Christmas 2010

With hundreds of pictures taken over Christmas, I had to pick only a few favorites to share....

Before we left for the coast, Santa dropped off an early present for Cooper--his very own, Cooper-sized chair. He was so excited.

We visited Nate's family on the coast of NC for Christmas. Cooper and Poppy got right to checking out the Kung Fu Panda.

Christmas Eve Coop wasn't sure of what to make of all the partying and opening of presents. But as soon as the other kids started playing in the wrapping paper, he was all over it!

Daddy showed Coop how to use his new flashlight.

Cooper wrangled Poppy into many things over those few days, including playing with the blinds. I thought it was cute that Poppy got tired of holding him up to play with them, so he stuck Coop on a stool. Coop couldn't have been happier.

Christmas morning...need I say more?

Later Christmas morning we visited Nate's sister and her family at their house. Coop LOVED the front porch swing!

He also loved dancing with B.B.

See what I mean?

After Christmas, my parents and youngest sister came for a visit. Here's Coop and Ellie with Aunt Cassady.

Papa was the first one to show Coop the snow. Coop didn't like it at all.

Too much partying? I think someone was tired.

Grammie took the grandkids swimming at the hotel. Coop LOVED it!!!! He had Grammie and Cassady wrapped around his little finger, taking him back and forth between the jacuzzi and the pool. So much for keeping their faces and hair dry--Coop + water = SPLASHING!!!

Chelsey and I hung out with Liz on the side lines and watched them have fun swimming. (Liz, I spared posting a picture of little ol' pregnant you in a swim suit). We know you were there too. ;o)

We did LOTS of other fun things that week, including visiting the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, NC; eating dinner out with a screaming, crazy toddler; and playing games until all hours of the night.

Thank you to all our family for a WONDERFUL Christmas!!!!

Pre-Christmas Fun

We started celebrating Christmas a few weeks ago. Aunt Denise and Uncle Jim came for a visit, bearing gifts to worship the baby Cooper. Ok, maybe worship is a strong word. Cooper's favorite is still the singing Frosty the Snowman. He takes it everywhere with him.

Despite my being a bit of a gimp, wanting to get in the Christmas spirit, I took my sister up on the offer to help me "bake" some holiday treats. We decided to try gourmet carmel apples to give to friends and neighbors. Two 4-hour shifts later spread across two days and .....

By the time we were done, we were tired (and I was makeup-less), but happy with our Christmas-making. It was SO fun to be able to do some Christmas-y cooking with my sister; it's not every year that I get to do that!!!!! They were so yummy! I think our adventure in Christmas candy land was successful. If they didn't taste good, at least they looked good. ;o)

Why is it that every time I get the camera out, Coop is pants-less? I promise this kid DOES wear pants over the diaper most of the time! Couldn't resist this picture of him using the gifts under the tree as a step stool to reach higher ornaments. The one he's standing on has also been used as a seat. He's decided it's just right for him.

Uh-oh! That's what he said as he reached for the ornament...

Looking at the Bright Side

A month ago I had microfracture surgery on my left knee to remove some torn cartilege and get some replacement cartilege to grow in its place. It's a much longer recovery than the originally planned 2-3 weeks of a regular scope surgery. It's 6 weeks with crutches and in a metal brace that goes thigh to ankle and is locked at the knee, 6 weeks in a machine for 6-8 hours a day that moves my knee for me, plus physical therapy 3 times a week on top of it. Another 2-4 weeks of walking with the brace unlocked at the knee...ok you get the point. I'll spare you the other details.



My point is not to get a pity party going. In fact, my point is just the opposite. It sounds so awful, and at times it has been, but I have been so fortunate and blessed to have had this for the following reasons:

1. I had the OPTION of having the microfracture done because the condition of my knee was perfect for it. They can't do it unless the condition of the knee is just right for it, not many people are lucky enough when they have cartilege removed.
2. I have the health insurance to cover it.
3. This will return my knee to normal so I can play tennis again and do other exercises and fun things like hiking--yay!
4. It gets better....:-)......this is only TEMPORARY!
5. Had the surgery 4 days before Thanksgiving, which meant I didn't have to cook much or do any dishes, and I didn't feel guilty about it cause I was too doped up on painkillers. ;o)Have been able to work from home every day for a month, which means I've been blessed to spend much more time with my son and my sister.
6. Very blessed with a job that allows me to work from home during this, rather than take medical leave.
7. Have had AMAZING luck finding close parking spaces at places when I have ventured out. I call it a tender mercy from the Lord, who must be looking out for me since I don't get a handicapped parking pass.
8. Have been able to take naps in the middle of the day when I feel like it--like today for instance--took a 3 hour nap while Nate took care of Coop. Bliss!! Haven't had so much sleep since before I got pregnant with Coop.
9. On that note, I can't just get up in the middle of the night if Coop wakes up, so Nate has taken over that role. I have to admit it has been a little nice. But I do miss my little snuggly Boo Bear in the middle of the night. :o)
10. I could list more, but I'm going to stop at ten. So the BEST part about having surgery?!?.................getting to ride one of these at Wal-Mart. ;o) They are more fun than you might think!
    

