summer vacation is coming to an end

I guess I shouldn't whine that summer vacation is coming to an end. We are blessed to have jobs that give us the summer off. Steve always starts back a few weeks early as the fall sports teams start back for practice and today was the first day back.
It was just Cooper and me today. We had fun, but we missed Daddy.

I haven't updated on the new things Cooper is doing:
Knows his head, nose and belly. He also points to other people's noses and grabs them.
Gives the best kisses. Wide open mouth and and says "ahhhh" when he wants one
plays with his Little People bus and tries to get the right shaped pieces in the bus
Has a few toys that require him to get the pieces in and he is very persistant when doing it
Makes the cutest scrunchy nose
Gives hugs and cuddles up to you when he isn't busy playing
Knows his section of the pantry and will get his own snack
Can sign for drink and can tell us when he wants a drink
When you say bye bye he waves says "die die" and blows kisses
When he hears "yeah" he immediately starts clapping and cheering
Goes up and down the stairs. When going down he backs so that he can slide down on his belly. He is trying to walk up the stairs when we are holding his hands
and lastly is letting us know when he does not want to do something. I've had 2 instances at home where he throws himself down on the floor because I am making him do stop doing something he wants to keep doing or won't give him something he wants. I can't help but laugh because he's so darn cute when he does it!!

Florida trip-part 2

We drove back up with Mimi and Pop to Leesburg. It's Cooper's 2nd visit there. He was perfect in the car and kept everyone laughing with the adorable things he does.
It was hot, hot, hot in Florida. A HUGE change from our visit to Wisconsin. Needless to say, we spent lots of time at the pool. I think Cooper had flashbacks of the cold water of the lake and was a little hesitant, but once in he loved it. The first day he napped at the pool for about 2 hours which I loved so I could get some sun time in. I think everyone else was getting restless. Our morning ritual was to head to the pool for a few hours. The little heartbreaker was a hit with all the old people at the retirement community. The grandparents loved showing him off!!

Cooper really started walking during this visit. And you know that each time he did it it was a bunch of grown ups cheering him on like crazy!! We'd laugh and get so excited for him. We have a few videos of him cheering himself on after he'd fall. Round of applause and all. So cute!!

The ceiling fans were a big hit. Cooper loves ceiling fans. He'd wake up in the morning pointing up at the ceiling and start jabbering away. I don't think they get turned on that often as Pop Pop is always cold, but he was okay with Cooper wanting them on.

We had a great time with Mimi and Pop Pop. It's always fun to watch your own parents play with your child. The plane ride home was perfect-we got the back row of the plane and no one sat next to us. Coop fell asleep the moment the plane took off and didn't wake up until we landed-literally!! While we do love to play with him, it's easier at times for him to sleep especially when he's as mobile as he is. THE BEST:: Steve changed Cooper 2 times in the airplane bathroom changing table. Did I mention how much I loved Jet Blue???? I should get paid for pushing this airline.

Florida trip-part 1

We were on the move after a week at home-again working on the house. Cooper did go to Ms. Ragaa a few days and Steve and I came home to work. Don't worry, we did do some fun things-saw Harry Potter and had lots of people come by to look at our airconditioning! But I'm giving you boring dribble. More about Cooper:

We flew to Florida first to Ft. Lauderdale to see Great Grandma Roz and Papa Phil. Cooper was an angel on the plane. We had a big guy sitting next to us, but he slept the whole way. Jet Blue is the airline to fly on-tvs in every seat and LOTS of legroom.
We spent a few days with the great grandparents. Steve and I have commented numerous times this summer about how incredibly lucky we are that our grandparents are still a part of our lives and see them with Cooper makes our heart melt. Cooper loved playing with the organ at Grandma's and started walking a little more as the floors are all tile and his poor knees were getting sore!
Mimi and Pop came a few days later to take us up to Orlando......more on this later.

I need to comment on mine and Steve's favorite part of the trip: Bru's Room. It's a restaurant that has the BEST wings. I'm not a big fan of wings but since Steve introducted me to them a few years back we have always made sure we eat there when in town. We told Grandma not to get anything for dinner that we wanted to eat there everynight we were there. And we almost did. I only wish everyone could try their wings because they are.......mmmm, I can't talk about them anymore because I want to get on the plane and go back.

Fun with Grammy

Grandma Judy came with us from Wisconsin home. She got to have a whole week of Cooper time as Steve and I were busy working on the house. Cooper was spoiled with daily walks-the weather was perfect most of the week. We spent some time exploring our new city and neighborhood. It's always fun to watch the grandparents play with Cooper. Grammy played cars and built with the blocks. Cooper misses his Grammy, but we'll keep in touch with the webcam.

During Grammy's visit we got word from Ms. Ragaa that Cooper was taking more steps on his own. He would walk from the table to the couch on his own. We're on our way!!!