Cooper-12 months

Cooper's 12 month official stats:

Height:  29"  (15-16%)

Weight:  19lbs. 4oz. (22-23%

Head:  18.5"  (75-80%)

We had Cooper's 12 month doctor's visit on Monday, and he checked out pretty good.  He is growing and developing perfectly.  He put on weight, which was good since he was down just a bit before his eye surgery!   That would explain why the 9 month clothes are starting to get a little small.  We have started the transition to 12 months.  He's still wearing the size 3 diapers, and it seems like we'll be in that size for a while yet.  He has 5 teeth now...2 on bottom, and 3 on top,  that 4th one on the top could come through anytime (if it hasn't already).  

The only "bad" thing at the check up was we found Cooper was a little low on his hemoglobin count.  So, we have to start giving him Iron supplements for the next month and recheck it then.  We started this last night, it's a bit of a process to get 3 droppers down him, brush his death, rinse with water, and  chase it with orange juice.  Apparently the OJ helps the Iron absorption process.  We also have to hold off any milk or dairy product for an hour after the supplement dose.  Just another process to add to daily life!  We'll get it figured out.  

Cooper is a busy, crazy, ornery little boy these days!  He is into EVERYTHING!  He is so much more inquisitive, explorative, and curious than his sister was at this age.  It's just crazy!  He's very fast at getting around (and getting into trouble).  He has taken quite a few unassisted steps over the last few weeks.  We could have a full blown walker any day now.  Oh man, will that be fun?!?  He figured out how to crawl into Izzy's dog kennel this morning.  He found it very funny, as did Delaney.  

He seems to be eating like a horse these days.  He's made the transition over to whole milk and all table food.  He eats what we eat more time than not, and he gets really made if we don't give him what we're having.  His current favorites are bananas, blueberries, bread, yogurt, cheese, and crackers.  He has a serious sweet tooth, and loves pretty much anything of that nature.  He seems to prefer water to milk, which is the exact opposite of Delaney at his age.  He hasn't missed his bottle too much, and could care less about a drink at bedtime.  Those transitions have been pretty easy so far.  

He is all boy.  He loves cars, balls, being loud & crazy, smashing things together, beating things like a drum, climbing, etc.  He's a handful!  He also still enjoys an occasional snuggle, but these are more brief and infrequent all the time :(.  Delaney can get him to laugh and giggle with the simplest, crazy thing.  Daddy is is favorite for playing, and I still win the snuggle game.  He has a new found interest in Izzy, but Izzy pretty much wants nothing to do with him.  

I still can't believe we have a 1-year-old.  I look at him and see how he's grown and changed, but I'm still clinging to my little baby!  We love you baby boy no matter how big you get!  

Dear Cooper

To my dearest little boy, I cannot believe you are a year old!  It seems like just yesterday you were born this tiny little Christmas baby, yet it's hard to remember a time you weren't here.  You have completed our family, and filled a hole we didn't even know was there.  You are a perfect fit!  

You stole our hearts the minute you were born, and you continue to have all of us wrapped around your little finger.  Your big sister was initially disappointed you were a little boy, but it didn't take long for you to cast your little spell and convince her that little brothers aren't so bad.  Now, she wouldn't trade you for the world, and you adore her!  You two are so similar, and so different in so many ways!  You are basically clones of each other in the looks department, but your personalities seems to be a little more different.   I can't wait for you to be able to talk to your sister. I have a feeling you're going to have a lot to say!  When you are apart (which is rare), you two miss each other terribly.  Sometimes at bedtime you too goofballs screw around in your room, and it just melts my heart.  I can't imagine what that situation will be like in the near future as your grow!  You two already have so much fun with each other, and I know this will only continue throughout your lives!  I hope you always cherish each other like you do now!  

You have recently discovered the big kid, funny guy that is your Daddy!  You love to play with him!  You were a little slow to warm up to Daddy, but now I think most times you prefer Dad to Mom!  Daddy loves to make you laugh, and you are an easy mark for him!  You find Daddy hilarious!  You follow him around the house...bedroom, kitchen, bathroom (ew!)...nothing is off limits!  I imagine this will continue for many, many years.  You look just like Daddy did when he was your age.  Daddy was, of course, a little bigger than you are, but all the features are his!  Your favorite game with Daddy is "hide-and-seek" with a blanket.  You also LOVE when Daddy gives you a bath!  Daddy and you have some epic tickle fests.  I think it will be so much fun to watch you grow and rough-house with Daddy!  You two are headed for so many great father-son moments!  I can't wait to watch!  Daddy would never admit how much he wanted a little boy, but I know deep down in his heart he is chomping at the bit to teach you so many things!  

