FAVORITE THINGS

I can’t believe Cooper is already 1 ½! He has grown up so much over these last few months.  He has become so independent and is really starting to communicate.  He discovers something new every day.

At his 18 month check up Cooper weighed 25 lbs and was 33 inches long.  He is still in the 90% for height.  It looks like we are going to have a tall boy on our hands.

Here are a few of my “favorite things” about Cooper at 18 months....

He FINALLY says “Mama!”  For the longest time he wouldn’t call me by name.  Now I get to hear “Mama, Mommy, or Mom” about 1,000 times a day and I LOVE IT!

He’s into everything! I always said I wanted an ornery little boy and I got one.  He’s at that age where he loves to play with everything but his toys.  His favorite “toy” of the moment is an empty box.

He loves his sleep! I am seriously the luckiest mom in the world.  Most days, Cooper sleeps 12 hours at night and takes a 3-4 hour nap in the afternoon.  He will even wave bye to us when we lay him down.  Let’s hope baby #2 sleeps half as good.

He prays!  Nothing warms my heart more than when my little man folds his hands when we say our prayers.  He’s even starting to attempt the “sign of the cross”…it’s the cutest thing ever!

 

He loves to snuggle!  Some of my favorite moments are on the weekends when we will bring Cooper into our bed in the morning for a little snuggle time.  But, he also will just stand or sit by me and put his arm around me.  It’s the best!

….And Cooper’s Favorite Things

Elmo: Elmo is definitely Cooper’s first “character love.”  He loves watching Sesame Street while he eats his breakfast.

Dancing: Colt has always said if Cooper can’t dance he has failed as a father.  Well he definitely hasn’t failed because Cooper can certainly dance.  It doesn’t matter where we are, if he hears music he is going to dance.

Ball: Cooper is all boy and loves to play with balls.  His favorite is a big green one, but he also loves his football, baseball, and basketball.

Cheese & Cuties: Cheese is definitely Cooper’s snack of choice.  He will go the refrigerator and say “cheese” whenever he is hungry.  On a healthier note, he also loves Cutie clementines.  They have replaced “nanas” as his favorite fruit.

Books:  Cooper loves books.  I love when he brings me a book and then sits in my lap waiting for me to read to him.

THANKSGIVING

We spent Thanksgiving with Colt’s family in Borger.  It was such a great trip.  We arrived on Tuesday night and the rest of the family arrived on Wednesday…then the madness began J

We had so much fun cooking.  Colt roasted the turkey for his third consecutive year and he didn’t disappoint.  

Mike smoked a ham and another turkey as well.  They were all to die for.  This year Joy established a new family tradition.  The “in-laws” cooked one of our family’s traditional holiday favorites.  I cooked my Great-Grandma Volturo’s tomato pepper salad and pizza bread.  I was so nervous because this was my first time to cook the bread, but I must say it turned out delicious.  Honestly, all the food was so yummy!

Cooper had the best time playing with all his cousins.  Cade and he were practically inseparable the entire holiday. 

        

Sadly, Cooper had his first bout with the stomach bug on Friday night.  It was so hard to be helpless while my baby was so miserable.  He bounced back like a champ though.  Saturday morning he woke up ready to play and cheer on the Cowboys.  Unfortunately, despite our cheering Bedlam didn’t turn out quite like we wanted.  Regardless it was an awesome Thanksgiving!

We are excited to head back up to Borger for a few days next week!

CHICAGO GIRLS WEEKEND

The second weekend in November, Melissa, my mom, and I all met up with Madalene in Chicago for a girls weekend.  We had the best time! 

We, or should I say, Melissa and I decorated Madalene’s apartment for Christmas.  Madalene prefers to “manage.” J  Nonetheless her tree ended up being gorgeous.

We spent most the weekend walking around Chicago and Christmas shopping.  We also enjoyed some fabulous food!

It was my first time to leave Cooper since Colt and I went to Puerto Rico last November.  He had a great weekend with his daddy and spent Monday with Abowd’s.  I enjoyed my time away, but was definitely ready to get home to my angel baby!

         

  I hope we can make this trip a yearly event.  Every mama needs a getaway!