Cooper Thomas: 21 Months

I usually start these posts with something like, "I can't believe..." but these days you seem so much older than you are! You are talking up a storm and will repeat anything we say. The other day I was yelling at Carson for talking rudely and demanding things and you had to chime in with "how rude." It's so hard not to laugh at those comments! You also yell at Snyder when he's being whiney in the car  telling him, "Nyner, no" while pointing your finger. Reading books is very fun with you now because you recognize stories and help me read a few words.

You've had a rough spring with sickness and your teachers have clued in to when you aren't feeling well because you want to be held all the time. Hopefully these chilly/snowy days will go away soon because it's after those you seem to catch something. You have gone on a bit of a food strike the last few weeks and just pick at your plate. You also have picked up a "fun" habit of taking your food from the table and wandering around the house. You still do not like vegetables (it's always a none circle on your daycare sheets) but you do like to eat meat. We were very surprised when you ate BBQ pulled pork the other night. You still love your milk and ask for it multiple times a day. Another thing you always want and ask for these days are is your "moosh" and it goes with you all around the house.

You still love to ride your bicycle and are getting better about listening to the rules of staying on the driveway. You have started making decisions about things (like what book to read at night) and will say "yesh" or "no." You also know "my" and will gladly let us know if someone took something that was yours. "My chair, my moosh, my hat," etc. You and Carson play well together for the most part but you also know how to push each other buttons too. I love that you an talk back and forth a bit now too. Recently you've started to love wearing sunglasses (after breaking a couple pairs) and boy do you look cute in them! You are Mr Personality and it is just so fun watching you grow and learn!

Cooper Thomas: 20 Months

There's not a whole lot of new things to report with you this past month. You have been trying to get on Carson's bicycles for a few weeks so we finally got you a bike, and one that is small enough for you to ride! You picked it up right away. It must have been your daredevil instincts, lol. You also started pointing out (and saying) your eyes, head, nose, ears, mouth, teeth and BELLY!

You continue to say lots of words and pretty much {at least try to} repeat anything we say. You like to go up to your teachers at the end of each day and give them a "hug" before we leave and wave "bye" too. Another cute one is telling us "night night" when it's time to go to bed. You love being "ou-ide" so I was actually looking forward to daylight savings so we can be out more after dinner.

You are a pretty good sleeper unless something is bothering you and still have to have your "moosh" with you. Also at bedtime I have to put a blanket over your lap while you sit in your chair to read a "book." And just recently I've had to give you multiple hugs before you let me leave the room. You must have learned that from your brother! You are quite the handful but so cute and make daddy and I smile with your constant talking. You and your brother are already up to no good but we love hearing you guys laugh and play together.

Cooper Thomas: 19 Months

I'm not sure if I can start off this month with "sweet Cooper" because man have you been ornery and whiney lately. I think we've heard more crying these past few weeks tan we have the las 18 months! I hope it's just you figuring out your personality because I'm not sure how much longer we can take it. But on the flip side when you are Carson decide to play nicely with one another you guys have the best time! Carson loves that you are starting to talk more and I think that's why he's been a better 'friend' with you lately.

So about this talking. You seem to repeat or make an attempt to repeat anything we say and you have picked up so many words! You love seeing dogs when we are out and saying "hi" to everyone. You also love anything with wheels and know "truck," "bus," and "vroom" (car). Unlike your brother, you know when you are tired and happily run down the hall when I say it's time for bed. You finally are sitting still for books and you love to flip through them yourself too. You're favorite book to look at is anything with a "choo choo" on it. Recently you've also started babbling in sentences which is so cute! But what isn't cute is the attitude at meal time. For whatever reason you have started throwing your food and drink over the tray and just sitting there screaming while the rest of us finish eating. In an attempt to help with the behavior, we have you sitting at a table and chair now, which helps some but now you just get up and down and wander. I guess it's better than screaming! Your other obsession right now is wearing shoes around the house. Like you bring them to us anytime during the night and throw a fit if we don't put them on you (and no house shoes don't count). You also try to bring us our shoes to wear. Maybe it's because you love getting out of the house!

Picture by Carson

The past couple of days I've had to take a double take with you because you seem to be getting your big-boy look. While the attitude and constant crying has been driving us crazy, you still throw in those cute smirky smiles or your goofy personality and you melt our hearts. And lastly I have to share about your moose (and I'm not sure how I've forgotten about him before now). For your first birthday, daddy picked out this moose from Ikea. I can't remember when the "bond" officially started, but you LOVE this thing and especially his little nubby tail which you clinch your teeth around. A few times a week we have to go in to your room to lay you back straight in your crib and you cuddle your moose like he's the best friend you've ever had!