Good Times with The Gray's

I cannot believe that you are 9 months old, just about the same number of months it took me to "cook" you! I am sad to think that this time last year I was getting so excited about being a mother! I had NO idea what your first days of life would be like, nor how you would arrive (c-section it was). I had no idea that a wiff of your baby breath or the softest touch of your skin would bring sweet tears to my eyes. I also did not really know how time consuming you would be. You have been VERY demanding since the day you were born. You have never been the baby that will nap for hours on end and I still await the day I get a REAL NAP! I was told "sleep when the baby sleeps"...well when exactly was that? You slept better at night than you did during the day...not bad at all just not normal for infants. You have also been a screamer from the get go. You did not have colic, just an attitude. I would have never guessed that your father and I who are so laid back would produce such a high maintenence baby. I had no idea that you would be SO incredibly happy! I sound like I am confused because in one breath I say that you are a screamer and high maintenence and the next I say you are happy. Which is it you say?! Well here's the deal...when you are happy you are SO happy! Your smile can light up the room and you know how to flirt and work your beautiful blue eyes. When you are mad I swear the earth shakes. You are both physically strong and strong willed! You are able to scream, cry, throw your head back and all that because we tell you "no" or because you didn't get your way. I am completely telling the truth. I have taped one of your fits as proof. I love how you are saying "dadadada" all the time now and occasionally you will slip in a "mmmmmomma".

I had no idea that such average parents could have such an above average child. At 9 months you are still way above average for your height, 29 1/2 in. (80%) and you weigh 21 lbs 4 oz (60%). You love snack food and most of the time could care less about baby food. You are eating/drinking around 4 bottles a day and you love water and apple juice. You are wearing size 3 diapers and are in 9-12 month clothes. Some pj's are 12-18 months because you are so long! You still only have 2 pearly whites. I am shocked that you do not have a mouth full. You are able to pick up snacks and successfully put them in your mouth. You are finally getting some hair! There is enough to 'mess up' and you even have bed head when you wake up! It is very light brown and looks blonde at some angles. You are crawling ALL over the place, standing up/pulling up on furniture and sometimes you are brave enough to let go before you fall to your diaper padded hiney. I am sure that your brave self will be walking soon (yikes)! You are quite a talented 'lil drummer! You are able to drum both of your hands on things such as the high chair, table, coffee table, your crib etc. with such rythm.

I had no idea that time would fly right on by without a moment's pause. Just the other day in the car I was asking your daddy what he remembered about your birth and we were talking about how he/we felt at the exact moment you were born. Of course your daddy remembered every little detail. We both just stopped and thought about how much has changed and how much we have learned in these last nine months. Most importantly I had NO idea that I could really feel SO deeply for you and be SO in love with you. Everyone says "you don't know love until you are a mother" and my oh my is that such a true statement! I couldn't have even guessed until I became your mother. What a precious gift from God you are Cooper! Your mommy and daddy are SO SO blessed and in good times or bad (fits) we wouldn't trade you for anything!

All my love,

Mom

Tonight we met with Maverick Homes to finalize all of our decisions before they actually begin building our house. We spent two hours picking apart all of the plans and making sure all the choices we made are exactly what we want! We have tweaked and added things here and there and I can now say that all things are a GO! The lot has already been staked, the forms have been set and the plumbing has been roughed out. Weather permitting we will have the slab poured Tuesday and framing will begin at the end of next week. This huge project sounds like it is moving very fast and it is! They told us 93 days (weather permitting of course) starting now until it is finished. So roughly we are looking at July to move in. We have been so very pleased with the service we have received and we cannot wait to see and live in our new home! I will try and keep up with what's going on. Stay tuned for the progress!

Check out Maverick Homes at Maverickhomes.net

Here it is people, our house for the next 5-6 months! I am totally not complaining free rent, no mortgage or monthly bills, how fabulous is that?!! This little cozy love shack is in the backyard of my parent's house! We can walk 15 feet to the back door to enjoy a home cooked meal (even though there is a kitchen in our place) or to pass off Cooper to his Nana at 7am on Saturday mornings when he would rather play than sleep! Not to mention that we have a beautiful in ground pool right outside our front door! We will most definitely be living pool side this summer (ha! no pun intended!) Who could ask for more?!

At 8 months you are crawling EVERYWHERE! When we were encouraging you to crawl we did not realize you would learn so quickly. You began crawling around the second week of February and not only are you crawling you are also pulling up on things and standing in your crib. It all happened so fast! You are beginning to look like a little boy and less like a baby. You are still an excellent eater and that makes for a healthy growing boy! You are eating Goodstart formula every 4-6 hrs and you eat and love baby food. You are also eating small snack foods in very, very small bits. We have tried things like goldfish, cheerios and you love the Gerber Graduate yogurt melts and the apple cinnamon puffs. You weigh around 22 lbs right now and are wearing 6-9 and 6-12 month clothes. You are now able to clap your hands and can clap when we sing patty cake to you! So smart! Your favorite show is still Wheel of Fortune and it cracks us up when you turn your head to watch it! Maybe one day you can go on your favorite game show and win lots of money!

You reached the 22lb weight limit with the infant carrier and we upgraded you to a bigger boy carseat! You are a growing boy!

You are still adjusting to our new lifestyle, your dad and I are too. We moved out of our first home and are currently living in the pool house, in my mom and dad's backyard. We will be living in tight quarters until our new house is built! I was so sad that we had to leave the house that we brought you home to, but I know we will be in our new home very soon, it is looking like it will be sometime in July!!

You are a very happy little guy and attract many people with your sweet smile! On the flip side you still have a temper and I can only imagine what it will be like as you get older.

I am sure that you are teething again but you currently have 2 bottom teeth. We are just waiting for a couple more to break through the surface.

Your sleep habits have been inconsistent lately. I think there are a few reasons why...you are probably teething again, you can see us when you stand in your crib and you would much rather be with us, you are sick. You have officially broken your healthy spell and have come down with a double ear infection, yucky chest- head cold and have been running fever, sleeping constantly, and you have been uncomfortable and achy. We are taking good care of you and are working to get you back to your happy, healthy state! We are so lucky to have you as our son. We thank the good lord for you every day and count our blessings because you are special! We love you Cooper Jackson!