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!