Running

Wow. Where to even begin? I assure you my absence from the blogging world is not a reflection of the lack of happenings. Rather, the opposite. Since last time, Cohen turned one, started walking, grew 6 more teeth, babbles up a storm, dances like he knows what he is doing, had his first tantrum in public, had his second haircut, decided he is done with baby food, is somewhat of a regular at Nursery Rhyme Time at the library, enjoyed his second Fourth of July, and went to the pool for the first time. Whew. I am exhausted just typing all that!  Overall, it is amazing to see the daily development Cohen makes. It surprises me as well as scares me how much he knows and understands.  

We have started to kind of get a routine.  Cohen wakes up around 7 and 8 AM, generally and exactly four hours from then he needs a nap.  He eats lunch after his nap and is ready for dinner when we are. He then has a bath, which he is really starting to enjoy, then pajamas, a cereal snack and bedtime by 8 or 9 PM.  He is sleeping through the night more often, but strangely gets into these patterns where he will wake up the exact same time for several days.  I can't figure it out.  Although, it didn't help that our neighbor got a rooster that crowed between 5 and 10 AM every day. We are not out in the country, either! Just no city ordinance against it.  However, it  disappeared a week or two later. I am pretty certain Chris had nothing to do with it... it was lovely, though. Woke me up every day.

So, Cohen's party went well. A lot more work than I imagined.  Cohen was pretty serious during the whole ordeal and eating cake in front of everyone scared him.  He eats it privately just fine. Never would have known that from seeing him!  He received a Cozy Coupe Truck and a tricycle among many other nice gifts.  He loves to push both of those around and sometimes gets on the trike, just to ring the bell though.  We are confident he will enjoy it for its intended purpose, some day.  Here are a few pictures from the celebrations (there are more on facebook from his party):

The next big event happened on May 23rd. Cohen officially walked! We thought he would way before this time, because he had been pulling up on furniture and pushing things for months.  I guess he just wanted to make sure he could do it. He was so proud of himself. He has not slowed down since! I do know where the stage name "toddler" came from now!  Cohen is into everything and thinks the sky is the limit.  He wants to walk by himself everywhere now.  He wandered off in Toys R' Us one day while we were looking for shoes and found this popper push toy. He pulled it off the display and started cruising around with it.  I let him play for awhile, but told him it was time to go and put the toy away.  I couldn't believe he threw himself on the floor and cried like he was hurt.  It was quite an embarrassing scene.  We headed straight for the door.  He has mini versions of these each day, but they are usually short-lived since we ignore him.  Anyway, every day is a work out since we are now "Mr. Independent".

Such a big boy, mowing all by himself.

We have been planning to enroll Cohen in a "Baby & Me" swim class at the Y, but weren't sure how he would respond. Sometimes he is overwhelmed and upset by new people and situations.  As an example, we bought a bath mat for the tub and the new texture freaked the little guy out!  So we decided to buy a little pool to test things out.  He was initially upset and would not sit down.  Finally after getting his bath toys and having Chris join him, he warmed up to it.  We joined the Y recently so Cohen and I would have something to do this summer. He went his first few times this week and he took awhile to get acclimated, but surprised us by wading everywhere (too deep, actually), splashing, clapping, laughing, sliding down the slide, and standing under fountains. He is getting so tan, it is not fair! Actually, I am the fair one and Cohen got Chris' skin. I'm not bitter.  But, we are glad to add some variety and a bit of socializing to Cohen's summer calendar.

He looks the part!

Such a good dad! (He's wearing a suit, I promise!)

Starting to relax

Isn't he adorable?

  Since I missed all the remainder bear pictures, here they are:

41 Weeks

42 Weeks

43 Weeks

44 Weeks

45 Weeks

46 Weeks

47 Weeks

48 Weeks

49 Weeks

50 weeks

51 Weeks

52 Weeks

I don't know if you can tell, but Cohen got increasingly hostile towards the bear near the end.  He was less excited each time and it was more difficult to get a happy picture.  I think he was ready to be done with this weekly ritual. (Sniff, sniff)  Now he is a big boy!