Joy Day 40

Reading Christmas stories with the kids. I'm amazed at how quickly these 40 days have passed. Christmas will be here soon and before I know it, Caitlin will be one. It was nice to stop each day to look back and write about the best part.

Joy Day 39

My not-so-little boy is four. The highlight of my day was him telling me he could do something because he was 4 now.

Joy Day 38

Cooper sang in the church Christmas program this morning. He was so excited and did so well.

Joy Day 37

Cooper's fourth birthday party. He had a blast playing with his friends.

Joy Day 36

Mother's intuition. Caitlin woke up with a nasty nose and was super cranky. On the way to daycare, I decided to take her to the pediatrician. He confirmed an ear infection and we got her an antibiotic. Hopefully she will feel better soon.

Joy Day 35

I picked Caitlin up from her crib and she gave me a big hug. That baby girl missed me.

Joy Day 34

Lots of time to read while traveling back from California. I feel like I never read!

Joy Day 33

Getting to face time with Cooper. Even if he was more worried about playing games on the iPad than talking to me.

Joy Day 32

Cooper passed his first float test!! I am so happy for him.

Joy Day 31

The lights are up on the house and we have finished the Christmas decorations. Cooper is completely wrapped up in the holiday season and I love seeing his excitement.

Joy Day 30

This little girl is seven months old! I just love her smiles and happy personality.

Joy Day 29

I finally started a book and had time to read.

Joy Day 28

Thanksgiving. This year, I've felt very blessed. I've thought a lot about the good, and been thankful it has outweighed the bad. We welcomed a new baby to our family and while every day isn't easy, I go to bed with a full heart.

Joy Day 27

We traveled to see family for Thanksgiving and both kids were good on the drive in. I was worried!

Joy Day 26

A happy baby in the morning.

Joy Day 25

A conversation with Cooper.

When we leave swim lessons, we drive by the Harley Davidson dealership. Cooper has been telling me for months that when he gets big, he's going to get a motorcycle. I've disagreed.

C: mom, when I get big I'm going to get a motorcycle.
M: no, you're not.
C: yes I am!
M: ok, we'll talk about it when you're 16.
C: when I'm 16, I'm going to get a motorcycle and I'm going to leave and never come back!
M: what? why? You're never going to see me??
C: Nooooo! I'm going to get my own house. You can come see me.

M: Cooper, when I get old, are you going to take care of me or put me in the nursing home?
C: I'm going to take care of you in the nursing home.
M: oh, ok. What about dad? Where will he be?
C: with me. He's going to be your nurse in the nursing home.
M: gee, thanks.

M: Cooper, what do you want to be when you grow up?
C: a sword fighter.
M: huh. That's a noble profession.
C: and a transformer.
M: ok, that should work out good for you. But where do you want to work?
C: oh, I'm going to be a nurse.
M: how about a doctor?
C: no, a nurse.

At this point, I was trying not to die laughing so I kept asking him questions.

M: Cooper, when you get older, are you going to get married?
C: Can I marry you?
M: no, that's not legal.
C: Ok, I'm going to marry Eileen. When I'm older.
M: how old?
C: When I'm 6.
M: yeah, I'm pretty sure Mr. Kyle won't agree to that. And you have to be 18. But you should wait until after college.

Joy Day 24

We finished putting up the Christmas tree. It's hard to keep Cooper away from it, but I love the glow from the lights.

Joy Day 23

Cooper decorated his own tree. It wasn't easy for me to let him do it on his own, but I did. He was so proud and has shown everyone who came in the house.

Joy Day 22

Cooper wanted to buy me flowers at the grocery store. He picked these out because they grow. :-)

Joy Day 21

We watched our first Christmas movie of the season. If it were up to Cooper & I, we would probably watch nothing else until December 26th.

He kept asking me what would happen next in the movie.