Our Winding Road: 3 Months!

Cooper turned 3 months old on January 11th! Seeing as how the month is almost over, I wanted to document some favorite pic, moments, and milestones.

Lil Cooper sporting his "12" jersey the day he turned 12 weeks old. I always feel like that 12 week mark is significant. I'm not sure why really, but it just seems like when babies definitely seem past the itty bitty stage, start becoming more alert, and their smiles and personalities begin to come out. This shirt was special because it belonged to Uncle Jeff when he was a baby. I also put it on MJ when he turned 12 weeks old. I'm so glad my mom saved some special outfits like these as I love being able to see them passed down and the memories they create.

My boys...MJ and Cooper each at 12 weeks

Cooper was happy to pose for his 3 mos picture this time. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to prop him and the chalkboards up in the board. I think pretty soon he'll be grabbing the boards or wiggling to much that he knocks them over. As of the day he turned 3 months, he was loving his swing and sleeping in it for all naps and bedtime (yup, we pretty much breed swing sleepers and don't even fight it anymore). He had begun to chew on his fists. He was waking 1-2 times per night to eat and was nursing every 3-4 hours during the day. Still spitting up a lot, too! He really enjoys spending his awake time playing on his kick and play mat, and we were getting more and more smiles and little giggles daily.

This is the mat that Cooper loves to lay on and kick at the piano. He also began rolling from side to side on here to play with his toys.

MJ still adores Cooper and gives him attention often. I love seeing Cooper respond with smiles. I snapped this pic down in the playroom one recent morning.

Okay, so this is SO not a flattering picture of me, but I know it is one that I will ALWAYS treasure, and so I gladly document it here. Mat snapped this picture one morning a couple weeks ago without my knowing (obviously). Love my sleep mask? ha! Cooper had been going through a spurt where he'd sleep really well on his own until around 6AM and then he'd been fussy and kept waking frequently, so I'd just put him in bed with me in hopes of getting another hour or so of sleep. It worked every time and Cooper would nuzzle up next to me and go right to sleep. It was a deep, peaceful sleep, and I must say that I really enjoyed it! It hasn't happened as much lately, and I kind of miss our morning snuggles. Neither MJ or Charlotte was much for snuggling up for a nap (not sure that I ever had the need or tried them in bed with me in the mornings), and selfishly it's something I always really longed for. I enjoyed it thoroughly and hope we'll have some moments like this in the future! Lil Cooper and I have bonded so well and are quite connected to one another.

Handsome little guy dressed in his duds and ready for a morning at the aquarium. I really thought he looked like a Norris in this picture.

Sitting up in his Bumbo chair and loving the new view of the world. He only seems to like to be in it for about 5 minutes at a time and then he tires out.

Cooper was doing a little tummy time on my bed when MJ decided to keep him company. Think these boys are plotting against me already? :)

Who doesn't love some sock monkey? I got this outfit for Cooper for Christmas. He's just about outgrown the sleeper already.

Ohh, how I love this! Cooper and Charlotte have coordinating guitar cloth diapers, and I kept meaning to try to get a picture of them in them together. I tried posing them in a chair together, and it just wasn't working, so I'd given up and just put them on the bed. When I saw how Charlotte was just gazing at Cooper and him kind of propped up looking at her, I knew I had to capture the moment. The time frame of having them both so sweet and innocent will be short lived I know, but I will most certainly enjoy it for now!

Cooper met another one of his first baby best friends this January! My friend Shannon, and her 7 month old son Griffin, came to visit us from Chicago. Shannon and I have been good friends since college, but have really become especially close these last few years as we've both experienced motherhood together while living just a few hours from one another. Our kiddos are all almost the same ages apart and we each have two boys and 1 girl. Lots in common and we can totally relate to one another's daily struggles and joys. Her friendship is such a blessing, and I was so honored she drove from Chicago and back in one day just to spend some time with us and meet Cooper.