Water Baby!!!

Cooper began swim lessons tonight and we had a great time.  It took a few moments for Coop to get used to the water (it was a little cooler than I expected), but afterwards he was downright comfy!  We practiced kicking while on his tummy and on his back.  He practiced splashing with his hands and floating on his back.  I was very proud of him.  Daddy videotaped and took pictures, so here are some of the shots...

New tricks!

This weekend was full of firsts for Cooper.  He went to his first funeral.  It was a lovely service that was for a gentleman who lived a long and very amazing life.  During that funeral, he spent most of his time with Sarah (Brody's mom) because apparently she has become his new favorite person.  Whenever he sees her, he lunges for her.   Luckily, Brody hasn't minded too much yet.  :)  Anyway, as he sat on Sarah's lap, he began feeding himself for the FIRST TIME!  He has never done that before.  He will let us feed him, but he has never taken solid food in his hand and put it in his mouth.  I was so proud and yet so jealous.  I guess that will not be the last time he does something for someone else that he won't do for us.

Here is a picture of him in his suit from the funeral & one of him and me when he was wearing his ROLL TIDE outfit.  He is a BIG fan!  :)

Happy New Year!

Well, as Billy, Coop, and I wind down our trip in Alabama, I find myself grateful for a WONDERFUL Christmas.  We left Nebraska 2 weeks ago today and Cooper was a pretty good traveler.  We stopped from time to time just to let him out to stretch those legs and be free of the car seat.  Otherwise, he napped and watched tons of Blues Clues and Baby Einstein (thanks Nicole and Sarah).  

When we arrived in Alabama, we spent the night in Huntsville with Billy's parents and Cooper's 2 youngest cousins.  Cooper had so much fun that he didn't go to sleep until 11pm that night. 

We then went to Decatur to see Pops, Lulu, Uncle Drew and all of Pops' family for the annual Spivey family Christmas.  The brunch was great and the company was even better.  Cooper 

got a couple of toys and a precious outfit.  

We left Decatur to head to Montgomery to spend a week at Pops and Lulu's house.  We had a wonderful week of being spoiled.  Cooper even learned some new tricks.  He started standing up on his own (without having to pull up on a wall or table or something).  He also started to eat us out of house and home!  He ate "3 squares" a day and then some.  He is still taking his bottle some, but WOW!

He has a healthy appetite.  :)  He has even created a silly face that he and Lulu did all week.  At first I thought it looked like he was trying to "fake cry", but now I think it was just a silly face where he wrinkles up his nose and closes his eyes tight.  (the picture is the closest thing I have of "the face")

Coop got some great gifts on Christmas morning.  He got some COOL converse shoes from his Uncle Drew, a red wagon that he LOVES (boy, won't he be disappointed when we get back to snowy

 Nebraska and he can't ride it for months), 

and a rocking horse that was given to me from my grandparents on my FIRST Christmas.  

Of course, this doesn't even mention the countless clothes, books, and other toys that were showered on him.  He was even in a "giving spirit" as he gave me a watch and gave Daddy a video that they 2 of them enjoy

 watching.  He also helped deliver Daddy's last gift from Lulu and Pops... a cool black guitar.  He was so cute helping Pops pull that gig bag.  It was a great moment.  After 

we finished opening presents, we ate a great lunch then went and visited my grandmother.  She loved seeing Cooper and Cooper enjoyed visiting her and the other residences in her home.  He is quite a ham.  :)  

After a wonderful week with my family, we left after breakfast on Friday morning to join Billy's family.  When we arrived in Huntsville, we were greeted by Cooper's grandma and all his cousins and his aunt and uncle.  We went to lunch at our favorite place from our time in Huntsville, the Po' Boy Factory.  After a yummy cajun lunch we came back to do Christmas again.  Again, 

Cooper was spoiled rotten with great toys that make fun noises.  He even got a fire engine that he can ride around from Uncle Kenneth, Aunt Jennifer, Caleb, Gabrielle, and Caden.  He had a 

great time opening gifts and listening to his cousins enjoy all their great gifts.  They are fun playmates and he has enjoyed all his time with them.  (pictures are of Cooper at the Lones Christmas)

While we have been in Huntsville, we have stayed busy and really had a great time.  Last night was New Years Eve and Cooper got to have one more spend-the-night party with Caden and Gabrielle.  They had tons of fun and wore each other out.  Hopefully this summer, that "wearing out" will translate into Cooper falling to sleep very quickly like the other 2.  :)  Coop just takes a while longer to wind down.  Cooper even learned a new trick from Grandma... he can now sit on the couch and then flip over to slide off!  :)

Today we are getting ready to head to Uncle Eddie's house for the annual Lones family Christmas party.  There are tons of kids and adults and even more food.  We are looking forward to a great way to end our time in Alabama.  When we get home tonight, Billy and I

have to get serious about packing... not our favorite part of traveling.  

Well, one more picture just for laughs.  Last night was bath night for Cooper and he and Daddy took some funny pictures.  

Our love to you all and I hope you guys had as wonderful of a holiday season as we did.  Happy New Year! 

It's a Girl! AND It's Coop's 9 month birthday!

I realized this morning that I hadn't updated the blog to tell everyone that we found out 2 weeks ago today that we are having a little girl.  We don't have any names yet, so please feel free to share any great ideas!  :)

Today is Cooper's 9 month birthday and he gets bigger, stronger, and faster everyday.  We are so proud of our BIG boy who weighed 24 lbs last week.  Wow!

Pictures

I voted!! (11.4.08)

Coop and Brody in their matching Christmas PJs

Meeting Pops, Lulu, and Uncle Drew in the airport (11.23.08)

Coop and Daddy talking over the days plans.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, this has been a busy month and I am sorry to have not updated the blog in a while. First things first, Happy Thanksgiving! We had a great holiday as my parents and brother joined us this year. Coop cuddling up with Pops and Lulu before bedtime.Pops and Coop getting ready to go out.Coop and Uncle Drew dressed up for church.Nite-nite time with Lulu.

While they were here, we enjoyed good food (thanks to Chef Billy) and a lot of good memories. Also, Thursday night, Coop took his first steps. He has been crawling and pulling up on EVERYTHING for several weeks now, so we have known it was coming. Unfortunately, Momma wasn't quite ready for it. My little boy is growing up faster than I want.

Today is his 8 month birthday and we plan on spending it watching the Alabama/Auburn game (Roll Tide Roll) and eating some yummy turkey-bone gumbo with some friends.

We hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday weekend. We are grateful for our friends and family who could not be with us this year. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

(more pictures to be posted soon)

Big News!

Well, it is official, Cooper will be a big brother in May.  Billy and I went to the doctor on Wednesday and heard the heartbeat and it was strong and healthy.  I would like to say Cooper is excited, but he is clueless... although Billy and I are elated.  

In other news, this weekend was a busy one.  We discovered on Thursday morning that Cooper had a sinus infection.  While he was a sad little boy, the antibiotics and decongestant worked well and he is much better now.  Now if we can just get him back on a good sleeping schedule...