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.
Monday, August 10, 2009
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.
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!!!
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!!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Updates and the First Part of Summer Vacation
The first part of summer vacation and some other updates: (be warned, it's a long post!)
School finished up for us late in June and we headed out a few days later for Wisconsin to spend some time with Steve’s side of the family. For some, it has been a year since they’ve seen Cooper. We are spending 2 weeks at the Upty cabin and some good quality time with Great Grandpa Upty. Lucky for us Grandpa Jim has been puttering around the cabin as well. We’ve made a few visits into town to see Grandma Judy. But for the most part we’ve been relaxing and getting to spend lots of Cooper time- which we absolutely love!
Travel
Cooper was an angel in the car. Sometimes one of us would sit in the back with him while the other one drove. Cooper played with a few toys, but would often be found playing with his feet-swinging them, putting them in his mouth, tugging on his toes. We did break out the movie player, but some well-given advice from my sister is to explain that the movie player only works for long trips. We watched some Veggie Tales, Finding Nemo (a staple on all car trips even before Cooper was born), Jungle Book, and Friends (my favorite when on a car trip). We find it cute when we get in the car and Cooper points to the movie player in the roof…..we’ll just continue to follow the new rule to avoid the video player becoming a bad habit .
Mealtimes consisted of picnics where we stopped along the way at parks or nice rest areas. We’d spread out a blanket and let the little guy crawl around. The trip each day lasted about 11-12 hours day and the only fussing was when we had to change his diaper! We are incredibly lucky for this!! I do realize we still have a return trip and surely hope I am not jumping the gun on what an angel he was. Grandma Judy is coming home with us for a week, so she’ll keep him entertained.
No More Bottle
We decided that the 2 weeks with Cooper would be a good time to teach him how to use a straw cup and to drink his milk during meal times instead of having a bottle 3 separate times a day. We truly expected it to take the 2 weeks. Well as is natural for Cooper, he adjusted to it all with ease. He doesn’t even miss his bottle and has mastered the straw cup. My sister also suggested (funny how much of her advice I follow nowadays-certainly wouldn’t have happened 15 years ago!!) a cool thing that attaches to a regular ol’ water bottle for Cooper to drink out of.
PS----If you look at the pictures you will also see that he has enjoys drinking out of a can, too!
Teeth
The molars have arrived along with his final 4th tooth on the bottom. We have been anxiously waiting the arrival of the 4th tooth on the bottom since April! The molars started a few weeks ago and not a fuss from the little guy. We only noticed one time when he was laughing and caught a glimpse of some jagged white on the far back of his mouth. I still don’t know what Steve and I have done to deserve such an easy child!!
Talking
Cooper is a jibber jabbering away. He definitely has some stories to tell. He is saying Dada much more than Mama. When he drops something we truly think he is saying “Uh Oh” which is cute as can be. He can “woof” when he sees a dog. Today when watching the news he saw the bulls in Pampalona and said “woof” over and over. Weeeee is the word of choice when closing a door or playing in the lazy susan kitchen cabinet. Cooper can pat his head when we ask him where his head is and immediately breaks out into a rousing round of applause for himself.
The funniest thing about Cooper is how he seems to know the right time to laugh. There will be a conversation going on where we’ll start laughing and immediately he’ll throw a laugh in. He’s also earned the nickname “Chuckles” as it’s a laugh that completely gives it away he is up to no good! A sneaky chuckle if you will-too cute because this son of ours is not sneaky.
When we go out somewhere-stores, restaurants...he is definitely the charmer. He spent the entire dinner the other night flirting with 3 tables of people. One of the tables was on a different floor than our table and he still managed to get their attention. Needless to say, he does not pay much attention to his mom and dad at dinner.
Cousins
Gage and Taylor are Shelley’s kids (Steve’s older sister). Gage is 5 and Taylor is 10. Taylor just finished up a babysitting certification and will make a great babysitter! She cleverly came up with a way to distract Cooper from the electronics and the tv by covering up the stand with a blanket. It worked perfectly. Cooper was completely enamored by Gage. He’d follow wherever Gage went and would watch every move that Gage made. Gage played with Cooper and definitely kept him entertained! The cousins spent a few nights at the cabin and really got to spend some good quality time with Cooper. We watched Gage’s tee ball game and Cooper had a good time watching all the kids playing around. For the 4th of July we saw Taylor perform with her dance team in the Lake Nebagamon parade.
