Conversations with Cooper

If you've read this blog any number of times, you've probably heard me say before that Cooper is a talker!  He started talking early and he pretty much talks from the moment we walk into his room in the morning until the last goodnight as Eric walks out the door.  I wanted to write a few things that he has said recently that makes us laugh....or just the way he says words.  I've been making little notes in my phone because I don't want to forget!  (And some pictures....cause I know you're actually just here for the pictures).  Cooper is 2 years and 5 months old.

He loves to wrestle with daddy....and this conversation happens almost every day when Eric comes home from work. "Hi daddy. You want to wrestle? You need to change your clothes first?"  On this particular weekend morning, he excitedly said, "I'm Super Cooper! I'm way up there and I cray cray."  (not sure where he picked up cray cray from)

Instead of saying 'maybe' or it 'might be'....Cooper says "uhhhh.....miy be"

One morning, he brought this baby out and said it was time to feed baby.  He hopped up in the chair, grabbed the boppy, and I had to get a photo.  My favorite part--his dinosaur shirt that says "FEED ME!" right in the perfect spot.

He has started wanting to wear his hat more often, ever since his friend Boone visited a few weeks ago and was wearing a hat.  Except most of the time, Cooper puts his on backwards.  It kills me.  I'm picturing him as an 11 year old, wearing his hat backwards.

Hudson, Cooper, & Boone

For the most part, Eric does bedtime with Cooper while I am feeding Hudson before he goes to bed.  If they have finished reading "Good Night, Good Night Construction Site" book, the bible story, sang songs, and given hugs and kisses before I'm finished (in that exact order....don't mess with a first born and his routine), then Cooper runs in and gives me hugs and kisses in Hudson's room.  For a while, he has joked and said, "Night night...daddy" to me when he is leaving the room, followed by lots of giggles.  There is often a pause between night night and daddy as he thinks of his joke and gets the right words.  Well last night, I told him "Love you, robot" as he left the room because he was wearing his robot pajamas.  Without missing a beat, he turned back and said "Love you, pjs".  He makes us laugh!

Robot pajamas

And the best part--robot tush!

Cooper often gets stuck on repeat.  For example, "May I have some milk?" or "May I do stickers" or "May I watch sump in (something)?"  He will repeat over and over again....no matter if the answer is yes, no, hold on, etc. 

We are in the thick of potty training.  We've been going for a month, and if you would have asked me last week if Cooper was potty trained, I would have said yes.  After the last few days and several accidents, I would now claim that he is about 90% potty trained.  Our little words of affirmation child will often encourage us too--like when he told Eric, "Daddy, good job going on the potty!"  Cooper was in the bathroom with Eric one day, and Cooper shouted out to me, "Babe, can you bring the wipes?"  Since then, we've heard "Babe...." several times.

We recently started giving him a daily gummy vitamin.  He calls it a "bitamin" and every time he gets one, he says, "It's kind of like a fruit snack." and grins.  (He LOVES the fruit snacks).

Thanks for reading about life with Cooper.  He really is a hoot!

Apron & cape at the same time!

Hudson- 8 months

Hudson is now 8 months old (as of yesterday)!

-Height and Weight: I'm not really sure and we don't go back to the doctor until next month.  We are just hoping that he is growing!
-He is wearing a size 2 diaper and 6-9 months clothing. Most of his clothes are still pretty loose on him, with room to grow.
-He still just has the two bottom teeth.
-He takes 2-3 naps each day....once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and sometimes a cat nap in the evening.  His napping is still a little inconsistent--partially because we aren't always at home in the morning.  There are times he wants to be rocked and then won't lay in his bed, times that he only sleeps for 30-40 minutes, and other times that he falls asleep in his crib and sleeps for 1 1/2 hours.  You just never know!  It isn't a huge deal to me though, because he sleeps great at night!  He goes to bed sometime between 8-8:30pm and usually wakes up sometime between 7:30-8:00am.
-He is nursing four times a day (wake up, before lunch, late afternoon, and bedtime).  He eats food 2-3 times a day.  He is eating peaches, pears, apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, bananas, and prunes.  We haven't started any finger foods (puffs, etc), but I feel like we'll probably try some soon.  I noticed just today how much he was chewing his food, so maybe ready for a little more texture. 
-He sits up very well and has recently been getting into crawling position a lot.  He doesn't move forward, but sometimes pushes back, and can pretty much roll or scoot himself wherever he wants to go.
-Hudson loves to put everything in his mouth....from hoodie strings, books, rattles, spoons, pretty much anything he can get his hands on (including his hands!) He has started spitting up a little more often, which I think part of the time he is gagging himself with things. We have to keep an eye on him!  I had to help Cooper in the bathroom one day, and Hudson helped himself the rest of his peas for lunch (that I left barely within reach). 
-He seems to enjoy the carrier.  We used it a few times that we had nice weather in January to walk up to the playground.
-He's a pretty happy, laid back kid.  He is still a mama's boy, but I think it might be getting a little better with me being in the same room or walking by and not holding him.
-And most comments about him......are still about the hair!  Followed closely by how much he looks like his daddy! 

