Thursdays Thoughts

• Kyle's side of the family does a college football bowl game pick the winner game (can't think of what to call it).  I tied for first place with Tyler and won $40!  Yay!!
• I am strongly considering buying a nice camera.  I don't need professional grade but I want something faster than my little kodak camera.  We got the Kodak as a wedding present 4 1/2 years ago. It has been awesome but I want something that is faster at catching all of the adorable and funny things Cooper does.  Now it is time to figure out what kind.  I think I am going to go to a local camera place to talk to someone and see what they think.
• I sent out my Christmas cards the Monday before Christmas and this week I found out that at least 4 of my envelopes arrived empty to the recipient.  I knew those envelopes didn't seal well and I should have used a sticker!  Luckily I had some extras so I recent the cards to the ones I knew about, but I have no clue how many others got an empty envelope.  So frustrating! (plus I still need to scan my card and share on my blog!)
• I need my hair re-dyed and Kyle is trying to convince me to cut it.  He liked how short my hair was HERE  but I just don't know about that.  I am considering the this length but still not sure about cutting it.  It at least needs a trim.
• I am already thinking about Cooper's first birthday party!  I think I have a theme and have already started jotting down ideas and savings pictures.  Yes I am crazy, but it is fun!
• So far I am doing really well at my New Year's resolutions. 
• My husband is going to kill me for saying this but I know so many people who are prego and I am kinda jealous.  I know that I was miserable and whined for a lot of my pregnancy but I still loved it.  I love the thought of having another baby. And if it was up to me (and I won the lottery) I would be the next Duggars and have as many kids as God would bless me with. 
• After my next child I will probably be completely hypocritical and say we are done with two! You never know!!
• I am disappointed that I haven't documented Christmas very well on my blog.  I got behind and decided to not dwell on it but now it is really bothering me that I haven't shared more about Cooper's first Christmas on my blog.

Weekend Recap Part 1- Date Night

Friday night Kyle and I had a date night thanks to my in-laws!  They picked up Cooper for a slumber party and we headed to PF Changs to use a gift card!  We had a pretty good gift card so we went all out for dinner!!

First we tried crispy wontons as an appetizer.  Kyle was unsure about them but we are used to going to restaurants with bread or chips and salsa to hold us over until the main course.  We were both starving so we decided to try these for the first time and we both loved them! Very yummy!  I didn't think of taking a picture until we had already eaten them!

I decided to indulge in a yummy adult beverage.  It was a pomegranate margarita and though it tasted good I don't think it was worth $12!! Oh well!

Kyle ordered his usual orange peel chicken with white rice.

And I ordered my usual Chang's spicy chicken with brown rice.  They were both delicious!!

And we ended with two mini desserts of tiramisu and triple chocolate mousse! 

They look big but they were really in little shot glasses.

And of course we got our fortune cookies.  Kyle opened this one and handed it to me saying "I think I got yours"  This really made me laugh!  I would agree that this fortune doesn't describe Kyle really.

I LOVED that one of our words was "son" because we talked about our sweet little boy a lot and missed him!

The bottom fortune was the one I opened and I liked it also!  We talked about our plans for our 5 year anniversary and possibly going to Europe so I thought it was a good sign!

After dinner we went home and sat by the fire in our backyard with the dogs.  It was cold but nice to just hangout and spend some quality time with our puppy dogs.

Miss Riley Rue with mommy!

And Ranger hanging out at our feet (he sat on my lap for a minute but couldn't get comfortable)

Then he got hot and hung out on the patio.

It was such a nice night of quality time with Kyle and uninterrupted conversation.  I really appreciate having family members that are willing to keep Cooper so we can spend time together.  Plus it was great getting some extra sleep!

6 months old

Well this wasn't the best 6 month photo shoot because he wasn't in a great mood, but with things being so crazy lately they will just have to do!  I am excited that this most is less than a week late!

*****



Cooper it is amazing how time is flying lately especially with the holidays!  You are 6 months old and you get cuter every day.  You are so much fun and we just can't get enough of you!

You currently weigh 15 pounds and 14 ounces (25%) and you are 27 inches long (75%).

Your head is 45 1/4 cm which is just above 25%.

You are still in size 2 diapers.  Size 3 diapers are for 16-20 pounds so you are right along the edge.

You wear some 3-6 month onesies however sleepers you need 6 months or 6-9 months.  You are in 6 month pants and outfits.

You are no longer exclusively breastfed!!! It is exciting but also makes me sad because you are growing up way too fast.

