A Quickie

I don't have much to say, but I had few pics I wanted to share and I've been getting some requests for more frequent posts.

This is what I came home to today. Mommy was in the kitchen and was completely unaware that Cooper was trying to bury his brother under toys.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

The pre-bath hug. Certain to be a classic photo for years to come.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper likes to play close the door-open the door with Colton. When we open it, Colton is always all smiles.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

The Monthly Post

I figured since it's been a whole month since I last blogged I better do it tonight(but it's not as if my top secret undercover work with the CIA hasn't kept me busy enough). So much as happened that I've meant to post, but which I probably have already forgotten, but I'll try to remember the high points and of course, post plenty of photos for Grandma Stella.

Colton Talks! His first word, much to my dismay, was "Ma-ma". I thought we were best buds, but apparently someone else has favored status with Colton.


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Colton Crawls! It's not the full 100% crawl, (Micole calls it the army crawl), but he's certainly mobile. For some reason, I'm just not as scared of Colton being mobile as I was with Cooper. I don't know if it's because of been there done that or Colton seems to be better behaved than Cooper and doesn't get into everything.


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Colton pulls himself up! He's been trying to get up on the ottoman with no results, but he will pull himself up by grabbing onto my hands. He's a strong kid. I didn't used to think with all of his heft he'd be an early walker, but I'm not betting against him now.


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Ohio State beats Michigan yet again! In the Marty-Micole era, Ohio State stands at 5-1 against the lowly Wolverines. If you throw Mommy's other team (she gets two, I only get one, but then I only need one), Michigan State, into the mix, then the Bucks are 9-1 during that same period. Domination! I need to bet more on these games.


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper was ready for the game but then he slept through most of it.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

New flooring! We got new carpet and laminate in our living room. It's like living in a whole new house. We've even trained Cooper to clean the floors. We just need to teach him to put his toys away.


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Colton and Pappy.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

When Cooper really wants to sleep, he can sleep anywhere.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Colton is so easy going.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper is a handful, but well worth it.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Colton loves the Exersaucer.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper does too, even if he can't get into anymore.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

The Bonds of Brotherhood

These two little guys are tight. It's clear to me that once Colton gets up and running, they're going to tear this house apart together. They understand each other on an innate level. Occasionally I find them laughing, about what I do not know, perhaps hatching some sinister brotherly plot.

Micole was home today with the boys. She turned her back for just a minute and Cooper had given Colton a corn chip, which was firmly trapped in his teethless jaws. Micole pried the chip away, while simultaneously avoiding a heart attack. Both of the boys laughed the entire time. If she hadn't been on the verge of cardiac arrest, Micole says she would've grabbed the camera so that we could properly photoblog the event.

Cooper is constantly talking away. I'm not always sure if he's saying anything, but I'm catching more words. I got him to say "Colton" yesterday, which sounded a little bit like "Cotton" if you were to fill you mouth with cotton and say "Colton". I think he just said "downstairs" when Micole asked him where he was or he may have just burped. I'm not sure. Understanding his words at this stage is more of an art than a science and I'm not an artist. I'm sure he's reciting his doctoral thesis and I just can't understand him.

We didn't go trick or treating this year, but the boys did get dressed up. We went over to our friends' house while they gave out candy to the trick-or-treaters.

Cooper went as Sir Elton John.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Actually, he was a dog. The breed of his costume appears to be a Swiss Bernese Mountain dog.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Colton, of course, gets Cooper's hand me down pumpkin costume from last year. Thankfully, it still fit over his sumo wrestler physique. Barely.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Good times.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

We had some professional photos taken this past weekend that have to be included here.

I think this one is on the Christmas card.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Uncle Mikey won't like the fact that Cooper is in a sweater vest for his Christmas pictures again this year.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Colton's getting pretty good at sitting up on his own.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper has a new tantrum where he closes his eyes and pretends he doesn't hear you. He'll peek out though and see if you're still looking at him.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

His hair is growing back in and redder.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

I like the fact that we get to keep all of the pictures, even the ones that don't get printed.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

A Half Birthday and The Terrible 19

Colton turned a half year old today, while Cooper turned 19 months. Colton's his normal self, but Cooper's been throwing the worst fits I ever seen. We think he might be sick. The thing is we all just got over being sick. I was sick first and then two days later it was Cooper and then two days after that it was Colton and then a few days after that we think we passed it on to Aunt Donna, Uncle Joey, and Grandma Stella. Grandma Stella even went to the hospital. I wasn't that bad, but it was the sickest I'd been in years.

Colton's already had his 6 month appointment and he weighed in at 21 pounds, 13 ounces. Only a gain of two pounds since his 4 month appointment. He fell from 98th percentile to 94th percentile. Maybe he's not going to be the world's youngest sumo wrestler. He's getting more exersauce for sure. Today he sat up on his own without any assistance. Alas, my rechargeable camera batteries are not holding their charge very well and that picture didn't make it to the camera.

Colton is such a happy baby. He should have his own trademark, Colton B - The Happy Baby (tm). He's in direct contrast to Cooper who is moodier. Cooper can be happy, giggly or he can be the whiniest little guy in the world. Little things upset Cooper. Colton is pretty happy as long he gets fed occassionally, you give him a little attention, and he has a clean diaper. It's amazing to me that two brothers from the same parents can be so different.

