First day of vacation, first day of sleep training

Yesterday was my first day of Christmas vacation, and also my first night of trying sleep training with Cooper. I never had to do much actual "sleep training" with my other boys. It was mostly wait until they slept through the night, which they did well on their own. Cooper is still up 2-3 times a night and Friday night was up 5-6 times. I've been so tired I've been falling asleep nursing in my chair the last few nights. He's been sleeping in the antique cradle in our room, but only has about 2 inches of room at the end when he's lying down and really has outgrown it. I feel bad that Tony hears every time Coop fusses and I get up, the squeaky chair I nurse in, the burps, belches, and squawks.
Sleep training? you ask! Right now I'm trying to get Cooper to sleep regularly in his crib. I'm hoping that the distance from me will give him more time to wake up and me more time to think about if he is really awake. Part of the waking up problem is that Cooper won't wake up completely to nurse and will just nurse a little bit. He doesn't want to burp after eating at night either. This makes him wake up an hour after eating to burp or spit up, which wakes me up. I've been really bad too about bringing Cooper to bed with me to snuggle and nurse. He LOVES snuggles and eats well snuggled up, but doesn't nurse so he is fussing just a little bit later.
Cooper slept both naps yesterday and most of last night in his crib. He slept a good two hour nap today and he's asleep in the crib now. I'm hoping if he can get used to sleeping upstairs then I can put the cradle away and move my nursing chair into Coop's room. It is a pain to go up stairs to get Cooper back to sleep, but I'm hoping we can slowly work from 3 times a night to one time a night by January 3rd when I go back to school. I would dearly love to be getting more sleep and longer stretches of it.
I'm not a fan of the "Cry It Out" method, though I did get to a point when I did it with my other boys. Maybe it's because Cooper's my third baby, but I've had more patience with him than ever with the other two. I haven't had to have Coop cry for an extended amount of time. I have been becoming more and more frustrated with the late sleepless nights recently though. Hopefully having two weeks off work and some time to sleep in and get naps will be a good time to get Cooper scheduled and get me some more sleep.

Four months (and one week) big!

Baby Cooper,

You are now a big four months old! Your personality is starting to show. You are still an easy going baby, but without a schedule. You love to sleep and snuggle with Mommy, so much you still don't sleep through the night! She is still up with you two or three times a night. I don't know if this is because you are just growing so fast you need the food, or you just miss me so much now that I'm back at work you need your Mommy time at night. Whatever the reason, please start sleeping longer than 2 hours (or less) at night! Mommy is back at work and is TIRED. You love our sitter though and seem to be doing well with me back at work. You have grown so much! At your dr's appointment this week you were 26 inches long (95%) and almost 15 pounds (50%). Daddy said the doctor was amazed at how strong you are.

You are no longer content to be set down somewhere and look around though, you want to be exercising those arms and legs! The exersaucer is your new favorite toy. You can jump and bounce as much as you want, and you've learned how to turn yourself around to reach all the neat things within reach. Your big brothers enjoy finding new toys to give you. They don't like that you show your appreciation for their toys by slobbering them up though. You haven't started teething yet (thank goodness) but the drool is flowing fast. Bibs have become part of your daily fashion now and you soak through them regularly.

You've gotten some new skills now that you are older too. You can roll over from your tummy to your back. You don't do this very often, but have done it enough we know it can be done. You have yet to roll from your back to your front, but you've come so close to doing it, I'm assuming you can and just haven't discovered it as a means of moving. You can also reach for things in front of you and of course put them to your mouth to taste them. That means you can find and insert your binky regularly!

Probably your favorite time of day, other than snuggling with me, is bath time. Cooper, you LOVE baths! Not only do you get to be naked, but you can kick and wiggle to your heart's content in the water. You don't even mind me washing your hair or splashing you! It is so fun to watch you enjoy bath time.
I am still amazed to watch how fast you are growing each day and know that soon you'll be moving fast to keep up with your big brothers.

Sledding Fun (Need I say more?)

