She's Busted!

Cory had a late night at work yesterday and didn't get home until 8:30. Madison usually goes to bed around 8:00. I had already put Hyrum to bed and told Madison that she would be able to stay up if we lay down on the couch. I should have known better when Daddy stepped through that door that there was going to be one excited girl on our hands! Needless to say, she got to stay up just a tad past her bed time!
Cory and I went into the kitchen to eat dinner when he got home. I had fed the kids, of course, but hadn't had relax time to eat. We had the cheese out as we were making up our burritos. As I turned around to get the cheese, this is what I found!
Madison got BUSTED! Caught in the act!

She was taking bites out of the block of cheese. I can understand if she wanted a slice of cheese, but no. She wanted the whole block! Had I not fed her dinner 2 hours ago? Apparently not enough!

She had a hay day (or should I say night) with that cheese! Madison definitely keeps us laughing in our home. She is so fun!

When anything breaks in our home Madison always tells me that "Dad will fix it". One morning Cory was trying to fix the lawn mower so he could mow the lawn. Madison was so excited when he got out his tools! Madison will always jump at the opportunity to help Cory fix anything! She loves tools!

I'll help you fix this, no sweat! Is this the tool you need Dad?

I love how Hyrum is just sitting there taking it all in. I love family togetherness time, even if it is just fixing a lawn mower!

Behind The Scenes

You may wonder why I post a hideous looking door on my blog. There is one word for that. MADISON. My child stays up, when she is supposed to be sleeping, for about an hour cleaning and organizing her room before she goes to sleep. (She is very OCD.) When we moved into our house there were air bubbles in the paintjob on the door. I think Madison thought she was fixing the problem, but actually made things worse. What is a mother to do?

The sad thing is that there is nothing I can do to stop her. I guess it all has to be sanded down and painted over eventually. Oh well...

Madison was very proud of the work she had done on her door. Little stinker!

In the past few weeks Hyrum has been interested in moving around. He can't crawl quite yet. But he is very excited to find out how.
Here is a picture of Hyrum taking a break from all the hard work!

Hyrum is so close to crawling! Here is a video of his progess. It's such a fun time for him to learn and grow. We're planning on his cousin, Carter, giving him lessons while we're in Utah! (Yah for Carter... he just started crawling!)

Happy Birthday To You

My mom is going to LA to see "Wicked" with my dad and my sister for her birthday. Since my mom is leaving on her birthday, I had to post this early to make sure she gets it on time.

This is a little message from Madi and Hyrum: We love you Grandma! We're your #1 fan. Thank you Grandma, for playing with us in the sand.Our wish for you is to have a Happy Birthday. Can you believe we get to come visit in only 10 more days?!!!

Madison's favorite song to sing and dance to is Happy Birthday. I tried get her to sing to "Grandma", but she's a little selfish. She likes to sing it for herself only.

My mom is the greatest! There are no words great enough to express the admiration I have for her. My mom has taught me so much. I love you, Mom! I hope you have a happy day!

"Mommy Paige Pooper"

Lately Cory and I have been teaching Madison about her name. People ask her name all the time and she never responds. So we have taught her that her name is Madison Paige Cooper. Now we have found out that she still doesn't tell people her name because she is a shy little girl.... yah right! (But that's what she acts like some times.)Madison goes around supposedly writing her name, she says its "Madison Paige Pooper". She is very proud of her name. I know, she can't pronounce the "C" yet.
Like most mothers do, when they are serious with their children, I say "Madison Paige Cooper!" The other day I was in the other room of our house and Madison didn't know where I was. She got in her serious tone and said, "Mommy Paige Pooper! Where are you?!" I started laughing so hard. That night I had to tell her that my name is Mommy Cooper, not Mommy Paige Pooper. She needs to claim her own name and be proud. Hahaha. Kids are so funny! :)

Newest Hairstyle

Ever since Madison had enough hair, she has twirled it when she got tired to put herself to sleep. We thought that was a great self calming technique. It was great until her hair grew to be really really long. Madison has put one too many knots in her hair. I have not had to cut them out, but I do spend lots of time trying to comb them out. I still think I'm damaging her hair. A lot of hair still comes out with the knot. Madison twirls her hair like a mad women when she's tired and going to sleep. She really goes to town. I've seen her in action! I had to take a picture to remember the wonderful hairstyle she has come up with for her hair.
I don't think Aunt Caitlyn, who is a hair dresser, would be very happy with that knot! Any tips to get them out?