Grandma Upty
Gram is having the best time watching Cooper. He is a total ham!! He’ll play peek-a-boo. He works hard to get the attention of anyone not paying attention to him. He’s chuckling at everything and gets us laughing everytime. In the middle of dinner one night he just breaks out clapping which got us all clapping and laughing hysterically. Gram gets to give Cooper his naps most days and puts him to sleep every night. She loves the cuddle time and getting him to relax when he’d rather be playing is sometimes a challenge. I believe Gram’s favorite part of the trip was that she witnessed Cooper taking his first steps. She was watching him play at the back door and all of a sudden he turned around and started walking. I had my back turned and heard her say “Hey, hey”, but thought that he was getting into something he shouldn’t and saw him take a step or two. He has only done it a time or two since then but seeing those steps made Gram very happy!
Weather
The weather in Wisconsin is truly magnificent. We spent a few days where it was only 55 degrees with an abundance of clouds and wind….but since then it’s been glorious! 75 and breezy and not a single bit of humidity. It’s going to be tough going back to DC with the 100% humidity and 90 degree days. The cold days (and yes it’s cold because those days were typical winter days at home!) we had a fire going in the morning. I can see my dad shuddering right now as he reads this!!
The craziest weather patterns occur being so close to the “Big Lake” as everyone calls it. The weather can be 75 and with one switch of the wind come down to 60! When we’d go into Superior or Duluth, we’d have to bring a set of warm clothes! Still have not dipped my feet in Lake Superior…..
Deep Lake
Deep Lake is the lake that the cabin is on. This is my 5th summer on the lake and I’ve managed to avoid getting into the lake each time (except for once and I jumped right back out-so that does not really count). Growing up a beach girl lake water is very different than the salty, roughness of the ocean. While the lake is fresh water and smooth as can be there are bushes (okay, not bushes but very thick grass) that grow beneath the waters that when my feet touch it I don’t like it at all. Not to mention the fish that are in the lake. Well, when I mention this those who are not as fond of the ocean say to me “what about the fish and crabs in the ocean??” To me, the ocean is always in motion so the sea life in the ocean is not as evident as it is in the lake.
Either way, as the story goes…..If I didn’t like the cabin I wouldn’t have lasted as that was a stipulation for Steve and I to have made it this far. Nowhere in his plan did I have to like the lake, too. Eventually I am sure Cooper will give me that smile that says he wants me to play in the lake with him and I’ll oblige with my water shoes and squealing aplenty. For now, I will enjoy the lake along the beach working on my tan, in the pontoon, or in the boat when pulling the tubers!
Food
Never in my life have I met a family that is more dessert oriented than the Upthegroves! Every night there is a freshly made dessert ready and dinner is no more finished than dessert is being dished out. I think for this family dinner is served just as a reason to have dessert.
Some of the favorites when visiting Gram are: strawberry shortcake with homemade shortcake and whipped cream (I never knew homemade whipped cream existed-I thought Cool Whip was all there was! And the homemade shortcake far outweighs the angelfood cups in the grocery, homemeade apple pie-all the way down to the crust, rhubarb bars (I never knew what those red stalks in the grocery store was used for-granted this rhubarb is homegrown). There are a variety of other pies that Gram is always making. She also makes wonderful cookies. Her kids grew up everynight having dessert, thankfully for our waistlines we only have it when we come to visit!
We are on our way home and get to have Grandma Judy along for the ride. She'll spend a week with Cooper in our new home where we'll give her plenty of Cooper-time as Steve and I will spend time unpacking and trying to get organized on some bigger projects. 2 weeks after that, we will be heading to Florida to see my side of the family....ohhhh, it's going to be HOT!!!
Friday, June 19, 2009
School's out for summer!!!
It's been a long school year, but my best year yet. My class was my favorite and I miss them terribly. If ever I had a chance to keep a class, this would have been the one. Steve had his first year teaching high school and he really enjoyed his time as well.
BUT it's time to enjoy summer and the time we get to spend as a family!
We have a few days at home and then we're off to Wisconsin to relax at the lake with Steve's side of the family. We are driving and it will take 2 days to get there so that is an adventure in itself. Cooper has always done well on car trips...so I think that it's me that I worry about getting cranky in the car. While in Wisconsin, Cooper gets to play with his cousins and aunts and uncles and of course Grandma Upty, Grandma Judy, and Grandpa Jim! We get to spend a weekend with some of Steve's friends from college who all have kids. We can't wait to get them all together......there are 2 girls who are a few months older than Cooper. We plan on making arrangements for one of them to marry Cooper some day.
We'll also be heading out to Florida to see Mimi and Pop Pop and Grandma Roz and Papa Phil in August. It promises to be a summer full of fun. I just hope it doesn't go by too fast!!
BUT it's time to enjoy summer and the time we get to spend as a family!