Rainy Day Ramblings

I've been home from work for nearly five months now, and even though I told myself I would put more of myself into my posts, looking back, most of them have been quick updates with pictures. So I am taking a few minutes (complete with kid interruptions) on this rainy day to ignore the dishes, laundry, and toys, to reflect on thoughts that have been on my mind and I always thought I'd have time to write them all down. With only two weeks of my maternity leave, I'd better write them down quick.

Last week Cooper came with me to attend school conferences. Many of my former students and parents have been wanting to see Cooper, and it was a way to spend time with him and also get paid for attending conferences. My wonderful substitute held him the entire time and put him to sleep each time she held him. Even the crankiest parents couldn't keep their mad going with a cute, cuddly baby in sight. Most of the parents know that Cooper isn't my oldest child, but I was always asked if he was my oldest, how old my others were, etc... I'm always asked if I'm going to have more children or "try for a girl". Complete strangers have no problems admiring my adorable children and asking these personal questions. After battling with my mysterious infertility last year, I hated being asked these questions, and have tried not to ask other people these same irritating questions. Last week when I was out with just Cooper and was asked the usual series of questions and was told that I was too young to have a seven year-old! A stranger thought I was only 20 years old! I was wearing a hoodie sweatshirt and had my hair up in a ponytail.

Taking all three boys out to church, shopping, etc.. is so often overwhelming. It's not just keeping track of all three or keeping Cooper content, but the effort involved in keeping the peace and settling arguments in a reasonable manner in public. Having all three boys with me does get me lots of help from strangers though. I'm always asked if I need help carrying things out to the car or an extra set of hands. Some people even are extra nice and let me go ahead of them in line. The boys earned lots of compliments about how polite and well behaved they were this last week grocery shopping.

This fall I have learned about the flip-side of homework. As a teacher I have always assigned homework and have rationalized that all students can do the work I assign, it just might take some a little more time or focus than others. Colten has regular homework this year as a first grader. I always figured that I would be able to help my own kids enjoy school and see the importance of doing homework. I was determined that all my boys would be good students and homework just takes some practice to memorize and study. Colten loves school: recess, PE, music, math, and science; but he really struggles with reading and writing. I requested Colten's teacher this year not because she was the cool teacher to have, but because she was supposed to be a really strong reading teacher and I wanted all the help Colten could get. Little did I know how much help Colten would be needing at home! It is incredibly tough to motivate him to be interested in practicing his vocabulary words and I've had to get creative in how to help him remember words and spelling. Even with all my extra help and motivation (m&ms) Colten still continues to struggle with his reading and writing.

School was always easy for me and I was motivated by the need to learn new things. Carson is the same way I am, see, memorize, and love every minute of it. Colten is good at sounding out short words, but the English language has more exceptions than rule followers with words. This means that Colten is guessing most of the words he should know by sight and leads to lots of frustration. He can read a word correctly on one page, but not remember it again on a different page. He is good at using context clues (pictures) and inserting words he knows to make the sentence make sense. Good for pleasure reading but bad for timed homework reading. Being the homework "doer" at home makes me look at the work I assign students and wonder at the frustrations expressed by their parents. I've had to re-think my philosophy that all homework is possible, sometimes it just takes practice. Sometimes it takes more than just practice. With Colten and I, it takes knowing we've done the best we can with our antsy, anti-homework child and no amount of extra time or practice will make that 80% and 100%. Frustrating, but certainly eases the battles at the dining table. Now I need to find a way to get Colten to enjoy doing his homework and stop being so antsy.

three months old!

Dear Cooper,
You are three months old today! This last month has gone by especially fast. You have grown even more and are now wearing size 6-9 months clothes, and some of those are getting small fast. You haven't got a predictable schedule yet, but you are sleeping at least two naps a day and most of the night and for longer times. Getting all that sleep makes you very alert when you are awake. You really like to sit up and watch what everyone around you is doing. Watching us eat and your brothers playing is the most entertaining for you. Your bouncy seat (that you're too big for) and the swing no longer work to keep you happy. You are most interested in your play mat and changing table mobile. You like to kick your legs and you've gotten hand control so now you can reach out, grab, and then pull your hands to your mouth. This makes nursing interesting as you love to reach out and grab my shirt and pull on it. You will do this with just about everything.
Cooper, darling, I know you still hate the car seat, but at least the toys and big brothers keep your screaming to a minimum. You still love being held in loving arms and snuggled most of all. The K'Tan is still your favorite method of being carried, but my favorite time together is the snuggles I get each morning when I let you sleep cuddled up with me. I'm fine with less sleep and I'm savoring each minute of cuddles I get.