Cooper 14 Months

Cooper turned 14 months old on Thanksgiving Day. In the last month he has...

• Learned to say a few more words. A few days ago he and I were playing with two toys. He picked one up, pointed to the other one on the floor, babbled a few sounds, and then said..."other one" clear as a bell. Every so often he'll repeat a word like light, fan, or pretty (which is what we call something he's supposed to only look at and not touch--like the Christmas tree). But his favorite word continues to be, "Naaaaaaaoh!" (No.)
• He discovered his belly button, and will suddenly come up to you and lift your shirt to search for yours. So if you visit him in the near future, I suggest you keep your shirt tucked in!
• He has developed an obsession with light switches. The picture below shows my exercise step he has turned into HIS own personal step to reach all light switches in sight. The other day Nathan moved the step back to it's appropriate storage place, and put it upside down in an effort to deter Coop from using it for some precarious adventure. Cooper promptly toddled over, picked up the step, flipped it over, and carried it to this his favorite spot in the kitchen where there are THREE light switches in one place!

• Cooper has also developed a real love for his toys, especially his stuffed animals. At night he likes to sleep with at least three: his Monkey, his Dog, and his Sea Horse. Lately he's added a fourth--a frog. I think he'd ask for more if he could carry them. I only allow in his bed the number of stuffed animals he can carry in his arms at one time. Otherwise the poor kid would have no place to sleep! A few of his other recent pastimes are playing with cars, reading books, playing in his tunnel, and using his scooter to climb onto things.

Cooper with his sleep time Dog, and his Snoopy Dog, another of his beloved stuffed animal toys.

• Cooper continues to love to dance. He has a toy that plays lots of different songs. He has learned which songs are his favorite, and will push the button until he finds the one he wants. Nathan and I were surprised to see him do this; neither of us taught him how on purpose. He is very observant!
• His other favorite thing to do is take things apart. Most recent casualty: my black pepper grinder. Took it apart. Completely broke it. Was mad I wouldn't put it back together so he could take it apart again.
• On that note, Cooper has learned to throw kicking, screaming, complete melt down fits on the floor. He's also learned the trick of going completely limp, which makes it nearly impossible to hold him during a fit.
• Due to the latter, he has experienced his first timeouts (about 10 seconds each), and has learned to say he's sorry afterward by giving a hug. For Cooper, an "I'm sorry" hug differs from a regular hug by the patting of the hands on your shoulder/back. Regular hugs are tight squeezes. Melts my heart every time.

Can you believe this adorable little stinker throws such fits?

• He thinks the phrase "I love you" means he's supposed to give you a kiss. He's also learned to blow a kiss, but it's more like just smacking his lips from across the room at you.

That's my Little Boo.

Edited to add: By the way, that's MY beanie he's wearing in that picture. His head is so big that small adult hats fit him. Like father, like son. Just means he has room for lotsa smarts. :o)

Thanksgiving - Double the Fun!

We had twice the fun for Thanksgiving this year--two turkey dinners! We were sure disappointed that we weren't able to visit Nathan's Dad as we had planned. We had looked forward to the trip for months. But due to my having knee surgery only four days before, traveling long distance was out of the question. We thought we were going to be stuck home alone on Thanksgiving Day, but Nathan's Aunt Denise invited us over last minute. The one hour drive to SC was rough on me, but we made it!

Cooper had lots of fun playing with all Aunt Denise's Thanksgiving decorations.Allison and her friend were great at keeping Cooper entertained,
as was Lindsay!

They played bubbles.

Took adorable pictures of Cooper.

And helped him explore things like bubble wands,

and leaves.

Nathan and Jim watched lots and lots of football. I sat on the couch and did, well, nothing but watch all the goings-on. We were thankful to have family to spend the day with after all, and to have a wonderful dinner with. Thank you Aunt Denise and Uncle Jim for a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

The following Saturday was Thanksgiving, take two. We had a turkey dinner with my brother and his family, and my sister.

The guys watched the BYU vs U of U football game. By the end of the night we were all exhausted from having so much fun! Coop ended the night reading stories with Aunt Liz.

One good thing having knee surgery so close to Thanksgiving: I didn't prepare much food or do any dishes! ;o)

Cups, Graham Crackers, and Cars: Oh My!

Friday night Coop was playing with this cup for awhile. He is constantly trying to figure things out. At one point, he actually got the lid put back on, but that was before the camera started.

This morning Coop was eating graham cracker. He had shoved the entire graham cracker in his mouth, and his cheeks looked like little chipmunk cheeks full of food. We tried to take a picture, but he decided to do an open-mouthed grin instead. So I aplogize for the food shot.

He thought it was hilarious.

This afternoon we gave Coop some matchbox cars to play with. He was excited to check out the cars.

Daddy helped show him some of the cars. I loved this picture of the two of them. Coop's face shows his awe.

Bed Head

Thought I'd never get to say it, but Coop woke up from his morning nap today with bed head.

Our little baldy is finally getting some hair. In fact, I just gave him his third "haircut" last week to even out all the long strands to match the short ones and make him look like more of a little man. Thanks Chelsey for the pictures so we can all revel in this cute proof of what must have been a great nap!