A 3 year old and a 5 month old

Oh Lord.  I have a three year old.  And a five month old.  And they're both great.

Cooper decided last night that he was a big boy, so he didn't have to go to bed.  Until 9:30.  In our bed. Yep.  It was an interesting night.

Also, we now think that Cooper is saying "mom" on purpose.  Ya'll, OMG.  He NEVER says it at school.  And one day I came to pick him up and he was crying and mad because they had just wiped some boogs off his face.  As soon as I walked in, he started crying "mom, mom."  His teachers were amazed.  I told them that he says that all the time at home.  So now we think maybe...

Today, Semmes is 5 months old.  He is SO big!  He is 18 pounds and 25.4 inches long.  He is sitting up, rolling from his back to his stomach, and reaching for EVERYTHING.  He is in some 6 month and some 9 month clothes and size 3 diapers.  He has stopped spitting up constantly, but now he is a crazy drooler.  No teeth, though.  He knows his name, smiles at himself and us in mirrors , and thinks Leffe is the greatest thing ever.  Seriously, if we were planning his birthday party right now, it would be a Leffe themed party. He smiles and "talks" to people everywhere: in church, at grocery stores, etc.

The pictures are getting harder to do.  He's just so distracted by everything.  Leffe came in the room and we couldn't make him stop staring at her.  We had to make Leffe leave AND close the door.  And he just now figured out that he's sitting next to a very interesting stuffed animal.  Anyway, we still got some good ones!

What is this face?

And now for them both at five months:

All I have written about Cooper is that he was almost 12 pounds.  But I love Cooper's smile in this.

Cooper's 3rd Birthday Party!

Cooper had a GREAT birthday party on Saturday!!  We had it at our church in the youth hall.  It was perfect: lots of seating, a playground outside, A/C, and it was free!  Cooper was so happy and excited; I really think he got that everyone was there for him.  It was truly an amazing afternoon.

We had a library themed party, so we (Brad) made a Very Hungry Caterpillar cake.

Not sure why this one is sideways...

This is Cooper being sung to.  He doesn't really get it at first...

...but then he realizes it's the best thing ever!!

Zane, also in a yellow polo, giving the birthday boy a hug.  Sweet friends!

And then Cooper got to eat frosting.  I guess our hard work with the spoon paid off, because he took a bite of frosting, then never looked back.  I think we've finally found something he'll eat!  P.S.  He's shirtless because we were worried the green frosting would stain.

Best picture of Cooper ever:

Yay cake!!

Sitting up like a big man.

Hollin and Cooper

The chair was a hit.  Every kid wanted to sit in it.  Semmes' new thing is pulling Cooper's hair.

Birthday boy!

After this, everyone went outside to play on the playground.  I gave Brad the camera while I fed Semmes, but got no pictures.  Men...

And then we opened presents!!

Do you see that huge pile??  Cooper is one lucky little boy!

Thank you to everyone that came to celebrate Cooper.  I can't believe he's almost three!  I can't believe I have a three year old!!  Ah!!

Cooper says "mom"

No, really! Now I know it's not directed at me. He's not looking at me and saying mom, but he has been making the "m" sound for a while and lately he's been pairing it with vowels. So a few times a day he says " mom" or "mama." It's great. Of all the consonants to start saying, I think he definitely picked the right one!!

You Know, Life Stuff

Cooper is doing great.  Last night he took his last dose of Sabril.  Ya'll this is HUGE!!  He has had no ill effects from coming off of it: no seizures, no spasms, nothing to show that he still needs to be on the medicine.  Yay!

But of course, we can't just be happy with that.  Nope.  We are now starting to get him back on milk based products.  He started back on Pediasure yesterday.  He is eating one ounce of Pediasure per bottle for one week.  Then we go to two ounces for a week, etc. until he is eating all Pediasure.  When one thing ends, another begins apparently.  Hopefully he has outgrown the milk protein intolerance.  Fingers crossed that this little experiment is a success!

Semmes is rolling over like crazy!  He also is lifting up way better during tummy time (which he has been doing a lot of since he can roll onto his stomach but can't quite figure out how to roll back).  He is also in an exersaucer a couple of times a day and loves playing with the toys and being able to look around.

Yes, this video is awful.  Yes, he's only wearing a diaper.  But you get the idea...

Semmes (sister, not baby) has been staying with us while she has been working in LR.  It's been great having her here.  She has babysat for us a few times (including one memorable night when no one slept), cooked for us, and done her own laundry.  Really, it's been nice.  Semmes (baby, not sister) really likes her and smiles so big at her when she gets home from work.  Cooper just likes that there is an extra lap to sit on.  She leaves Friday and I know we're all going to miss her!

Be Still My Heart

Last week, Cooper's PT (who is also an amazing amateur photographer) took some pictures of Cooper and Semmes.  They turned out AWESOME!!  Thank you, Diane!!