His future is so bright...he's gotta wear shades!

Tummy Time Reconsidered

All the baby books these days stress the importance of "tummy time" for a baby's development. I always hated having to put Cooper on his tummy because he seemed to hate it. I'd lay him down on his tummy and about 10 seconds later, he was screaming to get up. As a new mom, I worried I was doing him a terrible disservice by not doing enough tummy time. My fears subsided, however, when he rolled from his back to his tummy. Now Cooper willingly does his own tummy time. If he doesn't first find his feet and grab on, he immediately rolls to his tummy. (I don't have a good picture of him on his tummy yet.) We get a kick out of watching him roll, push up, then catch us watching him and flash us a half-toothed grin. (I say half-toothed, because that is exactly what he has. One tooth is poking through on his upper gum.)

Don't blink!

I have been amazed since Cooper was born at how quickly he grows and changes, seemingly right before my eyes. Lately though it seems like it has been a landslide of change. A month and a half ago, Cooper rolled over from his tummy to his back for the first time...and then didn't do it again for a few weeks. On Saturday, Cooper made the more difficult roll from his back to his tummy. We were excited to watch him do it for the first time, but I didn't think we would see him do it again for a while, just like his other roll. Wrong! On Tuesday, Cooper seemed to want to roll as soon as he was laid down, whether that be from his tummy or his back. He would roll onto his tummy, then do a mini push-up, and then, while he was at it, grab for his toys and pull them towards his mouth. All of this activity wasn't going on even a few days ago. I have been told by so many parents that I will blink three times and he will be grown. I feel like I have already used up one of those blinks!

Happy Birthday Dad!

On Friday, David turned the big 3-0. We celebrated on Valentine's Day with a party in David's honor. Cooper had lots of fun staying up late and hanging out with our friends. He really wore himself out, because he slept a lot on Sunday and had no trouble going down Sunday night. Cooper it seems also already has a girlfriend...our next door neighbor's 8 month old sent him a Valentine. It was so cute!

The cake...it was just as yummy as it was gorgeous!

Cooper, the day after. (He was tired!)

Four Months Old!

Last Wednesday Cooper turned four months old. I was unable to blog about it then because we were in Houston so David could attend a convention. This was Cooper's first hotel stay and he did great! He only woke up once each night, which is what he does at home. Cooper had lots of fun. He got to meet Aunt Ida, Uncle Barney, and cousin Zoe for the first time. He also got to meet a new friend, Hunter. Hunter and Cooper are two weeks apart but we marveled how different the two babies are. I was amazed at how well Hunter sleeps through the night, takes naps, and likes to sit up to play. Hunter's mom was amazed at how late Cooper stays up at night, doesn't nap much, and is happy to just sit (or lay) there and observe the world he is in.

Yesterday Cooper had to go to the doctor for his four month check-up and second round of vacinations. He got a clean bill of health and only cried a little bit through the shots. The doctor said Cooper is right where he needs to be both physically and developmentally. Cooper weighed in at 15 lbs, 9.5 oz, which puts him in the 50th percentile for weight (down from 2 months ago). He is 25 and 3/4 inches long, which puts him in the 75th percentile for length (same as 2 months ago). Here are a few pictures of a four month old Coop...

Mom and Dad's bed sure is cozy!

My exersaucer is interesting!

Cooper and the Super Bowl

On Sunday Cooper watched his first Super bowl. He had refused to take a nap earlier in the day and REALLY needed one by the time we got to our friend's house to watch the game. Even though he was super tired, he still tried to stay awake. I think he is afraid he is going to miss something. Even a walk in the stroller wouldn't put him to sleep. Finally, Grandma was able to put him down after rocking and stroking his head for a very long time. I asked her if she could come to our house every evening, say about nine o'clock? Of course, Cooper didn't stay down long and he was up by the 3rd quarter. We conceded to let him watch the game! By the 4th quarter, sitting with Dad proved to be too comfortable and he drifted into dreamland just in time to miss the Steeler's winning touchdown. (And no, he is no longer sleeping through the night.)

Dad and Coop Have a Little Chat

I have been trying for two weeks now to get a good video of Cooper laughing and "talking". Every time he gets going and I run for the camera, he gets more interested in the camera than our "conversation" and stops. Here is the best one I have taken so far.