On December 26th we started you on rice cereal.  You seemed to like to okay once you got used to it but we thought it might be causing tummy issues so we switched you to oatmeal.  Oatmeal is supposed to be easier on the tummy.  You weren't sure at first so Daddy fed you oatmeal and you loved it therefore Daddy is now in charge of your oatmeal feedings each evening.

You have the same nursing/bottle schedule however as we introduce solids we will tweak your schedule as needed.

Your sleep pattern has changed a little bit.  You still go to sleep by 7:30pm but we let you sleep until 6 or 6:15 each morning.  Then I quickly nurse you before heading out the door.  We want you to get as much sleep as you want and on the weekends you sleep past 6:15 so I know you would during the week if we could let you.

Bath time is still so much fun with you. I love to sing to you and talk to you in the bathtub.  I know it will be even more fun once you start playing with toys.  For now you just play with the washcloth and my hands.  This month you have taken notice of the water more.  As I pour it on your tummy you stick your hand out to catch it and grab at it.  And of course you love to kick your legs and splash!

You still have some cradle cap and the clogged tear duct.  We spoke to your doctor about the tear duct and she showed me how to massage it better.  We will reassess if anything needs to be done at your nine month appointment.

You constantly roll over from back to tummy now.  Unfortunately you hate tummy time and after a few minutes on your tummy you start to fuss.  We try to convince you to roll to your back again but you usually don't. 

Because you hate tummy time I am curious to see how long it will take you to learn to crawl.  You just don't seem interested at all.  When you are on your tummy you like to kick your arms and legs like you are swimming and have your neck craned.  It reminds me of a turtle! Too cute.  Though I am eager to see you crawl I also know that means it is the beginning of you getting into everything so I trust you will do it in your own time.

You are working on sitting up as you can tell in these pictures.  You do well if there is a toy or person in front of you to keep your attention.  However if you turn you often lose your balance and topple over.  You are getting better at it every day.

You also recently discovered your feet and you love them.  It is kinda nice because they are a built in toy.  You love to hold your feet, try to get them to your mouth, and take your socks off.

We removed the extra headrest from the car seat.  You were getting crowded in there so it is better, but it is amazing how much bigger you look without the headrest. 

Cooper you love to grab everything in sight!  You love our iPhones and want to play on them yourself.  I even downloaded an drawing app to let your color on it.

The biggest thing you like to grab is hair (especially mine) and faces.  When people hold you we warn them that you grab, pinch, and love hair! 

You also got your first ear infection this month.  I could tell that something was off (mother's intuition) because you just weren't your normal self.  You were put on an antibiotic and were back to your old self in no time.

Along with the bad comes the good...You give the BEST hugs. You put your arms around my neck and even give a squeeze.  You love to bury your face in my neck and play shy.  It is just the sweetest thing and it makes me feel like a million bucks.

This month you also showed the first signs of attachment issues.  Certain times you only want your mommy and though it can be tough it also makes me feel good.  I love that I am the one you want when you are upset or tired. 

You also have reach out or lean towards people when they put their hands out to hold you.  You reach for your daddy, your grandparents, and your teachers at day-care.  Luckily you still haven't cried when I left you at day-care so that is good.

Cooper you are such a sweet boy!! I just can't say it enough.  Everyone raves about how sweet you are. You love to give hugs and you love to cuddle. You light up every one's face when you smile.   

I love listening to you laugh when Daddy plays with you.  Something about your daddy makes you giggle and break out in a huge grin.

You truly are amazing.  You melt my heart and I can't imagine my life without you.  I love you so much and can't get enough of you.  I thank God every day for giving you to us.  I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

I love you Cooper Scott!



Come Fly With Me, Let's Fly, Let's Fly Away

I want to go on vacation SOOOOO bad!!! I would like to go on a trip this spring/summer with Cooper and then I would also like to take a trip just Kyle and I in September or so for our 5 year anniversary. I have no clue where we are going to go because I have a hard time making up my mind and to me the destination of one trip kinda depends on the destination of the other trip.

Katie inspired this blog with a recent post and also my recent talk on facebook. Her post and the map below inspired me to think of places I want to go.

I want to visit every state in the US and I got this map idea from Katie. You can go to this website to do one of your own.


visited 19 states (38%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or another interesting project

38% isn't bad but 2 of those were just passing through and don't really count.
Here is a list of places I want to visit (not necessarily this year, but in the years to come)

Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico- I have been to Clovis, New Mexico (yuck) to visit my sister and driven through but that is it. Definitely haven't seen the best of what New Mexico has to offer.

