I am THAT mom!

I am that overprotective mother that I never thought I would be. I wouldn't say that I am extremely overprotective, but I am still a lot more than I ever thought.

I remember when my sister, Angela became a mother and I often thought she was overprotective.

• Annelise couldn't have anything but milk or water to drink and I thought she was crazy!
• She limited what toys she could play with and avoided the messy ones.
• She didn't let Annelise lick a potato chip as a less than 8 week old..I only know because I tried and she snapped at me...seriously what was I thinking! Sorry Angela!

I am sure the list could go on but it doesn't matter. 

I would never have let Cooper lick a potato chip as a newborn and I remember when Cooper was less than a year old and cringing as people let him lick or eat foods and didn't ask me.

I too can't imagine Cooper playing with play dough, markers, or glitter because it might make a mess.  Heck even stickers used to make me nervous because I don't want them to end up in the laundry and stuck to my favorite clothes...don't worry he is now allowed to play with stickers.

I only give Cooper milk or water to drink.  He has had drinks of our sweet tea, our sodas, and had juice at day-care (though I tried to stop it).  Overall I don't think he needs juice or other drinks.  He is perfectly content with just water or milk.

He is perfectly content with....is actually what has led me to a lot of the things I do with Cooper.

• He ate/eats waffles with no syrup because originally it was messy and now he actually prefers no syrup.
• He ate cinnamon rolls without icing for the first 6 months that we allowed him to have them because the icing was too messy and he loved them anyway.
• We fed him everything for the longest time because it was less messy than him feeding himself.
• He doesn't eat applesauce or pudding at home because it sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen!
• I fed him a cupcake with green icing with a fork at Easter because I didn't want the green icing to stain his face and fingers before pictures...this is actually what prompted this post.

My family laughed at me over the cupcake incident because I joked that I was tempted to scrape the icing off and let him just have the cake. I shared the other food things above and we all had a good laugh. (the list above mostly makes me sound like a clean freak which is noooo where near the truth! Just ask my husband)

The conversation made me think about how I really am overprotective and cautious with Cooper.

Later that same day we went to my grandfather's house for an Easter egg hunt.  There were a lot of kids and they were all running around.  It was a beautiful day so everyone was enjoying both the food inside and the weather outside. Cooper loves to be outside and loved hanging out with his cousins.  The problem was that I wanted either Kyle or I to be watching him at all times (mostly because he would not stop climbing on a four wheeler in the yard and I was nervous he would fall), but I normally wanted to be inside with all of the girls (and food).  Kyle and I took turns watching Cooper and it was no big deal.  But I realized looking back that there were several adults always outside watching the kids. 

Part of me didn't want to expect other people to watch my kid, but the real reason I wanted one of us out there is because I didn't trust the other adults to notice what Cooper was up to. Cooper is a very busy boy and I know how quickly accidents can happen.  And though I can't prevent every fall, bump, and bruise I can stop as many as possible when standing close by. 

I am THAT mom who doesn't want her child to fall and is tempted to put him in a bubble or at least constantly hold his hand.

I am THAT mom that opens his bag of fruit snacks so that he doesn't spill them, the dog eat them, and then he scream at the top of his lungs. Because it will happen! He may never figure out how to open a package on his own!

I am THAT mom that intervenes quickly when I notice that Cooper is getting frustrated in hopes to avoid a meltdown.

I am THAT mom that wants to lock him up and keep him safe from all the bad in the world.

I am also THAT mom that realizes that hurt, heartache, anger, and bad decisions are what life is all about.  I need to step back and let Cooper live and learn. 

That statement doesn't mean that I am going to change on all of the things above, but I am going to be more aware and ask myself 'does it really matter?'

Pretty soon I am going to be the mom of two boys.  Life is going to be crazier, scarier, louder, and more hectic than I could have ever imagined.  Being a mother of two is going to force me to let go of some things.  Being a mother of two is going to rock my world and it won't ever be the same.  Being a mother of two is going to be so much fun! I can't wait!!

8 more weeks until I am mother of two!

Tonight I might let Cooper hold his own popsicle!

32 Weeks!

How Far Along: 32 Weeks along! 55 days until Casen's due date!

Size of baby: Casen is the still the size of a head of lettuce, but the length and weight went up (19 inches and 3.9 lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 21.1

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Gender: Sweet boy Casen Andrew!

