Tuesday, December 30, 2008

5 Months Old!!

Well, my little man is five months old today. Yesterday he went in to the doctor and he weighs 15 pounds 10 ounces and is 26 inches long. I am also happy to report that both he and his mom handled his second set of shots much better than last time, but it certainly helped to have his dad there to hold his hand (I again sat in the corner with my eyes covered).

It seems more than amazing that just a few months ago he was sitting on my kidneys and giving me daily heartburn. And now here he is! He has come so far in such a little amount of time. He rolls from back to front and front to back, but sometimes still gets stuck on his belly and gets mad. He has found his thumb (in addition to his entire fist) and loves to suck on it, but never a disgusting binky (they make him gag). He tries to lean up constantly if placed on his back and he can (kind of) sit up. Ok, he mostly topples to one side or the other but sometimes if he is positioned just right he can sit there. When he doesn’t like something he snorts at it and he loves to grab things (such as his dad’s glasses). He laughs at everything and has the best chuckle in the world. Especially if he is just a little tired, then everything is HILARIOUS. He loves Horton Hears a Who, but still can’t decide if he likes the dogs. He also has a laugh/cry when he just can’t decide which emotion might get the most attention. He has given up repeating sounds we make, but he has his own dialect and when you ask him something, he will tell you in his own words what he thinks.

All in all, it has been a wonderful and amazing journey and I feel blessed to be on it. Thanks little man for picking us as your parents, we are looking forward to every new day with you.

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

Saturday, December 27, 2008

First Christmas

Cooper's first Christmas was a big success. Santa visited and gave Cooper WAY too many presents that he really wasn't that interested in.
Uncle Bob and Bonnie gave Coop this cute snowsuit. Grandma's house is so cold we had to wear it over pjs to sleep in!
Coop and his Daddy had fun opening presents. Cooper has a pile of brand new toys and Brandon got an awesome new laptop; I am jealous. Now I can't complain that I think he broke mine when he is playing with his stocks. I got a fabulous new purse and wallet, so I am pretty happy too.Here is Cooper and his adorable new puppy (the blue ears really bring out his eyes, don't ya think??)

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas from the Pullins

A silent night, a star above, a blessed gift of hope and love.

May all the sweet magic
of Christmas conspire
to gladden your heart
and fill every desire.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Home for the Holidays!!

Well the weather finally got a little nicer and we were able to make it to Burley for Christmas. Hopefully we won't get snowed in now. We got to go over and see Kari and her new baby Jan Erik. He is adorable. But Cooper looked like a giant next to Jan. I just don't remember Cooper being so small, but I guess he was just a couple of months ago. Seeing Jan made me miss that baby stage (no sleep, trying to figure out what the heck to do, etc.) Next time Kari makes it down from Virginia those two might be running around! Now Cooper can't wait to meet his brand new cousin Holden. Cooper's got all these little buddies, he's going to have so much fun!

Game Day!




Yesterday we had a BSU party and everyone got on their BSU gear. Everyone except Bella, that is (Mitch and Shari, we got to get Bella a BSU jersey). We had a fabulous dinner and Cooper enjoyed watching the game (except when Mitch yelled and freaked him out!) But too bad BSU lost. Oh, well there is always another game just down the road.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Ho! Ho! Ho!

We had to subject Cooper to this ensemble for our own sick enjoyment. Cooper did report that the beard was delicious!!He's making a list

And checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice!




Saturday, December 20, 2008

Living Nativity Scene




When Grandma and Toni were up we went to the drive-thru living nativity scene at the church down the road. It was really cool-check the camel and the llama (oh we love the yammas!)
Cooper did not appreciate it as much as the rest of us. Maybe next year.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

We Have a Shopper!


(Love the shoulderpad look!!!)
Grandma and Toni came up last weekend so we decided to head to The Place Where Paychecks go to Die (hereafter known as The Mall) and try out Cooper's gigantic, offroad stroller (hereafter known as The Tank).

I have to tell you Cooper had a blast. He got to look at people, slept, gnawed on things and we literally shopped until we dropped. We actually had to remove Cooper from The Tank at one point so we could use that space as a bag carrier. Cooper was such a good sport too, he didn't even mind that we didn't feed him for quite a long time (although he did start making sad little sucking sounds).