I think this is a precious picture of Madison--too bad she has that big knot in her hair!

Napping Children:Happy Mommy

Every mother, I think, can attest to the fact that children's naps are neccessary for not only the child, but the mother. Hyrum, however, has not been napping very well for the past few weeks. And its driving me bonkers! I thought that maybe his napping schedule needs to be switched because he doesn't need as much newborn sleep as I was giving him. But he has decided on his own that napping is not what he wants to be spending his days doing. He will only sleep for 30 minutes and then wake up crying and will not go back to sleep. (Trust me, I've tried letting him cry himself back to sleep... not working!) When we went for his 6 month check up the doctor just told me that maybe he doesn't need as much sleep as most babies do. I don't like that thought. He gets grumpy during the day, I know he needs to nap, but he just refuses. I want to just blame it on the teething. But those teeth are just taking their sweet and precious time! What does a mother do? Hyrum sleeps great at night, I guess I should count my blessings for that. (He sleeps from 7pm-7am with no interruptions.) But I know he can be much more happier during the day if he would only take some decent naps. Madison's showing him up by napping longer during the day than he is and she's 2 years older than him. Any suggestions?

FOOD!

This boy loves food. Hyrum is eating us out of house and home and he's only 6.5 months old. Here he is enjoying a cracker. We give him a lot of crackers to hold him over until the next meal. What else is a mother to do?

Super Star...

This is a daily routine in our home. Who knew that dancing in front of the stove could be so fun? I came to find out that the stove acts as a mirror. She loves to put on her hat and dress up shoes and go to town. Too cute!

Midnight Snack

The other night Cory and I were helping Madison clean up the toys from the fun we had that day before she went to bed. I had put Hyrum on the couch. When I came back, this is what I found!
He was enjoying the taste of Madison's shoe just a little too much I think. Those shoes are always really stinky too! Gross!!!

What A Day...

Today we went to the doctor's office for a visit. Hyrum had his 6 month check up. (I can't believe he's already six months!) Madison went with us, of course, and she loves doctors. She started loving them once she didn't have to get shots anymore. Well, Hyrum didn't know what was coming to him today. I made sure he had a little snooze before we went to the doctor's, so he woke up nice and happy. He made sure to rip up all the paper covering on the patient bench before the Dr. even got in the room! He thought it tasted pretty good too. As soon as the Doctor came in the kids were both so happy. Madi started to "fake cough" to get the doctor's attention. (It worked!) I just shook my head. Madison then sang for the doctor the whole time she was checking Hyrum out. It was pretty comical. I am guessing she wanted more attention.
Madison is a very protective big sister and I didn't think beforehand about the whole shot situation. So, on the way to the doctor's office I told Madi that Hyrum was going to get some shots so he wouldn't get really sick. She was fine with that. But I think she forgot that shots are PAINFUL. As soon as the nurse started giving him his 1 out of 4 shots, Hyrum started crying. Then Madison started crying. She did not like seeing her brother getting those painful shots. I had to worry about calming Madi down before I could calm Hyrum down. Hyrum was actually a champ, he didn't scream bloody murder like he did last time. Don't get me wrong, you could tell it hurt, but he wasn't hysterical. Before the nurse left the room Madison made sure to give the nurse the dirtiest look ever. (She's really good at it too. Trust me, I've gotten plenty.) I felt so bad for the nurse, she said, " Oooh... that girl hates me!" Poor nurse.
Ever since we've gotten home Madison has reminded me that we need to be nice to Hyrum because he has "shots on his knees". (They're actually on his thighs, but Madison doesn't know the difference yet.)
I never knew that going to the doctor's could be so comical! I could have easily gotten so stressed. What a day....

Here are the stats, just for Grandma:

• Weight: 15.6 lbs (25th percentile)
• Height: 28 inches (25th percentile)
• Head circumference: 40-41? (Two nurses and the Doctor all measured, I guess he's not even on the charts! I had to remind Doctor how small Daddy's head is- but he's still a genius!)
• Perfectly healthy baby!!!! :)

Bonding...

