Bubbles!! (Part Two)

Chelsey and Cooper were playing bubbles again this week. Such joy from this little guy!

The best way to pop them?

Hmmm...a bottle hair spray for lunch?

Can I get off this couch?

Cheese!

Chasing bubbles is hard work. I need a break!

The beginning of Coop's modeling career?

Bubbles!!

Cooper has a mild obsession with bubbles. He has a book about bubbles, and loves to "read it" to us and say, "Bubba! Bubba!" over and over. He is also learning to say, "Pop!" He will play pop the bubbles just about any time, and they almost always make him smile and giggle. My sister, Chelsey, took these pictures the other day when babysitting Cooper as they played bubbles.

Cooper and Ellie (cousins)

Can I Fit in There?

That must be one of the questions Coop has been asking himself lately, because here are a few of the places he's been found in the last week...

[Side note: For over an hour I've been trying with no success to upload several videos of Coop's first steps, and a few other funny ones I have of him. I keep getting upload errors, so I'm giving up on the videos and posting pics instead. Sorry.]

Jesus Loves You

[Ok. I know, I just couldn't resist using the "Jesus loves you" bumper sticker saying I see everywhere living in the South. Sometimes I don't mind being reminded, even if by a bumper sticker.]

Wanted to record this before I forget and have no pictures to remind me...

This past Sunday at church I was walking the halls with Cooper. A noisy, walking, talking, must bang on everything and/or bang everything together, 11-month old does not a quiet church meeting make. So we were in the hall a lot. In the foyers of our newly built church building are several beautiful paintings of Christ. Each time we passed one, I would stop, lift Cooper up to it, and say, "Cooper, who is that? That's Jesus. He loves you." After doing that three times, when I asked, "Cooper, who is that?" I paused, and he said...

"Jee!"

11 Months

Cooper turned 11 months old last week and I snapped a few photos of him to mark the occasion. I almost didn't post these because he has so many marks on his face right now--eczema, pimples from sunscreen, and various bumps, bruises and scrapes from learning to walk. He hasn't quite grasped the concept that he can't just walk into things, or that stationary objects won't move out of the way for him. But then I decided that scrapes, bumps, and bruises will probably always exist with this adventureous little guy, and I wouldn't want to pass up the occasion to share pictures.

Sure, I'll smile Mom, if you give me the camera!

Hey, you tricked me!

Mom, this is not the camera. This is the remote. I strictly negotiated that I get to play with the camera if I smiled. The remote was not part of the agreement.
[Mommy replies: Coop, I never agreed to the terms of your agreement. The remote is a gesture of my willingness to compensate you for your efforts. Take it or leave it, man.]

One of Cooper's favorite toys is the REMOTE CONTROL! He knows that it controls the tv and that if he pushes enough buttons he can change the channels, turn the volume up/down, and turn the tv on/off. Hasn't mastered knowing which button is which, but then again, neither have I. He'll probably have figured it out before I do. He is also wise to the extra remote we designated as his; he knows it doesn't work and won't fall for it.

Cooper also likes to play with the buttons on the front of the tv. The other day he changed the channel to something with no reception, and got a screen of fuzz, which he looked at pensively. Then he kept pushing more buttons and turned the volume way up. That channel had no sound. But oh my--the next thing he did was change the channel again to another screen of fuzz and this time----it was LOUD, VERY LOUD, fuzz. The screamed in fright and booked it across the room to me, crying. I was hoping that he would have learned a lesson from his misadventure to not play with the tv buttons. Silly mommy. He was right back at it less than 5 minutes later, albeit a little cautious at first.

Other noteable 11-month milestones:

1. WALKING--yep, full on walking. Practially running now that it's been about 2 weeks. Walks bowlegged like his daddy did at this age. So cute. Will post videos when I have time at home. Can't upload at work, even on lunch break.

2. Added spoken vocabulary words: Lellie (Ellie, his cousin), Brah-dee (Brody is no longer just Dee, well not always anyway), Bubba! (Bubbles!)

3. Understanding things more. Cooper knows when I say, "Coop, where is your snuggle bunny?" that I'm asking him where his security blanket/stuffed animal thingy is. He is becoming very attached to it and gives it lots of loves. [I almost said, "Loves on it," which is a phrase I've picked up living in the South. If you hear me say it, now you know what it means.] When I say, "Coop, let's go take a bath," he goes and stands at the side of the tub. If I say, "Where are your toys?" he looks for them or goes to get one. If I say, "Let's brush our teeth," he waits for his toothbrush. It is so fun to know he understands what I say to him more and more. So why doesn't he stop doing things when I say NO? Hmmm....selective listening has already begun.

