Happy Thanksgiving!

We traveled to Tyler for the Thanksgiving Holiday to be with my family. We were actually in Kilgore on Thanksgiving Day to visit Great Gramm and Grandpappy. We had a great time in Kilgore and of course ate too much. My grandparents have an awesome backyard that Tyler loves to play in. Grandpappy raked up a big pile of leaves for Tyler to play in. He wasn't sure what to think at first, but quickly got into it. It is a Fleming tradition to play in the leaves during the Fall. I don't think Cooper has ever had so much attention. He got rocked by Great Gramm whether he liked it or not, but I'm pretty sure he loved it! In the afternoon we watched football and took naps- another Fleming tradition. Tyler was so wiped out from playing outside he took a 3 hour nap!

On Friday mom and I went shopping while Travis watched the kiddos (and no we didn't get up to shop with all the crazies!). We got some great deals and I was able to finish all of my Christmas shopping! We came home and watched the Aggies beat the hell outta t.u.! I'm sure Travis is very thankful for the win and for Fran's resignation.

Saturday night my parents babysat so Travis and I could go on a date. We went out to eat and then went bowling with Tyler's finest! We both won one game, but my losing score was better than Travis' losing score so I guess that means that I'm the overall champion! We had a good time and it was nice to be by ourselves.

We are back home now and back to reality. Laundry, grocery shopping, and trying to get the house decorated for Christmas.

Great Gramm rocking Cooper.

Tyler and Mama

It was really cold on Thanksgiving and we made Tyler wear this hat. He hated it and here he is trying to get it off.

Tyler sweeping the leaves on the driveway.

Cooper and Mama

Tyler playing in the leaves!

More leaves!!!

Papa pushing Tyler around in the wheelbarrow.

Tyler trying to push the wheelbarrow through the leaves.

Tyler mooching some dessert off of Papa's plate. I believe he sampled some of everyones!

4 Months!

Cooper is 4 months! We took him to the doctor today for his checkup and he looks great! He is 14 lbs. 7 oz. (50th percentile) and is 26 inches long (75th percentile). He got four shots and barely cried at all. Cooper is the sweetest baby around and has the best smile. We have had some major breakthroughs in the last week- sleeping and eating. Cooper was refusing to sleep good at night- waking up every 2 hours for several days in a row. He didn't want to eat- he was just depending on me to get him back to sleep. I was completely exhausted and frustrated. So we had a little sleep training a.k.a. "crying it out" this past week and he is doing much better! Last night he went to sleep at 8 and slept until 5:45 this morning! Praise the Lord! I'm feeling much better and refreshed which is good for everyone in the house! This past week he has also started to take a bottle. Probably for the past month he had been refusing the bottle. He has even taken formula from a bottle which had been a major battle!

We love Cooper so much. God blessed us unexpectedly about this time last year and he brings so much joy to our lives. I can't imagine not having Cooper around and I'm thankful for the little surprises in life!

Cooper bundled up and sitting in the Bebe Pod.

Cooper flying through the air!

Daddy and Cooper

Whoa, mama! You look a little scary in the morning!

The Monkey

Tyler's newest nickname is "The Monkey". The Monkey recently turned 19 months. He is into everything and has turned into a little climber. The climbing part really makes me nervous. For example, today I was downstairs unloading the dishwasher while Tyler played upstairs. It got really quiet upstairs, which also makes me nervous, so I went up to check on him. I heard him in Cooper's room so I go to see what he is up to. He was sitting ON TOP of the changing table in the nursery. He had managed to use the two shelves below to climb up onto the changing table. He was just sitting up there having a grand ol' time playing with the wipes! Are you kidding me? I just wish I had a picture of him up there. He tried climbing it again later this afternoon and got a stern warning that he wasn't to do that again and if he did he was going to get a spanking.

Anyway, at 19 months he imitates EVERYTHING we do. His new favorite thing is to fill up his juice cup with water from the refrigerator door. Luckily the water dispenser has a button to lock it where it won't dispense water because otherwise we would have water all over the floor at all times. He has learned to say "No" which we aren't too excited about. Oh well, it was bound to happen at some point. He has also started giving closed mouth kisses and makes the "Mwa" sound when he gives you a kiss. It's adorable and I like to ask him for kisses just to hear him do it, but now he can also say no to my request! :(

We love Tyler so much at this stage. Travis and I have been talking lately about how much fun he is and how much we love watching him at this age. He is learning so much and cracks us up on a daily basis!

Tyler showing Cooper all the tricks of the exersaucer.

Showing off his excellent fashion sense.

