Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

Cooper has always been a mover. Throughout my pregnancy, Cooper was always moving. I remember in a very early ultrasound our nurse commented on our little one swimming all over the place in my uterus and how you don't typically see such activity that early on. Then once I could feel him move, I would go into a frenzy if more than a few hours passed and I didn't feel him. That just didn't happen with this child! He kicked and squirmed and turned and tumbled the entire time he was in the womb, and little has changed since he's been out! A few weeks ago Cooper started rolling from his back to his stomach. Now he does it ALL THE TIME!

I always put him down on his fun, interactive, clean play mat, and within seconds, he's on the go to the boring, rough, and not-as-clean-as-it-should-be carpet.

The other night I was in the kitchen cooking, and when I peeked out, I couldn't see Cooper. So I came around to the living room, figuring I would see him beside his mat. He wasn't there. So I came closer. I still didn't see him. So I came even closer. I found him under the coffee table. Next time I expect to find him down the hallway by the door. :)

I've also found him sucking on the legs of the ottoman and several of Sadie's toys. I feel like Mom-of-the-Year at those moments.

(Cooper's thought during this picture: "Darn, I was so close to getting that delicious blue dog toy that Sadie was just slobbering all over!")

He seems to really enjoy this newfound freedom and is very proud of his new accomplishment.

Nevertheless, sometimes all that rolling just flat wears him out!

Photo Fun

Yesterday I played with the camera while Cooper was playing on our bed. I felt like some of the pictures really captured his personality at this age. As I've said before, Cooper loves what he loves and hates what he hates. He has a strong personality, much like his mama and daddy. He is hesitant with new things, but curiosity always seems to get the best of him as he readily begins to explore what's new, but in his own time, not anyone else's. He loves to be on the move-anything stationary is not for him. He is content playing on his own, but he is happiest when he has Karl or me playing beside him. He loves to rub our faces and laughs when we "nibble" on the little fingers that constantly make their way into our mouths. He also loves kisses and gets absolutely giddy when he gets those kisses. He is precious.

His feet are beginning to fascinate him.

I'm pretty fascinated by his feet too.

Actually, I'm obsessed with those little piggies! I love how his feet are crossed in this picture.

One of his newborn pictures from the hospital is in the background. It's amazing how much he's grown and changed in such a short period of time. That picture doesn't even look like him now.

This was one of my favorites.

This was my favorite one because this is how I will always remember Cooper at 5 months: drooling, smiling, wiggling, and chunky!

The other day someone said to me that it is so neat to see something you prayed so hard for. It's pretty darn special, if I do say so myself.

5 Month Photo Shoot

Little Man is 5 months old! I thought our monthly photo shoots would get easier as he got older. Ha, ha, ha. I can't help but laugh at my ignorance! Each month gets substantially harder to get his picture with his elephant. Karl hates to get his picture made, and his son seems to take after him and make photo shoots excessively challenging for me! Nonetheless, our monthly tradition continues on!

"Mom, seriously?! This is so lame."

"Wait just a second. This seems a little familiar. I think I'm supposed to be wiggling all around and only smiling at Mom when she puts the camera down."

"Am I doing it right, Mom?"

"Wait, no? I'm supposed to sit nicely and smile? Are you kidding me?!"

"Okay, okay. I'll give you one good picture."

Just When

Just when I was seriously doubting my parenting skills

...because my child had gone on a nursing strike

...because my child had a weird rash-like thing on his face, and I didn't know what it was

...because my child had a diaper rash, despite the layers of Desitin I apply constantly in an effort to prevent this

...because my child still doesn't nap great or sleep through the night, and I can't bring myself to let him "cry it out"

...because my child and I are Babywise dropouts/flunkies (hence the not napping or sleeping through the night)

...because most days (hours, minutes, and seconds) I don't feel like I know what the heck I'm doing...

Just when I started to let all that get to me, my little boy reached for his mama to hold him. It was better than the first smile. I might not know what I'm doing 9 times out of 10, but Cooper doesn't seem to mind, too much at least.

Last night Karl was holding him, and I held my hands out to him, and then he leaned away from Karl and reached both arms toward me. Oh, how it made me smile, and all those doubts really didn't seem to matter anymore.

Ho, Ho, Ho and a Little Bit of Snow

Merry Christmas!

(a week and a half late)

What a wonderful and special Christmas we had! Christmas morning Cooper got up a little too early, so we all cuddled in bed for a little while until we were all awake and ready to celebrate Christmas day!

Once we were up and Little Man was fed, we went to see what Santa had left!

Santa sure was good to our little boy! Little Man had lots of goodies under the tree and in his stocking. Although he was happiest to just be held that morning, Sadie was beyond excited to see that Santa had been there. She loved playing with Cooper's toys!

Every time we tried to show Cooper one of his new toys, Sadie quickly intervened. We're working on teaching her the difference in her toys and Cooper's toys. So far, we haven't made any progress.

One thing Cooper got that Sadie wasn't interested in was his exercauser. He has a little growing to do before he can bounce in it though. I'm thinking (and hoping) this thing will provide him with a lot of entertainment in the months ahead!

Almost immediately when we went into the living room, Sadie saw her stocking hanging by the fireplace. She then sat and stared and whined at it until I got it down for her. She wasted no time in seeing if Santa had remembered her too. Luckily, he did. She got a peanut butter bone, some new tennis balls, and a new toy. Me-oh-my was she happy about this!

Then what to our wondering eyes should appear, but snow...in Alabama...on Christmas day?! Sadie is apparently trying to explain to Cooper what this white stuff is and why it's a big deal. Cooper still appears a bit confused though!

My mom, dad, and brother gathered at our house Christmas morning for a lovely brunch. We ate and ate and ate some more! It was a fun way to start our day!

Cooper and his grandpa got some quality time together while we were eating.

That afternoon we went to Karl's parents' house to celebrate some more and eat a delicious dinner together! Cooper received some more great toys and clothes while we were there (Sadie was once again very excited to see even more toys. Poor thing still thinks these are for her!)

We couldn't have asked for a better 1st Christmas as a family of 4 (got to include the dog)! We hopefully started many new traditions that we'll enjoy for years to come!