First time swimming!

Rad Like Dad!

"Mama left the spoon & peas in reach."

"I'm hungry! I'll just feed myself!"

Ready to take off!

Daddy using static to "fix" my hair

Sleeping boy!

And just for a little comparison, here is Cooper at 8 months! (When I look back, they look alike more than I think--but definitely different colored hair)

Valentine's Cookies

Okay friends, we are doing our first pre-order sale in our little cookie business. We thought for Valentine's Day we would make up two different sets, take pre-orders until the week before, and then cookies would be ready for pick-up or local delivery in Jefferson City on February 12-13. 

Set 1. "Conversation Hearts"

6 cookies for $10

12 cookies for $15

These could even be personalized with kids' names or special messages- rather than just generic conversation heart messages. 

Set 2. "Chalkboard Love"

6 cookies for $10

12 cookies for $15

So comment or get in touch with me if you are interested in ordering!  This is our first go at something like this, but we are excited to already have several who have reserved their Valentine's cookies. They would make a great treat for teachers, spouse, kids, co-workers, neighbors or friends. We are taking orders until February 6th. 

Favorite Things

Most of my blogging is centered around my family....what we have been doing, how the boys are developing, trips and experiences, etc.  I decided, just randomly, that I would do an entry on a few of my favorite things [insert Julie Andrews' singing].  I'm a creature of habit and when I like something, I will buy, use, or make it over and over again.  So without further adieu, here are five of my favorite things!

1. Caribou Coffee Hot Chocolate -- I've talked on here before about how much I enjoy Caribou's Hot Chocolate, which you can get in milk chocolate, white chocolate, or dark chocolate.  Eric got me a container of chips that I can just add to my own milk at home (which is considerably cheaper than spending $3-4 on a drink there).  I don't drink coffee and rarely drink tea....and this is my go-to warm drink.  Cold nights mean I want a hot chocolate almost every day! Yikes!

2. Chewy Granola Bars -- My friend Denise brought these to a girls' night back in November and I thought they were SO good.  She passed along the recipe, via Pinterest, and I have made them three times since then (including today).  I tell myself that they are good for me since oatmeal helps with breast milk supply ;)  The recipe can be found here.

3. Super soft Mizzou throw -- This blanket was a gift from my mother-in-law and it is just so soft and comfy.  Since I'm wearing shorts around the house about 90% the time, I will often put a blanket on if I sit down.  It would be perfect to snuggle up in and watch.....

(image from HGTV website)

4. Fixer Upper -- Have you seen this show?  The couple, Chip and Joanna, are adorable and they do awesome work at fixing up old and outdated homes.  We don't have cable, so I've just seen a few episodes at my parents' house over Thanksgiving.  But seriously, how do I get them to come to my house? (Live in Texas and have money to pay them....) If you have HGTV, you should check out this show!

(image from Foot Locker website)

5. Mizuno Wave Rider running shoes -- My last six pairs of running shoes have been Mizuno Wave Riders, which have been great, so "if it ain't broke..." Eric and I have signed up for a half marathon in April and I need to get new shoes.  I currently own the bright turquoise and pink ones shown above, and I'll typically buy whatever color is the cheapest (which can vary online).  The nice thing about knowing what works is that it saves the time and energy of trying on a bunch of new shoes--not knowing if they will rub, be the right amount of cushion, and be comfortable when it actually comes to running outside in them.

Those are five of my favorite things (at the moment).  What are some of your favorite things??

Hudson- 7 months

Happy New Year and happy seven month old boy!  Hudson loves to roll, sit (surrounded by pillows, but improving daily on his balance and recovery), and play in the exersaucer.  He has improved SO MUCH with sleeping, both naps and overnight.  I am not feeding him at all during the middle of the night, and he has spaced out to about four hours between feedings during the day.  He sleeps somewhere around 11 hours overnight, although he does wake up some, but can usually put himself back to sleep.  He loves rice cereal, and is starting to enjoy carrots and pears.  He has had banana one time and we will have to try it again because it was not enjoyed the first time.  I have apples and sweet potatoes made that we will try soon too!  Hudson celebrated his first Christmas with family in Green Ridge and Kansas City, and also made his first trip to Branson in month seven.  He's ticklish like his big brother and enjoys grunting.  We just made the move into 9 month clothes, although they are pretty big on him.  I'm excited for him to continue to grow, but a little sad that he will miss out wearing all kinds of cute warm weather clothes that we have for 9 months (considering it's currently 11 degrees, I'm guessing no shorts anytime soon)!  The top comment about Hudson is still about that wild hair!  I think he's probably teething again, but who knows how long until new ones pop through.  He is pretty cute with the two he has.

"Just the boys"- as Cooper would say

First try with carrots "no thanks"

Worked himself up into the corner

Bundled to take Christmas treats to our neighbors

Practicing sitting

Laying in the airport in Kansas City

Playing together

Keep growing, learning, playing, eating, and sleeping sweet boy!!  We love you!