It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well, it's finally beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our house. 15 days to go!! We got our first snow last weekend and the boys enjoyed it at Grandpa Tom & Grandma Teresa's. Cooper LOVED to shovel and is ready at our house when the snow begins to fly again. The boys are both getting sleds for Christmas too, so I can hardly wait for the fun in a couple weeks.

Despite thoughts of cutting a real tree down this year, I caved and Cooper & I put up our fake one that I bought a few years ago. It's a fairly organized mess, so it didn't really take as long as I thought it might. 7 1/2 feet, 600 white lights, and gold, silver, and red balls later, it looks like I did it with an almost 3-year-old helper. The bottom third of the tree is all red balls...I wonder which color is Cooper's favorite! (The perfectionist in me rearranged the balls after the boys were in bed.)

After the tree was up, we had supper and did baths, and then went to look at Christmas lights. North of Jesup is a farm house with a yard full of lights. From Santas, to snowmen, to blinking reindeer. Cooper told me all about Santa, his deer, and Frosty the Snowman. I felt that we saw more Santas than nativity scenes, so when we got home we read the REAL Christmas story from Cooper's bible. We will continue to talk about the true meaning of Christmas the next two weeks, so he goes to daycare telling his friends about Jesus instead of Rudolph.

Sounds like we could get our first blizzard this weekend. I don't love the cold, but bring on the snow! We need to get a sledding hill built up by Christmas!

My little Mozarts

Cooper Davide-7 months

Carver James-7 months

4 kids?

I've always said I wanted to have 4 children. This weekend I had the privilege to test that out. Saturday, I watched a friend's two little boys. So my head count was Oliver, 5; Cooper, almost 3; Tripp, 12 months; and Carver, 7 months.

Everything was going smooth. Oliver was playing with the farm equipment. Carver was playing with his baby toys. Tripp was playing in the exersaucer. Cooper was helping me make breakfast.

A little later the big boys were playing in Cooper's room, and I was getting ready to put Carver down for a nap, when I couldn't find Tripp. I started racing around trying to find him, asking the big boys to help. Just when I thought all was under control and I could handle having four kids: I find Tripp in the bathroom, both hands in the toilet.

Maybe I should re-think having more children:)

Trick-or-Treat

Saturday night, a couple of friends and I took Cooper, Carver, & their friend Keeley trick-or-treating. Having not done this as a child, I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Cooper was thrilled with the idea of candy and running around, so we convinced him to get in his costume. Then it took Jenny painting HER face to convince him to paint his (she took the paint off right before we left to go out in public). Keeley's costume scared Cooper at first, but once we got out there, he realized everyone was dressed up.

We only made it to two separate houses, and then down one whole street before the kids decided they were done. They lasted an hour, so I was fine with that; it was starting to get cold. The two big kids ate their fair share of candy. (Before Cooper when to bed, he told Jenny & Kayla he was going to 'throw puke'...he never did thankfully!)

Keeley was dressed as a vampire bride; Cooper was a tiger; and Carver was a pumpkin (he started out as a whoopie cushion, but wasn't fond of the costume.)

Pumpkin Farm-Jack O'Lanterns

Friday night we went to a pumpkin farm to get pumpkins to carve and see the animals we had heard about.

I think Cooper would have gotten in the calf pen and spent the night if I had let him. He spent the majority of the time feeding the two calves straw and corn he picked up off the ground. He screamed when he felt the cow's tongue on his hands, but always went back for more. They also had "naughty goats", geese, an emu, and pot-bellied pigs.

When we finally made it over to the pumpkins, Cooper started loading every pumpkin he could carry into our wagon. I think he was doing it more for fun than wanting to take them home, but I certainly didn't want to unload all of them before we left. So, I think he ended up getting 5.

We also got two different kinds of squash that Carver and I have been eating this week (Cooper squirms when I put the spoon to his mouth). Cooper also got to pick out some indian corn.

Saturday morning we carved some of the pumpkins. Cooper would have nothing to do with cleaning them out. He spent his time coloring them. His favorite one is the Hawkeye. (We've been lighting them every night since!)

Late Night Smoothies

The above photo shoot was a result of last night's late night smoothie snack.

