The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the weather forecast was predicting a major blizzard. Some blizzard. We got snow, but I'm not sure I'd call it a blizzard. It was, however enough snow to close the interstate in Idaho. So unfortunately we were unable to travel to Nampa for Thanksgiving. At first, I was extremely disappointed, but as the days went on I was getting excited to make our own Thanksgiving dinner and spend it at home.
The night before Paul and I made our first ever pumpkin pie. It turned out beautiful and tasted delicious!
When I was little, my favorite thing to do on Thanksgiving morning was watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. Cooper and I enjoyed watching it while feasting on Paul's yummy pancakes. Cooper enjoyed seeing all the character balloons and the people singing. He enjoyed eating in the office while standing in his stool.
Cooper was very excited to help daddy make the rolls. First you roll the dough. Daddy used the rolling pin and Cooper used the pestle. It's just the right size.
After you roll out the dough you need to cut it into triangles. Cooper tried to help with his plastic knife. It more or less tore the dough and made a big hole.
After making the rolls, then comes the stuffing. Mommy cut the onions and Cooper put them in a bowl.
While waiting for the food to cook, Cooper decided to help me unpack my suitcase. He found my curlers and knew exactly where to put them. Good thing his hair doesn't hold curls.
Dinner was finally ready. Cooper decided he wanted to stand in his stool. He was so stubborn that he didn't taste a thing. Oh well, he missed out. Thanks Paul for making a great dinner. What a fun day!
We had our first snow fall of the season several weeks ago. Not a huge storm, but enough to have a little fun outside. Cooper is cute all bundled up in his snow gear.
Gotta taste the snow, as long as it's not yellow or brown.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
While in the bathroom Cooper see’s Kelly’s earrings sitting on the counter.He asks, “Dad, why did God make holes in ladies?”A little shocked by this question, Paul says. “What do you mean?”Cooper responds, “In their ears.Why did God put holes in ladies?”Paul responded by saying that God does not put holes in ladies’ ears.The ladies choose to do that.(Feb 2013) Cooper was standing on a chair and slipped off. Then he said "don't worry mom, I'm ok. That's just part of my trick."(September 2012).
Cooper: So guys, what's this Olympics all about? (August 2012)
Cooper: Mom no girls in my room. Only boys.
Mom: but I'm your mom.
Cooper: You're a girl. We are boys (points to himself and dad) and only we can go in my room. No ladies. (June 2012)
Cooper and I were playing with his cars and I drove my truck up to the gas tanker and said I needed gas. Cooper then replies " My gas is all wasted out now." (Feb 2012)
Cooper trying to get daddy's attention: Daddy... Daddy... Daddy... You who daddy. (Feb 2012)
Daddy: "Go tell mommy that you "usta" could crawl. Cooper: I can't see "usta". Cooper to mommy: "Where is "usta"? Mommy: "What?" Cooper: "You know "usta" crawl. (Jan 2012)
Cooper: "What happened mommy?" Mom: "I tripped over your toy and it hurt my knee." Cooper:" It's ok mom, I'll kiss it." Be careful mom! You need to walk around the chair by my car." (He's already giving me advice on how not to trip and get hurt.) (Nov 2011)
Cooper was watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode where the clubhouse flies away. Cooper asks, "Why is the clubhouse floating away?" His first "why" question (October 13, 2011).
Paul made a snack for cooper and put juice in a sippy cup and milk in Cooper's fire truck cup. When cooper saw it, he said, "Doddy, that's not working for me. I need juice in my fire truck cup (October 2011).
We were talking to Grammy R and Poppy on Skype for about 20 minutes. Cooper was playing his guitar and singing a song and all of the sudden he stops mid song and says "I like your hair cut Grammy" A very random and funny thought from a 2 year old. (August 2011)
Setting: Playing with and Cooper and Grammy R. Mommy: "Cooper can I have a hug please?" Cooper: "No, Grammy can give you a hug." (July 2011)
We were shopping at Target and Cooper was looking around at all of the seasonal merchandise, such as grills, and outside chairs and fireplaces. He saw a shelf full of lunch boxes and started playing with them. Paul told Cooper, "It's a lunch box." Cooper then tried to open the box. When he got the lunch box open, he looked inside and said, "Where's the lunch?" (July 2011)
I was putting Cooper to bed and he wanted to play with his toy penguin. I told him "No, it's time for bed now" and then threw the penguin out the door and shut it. He starts screaming and I make a deal that if he stopped crying and asked for him nicely I would get the penguin. Later when he's finally in bed lying down Cooper says to me "Don't throw penguin out door, he sad." I guess mommy learned her lesson. Stuffed animals have feelings too. (June 2011)
Cooper was taking a bath and Daddy said to Cooper "Are you all done with your bath?" Cooper said, "I not all done with my bath, I almost all done." (June 2011)
While Paul is putting Cooper to sleep, he lays down next to Cooper's new "Big Boy Mattress." Cooper says "You need blanket daddy?" Paul says jokingly, "No but I don't need a blanket, I'm a man." So Cooper responds by saying, "Hey man! You need blanket man! Hey Man! Get a blanket on!" (June 2011).
