When I saw Cooper sitting in his bouncy chair wearing this ISU shirt it was dejavu. I remember Layla in the same shirt, same bouncy chair and I was sure I had a picture of it. So, here they are. Layla is about 3-4 months old in this picture and Cooper is just 8 weeks. Slight size difference! I weighed the little man today and he is 14 pounds. No wonder that car seat is getting so heavy when I'm hauling him in and out of the car.
Happy Birthday Mama Faye! Layla has always called her grandma Faye "Mama Faye." Why? I think it started because "Mama" was the closest she could come to saying "Grandma" when she was younger. But it has stuck and when you see the two of them together, you understand why. Mama Faye is like a really fun, indulgent, over-the-top loving mother. You have never seen grand kids so in love with their grandma as hers. When Mama Faye comes to visit, she sleeps in the other single bed in Layla's room and they talk forever.....or should I say Layla talks forever! On this day we celebrate one of the best gifts God gave us...Mama Faye. Mom, I pray that someday I can be half the believer, mother, wife and grandmother you are! This is a picture of Mama Faye holding Cooper the day he was born, 3-27-08. She was able to be in the delivery room with us.
Maybe motherhood is more glamorous than I think? I always tell my friends who don't have kids that motherhood is not a glamorous job, especially with infants. I stay home with my kids (86% of the time) and there are no cute shoes, jewelry or complicated outfits worn around this joint, they just get in the way of the job at hand. Well, Layla came into the kitchen wearing this outfit the other day and I asked what she was dressed as. Her reply? "I'm a mommy like you. Isn't it fabulous?" Yes it is, its just not always this pretty!
Praise God for my smiling babies! Dave was out on the road this week and that makes for some long days. And, it never fails, the kids always sleep less and whine more when Daddy isn't home. But, it's little moments, like these smiles, that make the days bearable. So, we thank God for the smiles, the coo's, and the words of encouragement from Layla. Yesterday, she looked at me and said, "I love you babe. You're my best friend." Have a great weekend!
This is a phrase that I obviously say a lot. Because today Layla has said it at least 10 times. I'm not convinced she knows exactly what it means, but here is how she uses it.......
He eats, he poops, he smiles and "talks" your ear off then he goes to sleep. This is our 2-3 hour cycle throughout the day. Oh the life of Cooper is good. Here are a few pictures of the little man in his second favorite place, the swing. His first favorite place? Anyone who will cuddle and "talk". The funniest thing about the first picture is his left hand. The boy was sleeping hard yet his hand was suspended in mid air for his whole nap. Cooper is starting to sleep in longer stretches at night and it is so nice. He eats around 9:15 and will go until 3am and then again to 5:30 or 6am. That longer stretch at the beginning of the night is wonderful. Our night time feedings are down to 30 minutes so when I do need to get up, it's not for long. Oh, the life of this mommy is good too.
I'm a little behind on posting this, but we celebrated Dave's birthday this week. We had a great adult night out with friends on Saturday nights (thank you Grandma Marcia and Aunt Miriam for the overnight babysitting!) and then I made Dave his favorite dinner on Wed (his actual birthday). What was on the menu? We grilled steak with sauteed mushrooms, green beans almondine, potato casserole, spinach and strawberry salad and homemade cherry pie complete with Grandma Holles' pie crust. Since Layla was about 20 months old, she loves steak! So we all enjoyed that dinner! Happy Birthday Dave. You are a treasure to your family and a true gift from God. You are our hero.