Halloween

This year I was in charge of pumpkin carving so we managed to get them cleaned and carved quick when Cooper was asleep.

Carson wanted a scary face and Colten wanted a happy face for their pumpkins. Their choices so suit their individual personalities it is very tell of who is the happy-go-lucky child and who is the manipulative one!

My boys have always been older (and much bigger) for Halloween so I was trying to come up with a costume for Cooper to wear. I wasn't about to buy one that would only be worn for a few hours, so my aunt gave me this. It was a little big (6-9 mos size), but it was a cute cowboy outfit. It even had little boots but they kept falling off.

All of us went to a Halloween party. Tony used the chef costume he's had for years and has yet to return to his friend. I was myself, a busy mom, in my pj's, hair in curlers, shower cap, and slippers. It went well with the baby, burp rag, and spit up.

We did buy Colten's costume this year. The first one we bought was a Darth Vader costume, but that was returned after reviewing his school's costume rules and we got spidy instead. (more positive character). It looks good in the pictures, but I am not likely to buy costumes again. It was very thin material and sized totally wrong, not to mention so poorly sewn it was falling apart after being worn to school. Next year I (or most likely my mom) will have to pull out the sewing machine.

My mom did make Carson's costume. He wanted to be a bat. It was really simple, really cute, and he now has the sweats to wear after Halloween. He had to be a farmer for his preschool party, but had a great time being a bat for the parties.

Frogger-caterpillar style

The surest sign that it is autumn is all the fuzzy wuzzy caterpillars outside. I fondly remember finding and collecting these as a kid. I would build "houses" for them out of twigs and fallen leaves.
These last few days have been so nice with the sunny weather, it has brought these guys out in droves! The easiest place to spot these neat critters is on the roads. Driving to pick up Colten from school, I see so many of them making the dangerous trek across the highway. I am amazed at the number of them crossing the road, and many of them survive! I can't imagine trying to be as small as these and trying to inch my way across a major highway like the Frogger video game I played as a kid. I do make a point when driving to avoid hitting any of them (unlike slugs that I will try to tag!) Walking today there were lots of casualties seen though.
I know they are just dumb insect that curl up in your hand and pee in it if left there and I shouldn't feel bad for the ones that cars squish, but I do. Maybe it is the persistence they show following instinct and crossing the big road, maybe it is remembering them when I was a kid. I have to wonder if the caterpillars would still cross the road if they knew the fatality rate. Trying to cross the road and having a huge vehicle coming straight at you, instinctively curling up in a ball and then being blown off the road by the wind. It could be a great thing-being blown to the other side, or a bad thing- going back to start. The march of the caterpillars is Nature's frogger game to the death.

Disfunctional Wardrobe(s)

Cooper and I have a common problem: nothing seems to fit just right.

Having a baby always causes wardrobe issues. When first pregnant it is that all my normal clothes are too small and the maternity clothes are too big. Then the maternity clothes start to get too small. Once the baby comes, a mom would hope that she can fit back into her "normal" clothes pretty quick. Not the case for me. I am not one of those blessed people who can nurse their child and watch the pounds and fat melt away from their body. More than two months after having Cooper, I still weight the same I did two weeks after giving birth!

