16 Months

Our dear little man Cooper turned 16 months today, and with this has come an array of fun and new things for Andy and I to experience.  His hilarious facial expressions, new words such as ball, please, thank you (which sometimes all seem to sound the same), shaking his head no, the love of any kind of animal, cuddling with his stuffed animals, DANCING, dancing and more dancing, the love for his pacifier (which we are trying to slowly get rid of), and temper tantrums or "testing the waters", which has led us to that scary word discipline.  See example below:

I am sure you can figure out what happened here.  He really wanted to ride the Sesame Street Fire Truck at Babie's R Us, so me being the people pleaser that I am, payed the 25cents and set him on down.  He LOVED it.  Are you kidding, something that plays music, moves, and has buttons......he was ecstatic.  Until I took him off it......meltdown 101.  Luckily I was in discipline mom mode, so I carried him inside screaming and let him throw that tantrum right in the middle of the store.  I was really just trying to do what all the books say.

 

In happier moments, here are a few pictures from one of our favorites places, Grand Beach!

 

And although we have not seen Uncle Bryan lately, Coop got to have a slumber party in his room in Naperville, and did some exploring while he was there.  His favorite thing that he found:

Sorry Uncle Bryan, had to have a little taste of course!

 

And a few very special moments that have happened over the last week:

Baby cousin Josephine Kay was born to our dear friends Andrea and Ryan.  She is such a sweetheart and we couldn't be happier for them.  We love you so much already sweet Josie!

Meeting Josie for the first time

The whole Schieber, Richard, and Mendlik clan together!

 

I also got to spend some time with my dear friend Lauren who was back in the States for a few weeks.  Her and her husband are doing mission work in Thailand, and it was so nice to catch up and give a little kiss to her little man William (still in utero).  A little weird I know.

 

 Loving all the moments that God continues to bless us with!

 

And I may need to start asking for prayer now because just take one look at that little face above.  Although precious, he has that little "andy-like smile" in his eyes that can only mean one thing.......trouble.  If you don't believe me, just ask Suzi.

And if the look alone doesn't get you, check out what he is doing......eating Aunt Heather's tootbrush while bathing (and FYI  he usually touches his weenie and pees several times throughout bathtime!!)