Last month Paul's parents came to visit along with my sister-in-law April and her new baby Amariah. What a cutie!
I loved having a little girl to hold.
Cooper liked meeting his new cousin too although, he became extremely jealous whenever Paul or I held Amariah. He would always say, "that's my mommy" or "Daddy hold you." I loved the extra chance to hold Cooper whenever he would let me.
This same weekend on Saturday April 16th the Ogden Nature Center had it's annual earth day celebration. This year Paul's mom had a booth at the celebration to sell her pottery.
Cooper loved watching the wild turkeys at the nature center. I think he'd try to pet them if we would let him.
I think Amariah slept most of the whole morning.
Since it was earth day, Cooper helped daddy plant a flower in the garden. He did such a good job helping dig a hole and fill in the dirt.
Today was the day Cooper met Stan bird. This was their first meeting. For Cooper, it was love at first sight.
After Cooper met Stan bird, he followed him around for over an hour.
Cooper even wanted to hold Stan bird's hand.
He was so cute with Stan bird. Cooper loves buses! And it just so happens there was a UTA bus on display for Cooper to play in.
He loved to walk up and down the stairs, but his favorite thing was pretending to drive the bus and open and close the door.
Later on that weekend Cooper was becoming a little jealous of another baby using his old things. Here is Cooper trying to sit in his car seat.
He finally gave up trying to sit in it and then decided it would be more fun to stand in it.
Cooper loved having Grammy visit. This means someone else gets to rock him and he loves it.
Cooper and Grampy Ed went next door to our neighbor Papi's house and played on the tractor.
Cooper had fun playing hula hoop with Grammy. Now he tries to do it by himself all the time.
It was a fun weekend with family. We loved getting to meet Amariah. We hope we get to see them again soon.
During the week of my spring break in April, my mom came to visit. We had such a fun time.
Grammy brought tons of presents for Cooper. One of his favorites was the "bubble gum" (bubble gun). Cooper now has two bubble guns and we love to have bubble wars.
We went to visit the ducks at Beus pond. Cooper loves going hiking and climbing on all the rocks.
Beus pond has a playground nearby that Cooper loves to play on. He has recently discovered swinging on the bar above the slide. He laughs and giggles every time he swings. This is great therapy for his right arm so I let him swing for a few minutes before he gets down.
Yay! More presents. Grammy (and Poppy) bought Cooper a wagon to rid in. He seemed to like pushing it more than sitting in it.
During this week we were able to get some of our vegetables planted in our gardens. The day after it snowed for 4 days and we ended up with 8 inches of snow on top. Doh! Well, thankfully the seeds survived and we now have peas, lettuce, and carrots coming up.
Cooper was lucky enough to be able to play outside one day before the snow storm hit.
One of Coopers favorite toys is a microwave box. He loves to climb on it.
It was really fun when Uncle Craig was under the box shaking and bouncing it. Cooper loved the rocky ride.
Cooper also liked to hide in the box. When he was hungry he would stick his hand out of the hole and ask for cereal.
Cooper's other favorite toy was Grammy's suitcase. He liked to open and close it and play with all the zippers. But his favorite thing was to sit in it and get a ride.
Uncle Craig came down for the weekend to visit. When it was nap time Cooper said "Uncle Craig rock you" How cute. I wish we were able to see Uncle Craig more often. Cooper really loves him. He is the funnest uncle.
During the week long snow storm we had Cooper was dying to go play outside. So the 3 of us bundled up and went out. We rode in the sled, had snowball fights, and tried to build a snowman. What fun!
The next weekend Auntie Olga came with Uncle Craig to visit again. This time it was her turn to rock Cooper.
Babushka (Olga's mom) also came for a visit. It was so nice to see her. Her English is getting better every time we see her.
Here is Cooper testing out the potty. We haven't started potty training quite yet, but every now and then he wants to sit on it like mom and dad do. While sitting on the potty he always says "take my picture". My boys are so cute!
It is a tradition in our family to make sushi every time Uncle Craig comes to visit. It's about the only time Paul gets to eat it. I'm not a huge fan. Cooper loves to help make it and then eat it. I think he had almost a whole role himself.
We celebrated Uncle Craig's birthday since most of our family was together. Cooper would insist that it was his "happy day" but Uncle Craig would tease him and say "no my happy day". Cooper loved to help blow out the candles. He had to blow two times because it was so much fun.
Eating the cake was just as much fun as blowing out the candles. Strawberry ice cream cake. Yum!
Grammy bought dollar store party blowers and boy were they worth the dollar. What a laugh!
Towards the end of the week the snow began to melt. Cooper wanted to play outside again. He had to wear mommy's mittens so he could throw snowballs.
Grammy was so scared of Cooper's snowballs!
Cooper and Uncle Craig love to goof around and wear to toy safety goggles. Who do you think is cuter?
Cooper had his first dentist visit during this week. The dentist said that Cooper need to get rid of his pacifier because it was pushing out his front teeth. So instead of sleeping with a "happy" as he called it, he slept with his tape measure and a helicopter.
Before Uncle Craig and Aunt Olga left we all went out to Olive Garden for dinner. Cooper was becoming impatient and tried to escape under the table. Luckily Uncle Craig was able to trap him.
What a fun visit with family. I can't wait to get together again soon.
This past week Cooper had his first visit to the dentist. He sat on daddy's lap while we waited for the dentist to come. He liked to look at the dentist table but did not want to lie on it. He thought the TV on the ceiling was pretty cool.