I have had to make a tough choice after having Cooper; do I cut back on my eating and start exercising more to lose the baby weight, possibly compromising my milk supply, or do I eat and rest when I need to and just suck it up and buy some new "fat" clothes? I'm stuck trying to do a little of both without costing me more money. Most of my pants are pathetically too small for me, and even the "fat" pants I have from after I had Carson are too small. Creating time to exercise is a daily challenge for me and yet, I know I need to do this. I'm not returning to work for six more weeks, but I have parent conferences coming up and sweat pants and old T-shirts just won't cut it. I worked so hard last fall to lose weight and get skinny, and so many of my old clothes only accent the extra rolls and flabby parts when I wear them. So I am trying to get my clothes to magically fit, but still eat enough to keep from shorting Cooper calories.


Cooper is having similar clothes issues. He is growing so fast and disproportionately that many of his clothes don't fit right. Cooper is 97th %tile in length and still growing fast. He has a very long torso, but short(er) legs and arms. This means that one piece outfits don't fit well unless they are 6-9 month sizes. Onesies are too small in the 3-6 month size and I need to find some in the 6-9 month size box. Pants that are 3-6 months size fit, but other 3-6 month size clothes are big on him. This makes for mixing and matching pieces to get outfits that fit.

I've also started boxing up the clothes that are too small. Some still have tags on them, Cooper out-grew them so fast. I'll pass these on to people who need them. It is so sad seeing all the clothes I've gotten for all three boys over time as gifts now outgrown. I always told myself I would take all the adorable outfits and make a quilt of all the cute materials and decals. Now I'm looking at all these clothes and can't see myself having the time or energy to make a quilt. I've also got a problem cutting up all these functional (and mostly stain-free) clothes when I could pass them on to someone who needs them. I also don't have storage space for how many clothes I would keep if I were to make the quilt later, and then I have to wonder where this quilt would be kept or shown and who it would be for. So in the end I decided that instead of making a quilt, I'd take picture of the different outfits (on Cooper and laid out) so I can remember. I did debate about whether or not to keep the outfits I brought the boys' home from the hospital in, and decided to pass those on as well. My future daughters-in-law will hopefully thank me for keeping less stuff to pass on when my boys are all grown. Now I just need a friend or sister-in-law to be expecting a boy and need some clothes.

It's been a rough road to here

Today marks the two year anniversary of when I miscarried my sweet baby Taylor. Looking back at my old posts from my miscarriage and then from last year, I was so buried in grief and without much hope of getting pregnant again. It has been a long and hard two years to get to this point.
Friends have asked me if having had Cooper has made losing Taylor easier. Having had a successful pregnancy DOES make the grief easier to cope with. Cooper doesn't replace Taylor at all, but does help. I don't think I'll ever forget Taylor or forget this date each year, but I can think about pregnancy in a positive way now.
I sit here now, sleep deprived, cuddling my darling Cooper, and can't help but wonder what I would be doing differently if I had a 18 month old running around too. I don't have much time to sit and wonder, and I don't do it very often anymore, but I do occasionally think about how things might be different. One positive thing: the orchid Tony bought me for Taylor's due date is re-blooming. It is so beautiful to look at and remember my sweet lost angel.

2 months old!

Darling Cooper,

You are 2 months old now and growing so fast. I know your big, but I don't realize how big until I hold you close to other older babies. You are 24 inches long and 12 pounds, 1 ounce! No wonder you're outgrowing the 3-6 month clothes so fast!

I love every minute I have with you, and the time is flying by so fast. This last month you spent four days with me at 6th grade outdoor camp, CISPUS. You were incredible the entire time. You fussed a bit on the 2 1/2 hour drive up to camp, but you were wonderful from the first minute we got there! You slept in your K'Tan carrier or in someone else's arms while I was busy with camp stuff. You slept most of each night snuggled up with me in my sleeping bag and rarely cried at all. You were the most popular camper in the entire place. You charmed students, counselors, and all the volunteers and camp staff. The biggest problem you caused was that only one person could hold and cuddle with you at a time. You even got a part in one of the cabin skits!

You have not yet gotten a schedule yet, but you are becoming more predictable for taking naps. You are also sleeping longer periods at night, usually 3-4 hours a stretch, though a couple nights you have been up hourly! You are also eating so much. You are always interested in eating, no matter where we are. All that food is helping you grow so fast too.