Taking a bath in our jacuzzi bathtub- his new favorite thing to do!

Papa and his Clone

Here is a picture of Cooper and my Dad. Cooper looks SO much like him. It's harder to tell in this picture because Cooper isn't smiling, but he is going to look just like his Papa.

A Day in the Life...

These pictures pretty much sum up our days lately, especially since the weather has been so nice. We are constantly outside and Tyler begs to go on a walk every afternoon. I usually comply because both of the boys love to go on a walk and it's good exercise for me pushing 40+ pounds in the stroller for 1.5 miles.

Tummy time for Cooper!

Ready for our afternoon walk. Tyler was excited, I promise!

Tyler playing in the sandbox.

Cooper watching his big brother play outside.

We just got beat by this guy!

Warning!

If you don't care about Aggie Football and just come to this site to look at cute kids, you can go ahead and skip this rant.

I just got finished watching the A&M game and it was quite fitting that we played on ESPN 2 because we played like number 2. The only satisfaction is knowing that our nasal sounding, Little Debbie eating, option to the short side of the field, secret email writing, big game losing, no defense having, junior high school offense running turd burglar of a coach will get the boot after the season is over. The question isn't will we lose our last 3 games, but it's will we set any records of how bad we lose. Get ready, it's about to get ugly! There's my rant.

All this being said, I will be watching every snap of the remaining games and yell for them just like I always do. I just hope we can get a better coach next time.

As always, wait until next year!

Thomas the Train

This past weekend the boys and I were in Tyler since Travis went home to go fishing. My sister and her boys came up too. On Saturday my granddad took all of us to see Thomas the Train. We got to ride Thomas and he even bought the boys conductor hats. It was fun and Tyler really enjoyed the train ride. Cooper enjoyed it too and decided it was a good place to take a nap!

Thomas

Tyler and Papa on the train

Getting off the train

Tyler showing off his new hat.

Cooper taking a snooze in his hat.

Old MacDonald's Farm

Yesterday we went to Old MacDonald's Farm in Humble with some girls from my bible study. Tyler loved it. He got to see all kinds of animals including sheep, goats, cows, pigs, llamas, and deer. He even rode on a pony. He loved riding on the pony and had a big smile on his face most of the time. Cooper was great and loved being in the baby bjorn. We all loved the nice weather!

Tyler playing in the big mound of sand. He was SO dirty afterwards.

Tyler riding the pony.

Cooper wrapped up in the stroller.

3 Months!

Sweet Cooper

I love this picture!

Cooper turned 3 months last week. These are some pictures I took this morning. He is a great baby and is always happy. We drag him around everywhere we go and he does great (except he hates to be in the car!). He has already learned to roll from his stomach to his back and Tyler likes to clap for him when he does this. Tyler says Cooper's name as "Doo-Doo". We think it's pretty funny when he says it. Also, Cooper has decided he doesn't like sleeping through the night! Mama is very sad about this. Hopefully he will learn that it is best for all of us if he sleeps better.

FINALLY!

Cooper decided FINALLY to sleep through the night! Rejoice with me people- this is the first time in 3 months I have had a good, complete night of sleep. He went to bed around 10 and didn't wake up until around 5:45. I went in to give him his pacifier and I had to wake him up at 7:15! Yippee! Let's just pray this sleeping through the night is here to stay!

OUCH!

We had our first major accident this evening. This afternoon I took the boys for a walk and Travis was already home by the time we made it back. So I parked the stroller on the back porch and got the boys out. Travis came outside and Tyler continued to play while I took Cooper in to get dinner ready. Tyler reached out to push the stroller and lost his balance and fell and hit his head on one of the brick columns on the back porch. Travis saw the whole thing happen and immediately picked him up. Blood was gushing everywhere and he yelled for me to bring him a rag. I came outside and all I saw was blood. I started freaking out (I've decided I'm not the calmest person in these type of situations!) and ran to get a rag. I grabbed Cooper and the car seat and we were off to the emergency room.

We ended up taking him to a Minor Emergency Center because we figured it would be quicker and it is closer to our house. Well, after filling out all the paper work and waiting 45 minutes they told us that they don't stitch up babies and recommended that we take him to the hospital emergency room. Are you kidding me? We had just spent 45 minutes entertaining an 18 month old with a busted head and it was and hour past his dinner time. Off we went to the emergency room, but not without a quick stop at Sonic.

