Two Months Old!

On Wednesday Penny reached two months old! In the last month Penny has transformed from a sleepy, personality-less little being to a vocal, happy baby!  She can now smile when she sees our faces, kick her feet and move her arms around as if exercising, and be entertained by having something colorful to look at.  We just moved her downstairs to her own room, which is going ok.  She is waking up more at night since we moved her, but it is hard to tell if it is because she isn't used to the crib or going through another growth spurt.  At any rate, Mom is getting her workout going up and down stairs several times a night!

Reaching two months of age also means another well baby checkup with the doctor and her first official round of shots.  Penny weighed in at 11 lbs, 1 oz and her length was 23.5 inches.  This puts her in the 75th percentile for weight and height.  For comparison, Cooper was 12 lbs and 24 inches at age two months.  Baby sister is only half an inch shy of what her brother was at this age and she is a girl.  Grow Penny grow!

Band Practice...

Birthday Party!

On Saturday, we enjoyed the grand finale of Cooper's birthday week...his PARTY!  We had a full house, consisting of around 17 adults, 7 kids, and 2 babies.  Cooper received some really great gifts and had a blast running around with his friends.  While the adults watched the Aggies play, the kids ran around outside and played with toys and play-doh. Cooper also liked the cupcake train that I made for him, and we had to really work to keep him from climbing up on to the table to get it!  Penny had a good time too...I don't believe there was even a five minute period when someone wasn't holding her.  Even though the party ran a little late, both kids more or less kept to their routines, which made for a pleasant, leisurely Sunday.

Party Shots!

Cooper, not completely comfortable in the spotlight.

Lots of help opening presents!

Cupcake train!

After the party, our friend let Cooper play on the table...well, it WAS his birthday after all...

Cooper turns 2!

Grandpa and Coop checking out his dinosaur cake.

Unbelievably, regrettably, and yet excitingly, on Monday, October 4th, Cooper reached that significant age...TWO YEARS OLD!  We are not bracing ourselves for the terrible twos as they started months ago.  Cooper learned how, and then perfected the art of fit throwing long ago. (We always knew he was advanced. :-) ) The other reason we aren't bracing ourselves...they aren't terrible!  (At least not yet.)  Coop is a typical toddler, er, kid.  He is energetic, curious, opinionated, and fun!  We are constantly on the move to keep up with him and are constantly racking our brains for ways to keep him stimulated, challenged, and entertained.  We revel in his zeal for life, his wide-eyed view of the world, and his golden heart.  Though he never hesitates to pitch a fit when not getting his way, he is, overall, the sweetest kid!  He loves giving his baby sister kisses and I have never once seen him push, shove, bite, or hit...all behaviors typical of a frustrated two year old! His teacher told me just yesterday that he is a "hugger".  (We knew that...he is fond of turning to us and saying, "Hug, Hug, Hug!" just after getting in trouble.)

As it worked out this year, we are celebrating Cooper's birthday "week" as opposed to just his birthday.  On Monday (his actual birthday), we had Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Libby and Uncle Bill over for homemade pizza and a dinosaur carrot cake.  On Tuesday, the kids in Cooper's class sang "Happy Birthday" to him over cupcakes I made for their snack time.  On Wednesday, we visited the doctor for his two year old check up.  There he received a clean bill of health and only one shot...influenza.  He was a very big boy about it; he didn't even flinch during the shot!  He weighed in at 30 lbs and measured in at 35 and a half inches.  (Side note:  According to Nonnie, Cooper's dad weighed in at 30 lbs at ONE year of age...perhaps he won't be the giant that David is.)  This puts Cooper in the 75th percentile for height, and the 50th percentile for weight.

Birthday Shots!

Dad and Coop figuring out Aunt Libby and Uncle Bill's present.

New tricycle from Mom and Dad...Coop loves to ring the bell!

Sit n' Spin from Grandma and Grandpa.

Saturday will be Cooper's "official" birthday party, but it will warrant its own post...more to come!

Happy Birthday Cooper!

And Now Your Penny Report...

Penny continues to do awesome!  She continues to eat well and consistently sleep for at least one 5 to 6 hour stretch at night.  On the morning after Penny turned 5 weeks old, she was resting on my chest when all of a sudden, she did a half push up and upon seeing my face, flashed me her first "real" smile!  I know it wasn't a fluke because she did it again a few hours later! We are so delighted by her smiles, and by her increasing alertness.  She is also starting to be happy in the arms of others...not just Mama's. Penny also likes to MOVE, and move FAST! She is happiest in the car seat, but only if the car is moving or we are rocking her.  She will sit in her swing, but only if you have it on the fastest setting.  We are thinking she gets that from Mama, though Daddy is hardly one to sit still either! And that, folks, is your Penny report.