Choices

We are sick over here.  Well, one of us is.  

Saturday night we decided we were going to keep Cooper out of the nursery the next morning because we heard Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease was going around..and you know....we have so much going on the next couple of weeks.  Well, you guessed it. Sunday morning when Cooper got up he felt hot to the touch. Hum? Temp - yep, you guessed it 101.  I googled HFM. Yep, you guessed it again - starts with a fever.  Monday morning here come the spots... and they just keep coming....so sad for the guy.  Then if that wasn't bad enough, he starts coughing Wednesday.  Nasty cough. And if that wasn't enough.  Those two top teeth are starting to bulge white in his gums. 

My first reaction. I don't have time for this. I have a to do list longer than there are hours in the day.  I have to get us ready to move in 2 weeks.  I have tons of work to do to get ready for the end of the school year.  And life.  We have life to live..bible studies, grocery shopping, weddings, house cleaning (and you know how I like to clean when sickness invades), birthdays to plan for and celebrate, laundry, showers.  Really Lord? I don't have time for this. Sinful.

The better reaction. The honoring and glorifying to the Lord reaction.  

OK God.  I didn't expect this and actually I was praying against it and working to avoid it, but you saw fit for it to happen.  In Your Sovereignty it has come to pass.  So instead I embrace it knowing it is part of my journey.  I will open my eyes and listen carefully to what You have to teach me through this instead of clenching them shut because I don't want this. I will live in the moment and not miss it because I was busy complaining about it. 

Pray for me. 

The first reaction is natural.  The second is hard work.  

BUT if I work hard I am so much more peaceful. And the second reaction will bring joy to the Lord and my family.  God is honored by my obedience. My husband will be encouraged by my response.  And my son.  Well, he will benefit greatly.  He'll have a Mama caring for him with sincerity and empathy rather than "a-distracted-by-her-to-do-list-that-isn't-getting-done-Mama."

Can you relate?

Cooper John 11 months

Well this month flew by! I mean every month flew by, but this really went fast.  I'll just cut to the chase with his noteworthy accomplishments. 

Cooper became stronger and stronger and more and more confident this month.  He stood by himself a few times without realizing it, he barely holds when he stands up and he walks behind a walker with ease. He started waving! So cute. And the best part of the month...he gives kisses!!  You better believe I asks for one at least once a day. Ok, maybe 10 times a day! It's is just too much for me to handle!

He had a few first timers also this past month!  He had his first ride on the swings with his cousin Audrey.  He loved it! He also took the boat for a spin - just kidding - he sat on his Mama's lap zipped up in a life vest unable to move. But he still had a great time!

We so enjoyed this past month with our guy. At least once a day I find myself just staring at him and praising and thanking the Lord for such an incredible gift.   

This guy is such a drooler. Like really good at it - he can soak a shirt in 10 minutes flat!

One of his favorite pastimes...taking his shoes out of the drawer.

I usually find his dinosaur and blanket on the floor after a nap.  I think he enjoys watching them fall over the side of the crib.

Using the walker.  What a big boy!

Having a chat with Dada at breakfast.

Zipped up and unable to move!

Louie came too!

Driving the boat...

 ...here Grandpa, let me take care of that

waving goodbye to Grandpa!

will he walk by ONE???

Happy Anniversary

6 whole years! Oh my.  The years have been wonderful and amazing and more than I could have asked for or imagined.  God has blessed this family in so many countless ways the past 6 years. And believe me, we have counted those blessings over and over again.  

We like to do the traditional thing in this household.  The gift for year 6 is iron/candy. I was a little stumped then I realized I could get Matt something to hold his irons!  A new golf bag!  Now he is all set to his the course.

Matt of course hit it out of the park with creativity!  He likes to call me the sweet wife...in case you didn't know. And candy is sweet..right!  So he got me a bunch of SWEET things, including a whole box of bordeaux chocolates from Sees.  My absolute favorite, but don't tell the peanut butter cups!! A picture of our SWEET boy, a SWEET smelling candle, peanut butter and jelly from one of our favorite vacations - a SWEET memory, and SWEET smelling lotion.  

We don't take a minute of this for granted. 

Cooper John 10 months

As I write this post I can't help but think ahead.  I know I am supposed to think back over the month and write about our guy's new developments .. and I will ... but for the moment I am feeling sentimental. 

I set out to write about Cooper each month for the first year of his life and then planned to do periodic updates from there.  Do you realize that means I only have TWO more months after this one to write about?!?! I have looked forward to each post with anticipation of being able to report how He has grown but as each one comes I also fight the feelings of desperately wanting him to stay small. And inevitably I engage in some self talk that goes something like this..."let him go Jenny. He belongs to the God of the Universe who can take much better care of him than you can. Enjoy every moment of his growing or you are going to miss it because you were holding on too tightly to what has gone."

Someone should call me the day he turns ONE and make sure I am not in denial that the day has come and am actually celebrating his birthday...

Onto month TEN! 

This has been a fun month.  The guy has really started interacting with his environment and it is so fun to watch!

TEETH! We finally have teeth..two cute ones on the bottom.

He points to the toys he wants in the bath tub.  

He (slowly) responds to things like "put Sofie in Mama's hand." 

He recognizes people (and dogs) and definitely has his favorites (his Papa and Louie). 

He is an official cruiser!  

He can pull up on anything...Mama's legs, the sliding door, the couch. 

He walks holding our hands albeit wobbly and his footing is not sure. 

He dances and it melts my heart.

He is slowly crossing over from pureed to finger food...and I mean slowly..the guy loves his purees.

He loves cherrios and mum mums.

He (and I) survived his first hair cut.

He figured out how to pull himself up in his crib and now stands up with a big smile waiting for us to come get him.
and the big one for the month...he said his first word!

Well at least we think it was his first.  Here is what happened.

I was standing chatting with my mom and he crawled right over to me and said "Mama." Clear as day. My mom heard it too.  I looked at her and said "Did you hear that? Do you think he meant it!?" It has happened a few times since also!  So sweet to hear his little voice say Mama.

Then about a week later I was showing him a picture of him and Matt on my phone and he said "Dada!"

We are calling it a tie..his first words..Mama and Dada!!

And now the photos..the best part really!

If I thought 9 months was hard to get pictures...I had no idea!

What is this thing she put on me..get it off!

Trying to get pictures is exhausting..looks like it only took one of us down though..

Grateful for 10 months full of LIFE!

Easter 2012

We're thankful for Christ and for the opportunity we have to celebrate His death and miraculous resurrection.  This was Cooper's first and we were certain to share this amazing story with him in hopes that he will one day commit his little life to our gracious Lord and Savior.

It was a full day with church and time with family.   Here are some fun photos to share.

Easter Baskets for my Boys!

Cooper checking it all out.  

Cooper and his Grammie with his favorite part of his basket, a squishy book with pictures!

The Poladian Family in our Easter best

Showing off his skills!  I can stand and hold things in my hands! (With Daddy and Uncle Brian)

At the Osborne Easter celebration, the new Mamas took on the Easter Egg Hunt tradition for our little minis.  When you are 9 months old you get eggs stuffed with puffs and cheerios!

He is Risen indeed!