Sunday, November 13, 2011

11 Months

I refused to elude to the fact that these boys of mine were turning 11 months old until today.  Up until last night at 11:59 pm, they were 10 months.  Technically, they were, but some people *cough* Brian *cough like to jump the gun when it comes to the Twinkies "Monthdays" and has been referring to them as 11 months old for over a week. A WEEK! Nope, not having it.

These boys are turning into people with opinions, and major personalities. They have likes and dislikes.  They have routines and facial expressions, and noises that I know from across a crowded room.  They are sleeping better, especially since getting ear tubes (more on that coming soon). They eat pretty much whatever we eat, and especially love sweet potatoes, scrambled eggs with spinach, tomato soup, and apples.  Cooper loves to feed himself, while Parker prefers to be fed. They are both still nursing exclusively (as in seriously refusing to take a bottle) and love to snuggle.  When Parker nurses, he grabs hold of part of my shirt and wraps it around his fist. Every time. It is like he is anchoring himself.  Cooper has more of a wandering limb and usually ends up smacking me in the face a few times.

They both fall asleep in the car, love to be in their strollers, and love Target.  They fit in this family just fine... 






Parker was mad I took the iPhone away. Maybe he was in the middle of a game of Angry Birds.












And yes. That is spit-up on Cooper's shirt. 

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Dear Cooper

Dear Cooper,

I have said this before, but it just is: you melt in my arms.  Your little body was made for my arms to be wrapped around you.  When I take your round apple cheeks in my hand and smooch your face you squint your eyes to almond slivers and smile with all that you can.  Cooper you are my sweet. You are the one to keep an eye on.  You are an explorer, love to be busy.  You get into everything, things I have never had to worry about before with the kids who I have cared for in this house! You try something, and try again, and again and again. You are patient. You are laid-back, and forgiving, even when Parker steals your toy.  You are the observer and you are cautious.  You are stingy with your smiles for strangers, and that is okay.  You love to laugh, eat and play. You hate diaper changes, wearing hats and being fed foods you know you could feed to yourself.  You are going to be my child who just does stuff. I don't even know exactly what that means yet, but I know it in my head. I am prepared.  Cooper, your hazel/brown eyes are deep and crisp and your sweet face makes each of my days brighter and better than I ever could have imagined.  You have made my life better. I love you with all that I am.

You are amazing.

































Dear Logan

Dear Logan,

This year you have become a kid.  I can't call you a toddler anymore because you are now this hybrid-cross between my sweet baby who got big while I turned my back for a sliver of a moment, and a big boy. You are strong and fierce sometimes. You are confident and passionate.  You are also sweet, and understanding. perceptive and gentle.  You are testing boundaries, testing people, and learning about the world around you and while you sometimes make Daddy and I crazy, you always make us insanely proud. Completely, without a doubt, over-the-moon-in-love proud. You are quirky. You love things done a certain way and if anyone "gets that" it is me.  You remember everything, EVERYTHING, and you are so smart. You say stuff like "Saturn has 62 moon, and you know what mommy?! We had pineapple for snack today". Does it get more innocent than that?  I love learning through you. and from you, which I do every minute of every day.  You, Parker and Cooper have taught me how to be humble, patience, and purpose.  You have taught me how to live the most purposeful life. I watch you with your brothers and see in your eyes how much you love them.  This morning, when Parker woke you up by patting your head, you opened your sweet, sleepy eyes and said "aw, good morning Parker, you little sweetheart!".  True love. I have it. I love you with all that I am.

You are amazing.



Discovering the caterpillar 



Telling me about how a caterpillar turns into a chrysalis









Breakfast










I don't remember what he was telling me about here, but it was serious business.