Cruz is 1!

Warning: We interrupt our normally scheduled blogger programming to bring you a whole bunch of Birthday Broadcasts!!!!!!!! Our littlest C is a ONE YEAR OLD. According to the textbooks, he's no longer a baby but a full blown toddler now. Just like that. Once you turn 1, you're booted out of the baby club. I'm sure Cruz is totally fine with it but his Mama is a little sad about the whole notion.

I am in complete denial that our baby is turning into such a big boy. Because of this, I am going to hold out until he's actually "toddling" to refer to him as a toddler. Truth be told, he's always going to be my baby boy (sorry Cruz).

Here's a little list of what our ONE YEAR OLD is loving these days:

1. FOOD. (pretty much any variety). He actually giggles and wiggles at the sight of food. Whether it on his own plate or someone else's, he considers it HIS (and must have it).



2. BOOKS. Another thing that makes him giggle and wiggle with excitement. He loves storytime and will settle right down at the sight of a book if he's in a testy mood.



3. BOOBS. He loves nursing still and as much as I've been trying to get him interested in sippy cups, he wants nothing to do with them. Introducing cow's milk may be difficult for awhile. I've already started trying with sippy cups filled with milk but he just looks at me like I have 3 heads every time I try and give him one.



4. HIS BROTHER. He loves Cooper and everything about him.

These are the top 4 for sure. If I could list a fifth it would have to be anything he isn't supposed to have; dog food (again with the food), the toilet, electrical cords, clocks, glass and pretty much anything that could put him in harms way. The boy is busy, busy and loves to keep us on our toes.

Birthday Boy!

"Ooooohhh, baby, baby it's my birthday"

Watch out world! Cruz is comin' atcha!

More posts to follow (when I can) to show off all the birthday fun!

Life is Good

An excerpt from the T-Shirt Diaries.................................

Life IS Good, Cruz.

Trust your Mommy on this one.

Come on Little Buddy, just BELIEVE the message on your snappy little onesie.

There you go.....that's more like it.




Now crawl on over here and we'll hug it out.

D.A.D.D.Y take 3

I'm happy to report that we were able to hang out with Daddy last weekend. After 7 long weeks of not seeing him, we were do. Once again, it was a very last minute trip. Mark called Friday morning from South Dakota on his way back to Colorado with word that he was going to have the next 2 days off. We booked him a flight for that evening. Even though it was a short visit (less than 48hrs) we appreciated every little bit. We enjoyed hanging out as a family and doing normal "family things".

It's the little things you take for granted when you aren't together all the time; eating meals together, playing, showing off ALL your toys, giggling, bath time, story time, and tucking-in-time. These are the moments that make us miss daddy the most. The little things are just as treasured when you get to enjoy them together. Here are some pics of us enjoying our little things..............

Cedar Breaks

Last Saturday we took a drive to Cedar Breaks National Monument. We decided it would be a nice escape from the heat. It was easily 20 degrees cooler which was heavenly. The wildflowers were in bloom and to our surprise they were doing a Wild Flower program at the Visitors Center. Coop got to plant his own seedling. I use the term "plant" loosely because our little Nature Boy doesn't like to get his hands dirty. He kind of supervised Gma Linda and the Ranger but was happy to step in when the water can came out. He also loved sticking his flag in the ground to mark his new plant.

Park Restaurant

Here's a little recap of our last trip to the park. It just melts my heart every time I think about it and reminds what a sweet little man Cooper is.

I found another AWESOME park that has a splash pad, amazing play structures and soft ground for Cruz. The other night the boys and I went to check it out. You may recall (I've mentioned it a time or TWENTY) that Coop is very cautious. Slides (and going down them) are a very big deal to Coop and he definitely takes his time, surveys the scene and decides on his own if that particular slide is worthy of a go. It can be a toddler slide or a giant big boy slide. Sometimes he's all over it and most of the time, not so much.

Coop decided that on this occasion that he would focus his attention on the tunnel while Cruz and I did a little Cruisin' down below.

After awhile there were 3 big boys that came running from the splash pad, through the tunnel (where Coop was) and down the slide. When I say "big boys", I'd guess maybe 5 or 6 yr olds. They were having fun doing what kids do.

After a few laps trying to pass Coop through the tunnel, one of the boys tried to hurry Coop along so they could pass through. I guess they were tired of having to go around Coop. Finally, the kid just snapped and said "If you aren't going to move then I'm going to move you" and kind of pushed him (but only in a 5 yr old way --- nothing too hard). I tried to keep my cool and not hover too much and figured I'd only step in if I had to (wow, is that getting harder and harder).

Coop was happy to move aside but had a surprised look on his face. He then decided he wanted to follow them (but at his own cautious speed). He couldn't keep up long. He did, all of a sudden, slide down the slide and try to chase the boys to the splash pad. I was excited that he was trying to interact with them.

He then stopped dead in his tracks and yelled (in his soft Coopie voice) "hey guys, do you want to come to my restaurant?" They didn't hear him and somehow I don't think they would have been interested in taking a break for a bite at his restaurant.

That's when I knew it was time for Mom to step in........Cruz and I were happy to join him at his restaurant.

Cruz waiting for his order.

"Whats a guy gotta do to get a drink around here?"

Waiter Coop bringing Cruz his food.

Watching his "friends" from the tunnel.

Cooper is the sweetest little thing and definitely does things his way. He may not be a speedy slider or tunnel climber but he's an AWESOME waiter, LOVES to play restaurant and has impeccable customer service skills.

Cruz and I were happy to leave a generous tip and will definitley be dining with him again and again.

Pre (pre) School

This is kind of old news but I've been kind of hush hush about it in case it didn't work out. We decided going to pre school a couple of days a week this summer would be good for Cooper. We really wanted him to have some social interaction with kids and explore his independence.

He's been going for about 6 weeks now and we've even bumped it up to 3 mornings a week. He loves school and his teachers and he claims that he plays with lots of kids. If I ask him what he did at school he tells me "I don't know" so I don't get a lot of information from him. I guess I should get used to that answer because I'm sure that will be the answer I get until he graduates high school. Luckily the teachers fill me in.

One of the teachers told me that he is such a great "calming addition" to their day. I had to kind of laugh to myself when she told me that. I certainly don't see the "calm" they are referring to as often these days. Oh well, it's nice to hear he's being a good boy. It makes me one proud mama.

It's also been great for potty learning. He wears his big boy pants to school, at home (except for bedtime) and during MOST outings now.

All in all I think this has been fantastic for Cooper and a great way to prepare us for actual Pre School when we get settled in Colorado.

You know I had to take the obligatory 1st Day of School picture of our big boy..........................

First Shave

Grandpa Pat let Cruz get a taste for what it's like to shave.

I hope the poor kid never has to shave the tip of his nose.