"Auggies"

Cooper has had an obsession with planes and helicopters for awhile. Where we live there are constantly helicopters and airplanes flying over. Ever since he was very little he would point up and get really excited when he heard them. He used to just make a "pa" sound for planes and something that sounds a lot like helicopter but muffled. Well on our trip to Indiana Cooper came up with his own version of airplane. He calls them "auggies" I have no clue where this came from. But because we saw SO MANY airplanes on our trip he said it hundreds of times. He would point to one and say "auggie, auggie" over and over. Since we have been home it has continued. He will spot them when we are driving. It is unbelievable because sometimes they are far away so very tiny in the sky but sure enough he sees them. I love that he has made up his own word so now in our house airplanes are "auggies".

As I have mentioned we had quite the long flights for our trip (about 11 hours). Cooper refused to sleep in the airports or on the planes. So there was a lot of time playing and taking it all in. Here is a little view into our airport/auggie experiences.

Waiting to board our first plane at 6:30 in the morning

Getting out some energy before our long day of flying

So excited and taking it all in with daddy

decorating with window clings

Getting our fixes...diet coke and milk

Ready to board our flights to head home

Sticker fun

On our last and longest flight (4 1/2 hours) Cooper got his own seat.
He felt so big. We were so relieved it made things soooo much easier.

Pure content....he was so tired but refused to sleep.
He watched a full 30 minutes of Despicable Me....longest record by far!

Was obsessed with the buckles

Cooper was obsessed with the moving walkways in all of the airports. He played on them for hours between all of the airports. He would just run back and forward. The second one ended he would say "more" and was on his way back on it.

We really lucked out on our flights. The first one a little boy sat next to us and we entertained him with Cooper's toys. The second flight a lady in her 60's who couldn't get enough of Cooper sat by us. The third flight it was a 2-seater so no one was next to us. Then the fourth flight Cooper had his own seat. Cooper did amazing! It couldn't have gone better. I am definitely not ready to do it again anytime soon however!

Cousin Weekend

A couple of weekends ago Brad's brother Rich, his wife Jamie and their little boy Abel came to visit and stayed with us for the weekend.

It was nice having them up and Cooper getting to spend some time with Abel.
Abel is 7 months older than Cooper.
Now that Cooper is a toddler and not a baby it is fun watching them play together.
They played SO WELL together.
They were attached at the hips all weekend.
When we would get into the cars to go somewhere they would freak out. Cooper would be saying "Abel, Abel, Abel" and Abel would be crying for "Coofer".
They were funny.

We spent time just hanging around the house.

We went to the Jump N' Bounce by our house.

Then finished off the weekend at Joe's Crab Shack.

We sat outside so the boys ran around and played the entire time.

We were the only ones sitting outside.

I loved watching Cooper play with a cousin from Brad's side.
None of Brad's family live here so when we get to spend time together it's awesome!

My Little Musician

The other day I pulled out some pots and pans for Cooper to play some music on. I hadn't ever done this before. I had no idea what Cooper would do. I had to prepare myself for the noise as well. Once Cooper discovered what he should do he went to town! He loved it. Of course Cooper wanted mom to join in :) We had these out for a couple of hours and just played some music. These are the little memories that I just love!

Let's Play in the Snow

Two Saturdays ago we had our first real snow of the year. I was so excited to take Cooper out to play in it. He was way too little last year to be able to go out in the snow. We all got bundled up and headed out. I did not like snow or dirt or anything on me when I was little. If any snow even got on my boot I would freak out. I was hoping that Cooper didn't get that from me. Luckily he is ALL boy!!!

He was so funny all dressed in his snow gear. He loves having his gloves on and shoes on so I knew those wouldn't be a problem.


Here is a hilarious video of how he walked in his get up. Sorry it's sideways. I will try to fix it but wanted to get this posted.



When we got out there Indiana started going nuts. He LOVES to run and pounce in the snow. He always has. He gets this big burst of energy when he gets out in the snow. It was funny watching Cooper just take in Indiana's craziness.


Here you can see Indiana being a spaz!



He couldn't really walk around by himself because one the snow was too deep and two he could barely move in his snowsuit ha ha.


I was surprised at how much he loved being out in the snow. We made snow balls and threw them, we ate the snow, and we sat in the snow.


I am so excited for our next big snow storm. They are more enjoyable when I am not having to leave and drive in them if I don't want to :)

After we came inside Cooper got donuts and milk. What a treat after playing hard.

Bring on the snow!!!!!

WASHINGTON TRIP

Well a couple of weeks ago Cooper and I took off and flew to Washington to visit Brad's sister Julie. October was super busy for Brad and he was going to have to work late nights so we figured it was a perfect week to go since he wouldn't be home much anyways. Turns out he wasn't as busy as we thought and was home on time and even early some days that week but oh well it was still fun to get away. It was kind of an adventure packing and getting ready for our trip. I had been on a girls weekend with Amy and was in St. George and Vegas the weekend before. We didn't get home until after 8:00 pm Sunday and I still had to pack for both me and Cooper. We had to leave at 7:30 Monday morning so it was a late night and an early morning for me! Thankfully Brad had done the laundry so I didn't have to worry about that when I got home on Sunday.