The best part was when I took The Tank and the bags out to the car before lunch. I had to go up and down six (count em) rows pushing The Tank and dragging twenty-five bags looking for the car while a stream of cars followed behind me thinking they would get a parking spot. Ha! Sorry Suckas!!

Whew! At least we are done with shopping. And Cooper loved The Mall. I really think I will have to take him there more often (for his benefit, of course). And a big thanks to Jamie and Lisa for The Tank. I think we are going to have a lot of fun in that thing.

Here is the exhaustion from Cooper's big shopping excursion.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Why you got to be all Grinchy up in here?

But whatever you do , things won't always go right. You might meet the Grinch in the dark of the night. His heart is too small and his shoes are too tight. (He's not very friendly and rarely
polite.)

Well the holiday season is here. Bah Humbug. Just kidding....kinda.

I am excited for Cooper's first Christmas, but I don't think he will be (come on, the highlight of his day is pooping). I don't have any time to shop. And we aren't putting a tree up since we are putting our house on the market and it would look kind of tacky when we showed the house in February (which is what would happen with my time frame for tree dismantling). And it's all Cooper's fault that we need a new house because he really does come with way too much stuff. Work has been stressful and we are dealing with budget holdbacks through hiring freezes and employee furloughs, but at least no layoffs. I have been anxious about the holidays, the house, and just about anything else. (Whoa! Slow down Debbie Downer ---your online whine is giving me a pain in my brain.)

But regardless of anything else, the kid still rocks. And really that is all that matters.
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
- Dr. Seuss

Friday, November 28, 2008

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for a loving husband who is also my best friend, a great family who loves me and supports the crazy things I do, friends who are fun and listen when I have something to say, a job where I can spend more time with my family, a team at work that can get a phenomenal amount of work done without me having to worry, and the ability to have the baby spend a few months with his daddy rather than day care. But most of all I am thankful I get to wake up to this every day....

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Rock n Rolla

Today our little turkey is a whopping 15 weeks old. And he can roll over! I now have proof. Brandon has been practicing with him daily and as of today, we can't keep him on his back.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Back to the Daily Grind


So we haven't posted anything in awhile (pesky work gets in the way of my internet time), so I thought I would share the latest news. Coop got his jumperoo in the mail the other day and he seems to like it, the look of horror is really just because of my flash (I promise). Other than that, Coop and Brandon have been doing really good and work has not been too bad for me (I love having Fridays off to spend with the boy).

Cooper has also been foaming at the mouth like Cujo and eating his fist constantly for some time, so I finally dug my grubby fingers in his mouth and discovered two little tooth buds. It kind of broke my heart because he is just growing too fast!

Monday was exciting, I said 'love you' to Cooper and he said it back to me. I said it again, and he said it again too. It was kind of creepy because he said it so perfectly, I thought my baby was possessed. But alas, he has since refused to utter another syllable. He also rolled from his tummy to his back (according to Brandon...again, pesky work). I think Brandon might have made that one up since I haven't seen it and I think he just tries to tell me all the productive things they do all day as opposed to what they really might be doing (sleeping and watching too much TV). I do know that when I come home from work, we can't speak until Wife Swap is over. Really? Wife Swap?

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Cooper's GQ Pose

Ok, show me studious and reflective...but friendly and accessible.
Hmmm. I don't know.
I think that it kind of looks like you are trying to poo.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

What a blessing...



Last weekend we had Cooper blessed and he looked adorable in his little outfit. I also had to go back to work on Thursday and it went really well (especially since I didn't work on Friday). And not that I wanted Brandon to fail or anything, but I was surprised by how much I wasn't needed. Instead of coming home to a house looking like a tornado and a dirty, crying baby still in his pjs; I came home to a clean house, a very happy and well fed baby (he took a bottle!!) who was dressed in a stylin' color-coordinated get up. Of course Brandon looked a little worse for the wear, but I was amazed at how much better of a job Brandon did on his first day compared to some of mine.