Lately I've been reminiscing (sp?) the good ole days! I remember growing up in a home where all we do is spend time together as a family. I love my family and I cherish the memories that we have shared with one another. I hold close times that I've spent with my brothers and sister. I am so glad that we are as close as we are, and hope that the bond we have never changes. As I have a family of my own, I want the same thing for my children as I had. I want them to enjoy being with their siblings. It brings joy to my heart when I see Madison and Hyrum spending time with eachother.
Hyrum is a happy camper watching his older sister running and playing outside.

I love this picture! It shows how much fun these kids do have together most of the time. Madi is just being a goof ball and Hyrum is studying her every move. What a crazy sister!

Hyrum loves hair these days. He loves to tug and eat and do just about whatever he can with it. He really loves Madison's hair because its really long. She was being nice and letting him play with her hair until it started to hurt. This is the face she gave Hyrum telling him she was done with that game!

After Madi went away squealing, I was wondering what this boy was thinking with a face pulled like that! It doesn't look like a very apologetic face now does it?!

I have so much fun just watching my children play around. They both are so sweet and I love watching them together! I know that peace won't last very long between them, but its nice to enjoy it while it lasts!

Funny Girl

Madison is now putting together real sentences like an adult. Everyday she says something that cracks me up. I don't want to forget the things she says, so I figured I would record it here. So, I guess this post is for my own benefit than for you all. I just don't want to forget. So bare with me.

• One day we were heading out the door to get in the stroller to go on a walk and I noticed it was starting to rain. I said, "Oh darn, Madi, its raining. Let's go inside." As we were walking back in the door Madi said, "Oh darn, Mom, its raining!" (What a parrot.)


• Madison's new favorite phrase is "Oh my goodness!" I think I must overuse that phrase as I tend to be excited and exaggerate a bit on the accomplishments of Madi. She must say "Oh my goodness" ten times a day. (No joke!)


• Yesterday we were in the bathroom at church. She was washing her hands after she had gone, and her ties on the front of her dress got wet. She said, "Oh geez, Mom! My dress is wet."


• I was not here to witness this one, but Cory told me about it. We were at the adult session of stake conference and the kids were getting restless, so Cory took them to the primary room because you can still hear the speakers from there. Anyways, she was playing the piano and leading the music. And then Madi went up to the podium and pulled a serious face and started talking about church and Jesus. When she was finished she said, "Amen". I wish I was there to see it! (Sidenote: Madison saw a gluestick in the primary room and opened it up and started putting it one like chapstick.. There's a true girly girl for ya!)

I think that's all for now, but I'm sure there will be more to come. Thanks for reading this random post! OH, and I took this picture of Madi and my friend, Cat had made it all cute! I think she did such a good job. So, I had to post it!

Ant Stories...

People usually get scared by Ghost stories. In our family, Madison and I get scared by Ant stories. If you haven't ever heard of them, sit back, and read some good ones! Our family is full of them!
Yesterday we were out in the front yard and she found ANTS. Madison is watching very closely to make sure they don't bite her. She doesn't trust me that those are the "nice" ants. I don't know what they are actually called. But I know they're not the "mean" ones.

Ever since we've moved to Florida we have discovered Fire Ants. There have been a few mishaps at our home with Madison and the ants. One evening, a few weeks after we moved here we were playing outside and she was climbing in the bushes. I was excited that my little girl wanted to be adventurous and get dirty. UNTIL she started screaming her head off and I had no idea what was going on. I took her out of the bushes and she didn't stop screaming, and then I found that her legs were covered with fire ants. The best remedy I have found for ant bites (because they hurt like the dickens!) is to soak in cool water. So, I stripped Madi and put her in the bath. It doesn't take away the bites... her legs were COVERED. Lesson learned... don't be adventurous in Florida! After that incident Madi didn't go on the lawn to play for MONTHS. Very not like her!

The next week she came into the family room one morning complaining of an ant bite. "Mean ants get me" she kept on telling me, while pointing into the kitchen. I was thinking, she's just traumatized from the last incident. I ignored her and told her that there were no ants in the house. She came back complaining numerous times that morning, so I'd figured I go check it out for her. I go in the kitchen, and there are a trail of fire ants. I call my husband in a panic wanting the get the ants out of here. (Dish soap did the trick.)