I was in the shower and Cooper came into the bathroom with the box from the recycling of our new blender. Oh the front of it was a picture of a smoothie. He said, "Mommy, I want one of those." (Mind you, before I had gotten into the shower, I warned him that it was time for bible reading and bed when I got done.)

So, I got out of the shower, and he asked again. I'm not sure if it was from pure exhaustion, or just simple stupidity, but I let the two-year-old have his way. So, the two of us made a smoothie and split it. Then he insisted we take pictures of our smoothies (and our spoons...see picture).

It was a great bedtime snack and he only managed to delay bedtime by about 20 minutes:)

October 2, took the boys to Fontana Park. It was cold, but we loved to see the bear, buffalo, ducks, and more! We'll go back again for a picnic when it's warmer!

I can laugh now...

• Friday, walking out of my gpa's funeral, carrying Carver and holding Cooper's hand, while also carrying a diaper bag, suddenly I look over to watch Carver puke down the entire left side of my body. Shirt. Skirt. Leg. And heels. Cooper sees this happen, and starts to say, "Mommy, mommy..." I think the look I gave him informed him that he'd better not announce to the whole church what just happened. We just kept walking (literally in puke), and cleaned up the mess outside the church. Leave it to a family friend witness to ask me at the lunch later about the incident.


• Last Tuesday, I was getting the boys ready for bed when I realized the library books were due. It was 7:15 and the library closed at 8. Carver needed to be fed, and Cooper was just getting into bed. Cooper said, "We're going to the library?!?" I said, "Yes." His response, "In our JAMMIES?!" So, off we marched, half a block to the library. The boys in their matching jammies, me carrying the book bag, and feeding Carver a bottle.


• Cooper is apparently used to me saying "It's ok." when something happens, because he has started to say it in some what of a question/frantic state. The other night he dropped the bowl of cooked carrots on the kitchen floor, looked at me, and said "It's ok?" I explained it was fine, but to hurry up and pick them up before Carver got to them, as he army crawled towards them as fast as he could. Cooper dropped an egg yesterday morning while helping make breakfast, and insisted "It's ok mommy." and was heart broken when I told him we had to throw it away.

Life Update

1. Carver has started "big boy" food. He opens wide like a little bird! He has been having cereal with apples in the morning, and a veggie and fruit in the evening. We tried carrots for the first time last night. I think he liked them, but I didn't have them pureed very well, so he struggled a little bit.


2. Cooper has started learning/sharing chores around the house. He and I have a recycling center in our laundry room. It is always his responsibility to take things to the recycling. We took our cardboard and cans to the recycling center for the first time last week. He LOVED emptying the containers and learning about recycling. He is also very fond of dishes and vacuuming lately. We got a new bottle scrubber, so that's what he likes to use for cleaning dishes. And if I would let him vacuum all day, I think he might.


3. Carver is starting to crawl! He gets where he needs to go (and fast)! Right now, it's more like an inch worm or army crawl, but he is making attempts to get up on all fours. He rocks like crazy and then lunges forward. It won't be long and we will be struggling to keep up with him!
   
4. Cooper has become very independent lately. He undresses himself and puts dirty clothes in the hamper, takes his diaper off in the morning and throws it away, gets dressed, puts his own shoes on, starts the bath water himself, puts toothpaste on himself, washes his own hands, and fills his own sippy cup.
   
5. The boys have become pretty good friends lately. Carver laughs and smiles non-stop at Cooper. He LOVES when Cooper "roughs him up". Cooper enjoys the big brother responsibilities, although I couldn't believe my ears the other day when I heard from the living room, "MOOOOOOM, CARVER'S PUSHING ME!!"
   
6. Carver has become attached to his "blankie" just like Cooper. (I had a blankie until I was 24 1/2, so I'm not discouraging it.) Any "waffle-weave" blanket will work, so we're safe with having 3 in the house right now. It hilarious to watch him dive into his blankie. He loves to sleep on top of it, just like Cooper.
   
7. Cooper took a nose dive at daycare yesterday, and got his first fat lip. He looks pretty rough today. He was sad in the tub last night, and when he got out had to tell me about everything that hurt: his face, his knees (a fall from last week), his butt (he insisted on powder), and his "pitters" (I could see nothing wrong with his armpits). This morning we ended up with a bandaid on each pitter (elbow, really). He also asked me if his lip looked better...I lied.

