Alot has been going on since the last post a month and a half ago.  Sadly, maternity leave ended and I started back to work May 2nd.  That means Cooper started daycare.  He's going to a center for employess that's right across the street from the hospital where I work.  He's been there for 3 weeks now and has already avoided a nasty stomach bug and RSV.  He must have gotten some good genes :)  At the end of his second week, he had a little cough/cold, but that's pretty much gone aside from the runny nose.  Lucky for Cooper (or maybe not) Mom loves using the nasal aspirator for all the goopy boogers.  It makes me feel like I'm cleaning out all the yucky stuff. 

Oh yeah, and May 7th he started SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!  We had become used to getting up once a night for the past 2 months, and when he went to bed at 9 and didn't wake up until 6, we thought we had missed something.  He does still have some nights where he gets up once around 2 or 3, but that's ok.  He'll be starting solids in a couple of weeks, and surely he'll stay fuller longer then. 

I had a great first Mother's Day.  We spent the actual day just staying around the house, but we went to Corey's parents' house for a cookout the day before so the extended family could meet Cooper.  It was a great time and the weather could not have been more perfect.  My two boys got me a charm bracelet (Pandora-like) and I can't wait to keep adding beads and charms to it!  Love love love it!

I know I'm going backwards here, but this Easter, Corey became a full member of the Catholic Church and had his fisrt communion and confirmation.  Both of our parents came and even though the mass was long, it was pretty neat to be there for that special time in Corey's life.  Uncle Scott and Aunt Jan watched Cooper that night, the first time he was away from both of us for longer than a trip to the gym, and he did great. 

In other things, I've been training for a 10K that I'm running June 18th. I've been running for about 9 weeks now and can easily run 4.5 miles.  Each time I do that, I feel like I can keep going, but I look at the time and feel like I need to be doing something else and need to get back to the house.  I'll do more miles when the training schedule has me doing 6 and 7 miles over the next couple of weeks.  I am a few pounds lighter now than I was a year ago when I found out I was pregnant, which is not a bad thing.  I feel like I'm in better shape than I was then, too.  Feels pretty good to be able to get in some good running. 

Our pool opens this weekend, and I can't wait to get Cooper in his bathing suit and see how he likes the water.  He's getting better at taking baths, so I'm hoping he'll enjoy the pool just the same, or even better!  Unfortunately, I have to work all weekend and we have a few neighborhood parties to go to both days, so I don't know if we'll make it to the pool until next weekend.  Whenever we get there, I'm sure it'll be a great and interesting first :)

I'll finish this up with an update on what Cooper's learning to do now that he's 3.5 months:
1) He's holding up his head and sitting in his bumbo seat/walker (although his legs are way too short for it to be a "walker" right now).
2) He's able to hold rattles and toys and stick them in his mouth (along with bibs, washclothes)
3) He laughs and giggles out loud
4) On his tummy, he can pick up his head and is sooooo close to rolling over onto his back.  He moves his arms and legs like he's trying to crawl.
5) Standing him on your legs, he'll push up and put weight throgh his legs
6) He sucks his right thumb (sometimes)

Photo Shoot

Here are Cooper's pictures from last Thursday.  They turned out great!  (Scroll down to "Baby Cooper--GA")

Pictures

Cooper's 2 month stats

Yes, it's hard to believe Cooper is already 2 months old.  He is getting so big!  We went to the doctor this morning for his 2 month well check.  He is 12 lbs 15oz (78%) and 24 inches long (85%).  Since birth, he's grown 5 inches!! That is insane.  We knew he was getting long because the 3 month outfits were looking like flood pants.  Glad it's looking like the tall genes on Corey's side are the more dominent ones :)   So far, he's doing great after his shots.  He stopped crying in the office as soon as the nurse left the room and has been sleeping with his paci ever since we got home.  I've got the Tylenol ready just in case.  Here's to hoping the rest of the day is fussy-free :)

Onto another random note, I have been fascinated lately with Dean Karnazes, the crazy ultramarathon runner who runs hundreds of miles over several days without resting.  I've been following his run across the country that's been on Regis and Kelly.  (gotta love maternity leave!).  He's taking 3 months to run from Disneyland to NYC.  Who does that??  I've picked up his newest book (Run!) and am so hooked.  Every story about every race he writes about just amazes me.  In the back of my head, I think, "I wonder if I could do that?"  Then I come back to reality.  I actually enjoy running, but haven't ever run more than 5 miles at one time.  Not saying that I want to become an ultramarathon runner because I'm reading Dean's book, but it does make me want to go on longer runs....maybe I'll start with a 10K and work up to a 10 miler, then a half-marathon if I have time :)  

Back to Cooper--I will try to get some more pics up here later in the day.  Still waiting on the pics from his "photo shoot" from the other day.  There should really be some cute ones!

So since I last updated this, I've been cleared for all pre-baby activities.  I've been back to running and "real" workouts at the gym, although I am far from where I was 10 months ago.  It's slowly getting better, and I feel so much better now that I can actually work up a sweat and feel like I'm burning calories.  I'm about 2lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight, but trying to lose about 10lbs over the next few weeks/months. 

Today, Cooper is getting his 2-month pictures with a friend of my sister-in-law.  Joy Neville  does an amazing job and I can't wait to see what she'll think up.

Here's a few pics from this past month:

Cooper's first smile

He smiled this morning.  I'm hoping he'll do it again when daddy gets home!

Cooper's 1 month stats

Our little man topped the scales at 10lbs even (56% tile).  He's 21.5" long (49% tile).  He's grown 3 lbs and 2.5" since he was born.  He does not even look like the baby I gave birth to just a few short weeks ago!  Amazing how quickly they grow and change.  Can't wait to keep watching him grow!