We were worried we would be at the emergency room all night, but we were pleasantly surprised with the service we received. After admitting us, they put us on the "fast track" since he was a small child and obviously knew that it would be to their advantage to get us out of there quick. Tyler got lots of attention in the waiting room and was actually really enjoying himself there... until the nurse came to put him in a papoose to keep his arms and legs still. Then they put a rag over his head. He totally freaked out and it was so sad watching him have to go through this. He got three stitches and we were in and out of there in about an hour. We came home and he went straight to bed.

18 Months!

Tyler is 18 months old! We went to the doctor today and he weighed in at 27 pounds 6 ounces (75th percentile) and is 34 inches tall (90-95th percentile!). He is a BIG boy! They said he looks great. They also said his tubes look good. The tubes seem to be working great- he has had 2 major snotty noses with no ear infections! Praise the Lord!

At 18 months Tyler likes to:

• Imitate everything we do. He "drinks" from empty Diet Coke cans and gives Teddy the pacifier. His newest thing is to turn the humidifier on with his foot. Each of the boys have the same humidifier in their rooms. Travis and I usually turn it on with our feet because we usually have a kid in our arms. Tyler has started using his foot to turn it on- he refuses to use his hand. It's amazing how much they really pick up on so young.
  
• He loves climbing up and down the stairs holding on to the spindles. He has actually gotten really good at it.
• He loves banging on Cooper's door when he is taking naps- this drives me CRAZY!
• He still loves his teddy, being outside, playing tractors, and eating!
• He loves to wash his hands.
• He has really started pushing the limits. He tries to get away with standing on the couch after we have told him a thousand times to sit on his bottom. He is also learning to not walk into the street so he will stand right at the edge of the driveway about an inch from the street. Luckily we live on a cul-de-sac so I'm not too worried when he does venture into the street.

Tyler is a great kid the majority of the time and he is really showing his personality. He is learning lots of new words and still likes to sign for those words he can't say just yet. He is definitely keeping us busy! Enjoy the pictures.

The reaction I got when I asked Tyler to smile for the camera.

Tyler imitating us turning on the humidifier.

Tyler sitting at the table like a big boy.

The Convicts

First Trip to Aggieland!

This weekend we headed to College Station for Travis' Corps outfit reunion. We ate lunch and visited with Travis' buddies and chased Tyler around Spence park all afternoon. Tyler had a great time. We had both boys decked out in their maroon and they looked so cute. We went back to Christine's house to watch the game and eat pizza. Then this morning we got to have breakfast with Uncle Lynn and his family. They were in town for the game. We all had a great time but we were all desperate for a nap by the time we got home this afternoon!

2 Months! (a little late)

Cooper turned 2 months a couple of weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to posting about it! I promised myself I would not be like this with my second child. I was the second child and I never had as many pictures as Christine did. I always said I would take just as many pictures of my second child, but I think I'm already failing. Our lives are just busy, busy!

At Cooper's 2 month appointment he weighed in at 12 lbs. 12 oz. and was 24 inches long, both in the 75th percentile. He is doing great and growing like a weed. He got his first round of shots which he didn't really enjoy. He was really fussy the rest of the day and ran a fever off and on for a couple of days.

He continues to be a great baby- we just need to work on the whole sleeping through the night. He has yet to master the concept and Mama is just plain tired and ready for a good nights sleep. We have put him in the nursery at church now a couple of times and he does great. It is nice to have a couple of hours without the kiddos.

I finally got some good pictures of him smiling. Many people have commented that he looks like his Papa Fleming. Hopefully he won't turn out too goofy looking (just kidding, Dad!). He has the most precious smile and he loves when we give him one on one attention. He will smile and "talk" to us forever. He is precious and we love him so much!

Trip to Tyler

This past weekend I took the boys to Tyler while Travis went Dove Hunting with the guys from work. Tyler had a blast and entertained everyone while we were there. On Thursday Papa and I took the boys to visit Great Gramm and Grandpappy. This was the first time for them to see Cooper. Great Gramm had a great time rocking him and Cooper loved smiling at her.

Tyler absolutely loves playing at Great Gramm and Grandpappy's house. They have a huge backyard perfect for little boys to run wild. He enjoyed feeding plants and flowers to Lucky, the dog next door.

On Saturday Gram and I took the boys to the Tyler Children's Park. It was neat but it was pretty hot. Tyler had a great time running around. Then we went to visit Papa at his pharmacy. Papa loved showing off the boys and even pushed Tyler around on what is supposed to be used as a walker. Tyler thought it was fun.

We had a great visit with everyone and got to eat some great food including Kenny's homemade ice cream! Tyler was sweet to everyone and gave tons of hugs and kisses while we were there.