Oh, Cooper, you have stolen Mommy's heart.  You have me right where you want me.  You are a pure joy, and aside from the lack of sleep, I wouldn't have traded a minute of this last year with you!  You still come to Mommy when you need a snuggle or something isn't quite right.  You still enjoy a good rocking session if the moment strikes, and you still like to accompany me with my many one-handed tasks!  You seem to have inherited one thing from me...my sweet tooth!  Sorry kid, but I'm so excited to share so many treats with you!  I always wanted a little boy, and you, son, are more than I could have ever asked for!  I have so many dreams and aspirations for you!  I can't wait to watch you grow up, but I'm hanging onto these early, baby times for dear life! Don't grow up too fast, Cooper!  

Like I said, you are perfect fit for our little family!  You have given us so much joy, laughter, and love over the last year!  You have a BIG personality in that little body, and we can't wait to see what unfolds for you!  We love you to the moon and back!  

All these pictures were taken at the Nebraska State Capital by Cori Johnson with Fresh Photography!  I will share a few more soon!

12 Months

***Since I just shared all of Delaney's birthday pictures, I thought I'd post picks of her throughout that last 12 months...hasn't she changed?!?***

It's so hard to believe that it's time for Delaney's 12 months post! Our little peanut has grown to become such a big girl in the last year. It's hard to remember that teeny-tiny baby we brought home from the hospital. At 12 months, Delaney is the happiest, most laid-back baby I've ever been around. She has quite the personality, and is become quite independent. It appears at this point that she is very much like her daddy in both looks and demeanor. This means she'll always be the life of the party and everyone's friend!

day 1

She is so close to walking these days, it's a little scary. She could totally do it now (could have weeks ago), but our little Miss Independent's stubborn side has taken over and she seems content to remain a crawler for now. Her vocabulary is also developing quite nicely. We can definitely tell she's trying to tell us things versus just making noise. She has distinct sounds and syllables. I think we're going to have quite the talker on our hands here very soon! She's not a "quiet" child! I'll walk in the room and she's say "Mom" clear as a bell! We also think she's found her words for "more" and "milk". Her favorite though is still her friend "bob". She talks about him all the time, "bob" this, and "bob" that. I'd really like to meet him sometime!

1 week

She seems to have gone through a growth spurt here recently. All of a sudden her 12 month clothes seem a little too short and snug. We are gradually working our way into her size 18 month wardrobe. It also seems like her feet have finally started to grown. She now wears size 4 shoes. It looks like they are getting wider all the time too...another trait of her daddy's. Her hair is growing thick and long these days. She's starting to get little wisps of curls at the ends. It's so cute! I can't wait to see what it does in the summer humidity! It is a sandy brown color that has shimmers of gold and red in the sunlight. It's so pretty! She has also graduated to size 4 diapers this month. They are slightly big on her, but I'm sure they will be fitting perfectly here very soon! Today we discovered that she is in fact a big girl measuring in at 30.5 inches tall, 24 lbs, and 18.25 inch head circumference. All in the 90+ percentile! Yikes!

3 months

One thing is for certain, this girl has definitely inherited all of her family's love of food. She loves to eat, and has tried sooo many new things! We have only found a handful of things she really doesn't like...potatoes, rice, and anything that we actually have to feed her with a spoon. She's too independent for that now! She has been on strictly Vitamin D milk (not formula) for about 3 weeks now. She loves it! She will always go for the fruit on her plate over the meat or vegetables. Her favorite these days seems to be red grapes! She also has a bit of a sweet tooth as she absolutely devoured her birthday cake!

6 months

She remains a rock start sleeper. She goes to bed by 8 every night and wakes up around 7:30 or so since the time change. She takes at least one good nap during the afternoon, and once in a while (especially at home on the weekends) she'll take a morning nap too! She is beyond cuddling, rocking, and all of that "baby" stuff. She likes her bedtime stories, but she rarely sits still for them. Her favorites these days is Snuggle Puppy! She's a wiggle worm at night, all over her bed. She sleeps with one of her blankies, but usually on top of it! Good things she's hot-blooded, also like her daddy!

9 months

With the start of spring weather, she has rediscovered her love of the outdoors. She loves to be outside. In the last couple weeks, she has sat and explored the grass. She was a little timid at first, but is starting to figure it out. She loves to sit and watch Izzy play out in the yard. She thinks Izzy is so funny! She also loves to dance! She will crawl over to the stereo, turn it on, and start to boogie. It's so cute! She'll turn it on, look at us, get this huge grin on her face, and start to clap! She has also mastered a few other devices around the house...the remote control, the humidifier, the oscillating fan, and the laptop!

12 months

These days Delaney is definitely more toddler than baby! She doesn't use a bottle, pacifier, or enjoy being fed with a spoon! She'd rather take care of all of this on her own. She doesn't like to cuddle or really be held most of the time. She is far too busy to have her pants changed or get dressed. Honestly, if she had her way she'd roam naked all the time! She tells us which book to read to her, and when she's ready for bed. She seems so grown up! What a year it has been?!? I can't wait to see how much she grows and changes in the next year!