Chatting with Signs

When Cooper was about 5 months old, we took a baby signing class and tried to work a few signs into his routine every day. A couple weeks before he turned 1, he pointed to his snacks and signed eat...and we couldn't believe it!! Since then he's slowly built up his confidence and has been quickly adding more signs. We love finally hearing his "voice" and it's so much fun to see him put things together and see that he understands what we are saying.

Cooper signs "more", "please", "milk", "all done", "book", and of course "eat". Since it was his first sign, he tends to use "eat" to mean - "I WANT". He'll sign for it when he's hungry or wants food, and he'll also point to a toy on the shelf and sign "eat" to mean, hey guys, I really want that!!! He has also started signing multiple thoughts in the same sentence, which is so fun and exciting to for us to experience.




We love communicating with our little monkey and he is learning new signs every day. Can't wait to hear him communicate his ideas with full sentences in his own sweet little voice!

Fall is Here

Fall is here!! Last weekend we did lots of fall-ish events. We took Cooper back to the pumpkin patch, and unlike the last visit where he slept the whole time (he about 2 weeks old), this time he couldn't get enough of the pumpkins, the train, the hay, the wheelbarrows...he loved everything about it!

Picking out our wheelbarrow:

Trying to push it himself:

Cooper LOVED the train ride!

Picking out our "big" pumpkin:

Cooper picking out his "little" pumpkin:

This one looks pretty good! I'll take it:

We'll see if he fits in the wheelbarrow with all three pumpkins next year!

On Sunday, our friends Jenny and Bill had us over for Canadian Thanksgiving (our first!). The food was awesome and all of the kids had so much fun playing together.

Cooper loves his big buddy Anthony:

Anthony thinking, "this little guy again?? Let me show him the ropes..." :)

Anthony loved pinching Coop's cheeks!

Carving the turkey:

Lauren and baby Liam:

Adam and baby Max:

The gorgeous table:

Even the kids' table was decorated:

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!

Bye-bye!! Happy Canadian Thanksgiving / Halloween / Fall to everyone!!

ONE!!

It doesn't seem possible, but today our little Cooper turned 1!! Officially a toddler, it's amazing to think of how much has happened over the past year and how much he has changed.

Cooper loves to toddle around (with things close by to grab for extra support), dance and bounce to any kind of music he hears, chase Cody, give kisses to Mommy, Daddy, and Cody, and get into EVERYTHING he possibly can. He's curious about every little thing he comes across, and is passionate about getting what he wants, when he wants it. He is a great eater, hasn't yet found a food he doesn't like, and loves to cuddle in the mornings and night. He has just started to sign "eat", waves to people, cats, dogs, and lights, and screams with excitement when mommy or daddy walk into the room after being away at work.

On Saturday we had Cooper's first birthday party and had the best time with all of our wonderful friends and family! Cooper loved seeing all of his little friends and mommy and daddy celebrated surviving their first year of parenthood.

Cooper absolutely loves balloons - he spends most of our trips to the grocery store waving to, and trying to reach for, the balloons that Safeway has on every display. So we knew we had to get lots of balloons for the party:

Cooper also loves bubbles, so favors for the little ones were personalized bottles:

The food! Including cups of puffs for the babies:

Toys and games all set for the party:
The party begins! Cooper's Gigi and Aunt Jenna came all the way from Mississippi to help celebrate:
Cooper gazing at his new slide, and all this friends enjoying his toys:
Cooper and Aunt JJ!
Cooper and daddy (and berry stains):
Cooper and Mama!!
We had a balloon artist make animals, swords and wands.

Ready for my first taste of CAKE:

Mommy blew out the candle:

All three of us made it through the 1st year!!

Mmmmmm - cake! Much more fun to smash it than to actually eat it!

Cooper loves to share his food:

Having fun sharing bites with Auntie Joanie!

Cooper got so many wonderful gifts from all of his friends and family. He loves his new Curious George book from Aunt Kate, Uncle Chad and Cousin Carson!

And his big wagon from Gigi and Grandaddy (complete with cupholder):

And his rocking bike from Grandma and Papa:

Happy First Birthday Cooper!!! It has been the most amazing, wonderful year and we can't wait to see what the next year has in store! We love you with all of our hearts!