Las Vegas, Nevada- I went when I was like 10 or 12 but I don't think that really counts.

Phoenix, Arizona- again I have driven through Arizona but I would love to visit Phoenix and it's neighboring city/town of Surprise where the Rangers have spring training!!

Destin, Florida- So many people have been there and it seems like such a nice place to visit. I LOVE the idea of renting beach houses in any of the states along the east coast. Which leads me too...

North Carolina/South Carolina- I read Nicholas Sparks books that take place in the Carolinas and I love reading about all of the little beach towns. I think it sounds like so much fun to go with family and play on the beach, play card games, and eat at local favorites! Plus I love to poke around little towns!

Chicago, Illinois- Just seems like a cool city to visit.

Colorado- Skiing is expensive and sounds scary to a clumsy person like me but I would love to rent snowmobiles and go tubing. Plus spending time in a spa, playing games with family, or sitting in a cabin drinking hot chocolate and reading a good book all sound like a great time to me!

Seattle, Washington/Vancouver, Canada- These go hand in hand because they are so close to each other you might as well do them both. 3 or 4 years ago I got a pamphlet about Vancouver and ever since then I have dreamed of going in the summer. It is so gorgeous and green and so many different things to do.

Alaskan Cruise- I figure a cruise is the best way to see Alaska. My parents are going on one in June and I can't wait to see what they think.

Boston, Massachusetts- I would like to go in the fall. The trees and weather are supposed to be gorgeous. A lot of people talk about the history of Boston. Honestly I am not really into museums but I love eating at local places and I love baseball. Therefore I would like to go when the Rangers are playing the Red Sox.

Nashville, Tennessee- I love country music! I would be willing to go to museums for country music! Plus good southern food and southern hospitality!!

Along with visiting all 50 states I have the dream of going to watch the Rangers play in every MLB stadium. I would like to hold off that dream until Cooper and any other baseball loving boys I may have can make the trips. My mom thinks I will have all boys and if they all love baseball as much as I do that is fine with me! I have a fear that Cooper will hate baseball :(

**** We most likely won't visit any of these places this year. We are actually considering a European trip for our five year though we have to decide if we can be away from Cooper that long and find someone to keep him for us. And of course if we can afford it.

If we do a big trip like that for our five year then we might do a long weekend road trip as our family vacation with Cooper.

(Jodi this blog was already typed and saved to be posted before our lunch today in case you were wondering!)

Friday Randoms!

• Yesterday I got an email from Whataburger (yes I am on their mailing list!) that said they now have Spicy Ketchup for a limited time.  I mentioned to Kyle that I must try it!  He decided that we should go pick up Cooper some more diapers and then go grab Whataburger for dinner.  I LOVE the way he thinks!
• The spicy ketchup was yummy!  I love Whataburger fries so much that I usually don't use dipping sauce (which is unusual for me) but I think it would be worth eating again!
• Cooper loved his oatmeal again last night and we plan to start sending oatmeal to school next week.
• I am having lunch with my college roommate today and I can't wait to see her!  She chose for us to eat at Corner Bakery which is one of my favs so that is another plus.
• So far this post is completely about food!
• Tonight Cooper is staying with Kyle's parents.  Kyle and I are thinking about going to PF Changs for dinner to use a gift card we got back in September.  It should be fun!
• I really want a cute new blog header with pictures of us and Cooper.  I might need to look into having one done.
• Kyle and I don't have a will and recently it has made me nervous.  I also thought about the fact that I handle all of the finances and if something happened to me Kyle would have a hard time figuring things out.  I have am now considering documenting everything and putting it in our safe.  (this bullet is kinda morbid).
• I also need to look into our life insurance coverage and see if we need more.  Documenting finances, writing a will, and getting more life insurance are goals for 2012.
• I have had my iPhone since September and I have never synced it or backed it up on my computer. I should probably do that!
• We have a safe in our house but for some reason everything we put in it gets damp.  We even have a small moisture control pouch that is supposed to help.  The problem with the pouch is when it changes colors you have to put it in the oven for a couple of hours!!  Well it changes colors after only a week.  We need to look into another option or a bigger pouch that lasts longer.
• Our home gas bill was 3 times its usual amount this past month.  I need to call and see why.
• That is enough randomness for today.  Happy Friday everyone!!

Cooper Trying Cereal and Oatmeal

On December 26th we tried rice cereal for the first time.  I had heard that this can be very frustrating and messy.  I heard not to expect any to actually go down.

Well I think Cooper actually did pretty good. He didn't choke and he seemed to do okay. The only problem was I don't think I was fast enough and he got frustrated.