A Day in Oelwein

Yesterday, Cooper spent the day in Oelwein with Solomon's Grandpa & Grandma Evenson. Jan picked him up in Jesup, and Carver & I headed there for supper after work to pick him up.

Dick & Jan live at the campground there, during the summer months (they go south for winter). When I pulled up, Cooper was walking the dog (Maddie). He was too busy with his "responsibilties" that he didn't even care that I had gotten there.

When I finally got a hug, Cooper couldn't talk fast enough, telling me all they had done. They golfed at the mini golf course right next door (Cooper even got a hole in one!); they played on the swing set; they did bubbles; they made it to the beach to play in the sand and water; they walked Maddie; they watched a movie; and somewhere in there, Cooper had a 2+ hour nap! (He pointed into grandpa & grandma's room, and said, "Mommy, that's my bed!"

Grandpa & Grandma got a kick out of Cooper's appetite (he loves "cheese sticks") and the million dollar question...WHY?! When we left, he insisted that Grandma buy "a big one" of bubbles for next time, because they nearly ran out!

What a fun time! Hoping they get to do it again before G & G head south!

4 months and 2 years

Well, actually 5 months next Wednesday and 2 years 8 months last Tuesday...so we're a little behind on "well-baby" check-ups:)

Today, I took both boys to a joint dr's appointment. For check-ups and immunizations, the boys see Dr. Sims, one of the pediatricians at Covenant. He has been our pediatrician since Cooper was hospitalized at 2 months. I am very impressed by his bed-side manner (he has 5 children of his own) and he does a great job explaining things to this under-educated mommy.

All the way from daycare to the hospital, Cooper kept asking who was sick and why we were going to the dr. if no one was sick. I just kept trying to explain that Dr. Sims just wanted to see how big he and Carver were and finally convinced him to go in by promising a sucker and a sticker when we were done.

We were late...like 5 minutes...but I'm pretty sure they were mad at us, because we finally got called in 30 minutes after our appointment was supposed to start. Oops. Luckily there was an energetic 8 yr old in the waiting room that played catch with Cooper (we had a diaper bag full of bouncy balls) and a fish tank for entertainment.

Cooper was evenly proportional for weight, height, and head circumference. He weighs 32 lbs! Carver on the other hand was in the 5% for head circumference (At least he doesn't have a BIG head, right?)! He weighs just shy of 16lbs!

Carver had to get 3 shots and 1 oral immunization today and Cooper got one shot. Cooper went first and I just held his hands and talked him through it. NOT A TEAR! He was SO brave. When I explained that "Brother" had to get three shots, Cooper announced, "He's gonna get sad!" He stood up on a stool and told Carver it was going to be ok.

All in all, the appointment went great and I surprisingly didn't break a sweat, although I had to go to the bathroom when we got there...and didn't get to go until we got back to Jesup an hour and a half later. Oh the joys of being a mom!

From the mouths of babes...

After he bit his tongue last night, Cooper said, "Mommy, I eat my tongue." in a sad and pathetic way.

When asked if he was ready to go this morning, he said, "Not yet."

Changing into his pajamas before bath last night, I questioned him and he said, "I not dirty, mommy."

Cooper has started to tattle. Most stories begin with, "One day...", such as "One day Braxton hit me, mommy." "Oh really?" I'll say. "Yup, one day." he'll say.

When questioning a friend's chest and hearing the response, "Those are my boobs", Cooper piped right in and said "My mommy has those." I ALMOST DIED OF LAUGHTER!!

Popken Family Reunion 2010

This past weekend we had the priviledge of attending the 2010 Popken Family Reunion at Grandpa Bruce & Grandma Pauline's farm in Elma. We enjoyed 2 1/2 days of fun, family, and of course, FOOD!

Cooper LOVED having so many kids to play with. All together, there are 9 kids under seven, plus two pre-teens. They jumped on the trampoline, hunted frogs, toads, and worms, and played lots of water balloon games. There was also the electric John Deere gator for kids and the four-wheeler.

Saturday, we spent a couple hours at Lake Hendricks in Riceville. Cooper was not so much a fan of the dirty water, but did play in the sand and get his turn having a canoe ride.