The best change in this last month is how you can now be entertained by someone other than Mommy! You now enjoy sitting in your bouncy seat or floor mat and looking around and at the toys. This means that Mommy usually gets to eat dinner or get things done for 20 minutes while you are entertained. You have also been spending lots of time with the grandmas getting used to other people caring for you, not just Mommy. We all love the smiles and coos you are so generous in sharing. I can't wait to watch you grow this next month!

Never a dull moment!

You would think that not working and staying at home would give me more time to get things done, but I seem to be busier than when I'm working! This last week Carson started pre-school, finally. I was the bad mom who didn't register him early enough last spring and he was wait listed for the summer. I had accepted that Carson, who really, really, wanted to go to school, was instead going to have to wait until next year. Then I got a phone call from the school director telling me she had enough interested students to start another class. Carson was so excited to finally be going to school. He goes on Monday and Friday afternoons. My Aunt Sandy bought all three boys these great monster truck hoodies (Cooper's is still a little big, but not for long!).

Cooper likes to talk to anyone who will listen and commands attention regularly.

Saturday we went to Lattin's Cider Mill and Farm with Ed and Jackie to enjoy fresh made doughnuts and hot apple fritters. The farm makes these fresh each Saturday morning and the boys and I often escape the house to get some. The farm also has a variety of animals to see and feed. The boys always like seeing the baby chicks and ducklings.
The goats and sheep are also fun to feed. The farm has a platform goats can climb up and people can send food up to the top in a bucket on a rope. One goat has figured out how to pulley the bucket up by itself, lipping the rope and pulling it up. The boys enjoyed putting food in the bucket and watching the goat feed itself.

Saturday night we celebrated all the October birthdays in our family. There were three of us with birthdays this week. My grandma is October 2nd, cousin Olivia is the 4th, and I turn 32 on the 5th. My uncle made a delicious halibut dinner, while the kids played and Cooper was passed around for snuggles.

Puyallup Fair

We went to the Puyallup Fair, which is like the biggest fair in all of western Washington. We were able to get free tickets in so we decided to spend an afternoon, and it happened to be one of the sunniest days that week.

Favorite sights were the mutton busting (kids trying to ride sheep), the draft horse show, pirate diving show, and the carnival. We all chowed down on yummy Cow Chip cookies (chocolate chip), Fair scones, ice cream cones, and lemonade. The boys each got to play one game and ride two rides in the carni. Carson kept running off to look at new things, but thankfuly Jackie was along to help go after him and hold his hand. He freaked out on one of the little rollercoasters and asked to get off, but other than that he had a great time. I also got my new engagement ring a few days before this so I got to wear it and watch it sparkle in the sun.

September at a Glance

I started uploading all the neat pictures I've taken this last month and realized I barely have time to write a post, much less explain every picture. The only picture is one of Mt. Rainier yesterday morning from my patio. It has been a rare sight this summer so I needed to capture the view while I could.
My hope is to write posts explaining most of the things we've done, but may not get done. September has been incredibly busy. It usually is every year with school starting, but being home on maternity leave is making it seem so much busier. I've been at school several days a week since school started and have been able to get the basic household chores done, but not much else.

September-

• 1st-Colten's first day of school
• 2nd-10 year anniversary
• 9th- Get family diamond re-set in new setting
• 10th-Joint baby/wedding shower for Jackie and myself
• 12th-Puyallup Fair
• 14th-Buy new SLR digital camera
• 20-23rd CISPUS outdoor camp
• 25th-Ed and Jackie's wedding reception
• 27th- Carson's first day of pre-school
  

