Empty

Mommy: Target is empty today

Sam: What is yucky Mommy?

M: No, the parking lot is empty.

S: Target is yucky?

M: No empty, there are no cars here.

S: Parking lot is yucky?

M: No, there is no one at Target.

S: No one at Target? In their cars?

M: Yes.

S: What is yucky?

M: Nothing is. Do you have your coat.

Later on in the store

S: Is Target yucky?

9 Months

Weight: 23 lbs. 11.5 oz 90%
Height: 29 1/4 inch 80%
Head: 47 cm 94%


You are a very busy boy. Changing diapers is now a challenge, because just as soon as the diaper is off and you are free from my hands you are rolling around grabbing what every you can. And you won't stop, I will roll you back over and you fight me to get back to explore mode. While I am happy that you are such a curious guy, can you wait until I have your new diaper on? For the record, I am too lazy to clear off all the stuff on the changing pad so you are rolling around on the floor and not your changing table.

Baby food is no longer acceptable for you. You are only happy when you are eating puffs or cheerios. For Christmas I gave you a bowl of mashed potatoes and let you have at it. I am guessing it may not be the food you don't like, but the fact that someone is feeding you. Is this your way of saying "I am independent"? Point taken.

You have a new trick in the bath tub of pulling yourself up on the side. I have to slide you away from the side of the tub or you won't stop trying to pull up. It is so slippery that I worry you could fall in.

You now share a room with your brother, which is working out. Only you have to go to bed first because it takes you a few minutes to settle down to sleep. So you are usually talking and looking around. This causes your brother to concentrate more on telling you to stop talking or to lay down then to go to bed. He kind of thinks he is your boss. Hmmmm.....don't know where he gets his bossiness from.



You are an extremely happy boy! The only time you are sad is when those pesky little teeth that are trying to poke through hurt. Other than that it is all smiles and giggles. I mean really! And I don't even think that is me sugar coating it. I don't want to admit it, but I guess I am....I think you have your dad's personality. Just a kind of go with the flow kind a guy. You have his eyes too.

Well I posted a few of my favorite pictures of you the past month. I just love you so much. Can't wait to see what new tricks you will have.

Cheeeeeeeeeeese

Vroom Vroom

Sitting In Chairs

Merry Christmas!!!

Note To Self

It is not a good idea to go to the mall on Christmas Eve with a two year old and expect him to hold your hand; while you push his brother in the stroller. He may run into a store pick up a toy and run out.....
(we put the toy back)

The Big Fella Comes Tonight

I told these little guys they need to be extra good today! I hope each and everyone of you have a Merry Merry Christmas.

I would like to send extra special prayers and thoughts to all my friends today. But especially Diana, Jenny and Barbara ~ for reasons they know. Love you all!

Round Three?

Last night was a loooong sleepless night in the Williams' home. Cooper has started a new habit since becoming sick of thinking he needs bottles in the middle of the night. Mommy and Daddy think caving in is better than no sleep and the possibility of waking up brother. So last night he did his usual cry for his bottle around 1:00 am, only last night wasn't normal. Sam woke up too! And he was not happy. In fact he was tossing and turning and crying for me. I would go in there get him back to sleep and about 15 minutes later same thing. I was frustrated, I didn't know what was wrong. He eventually slept with me and Dave on the couch (thanks Dave). The waking up continued even when in bed with me, but when I asked him if anything hurt he would say no. This morning as we were getting ready (by the way I had to wake him up for school which never happens) he told me that his ear hurt. I will be honest, I thought okay is he just saying this? His brother just got over one and maybe he was just saying that. But I didn't want to risk it, so to the doctor he went. And sure enough, he knew his ear hurt. He had an ear infection. If you recall, Sam has had not one but two surgeries to insert tubes. The second time they even took out his adenoids. So when the doctor mentioned maybe a third round of tubes you know I am thinking what the heck? We have him on antibiotics and drops and in two weeks go back to check his ears to decide if we need to go back to the ENT doctor. And here I thought we were over the ear infections. And I also wonder, will Cooper need tubes too? But I also think, do I really think they work? Who knows. I guess we will find out in a few weeks.
But one thing I will say is it sure is nice when they can tell you what is wrong! It really helps, especially for a Mommy like me who can let her mind wonder :o). I feel sorry for these guys, they need to get healthy. But I guess Tis the Season for colds and flu :o(.