I feel blessed that we were able to time this whole thing so that Brandon is able to stay home with him for a few months. It makes me feel much better leaving Cooper with his papa rather than someone else. Plus he LOVES his daddy and thinks he is the funniest thing ever.

Cooper is also reaching that stage where he is really fun, he laughs and giggles at everything. Especially at 5:00 in the morning when he likes to get up. He is also taking a bigger interest in everything and he is learning how to hit some of his toys on his bouncer to make them spin. I just can't wait to see what he is going to be doing next week!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Wee! We're Going to Hawaii!!

Ok, not really.
But it sounds so much better than where I really am. Which is at work away from my little Hula Hubba. Brandon is officially on baby patrol for awhile. And I am only working four days a week so hopefully that will work out ok for all of us. Too bad that whole winning the lottery thing didn't work out while I was off. Let's just cross our fingers that I don't have horrible separation anxiety and go into convulsions, shall we?
And what is with the Hawaiian getup you ask? Well Coop is growing so fast we had to wear it before it is winter and he would look ridiculous in such an outfit (ever the fashionista that Cooper).

Monday, November 3, 2008

Don't Forget to Vote!


Top Reasons to Vote
Because this is the most important election of our lifetime, (unlike, say, 1996, which was, like, totally lame. Why did they even have an election then?)

To shut up all those "If you didn't vote then you can't complain" people.

Because if you don’t vote, the terrorists win (unless you were going to vote for the terrorists, in which case they win anyway).

Because people in Iraq braved violence and long lines to vote for their ineffectual government, you don't have to brave either to vote for yours (well maybe long lines, and possible fake facial brandings).

You like to stand in line and pretend you're waiting for a Wii or an iPhone.

To relive those test taking days in college when you just filled in the circles randomly hoping to get some right.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Family Foto

Scene 1-Brandon leans over to kiss me good night.

Sniff, sniff.

B: You smell like HIM.

Me: You mean like spit up?

B: Sniff. No, just like baby.

Me: Sniff. Are you sure he doesn't smell like me (trying to remember the last time I bathed)?

B: No, you smell like baby.

Me: I still think it is a cross between vomit and poo.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Halloween Numbers


  • # of ginormous bags of candy purchased from The Happiest Place on Earth (i.e. Costco): 1
  • # of pounds of said ginormous bag of candy: 4.5
  • # of pounds remaining by Halloween: less than 1
  • # of pounds that magically transferred to my butt: 3
  • # of pieces of candy passed out on Halloween: Zero
  • # of Halloween outfits for the CooperMan: 2
  • # of pumpkins that remained uncarved by Halloween: 2
  • # of Halloween parties missed because the baby won't take a bottle from ANYONE, ANYTIME, EVER: 1
  • # of lights left on on Halloween night in an empty house just to avoid anyone thinking that we were child molesters participating in Operation Lights Out: 3

Benefit of not having your neighbors think you are child molesters: Priceless

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

More....



The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him. -Pablo Casals

Blue Steel


This is Cooper's "Blue Steel" pose. Yup, he is so my kid.

Here are just a few reasons why my little photo shoot became a bank breaker....




Monday, October 27, 2008

In honor of Halloween, I present...

Mummy Dearest.

This is my new favorite baby product/sanity saver. Cooper has outgrown his sleep sack and the swaddle wrap that goes with it. But when he tries to sleep without being swaddled, he flails and kicks and kicks and flails and cannot get to sleep. This leads to much crying from both of us.

This Miracle Wrap is aptly named and is just that. A miracle! Last night my little straight jacketed baby (I promise this is more humane than it looks) slept 7 hours (he never goes past 4) and after he ate he slept another 3 straight (he usually spends the midmorning hours getting up every hour). Whoo-hoo!

P.S. I promise that look on Cooper's face is not a look of sheer terror, but merely of surprise as I flashed him in a dimly lit room ("yeah right" said social services).

An Epooiphany


So I was marveling today at how amazing I thought it was that Cooper exploded in his swing. But the smile on his face was priceless; he thought it was hilarious. I just had him in there for a minute and I think he timed it! It was such a hoot I had to call my mom and tell her about it at her dentist appointment.

