Her Biggest Supporter

I have to document the sweet moments. They're good to reflect upon when he's wrestling her to the ground or punching her for no reason!

While driving home from Layla's tumbling competition last night, Cooper said to Layla, "Layla, you have fun at tumbling? You did good job!"

Then at home, while looking at her medals, "Lolly, I so proud (of) you!"

When Dave was putting Cooper's boots on to go outside, I overheard Cooper tell Dave, "Dad, Lolly did so good job tumbling!"

"I feel a little nervous and shy...."

....but I'm so excited!"

These were Layla's words as we pulled up to the gym for her first tumbling competition. Of course, we were proud of her and enjoyed seeing her have so much fun. She never hesitated, she just went for it. She ended the day with a 2nd, 3rd and 8th place medal. But, the best thing she came away with was a new found confidence and a joyful heart. And, a very tired little body!

Just like Daddy.....

Cooper may have my coloring, but he looks like a mini Dave. And, he acts like Dave and he wants to be anywhere Dave is. Luckily, Dave loves the fact that he has a little buddy and takes Cooper everywhere he can.

Potty training has been so easy with Cooper (yes, there's a connection between the first paragraph and this...keep reading)! I thought Layla was easy to potty train. I also thought that with Cooper's strong will, he would be very challenging. WRONG! As soon as we went commando last Tuesday, he has not had an accident. He goes on the big potty, no little kids potty seat and he's dry through naps and the night. Yes, I am so proud of him!

When we potty train, we go for it 100%, no in-between, no pull-ups. We stay home and get it done. Well, by Wednesday last week, Cooper wanted to go bye-bye so badly! He kept asking, "We go to town?" "We go bye-bye?" "We go Breedings?" Anywhere, he didn't care, he just wanted to go! Since he was doing so good with the potty training, I ventured out to the bank. That's all, just the bank. When we turned on our gravel road, heading home, Cooper said, "Mom, where we go?"
"We're going home, buddy."
"No, I wantsee people!"
"We just did buddy, we went to the bank."
"NO! (crying now) I wantsee more people!"

Just like Daddy.

Christmas Adventures

We had another busy weekend and have officially concluded the 2010 holiday season! We had our little New Year's Eve gathering and our last Christmas celebration, which was with the Kellen's in Des Moines yesterday. I'm tired, but filled with the contentment of great memories made. One of the best parts of this time of year is
Dave gets to take off work to just be home. He and the kids make a list of adventures and it's wonderful to see them all filled up with each other. I'm not sure who enjoys it more, the kids or Dave!

This year, they went sledding, 4-wheeling, played lots of basketball and wrestling, went to a movie and even made Grandma Hilburn style cinnamon rolls from scratch. It was a great 2 weeks. But, as always, I'm ready yo get back on schedule and return to our routine. And I will now do this all with no diaper changes! Cooper hasn't had any accidents since Tuesday and has remained dry through naps and overnight. Very exciting!

Day 3: Perfection!

Something about 3 being a charm or perhaps it's the fact that he went commando all day? Either way, I don't care. Today, he got it! Cooper David went 6 for 6 today! He told us when he had to go and even went 2 times on his own. ALLELUIA!! Maybe we will even venture out of the house tomorrow...yes, I'll give him his pants and underwear back!

Day 2: No Pants Allowed

Second full day of potty training and still no success. I am no longer allowing Cooper to wear pants, which just kills him. He has never been one to run around in just a diaper, the boy likes to be covered up. But, after 3 times of peeing in his jeans today and 3 times yesterday, this mama is done washing pants. Maybe this will be a little added incentive for him. I got so desperate today, that I told him he could drive Dave's truck when he gets his pee pee in the potty. Dave overheard me and said, "drive it? I'll buy you one!"

I will now spare you all and not post anymore tormented posts about the angst of potty training until we have success! We've done it before, we'll do it again!

A concussion, a head cold and wet big boy pants...

Oh my, so Cooper is having a rough 24 hours. We started potty training yesterday, well after church and a nap, so today was our first full day. The poor boy's world has been rocked. The good news is, he's quite good at holding his pee...he knows he doesn't want to pee in his underwear. And, he's pretty good about going to the bathroom and "trying". However, he has not had any success putting the pee pee in the potty. Dave and I considered it a great success tonight when he ran to the bathroom because he knew he had to go....even though he didn't make it.

To add injury to insult, he gave himself quite a head injury playing basketball today. He was trying to make a lay up jumping from a foot stool. He went head first into the wall. I don't worry too much about his injuries since they are so frequent, but today did have me a bit concerned.

And, as if that weren't enough, he's never been this sick. He has a nasty head cold, cough and a little fever. I realized today, how blessed with health he's been.

So here's the little man with ice on his head, taking a nap (yes, I know, he shouldn't sleep after a head injury, but I was at the gorcery store and I don't think Daddy knew this). Don't call DHS!