The Toy Room

In an effort to prepare for the over abundance of gifts that are heading are way, we decided a toy room was necessary. So now, Samuel and Cooper share a room and they have a toy room. Sam is still not sure how he feels about the idea. But he will come around. As you can see, he wasted no time getting into the toys!

The Bedroom

Santa Came To School Today

Samuel asked for a cookie.
Cooper would have asked to go back to bed (if he could talk).

Almost There...

We kept Cooper home again today, maybe he can go back tomorrow. I decided he should probably go back to the doctor since I wasn't seeing much improvement. Turns out he has an ear infection to top it off. Poor little guy. They also started him on a steroid and I can already tell the difference with his breathing, which is a relief. I forgot about how rough the first winter is. Ugh.

Finally Getting Back To "Normal"

Samuel IS going back to school tomorrow. He is starting to go stir crazy at home and has delusional thoughts like...."No, I don't want to go back to school". He said he wanted his friends to come to his house and play. So since he has been fever free since Monday and his cough is under control, he is going back. I miss the random things he tells me about his day and the art project he is so proud to bring home each day. Plus, I am boring.

Cooper on the other hand, is MAYBE going back tomorrow. If you asked me this morning I would have said NO way. But he is finally acting like himself again. The doctor switched his antibiotic today. I don't know I try to think I am a doctor and "suggest" what we need to do. The good news is, he doesn't listen to me.

I am just glad both boys are well on the road to recovery.

Mommy, I Need To Blow My Nose

Both

Today we went back to the doctor and since Cooper started running a fever I had him checked out too. I now have two boys at home with pneumonia.

Samuel didn't get any band aids but he did get stickers. He was okay with that. He did make sure to tell the doctor NOT to take his socks off....

Stickers and Band Aids

Last night we took a trip to Urgent Care. Sam had pneumonia. They gave him shot of antibiotics and kept coming in to bring him more stickers to help with the tears. They also gave him two candy canes and a sucker. We have to go back to the doctor today and Sam let me know he did not want a band aid or stickers today.

Brooke's Visit

Thanks for coming all the way from California to see us! We had a blast. Let's just say I am glad we were the ONLY ones at the movies for the kids first movie. Sorry for the mess!

Windy

Sam: The leaves are running.

Stop...Drop...And Roll

Cooper is now mobile. He will stop chewing on whatever he has, drop to the floor from a sitting position, see what he wants and roll to it. Woo Hoo!

Way Too Cute

Future Star

Patiently Waiting For The Show To Start

Tonight was the Christmas program, and yes two-year olds can be in a Christmas program. They sat very patiently during the entire song. I am disappointed that I didn't get closer and couldn't find the right setting to take pictures.

Sam was very excited to hang out with his friends. He kept telling me he needed to go see his friends when he sat for the rest of the show. It made me feel like he was much older than two.

Christmas 101

Daddy: Christmas is Jesus' Birthday and on Christmas Eve we go to church to celebrate.

Sam: What are we gonna buy him?

Daddy: We will probably give him money.

Game Day Date

So I asked what a sack was...Is that crime? I didn't make us leave early and actually thought it was a really good game. Did I ever tell you that one thing Dave liked about me when we first met was that I loved Football and liked beer? Well, I really know very little about football and very rarely drink beer. I would much rather waste my calories on chips and salsa. But I guess my charm must have won him over.

About.com Definition of Sack:
Any tackle of the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

I will definitely do my research before the bowl game.