Movement: Casen continues to be so active.  This weekend Mimi and Grandpa got to see my whole belly move and change as he move around.  It makes me wonder if he is head down or not.

Sleep: Same as before.

Cravings: I craved a philly cheese steak for a full week and finally got one from Chili's on Friday! IT WAS AMAZING! Last week I had the Rico salad from Mi Cocina (bc it is convenient to get it to go from where I work) and it was also AMAZING!! I couldn't get enough of it and ended up having it again later last week. Those were my two real cravings last week and the philly cheese steak is the first time I have had a craving that I can't get out of my head.  I have never had a "must have" late night craving like you always hear about..lucky Kyle!

Symptoms: Still dealing with BHs and occasional back pain but overall I feel great.  I am definitely feeling bigger, but I think it has slowed down some.  I am just waiting for the swelling to start : (

Best Moment this week: Cooper continues to be so sweet about Casen.  He now gives me belly a kiss each night and I love how he says Baby Casen.  I can't wait for my niece Tinsley to arrive so that I can see what he thinks of a baby and me holding a baby. 

Hardest Moment this week: My sweet niece Catelyn is going to be taken c-section a week from today.  I am so excited for her to arrive, but I am really struggling with not being there to meet her and being there for my sister.  I just try to think about hearing the stats and seeing her sweet picture.  I can't wait for Annelise to get her baby sister! She is going to be an awesome big sister.

Next Appointment: Today at 2:30 so I will update tomorrow.

Friday Favorites and Randoms

• Kyle and I signed the paperwork on our new house! This is not it pictured below...We are going to build a house in the Midlothian area so we have picked our floor plan along with architectural decisions.  We go back on the 13th of April to make our color selections which is why I shared this picture below because before that meeting we need to pick our brick and this is one of the bricks we liked.  Kyle and I fully intended to buy an existing home but we found a great neighborhood with 1 acre lots and a great floor plan.  We are going to be able to build the house we want for less or the same as an existing house.  We are very excited to have made a decision and get started.  The build time is about 4 months.

• Along those same lines- I am really trying to 'practice what I preach' or remind myself on what I said.  Just Wednesday I said that we were okay with not having many showings on our current house because ideally we only want to move once so we don't really want to sell this early. But at the same time I can't help but worry about all of the timing working out.  Sure enough on Thursday we had a house showing and I got a little renewed hope. Then we got feedback yesterday evening on the showing (the realtor goes to the website and enters feedback which is optional) and it said 'not the right fit for this buyer.' Womp womp womp....That feedback put me in a funk yesterday evening.  I would have rather had no feeback at all and a little hope than that...BUT once again I have to remind myself that it is still early and if we got an offer this early we would have to figure out what to do in the interim. So while I have been praying for 'God's plan and perfect timing for us' I have actually still been doubting and worrying.  Trying to remind myself to just trust and pray...Remember worrying is a sin.
• Last Friday we couldn't figure out what we wanted for dinner so we picked up pizza from Alba's.  I got black olives, green olives, and jalapenos (couldn't have meat because it was Good Friday) and it was delicious!  Kyle and I LOVE their pizza and so does Cooper!
• I just got a phone call from a number that looked like my sister overseas.  My heart started racing as I expected Angela or John to say they were having Catelyn early.  Instead it was Penny from Cooper's day-care saying that he fell (took me a minute to figure out who the heck Penny was as I was expecting it to be Ang) and he has marks on his face now....of course I was hoping to take him to get some professional pictures this weekend or next! I guess it is next weekend now.
• A shop on facebook that I follow was selling this cute jon jon this week and I just love it! I love the colors and the whales! And of course there was a shirt and short set that coordinated for a big brother!  I wanted to get the outfits so bad and would of if we were going to the beach or somewhere fun this year, but we have no such plans.
• And this leads me to the fact that I am aching to go on a vacation this summer and I really want to take Cooper to the beach.  That being said I know there is no way in heck that I want to be in a swimsuit anytime this summer after having Casen.  We might try to do some sort of small trip this fall but otherwise it will be 2014 before we even think about going anywhere....you know we are building a house so I need to be realistic and things are going to be so crazy these next couple of months anyway! : ) 