We have a few days at home and then we're off to Wisconsin to relax at the lake with Steve's side of the family. We are driving and it will take 2 days to get there so that is an adventure in itself. Cooper has always done well on car trips...so I think that it's me that I worry about getting cranky in the car. While in Wisconsin, Cooper gets to play with his cousins and aunts and uncles and of course Grandma Upty, Grandma Judy, and Grandpa Jim! We get to spend a weekend with some of Steve's friends from college who all have kids. We can't wait to get them all together......there are 2 girls who are a few months older than Cooper. We plan on making arrangements for one of them to marry Cooper some day.
We'll also be heading out to Florida to see Mimi and Pop Pop and Grandma Roz and Papa Phil in August. It promises to be a summer full of fun. I just hope it doesn't go by too fast!!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Where has the time gone?
Cooper's first birthday came much too quickly. Because of the timing of his birthday Steve and I also equate it with the end of the school year which has also gone by very quickly. This year has been a hectic one, but full of wonderful memories. Steve started at a new school. Not just a new school, but a whole new age of students to teach. We went from just the 2 of us to having this new little person that just stole our hearts. And finally we bought a new house in the neighborhood Steve and I dreamed of Cooper growing up in.
Our little Bud is pretty darn close to the perfect baby (I know I am shooting myself in the foot for our next one won't be such an angel, but I have to give Cooper the credit he's due!). He's slept through the night since 2 months old. Anyone he meets he smiles and just charms them into submission. Seldom does he cry and it's usually only because he's hurt or really tired. Mealtime is a real joy for this guy as he loves all food and eats it rather than spitting it out. I spent many months before and after his birth reading all kinds of books on how to take care of him and all the "problems" the authors labeled were not true for Cooper. Believe me, I realize that he's going to give us a run for our money at some point, but let us relish in this glory for now before giving us the bad news.
Cooper enjoys crawling and crusing along. He does not seem to have much of a desire for walking on his own yet. Heck, why would he...he knows that once he starts walking he won't be carried as much! He's started giving kisses and makes kissy faces. We are hoping to get it on video this weekend. He loves being outside and eating grass and leaves. Watching him watch older kids play always peaks my interest because I wonder what he's thinking about as he whips his head around following their every move and laughing at them. Lisa and I can't wait for the cousins to really start playing. Cooper will go right up to Zion and steal a toy from him (don't worry we'll start teaching him sharing real soon). We are also looking forward to the relationship that develops between the 3 cousins as they grow up.
Steve and I are looking forward summer vacation. The 3 of us will be spending it with family in Wisconsin and Florida with a little bit of time at home. Stay tuned.......
Our little Bud is pretty darn close to the perfect baby (I know I am shooting myself in the foot for our next one won't be such an angel, but I have to give Cooper the credit he's due!). He's slept through the night since 2 months old. Anyone he meets he smiles and just charms them into submission. Seldom does he cry and it's usually only because he's hurt or really tired. Mealtime is a real joy for this guy as he loves all food and eats it rather than spitting it out. I spent many months before and after his birth reading all kinds of books on how to take care of him and all the "problems" the authors labeled were not true for Cooper. Believe me, I realize that he's going to give us a run for our money at some point, but let us relish in this glory for now before giving us the bad news.
Cooper enjoys crawling and crusing along. He does not seem to have much of a desire for walking on his own yet. Heck, why would he...he knows that once he starts walking he won't be carried as much! He's started giving kisses and makes kissy faces. We are hoping to get it on video this weekend. He loves being outside and eating grass and leaves. Watching him watch older kids play always peaks my interest because I wonder what he's thinking about as he whips his head around following their every move and laughing at them. Lisa and I can't wait for the cousins to really start playing. Cooper will go right up to Zion and steal a toy from him (don't worry we'll start teaching him sharing real soon). We are also looking forward to the relationship that develops between the 3 cousins as they grow up.
Steve and I are looking forward summer vacation. The 3 of us will be spending it with family in Wisconsin and Florida with a little bit of time at home. Stay tuned.......
Sunday, May 24, 2009
It's been a while...
The idea of blogging is new to me and I need to get into a groove of posting regularly-or as long as fun things are happening!
We are settling into the new house and are loving every minute of it. There have been many days Steve and I come downstairs and are doing something and still feel like we are not at "our" house. We've wanted a single family home with a large kitchen and yard to play in for so long that it still is hard to believe it's happened!
Cooper is growing quicker than ever. He talks like crazy and we pretend to make sense of it all. He's cruising around and crawls with an intensity I've never seen. And he makes us laugh constantly. We are so in love!!!!!!!!
We are settling into the new house and are loving every minute of it. There have been many days Steve and I come downstairs and are doing something and still feel like we are not at "our" house. We've wanted a single family home with a large kitchen and yard to play in for so long that it still is hard to believe it's happened!
Cooper is growing quicker than ever. He talks like crazy and we pretend to make sense of it all. He's cruising around and crawls with an intensity I've never seen. And he makes us laugh constantly. We are so in love!!!!!!!!
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