We Have a One-Year-Old!

How has a year already passed since Cooper was born?!  His one year birthday marks one year since our lives have changed in so many wonderful ways.  We could not imagine life without this little boy and his huge personality.  Now that Cooper is officially 1, he:

-loves to eat almost all table food--his favorites include cheese, rice, noodles, and beans. He also loves pears and bananas
-is nearly graduated to all whole milk
-drinks only from a sippy cup--the bottles have all been boxed up!
-can use a spoon and fork correctly if we load the food on for him
-is a speed-crawler.  Seriously.  We have never known a kid who crawls so fast.  No wonder there is no interest in walking just yet.
-cruises along the furniture, and doesn't even really use it to hold on to as much to lean against
-will walk behind a ride-on toy for a few steps and then decides it's no fun
-loves to clap for himself
-is a pro at "So-Big" and will stop what he's doing to put his arms in the air
-has no more teeth since last month
-is trying to imitate and copy more and more sounds
-says mama and dada in the right situations
-is a total mommy's boy... and trust me, I don't mind at all
-enjoys yelling and screaming while playing
-likes to be tackled with pillows, 'scare' us from behind, play peek-a-boo around corners, chase around the house, and roll balls across the linoleum floor (can we say "boy"?!?!?!?)
-giggles at the drop of a hat
-gives open-mouthed kisses
-gives high-fives
-crawls up our legs and 'begs' to be held
-is proud to carry an object in his hands while crawling around
-continues to love reading books.  Now he will crawl into my lap when I say, "Should we read it?  Come here!"
-is dropping his morning nap... he usually only takes a solid afternoon nap
-is silly, goofy, loud, moody, energetic, giggly, happy, bright-eyed, funny, and sweet all rolled into one little boy!



Happy 1st Birthday, Cooper!

For our last Christmas gathering, we went to Gary and Lori's for the night.  We were all spoiled with more presents and more amazing food.  Cooper couldn't get enough of Lori's tree decorations...

Then came the big birthday party on New Year's Day.  Here's a view of the set-up I for the big day! 

The house is ready... party time!

Cakes made with love by mommy :)

For once, Cooper followed our plan perfectly of sleeping soundly until party time.  He took a solid 2 1/2 hour nap and awoke to a bedroom full of balloons.  We were hoping he would get all riled up and excited for the day... and we were right!  He woke up, saw the balloons on the floor, and I don't think the smile came off his face for the rest of the night!

We were very, very quiet...

When he woke up, he went nuts!

 He got a bunch of great gifts, one of which had to be set up early by Auntie Missy and Uncle Phil.

Thanks, Missy and Phil, for the cool ball pit!

And now, for the MAIN EVENT: the cake!  There was no holding back for Cooper...

The cake: BEFORE

Hmmm... pretty tasty

Mom and Dad managed to stay pretty clean.

Cooper, on the other hand, did not.

A bird's eye view

"My work here is done."

Isn't the look on his face just priceless?

All cleaned up and streaking again!

Cooper slept like a baby all night... must have crashed hard from the sugar high!  Although Jeremy and I wonder who was more tired, the birthday boy or his parents!  I can't wait for the next birthday party we get to host for Cooper :)