• Have I told you that I need to win the lottery, which means I would need to play first!!
• I have noticed with this pregnancy that I often forget about the size of my bump or just don't pay attention to where I am walking because I constantly hit it on chairs, doors, tight corners, getting out of the car.  Poor Casen!
• Please pray for this sweet family.  Carter had a very difficult surgery and has dealt with several setbacks.  Things are very serious for him and he needs all of our prayers.
• On a better note today is opening day for the Rangers at home.  We got to wear Rangers shirts to work and Cooper also had Rangers day at day-care.  I could not get a cute picture of him because he was too busy watching a little girl cry and was very concerned for her.  Unfortunately Cooper and I don't get to watch or listen to the game because he will be at day-care and I have two meetings! Wish I was at the ballpark instead!

Wishing you all a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!

21 month update

Don't ask me where the updates are for the past couple of months.  I just didn't do them.

I have no clue Cooper's height, weight, or growth percentages.  In fact, I think I need to call the doctor and make sure we are up to date on everything because around 18 months he was struggling with ear infections so not sure if we have done all of his shots..

Size 4 diapers but moving to size 5 as soon as we finish up what we have.

Size 5 shoes and not quite ready for size 6.

Size 24 or 2T shirts though still wears some 18 month that are winter. Size 18 or 24 month pants.  2T just fall off of him and even some 18 and 24 month pants have to be rolled up.

My sweet boy has slimmed down so much in the waist lately and no longer has the big baby belly.

We weaned him of the paci just before he turned 19 1/2 months and it was so much easier than we ever thought it would be.  He doesn't ask for it anymore and does fine without it. Still in shock how easy it was.

He went pee pee on the potty for the first time on Feb 25th (19 1/2 months) at day-care.  We then started putting him on the potty every morning and he has consistently gone in the potty.  I would say that most mornings he wakes up with a dry diaper but sometimes it is wet.  He also pee pees on the potty at day-care after he gets up from nap.  They put him on the potty more often but he only goes after nap.  Two weeks ago for the first time he pee peed in the morning, then 4 times at day-care, and again before bath.  It was a one time thing but we are still proud of him.  A couple of times he has gone more than once at day-care.

He still goes to be at 7:30 and we wake him up about 6:15 during the week.  Lately on the weekends he has slept in for us until 7:30 or even later so that has been really nice.
We are getting ready to try him in his toddler bed.

He can recognize 5 shapes- star, circle, triangle, heart, and square. Sometimes he says diamond and rectangle. He learned his first 5 shapes at home thanks to Kyle and I drawing with him on his magnadoodle. I must give credit that Kyle started it. 

He knows various colors but doesn't guess them correctly.  He usually guesses yellow or green. Lately he knows purple...not sure why that color but this TCU alum is one proud momma!

No clue how many teeth his has, but it is a mouthful!

If I say one he can count to 10. Sometimes we have to remind him that 4 is after 3 but then he remembers all of the way to 10.
He knows more animal sounds that I can count.

He loves to look for airplanes (airpain), trains (choo choos), buses, motorcycles and fire trucks.

Lately he has starting testing his limits with us and has experiences both time out and spankings.  We are figuring out what discipline works for him and standing our ground.  It is very challenging, but know that it is part of parenting.  The most challenging part is that he is so dang cute that he is hard to discipline!

He knows how to say the sign of the cross and it is adorable.  He says 'fadda, suhhh, hodie, sp-it, AMEN!!!' and does the hand motions with it.  Melts my heart!

Cooper's vocabulary is amazing!  He says so much and repeats everything.

Lately things he says are
- If I ask him if he is ready he either says 'Ready, Freddie' or 'Ready, Set, Go'
- He loves to tell you when something is coming- 'Coming bus!' ' Riley coming' 'Daddy coming'
- 'oh no, happened?'
- 'no, no dog dogs'
- 'Mommy, all done, all done, all done......'
-' biddy biddy spida' itsy bitsy spider
-' what's that' 'what color'

He loves to point to something and say whose it is 'mommy's book' 'daddy's phone' 'Riley's toy'

Some of his favorite foods right now are popcorn, canny (candy), fruit snacks, grapes, cheese, goldfish, corn dogs, and apples.

His favorite song right now is Old McDonald, but he also love for me to sing I'm a Little Teapot, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and ABC's.

I know I am forgetting a ton of things.  I am going to try to write them down/ type them into my phone so I don't forget.  I have a ton of cute videos to share, but for now here are some of my favorite pictures I took last weekend.

