I guess in his mind, he was treating this "animal" just like his animals at home. I just thought this was so sweet and just another way to show how his little brain is constantly connecting the dots.

What a fun, fun day we had at the zoo with our friends!!