Reflections

Today was filled with lots of things 'to do': David's first day of school, Cooper's 6 month doctor's visit, our wedding anniversary...a busy day to say the least.

Yes, David and I have been married for four years today. I can't believe how time flies by. Just yesterday he was picking me up for our first date to...Chilis! How sweet! It has been our favorite restaurant ever since. A lot has happened in the time that David and I have been together: we've both graduated from college, graduated from graduate programs, held our first 'real' jobs, owned a home, owned two cars, own all of the furniture in our house that was not a hand-me-down, been to many many weddings of our friends, been to some funerals, participated in four football seasons together and most of all- had a child. When I go to my ten year high school reunion next weekend, I think I'll have a lot to be proud of in my life! Not much changed from high school graduation through undergrad, but then after that it seemed as though time took off like a rocket! Where does it all go? I guess time really does fly when you're having fun! I'm looking forward to the next 70 years with David. I hope it's as fun as these last four have been! (oh, and white roses were delivered to my office this morning- gotta love that!)

Cooper went to the doc today. He is in the 65th percentile for everything- height and weight. He is 26 7/8 inches long and 19.6 pounds! Whoa hoss! And, of course, he is perfect in every way! Below is a pic of our fabulous doctor, Henry Garrard. He is THE BEST in town and we absolutely love him! David even gets excited to go see him! Cooper did very well with his shots today- he only had two and only made one yelp and was fine afterwards. Such a big boy!

Random Videos

Home Alone

If anyone were to try to break into our house, I'm sure they would end up with a broken neck, broken leg, broken arm, etc. Not because David would beat them up, but because our house is secured with very inventive booby traps. It's much like the house in the movie Home Alone...Cooper's walker is in front of the kitchen door, his play mat and light-up thingy is in front of the front door, most of his toys are strewn about the living room and the kitchen and occasionally there is a puddle of spit up just waiting to throw some unsuspecting thief onto their rear end like that of a banana peel (do those really work? really?). Anyway, below is a picture of our newest security item, or Cooper's walker to be more exact. I sure hope Santa does not decide to slide down our chimney this Christmas- Cooper's jumperoo is in front of that as well...

We Won! We Won!

Wonders never cease to amaze me!!! We (really I) had MUCH excitement this weekend as we found out that we WON a free convertible car seat!!! The Britax Diplomat car seat, in Cowmouflauge, will be installed in my car this evening!! Here's the story:

A local baby boutique, Rattles and Rhymes, held their 2nd Annual Baby Shower sale this weekend. Lots of discounted items and giveaways. Part of the sale included a raffle; each customer received 6 tickets. Within the store, boxes were placed next to various items that the store would be giving away. You could put your tickets in any box that you desired; you could put all of your tickets in one box if you really wanted that item or you could spread them around and try your luck at winning several items. Examples of raffle items were: cribs, mattresses, strollers, car seats, diaper bags, etc.

Now, I'm not one to win things very often, so I did not get my hopes up. I decided I would put two tickets in the car seat (something we have been dreading buying for a while now- Cooper has almost outgrown the one he is in now) and then distribute my tickets about the store in hopes that I would win something and could give it to a friend who is expecting (most of the items we already have, so there was really no need for us to have 2 baby cribs).

David and I went out on Saturday night to a friend's birthday party. We left Cooper with a new baby sitter (who is so sweet- she's no Dixie- but she will do in her absence). Since she was new, I took the liberty of typing up an 'info sheet' for her to have: address, our cell numbers, when Cooper should eat, where his clothes and diapers were located, AND instructions to answer the phone if it rang b/c we were waiting to hear if we won anything at the raffle.

Slinking back to the house around 9:00 PM, I walked in to find out that we had WON!! I literally jumped up and down, screaming, "We saved $300!" and probably scared the babysitter half to death! She said that the store called and said, "Please tell her that she won the Britax Diplomat..." to which the babysitter replied, "Okay, could you repeat that? You said Brit..." to which the store manager quickly said, "Tell her she won a car seat!". Enough said!!! Below is a pic of the major award (reference to A Christmas Story)

6 Months!

Dear Sweet Baby Jesus

You will get the title of this post if you have ever seen 'Talladega Nights.' Anyway, Dear Sweet Baby Jesus, please allow Cooper to continue to sleep through the night! He has been doing so well sleeping in his crib until about 4:30 or 5:00 AM and then sleeping with us until 7:00 AM. We are REALLY excited to be catching up on sleep, so surely you will not take that away from us. Also, continue to watch over him at daycare and help him to keep eating all of his oatmeal and taking a morning nap in the crib. Amen.

Below are some pics of our visit with Owen this weekend. Cooper was in a bit of a mood, but we managed to get some good pics. Cooper also loves his vegetables! He has not warmed up to fruits yet- odd for a baby- and he gets this shutter when they are too sweet, but overall he likes all sorts of foods!
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Daycare

It had to happen eventually. I had to let the reigns go...I just didn't think it would be so soon! Yesterday was Cooper's first day at Trinity Lutheran Learning Center. Why didn't I post yesterday? Well, because I spent the majority of the day in tears. Approximately every hour I would think about Cooper sitting in the nursery, away from me and David, away from Dixie, and I would loose all control.

Here is the thing that SOME do not understand. I realize that daycare is good for Cooper. I am excited for him. It will be beneficial to have him socialized and used to noises (like Aunt Jill) and illnesses and the like. I think this is a great age for him to start as well. HOWEVER, it is a Mom's job to worry and so I am. Cooper has been with no one else but family and Dixie and he has had the pleasure of staying in his own home, safe and sound, waiting on Mommy every day when I come through the doors. Now, I am going to an unfamiliar place, leaving him with unfamiliar people and hoping that some other kid isn't stepping on him (like one of them did yesterday). It is another change in our lives and I am dealing with it the best that I can!

He has had two good days so far. The first day he was little out of it, but the second day he did much better; he ate, talked and even took a little cat nap. Apparently, he also likes bubbles. This morning was his first experience in the ball pit. Yes, they have a miniature ball pit for the babes to tumble in and out of. These pits are also referred to as cesspools (these people have NO idea who they are dealing with; do they know I'm in public health?). But, as I left the room this morning, he was enjoying playing in the pit with Ms. Courtney.

I suppose now we will wait on his first real illness: ear ache, runny nose, fever, etc. I'm sure he will make tons of friends. There are some baby girls in the class who are cute as pie. But, he's too young for that. He won't be allowed to date until he is at least 35 .