The last two weeks have been full of fun with Cooper. One night before bed he had crawled to the office to play with the computer cords. I beat him to it and shut the doors. He was a bit upset, and I like to give him positive diversions instead of just telling him, "No." So I let him play with by headband. With no hair, I could probably dress the kid in pink and pass him off as a cute little girl! But nah, I love my little rough and tumble boy.

Last Sunday afternoon was hot and muggy, so we headed to the pool. It was Cooper's first time swimming in a pool. Our pool isn't heated, so he was pretty unsure at first in the water until his body got used to the temp. After a bit he had a good time, but just wanted to watch the other kids rather than "swim." Should've timed it better too. About 30 mins into it, it was nap time. Better luck next time, but we had a little fun anyway.

Cooper LOVES all the push/walker toys at the daycare, so last weekend off to Babies 'R Us we went to get one for Coop at home. We got home too late Saturday night for him to play with it before bed, but Daddy put it together and Sunday was like Christmas morning. Cooper loves his shopping cart and pushes it around the house, nearly running with it sometimes.

Fun with plastic bags and Dad. Need I say more?

First pizza. He was so tired one night this week as I had a late night at work. Since I was too tired to cook, we ordered pizza, and I gave Coop a slice to appease him while I tried to gulp down some dinner before putting him to bed. He could hardly keep his eyes open.

Lots of the kids at daycare in Cooper's class have been leaving/moving. Took my camera Friday to try to get some photos of his friends, but most were already gone since lots of parents came early Friday. Here is Cooper with Ms. Karen, his primary caregiver at the daycare. He really does love her, and loves her more than the other caregivers. But he is crying here because I had just arrived and put him down to snap a picture. He thought I was leaving again, poor bubba.

Here is Cooper with is "girlfriend," Valika, at daycare. There is also one other little friend in the clique, Mitchell. Mitchell is a bit Chris Farley-ish; a big clumsy oaf. Valika and Mitchell are both 10 months old, Coop is 8. The three of them have great times together and play games they make up. Their favorite game to play is what we call "chase." They crawl around and chase each other, stop and giggle and squeal, and chase some more. They also like to hide behind things and play peek-a-boo with each other.

Every morning when we get in the car, Cooper gets upset because he knows we're going to daycare. Of course, he doesn't want to go. I coax him by saying, "Coop! We're going to school to play with Ms. Karen, and Valika, and Mitchell, and Riley (a little girl just days apart from Cooper in age). He usually gets a little grin on his face at the mention of their names.

Today was our last day at church in Smyrna Ward since we'll be out of town next weekend, and then move the next. Today also happened to be the last week at church for Cooper's previous in-home babysitter, Brandalyn, and her daughter Lauren. Cooper still loves to see Brandalyn, even though it's been 2 months since he stopped going to her on a daily basis. He also loves Lauren. We tease Cooper that Lauren was his first love, and that he likes going for the older ladies. Lauren is 4, well maybe just turned 5.
Cooper is quite the social butterfly. Sunday school and Relief Society (the last 2 hours of church), we usualy sit by our friends who have a baby girl about 6 weeks younger than Cooper. Tessa is such a cutie with her big brown eyes, cute hair, and little tongue that she's always sticking out. Coop and Tessa love to sit and jibber-jabber, smile and giggle with each other. Coop also likes to grab Tessa's hair and cute hair barrettes. She's very patient with him.

Speaking of hair...Cooper is starting to finally get some and you can see a little halo in this picture. Yep--it's going to be red!
I couldn't pass up posting this shot. Cooper was ready for a nap, but the face is just too cute. Cooper is such a good baby. If he cries or fusses, it's because he needs something.

This afternoon we went to visit our friends, Mike and Megan Armstrong and their son Matthew for the last time before we move. Matthew is 2 months and 1 day older than Cooper. It's such a shame we weren't able to get together with them more since the boys have gotten a bit bigger. They had a blast playing together while us adults visited. Matthew had lots of cool toys Cooper loved checking out, and he liked pulling Matt's hair. The boys were a bit rough with each other, each of us moms freaking out a little when our child was the agressor, but boys will be boys. They were none the worse for the wear. I just love Matthew's cheesy camera grin.

We are sure going to miss our friends in Atlanta!

Thursday I when I picked Cooper up from school he had Mother's Day presents for me: a flower finger painted, with a picture of him in the middle; and a picture frame also finger painted with a picture of him in it. The daycare took pictures of him painting the frame, and I had planned on scanning them in at work, but then I was sick with the flu Friday. So those will have to wait for a later post. He was so happy to give me the presents, as you can tell here.

He also gave me the following poem with a little painted hand.

A Child's Hands

Tiny fingerprints on the wall

A broken window from a bouncing ball

A bandage wrapped around a thumb

Fingers sticky from bubblegum

Flowers clutched in a tiny hand

Castles built from playground sand

A cup of milk spilled on the floor

A crayon masterpiece on the door

A soft caress on Momma's cheek

A baby's game of hide and seek

A hug in Daddy's arms so tight

A story-time snuggle in bed each night

Although for now, my hands are small

Someday soon, I'll grow quite tall

So hold me close another day

And cherish all I do and say!

I sure do cherish each moment with my little man. This week was full of amazing moments, one of which included finding Cooper climbing up the stairs all by himself. He'd made it up three before I found him. He has also learned to kiss and hug, but beware, his kisses are open mouthed and slobbery. He likes to kiss and hug one little girl at school--Valika. The two of them have become quite the little playmates.

Cooper has started babbling using consonants more and more. I'd like to think that when he says "Ha" he's saying hi. And earlier this week he was wanting me and crawling toward me saying, "Maaaaa, Maaaaa, Maaaaa." I convinced myself he was saying Mama. No, really! ;o)

I am so lucky to be Cooper's mother. He is such a great kid: so full of love, happy most of the time and full of smiles and hugs, easygoing, adventureous, trusting, smart, and talented. He has made my life so full and I have learned things about myself from him that I never knew; he has revealed many of my strengths and weaknesses. He always has a smile for me, and always wants my love. Motherhood is such an amazing thing. I thought I understood it before, but having a child of my own has opened a whole new world to my heart. From the time I was a small child, I dreamed of being a mother. I even used to sing a song called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to Be A Mother." For so many years I longed for a child. How blessed I am to be celebrating this, my first official Mother's Day. Thank you Heavenly Father for sending us Cooper. Thank you Little Boo for being so wonderful.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers!

(P.S. This being my blog, I wanted to record the feelings I was having today as a new mom. This post is in no way intended to offend those without children.)