Breakthrough!

Cooper's first tooth!

A close-up, if you don't believe me:

This past weekend, Cooper met a bunch of my relatives. I've got pictures coming soon. Until then, enjoy these random shots from this last week.

A whole new world

We're getting settled into our new digs in Kansas. Still tons of boxes to unpack, but with major furniture in place and a fresh coat of paint on the walls, it's starting to feel like home.

Cooper never seems to slow down. Here are the newest things he's doing just this week:

1. Chewing on my hand. I'm expecting teeth soon, but who knows...

2. Finding and holding on to his feet (or at least his right foot).

3. Growing more -- this is the 22-week alligator picture in Cooper's new room. And yes, the carpet is pink. We can only afford so many remodeling projects at one time. But we're taking up a collection to de-girl Coop's room.

4. Sucking in his bottom lip. This is actually new today, and already I've taken a couple of pictures of this face.

5. Petting Mikey, who apparently is so starved for attention that he'll endure some grabbing and pulling.

6. Eating in his high chair. This was his first taste of squash. Yum!

We're packing up...

We've been to Kansas to close on the new house. We're back in Illinois for a few days packing up and finishing some last-minute projects. The movers arrive Thursday to pack the rest of our stuff, and they'll load the truck on Friday. And then we're outta here.

Hard telling when we'll have the computer out and our internet up and running, so I thought I should post a few pictures now. Enjoy....

I'm not sure why Alan and Cooper are always smiling, and Coop and I apparently spend our time passed out on the couch.

P.S. Anyone want to buy a house in Tuscola?

Rollover

Last month, when my parents were here, Cooper accidentally rolled over. Nothing planned, it just sort of happened. But now that he's figured out how to do it on purpose, and is thus semi-mobile, our lives will never be the same again.

Here's how it goes down.


Starting position:


Step 1: See an interesting toy you might like to chew on. Arch back and roll up on side in attempt to reach toy. (Note: Photo taken during last night's rolling-over practice.)


Step 2: Throw that leg over. This is harder than it sounds.







Step 3: Lift disproportionately large head off the floor.

Ta daaa! He's done it!

Green things

Future soccer player?

At last, Aunt Jill arrived to love on Cooper!!

See the brown-ish green puddles at Cooper's feet? Yes, that's what you think it is. And yes, we also realize we've reached a new low by photographing it and posting it here for all the world to see.

And continuing the green goop theme, we gave Cooper green beans tonight. He doesn't love them. I picked two of my favorite expressions, both look like he's being tortured.

It's never boring.

I've been amazed lately at how often something new happens around here. Truly, there's never a dull moment in the life of a 4-month-old.


Cooper is working on sitting up and he's getting steadier every day.


At our last doctor's appointment, the pediatrician said we could go ahead and start feeding Coop rice cereal, more for practice than actual nutritional value, at least for a while. It's going better than I expected, though I won't go so far as to say Cooper loves it.

Our friends Jay and Amy came down from Chicago to visit this last weekend. Their daughter Ellie is 10 months old -- what a different six months makes! Cooper looks a bit distressed, but only because Ellie wanted to love on him. Lots. And he was having enough trouble just trying not to slump over.

Coop and Ellie went swimming in our yard. Or, more accurately, Ellie sat in the water and spun in circles, while Cooper dipped his toes in. He was wearing a Speedo suit though, just in case he wanted to dive in.

We decided to have Coop baptized at our church here, rather than waiting until we find a new church family back in Kansas. I was worried he would puke or poop or, at the very least, cry. But apparently he sensed it was a holy moment -- he didn't make a sound.

And just yesterday, we put together Cooper's "exersaucer," so he can spend a bit more time upright during the day.

It's actually so eventful around here that we're contemplating buying a camcorder, as if Cooper's life wasn't being adequately documented already!

Happy Father's Day (tomorrow)!

Of discovery and happiness

Cooper now has a complete set -- he's found his right hand!

And three different reasons to be happy

1. Because Daddy tickles.

2. Because nekkid is good.

3. Because we played with all of those toys in one afternoon.

First Word!

Little Cooper has been getting more interesting every day. Lately, Emily's been communicating with him. She'll say "Ma-Ma" and Cooper will generally go "Coo!" in response. They can do this for minutes at a time.

Last night, they played this game again. And instead of saying "Coo!" back at Emily, my genious son consistently replied with a distinct, "Al-an."

Smart kid, playing up the one more likely to get him his first minibike.

Recent visitors

Grandma Burdette, who helped with bathtime



Grandpa Burdette (Cooper's having more fun that it looks. Trust me.)

Kristen, who's pregnant with Cooper's soon-to-be bestest friend (whether they like each other or not!)

Michael, who loaned Cooper some glasses

And an extra picture so you can admire his cute outfit and adorable smile without being distracted by someone else in the photo.