We did the rice cereal 3 nights in a row and each night he had a hard time going to sleep and seemed irritable. After talking to other mommies I decided that we needed to try oatmeal instead of rice cereal. Oatmeal is supposed to be easier on their tummies.

We decided to take a little break over the new year's weekend since we were traveling and attending a wedding. 

I am not a liar!!  Cooper didn't hate the cereal, but Kyle thought it was funnier to take pictures of him looking like we were torturing him!

On January 2 we have Cooper oatmeal for the first time.  He didn't seem interested.  He wanted to play and smile and talk but the minute we got the spoon close to his mouth he would shut it quick.  It was actually kinda funny watching him!

So last night we tried oatmeal for the second time. Once again he would purse* his lips together and just didn't want to eat it.  Every time he slightly opened his mouth or smiled we hurry and stuck the spoon in his mouth.  Kyle and I were both talking, laughing, and playing with him in hopes to get him to open his mouth.

After not great success I asked Kyle if we wanted to give it a try and he said yes. At first Cooper pulled the same tricks with Daddy as he had with Mommy. However by the third bite Cooper was LOVING oatmeal.



Seriously it was like a switch flipped in his head and he just couldn't get enough. He had his mouth wide open and was leaning towards Kyle and the spoon for more. He was smacking his lips and banging his hands on the high chair. It was hilarious and adorable! He was so disappointed when it was all gone (we only made a tablespoon) We made sure to praise and clap for Cooper when he was all done and you could tell he was so proud of himself.

Now that I look at my pictures it does not give the feeding justice!  It was so stinking cute!  I actually look forward to doing it again with him tonight.  I told Kyle that he is officially in charge of feeding Cooper oatmeal in the evenings! 

If Cooper continues to do well with the oatmeal then we might start sending oatmeal to school with him next week for in the morning.

*****

By the way I looked at the box and it gives directions on how to start a baby on oatmeal but it doesn't suggest how much you should feed them.  I am assuming that I just gradually increase it until we figure out what is good for him.  I might look it up, but I am also open to suggestions from other mommies!

*****

*purse- Mom and Melisa- is that the right spelling for this context?  I have never really thought of how you spell that word. : )

New Year Resolutions (Goals)

My New Year Resolutions or Goals

1. Attend church each weekend.  I must admit that I go in phases of attending church.  It is much tougher now that Cooper is here.  It was easy in the beginning because he slept but now he would prefer us to be standing the entire time which just doesn't work.  Our church also doesn't have a nursery so there is no where to go when he gets noisy.  This is just an excuse and we are going to get better at going to church this year.
2. Payoff my last student loan.  I have one student loan left to payoff and if we buckle down it can be gone by the end of 2012.  Once the loans are paid we plan to start a college fund for Cooper and look into more life insurance for Kyle and I.  We need to make sure Cooper will have a bright future no matter what happens!
3. Lose the remainder of the weight I gained during my pregnancy.  I am hovering around the last 2-3 pounds and haven't been able to get rid of them.  I would also like to tone up my stomach because it was very stretched out and is looking not so great!  I would love to run a 5K in 2012!!
4. Keep my house clean and de-clutter.  The first step is to really clean things up.  I am a clutter bug and I really need to do some deep cleaning around my house.  Then the hard part is keeping it clean.  I would like to spend time each night putting my house back in order and do dusting/vacuuming stuff on the weekends.  The second part of my goal is to go from room to room and go through everything.  We have accumulated a lot of stuff in just 3 1/2 years in our house.
5. To be more organized.  I am a somewhat organized person and I love lists.  I love post-its and they are everywhere.  Kyle hates all of my lists but otherwise I would be more stressed than I already am.  I hope that I can use my new planner to stay better organized.  I also think that being more organized will help me with my first 4 goals of 2012. 
6. Overall my goal is to be less stressed and enjoy life more.  I think that the accomplishing the things above will help me be a better wife, mother, friend, and employee.  Wish me luck!!

Here is a picture of my new planner!  This year as a Christmas present I received this wonderful Erin Condren planner!  I have read many blogs raving about this planner and just had to have one.

My in-laws got it for me and I love the design of my planner along with the thought my MIL put into it.

I am working on getting organized with this planner and I must say it is a bit overwhelming initially.  I am trying to figure out how to get the most out of it!  There are so many tools in it and I am not quite sure how I want to organize myself!

On another note!

Guess who is 6 months old today!!!

Can you believe it?  Look for a 6 month post later this week! (Hopefully!)