Update: 2012

Per my usual self, I start something and seldom follow through with it. For example.... this blog. I had the best of intentions when I wrote my first several posts, and then life happened and I just forgot to ever update again. Jumping right in-

Cooper is now a couple months shy of being 2 1/2 years old. His vocabulary is expanding and even includes the word "shit". (Yea, one of our not so proud parenting moments.) He is keen on direction- while driving he knows which way to turn to get to MawMaw's house and to school. During the day Cooper goes to Hickory Grove Church Daycare and will continue into preschool here. They staff are amazing and Coop loves them. That is all that matters! This child is nothing short of stubborn. He is more like me everyday- hard headed and driven. He continues to remain off the charts for his height in his age division. At his 2 year check-up he was 38" tall. The pediatrician estimates that he will surely pass 6', which is no surprise to any of us when looking at my family. He is destined to be the tallest Hon of all time! Coop has found a new love in life- Disney movies. The DVD player is his best friend and he is proficient at it's functions. Toy Story is an all time favorite and as would be the case, Cooper was "Woody" the Sheriff for Halloween.

The picture above was snapped right in the middle of him pointing to his butt and telling me that he pooped! I love his face and thought it was "blogworthy"!

In other news: Cooper is going to be a BIG BROTHER!! We are expecting our 2nd baby boy, Corbin, on Dec. 26 2012. He was a surprise, but a much welcomed one.

Corbin will be born via repeat c-section on Dec. 21 2012 at 7:30am as long as he doesn't try to make an appearance before that. At 30 weeks he was measuring 4lbs. 5oz. which is 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Again, no surprise there either! We knew we would have another large baby.

We talk about "bubby" and mention his name all the time to Cooper. He either has no idea what is going on, or he is great at choosing to ignore it! He will kiss my belly and say "hi" to bubby, but I am convinced he is just going through the motions and thinks mommy's belly is quite the attraction. 

I am exhausted, partially from worrying so much about what my life will be with two kids. I worry about how Cooper will feel. I worry how I will adjust and have enough love for everyone. All natural thoughts, but my goodness, they will eat you alive if you let them. In the end our family will be filled with love and happiness. Cooper will have a sibling and know the feeling of unconditional love from a best friend. What more could a mom ask for?!

A Day Late & A Dollar Short

Here we are once again, updating few and far between. My little Moose will be 18 months in two short weeks. It is true what they say, they grow like weeds. He is still remaining off the charts when it comes to his height. His weight isn't lacking, as it is always in the 95th percentile for his age. When I see him with other children his age he towers over them. I believe we have a sports all-star in the making, but if he chooses otherwise that will be great too!

Coop seems to add new words to his vocabulary every day; or maybe we are just hearing what we want to hear. He says momma, dad, no or nuh, dog, ball and many other consonants that we make out to be words he is repeating after hearing us say them. He shakes his head no at appropriate times even if he means yes. This is something we have been working with him on- teaching him the shake for "yes". This morning I asked him if he was "all done", and he shook his head gesturing "yes". I about jumped through the roof! He is like a sponge, and the knowledge is inside his head, he just needs a while to be able to express it physically.

Our family had a wonderful Christmas. Everyone was home, healthy and in great spirits. Cooper really got into opening presents- whether they were his or not! He learned after one or two presents that tearing off the pretty paper was only half the fun. Once you get through that layer, there is something to be opened and hours of fun are left to be had with the box! :) As usual this time of year makes us miss the family who is not able to celebrate with us even more. My son has some pretty awesome angel's looking out for him- his grandpa Dale, and great-grandma Claire. We love you both and miss you dearly.

Coop is attending "school" at Little Explorers, a family owned daycare in the heart of Independence. He is going four days a week and loves it. The interaction he gets with other kids, young and old, is worth the experience alone. We took him to the festival of lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and we also went to the Holiday Train Show at the Cincinnati Museum Center- boy, could you tell he was acclimated to being around other children. Like children do, he saw something he wanted and knew the only way to get it was to go take it. Obviously something we will be working on at home! I got a call two days ago from a teacher at his school saying that he took a "spill". This child is always taking spills, so it was nothing surprising. He was climbing on a chair and fell off getting rug burn on his nose. (Just in time for his 18 month pictures on Friday).

I am going to attempt to update more frequently because these are moments we will never get back, and as much as I know think I will remember every.last.detail of what he does from day to day- the truth is- there is no way that is possible.