One Special little 2 year old

I write today as the mother of a 2 year old!  I can hardly believe it even as I say it out loud!  I was cuddling with Coop in his chair Tuesday night singing him Happy Birthday for the third time in a row (he was loving it), and I looked up at the clock and realized it was 8:19pm.  The exact time he was born 2 years ago to the day!  Brought tears to my eyes thinking about that moment when our little man joined our family.  What an amazing ride it has been so far.

As a big two year old, here are some of the things Coop loves (and the mischief he is up to these days)........

-Tools, tools, tools, and especially "Daddy's tools!"
-Coins
-George (aka "the monkey", or Curious George)
-Permanent Markers (which I do not let him have don't worry)
-His Binky (still, yes for all the dentists out there I know it's time to go......)
-His favorite phrases:  "Daddy work?",  "Where did Papa go?" (this one lasts usually about a week after Grandpa and Grammy leave from a visit), Mine, No, I did it, My peepee, Daddy's peepee (and occasionally he will throw in "daddy's peepee big").
-Naming his friends......Gabe, Same, Will, Anna, Gigi, Ollie, etc.  the list goes on
-Potty Training!  Yeah!  On his birthday he actually left a birthday surprise in the potty for dad as he actually pooped on it (I won't include a picture of this, although proud daddy did take one)
-Pushing the reset button on the outlet (which he follows up with saying "daddy spank me", because he knows Dad does not let him do that)
-Golf Clubs
-Playing outside
-And the boy still loves to dance!!!!

We were blessed to have all 4 grandparents in town this past weekend to help celebrate Coop's big birthday at a Construction Themed party!  Looking around at all the family and friends that came to celebrate with us it was truly amazing how lucky we are to have such a great group in our lives. 

Here he is, the birthday boy!  I don't think he let go of that hammer the whole party.  That's ok though, fit right in with the theme!

Stopping for a little photo opp on the "construction site"

Grandpa Wayne and Gigi

Two Grandpas, a Great Grandpa, and Daddy

Showing off his hammer to Papa and Grandpa Wayne

The Sapp Sisters.  So happy to have Great Aunts at the party too!

Blowing out the candles....then wiping his fingers full of frosting on his shirt....perfect buddy, perfect.

It's Pinata time! I was super excited about this part and it ended up being a big hit (no pun intended).  The kids loved it!

Hanging with his pal Ollie.

Why wouldn't 4 boys want to dig for worms?

Grammy sampling a cake pop (aka "Delicious Dirt Ball")

Ready for action.  What can I hit next?

Aunt Kiki


 The party was a great success and we had a beautiful day!  Now it is 35 and snowing again, I guess that's Nebraska for you.  And yes if I am looking a bit "whale-like" in these pictures, it's true.  I am definitely ready for the next big event, that being the arrival of baby girl!  Two more weeks , but who's counting?

 

Finally this was Coop's Birthday crown he got to wear at Daycare on Tuesday.  They said he just loved it and strutted around in it all day!  Even wore it on the ride home ;)

 

April is here?!

I feel like I have so much to catch up on here, mostly just tons of fun pictures to share.  So I will not blab on to much.  But I cannot believe we have entered into April.  One month before baby girl arrives!  The past couples weeks have been full of fun events: Easter, a trip to Cali, Andy's birthday, and a hail storm in April!  You will see all of these events below in pics

But first a Quick Baby Update: I am 35 weeks (today!) and doing well.  Went to the doctor yesterday and everything looks and sounds good.  Coop even got to hear the heartbeat yesterday and as soon as he heard it he started dancing (guess he thought it was a nice little "beat")!!  May 18th is just around the corner!

Easter brought us wonderful weather here in Nebraska and we got to enjoy hanging out with Andy's grandparents and aunts/uncles/cousins. 

All spiffed up for Easter Sunday

We finally got Cooper a bat for his Easter gift, which he absolutely loves.  Before he was trying to use anything that resembled a bat or golf club to hit balls around the living room.  Now he has his very own whiffle bat, and as you can see above, we all got a little bat practice in!

He really got into the Easter Egg Hunt too! 

Got a little distracted when he realized there was candy inside the eggs........Andy had to keep him moving.  At one point he also saw some kids playing bball across the street and dropped his basket to join them.  Then he saw a lion statue in the front lawn that he decided to ride for a while.  We did eventually get him focused back on the eggs though!

 

 

A week later we headed off to visit Uncle Bryan in sunny Cali.  The 90 degree weather was AMAZING, and we spent most of the time in our swimsuits.  Coop loved it!  Especially loved hanging out with Papa, Grammy, and Bryan and Sara.  It was a great time by all.

The Group

(sorry mom~there must have been a smudge on the camera right on your cheek!)

Coop loved these two!  This was before Uncle Bryan made up a game to entertain Coop that involved throwing his new shoes into the fountain.  Which Coop loved of couse...... but his shoes were unwearable for a whole day.

 Helping Dad blow out his birthday candles! 

Swimming with Grammy!

Coop ADORES Papa, and pretty much wanted to sit on his lap wherever we went.  Especially loved his golf clubs, which I noticed Papa would always redirect him over to Andy or Bryan's bag to play with theirs instead ;)  Nice move Dad.

Happy 29th Babe!

Poolside Cabanas at the Adults only pool. 

Papa and Grammy let us have some adult time, which was wonderful (please try not to notice I look like a whale here).

It was fun to catch up with these Californians who we don't get to see too often!

And then we came home to theis a few days later..........yes that is hail in Andy's hand.  Coop was in utter shock, and was petrified at how loud it was on our roof!