I was most nervous for the plane rides. The last time he was on a plane he was 4 months old. Luckily he did pretty good on both flights. I had a grandma sit next to us both times so they were very understanding. And there was an extra seat on both flights so Cooper got his own seat which made it SO MUCH easier! Cooper was crazy though! He has so much energy and NEVER holds still. This didn't change on the airplane. He touched everything, was up and down, tried climbing over the seats, loved the windows, opened and shut the windows hundreds of times, flirted with people behind us, talk to kids in front of us, made lots of messes, colored with his crayons, watched a little of the Cars movie on the iPad, spilled my drink, stole ice from the cup of the lady next to us, BUT he wasn't the kid on the plane SCREAMING so I was happy!

He made friends with the grandma next to us. She was so sweet to him even amongst his craziness! I couldn't believe it but he even sat on her lap and wasn't scared of her.

Here is Cooper and the window :)


Julie will hate me but I had to share this. I was dying laughing when it happened!
Here is Julie putting in Cooper's car seat and the boys at Target.
I let Cooper down for a bit since we had been flying for so long and he touched everything. Julie couldn't believe how fast and how much energy he had and how much he could touch!

I was so excited for Cooper to get to play with his 3 cousins (Michael-6, Jack 4, and Bennett-20 months). The last time we saw them was the week of Cooper's birthday. Now that he is a little older he is way more interactive and independent so loves to play with the big kids. He absolutely LOVED the Richey's house. There was so much room to explore inside and out and soooo many new things to get into.

Here is Cooper adjusting to the Chaos:

Here is trying to lift this big rock. He even asks for help. But I gave him a smaller one that he could handle and he was just as happy.

Walking around like a big boy:

He found everything he wasn't supposed to have just like everywhere else we go. My little mischevious boy. Here you can see his favorites...the vacuum, mop, and broom :)

My child is very odd and his favorite toys are brooms and vacuums. He is obsessed! He spots them anywhere we go and freaks out if you don't let him play with it. He was in heaven because he got to play with the vacuum and broom the whole time we were up there.

He was constantly entertained. Michael was his best buddy. It was so cute to watch them interact. Michael would talk to him and lead him around. He really was so sweet with Cooper. Jack was cute with Cooper too. But he wasn't as in to Cooper.

Cooper loved the ledge on the fireplace. He played on it constantly.
He felt so big doing it because the big boys did it too!

I asked Michael if he wanted a picture with Cooper and he posed like this....

ha ha such a funny kid!

I couldn't hear Cooper so I went looking for him and this is what I found. Sweetest thing ever!!!!

Then there was Bennett. You have to understand that Bennett is almost twice as big as Cooper and is always wrestling and being tough with his older brothers. Cooper however terrified Bennett. Cooper kept trying to hug and kiss Bennett and he would run away screaming. This continued all week until the day we left, Bennett finally gave in and hugged Cooper back. But honestly it was the funniest thing to watch. Cooper could literally tackle Bennett even though he ways a good 10 pounds less than Bennett. I was impressed considering how much Bennett rough houses it with his brothers and Cooper doesn't really rough house at all.

One night we discovered that Cooper and Bennett had matching pajamas. It was so funny to watch them run around like this!

Bennett being fine with Cooper as long as he isn't being attacked:

Finally Bennett hugged Cooper back and wasn't so scared.
This is right before we headed to the airport to leave.

We had so much fun while we were there. We went to the Columbia store (a must when in Washington), crafted a little, went shopping, celebrated Jack's birthday, had a Halloween themed dinner, and just hung out and had a good time.

Here is some of the fun from our Halloween dinner. The boys all dressed up which made it even more fun.
(Candy Corn cookies, spider web 7-layer dip, witches brew, spider deviled eggs, monster puddings)

After the Halloween dinner we did the pinata from Jack's birthday. Michael and Jack got way into it! Every time Michael hit it, it went flying across the room. It was so solid that Tyler had to put it on the ground and hit it to crack it open. Here you can see Cooper with his broom watching all of the excitement.

The Richey's live on like 10 acres of land so it is a little boys heaven. We were able to "4-wheel" in the car around the property and do tractor rides. I wish Cooper was able to experience these kinds of things all the time like his cousins do!





We had a great time at the park. I discovered Cooper has no fear of slides. He would crawl up the jungle jim turned around and go right down the slide without even thinking twice.


Here is Cooper going down the slide:




Cooper was constantly going the whole time we were there. It wore him out!

I was ready to come home at the end of the week. Cooper didn't do so great at nights up there. I think he was teething and getting sick so that didn't make for a great combo. One night he screamed for like 3 hours, then others he was up and just wanted to play. Twice I just let him crawl around my bed and after about an hour and a half he would finally fall asleep with me. We missed Brad and were so excited to come home and see him.

Thanks Richeys for having us! It was a blast!!!!

