Welcome to Toddlerhood!
Cooper turned 15 months old on Christmas Day. This month more than ever, it seems he is growing up.
Lately he INSISTS on doing things the "big boy way." This is very frustrating for Mommy, Daddy, and Chelsey Nanny, since this means that he most times WILL NOT drink from a sippy cup, or a cup with a lid--it must be a REAL glass. Do not try to trick him into anything different or a terrible fit will ensue. The unfortunate thing is that he hasn't mastered not pouring the contents all over himself. Yeah--fun for all!
In this picture, we were out to dinner one night after Christmas, and Bryt, Liz, Mom and Dad were giving me a break from my cranky toddler whose bed time had long-since past. He was having one of those "do it himself moments" with this cup. Imagine his surprise when a few seconds later the entire contents of ice and water were all down the front of him. My sister had thought I was crazy for bringing three changes of clothing that day. After that little stunt, we had used the third change. Toddler = expect the unexpected. Mom has learned to BE PREPARED.
This month I found myself packing away many more of the baby toys, clothes, and things he's outgrown. This week he added to the cup/glass thing, the hatred of his high chair. He insists on eating half sitting, half standing precariously on one of the normal chairs at the table, absolutely REFUSING his high chair by all means possible for a 15-month old. (Picture screaming, rearing back, biting, and a very snotty-nosed, crying child after one particular stand-off between mother and toddler as to him remaining in his high chair for dinner. He was eventually removed to his room to calm down. Stand your ground, Mommy, stand your ground!) Ha. Ahem. Coop has now been bequeathed with a booster chair for dining at the table on one of the "big boy chairs," and the high chair has gone the way of all the other items we've packed away this month. He LOVES it. After two nights of a nearly silent child, stuffing his mouth full of food by himself with no coaxing, and being able to have an actual dinner conversation with Nathan, I am wondering why we didn't get one sooner. We may be pushovers, but the enjoyable mealtimes have been SO worth it!
This kid has hit the terrible two's already. He can throw a lying-on-the-floor-screaming tantrum like any two year old. What happened to my sweet little boo? Ok. He's still my sweet little boo at times like this...
Stats (as of 1/7/11):
Weight: 25.2 lbs (50th percentile)
Height: 31" (45th percentile) - Yay he's growing taller!
Head Circumference: 20"(over 100th percentile--still)
At his checkup, the pediatrician asked how many words he says. I guesstimated 20. Later that day, I was thinking my guesstimate may have been too high, so Chelsey helped me list them. Total was 21 words. Among them, he's learned to say naughty. He'll say, "Uh-oh! Naughty!" and then do it anyway. I'm thinking we need to teach him the meaning of the word, not just how to say it. ;o)
Coop's climbing antics have gone to new heights. He'll use just about anything as a step stool onto anything else. Latest step stools of choice: toy drum, storage baskets, flimsy laundry basket turned upside down, wooden box for block shapes (8" x 8" cube), and scooter. Did you find yourself catching your breath when reading any of those? Welcome to my world. His favorite thing to climb onto is stepping apparatus of choice, onto ottoman, onto couch, onto end table, where he stands up and dances, so proud of himself. (Picture panicking mom worried he's going to fall and really hurt himself.) We've had to remove a few toys and rearrange a few things lately to Cooper-proof.
Tuesday this week he had climbed onto the ottoman in our living room (pictured behind him here). He fell off it and fell weirdly on his right arm. Took him to the orthopedic urgent care, and after x-rays of his shoulder, arm, elbow, and wrist, the doctor found a little place on his radius right at the wrist. Apparently toddler's bones are "bendable," and Coop has a place that looks like he bent it when he fell. No need for a cast or any immobility, but he is sure to say, "Owie! Owie" when it gets bumped. Thank goodness it wasn't broken!! I'm not ready for that first broken bone... I had to laugh at the doctor. He was a great doctor, except for the advice. He asked that we "slow him down" and "prevent him from climbing." Yeah, right. We've had to temporarily remove a few toys and rearrange a few things, but knowing Coop, he's gonna figure out a way to do it anyway!
But he can be so sweet. Today I was working from home and heard Coop wake up from his nap. As I opened his bedroom door, Coop's head popped up from his crib. He heard his cousin, Ellie, playing downstairs, broke into a huge grin and said, "Ellie!" (Which sounds very nearly like "owie." Sometimes I can't tell which one he's saying.) I said, "Coop, do you hear Ellie downstairs? Should we go find her?" He gave a head nod in the affirmative. As we got to the top of the stairs, Ellie appeared at the bottom, and Coop shouted, "Ellie! Ellie!" and tried to lean out to give her a hug. He couldn't wait to go play with her. I've never seen him so excited to see her. It seemed they played very well together today, a rarity. Usually there's much weeping and wailing and biting of teeth (Cooper's), along with some hair pulling (Cooper to Ellie). He can be downright vindictive sometimes. But today was blissful. Or maybe I've just learned to block it out. ;o)
Must tell about the head nods. Any question asked of him that could be answered with a yes/no/maybe gets a head nod of yes/no, or a shrug of shoulders with hands up in an "I don't know" style. It cracks me up. He can say yes and no, but prefers the head nod. What a kid.
Latest trick: Daddy says, "Coop, show me your muscles." Coop flexes his muscles, well, more like straightens them out at odd angles, and grunts (euhhhhh). And he is SUCH a Daddy's boy.
Last, but not least, I couldn't stand the uh-uh-uh-ing that toddlers do when they beg for something. So I decided to teach him to say please. Big mistake, Mom, big mistake. Now instead of uh-uh-uh, all we hear is "Bees, bees, bees," which in Cooper language is "please, please, please, " which in Cooper language also means, "I'm saying please, now I should get whatever I want and if I don't, I'm going to throw another fit! Don't tempt me!"
Ahhh toddlerhood...
or this...
He's definitely getting bigger.
But the star of the show was really Cooper's newest cousin, Kate. 
Of course, Grammie is in town to take care of Mom and baby, but Cooper (and I) are sure enjoying having some time with her too!