4. Cooper enjoys immitating, either through words or actions. For instance, when I count the scoops of formula for his bottle, he repeats "Two, Three!" He likes to help me unload the dryer and put the clothes in the basket. But he will not usually immitate on cue. It has to be his idea.

Cooper loves to play his own version of tag. His version is to run towards you, not away. If you say, "I'm gonna get you," then he runs toward that person giggling with delight, and gives a hug. Not quite the way the game of tag works, but I like it better since I chase him around enough as it is anyway, and I love seeing his face lit up with excitement.

A Visit to Utah

We took a trip to Utah the end of July. Coop turned 10 months old while we were there.

So we got in early in the morning when normal human beings were asleep. We hadn't really seen any family yet, and got up to go to church. My sister decided to come to my parents' ward that day since I'd be there. Wouldn't you know in they walk with Calvin, and he and Coop are wearing the SAME shirts. Totally unplanned, purchased across the country from one another. Ha ha. It was pretty funny. So when we got home from church, we snapped a picture. Calvin was putting the Lincoln Logs to use Cooper was laughing at whatever adult was making a fool of themself behind the camera.
Cooper had so much fun with Calvin, especially putting hand prints all over Grammie's windows.Aunt Camyll and the Coopster

Papa and Cooper enjoying the swing.

Of course, Papa the landscape architect showed Cooper a plant or two around the pond. Cooper loved every minute of it.

Grammie, Calvin, Papa, and Cooper on the swing.

Calvin was off and running; it was all Coop could do to try to keep up. This was often the picture--Cooper trailing Calvin--wanting so badly to be a big boy too.

Momma and Cooper enjoying being at home in the backyard with beautiful lawn to sit on, and beautiful weather to enjoy it. We don't have lawn this green in NC!

Papa, Great Grandpa, Cooper and Momma

Great Grandma and Grandpa Christensen with Cooper

Tyler and Aspen having fun playing with Cooper

Grammie took the two boys for a wagon ride around the neighborhood. Cooper hadn't been in a wagon before and kept trying to stand up. By the time we left, he had learned to stay seated or the wagon would stop. He loved the wagon--Grammie's special treat!

Yeah, Mom, Grammie is taking me a on a fun wagon ride!

The next day we went up American Fork Canyon for a picnic. Daddy was sure to show Cooper all there was to see.

Cooper was just starting to learn to walk.

Coop loved his new backpack ride

Daddy loved giving Coop a backpack ride, perfect for a little hike.

We went up to Cascade Springs in hopes of having some cooler weather, and getting to see fish, ducks, and such. Yes we saw fish. But it was still hot! Here are the girls enjoying the shade.

Cassady, Camyll, Aspen, Chrystal, Mom

I liked these flowers at Cascade Springs.

And here are the BOYS--Cooper, Nathan, Jason, Calvin, and Tyler

The next day our cousins came for a visit. It was a crazy bunch of toddlers! Coop obviously loved it.

Calvin and Jaden are only days apart in age. They had so much fun playing together.

Cooper loved playing Grammie's piano. It was his first time playing a real piano, and he loved to pound away at the keys!

Cooper got to go to a "splash" park. There's a really great park near my parents' home that has water fountains and a stream and such, all made just for kids to play in. Cooper thought it was heaven.

This water is fun, Mom!

Me, Cal and Ruby saying goodbye

Tyler played with Cooper a lot and showed him lots of fun things.

Anna played with Cooper and let him climb all over while Tyler and I had a texting war. We all had the giggles. Cooper thought it was hilarious.

We went up to Park City and Coop tried on his first cowboy hat. His head is so big, it nearly fit. Ok, well not quite.
Cooper was determined to walk down Main Street.

Strollers are for babies, Mom. I'm a big boy!

Cooper and Tyler played basketball. Cooper's version was to roll the basketball down the hill. Who needs a basketball court that you can't crawl on? Grass is better!

Our last night we had dinner with the family, and the power went out. So here we are eating outside late in the evening. Poor Coop was completely exhausted after such a fun week and being two hours off schedule. His face reflects about how I felt at the end--happy but exhausted.

Thanks for such a fun trip family!!!! We love you!