He even tried on the cool glasses the hygienist gave him to use. But they didn't stay on too long.
The dentist was really nice. Cooper was such a good boy. He even let him looked in his mouth with a little mirror. The dentist said Cooper had nice teeth but his front teeth were not lining up as good as the back and that he had a slight overbite. He said this could be caused by a pacifier. And of course we were embarrassed and had to admit that he still uses a pacifier. He stated the obvious (to a speech pathologist) that the continued use of the pacifier could cause a tongue trust and other speech problems. As I may have mentioned before, we have tried to get rid of Cooper's happys with little success. I guess it's because I really wasn't ready for the challenge I knew it was going to be. Now there was no turning back.
So after Cooper's dentist visit we decided to go spend the rest of the morning at Hill Aerospace Museum. He loved to sit in the jet and push all the buttons and pretend he was driving.
Cooper loved helping daddy test out the gyroscope. Spinning in circles was fun.
Soon it was time to go home and face the challenge of putting Cooper down for a nap without his "happy" Of course this was the first thing he asked for when Paul started to rock him. We tried to explain to Cooper that the dentist said it was time to get ride of his "happy". He didn't seem to understand and began to cry. Eventually, Cooper calmed down and let daddy read him a book. Almost an hour later, Paul was still rocking Cooper and decided it was time to try to put him in his crib. This was a disaster! Cooper cried and asked for his "happy". At this point Paul had had enough of Cooper. Grammy Rachel stepped in and ended up rocking him to sleep. It had taken over 2 hours to get him to go to sleep. And unfortunately he only slept for 45 minutes or so.
When Cooper woke up, he was not happy. I don't blame him. If someone took away my happiness I'd be pretty upset too. Cooper's bed time came fast. Grammy Rachel decided she would try to put Cooper to bed since she was not his usual routine. After rocking him for over an hour, she came down stairs and said he was finally asleep. Alas, this was not true. Cooper started crying again and would not stop. I volunteered to try and settle him down. After another half hour of rocking him, I was finally able to get him to settle down and go in his crib. I still had to rub his back and continue singing. I think it was almost 10 pm by the time I left his room. What a process. And the night was only beginning. My thoughts were worrying what was going to happen if he woke up during the middle of the night. Paul would usually go in and give Cooper his "happy" and he would go right back to sleep. Now what would we do? Five A.M. rolls around and Cooper begins to make some noise. I was so very thankful that I was able to put him back to sleep with a back rub and a song in only 10 minutes! Go mommy! Day 1 without a happy was over.
I'm hoping that Cooper will soon forget about his "happy". I feel so guilty not giving it to him every time he asks. So what if he has dental problems, or speech problems. I had braces and turned out just fine. And his mommy is a speech pathologist that knows many tricks to help with speech problems. I feel like I am taking away his safety net and comfort that he has known since he was born. I feel like a bad parent, although I know I'm not. Many parents go through this with their children. I knew this was going to be hard, but I didn't realize that we would have to sleep train Cooper all over again. Well, hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Cooper is a very active boy. Since December it has been getting more difficult to entertain him inside. He LOVES to play outside any chance mom and dad will let him. Here are a few attempts to entertain him inside.
Playing inside his tent is fun. But he enjoys running in and out of it the most.
Being wrapped up in the pack and play bed bottom is always fun. Especially when daddy carries him like a suitcase.
Going to the park on the days it wasn't snowing and sliding down the slide was fun. Although, Cooper would not go down by himself.
In February, Uncle Craig, Aunt Olga and their friend Brian came to visit. During the day they went snowboarding and one evening we made sushi for dinner. cooper was so excited to help.
He even enjoyed eating sushi, much more than mommy did.
Cooper has decided he doesn't like to sit at the big table any more so we got him his own little table and chair set. Now this is how we eat dinner most nights. Apparently mommy and daddy don't get a say in the matter.
One day when it was sunny out we spend the morning at the park swinging with Benecio and his daddy. Even though there was snow it was still fun.
Cooper was invited to a birthday party at McDonalds. All the slides were so much fun. Maybe someday he will be big enough to do the taller slides.
When it is cold outside this is Cooper's favorite place to play, in the back of daddy's car. At least it's a little warmer than outside.
One weekend the train show came to Ogden. It's been over 3 weeks and Cooper is STILL talking about the train show. I think his favorite part was climbing on all the big trains.
But riding on the train was also fun.
One day Cooper decided he wanted to play outside. He kept falling down in the snow so he decided to put on mommy's mittens. Now Cooper can touch the snow without getting cold hands.
In March I danced in the spring belly dance show in SLC. What a blast! I love these ladies!
A few weekends ago our microwave died and we needed to buy a new one. I never realized how much we relied on one until it's gone. This was the box it came in and Cooper was creative enough to use it as a garage for his car. One of his favorite things to do is open and close garages. This was perfect.
Cooper was playing outside one sunny day and accidentally tripped over his chair and got a big scrape on his cheek. He absolutely needed a band-aid to make it all better. Its magic how it works.
We went to the Beus pond weekend to feed the ducks. They have now posted many do not feed the duck signs :( Apparently, we never noticed them before, if they really were there.
A little mouth music for your listening pleasure.
Cooper loves to ride his bike. He's getting good about putting his feet on the pedals while mommy or daddy pushes him.
We are looking forward to spring so we can spend more time outside. Hurry up and get here spring!
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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