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!