Finding Joy in the Little Gems of Life: The First Month

Featuring Coopers First Month

(Pictures in no particular order)(Please excuse the messy hair)

1 Week Old

One Month Old

First time enjoying the sun outside

First Walk

First Bath

This last month has flown by it feels like! I want time to slow down just a little to enjoy my baby a little more (at least the times when he is content). I also wouldn't mind if my little chunk slowed down on growing too. At his 2 week appointment (more like 2.5 week) he had already grown 2 pounds and one inch from his size at birth. That made him just under 11 pounds, and about 21 inches at 2 weeks! He has probably grown a lot more past that, but we wont find out till his 2 month appointment. I want my babies to stay small!

Cooper still sleeps quite a bit, and has yet to figure out that night time is for sleeping. So the time he is awake, it is usually at night. That has made for a few rough nights for both of us. He is a bit like his sister when it comes to fussiness (only with a little less picky/fussy). He tolerates tummy time, lying on the ground, and swing time for a few minutes when he is in a good mood but prefers to be held standing up when he is awake. It has been pretty great that he lets me put him down in his bassinet or swing when he is asleep at least. He is OK with a pacifier at times (and it really does help) but when he does not want it, you better not keep trying to shove it in or he will let you know what he thinks. Baby acne just started to set in and sensitive skin/diaper rashes have been a continued struggle since he was born. Cooper is a loud baby (makes lots of grunting and other noises) especially when he is asleep. I love how he loves to cuddle when he is asleep though (probably doesnt make sense to some why I would mention that, its normal. But Olivia did not like to cuddle at all. You may want to keep note of that when I mention silly things like that in the future). He is ok with holding hands, but it depends on his mood. He eats every 2 to 3 hours, except in his first few days where he preferred to sleep and ate only evey 4 hours. Cooper is getting great at holding up his head, and is a pretty strong baby in general. Cooper can track things with his eyes and will focus in on objects that interest him.

Coopers first outing was to Best Buy at about 1 weeks old to help us find a computer (so I could update the blog). He has been many places since then though, and of course weekly Sunday trips to Grandma and Grandpa Wests house. Grandma has gotten to watch him a couple times, but just for a short amount of times (for me to run to the a little shop with Olivia to hit a sale on blankes, and when I took Olivia trick-or-treating. Cooper also had his first road trip to Boise for his new born pictures at about 3 weeks old. (will post pictures at a later date) It was great because he slept most the way.

He is greatly loved by us all, especially big sister Olivia. When he was first born Olivia was afraid of him and would yell and cry "No, No, No" when he would get near her. but after a day of him being home she got used to him and her love for him has only grown from there. . (except when she is tired or just wants to be held and cant because we have Cooper). Her favorite things to do is lay by him on the ground,give kisses and be touched by him- She will purposely but her belly (or really anything) on him and get so excited that he "touched" her.

Olivia is a great helper and will get whatever I need for him when I ask her. She currently can not pronounce his name and calls him something like tootoo. It is so amazing to see the bond forming already between the two of them.