Cohen's favorite things

This season's highly anticipated list is below. Eat your heart out Oprah.

10. Handfeeding Amami (the golden retreiver) from his highchair.
9. When poppie (Joel) comes home from work.
8. Giving his stuffed animals a hug.
7. Pushing the button that shuts the garage door.
6. Pulling his shirt up to show you his belly.
5. Pulling your shirt up to show you your belly.
4. Dancing to his toys and to the Sirius Alternative Nation station.
3. Bathtime
2. Laying on his stomach during bathtime and cautiously dipping his face in the water.
1. Patting Amami vigorously (anywhere, anytime). He loves that dog! And she takes it=)

It's a girl!!!

I've been referring to the baby as a girl for awhile, and now it's true!..."She has been kicking pretty consistently," "I'll graduate in May and she is due in June," "she wanted a glider."

And now "she" is a girl!

Wii Mote

Cohen is now up to approx 23lbs. After not thinking about his weight for several months, I became a bit concerned again when he hadn't gained any weight from his 12-15 month appointment. Over the past several months, he'd been eating okay with a few bouts of minimal eating. At his 15 month well check appointment the doctor informed us that he hadn't gained any weight. He recommended putting ranch and mayo on everything. And so we did, all except for mayo in his yogurt, which is just plain gross Kelsey!

These last few months have also brought several ear infections for Cohen. We went to see an ENT and Cohen got tubes in his ears to drain the excess fluid. The surgery was maybe 10 minutes and will help Cohen to feel better and hear better! Tubes have also been known to help with hearing, speech, and mobility. Also, he won't be on antibiotics so frequently which is great! All these things should also help with his eating! Speaking of mobility, Cohen is walking! He's been taking steps for about a month now. First, we would send him back and forth from person to person and give him lots of encouragement. We would clap after he had made it a few steps. He'd then look around the room, wait for the applause and then start clapping. This was fun for everyone. For the past few weeks he's decided he likes trying to go places on his own. He's also experimented with going really fast on two feet. The other day he came stomping down the hallway. When he goes fast he falls quicker, but we know that soon he'll be as fast as us...if not faster.

Cohen has tons of recognizable words and items around the house. His favorites are tree, ball, head, nose, fish, and puppy. Cohen loves dogs. He chases Amami around constantly and loves to pet her. Our German Shepherd, Porter, recently went to live with Nancy and Neal in Kansas. Joel and I knew a country lifestyle with more room for running would be ideal for Porter while our family continues to grow. Sadly, he went missing during a cold snap, was hit by a car, found, and then died after he had surgery to help his broken leg and pelvis. He was a very special dog and will be greatly missed.

Things are going well this pregnancy! I am now 17 weeks along. My cervix continues to stay nice and long and I've just started the 17p hormone shots. Also, I've recently been feeling tiny baby kicks! :^)

Joel and I are busy once again with classes. I have two classes and comprehensive exams this semester and will graduate in May! Joel is done interviewing and has started his rotations again. We will find out which residency program he'll train at on Match Day in mid March!

This video shows Cohen getting his walk on! We lured him over to us using the Wii remote controller...

15 months

So I haven't blogged in a long time but here I am again. Anyhow Cohen is 15 months old! And...super duper fun!

In the past few weeks he has been so silly and playful it's just too much fun! He has been initiating peek-a-boo which I think is a riot! He loves to chase the dogs around while laughing hysterically. And the last few days he has started to give kisses! Cohen is really starting to hunger for attention and to me this means that we've entered yet another stage in his development. This stage has also included some pretty impressive little fits, where he can throw his head down in despair while sitting with his legs straddled. We call it the pancake. That boy is so flexible! Also, he enjoys throwing his head down on the ground and crawling at the same time.

Speaking of crawling, Cohen is a great crawler! I think he gets faster everyday. He has been pulling up on things for a few months now and is starting to get more brave with his standing up on things, letting go for longer and longer.

Joel and I have been busy too. This semester was a busy one and I'm so excited for it to be over! Joel spent a month in Kansas City doing an OB rotation. And has been out of town a lot interviewing for residencies.

