Conversation with a two year old

" What you doing, Mommy?"

"Well, I'm making a list and getting my coupons ready to go grocery shopping."

(With a head tilt and hands up in a question pose.)

"But, where I am going to go?"

"Well, I thought you could stay here with Cooper. Can you watch him for me?"

(With a bit of a giggle)

"No!"

"Oh, no? Why not?"

(A bit higher voice and looking at the kitchen)

"I can't stay here by myself! I'm too short - I can't reach the drinks! I can't feed Cooper!!!"

Play Dough Fun with Grandpa

My parents watched the kids on Saturday for us and I heard that Grace and Grandpa had a great time with the Play Dough. It looks like it!

Staying Healthy

We used some Christmas money to get some cool humidifiers to keep us healthy.
Grace picked out the frog on line immediately and we decided on the elephant at the store - originally Grace wanted the red dragon for Cooper but we changed our minds when we saw the elephant in person!

Cooper... 9 Months / Good Bye 2008

Bath Baby

Up!

So, sometime before the craziness that was our Christmas, Cooper hit the 9 month mark (probably the 17th)(And, this post makes him almost 10 months, sorry). His well baby check up was perfect - he is still in the low percentiles, but is growing and very happy, so I'm trying to let that go. And his labs came back great, as well. We will go to Riley in February for a check up, but he is doing amazing things! He is finally sleeping better, wants to feed himself what we're eating, and has yet to meet a carb he didn't like! My little dough boy is just like his Aunt Monica - loves his bread and pasta! He is a walking maniac and can stand straight up and take off, now. He just does laps around the couch and back and forth from Grace's room to the kitchen just because he can!!! He wants what he can't have - usually what his sister is playing with - and understands "No" but sometimes chooses to ignore it. He has a great memory / great focus - there is very little you can do to redirect him when he wants something - like the computer! He is an amazing little guy and I've loved seeing his personality develop over the last few weeks.

Well, this was to be my last post of 2008, so I'm only a couple of weeks behind! We had an amazing year. God blessed us with our 2nd (and final) child (unless He has some immaculate plans in store for us!), our first born is a happy, healthy, intelligent, and strong-willed 2 year old, Tim loves his work at White's and SHS, and I thank God that I can continue to stay home and care for my family. We're looking forward to 2009 and all it has to offer! So, Happy Belated New Year! Bring on 2009!! (Oh, wait, it's already here and as busy as ever....)

Grace in her play yard where she can get away from her brother!

Sending Monica Back to Texas

Monica was to leave on the Monday after Christmas so we all headed down to Indy on Sunday to spend the night and explore the down town.

Funny story...

My wonderful Uncle Bob and Aunt Mitzi offered our family their Colts tickets to the last game on that Sunday, the 28th. After much sucking up and whining about being poor and how Tim and I should get them, it was decided that there would be a drawing. If you drew a horse shoe you got a ticket. I had hoped that Monica would get one of the tickets as she is the super fan and hasn't been to the new stadium yet, but I was secretly wishing for a date with my husband! But, stuff like that never happens to me (which I lamented just as the drawing began.) But, I did get a horse shoe! And so did Tim!!! There was a bit of scene as I was very excited and couldn't believe it worked out that way! But then we were informed that the family decided that they wanted Tim and I to have the tickets, so they rigged the drawing - everyone had a horse shoe!!! Embarrassed about how I had been carrying on, but so very touched by my family's generosity, we happily explored the new stadium as well as watched the final regular-season game in Indy. It was a good time, and MANY, MANY thanks to Bob and Mitzi for the tickets, and our family for watching our kids and allowing us to go!

After the game we met the rest of the family and went out for dinner. Then we went and played games at Jillians. We won almost 900 tickets at ski ball and basket ball, to get a prize for Grace. Of course, she picked out 50 points worth of bubbles and a 50 point bracelet. So, Cooper got a Cookie Monster and a Dora football! Only $60 for all that! And, none of us had our cameras with us.

We hung out in the hotel on Monday until lunch and then headed to the new airport to drop Monica off. We went swimming (I won't make you look at pictures of our pale, flabby or too skinny, bodies in the water with the kids!) and played cards to pass the time. Maybe Cooper will be a professional poker player some day. He's got a good poker face already!
Here is Grace drooling over the giant cookie at the Nestle Shop at Circle Center Mall. This would be the only picture of us in the mall because they don't allow pictures since 9/11. (?!?!) While I understand the need for security, taking a picture of my 2 year old looking at a cookie seems very non threatening... well, unless you have met her or have seen her eat a cookie, I guess! They also asked the boys to take the kids off of their shoulders while we were walking! Isn't it my right as a parent to determine the level of danger I'm willing to expose them to?!?! I think the security guard was on a power trip, what with her tooling around, looking all important on her Segway! Whatever. I don't think I'll be heading back there any time soon. "Mom, stop taking my picture. I'm just getting on an airplane."

At the airport, they have a HUGE escalator down to baggage claim that Tim, Ben, and Grace tried out. Tim is trying to make sure I don't pass on my dislike of those things to Grace!

Love you Aunt Moni! See you in March! (Or in a couple of minutes when they bump you to a later flight!)

Here we are playing with the art work. They light up red when you are under them. On occasion they break into disco music which we of course showed off our moves! I was sure our surveillance footage would end up on UTube that night! (Along with our wandering around the parking garage looking for our cars!)

That would be Tim riding the hand rail on the people mover. Apparently our lingering did not worry security! (Unlike Circle Center Mall!)

More Christmas!!

On Christmas night we went to Grandma's house to meet with the Pilgirms. Always a fun group!

Look at the camera, not Mom!!!

The Drake family poses for a picture.

Cooper was just as happy with the wrapping, as what was inside!

And he loves his great Uncle Bob!!

At the farm on Friday everyone slept well and enjoyed a lazy Saturday playing with all our new toys.

That Aunt Laura is getting quite good at the wood working projects - she designed and made the puzzle of the Brookside Farm barn! Awesome!

Cooper is ready for some milk bottle bowling. The ball moos when you roll it!

I got some new work clothes.

Grace got a new Cabbage Patch doll, Quinten. She changed his diaper 3 times in a row and refused to reuse the diapers because they were wet! The smell of a new Cabbage Patch Kid sure took me back to when I got mine, about.... 20 years ago. (Wouldn't that make them antiques?!)

And a little guitar hero for everyone!

We were certainly blessed very much by our family this year! Thanks to everyone who showered us with gifts of love!!
All right, there is still more, but Cooper needs me right now! :)