Ordered

I order our Christmas cards today. Now, the real question, will I remember to send them? I use to be so good at this. Like two years ago--I was on top of it, my cards would have already been signed, sealed and delivered. One year ago--they would be signed and sealed, waiting to be delivered. This year, I wonder if they will get to the signed part.



But, they are worth it :o)

Month 8

Here we are 8 months later. You moved to the busy baby room at school a few weeks ago. They are trying to put you on a schedule (which I completely messed up this past week) and I am hoping you will want to start moving around with the other little ones your age. Not that I mind being able to put you in one place and not having to worry, but you probably would love to get moving. I can see the curiosity in your eyes and know you just want to put all those ideas to work. You still have the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen, well next to your Dad's. I fell in love with his too. I bet they won't be changing either! You adore your brother you laugh and smile when ever he is in view. I love that about the two of you. I always want to capture these sweet moments and tuck them away for when you two are older. I want to be able to show you how much you love each other when you maybe don't agree.
You discovered the gift to chew and love puffs. You can pick those little things up in your fingers and eat them for minutes! I won't let you have too many. I still worry at your 9 month appointment the doctor will put you on a diet. Hee Hee :o).
You have gone on a few trips too, you went to Texas to see one set of Grandparents and Omaha to see the other. You also saw all your Omaha cousins. I think it is safe to say you have captured your grandparent's hearts.
I just want to kiss and love on you all day you have such a sweet personality. Just a cuddle bug and those cheeks! They are scrumptious.
You love your Daddy and playing with him. He always makes you laugh and laugh. We love to hear it.
We love you Cooper Jackob!

L-tryptophan

It's in Gerber Turkey too!

Thanksgiving In Omaha!

Sam and Cooper LOVED playing with their Omaha cousins.

Visit With A Good Friend

Here are a few pictures from our lunch with Rhonda and her boys (minus Bostin who was at school). It is always fun to see such a great friend!

Daddy's Little Helper

Smile

Hey Good Lookin'

Attention

Sam: Daddy, where did the squirrel go?
Daddy: I don't know, where did it go?
Mommy: There isn't a squirrel, I said that to divert his attention.
Sam: Where did my attention go?


Good question.

Visit with G & G

We went to visit the Texas Grandparents last weekend. The boys had so much fun messing up their house and eating Grandpa's yummy meatballs. We sure love being just a few hours away from them.

Christmas

Today Samuel's school paper said - we started practicing for the Christmas Program.

I am excited and intrigued at the same time. How do you get a bunch of 2 year-olds to be in a Christmas Program? While the concept sounds cute, I just don't see it happening. But I am not going to say a 2 year old hasn't surprised me before.

Coincidentally, Dave's Christmas stocking arrived today. I decided that we all needed a matching set. I am still waiting for mine and Cooper's to arrive so our set can be complete (of course Samuel already had one). All this Christmas in one day made me do the unthinkable, I am playing Christmas songs before Thanksgiving. Driving Dave crazy :o).

First Official Self Portrait

I think he takes after his Mom...

Cooper J.

The leftovers of lunch are for later.

I Am Calling Yale Now...

Mom: Maybe we can do that at Thanksgiving.

Sam: Thanksgiving dinner! We eat turkey.

Mom: Where did you learn that?

Sam: At school in a book. I read the book.

Drama King

"Oh my God, we don't have any bananas!"

Thank you for letting me know Samuel.

Cough Cough

After ruling out a smoker's cough (you assured us you didn't start smoking), the Doctor determined you have an "asthmatic" cough. We now have to do breathing treatments 4 times a day and a steroid breathing treatment until he says to stop. And the ear infection, I was sure you had, was nonexistent. It was teething instead.

I still miss Iggy..but at least your Daddy couldn't blame the cat for this! I am just hoping his little lungs grow out of this.

Your weigh in today, 22 pounds! I asked the doctor if I should be concerned that you show no interest in being mobile. He asked me to look at you and I did, but had the same question. He told me to look again and said that chubby babies aren't as eager to get around. I guess I should enjoy your lack of mobility while I can.