This, by far, has been the most amazing year of my life.  Just over one year ago, I was just Courtney.  Now I am Mama.  Responsible for the happiness, safety, nourishment, and love of another being.  It is the most important job any human being could ever want or need.  I no longer have the luxury or doing what I want, when I want. . . THANK GOD!  I struggle to even remember what life was like before Cooper.  What did I do with my time, all of that extra time.  I can definitely say, without a doubt, nothing important.
Don’t get me wrong, I am still Courtney.  I still do what I want, maybe just not always when I want.  I do have to say that I am an extremely lucky woman to have a guy like Cory.  He understands the importance of having time for yourself, and is always more than willing to watch Cooper so I can have some time to myself.  He is quite possibly the most amazing dad out there.  He is so hands-on, fun, and can always get Coop to giggle that really deep giggle.  The kind of giggle that is contagious.  He lays on the floor playing with toys, teaches him any chance he can, is firm yet extremely loving, and is Cooper’s best friend.  I am so grateful that my son will have such an amazingly strong, moral, and silly influence.  Cooper and I are very fortunate to have him!

As a working mom, with a 45 minute commute, I unfortunately have missed a few key things.  But, with digital cameras, a flip video camera, and Cory to fill me in on all of the details I am lucky to have not missed too much.  I was extremely fortunate to be able to take 6 weeks off of work after he was born.  It was not nearly enough!

We left the hospital on Thursday night, and had our first visit to the pediatrician on the following Monday.  Cooper was “thriving” the doctor said!  Each appointment after, the 2 month and then 4 month have been all A’s for our little guy!  He was in the 50-75% range for height, weight and head measurements.  He was developmentally exactly where he should be.

From day-one, Cooper has wanted to stand.  He was in the excersaucer and Johnny Jump-Up at just over 3 months.  He began to sit on his own at around 3.5 months, but has always been strong with good head control.

At 4 months we were pretty sure he started to teethe, and by 5.5 months he is on the move crawling, and pulling himself up on furniture.  Time is flying by!  I am pretty sure Cory has spent hours and hours after work working with Cooper to crawl (during his Cooper and dada time before mommy gets home).  I am also pretty postitive that when Cooper says his first word it will be “dada” . . . since Cory has spent countless hours repeating it to him.  Not fair!

Cooper’s First Crawl

Cory is always the first one to try new things with Coop.  New outfits (most of the time matching), new toys, sitting, crawling, eating, outside, johnny jump up, you name it – Cory keeps Coop moving!  I am definitely not as good at cultivating his development, I just enjoying where we are. . . I need to work on that.

Today 10/1/10, Cooper pulled himself up on Granny Pat’s Barrel Chair.  She didn’t know this when she bought it, she just thought it was cute and the perfect size for Coop, but Cooper means The Barrel Maker.
This is the first time he pulled himself up on something other than us.  It isn’t pretty, but he did it!

Cooper the Barrel Maker

At Katie’s birthday party the last weekend in September, Auntie Sheesha took Cooper to the park to swing for the first time.  He also got to spend some fun time on the slide, and even thought about climbing the wall – yeah right.  He really loved riding in the little car though!

Cooper’s First Swing at the Park

Starting in early September, when Cooper turned 5 months, we started to feed him Rice cereal.  He loves it!  Here he is at Granny Pat and Grandpa Ron’s house having some cereal in a family heirloom.  A highchair built by Cooper’s Great, Great Grandpa James Allar.  It was used for virtually all of the Allar’s . . . not quite sure how sanitary it is

Coop Eats Like a Champ

The Story of the Highchair

At just around 6.5 months, Cooper started to say the greatest words I have ever heard. . . “Ma Ma”.  He never quite directs it to me, and I think it is just a noise he makes, but man does it sound great!  Sometimes he will also say “Ba Ba”, but not quite “Da Da” yet.  I am sure it will be coming soon!

The end of Oct, 28th to be exact, Cooper had his first fever.  It was 102.9, and I have to say I kind of freaked out a little.  Cory was very calm, and I panicked.  A little Tylenol, and he was out for the night.  Up a few times, but just a little fuss and then right back to bed.  It was right before Halloween, so I was so glad when it didn’t last!

Coop’s first Halloween!  Here is our little Chicken Coop. . .

I have to say, Cory is one amazing sport!  Not only did he let me dress Cooper in a chicken costume, instead of a super hero or Yoda, but he even wore a costume.  I have to admit, I didn’t really think he would do it.  We had a halloween “costume” party to go to at the neighbors house . . . . but not one other person dressed up.  It was pretty funny!  After the party, I walked down the block and back with Coop Trick or Treating.  It was a beautiful night, perfect for meeting some of the neighbors.  Cory hung back at home and handed out candy to the over 140 kids that came by.  We have the perfect neighborhood for Coop to grow up in!  There were tons of kids running around!

This year brought Cooper’s first Thanksgiving!  Although he didn’t get to eat mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and turkey, he sure did get to see EVERYONE in the family!  We celebrated over at Granny Pat and Grandpa Ron’s house along with the other 26 people!  Aaron and Berit weren’t able to come home, but they will be visiting for Christmas, so we are very excited about that!  I don’t think Cory or I spent more than 10 minutes holding Coop the whole time.  He was passed from great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, to cousins and second cousins.  It was great watching Matthew and Meghan “practice” for their expected arrival – we are so excited for them!  Matt has a little ways to go before he will look half-way comfortable, but he will pick it up quick I am sure!  It was a great night, and it was very easy to see the many reasons we all have to be thankful!
The next morning, Cory and I packed up the dogs and Coop to head to his family cabin in Wisconsin.  Shortly behind us was Granny Pat, Grandpa Ron and Great Grandpa Dale.  Dave, Cory’s dad had invited the guys up for the last weekend of deer hunting on their land about 35 minutes from their cabin.  Cory’s family spends Thanksgiving at the cabin, so there was quite the crew up there for the weekend.  Us, my parents, Grandpa Dale, Cory’s sister Alycia and her daughter Ary, and Cory’s parents. . . oh, and don’t forget the 6 dogs.  Thankfully there are plenty of rooms and beds for everyone to sleep more than comfortably!
While the boys went out and tried to shoot the big ones. . . sorry to say, unsuccessfully. . . the ladies and Coop headed to Duluth to do a little shopping.  We had such a great time!  Ate a great lunch!  And best of all, we got to bring Cooper to visit Santa for the first time!  He was so cute, he just sat there staring at him, feeling his beard.  He didn’t cry or fuss at all!  We got some great photos of Ary and Coop and then a group shot of all of us.  We spent the rest of the weekend, eating, talking, telling stories, and getting to know each other.  I know my parents and grandpa really enjoyed getting to know Cory’s family!  It was a great time!

2 days before Cooper’s 9 months on this earth he started walking!  Unbelievable!  He had taken a few steps hear-and-there before, but this time he really started taking off.  I came home to find Coop and Cory playing in the basement, as usual, and sat on the floor with them.  Cory had the idea to sit about 10 feet apart and try to talk him into coming to each of us.  It was so fun watching him get excited and so proud when he could do it.  We got farther upart and he kept going.  He walked back and forth for about 20 minutes, getting smoother and faster each time.  It was amazing!  Of course we had left our video camera next door at the daycare for the big day.  Bad mommy moment!
So, after a few days, we got the camera back.  Check out the video of the new walker!