Christmas Eve

Otherwise know as Cooper's Second Second Christmas.

Jason and I decided to do our Christmas Thursday night since we were going to my mom's for the weekend.  We learned a valuable lesson.  In the future, we're going to fix a snack, give Cooper dinner and put him to bed before we try to cook and eat dinner.  Once we put him to bed, Jason and I exchanged gifts.  I got a new fancy camera (Canon T2i) as my gift.  We planned on getting a DSLR camera, but went for the bigger one in exchange for anything else.  Jason cheats, though, and also got me a camera bag and memory card to go with it.  I got him a new Ipod and wallet.

The next morning we put Cooper in our bed and exchanged stockings.  We stuffed his full of books - I'm determined to make him a reader!  He seemed a little more interested in the books this year than he was last year.

We tried to stay in bed drinking coffee and watching TV, but Cooper was ready to get on the road!  We packed up and eventually headed to Nana's house. 

Since it was Christmas Eve, we all went to church for Candlelight Service.  I can't remember a time we didn't go to church on Christmas Eve...I even insisted we go last year, even though we ended up having to stand the whole time with a 3 week old baby.  It was worth it.
After church, my family went to one of my aunt's houses for dinner.  Cooper got to play with his two year old cousin, Haley.  The two of them together are so funny - she's only about 2 inches taller than he is and they don't understand the age difference.  She kept grabbing his hand, walking away, and telling him "Come on baby!" Thankfully there was always an adult to help him keep up and he only managed to tackle her once! 

We might have stayed out a little late (like Christmas morning) but I rarely get to see all of my cousins at one time.  And there may have been a little alcohol involved.  And Cooper had gone home early with Nana & Pops...ready for bed and waiting to see what Santa brought!

Traditions

You know those families who do things the same way, every time?  Like every year they open one gift on Christmas Eve, Santa never wraps gifts, breakfast is always served after gifts are opened while watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Yeah, that's not the type of family we are.  Some years we opened gifts Christmas Eve, some years it was Christmas Day.  I've tried for years for Jason and I to start traditions of our own, but when you know you'll spend most holidays travelling to one parents house or the other, it makes sticking to something difficult.

But I finally found something I really hope to try and stick to!  Ornaments.  I plan on buying a new ornament for Cooper each year to symbolize something about him that year.  Last year was obvious.  We didn't buy the ornaments, but only because I knew we'd probably get some from family.

This year I really didn't have to think about what to get.  Once I decided what that we were going to do this, I knew I wanted to find him a Chewbacca ornament.  I've never managed to get it on film (I'll try) but he does this sound that sounds exactly like a Wookie growl!  It is hilarious.  I keep feeling that it has something to do with a snotty nose and he does it better when he's sick...but it is very cute.  Even the daycare ladies call him Chewy.

Oh, and for good measure - here is a pic of the ornament Cooper "made" at school.  Can I just say that seeing your kid bring home work from school is too cute?  No wonder parents end up keeping everything!

My son, the ham

Last week after Cooper finished his nighttime milk, we sat on the sofa for a few minutes.  He was so content to just sit there and snuggle in my lap.  I couldn't see his face, but Jason said he looked so cute.  So being the first-time parents we are, he grabbed the camera to snap a photo and instead we ended up with this:

He's figured out what the camera is and when he sees the little red light, he grins like crazy.  Total ham.

Just because it is cute...

I tried taking photos of Cooper with Christmas lights and all he wanted to do was eat the lights and the cord.  Real safe, right?

I managed to get one good photo, though.

Family Photos

Last month, the three of us took some professional family photos.  I wanted some to use on our Christmas cards and I wanted newer family photos - especially since Coop would be one in a few weeks.

I found Candace through a friend and I'm really happy with what she did.  Here are a few of my favorites.

all attitude with the hand in the pocket...

First Second Christmas

We're one of those families.  We'll have Christmas 4 times this year.  Maybe more in years to come.  What do you do?  This year, I'll admit it.  I haven't felt very Christmasy.  I focused on Cooper's party the first week of December, we bought a lot of gifts online (thank you free Prime shipping on Amazon) and I only put up half of my decorations.  Add in starting a new job, Cooper moving to a new class (and not doing 100% with it) and well, I've been a little Scrooge-ish.  Ok, maybe not Scrooge-ish, but not Buddy the Elf-ish.

