Baby, It's Cold Outside

 

Last week I may have been a bit stir crazy, but I got the brilliant idea to take Cooper to the park. Let it be known that it was at most maybe 36 degrees, but absolutely gorgeous out. There are only 2 parks within 20 minutes of where we live, so I decided it would be great to have Cooper go to the one that I spent many days at in my own childhood. Little did I know how nostalgic it would be. I have been to the park countless times in my adult years, but this time was much different. I had MY OWN child playing on the same swings, slides, and monkey bars that I had played on myself at his age. Not much has changed at that park, just a missing tire swing that was taken down after a child got injured many years back. Frankly, it's almost eerie how much it's still the same.  I'm grateful for the lack of upgrades though, it's a little piece of history that I'll share with Cooper. I can show him pictures of Momma and his Uncles playing on the same old rickety jungle gym he will get to enjoy very soon.

Brrrr! Those bars are cold!

Chubbers

First Time on the Swings

Okay, I'm done playing in 32 degree weather!

Love of my life!

ENJOY!

My Little Explorer

Friday, Cooper lost all fear in his body and decided he'd like to do just about everything on his own. Last week I took my eyes off him for no longer than a minute, to discover him in our bathroom holding on to the toilet of all things, trying to stand up. Eww! I know. That was the first of many risky things Coop has been trying lately. Last week he was definitely testing the waters, but Friday confirmed that he was pretty comfortable with his new ability to stand; ON EVERYTHING. 

He Loves Looking Outside

 This morning Cooper enjoyed an egg yolk breakfast. So did Caster when he was "helping" me clean Coop's mess.

I wonder how much actually made it in his mouth?.....

New Year, New Baby

6 Weeks Post-Op (After stitch was finally removed)

This is just an update on Cooper's milestones. I swear he changes everyday-his temperament, ability to do new things, and personality is always unpredictable.
At 8 months: Cooper feeds himself (table food, bottle, and baby food,)  pulls to a stand on anything he can reach, says Mama, Mom, and Mommy, claps, puts his blocks away himself, crawls everywhere (he can't stay put,) gives hugs to Momma, and drinks from a cup.

Cooper's First Best Friend-Dog Dog Caster

He Loves Walking With His Dinosaur

Time really does fly when raising a child. I always thought the years flew by to begin with pre-Coop, but now days pass by leaving me thinking, Where did the day go? Seeing him grow from a tiny, fairly inactive bundle of love to a rambunctious little monkey who's getting into trouble every waking moment is a constant reminder that each and everyday is so special to him. He's a little sponge who absorbs life so quickly and is reaching new milestones so often at this point. We've overcome the first hurdle of his lip surgery, and now it's time to just enjoy him being a healthy "normal" baby. Goodbye taping, NAM, nasal stints, weekly Dr. visits, and special bottles. Hello New Year!