Croup, Eating Dirt, and other crazy things

As my illustrious title reads, our little Cooper (or as we called him for a brief period "Crouper") has had a many challenges as of late. Some self inflicted, and others happenstance.

Cooper, as it seems, has taken quite a liking to anything "organic". You know: rocks, leaves, sand, bugs. And, as everyone knows, what baby likes... baby puts in his mouth. As a result of his sudden fancy, we have had many diapers full of these articles. It's a wonder things like that can pass through the body as recognizably as they entered.

I had quite a scare at 4 am last Sunday morning when I woke up to my baby (who previously has been sleeping through the night) crying and barking like a seal, as well as wheezing and running a dangerously high fever. I, fearing that he was having an allergic reaction to his first time meal of chicken the night before, rushed him to the emergency room. I was met with chuckles from the doctors and nurses and a dose of Tylenol for my little one who was diagnosed with croup. Only dangerous to infants and old people, croup can be effectively treated simply by keeping the fever down and letting the virus run it's course. Our brave little man stuck it out and tried his best to be cheerful, even though we could tell he was feeling miserable. Luckily it only lasted a week and Cooper is now back to normal... all except sleeping through the night which we hope he returns to soon!

I had a fun surprise a few weeks ago when I got a call from Caci who was in town while her husband was in Europe. Me, Caci, and Beth all got together and spent 4 hours reminiscing about high school, laughing at the antics of our beloved husbands, and gushing over our babies and Beth's cute pregnant tummy. Caci is one of the cutest little moms I have ever seen! It was so precious to see how she dotes on her little Jace (who is a doll!). Beth was bearing a belly the size of a small cantaloupe that made me and Caci both give a nostalgic sighs.

We may also have some big news! We've made an offer on a house in Washington Fields and we're just waiting for the paperwork to go through. But if all goes well, we should be in a house in a week or so... hooray! Wish us luck!

Home for the Holly Days

Merry Christmas evyone! Santa spoiled us all this year... especially me! I got a new digi-cam and a kitchen-aid mixer (already this week and made pie crust), Cooper got more toys, books, and clothes than he needs and a high chair (more for mom and dad perhaps). Jesse was finally deemed old enough to get his own .22 rifle complete with gun case and a box of 500 bullets, which he's already used up, needless to say he loves his new firearm. We also held a sort of a talent show on Christmas day, thus the bear hunt video below. Among Cooper's many talents is his ability to captivate a crowd by simply clapping his hands on his thighs in a sing-song rhythm.

We also discovered that Cooper fits in the drawers of my bookcase as shown by this adorable picture. I suppose I should include more pictures of his Christmas photo shoot as well. We had pictures taken for our Christmas cards and Cooper was all smiles for the camera.."a photographer's dream". In my haste to update on all the goings on of the holidays, I have neglected the customary update of Cooper's development! The little dear will be 8 mos. old this week and is now scooting around on his elbows like a little army recruit in boot camp. He has no need of crawling since his elbows, and the occasional thrust from his big toes gets him where he wants to go, as fast as he wants to get there. He has shown little interest in being on his hands and knees, he seldom ventures to such heights. When he does he is probably startled by all the surprised gasps and sudden cheering from his ever-present aunts, uncles, and grandparents ("Look! Look! He's about to crawl! Look, he's gonna do it!!). He probably gets a silent chuckle at the commotion he creates with this simple act of physical prowess. As demonstrated in this picture below he also gets up on his hands and toes and holds his body horizontally, as if to do a man sized push up. Already a little athlete! His little personality is developing faster than we anticipated as first time parents. When he was born I thought he would stay a little cooing doll for his entire first year of life. He communicates his intentions, wants, needs, and comedic antics well enough with his squeals, jibber-jabber, and grunts. This last week on Christmas day he had a rough bout of constipation and learned how to grunt quite effectively and now uses it to get laughs out of his mom and dad. Sometimes I'm not sure whether he's trying to poop or just play.

For New Years we stayed up playing games of Cranium and Dominoes at my parent's house (by the way Dad, if your name is Annie, sometimes you DO chop your hand when making stir-fry). New Years day we went on the annual Syphus shoot-out. Jesse proudly paraded around his new rifle with a little boy grin on his face. We were just shooting at paper targets and rotten apples, but never the less enjoyed every shot.

As the new year looms ahead I can't help but think of the blessings that have been heaped in our laps by our loving Father. We have a lovely home, Jesse loves his job, and our biggest blessing of all, our sweet son, is sleeping peacefully (and through the night no less! 11 hours WOOHOO!) in the next room. Prosperity, in all it's forms has been showered upon us. Happy New Year everyone... God Bless!