4 steps

Yesterday in speech therapy, Cooper took 4 steps and walked to the teacher to get a ball that she was holding. I guess she could see the amazement on my face and she said has he never taken a step and I said no, not by himself. I came home and tried to get him to do it on video, but nothing was making him determined enough. So on this post I am just putting some pictures up of Cooper and his new toys.
I had the video camera on Cooper and he kept smiling like this. He thought I was taking a picture, he didn't understand a video camera. So I stopped and took his picture.
Making a joyful noise, Cooper is learning how to shake his tambourine.

Water Dog Indeed!!

Just when I told mom I had nothing to blog about...I find Cooper shoulder deep in the toilet. I told Zac Cooper was in the toilet and he said oh don't let him do that!! Well I had to go grab the camera first. Plus, if you knew how clean I kept my toilets, you wouldn't care to see Coop play in them at all. Mom, Cyndi and I went to the pancake pantry this morning and then we found a pretty great consignment sale next to my house and got Cooper some more toys. I'm getting addicted to these consignment sales.
Cheesing at me while I take his picture!!

Lots of stuff

Tonight after church we went to the nursery to get Coop and they immediately told us that he had gotten the tambourine stuck on his head. Well.. another kid put it on his head and then they couldn't get it off. So that red mark on his forehead is his war scar from the tambourine. They said he screamed and cried. Haha.
We had a nice lazy day of laying around watching Lord of the Rings on tv. I went to the gym to work on building my 3 mile run for the 5k. I can still only do 2 miles. I got way too dizzy today and gave up. I will get there though...I will run that 3 miles (even though...I am NOT a runner). We also did some rearranging. We put Cooper's rocker in the den and put some toys in Cooper's room to help clear out the spare bed room. Cooper was excited and is signing more in this picture. Not sure what he wants more of..
We caught him like this today....two chewies. The more chewies the better!!!
And this is the best picture I could get of Cooper's ear. I nicked the top of his ear while cutting his hair the other night. It actually bled quiet a bit. It had a nice flap of skin that you could raise up and down. I knew I was bound to get him at some point. He handled it like pro.
And Saturday we went to John's pool again. I got Cooper a better float this time. This one has a lot more shade.
Zac got Cooper to take a nap. I never have success at getting him to nap when we are at the pool.

The boys played some football while me and Coop got our tan on

People of Walmart

Today, Cooper and I risked being amongst the people of walmart for a sacred rite of passage. Below you can see that Cooper is shocked by the horrors we endured.
The rite of passage...fantasy football draft guides. Between the US Weekly and the Muscle Man magazines lies a wealth of wisdom that can double the level of your friends' jealousy.

Cooper helps me make the key magazine pick that will determine not just my draft strategy but the fate of us all.

I can not reveal here which guide we chose because our competitors will stop at nothing to gain an edge. However, I will say this. Cooper choose a magazine with Johnny Depp as the #3 overall WR.

Cooper signs

What a happy day today has been!! In therapy this morning, Cooper started actually signing more with his own hands (instead of us doing hand over hand for him). He understood that he could put his hands together and get more of whatever it is that he needs. It's a little bit of a sloppy "more" but I am just proud to see him do it. After therapy we came home and I grabbed the camera and made sure he still knew how to sign. Sure enough......

Week in Manchester

Saturday, Cooper and I headed to Manchester to stay at mom's while Zac was gone for work. We met Erin and Finn saturday to eat and shop. That day was very exhausting for Cooper. He just can't keep up with our girly shopping. Sunday morning we went to sunday school and church and Cooper sat in my lap and never peeped a sound. It was like he knew we were in church. He is such a jewel. Then we went home and took almost a 3 hour nap. When we woke up we went to the lake for our first outdoor baptism. It was a lot of fun and Cooper loooved playing in the water with his Pop. Cooper learned this week how to give kisses, shake hands and jump off the side of the pool.
Here he is, crying and not wanting to give me kisses.
We also went to Sparta to swim at Tracey's pool. Sadie Belle came to the pool too and Cooper had him a play partner. We visited Papa Bruce before we headed to the pool.
Cooper also discovered a cartoon that he loves. It's Kipper, about a dog. He watched it with Nana on the lap top every morning. Cooper and Papa after church Cooper and mama after church Papa and Nana got a swing for Cooper for the back porch. He was super excited.

Zac, me and Cooper went to dinner with Gavin and Allie the other night and then we came home and played. Cooper showed off for them. Then the next morning Zac went to St Louis for a baseball game with the boys. Coop was sure happy to finally see his daddy today!!

1st skinned knee

Zac took Cooper out walking on the concrete the other day. He was walking behind his lion and it got to going to fast and Cooper fell. The first thing Zac did was take a picture. (He was proud of Coopers 1st skinned knee) The first thing I did was say "Zac, why did you let him fall?" Then I took Cooper from Zac and loved on him. Hahha. Look at that cute fat baby leg. Ahh, baby legs are my favorite thing. We treat it like it's his first wound (not like his chest has been cut open before).

Big progress

Cooper has made a big step forward in walking. This morning he walked while just holding onto one hand. That was fast progress too. I am so proud!!

"I can see Russia from my house"

Brenton and Cyndi just came back from Alaska this week and they brought Cooper some goodies. One of which is this cute pair of jammies. We put them on him tonight and what was going to be 1 or 2 pictures turned into a belly laughing photo session. Cooper laughs his head off when I get my camera out. He gets so excited and bounces up and down and laughs. It is hysterical. I'll need to video that sometime. I have no idea why he is so in love with the camera. I guess he just takes after his mama. He is such a blast, we never have a dull moment.

Aren't those great!! haha

Look at number 21

Today I finally received the copy of Cooper's chromosomes. I wanted to put them on the blog so that you can see. When you look down at number 21 it has 3 lines and that is Down Syndrome. That was a scary image when I was pregnant, and now it is the best gift ever. It makes me love Cooper even more because of his Down Syndrome. I still cry sometimes when I pray for him because I am so grateful and thankful. Cooper is the love of my life (you too Zac, don't feel left out). I just hope I can love my others as much as I love Cooper. He is just special!!

3 men and a little lady

Today Cooper and I went to Erin's house to play with Liam and Truitt. I finally got to see Karis, Liams little sister. Isn't she a cutie pie!! As you can see..Cooper liked her too. Karis
Cooper and Liam
Chasing Liam is such a fun game!!
Cutie boy Truitt
Showing Cooper his puzzle
Cooper pretends he's being sweet and then attacks your hair Story time with Erin They were sooo still and quiet