Halloween 2010

The weekend of Halloween, we had some pretty rainy weather. We were lucky enough to get to play outside one morning before it really started to rain. The weather was quite windy so daddy had a great idea and pulled out Cooper's kite. At first daddy seemed to have a difficult time getting it to go up in the air. But eventually, it went up with all the wind.



Cooper watched daddy very closely to see how this whole kite flying thing worked.


Then he had to have a turn. Notice how he's holding it with his right hand and has snacks in the other. He held on to those snacks the entire time we were outside.


Mommy enjoyed helping Cooper fly the kite.


Wow! That kite is high. It was quite windy out. so Cooper decided "lefty" would do a better job holding the kite string. It got a little out of control with "righty".


I guess it was just too windy for him to hold on.


We had just enough leaves in our backyard to make a small pile so Cooper could jump in them. He didn't quite understand the jumping part. He mostly marched through the pile and threw the leaves.






Cooper had fun picking out a pumpkin. Because it was Halloween weekend, there weren't many left to pick from. But we still found a good scary looking one.


Cooper watched intently as daddy began to carve the pumpkin.


Helping daddy scoop out the insides.


Pen in the ear... sure, why not.


So cute smiling for the camera.


Cooper is still holding on to his snack bowl in the picture.


Isn't he cute. Our little photographer.


This is the picture that Cooper took. Pretty good for an amateur, and being only 2 years old!


I'm not usually a big fan of Halloween. Eating candy is fun, but I usually eat way too much. Now that Cooper is older, it's more fun because he seemed to understand the concept of trick or treating.

On Thursday that week Cooper's daycare was having a Halloween party.


He was a little unwilling to put on his costume at first, but then when he found out he was going to school for a party to get candy, well he was all over that!


This was a toy that was in the older kids room. He thought the toys in the big kid room were awesome!


He loved trying to play the games like the older kids.


Taking a break to eat a chocolate doughnut.


He was just so cute posing for his picture. He actually left his hood on most of the evening.


When we got home, he of course had to test out one of these delicious candies that he got at his party. Suckers seem to be his favorite.


Saturday was the day most of the kids in our neighborhood went trick or treating. Cooper went with daddy and some neighbor kids. I wish I had went too. I really could have because the door only rang twice and we had about 10 kids.


Aren't they cute. Cooper held on to his bag the entire time, dragging it on the ground. Daddy offered to carry it but Cooper said no. Cooper was so excited and such a good boy he walked almost the entire 3 blocks.


Cooper and Benicio posing for a picture.


And of course, we can't forget to pose with Papi.

What a fun Halloween this was. Cooper is being such a good boy with his candy. We usually only let him have 1-2 pieces a day if he eats a good dinner. And with the exception of once, he doesn't usually ask for candy unless we suggest it to him. And when his one piece is gone, he usually doesn't throw a fit for more. Such a good boy.

I can't wait until next year!

Daddy Rock You!!!

That is Cooper's subtle request for his daddy to rock him at night before bed. Really, I love doing it so how can I resist. Kelly and I alternate nights putting Cooper to bed so that we can both contribute as parents and so that it doesn't become an overwhelming burden for either of us.. Although it was Kelly's turn to rock Cooper tonight, it quickly became a "Daddy Rock You" night. Most likely because I needed to attend an evening meeting, so I didn't get home until 7:45pm right before his bedtime. As Kelly began the process of putting Cooper down, he began screaming. "Daaaadddddyyy Roooocccckkk Yooooooouuuu," over and over. After about a minute, I went in and gave mommy a break.

So there I was, sitting on the rocking chair with Cooper and all of his bedtime paraphernalia, his stuffed animal (Gragg), two blankets, and his happy (AKA Pacifier). Somewhere in this pile of stuff is Cooper. It really is quite a site to behold.