And then I reflected on how wild it is that this stuff entertains me to no end. Having a baby is awe inspiring. I think that it is like being a planet and you are the center of your universe. Then this sun (no pun intended) moves into your solar system and it draws you into it's gravitational pull and suddenly you have a new orbit forever circling this sun. And this new sun sustains life on your planet and is the reason for it's existence. It is absolutely crazy and amazingly fun.

In Dante's Divine Comedy he describes God as not merely a blinding vision of glorious light, but that He is, most of all, l'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle... "The love that moves the sun and the other stars."

Yup. It's something like that.


Sunday, October 26, 2008

What are you looking at??


Saturday, October 25, 2008

Fat Guy in a Little Onesie

Rub my buddha belly for luck. But really I think it is time we cleaned out the chubster's closet, he is getting a bit of a gut and some deliciously kissable Michelin Man arms and legs.


But thank God he doesn't look like this kid:




Friday, October 24, 2008

Ready for Some Football



Cooper is ready to watch some football as Boise State beats San Jose. Him and his dad will have a good ole' time. I like to watch BSU, but I think that football is now on nearly every night (and we watch it nearly every night). Then on days when it's not on, we watch UFC.


I think it might suck to be the only girl in the house. Where is my Desperate Housewives? Where is my Grey's Anatomy?

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Indecision



I'm awake. No, I'm asleep. No, I'm awake.

Just wanted to share our typical day:)

Grandma the Great

Grandma came up this week and we really needed her. It was a tough week. Cooper didn't feel good Monday and Tuesday we had to have his shots. I have been stressing for weeks about shots. All that business about autism and development delays and mercury and aluminum, oh my. His shots had 995 micrograms of aluminum in them, yuck. So I was stressed about that, but I know he needs to have them. Then I was stressed about them hurting him with those stupid needles. So I had to sit in the corner and Grandma had to hold Cooper. Cooper only cried for a minute... me about an hour.

Shawnae, this one is for you...


Ok, I have succumbed to the pressure from Shawnae and found some pics to post. She is kind of a blog bully. Big talker with no blog of her own.
And I don't know if Cooper is really flipping you off. But when I said that we had to take a picture because you wanted it, he did say this one was for you.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Grandma's Birthday


We went to Burley for G-ma's birthday (happy b-day!) and we had 24 hours of snow. Brrrr....we aren't ready for winter.

Funny Pics

Cooper looks like a goof in this picture, I love it.

Fat and Happy. Like his mom, this kid knows how to eat.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

I Got Tagged

Thanks to Mistie for this tagging. I am getting snowed in in Burley and it has given me something to do. You suck. But luckily I ROCK so it all works out.

Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you
Post the rules on your blog
Write six random things about yourself
Tag six-ish people at the end of your post
Let each person know he/she has been tagged
Let the tagger know when your entry is up

1. I have an irrational phobia of my achilles tendon being touched. I will kick and scream bloody murder to anyone who tries to touch it.
2. I can totally empathize with Duane. Bellybuttons really gross me out. They feel weird and I don't like anyone digging in mine. If I have belly button lint, I just have to leave it there, because I can't fish it out. As soon as they come out with belly button elimination surgery, I am all over that. Oh, and outies are even grosser (that is for you Mistie).
3. I am slightly neurotic (or more than slightly..depends on who you talk to) and I worry about everything, especially now that I have a baby.
4. I am addicted to celebrity gossip magazines and news shows. I don't know why it matters what Britney and Brangelina are up to but it does. It really, really does.
5. I can't watch sad news stories or movies because they make me cry. Especially if animals die, then I really cry.
6. I believe in Bigfoot, UFOs, and ghosts and I love cryptozoology (the study of unknown and undiscovered animals). Yes, I am a dork and I am fully aware of this fact.

As far as tagging people, I don't know 6 people (see #6 above and you will understand why). But maybe Kenze, Mitch, Toni, Mandy, and Katie will be game.

Bad Puppy, Bad

The Great Pumpkin


Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
-Linus

There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.
-Linus
Here is my great pumpkin. Thanks to Jamie for the cute pumpkin gear.