I did it! While playing and talking with each other this morning, I snapped several photos of Cooper making sweet faces, and I captured a smile! Woohoo!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
New Places, New Faces
What a busy month for little Cooper! July just flew by- with 4th of July festivities with family in Windham, NH and Westford, MA; a trip to Madison, CT to visit Lauren, Kevin and baby Dylan; a week-long vacation with the Harts in Gilmanton, NH; and with yesterday's jaunt to Plymouth, MA to visit with Bindi, Tim and Mira while they were visiting from the west coast.
Coop's becoming more comfortable with others and we're happy to let family and friends hold and cuddle him so that he's used to being around people with whom he may not always be so familiar. It's also a learning lesson for Evan and I- how we can expect Coop to react, what it takes for him to be overstimulated and overtired, how we can soothe him and take the much needed steps to calm him down, how we can all adjust to new surroundings and expose ourselves to new situations, and how I can be a bit more flexible and be okay with the fact that babies cry-- and sometimes, Cooper just needs to cry to wind himself down a bit. I'm slowly getting there...
This month Cooper began to smile!! His first smile was when he woke up in the morning of Tuesday, July 5th. Seeing him in the morning and unwrapping him from his swaddle and seeing his sleepy, happy smile just makes my day... and gasp! Coop actually smiled at me during his bath last week! He also has developed his "cooing" sounds, and now just loves to talk to me, Evan, and himself during play time. We have yet to capture these smiles on photo, but I'll post one as soon as I can!
Coop also went into a lake for the first time while we were staying by Crystal Lake in Gilmanton, NH last week for vacation. Hated it. It reminded me of his first sponge bath... I sprinkled the water on his feet and Cooper was NOT happy. Maybe, much like bathtime, repeated attempts and practice will encourage Cooper to enjoy it at some point.
The cats, Chandler and Riley, have become accustomed to Cooper and no longer circumvent his gear or avoid him altogether. Chandler was rather indifferent and ambivalent, and is now showing an interest in Coop. He likes to be in the same room, and when Cooper is crying, Chandler will often come close to investigate. Perhaps he's concerned and showing paternal instincts? Or maybe he knows that our presence will soon follow Cooper's cries and Chandler would like some attention also. Riley is content to sniff Coop's head and feet when asleep or nursing, but that's about it. A far cry from hiding in the attic, however. The family is slowly coming together!
Lastly, Cooper had his two-month appointment this morning. Aside from shrieking and being incredibly upset at receiving several vaccinations, we were happy with the visit. The Coop is now measuring in at 12 pounds, 10 ounces in weight and 23 and 3/4 inches in length. And we love every inch!
Coop's becoming more comfortable with others and we're happy to let family and friends hold and cuddle him so that he's used to being around people with whom he may not always be so familiar. It's also a learning lesson for Evan and I- how we can expect Coop to react, what it takes for him to be overstimulated and overtired, how we can soothe him and take the much needed steps to calm him down, how we can all adjust to new surroundings and expose ourselves to new situations, and how I can be a bit more flexible and be okay with the fact that babies cry-- and sometimes, Cooper just needs to cry to wind himself down a bit. I'm slowly getting there...
This month Cooper began to smile!! His first smile was when he woke up in the morning of Tuesday, July 5th. Seeing him in the morning and unwrapping him from his swaddle and seeing his sleepy, happy smile just makes my day... and gasp! Coop actually smiled at me during his bath last week! He also has developed his "cooing" sounds, and now just loves to talk to me, Evan, and himself during play time. We have yet to capture these smiles on photo, but I'll post one as soon as I can!
Coop also went into a lake for the first time while we were staying by Crystal Lake in Gilmanton, NH last week for vacation. Hated it. It reminded me of his first sponge bath... I sprinkled the water on his feet and Cooper was NOT happy. Maybe, much like bathtime, repeated attempts and practice will encourage Cooper to enjoy it at some point.
The cats, Chandler and Riley, have become accustomed to Cooper and no longer circumvent his gear or avoid him altogether. Chandler was rather indifferent and ambivalent, and is now showing an interest in Coop. He likes to be in the same room, and when Cooper is crying, Chandler will often come close to investigate. Perhaps he's concerned and showing paternal instincts? Or maybe he knows that our presence will soon follow Cooper's cries and Chandler would like some attention also. Riley is content to sniff Coop's head and feet when asleep or nursing, but that's about it. A far cry from hiding in the attic, however. The family is slowly coming together!
Lastly, Cooper had his two-month appointment this morning. Aside from shrieking and being incredibly upset at receiving several vaccinations, we were happy with the visit. The Coop is now measuring in at 12 pounds, 10 ounces in weight and 23 and 3/4 inches in length. And we love every inch!
Happy birthday, Oma!
Cooper wanted to share this short clip and a few pix of him wishing his Oma a very, very happy birthday! Much love!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
I'd Rather be Stinky
Since his first sponge bath at home on day five of life, Coop has detested bath time. Hated it. Despised it. Roared and screeched and shrieked. So much so that Evan and I have had to close our doors and windows in an effort to limit the screams escaping into the neighborhood. Our neighbors probably have their fingers poised over the phone, ready to call DSS on bath night, thinking that we're maiming our child. But fear not. We are only cleaning him. When we graduated to the toddler tub a couple of weeks ago, we thought that perhaps Cooper's feelings about bathing would change. Sadly, no. Spastic crying and wriggling ensue.
I'm happy to report that on Wednesday night, for the first time, Cooper calmly reposed in the supportive sling of the infant tub, let his arms and legs dangle as if he were in a hammock, and didn't utter a peep as the warm water lapped at his lower half and a wash cloth dabbed here and there. I won't go so far as to say he enjoyed it, but he certainly didn't hate it. Progress perhaps? Or just resignation? Either way, we'll take it!
PS- Many thanks to the Wicke family for the personalized blue elephant hooded towel... Cooper loves it- not only because it is adorable, but because it signals the nearing end of bath time!
I'm happy to report that on Wednesday night, for the first time, Cooper calmly reposed in the supportive sling of the infant tub, let his arms and legs dangle as if he were in a hammock, and didn't utter a peep as the warm water lapped at his lower half and a wash cloth dabbed here and there. I won't go so far as to say he enjoyed it, but he certainly didn't hate it. Progress perhaps? Or just resignation? Either way, we'll take it!
PS- Many thanks to the Wicke family for the personalized blue elephant hooded towel... Cooper loves it- not only because it is adorable, but because it signals the nearing end of bath time!
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