We read a few books and after about 20 minutes of rocking, he says, "Book. Happy Day."
I say, "Happy day? You want to read the happy day book?"
He replies, "Yeah!"
I pause and think for a moment..."Uh, we have no happy day book."
He says again, "Happy day!?"
I look at him and notice that he is pointing to the bookshelf. Initially I thought he was pointing at a book, but alas on top of the bookshelf is his birthday hat from day care (AKA the Happy Day Hat).
At this point I think, "I am really screwed. I am being manipulated...again. And I know it is happening."
So I grab the hat knowing that this is going to induce play and that I will not extract it from his head when it is time for sleep.
Then Cooper says, "Sing Song?"
I say, "What song?"
Cooper replies, "Happy day song! Yeah?"
So I sing "Happy Birthday."
"More?" he says.
I sing it again.
"More, happy day?"
So after singing the birthday song about 20 times, Cooper looks at me and says, "Bed? Hat Off."
And that's it, in bed without a fight.

2 Year Old Stats

Yesterday Cooper went to the doctor for his 2 year check up. He weighs only 23 pounds (although he seems much heavier than that when I carry him around) putting him in the 3rd percentile. And he is 33 inches tall (no surprise their, mom's short too) in the 10-25th percentile range. Although most of the time Cooper is such a wonderful little boy, he is now two and often acts it.


Here are a few likes and dislikes.

Likes:
no surprise here: anything electronic
riding in daddy's car
going outside
chap stick
opening and closing doors
going to school
visiting our neighbor Papi,
climbing up and down stairs
running through automatic doors at any store (he'd make us put them in our house if we could)
doing things for himself
taking a bath
daddy to rock him
trains
Sesame Street
listening to music and singing songs
playing in his crib
LOVES oatmeal (he would eat it for every meal if we let him)
playing in mommy's car
riding his bike and go fast down the driveway
throwing balls



Dislikes:
brushing his teeth
getting dressed or undressed to put PJ's on
diaper changes
trying new foods
going to sleep
cleaning up his toys

Development:
He has about 200-300 words and continues to repeat every word we say
while trying to say his name he calls himself "Pooper"
now that he is wearing his leg brace almost every day he walks and runs much better
uses his right hand more often as a support
drinks from a cup pretty well with out spill too much (except on purpose, which happens a lot)
climbs very well onto almost anything
getting better at walking up the stairs by himself

I'm so glad that Cooper is a happy and healthy little boy. I'm so blessed to have such a fantastic little boy.

Happy Day Hat

Since Cooper's Birthday fell on a day he went to daycare his teacher made him a birthday hat. When daddy picked Cooper up that day, his "happy day" hat (as Cooper calls it) was nowhere to be found. So Cooper cried all the way home. Luckily we were able to find it the next day and take it home. He still loves to wear it and pretend that it is his "Happy Day" even though it has come and gone. How cute are these two?!

As a side note, I have no idea why all of the text is underlined or how to remove it.

80's Halloween

In 2006 Paul and I dressed up as an 80's couple for Halloween. I had a blast shopping for all the fun clothes. Thank you Ross! We also had tons of fun picking out theme music we were going to take with us to the party. I had forgotten how much fun 80's music was to listen and dance to.

We were invited to a Halloween party this year so I guess we'd better start thinking of costumes.

Cooper Turns Two!

Dear Cooper,

I can't believe you're turning TWO! These past two years have been the best of my life. You have brought so much joy and happiness to our family.

Ever since you were born you were mostly a happy baby. You've had your occasional unhappy moments but overall you are almost always smiling.

Now that you've turned two you are not afraid to show it. You've gotten very good at showing us your tantrums. Roid rages, your dad calls them. You hold nothing back; throwing yourself down on the floor, kicking and screaming, often banging your head or hitting your head. Luckily, they don't last too long and we are usually able to get you interested in something else pretty quickly.