Paul, Cooper and I were in the car and Cooper saw his wipes in the back pocket of the passenger seat. He then said "I want my wipes" to which I replied, "Cooper I can't reach them you'll have to wait until we stop the car." His next response was "Mommy take off your buckle and get my wipes." (June 2011)
While playing at the park Cooper picked up some wood chips and threw them. I told him not to throw the wood and he replied "oder kids frow." (other kids throw) (May 2011)
While Cooper was taking a nap, Paul washed the kitchen floor and put Cooper's chairs on top of his table. After Cooper's nap, Paul carried Cooper into the kitchen and the first thing Cooper says is "Oh my gosh!" (in response to all his chairs on top of his table) (May 2011)
"Cooper and I were driving home from school the other day and all of the sudden he says to me "no crash mommy!" (May 2011)C
Cooper goes into his room and tries to pull his "Little People" barn off the shelf. It starts to fall and he say, "Oh Gosh, Oh Gosh, Oh Gosh." And then the barn falls. Oh Gosh...that's a new one. (May 2011)
Mom and dad were talking and Cooper says "No talking!" ( April 2011)
As Cooper is riding on dad's shoulders he says "Uh-oh, I dripping. I need Kleenex." Dad was running so fast Cooper couldn't control his drooling and he wanted it wiped. (April 2011)
Cooper: I want "happy"(pacifier). Daddy: Happies are for babies. Cooper is a big boy now. Cooper: I not big boy, I baby. Daddy: Big boys can have tape measures and helicopters. Cooper: and balls. (April 2011)
Mommy says "Cooper you stink!" Cooper says "No I not stink, Grammy stinks" as Grammy is standing behind him. (April 2011)
Cooper was wearing a short sleeve PJ shirt in the morning. After he'd been up for about 20 minutes he pulls at the sleeve of his shirt and says "sleeve down" meaning he wanted a long sleeve shirt. After he puts on a long sleeve shirt he says "this sleeve down that sleeve not down."(April 2011)
I was sitting on Paul's lap to give him a hug as Cooper was finishing his dinner and Cooper says, "Move mommy, not sit on daddy lap." After I move he says, "Hold me daddy." "My daddy not your daddy!"(March 2011)
Paul calls Grammy Terry to see if she wants to talk to Cooper on Skype. While the phone is ringing, Cooper grabs the phone and says, "Hello" several times. Then he says, "I can't hear you!" into the phone. (March 2011)
When making leftovers for dinner, Paul asks Cooper if he wants pork and rice. Cooper replies, "No Daddy! Something else!!!" (March 2011)
While talking to Grampy Ed on Skype Cooper was playing his harmonica. He wanted Grampy Ed to stand up and dance so he says "stam up Grampy Ed, dance" (January 2011)
Paul puts Cooper in his crib for a nap and Cooper says,"I love you man." (January 2011)
Random Cooper quotes: While sitting on the couch "Glasses on, right now." While in the bathtub talking about his bath toy "Right there, it works." (December 2010)
On Christmas Eve I was putting Cooper to bed he said to me "Santa Claus rock you." I think he understood when I told him Santa was out delivering toys because the next thing he said was "Santa Claus Cooper toys." (December 2010)
Cooper says to daddy as he's stretching his arms out "Daddy up you." meaning: "Daddy pick me up" (November 2009)
We were getting Cooper ready for bed and he said he wanted "pocket change." Turns out he meant "piece of cheese" (November 2010)
When wanting daddy to rock him for nap or bedtime Cooper screams, while crying, "Daddy rock you!" (October 2010)
When looking at a picture of himself and asked "who is that?" Cooper replies "pooper". So cute that's how he says his name. (October 2010)
At daycare getting his diaper changed: His diaper was just taken off and Cooper says to his teacher: "naked boy", although she thought he said "naked butt" and then he yells "diaper now please!"(October 201o)
At Beus pond with Daddy: Cooper: "Hi ducks, how are you?" (October 2010)
Cooper: Where's daddy? Mom: Daddy went to get some onions. Cooper: onion? Daddy: Want to try some onions? Cooper: (takes a bite of the chives) MMMM MMMM MMMM (July 2010)
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