Then one day I was pulling weeds in the little garden we have out back. Madison, being the big helper she is, volunteered to help me. We were pulling weeds, and then she starts screaming that she has ants biting her. And low and behold, she had them crawling all over her hands and up her arm. That ended that fun bonding moment.... thanks a lot ants!

Now every time Madison sees an ant, even when its not a fire ant, she smooshes it to death. I remind her that there are nice ants and mean ants. We don't need to kill the nice ones, but she doesn't believe me. She wants REVENGE on those fire ants by killing every single ant she sees!

Backyard Fun

I'm in love with my new digital camera my parents got me for Christmas. I love taking pictures of my kids during the day. It makes the mundane things of life more interesting. Today Madison and I played outside in our backyard while Hyrum was taking a nap.

We bought Madison a bike for her 2nd birthday. But does she ever use it? NO WAY! She likes the one the neighbors have instead. What a stinker!

Madison found a pole in the backyard that was used for horse-shoes once. She decided to ride it like a horse. This picture is dedicated to my cousin's husband, Nate. I took it just for him! (Long story.) It made me laugh!

The people that own the two houses behind us are brothers. Their names are Frank & Frank. Brothers, yes. Sorry, I just think that's hilarious. Anyways, they have this swing set that nobody uses anymore so they let Madi play on it whenever she wants. She loves it! (Our house is behind Madi in the picture.)

Hyrum was taking a nap while we were outside playing, so she was pretty happy to be swinging in the baby swing. It looks like she's having a little too much fun!

Dressing Up

One Sunday our family was hanging out in the family room. I hadn't put my makeup bag away from when I had brought it in the car to finish getting ready. (Mommy is always the last one to get ready for church, of course!) Madison found the makeup bag and started getting into it. She jumped up to Daddy's lap and put her hat on his head and wanted to play dress up. I usually let her put on the lip gloss and all that fun stuff. But Daddy thought otherwise.
To my surprise, Daddy was not against getting the makeup out, but he even put on the mascara for Madison. I had to tell him I don't let her play with that stuff, only the lip gloss. He told me, "C'mon, we're just having fun!" Madison thought she looked pretty cute. Daddy put on her mascara and she put on her lipstick. Not too shabby for a Daddy and a two year old!

The funniest part was after they were done playing Cory started giving me a talk about how Madison is not going to be allowed to wear makeup until she is 16. I told him he just set a perfectly good example there! He was starting early! I told Cory to give me a face that showed what he thought about makeup, and this is what he gave me! Oh, the adventures we will have when Madison is a teenager. But for now, we will just have fun!

"All By Myself"

I think every mother has the right to brag about their kids every once in a while. So this is my time. Madison I think has an incredible artistic talent. She loves to draw. All day long she just wants to draw. She has past the "coloring" stage and just wants to draw with pens and colored pencils. She has great skills with the pencil in her hand. (Better than any two year old I observed while working in a day care.) Her favorite thing to draw is happy faces. One day she was drawing at the table and she drew a happy face all on her own. Then I started to add some hair to it and she stopped me and said that she wanted to do it all by herself. And I have to admit, she did a pretty good job. So, this is a picture of Madison's own artwork with no help at all. Madison was very proud... and Mommy was too! :)

Splish Splash!

There is something magical about bath time for my children. It is their favorite part of the day. If the kids are grumpy, I'll just throw them in the bath and it usually solves the problem! It soothes the wild beast inside of them. One night Cory took Madi to Young Men's with him (he's the YM pres.) and Hyrum was able to take a bath all by himself. No interruptions! He was oh, SO happy about that! Don't worry, these pictures are all modest!

Eating his favorite bath toy... he could care less about all the other toys in the bath tub!

Hyrum is just like Daddy... he loves to sing in the tub! Here he is singing his little heart out!

I just love how his ears pop out. He's so darn cute!

My Little Hippy Girl

I had to post these pictures because I think Madison looks absolutely adorable in this ty-died shirt that Aunt Hilary made for her for Christmas. When Madi put on her bini that Aunt Caitlyn made for her it just completed the hippy look. I love it!
Last Saturday, after we got back from a walk, she emptied out all of her sidewalk chalk and filled the bucket full of bark from the flower bed. Afterwards she went skipping about using it as a purse. It is so fun to watch her happy expression on her face as she plays.

Oh, to be a child again!