You are boy all the way! You are so much like your dad in so many ways. (note to dad, this is a GOOD thing). You LOVE to be outside all the time! I think you and your dad could live outside if I'd let you. Maybe next summer you can. We have recently introduced you to hiking. It started out just as marching through our gardens but now you love to go down to the river walkway (or beach as you call it) and hike by the river.


Our neighbor Papi, got you your first bike for your birthday. You aren't quite able to use the pedals yet but that will come with time and practice. You are able to reach the ground so you can push yourself along a little. Your favorite thing to do is go fast down the curb of the driveway backward. Very adventurous is what you are!

Just like your dad you LOVE electronic devices, phones, computers, cameras, anything with buttons that makes noise. Play with them, bang on them, try to take them apart; it's what you do! You also love music. You are great at singing. Right now, your favorite songs are ABC's, Twinkle, Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, C is for Cookie, e-i-e-i-o (as you call it) and Happy Birthday. Along with singing, you enjoy playing your two pianos, and two guitars and banging on what ever you can find for a drum. (and no we don't need a drum set, we have plenty of metal bowls for that!).















You have been a trooper about wearing your brace on your right leg. Sometimes you will even ask us to put on your "sandal". Mom and dad are so proud of you for wearing it to help you walk better. Even your therapist Mary Anne has said you are doing so much better now.

This year to celebrate your birthday we had a family party with an Elmo theme. You are really into Elmo and love to watch him on Sesame Street. With the help of Grammy Rachel, we were able to make a cute Elmo cake. We had a little issue with the food coloring, but it all turned out cute in the end. I'm not sure you ever said Elmo when you saw it, oh well.

Not all of our family was able to come celebrate your birthday, but you still had a wonderful day.


Grammy Rachel was able to come visit for a few weeks and you were able to spend the day with her and Poppy (my dad) playing. You went down to the river and got to throw rocks in the water, what fun!










Grammy even took you for a ride on your bike. How fun!












You also had fun shooting baskets!
















Playing in your sandbox was fun with Poppy!










Uncle Craig was able to make it down for the weekend. He enjoyed teaching you how to properly eat a chocolate cookie. As long as it ends up all over your face, everything is great!


And who could forget the funny faces from Grammy Terry.


Jabez, the dog, was able to come celebrate your special day. You liked to say hi to her and even wanted to try and walk her. Luckily, she was a well behaved dog and didn't take you for a ride.









You are such a friendly boy and love to share. Especially sharing your Cheerios with Jabez.

















For your birthday dinner, Dad made his famous bbq chicken wings. Yum. You enjoyed eating these the best and left the potato salad for the dog. I think you may have taken a bite of the lettuce but that was all.




Opening presents was fun! You understood that they were ALL for you and no one else. You were very interested in the remote control train and played with that for awhile. Since mom and dad are "toy rookies" and forgot to check what kind of batteries the toy needed we were able to convince you to open a few more presents.



Uncle Craig and Aunt Olya got you a talking Elmo. You love the way Elmo laughs and try to imitate him every time.













Now Cookie Monster has a friend!



One of your favorite presents was from Grammy Rachel and Poppy. Who knew a $2 spider-man hamper would be so much fun. I think you wore it on your head for a good 10 minutes.









Grammy Terry and Grandpa Ed got you a little guitar. You are a natural, playing and singing at the same time. We may have a future musician in the family.


Your favorite part about cake was blowing out the candles. We sang 3 times so you could blow out the candles. By the third time you were able to do it yourself.


Thank you to our family for making this a special day for Cooper!




And how could we for get these moments. Cooper had such a fun weekend with everyone he didn't want them to leave. Every time someone left he cried and cried. He misses everyone so very much.

Cooper is one of the sweetest boys I've ever met (besides his dad, of course). He almost always takes a second to give his mom a hug or kiss. He's not a cuddler but that's ok. He's learning to let me rock him at bed time, sometimes.

Thank you Cooper for bringing joy and happiness to our lives. I am so very honored to be your mother. I love you very much!