 

And finally, here are a few shots of Coop around town:

Trying out some new Nike's at the store.

Hanging out with his pal Hudson (who looks confused at what Coop is doing to him, poor guy)

Coop decided he was ready for school this morning, backpack and all.  He wore this around for about an hour.

Shopping with Aunt Kiki and Mom for his birthday party coming up.  He loved this little cart and decided right away that the balloon was a must have!

 

Next pics will probably be announcing that I officially have a 2 year old.  Ahhh!  Stay tuned......

 

 

Getting Ready

We are officially in the third trimester and I am just about 31 weeks!  Can't believe baby girl (or "sister" as my mother-in-law fondly refers to her as) will be here so soon.  I am starting to get really, really, really excited to see her sweet face and have her join the family!  She is a kicking and rolling machine in mama's belly these days, and she always seems to be super active when I am reading Coop his bedtime story, as if to say, "I will be there soon to join you guys, don't forget about me!  I am feeling great, some little painful annoyances of pregnancy are there, such as the constant peeing (especially at night), stretching muscles, feeling as if at times my uterus might just fall out, and so on.  Coop is getting a little harder to hold these days, and we are running out of room in his rocking chair at night!  But all worth it :)

We have officially bought a can of coral paint and the nursery is starting to take shape (especially thanks to Grandma, Gigi, and Aunt Heather who helped get the ideas rolling last week!).  It's actually still Coop's room since he will be moving rooms and baby girl will be going in his old room.  Poor guy might be sleeping with some girlie additions over the next two months as we get it ready.  Oh love bug....he has no idea that this little girl is about to rock his world upside down.  Bring on the pink!!!!

 

 As we are getting ready for baby girl to arrive, Cooper is getting ready to turn 2!  He is his own independent little guy, and has been practicing the "terrible 2's" in honor of his upcoming birthday ;)  I feel we have entered the next stage of parenthood, and discipline is at the forefront of this one.  Andy and I are learning to be on the same team, trying to be consistent and firm, yet loving parents while we say"no".  Any tips?  The little love bug just likes to try out all the tricks, the whole time having this sweet little face that just begs, "what are you going to do if I really do touch this outlet reset button again"?!  But we won't go in to all of Coop's "tricks" right now, overall he is such a little sweetheart, and I have chosen to capture those moments and share them with you instead.....

Coop trying out his first Pinterest Cake Pop Recipe with Aunt Heather!

Trying on Aunt Heather's headband

Just being cute

Coop is obsessed with "daddy's shoes", amongst everything else "daddy" these days.  His favorite phrases include "daddy's tools", "daddy's shoes", "daddy's tools sharp", and "daddy work".  He loves to repeat these constantly and randomly throughout the day.  This boy sure loves his daddy!

Stopping on our walk to try on some gloves and hat he found, in his "glove box" nonetheless!

Shopping trip break.  We actually were looking for rugs so he chose the perfect spot.

Getting a free ride at the Children's Museum with his favorite aunts, Kiki and Hi.

(these are what he calls Kristel and Heather.  The Kiki nickname makes sense, easier to say then Kristel.  The "hi" for aunt heather we can't quite figure out.....Sorry Aunt Hi)

Taking a snooze in the car with the ice scraper.  Gotta be ready for snow at all times when you live Nebraska ;)

 

 

 

 

 

Blizzards, Potty Training, and life with a 22 month old!

So what have we been up to these days?  Will give you a few highlights today, since I realize I have a lot to cover since last time.  Currently, Coop is getting over a cold and Andy and I have now caught it. So I am sitting in bed right now with Vick's vapor rub and a nasal breath right strip on my nose.  Not fun, but just a part of these winter months I guess. I am now 28 weeks and officially have entered the 3rd trimester!  Time sure flies, can't believe we are just a few short months away from meeting our baby girl ;).  For the most part I am feeling good, some headaches and minor aches and pains, nothing worth complaining about.  I can definitely say by the end of the day I am sore and ready to put my feet up, whether I have spend the day at work or chasing the litte man around.  Coop is keeping Andy and I both on our toes.  As you will see from the pictures below, he is always into something, but gotta love him for his curioustiy and wonder at the small things in our big world.

Potty Training !  Or "practicing" as we like to call it. 

He seems to do it a lot at daycare (or so they tell me), so at home we have been trying it some too.  I don't think he quite knows yet when he has to go, however everytime I do sit him on it, something comes out!  Both to me and I think Coop's surprise (and delight).  He has learned after he goes to take out the orange top part and dump the pee in the toilet, although yesterday he went to do it and the lid on the toilet was still down.  Ooops.  You can guess what happened I am sure, pee splattered everywhere.....walls, floor, toilet seat, etc.  I was only two feet away but just couldn't get up off the floor fast enough to stop him!!

Snowblowing with dad.  Coop was amazed!  And yes poor Andy did half the driveway with Coop up on top his shoulders.  Cooper looked frozen but everythime I asked him if he was cold, he said No!

Working out with dad.  Those Insanity videos are tough, Coop looks like he taking a break here!

Some quality time with Gigi and Grandpa Wayne. 

Coop's new obsession, Yo Gabba Gabba videos and his cool new headphones.  Let me tell you, Andy and I were holding off on it for the longest time, but this was a lifesaver on our last plane trip!

Bundling up for a walk outside with mom

Giving some (unwanted) help to the boys.  Coop LOVES "daddy's tools".

Got in a little bit of swimming on our trip to Florida with Gigi and Wayne.  You can't tell but I am freezing in this picture, while Coop didn't even seem to mind that it was quite warm enough to swim.  Little fish ;)