From last Friday at Ponderosa.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper at Ponderosa.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

On our way out of the house yesterday. He got a little cranky when we woke him up to put him in his carseat.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Getting some exersauce today.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Half a year old already.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper on his half birthday. Looking at some of the pictures from back then, Cooper seems to be a bit ahead of Colton on the sitting up part, but then he was a rail compared to Colton and he had much less weight to balance.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

The Nearly Lost Photos of Colton and Cooper

I've been neglecting this blog again. I hear people are getting angry with me. My approval rating has dropped to 42% among registered voters and Grandma Stella. I must turn the tide. I don't have much time, but I'll post some pictures from the last couple of weeks to hopefully sedate the angry mob.

The boys are fine. They're bestest friends. Cooper likes to walk up to Colton and laugh. Colton will reciprocate with a laugh and/or a beaming smile. Oh, to dream that it could always be so.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Aunt Kelly visited us this week and we went to breakfast at First Watch.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper cracks me up with the random things he will do.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Colton is on the verge of crawling. Another month and I think he may be there. He certainly has the desire to move. He does not like to sit still anymore.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

A Boy and his Crackers: A True Love Story

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

The shirt Cooper is wearing is actually supposed to be Colton's, but Colton can't fit into it.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Cooper's Halloween costume from last year still fits Colton, barely.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

He can't keep his shirt in sometimes.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

This picture of Big Mac is sure to win back votes from my base.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Stay At Home Dad

Yesterday I decided on a whim to stay home with the boys. I did the same today. I came downstairs, saw them, and didn't want to leave them. I had such a good time with them yesterday that I had to make it a four day weekend. The living room was clean the other day, but now the toys have continued their sprawl across the floor. Yesterday the day went by fast, but at a slow pace. Mostly the day was about cartoons (I really am starting to like "Thomas and Friends" and "Bob the Builder"), diapers, naps, and the occasional feeding.

I can't believe how different Cooper and Colton are in almost every way. Their personalities are so different. Cooper is a little shy, sometimes whiny, in need of constant attention, scared at the slightest sudden noise, and a total momma's boy. Generally speaking the only person allowed to hold him is Mommy, but occassionally he gives other people the honor of holding him. That is not a complete description of him, because how he is at any time is totally dependent on his mood. A lot of the time he is happy and giggly. He likes to dance, a lot. Getting him to eat can be a chore.

Colton just seems to be happy to be here. He doesn't require a lot of attention; Most of the time he just wants to make sure someone else is around. It is easy to get household chores done with him. He is always smiling and doesn't get overwhelmed. He doesn't care who holds him. He likes everybody. He is just Mr. Chill. Getting him to eat is usually a breeze. Our babysitter says he is the best baby she's ever sat. He's defintely the perfect 2nd baby. We'd all be insane if we had to deal with two Coopers.

One thing where the boys are alike is clothes. Colton at almost 5 months can wear 12 month clothes, while Cooper at nearly 18 months wears 12 month clothes. Someday I expect Cooper will be wearing Colton's hand me downs. Another thing is that they both really love each other. Colton can't show it too much, because he's still immobile and still developing but just looking at him you can tell he likes his brother. Cooper's love is obvious because he hugs and kisses his brother and goes up to him and says "Hey, Bay-Bay!".

Something I haven't blogged yet that Micole keeps reminding me to note is that Colton is rolling over. Which I don't think is that big of a deal. It's easy to roll over when you are round. I'm not sure exactly when he first did it, but it was about 3-4 weeks ago.

Colton had his first taste of baby food on Monday. Based upon the grimace on his face after the first bite it must have been a little nasty. He did better after the first bite. Well, at least some of it didn't wind up on his face and bib.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

We got the Elmo TMX doll to prove our worth as good American parents who spoil their children. We didn't pay 10 million dollars on Ebay to get it either.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Cooper was a little tenative with Elmo at first.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

One last thing to blog - Colton's hair has been thinning lately. He's gone bald in a few places. At least his bushy ear hair has gone away, too. I thought I was going to have to shave his ears.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

The Weekly Update

We went to Michigan this past weekend for a wedding. Who schedules their wedding for the same day as the Ohio State-Texas football game? Michigan fans, of course. I did get out in time to see most of the game.

The boys enjoyed the Coldwater Holiday Inn Express pool. The water didn't seem that cold to me.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

After the wedding ceremony, Cooper blew bubbles with mommy.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Colton chose to sleep instead of blowing bubbles.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

On this trip to Michigan we had our car DVD system. Which made for a much better trip than the last one. I think Cooper watched the Garfield movie four times. At least.

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

I meant to blog this many times by now, but Colton officially weighed in at 19 pounds, 13 ounces at his doctor's visit. He was 26 inches long. That puts him at 98th percentile for weight and 80th percentile for length. He's definitely a biggun. He eats a ton which explains why we now have two kids, but four times the number of dirty diapers.


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Colton had his first ear infection this week. We didn't even know it, because he wasn't cranky at all. He just sounded a little congested so Micole took him to the doctor's office yesterday. We know when Cooper is sick, because he lets us know. Colton was just his normal happy baby self.


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Little Man? Eh, right.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

The boys with Pappy.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Cooper's patented behind the binky smile.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing