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!

A Year Ago

One year ago today I found out I was pregnant, and I learned to believe in miracles.

8 months later our little baby arrived. It is some kind of special to hold a miracle in your arms!

This has been the most amazing and special year of my life. Each day has been a genuine blessing.

Cooper is our miracle baby and our most precious little gift. After all we went through, what better time to have found out about him than Christmastime, the season of God's love and mercy. As the nurse said when she called that day, "Looks like Santa came early for you!" Indeed he did, but little did we know that the best was still to come.

Coop's Scoop

I've decided to periodically just write random little things about Cooper that more than likely only I will appreciate so that I don't forget when he's older. Feel free to skip the Coop's Scoop when you see it unless you're just curious about what my little boy is up to these days. :)

Cooper's Favorite Things

-his play mat

-chewing on his hands (loves to suck and chew on his pointer finger and thumb at the same time)

-chewing on anything he can get into his mouth

-playing in front of the mirror

-splashing in his bath tub

-watching lights and shadows on the ceiling or walls

-being in public-he seems to love the change in scenery and all the people

-loves for people to make noises at him

-getting his diaper changed and being naked-the less clothing this child has on, the happier he is (he is such a boy)

-being held outward so he can see what's going on around him

-when you blow on or kiss his tummy-he's pretty ticklish already!

-when you hold him up above your head and move around the room (we call this "Cooperman", instead of Superman)

Cooperman!

Things That Make Cooper Pitch a FIT

-being in his car seat for an extended period of time (or even a short period of time, depends on the day)

-tummy time

-he prefers I not talk while he's nursing (doesn't pitch a fit, but he does whine about this), and he's starting to whine when other people talk while he's nursing too...perhaps he's going to be a little bossy...

-when his diaper is dirty

-getting dressed-does NOT like for me to put clothes on him after I have stripped him down!

Cooper's Confusion

-he's still not sure if he loves the pacifier or hates it (once again, depends on the day and time)

-going down for naps-sometimes he snuggles right up to me with his paci in mouth and happily goes right to sleep (while smiling...very cute); sometimes he turns his head away from me (as if he can't see me then he won't fall asleep) and cries and screams and squirms and fights falling asleep until he can't stay awake any longer (not very cute)

Cooper's Tricks

-loves to grasp and pull on the toys that hang down on his mobile; also loves to hold on to your fingers and grab/rub your face

-talks and laughs all the time, especially when you smile at him first-my favorite time of day is still in the mornings when I go to get him out of his crib because he is cooing and playing with his hands. As soon as he sees me, he gets a huge grin on his face...steals my heart every time!

-blowing bubbles-this is his newest and what seems to be his favorite trick, as he does it ALL the time! He blows bubbles now while "talking", and it is so funny.

-although he's not turning over from his stomach to his back, he's getting close.

-if he can't reach a toy that hangs down from one of his mobiles, then he'll turn himself on his side so he can reach higher

-drooling-wow, can this kid drool! I think he might have a little hound dog in him!

-he grabs and hugs your arm with both of his arms while you change his diaper-it's so sweet

-squirming-he squirms all over his crib at night (which has made his Angel Care monitor go off a few times since he pushes himself all the way over to the far side of the crib) and all over his play mat (especially when he's trying to reach for a different toy that hangs down)...on a side note, we took the bumper out of his crib because he kept wiggling over to it during the night and burying his face in it

The other morning he wiggled right off of his play mat. He was so proud of himself!

Cooper's Stats

-At almost 3 1/2 months, Cooper weighed 13 lbs, 12 oz and was 24 1/2 inches long.

-He is still in the size 1-2 Pampers.

-He is wearing 3-6 months sizes in his clothes.

-He's still only being breastfed. The pediatrician said we could start rice cereal and baby food at 4 months if we wanted to, but we're thinking about holding off for a little longer

4 Month Photo Shoot

Our first picture actually turned out to be the best one this month.

There is almost always a hand in the mouth these days.

Please note that Cooper has only one sock on at this point!

And we're done!