Kyle's First Leap Year

I can't believe February is over! I'm glad that time is flying by for school to be over, but I don't want these days of Kyle as a baby to zoom past so quickly.

Tonight there was a "Leap Frog" party at church because of leap year. Kyle and I were pretty tired, so we both took a nap when we got home and missed the party. Oh, well. We had our own time together at home.

Speaking of "Leap Frog," do you remember playing that game as a kid? How about "Go Fish," "Old Maid,"or other card games? I ask because most of the students at Jane Long Elementary don't know these things. You would think that you could easily adapt card games like these to help teach. Apparently, teaching how to play the game ITSELF becomes a lesson. Am I THAT old, that kids don't play card games anymore? Are "games" only electronic now? I feel like Marty on "Back to the Future II" when he travels into the future and those 2 kids can't believe he plays a video game. They tell him, "You mean you have to use your hands? That's like a baby's toy!" It's hard to believe that kids everywhere aren't playing games anymore. It must just be the school where I teach...

Anyway, let's get back to the important stuff. Here's a few pictures of Kyle in his high chair. He was making many different faces for the camera.

A Filipino Prophecy....

Stephen was telling some of the Filipinos that he works with about Kyle and his attempts at crawling. (i.e.: putting his head down on the ground and sticking his bum in the air.)

They said that, in their culture, when a baby does this, it means that he wants a new brother or sister. Kyle has been doing this for several weeks now. Maybe he's trying to tell us something....

We're still wondering when he's going to start crawling. He seems perfectly happy to roll around to where he wants to get.

Sometimes, there are a few obstacles that get in his way. He just rolls back around and keeps on going....(after a few tears now and then!)

Live From the (not) Red Carpet

As the "stars" line up in Hollywood to arrive at the Oscars, Kyle and I have our own carpet show, live from Midland. Neither of us is wearing Valentino, Cavalli, Gaultier, or Armani; just a "Gig 'em, Aggies" t-shirt for Kyle and Christmas pj's for me. We don't have too many awards to present.....maybe the award for best baby boy. I just love being able to spend some time with the little Mister. I must say, I'd MUCH rather choose this Sunday evening activity vs. the alternative, if only Stephen were here with us instead of at work.

And the award goes to..................Kyle Cooper!!! (He'd like to thank all the little people!)

First Guacamole

Today we went to Hobbs, America again. The reason? La Fiesta, of course!! This food is SO worth my extra points form the week. We were eating the chips, salsa, and guacamole, and Kyle kept watching all of us eat. Every time we raised a chip to our mouths, Kyle would open his like a little bird, waiting for a bite. So, I figured....why not give him a little guacamole? What do you know? He liked it! Now he's going to be addicted to this place.....just when we're about to leave!



Here's a couple of pictures of me and Kyle after we got home from Hobbs. Stephen can really make him laugh. I'm just now getting a picture of my Valentine's present on the blog, too. After the difficult year we've had between Stephen working nights, me working and leaving Kyle at a babysitter's, me working at Jane Long Elementary period (it's NOT the funnest,) and Stephen being gone the past 2 months for CRNA interviews, he got me something REALLY good. I am a HUGE fan of my diamond earrings and necklace.

To Stephen: thanks, love. You're the best. I am so happy to be with you and to have the family we do. It's been great to experience the ups and downs with you. We have something that others aspire to. I love you.

If Only I'd Known Sooner....

People say that babies don't come with instructions. That may be true in my case, but my cousin's kids must have come to her with some type of guidebook. She's JUST now sharing these useful instructions with me. Too bad, I've already made some terrible mistakes. (This is the kind of information that could have been useful to me YESTERDAY.....like BEFORE that nurse "taught" us how to strap Kyle into his carseat.....)

Hey....you try living on no sleep and tell me that mistakes like this don't happen....:)

You don't want to contaminate the nipple!!!

He LIKES it!!!

You sometimes miss something hiding in there if you don't check thoroughly.

Doesn't everyone run out of wipes now and then?

There's only been that ONE time that I confused Atlas with Kyle.....

Isn't this how the stork does it?

We're just getting him used to sporting events!

It's never to early to begin nurturing a prodigy.

But, the doctor said he has a VERY strong neck!

At least this has never happened....I don't do shopping anymore!

Come on, wussies!

Have you SEEN my kid's abs? Do you think that comes without effort?

He needs to work out the knots after all that exercise!

His dad had to hose off outside before coming in the house when he got really dirty.
Why not Kyle?

It's just like a little baby sauna!

Again....mixing up Atlas and Kyle...

It was JUST a little Nyquil. He slept like a baby!

What? I thought t.v. WAS a great stimulator!

We love to discuss our day over our evening hot cocoa.

Sometimes we just HAVE to get that perfect picture for the blog, and he won't cooperate!!!

We did this one correctly!

There was just that one stubborn booger that had to be picked out!

Who has extra drawer space for a baby?

Better get on this one! Kyle will be mobile soon.

Thank goodness for so many friends and family to watch him. We don't have to take it to the streets!

Someone needs to show this one to the nurse who taught us how to buckle him up at the hospital!!!

We just take him in his carrier....Stephen DID fall down the outside stairs with him on Sunday. He was a little crash test dummy. The car seat passed the test! Kyle came out with n0thing but a good scare.

Grandma Lou

Grandpa is in Alaska, for business, so Grandma got to come to Midland to spend some time with Baby Kyle! Here's a couple of pictures of them together.


The "royal cuteness" definitely tries to use his royal power at bedtime. I don't know what's going on with him, but he seems to think it's a REAL party if he wakes up about 4:00 a.m. and really doesn't let mom get back to sleep. We've had several parties already this week. WOO-HOO! Where's the cake and ice cream???