Great Gramm rocking Cooper.

Tyler enjoying a snack on the bench outside Great Gramm and Grandpappy's.

Great Gramm, Grandpappy, and Cooper

Papa and the boys watching the Aggies stink it up!

Gram and Tyler playing in the water at the Tyler Children's park.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Tyler was so nice to share his John Deere phone with Cooper. This was right before he whacked him on the head with it! Nice.

You know it's going to be one of those days...

When at 7:30 in the morning (30 minutes into our day) Cooper poops and it explodes out of the diaper and is all over his clothes, the couch, and Travis' clothes. I spent the majority of my day cleaning the couch cushion over and over trying to figure out how to get the poop stain out. I think I have managed to salvage the cushion. Travis said you can't tell where the stain was.

To finish off our great day I decided to go out to eat with my jeans unzipped and didn't realize it until we got home! Luckily there is always tomorrow!!!

A visit from Grandma

Grandma Johnson came to visit last Sunday evening since she was here for Shelby's birth. She got a lot of smiles out of Cooper. We are going to Katy tomorrow to see Shelby for the first time. Grandma and Papa Johnson will also be there so I'm sure the boys will get a lot of attention.

Smiling at Grandma

Grandma and her boys.

Cousins

We just got word that Ross (Travis' brother)and Kim had their baby last night. Shelby was born last night around 10:45 and was 8 lbs. 12 oz. and 20 inches!!! I think Kim had a pretty quick labor and delivery especially for her first baby. We are excited to meet her!

In other cousin news, my sister found out this week that she is having another boy! This means on my side of the family- BOYS-5, GIRLS-0. These boys are going to have so much fun growing up together. Now the pressure is on me to have a girl, because I'm pretty sure Kyle and Christine are going to be done after this little boy. We can't wait to meet this little guy too!

The Boys

Here are some pictures of the boys that I took today. Cooper has started to smile at us some, but I wasn't able to capture it on camera.

I couldn't resist putting this picture up. I think Cooper looks hilarious.

Nice bangle bracelets, Tyler.

Stylin'

Tyler is a man with style these days. He is obsessed with everyone's shoes and puts them on whenever he gets the chance. He is also obsessed with some toy rings that interlock. He doesn't want them interlocked, though. He makes us separate them and then he puts them on his arm like bracelets. He puts them on and takes them off practically all day long.

Tyler and his bracelets.

Tyler wearing Abby Ming's shoes (and yes they are on the wrong feet!)

Labor Day Weekend

We didn't do much this weekend, but we did buy Tyler a Thomas the Train sprinkler that was on clearance at Target. (Sorry Dad!)

Tyler playing in the sprinkler. (I don't know why he needed to take my sandals with him.)

Cooper relaxing outside and trying to find his thumb.

Tagged....again

Well, Sarah tagged me again and,I've already done it once, but I'll do it again just for fun.

I'm supposed to post the rules, but I'm too lazy/lacking of computer skills.

1. I probably have the shortest commute to work besides people that work at home. I drive about a 1/4 mile to Zac's house to go to the office. It's really nice. Especially since I was driving an hour to work at my previous job.

2. I do, as Sarah mentioned, generally prefer brunettes over blondes. She should feel priveleged that I married her. She must be pretty cool if I overlooked that obvious flaw. I was the only brunette in my immediate family, so I must be sick of blonde people or something. Sarah has been talking about dyeing her hair brunette, but I'm not too sure if I could resist her then. We might end up with 3 kids under 3 years old!

3. I really love Aggie Football. I'm talking serious obsession. I look at an internet site about Aggie football at least once a day almost every day. I have a knot in my stomach and can feel my heart beat when I watch games. I don't like to be distracted either. Thank God for DVR.

4.I am also seriously obsessed with hunting and fishing. I would do it every day if I could. Unfortunately, having 2 kids doesn't allow me to do much of that right now. I just have to stay busy working on building fishing rods and reading fishing/hunting magazines which I get 4 of each month. I hope Cooper and Tyler like the outdoors, because they are going to get dragged out there as soon as they can handle it so I can make up for lost time.

5.I've never met anyone with more gas than me. Not bragging, just being honest. Tyler is a close second.

6. I was once jokingly hit on by NSync member JC Chasez.

7. I had a higher high school class ranking than Sarah and will never let her forget it. ( She killed me in college though.)

8. I weighed the most I ever weighed when we got married. I then lost over 50 pounds in our first year and a half of marriage. (She actually fed me healthy food.) I've proceeded to put about 1/2 of it back on.