Cooper is Four!

Yes, you read that headline right.  Cooper. Is. Four.  In a lot of ways it really doesn't seem that long ago that Cooper was that sweet little baby wreaking havoc on our sleep and our entire outlook on life.  I feel my growth as a person is directly parallel to this kid's age.  In other words, I am four years wiser, smarter, happier, more feeling, and less selfish.  Our real life began when we became parents, and our adventures in parenting began with Cooper.  It would be impossible to list all the ways in which this sweet boy has matured and changed in the last year, it is just that stark.  In a nutshell, we don't have a baby or a toddler or even a preschooler on our hands here.  We have a young boy.

This young boy is, simply put, smart, funny, sweet, and sensitive.  More descriptively, he is an optimistic, quick-witted, crack-up jokester (and knows it) and a heart-meltingly cautious Mama's (and Daddy's) boy.  When you ask Cooper a question, a lot of the time he gives the wrong answer...on purpose.  We have just begun conversations about the importance of telling the truth, though he doesn't really "lie" to lie...he's trying to be funny.  For example, the other night we asked him how old he would be on his birthday.  He immediately answered, with a big grin on his face, "25!"  Cooper is also one cuddly and conscientious kid.  He is known to sneak into our bed at 4 a.m. and loves to sit on our laps while playing on the iPad or reading a book.  We think it is super cute too how he looks after Penny in public and tries a lot of the time to include her in what he is playing.  He tells me all the time, "Mama!  Don't forget Penny!"  (As if I could.)

Showing Penny a thing or two on the iPad.

Cooper still loves Thomas the Train but his interests have expanded into other areas including The Little Mermaid, Angry Birds, and firemen and firetrucks, particularly Fireman Sam.  He likes to do typical little boy stuff including riding his trike and his jeep, climb stuff, and play with cars and trucks (and trains). He LOVES to go the Ranch where he can see the fish, run around, swing, and ride with Pa-Pa in the tractor.  Cooper loves to wear cowboy boots, play iPad, and he is always on the lookout for trains and bulldozers when we drive in the car.  He likes school though I think he misses his old school. (The "castle" school.)  

Deep in train play at the ranch.

We recently visited the doctor where Cooper measured in at 41.5 inches tall and 39 pounds, putting him in the 75th percentile, and as our pediatrician exclaimed, "Tall and thin!"  From the doctor's standpoint, Cooper is one active, healthy and developing-just-fine kid.  We agree.  I really don't think I would change a thing about this kid, other than getting him to overcome his stubbornness about food.  He likes what he likes, period.  Coop is doing well at school, and has FINALLY shown an interest in drawing and coloring.  He doesn't nap while the other kids nap at school and instead draws me a picture to bring home.  Cooper is a BIG sleeper, which is so funny, considering how his first year of life went.  He takes a two hour nap after school everyday, only because I WAKE HIM UP after 2 hours. 

We celebrated Cooper's birthday yesterday by sending cupcakes to school for him to share with his class and with cupcakes and presents after dinner.  Oh!  And Nonnie came into town too, which he was thrilled about!  We will be having a little party for him on Saturday, which means of course, more pictures to follow.  

New Thomas set!

Happy Birthday Cooper!  We love you!