Smiles and hands

This is what we see of Cooper. Big smiles, usually aimed at Paige. Or just hands and fingers shoved in his mouth. He has had super red cheeks the last few nights, and is sorta irritable. He could just be channelling Mom, but I think he has a tooth trying to poke through. Paige didn't cut a tooth this early, so I will be shocked if he does. However, he has been nothing at all like Paige when she was a baby, so I wouldn't be surprised if he has one way before she did. He turns 6 months old next week. He has almost mastered sitting up unattended--we still put some support around him as the tip still happens. He has started reaching for things, his goal is the TV remote, but I don't think its going to happen! Its amazing how you can see his coordination developing--his reaching and grabbing levels over the last two weeks have been jumping by leaps and bounds. He's a tempermental little man, and we are having a hard time convincing him that cereal is okay to eat. So far its been pretty hit and miss, so we'll just keep trying and I am sure it will work. I have a hunch that baby food will be his true love and once he gets something with a real flavor, there will be no going back. He has his 6 month appt on Tuesday, and I am anxious to see what he's weighing in at. All I know is he is getting too big for his infant seat and I would love to quit lugging that heavy thing around!

Paige annual Valalentine pics

2007

2011

A Cowgirl's first

Paige had a big weekend. She got to pick our her puppy, and she got her very first real cowgirl had! She has a few random hats, but they are toys and originate from various strange places and are cardboard. Her daddy has started spoiling his cowgirl and today he got a new hat, and so did she. I am sure a pony isn't far behind! Here are my two cowpokes modeling their new purchases.

Meet Piper

Our family had a really busy weekend. We took Friday off and survived very icy roads near Bowman and made it to Fargo that afternoon. We spent the weekend with Keith and Sandy, who were great hosts and didn't allow me to cook or help. I am not going to lie, I appreciate that! Little I was this weekend, so we met up with some old friends for supper. I joined the boys for supper and then Ryan and the group descended on Chubs for the remainder of the evening. Saturday was spent meeting friends, and their beautiful little boys. Kaden and Brandt, thanks for letting us come and meet you--you are both adorable and I am glad I got to visit, even for a brief time.

Another bonus part of our weekend was to pick out our puppy. Our family will be getting a beautiful Australian Shepherd puppy courtesy of Keith and Sandy about the end of March/first of April. Conveniently right around Paige's birthday! She has puppy/dog fever and didn't even want to leave their house for a moment unless a dog was with. The mother is a wonderful dog; she's calm and has great manners. I will be thrilled if our puppy turns out even half as good as she is. The puppies are only 2 weeks old, but ours had open eyes. All the better for her to see the little girl that fell deep in love this weekend. Everyone, meet Piper.

Mr. Cooper

Cooper this morning in his exersaucer. Thinking he was a big boy!

Cooper's 5 month old picture with his pony. A few days late posting, but that's okay.

Cooper being all smiles. I don't have an exact weight for him to start his 5th month with--last time we were at the doctor he was 15 lbs 9 oz; and I don't think he's shrinking! He's outgrown most of his 6 month clothing; and the 6-9 size is perfect. He's wearing a size 2-3 diaper perfectly and has decided in the last few weeks that rolling over and being frustrated at his lack of motion is the new hobby. I swear he will be crawling way before Paige ever did. He likes his cereal and we are trying to get in a routine with it. He is refusing most of his bottles at daycare this last week; so we need to get him to drink more milk during the day. However, he hasn't been mad about it; so that's a small bonus. Overall, he's a happy little man and breaks into smiles at most people--particularly his sister.

The week in review

• Cooper is rapidly outgrowing his bouncy chair I like to put him in during the morning 'getting ready' routine. He has to be strapped in and then I find him sitting upright in it--not using the back support, playing with his toes. He seems to be laughing at my refusing to accept the fact he is getting too big for 'baby' gear.
• Paige got a fever today and is cuddled up on the couch; hopefully going to nap soon. I forgot how little she sometimes is until she is sick and will let me baby her.
• Our puppy was born on Monday! Sienna had 8 puppies and we got pictures sent to us. We are going to Fargo on Friday; and will get to see them and hopefully pick out which one we want. Paige was so excited, and we printed out a picture so she could take it to daycare and show it off.
• The weather completely sucks; and we are enjoying a weekend in. I hope to bake something while getting laundry done, and then relaxing in my sweats. A nap would be great as well.
• Ryan and I continue to play BB and VB during the week, we each have an 'adult' night where we go play. We both learned this week we are getting old and hurt really bad the next day. However, it does us both good to go do something fun like that.
• My work team did not win the chili contest last night; but my family came to check it out and my hubby said ours was way better than the others. Sweet guy. I think he just felt bad as he knew how long it took me to brown all that damn meat!

Tummy time

This is Cooper's newest favorite position. He mastered rolling from his back to his tummy, and now if you set him down, you will find him like this. Not just on his tummy, but up on his arms checking everything out. I know it was accidental and hopefully won't happen for a while, but he even scooched backwards. He was pushing himself up so fast he ended up moving backwards. I think he desperately wants to go where his sister goes!