This weekend, that changed.  Jason's family came in for Christmas, I spent Saturday afternoon cooking Christmas dinner and then laughed at Cooper opening gifts.  Now I can't wait for this weekend to do it all over again!!  I'd gotten a turkey and tried my hand at dressing.  Cooper was a huge fan of the mac & cheese, but he really wanted to pass on the bacon wrapped green beans.  We'll have to talk about that - bacon, butter, sugar...something must be wrong with my kid.

After dinner, we put on Cooper's pjs and let him have at it.  He got a great Mega Block table from his Granna & Papa...but was really only interested in tearing off the paper, tasting it, and climbing on the box.  Climbing and climbing and climbing.  I fear black eyes and broken bones in my future.

You have to start sometime, right?

Saturday Cooper made his first visit to McDonald's AND had his first Happy Meal!  I'm not one of those parents who is against fast food and who swears my kid will never eat it.  If you are that parent, more power to you.  But I have to be realistic and know that sometimes we'll be visiting the drive-thru or we'll make a trip to the local play place just so Momma can keep from screaming at the top of her lungs.

This trip was to celebrate Jett's 4th Birthday.  After having just done Cooper's party, I kinda have to give Maegan props.  Instant entertainment for the kids in a weather-proof facility.  They all got a Happy Meal (their choice, with a toy)...how much easier could that be?  Plus, Jett loved it.

Cooper had the nuggets - and consumed an entire days worth of calories in one sitting - but he also tried some of Maegan's cheeseburger.  Honestly, he liked the burger better...probably because of the Quarter Pounders with Cheese that I craved like a maniac my last trimester.

More Birthday Party Fun

I'm taking my dear sweet time posting this.  Not because I'm dragging my feet and soaking in all of the birthday party goodness.  It is just because I'm busy.  I started a new job, Cooper moved up to a bigger-kid class and we've actually been trying to get ready for Christmas.

I am so thankful the weather turned out to be great the day of his party.  It was 80-something degrees. (in December.  The same weekend that is snowed a year ago.  WTH!)  It wasn't hot, the sun was shining and we were able to set everything up outside and keep the house from feeling crazy crowded.  We had a great crowd, way too much chili & Chuy's dip (but really, can you have too much of either?) and a lot of kids.  I mean a lot of kids. 

I ordered a great shirt from Etsy - it turned out super cute.

The kids found some bubbles to play with.

Cooper seemed to really enjoy the cake.  Until Sunday morning when he had a crazy stomach ache about 5am!

My "internet friends."  We've got 11 kids (plus 2 on the way) between us!  See what I mean about all of the kids...

It's a hoe-down

(is that how you spell it?)

Totally worth it.

This time last week, Jason and I were a little hesitant.  Birthday party prep was is a lot of work!  Especially when you decide to do the cake yourself.  But after everyone left Saturday evening and we finally sat down to enjoy a glass of wine we both agreed that it was totally worth it.  We all had a great time.  Cooper ended up being in a good mood and he did well having so many people around at one time.  Oh, and he loved the cake.  Jason and I stayed up (way too late) finishing the cake.

My mom was nice enough to make cookies as favors.

Jason helped add some dino-decor to the yard...

Cooper's Happy Birthday banner...

12 Months Old

In one year we've gone from this:

to this:

What a fun year it has been. The last month has been non-stop.  He is learning new things, changing daily, and keeps us laughing.  He can pick out a few more animals in his books and he started waiving bye-bye.  He will do the "touchdown" thing and pat the top of his head when I ask.  Sometimes.  And he loves to give kisses.  Lots and lots of kisses.  Every once in a while I can get him to blow a kiss, but not often.

We've been fighting ear infections and it has caused him to hate being changed.  I just think his ears hurt when he lies back.  (more on the ears later)  He's eating new things every day and we started whole milk this week.  They've started putting him in the "big kid" class a few hours a day this week and he'll go full time next week.

But the big news is that he started taking steps!!  When Jason and I sit on the floor he'll toddle back and forth between us.  I think that he really just likes the excitement we show when he makes and the big hugs, but for now I'll take it.

After dinner we helped Cooper open a few gifts kept from the weekend.  It took a while, but I think he's gotten the idea of what is supposed to happen when he has a wrapped gift.