Carver's was very off schedule all weekend. Like the other kids, he probably didn't want to nap for fear of missing out on something. He got his fair share of kisses and got to spend lots of time outside, which he loves.

We all had a great weekend, but were also glad to be home in our own beds!

Saturday afternoon I took the boys to the Fairbank pool for a couple of hours. They have a newer aquatic center with a great kids area for Cooper's age. The pool didn't open until 1, so we were there right at opening, with a 2 hour time limit. (Naps are still a requirement.) It was in the 90's. PERFECT for swimming.

Cooper ran wild, making friends with anyone who would chase him. He took along some diving toys, and soon found a friend that would fetch for him. Cooper sat throwing them, and his friend would bring them back. This worked fine, until his friend decided NOT to bring them back. The moms had to step it.

Carver and I sat in the shade. We didn't get too wet, except when excited toddlers ran by us splashing. Carver wasn't really a fan of that.

There was a break from swimming after we'd been there about an hour, so Cooper ate part of a sucker and we shared a freeze pop and some water. I'm glad everyone has to get out, or Cooper never would have.

The boys both tried to fall asleep on the way home, but I managed to keep them awake and we all took naps when we got home.

Cooper's been asking to go back every day since. He doesn't realize how much work it is for me. Hopefully we'll go back soon!

FIRST HAIRCUT!!

BEFORE

AFTER

Carver got his first haircut a few nights ago. It really only needed to be cut on top...about 3 inches. I saved it...for scrapbooking purposes:) Of course. He looks so different...older:) Almost 4 months already!

Water Park. Our Way.

In an attempt to be a fun mom, while getting some exercise myself, I decided we were WALKING to the park last night. So, out came the double stroller. It's called the JEEP for a reason...you feel like you're pushing an SUV. I can't complain. It was free.

When we got there, leave it to my two-year-old to find water on the bottom of one of the slides. When I told him he could touch it, I should have thought about what that meant to him. Before I knew it, he was soaked. So, we proceeded to use our water bottle and sippy cup to wet the rest of the slide and shortly, Cooper was flying down the "water slide". While he went down, I was spraying him in the face. Water park...for free:)

Carver sat in the shade enjoying our laughter, and slept both trips, to and from the park. (He's the baby that wakes when the movement stops.)

Tonight we were planning on the circus at the Buchanan county fair, but with the heat advisory and chances of pm storms, I think those plans have changed. Maybe later this week.

Results from last night's suggestion for baby sleep: 12:30, 4:00, 6:15 feedings. Oh, and Cooper joined me in bed from 3-6. Oh boy! I'm tired:)

It's a great day...I was on time for work. Coffee in hand:)

Love is...

"...what makes you smile when you're tired."

I love that quote on a day like today.

I can't believe I (the baby whisperer) have a three month old who's not sleeping through the night. It's KILLING me! I'm taking suggestions, by the way.

Last night's suggestion: After my last nursing session, try to feed him more from a bottle. (Fill him up to his ears.)

Results: He nursed at 7, then took 3 more ounces from a bottle. Success? NOPE! Up at 10:30 and nursed again. AAAHHH!!!

Another suggestion: Growth spurt? Maybe...but it feels like I've been using that excuse for 3 months straight.

Tonight suggestion: Dress him warmer. He's too cold.

I'll keep you posted on the results.

When I Grow Up...

If Cooper knew what it meant, I think he'd say, "When I grow up, I want to be a...
...garbage man (something about those garbage trucks...he loves them!)
...a farmer (and he'd drive John Deeres, no doubt.)
...a daddy (he loves babies and dolly at Gma Teresa's.)
...a professional outdoorsman (night or day, hot or cold, just get the guy outside!)
...a taste tester (if he could make money eating, he'd be a millionaire!)

As for Carver, I'm not sure what he has in mind yet. He, too, loves to be outside. So, we'll see!

"I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams." Love you boys! Mommy:)

Peer pressure wins again:)

Here is it you guys! I started a blog.

Yes, the tales of two brothers....Cooper (AKA "Brother") and Carver (AKA "Brother").

I'm doing this for the boys. And anyone else who wants a peak at our very active life!

So...Enjoy!