One Month Old

Cooper,
You are one month old today. It is incredible how fast you have grown. You are already growing out of clothes and I've to pull out bigger sized clothes already. It is amazing to watch how you have changed in four weeks. You can see things so much better and track things moving with your eyes. One thing you enjoy doing is chewing on your hands and you are getting better each day at consistently getting them to your mouth. You are also starting to give real smiles. I love seeing the dimples in your chubby cheek's!Mommy is still your favorite person (I've got the food!) but you like looking at and listening to Daddy, Colten, and Carson. One thing you detest is your car seat. When we are moving you are quiet, but if we stop in traffic-you scream. I've stopped more times on the side of the road to calm you down. Mommy likes that you have started sleeping for longer periods and are starting to make your own schedule. Usually you sleep one 4-5 hour stretch at night to start, then sleep a couple 2-3 hour stretches before waking up for the day. Knowing your schedule and having you sleep longer has let me get more sleep at night. That lets me get more done during the day.
I sit each day and marvel at how fast the time is going by. I wish I could bottle up the memories and always remember how it felt to hold you so small, how you smelled so sweet, and the small sounds you make. I know you will hate it soon enough, but I am trying to hold on to every memory I can of you baby. I'm pretty sure you're my last, so I will eek out every drop of time to remember these precious moments.

Ten years

Ten years ago today Tony and I were married. We were so young then (we sure look young) and it hasn't been easy. Tony and I have both changed jobs, houses, and added three kids to the mix so it's not the plan I originally had, but it has been interesting.

A year ago I didn't know if we would even make it through another year. We've had some very trying times. Last year Tony and I had different goals for ourselves and were both drained emotionally. Though not perfect, this last year has been filled with blessings and we have grown together again.

Tony and I always talked about celebrating our 10 year anniversary by throwing a big party. We had a simple (read cheap) wedding and wanted the party we didn't have then. Instead we have a new baby and a busy life. Maybe for our 20 year we'll have the party. This year we're going to a nice dinner and see a movie. My mom's watching the two older boys so Cooper will be joining us for dinner which is just fine.

Tony and I aren't usually big on presents, but this year I'm getting the family diamond re-set to upgrade my engagement ring. The diamond has been in Tony's family for four generations and was given to me in a simple setting my in-laws picked out to mail it in. I haven't gotten the ring yet, but Tony showed me the settings he likes so it shouldn't be too long before I'll get the setting.

First day of 1st Grade

Today was Colten's first day of school in 1st grade. He was so excited to meet his teacher last night (and get ice cream). Carson wants to go to school too so bad, but he's not there yet. He kept wanting to know where his classroom was last night and I had to keep telling him he will be there in a few years.

I was a bad mom and put off registering Carson for preschool so now the classes are all full for 3 year olds. We're first on the waiting list and if enough kids get on the list, then the school will add another class. I haven't told Carson that I was bad and didn't sign him up in time. I'm hoping and waiting that someone moved, or wasn't ready, or that LOTS of kids sign up and Carson will get his spot. He is so into doing everything Colten does, he wants to go to school NOW!

The sleep questions

No matter where I take Cooper, one question friends and strangers always are asking is, "How is he sleeping?". I'm honest, I laugh at this question. Cooper likes to sleep like all babies do, but he just doesn't sleep for very long, or at predictable times. When he is finally asleep I rush around like a crazy lady tending to my older neglected children, frantically trying to wash laundry, dishes, and cook dinners, and then also find time to shower and make myself feel good. Not easy to do!
To answer this loaded question though, Cooper has been sleeping 3-4 hour stretches at night which has been nice. I've been averaging 5-6 hours of sleep a night, which is less than I like, but I'm still functioning without the assistance of caffeine, so it works. I'm actually usually calm and cool with whatever happens at home being short of sleep, but the dragon lady does show up from time to time.
The biggest frustration with Cooper's sleeping is that it's not easy to predict when he will sleep. Some days he eats and goes right back to sleep and I can get up with my big boys, shower, and even eat breakfast. Other days (like today for example) I'm nursing, burping, rocking, changing, and soothing Cooper until he falls asleep from exhaustion, then I rush to get as much done in the time I have before he's up again. While Colten and Carson haven't said anything to me, I'm sure they're frustrated with Mommy always rushing off to care for a baby instead of them. I'm just thankful that they are both so independent that they can for the most part eat breakfast, get dressed, and watch cartoons by themselves with minimal intervention from me.
How is Cooper different from the others as far as sleeping? Well, he's different in that he is mellower than either Colten or Carson were, and doesn't seem to have the gas/reflux pains that I so vividly remember Carson having. Cooper's problem is that he REALLY likes his Mommy. He doesn't like being set down, not in a bouncy seat or even the swing that Carson loved. He wants to be with me, preferably nursing, but just being held is enough to send him to dreamland. Then I get to try to put him down in the cradle and pray that he somehow stays asleep. He does take the pacifier at times and that helps, but it is not a regular thing. The greatest thing to put Cooper to sleep is my Baby K'Tan carrier. I found out about it from my friend Jenny and it is the best for when I need to get things done and Cooper isn't wanting to be anywhere but with me.
I'm sure this sleep thing will only get better with time so I'm not too worried. In fact, right now Cooper's sleeping in his swing for the first time. I put him in it so I could quickly put Carson down for a nap and when I came back, he was snoozing! He's been there for the last two hours so I've been able to get things done around the house!

