Panama 2012

My sister lives in Panama City, Panama with her husband (who is Panamanian) and their THREE children.  The youngest of which was born in March.  It was a last minute decision to make the trip with Cooper and I am SO glad that I did it.  (Levi stayed home with our other three kids and he had to work.)

So let me preface this by saying it was fr@#$%^@ HOT in Panama!  My sister, her husband and the kids would be cold but I'd have to strip down Cooper to keep him from over heating - that is why he is in his diaper in most of these pictures...and covered up like crazy in the sun - didn't want him to burn.  When we got home we had adjusted to the heat enough that we thought the 80+ degree weather in Denver was cold.

The trip was amazing.  Cooper is very particular about new situations and people, he does not just go to people off the bat - including his grandmothers whom see him all the time, but he went to my sister right away.  Even reaching for her, which melted my heart.

He met his newest cousin - I couldn't wait to put them down next to each other! Coop was so curious about Alex and not too happy when his mom held Alex.

He met his uncle for the first time! 

He hung out with his older cousins who he absolutely adored.  They were SO good with him and by the end of the trip he was talking (ba,ba,ba). 

We went swimming...

were there for Alex's dedication...

ate at the Cosway right on the shores of Panama...

visited the Panama canal (that was pretty amazing)...

did more sightseeing, caught up on some much needed sleep...

and I got to get in some much needed sister time.

You see my sister is my insides.  She has been the BEST big sister anyone could ask for.  Yes, she teased me and locked me in anything I was gullible to climb into when we were young - but as we grew we found a true treasure in our sisterhood.  We found a rare friendship that not all sisters get.  Some people have best friends that are like sisters to them, I have my sister who is my best friend.  To put it plainly, it sucks that she lives so far away.  There is not a day that goes by where I wish I could get in my car, drive to her house, and just hang out with my sister.  Thank God for Skype, and now magic jack.  We talk daily...literally daily.  Before my husband, my sister was my rock.  I know that is why God gave me her.  I admire my sister for so many reasons far too long and too wide to explain in a simple blog.  She is the most loving, giving, selfless person.  She is an AMAZING mom to her three children and a great wife to her hubby.  I wish my sister were closer - that goes without saying.  I cry when I miss her and I laugh when I know that if she were with me she would be making fun of me, laughing with me.  At 30 I still look up to my sister.  

This was such a great trip.  I miss my sister and her family so much.  Good bye was extremely hard.  

But waiting for Cooper and me on the other end was the love of my life.  Not a bad trade off.  

Coop's First Swim

We took Cooper swimming for the first time yesterday. I have been wanting to take him for a while now and we finally made it to the pool. It was so much fun and such a good family day! I am just in love with my family!

But first, the boys could not stop watching motocross...

(don't mind the dates on the pictures, I have to reset my camera.)

We finally headed off to the pool.

Coop did not like all the noise and activity at first, but soon enough he warmed up.

And then after all that playing it was time to go home and nap.

(we caught him in mid-yawn, so dang cute!)

It was such a fun day and good way to celebrate Coop turning 8-months!

My Valentine

Crackin Me Up

Ah man this kid is too funny! I wish I could remember and write down all the little and big things he does each day that just get me rolling - but my memory is too short and the list is too long. Coop has entered his discovery phase. He is learning cause and effect. It is amazing to see a child change and grow, learning every day about the world around them. He has learned how to make BIG splashes in his bath, how to play with the toys in his jumper (which I don't have a readily available pic of his floor jumper just the door one) - and how to really get going in his jumper. He is fascinated with us and discovering all we can do for him. He is intrigued by the animals, especially Aspen who tries to cuddle with him. But he especially loves when we scare him. (And by we I mean Levi - I scare him purely by accident.) Go figure my child would love this! I can only imagine as he grows that he will turn the tables and have a blast scaring me. He are a few recent pics.

Cap'n Trouble

Dominique bought Cooper this onezie when she vacationed in Savannah earlier this year...it was perfect for his Halloween costume. Of course he spit up right when I started taking pics, maybe that was the pirate in him. ;)

Adjusting

(For some reason this one never got posted, but it is from August 27, 2011)

Life has changed. There is less sleep...lots of feedings...and numerous diapers. There are lots of smiles. :) Giggles and many, many flutters of dreaming eyes. There are cuddles and scoffs (my favorite), whimpers and random singular cries in the middle of sleep - just one loud yelp before slipping back to quiet slumber. There are toe stretches and leg curls, head raises and long stares. Yes, life has changed. While I do yearn for eight hours of uninterrupted deep, blissful slumber...the gentle cry of my son is a treasure I would never give up. He is our love.

The Sweetest Thing