I love this boy more than I could have ever imagined.  I feel beyond blessed to be his mother.  The time is going by way too fast.  I can't believe we will be celebrating his 2nd birthday in just 3 short months and before then he will be welcoming his baby brother.  Each phase is so much fun and I am really enjoying Cooper right now.  I can't wait to see what each day holds for us and the funny things that come out of his mouth!

Easter at day-care

Cooper had his Easter celebration last Friday at day-care and I wanted to send a special treat for his classmates.

I saw these on Pinterest and was planning on making them until I found an alternative with goldfish.  I figured goldfish are less messy and seem healthier (not sure if they really are or not) so the parents would appreciate goldfish instead.

So last Thursday I put these goodies together and Cooper thought it was so fun and wanted to help.

I used icing bags and then closed them with a rubber band.  And then made my tags, hole punched them, and tied them on with ribbon.  Simple and easy!

I included this little tag...I had planned to do some on the computer but forgot and this was just easier since I only had to do 12.

All ready to go to school in his Easter basket!

Since I took Friday off I went up to Cooper's day-care for the egg hunt.....AND MISSED IT!  They started 15 minutes early (even though I double checked the time that morning and said I would be there).  Plus with kids that age it didn't take long to hunt their eggs and be done.

I took my nice camera and I think I got some great pictures but I haven't had time to upload them and go through them.  I will do that tonight hopefully!

So by the time I thought of my iphone Cooper was too busy watching the other kids hunt and wanted nothing to do with pictures.

Cooper's BFF Aiden was sweet and showed me his eggs so I could get a picture to send to his mommy.

Afterwards they let the kids play so I took lots of pictures (again on my nice camera)

I was really disappointed that I missed the hunt, but seeing Cooper's excitement when he saw me made it all better and I tried to make the most of it.

Easter with the Clines!

Here are pictures of our Easter celebration with Kyle's side of the family the weekend before Easter.  The weather was cool so Cooper wasn't dressed in cute Easter clothes. Plus Ryan and Tyler were at school so they weren't there.  It was a low key celebration, but Cooper got to do an indoor egg hunt and was great at it!

I love the excitement on his face!

He thought it was so funny trying to get this egg and was so determined.

I squatted down to get a picture and of course he had to squat down too...so funny!

Checking out his loot!

Money!

Funny how he knew that a dollar was better than quarters and said 'ooohh' when he opened that one!

Posing with the bunny cake Aunt Shari made! It was both adorable and yummy!

Saying cheese for the camera and watching his wind up chick on the table!

Here is our Easter celebration last year...My how quickly they grow!

31 weeks!

How Far Along: 31 Weeks along! 62 days until Casen's due date!

Size of baby: Casen is the size of a head of lettuc (18 inches and 3.2 lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 20.5 lbs...Too many Easter sweets!

Maternity Clothes: Yes
Gender: Sweet boy Casen Andrew!

Movement: I have a wonderful, active little boy!
Sleep: Get up to pee 1-2 times a night now and toss from hip to hip often. Last night I woke up around 3 something and had to pee, was extremely thirsty, and Casen was throwing a party so I am pretty tired today.
Cravings: Lots of cravings lately! Chipotle, sweet tea, Hershey eggs, Aunt Sandra's vermicelli salad and her banana pudding.  My Aunt Carla made my Meme's recipe for potato salad this weekend and it was AMAZING! I could have eaten just that!  But then again I can't stop thinking about Savannah's homemade banana whoopie pies either!! 

Friday my sister mentioned philly cheese steak and I instantly craved them.  Unfortunately it was Good Friday and no meat.  I tried to get one yesterday and the only place I could think of that had them was closed!  I still can't stop thinking about one and am trying to think of where I can get one for lunch!
Symptoms: I have noticed that I have more BHs on the weekend or busy days at work and it is likely because I am not drinking enough water.  They seem to be much better/fewer after I drink some water.  I am pretty tired by the end of the day, but overall I still feel good.

Best Moment this week: Cooper gave Casen a lot of hugs and kisses last week and it just melts my heart.  We had a wonderful Easter this year with Cooper and I can't wait to celebrate next year with two little ones!
Hardest Moment this week: I can't really think of anything right now.
Next Appointment: April 8th