Cooper : 15 Months

15 Months

I know I say this every milestone but I honestly can't believe my baby is 15 months old. He is seeming more and more like a little boy every day. There isn't too much about him these days that is real baby. He knows what he wants and he knows how to get it! Cooper is growing at the rate and around the same percentiles that he has been at his other appointments. He is perfectly healthy and developing right on track. This check-up was a little traumatic seeing as how he needed to get FIVE shots!!!! My poor baby was not happy. His lips turned blue from him screaming and not breathing while he was getting them. It made me feel even worse because right when we got home from the doctor I left to go out of town for the weekend. Luckily daddy was going to be home with him so I knew he was in good hands!

At 15 months Cooper is:

Weight: 22 lbs 14 oz (25%)
Height: 31 in. (40 %)
Head: 47 cm (45 %)

• Signing a TON!!! He can sign eat, drink, water, milk, sleep, shoes, bye, please, thank you, more, help, dog, fish, daddy, mommy, grandma, grandpa, shoes, socks, banana, finished
  
• Is constantly jabbering in his own little language
• Loves taking medicine and playing with the syringe
  
• Loves shoes and socks......so cute watching him try to put them on himself
  

He was getting ready for bed and he brought me his socks to put on him then he ran around and played all giddy.

• Can say mom, dad, what's this, shoes, baby, ball, please, pup (puppy)
• The only animal sound he knows so far is ruff
  
• Please and help are by far the cutest thing I have every seen him sign!
• Loves that he understands when you ask him questions. I love being able to communicate with him.
  
• When he wants to eat he go and tries to climb in his highchair

• Gives Indiana his treat to go in the kennel every time we leave
• Still is obsessed with balls, cars/trucks and watching Baby Signing Time
• Every time he hears a plane or helicopter he holds his hands up to let you know and says "PA" which is plane to him
• Has 12 teeth
• Dances anytime he hears music

He let me wrap him and just laid there.....I could pretend he was still a baby for a few seconds!

• Gets into every drawer or cabinet he knows he isn't supposed to be in
  
• Still loves drinking his milk and water (haven't given him to much juice so that he will still want water)
• Loves chicken nuggets, fries, and chocolate milk when we eat out. I never give him chocolate milk otherwise.

• Loves marshmallows, suckers, candy, really anything sweet that is bad for you.
• Still downs his weight in fruit
  
• Vegetables are hard to get him to eat
• Has started throwing tantrums....the full body throwing laying on the ground flailing and screaming ones
• Can generate crocodile tears in a matter of seconds
• All boy in everything he does!
• Is such a busy body....he NEVER holds still.....EVER!!!!
• Loves his binky and blanky. If we are upstairs he goes in his room and gets them out of his crib. Then proceeds to throw a fit when I takes them away!
  
• Obsessed with vacuums! He can spot them anywhere and freaks when you don't let him play with them.
  
• Loves my parents and his Aunt Aspen....sometimes more then me! :(
  
• Doesn't like riding in the shopping cart he just wants to help push it

• Doesn't go upstairs without getting my blow dryer out, dad's alarm clock down and my phone charger unplugged and drags them all around
• Goes down slides all by himself
• Builds towers with building blocks
• LOVES to play with mom's Tupperware. Putting lids on things is a fav!
  
• Insists on feeding himself and wants to use spoons and forks

I can't believe how independent our little guy is getting. It's amazing how much he changes even on a daily basis. We are still enjoying everything new and Cooper makes every day exciting and fun!!!

A Little Boy's Best Friend

I am a true believer that every child should have a pet. I always had a dog from the day I was born. I loved it! I have already seen the bond between Cooper and Indiana. They are just best buds and keep each other entertained. I love watching them together.

Cooper follows him around with the leash and tries to put it on Indiana.

Cooper tries talking to him.
He has this voice/tone he only uses when talking to Indiana.
They play fetch.
Cooper chases him around.
They give each other kisses.
They relax and watch tv together.
Indiana is always by Cooper's side.
Indiana runs up and waits for you to come when Cooper wakes up from naps.
Cooper loves to play in Indiana's bed and kennel.

Here is my proof on why every child needs a pet!

Best Buds

Cooper and Indiana really are best buds. I catch them playing together all day long. They chase each other around the house. Indiana will lay next to Cooper. Indiana drops his toys on Cooper for him to throw, but that doesn't really work out because Cooper just takes off crawling with it. Indiana is always by Cooper's side watching every move he makes. Indiana will race up to Cooper's door when he hears he is awake and can't wait to get in and see him. He whines if you aren't really quick at getting up the stairs to get Cooper. They really just have so much fun together. I always had a dog growing up so I wanted to provide my kids with the same opportunity. Cooper is much more entertained with not just having me to play with all day. Besides I have a built in vacuum. Everything that Cooper throws from his high chair is immediately eaten and picked up by Indiana. Makes life great!

I finally caught them the other day on camera. Every time they are playing and I get up to get the camera. Both of them notice and proceed to follow me.

This is what Cooper has learned happens when he
drops his food. So now it has become a game :)

I love both of my boys!