Only one life left

Our cat Wendel, (don't ask about the name, it's a LONG story!), had been missing since before Cooper was born. He's been gone for more than a week before and shown up at home, but this time we had a bad feeling about his disappearance. After three weeks of being gone, Tony and I had assumed he had been coyote or bobcat bait. Friday afternoon the boys were playing outside while I was nursing Cooper and Carson came running inside claiming to have heard a cat in the trees. I went outside thinking the boys had heard something else, and what did I find? Wendel was about 50 feet up in a tree. He was meowing and tried to move when he heard me, but couldn't get down the tree. After a quick call to Tony, he got his friend Tom to come out to the house and rescue the cat. Tom works for the telephone company so he used his spiked shoes to climb up the tree, put the cat in a duffel bag, and lower him to the ground.
You might wonder what shape this cat was in. It wasn't pretty. I took him to the vet yesterday and he had lost several pounds, but he checked out as healthy and has no major injuries. He did have a bit of a limp due to some strained tendons, but those should work themselves out in a few days.
At first we thought that Bandit the racoon might have chased Wendel up the tree. We think it may have been something else that chased him up the tree after today though. Today my mother-in-law saw a young bobcat walking up the driveway and brought in our dogs. Next thing she knew, our other cat, Bob, was streaking across the yard with the bobcat behind him. Maybe Wendel nearly missed becoming bobcat bait.
We are just happy to have both cats home and healthy.

Two weeks old

Cooper Alan, you are two weeks old today. It is amazing how fast the time goes by. You've grown so be in just 2 weeks. You are now 21 1/2 inches long and weigh in at 9 lbs. 2 oz. Your eyesight is alreay improving and you will turn your head to look at someone new. Your big brothers adore you and are great helpers with you; fetching diapers, giving you your binky, and talking to you to keep you happy. Everyone likes to ask how you are sleeping, and you sleep, but never when Mommy wants you to. You are starting to get into some kind of routine and will often sleep 3 hours in a stretch at night. I think I'm doing surprisingly well for being sleep deprived and not having any caffeine to stay awake. For the most part you are an easy going baby. You go everywhere the family goes and let just about anyone hold you. I'm still your favorite person though; I've got the food. I am constantly amazed at how strong you are. You can already pick your head up and turn it to the other side when you are on your tummy. I try to take time each day to just look at you. I marvel at the miracle you are, how perfect you are, and how fast you are growing.

How far along: Two Weeks post-partum

Weight gain (or loss): -13 pounds from when I went to the hospital

Cravings: Milk, chocolate still, ice cream!

Good moments: Every time you look at me with your milky little smile, watching you sleep and your facial expressions changing, watching you nurse and your love of food, just about everytime you're not screaming, which isn't often. Oh, and being able to sleep on my stomach again, not that I sleep that much though.

What I miss: Feeling you kick me from inside, trying to play "what's that body part?" I also miss having clothes that look good on me. All my 3rd trimester clothes hang on my body, while my normal clothes are still too tight. Many of my shirts are either too loose in the belly area and obviously maternity clothes, or too tight in the bust and gut and show my not-so-flattering belly. I'm going to have to do some digging to find my "fat" clothes.