In other news, we are excited to be expecting another little one in June! I am excited to provide Cohen with the bonding opportunity that only a sibling can offer. I can imagine them talking about how silly and old Joel and I are. I will see the doctor more often than last time because of the risk of having another preemie. They will be watching me closely and giving me weekly shots of 17P starting at week 16 in hopes of avoiding preterm labor. I am a little scared and very hopeful!

11 months

Dear Cohen,

Today you turned 11 months old! My, my how the time passes. Today at daycare they informed me that you will move into the "big infant" room at daycare. The "big infant" room is where the babies go once they learn to sit up and crawl. So yay! You are graduating! You are sitting up very well these days and tonight you scooted around the living room floor very quickly and with great intention, grabbing for toys and going after the dogs.

Another funny thing you do as you have become more mobile is to grab at the bumper when you're in your crib. You pull the bumper down and peek out of the crib. Usually, you're crying when you do it but the first time you did it was a few days ago in the morning. I got out of bed after hearing you stirring for awhile and you were staring into our bedroom and when I saw you you got a really big smile on your face.

Your smiles and laughing lately has been so much fun. You get so excited now about things when you're in a happy mood. It is very fun to play with you and make you laugh. A week ago you laughed at the something the dogs were doing, which was neat because usually your dad and I have to make silly noises and faces to get you to laugh.

We are still trying solid foods every now and again. I've realized that you may never like the taste of these apple melt away puffs things I've been repeatedly trying to give you. But you don't seem to mind gram crackers and you seemed to like cheese the other day too. Right now I have to mix your green vegetables with fruit in order for you to eat it. If I try to give you staight peas or green beans you make a sour face and you stop opening your mouth to eat.

Last weekend the Barkley family had a reunion and many family members were able to meet you for the first time. Then, you went out of town with Nancy and Neal for the day to Woodbine, IA for the second part of the reunion festivities. And even though you were an hour late getting home, it sounds like you had a great time and even fell asleep in you Aunt Gail's arms during picture time.

Well ,one more month and you'll be one year old! And though you won't be aware of this milestone, we'll still have a little birthday party to celebrate:^) I can't wait!

Love you,

Mama

9 months

Dear Cohen,

Today you did the funniest thing! Your dad and I gave you a tiny piece of lasagna noodle with sauce. You immediately made a face that displayed your utter disgust of the foreign object that we put in your mouth. Your strong reaction was immediately funny to your dad and I. And then, you started to gag on the lasagna noodle. Before I could get it out of your mouth you spit up a good couple of ounces of formula from your bottle a few hours earlier. After the milk rushed out, the lasagna noodle slowly followed. Once it was out, all was well again!

You see, last friday you went to the pediatrician for your 9 month well check. The pediatrician said that we could start trying real food. I know you'll let me know when you're ready for solid foods, but I couldn't resist seeing what would happen. Besides talking about introducing new foods, the doc also plotted your stats on the growth chart. You are in the 10th percentile for weight and the 25th percentile for height! I recognize that percentiles don't really matter and that everyone usually balances out in the end, but it is so neat to see the progress you've made and somehow it makes me feel proud.

Two months ago (at 7 months), you started daycare! You have since had your first ear infection. And two weeks after that you had your second ear infection. Your dad and I have since learned how painful that is for you. And how exhausting it is for us. When your ears aren't infected, you are a wonderful sleeper! You have been sleeping through the night since January! You have no idea how much I appreciate this! And it seems to work well for you too:^)

You have also been consistently working on rolling over. And for the past week, every morning I find you on your stomach. I have no idea really at what point you roll onto your stomach. And am thinking of setting an alarm, so that I can get up and see if you are sleeping on your stomach or just rolling over in the morning after you wake up. Also, you now have two teeth!!! Both bottom incisors! And both have fully risen without too many sleepless nights!

Since Spring has come we have been able to do so much fun stuff with you! You have met most of the extended family! Gone swimming! Listened to some live music outdoors! Hung out with your cousin! And many other fun firsts that we can do now that it's warm and you're older and your risk of infection has lessened! That's right! We are L.I.V.I.N. now, Baby Cohen! And loving it! You keep the smiles and the babble coming! And I'll keep the bottles and peek-a-boo coming!


Love,

Mama

P.S. We are trying lasagna again soon!!!

8 months