Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Update on the Hill Home

A LOT has happened in the month since I posted last!










This little guy has really started to eat up that baby food!  And interestingly enough, he hates apples.  If there is a hint of apple in any of the baby food I buy for him, he screams as he eats it.  Hmmm...




He has started sitting up really well and rolls all over the place.  He cut two teeth two weeks ago (a lot faster than big brother...Chandler didn't cut a tooth until he was one!).  I know he will be crawling soon and I'm happy for these milestones but I'd be lying if I said my heart wasn't a little sad for him to be reaching them so quickly.

But the big news in Cooper's life was his surgery to remove a dermoid cyst from above his right eye.  I was incredibly anxious for him to have to go under anesthesia.  I guess I talk a lot when I'm nervous?  I talked the ears off of my husband, my mother and our Pastor.  But, when the nurses brought him back to me, Cooper looked up at me and smiled and then inhaled a 6 ounce bottle.  You would not have even known he just had surgery.  And that is pretty much how the following days of recovery went!  A few fussy periods but for the most part, Cooper handled this surgery like a champ!  We are incredibly grateful for the prayers that covered our baby boy and thankful to God for keeping him safe and happy. 

Post-Op, Post-Bottle

About a week later
  
Chandler had a big month!  He turned two on the 14th!  He is changing so much every day.  His vocabulary is quite impressive now.  And, of course he repeats everything we say and he does everything his daddy does.  He amazes us!!  He knows his numbers, one through ten, and many of his letters and colors.  He would live outside if we let him.  We were given four horses a few weeks ago so his new favorite thing is to go "check horses" in the evenings at Nana and Andaddy's.  He is such a joy!  He is an absolute delight to have in our lives and I just praise God for allowing us to be his parents!

Birthday morning eating cupcakes

Swimming at Nana's at his party








Playing the piano while Nana sings
What an important job TJ and I have been tasked with.  Being a mother is the hardest job I have ever had but it's also my favorite and the most rewarding.  On the day of Chandler's birthday, I was expressing to TJ how amazed I am at how quickly I feel like the last two years have gone by.  I cried to him that we "only" have sixteen years left!  I know this is "my life's work" (to quote a dear friend) but, we only have sixteen years left until this sweet child graduates high school  and ventures into this big world as an adult.  Not by himself; he will always have us by his side.  As an adult, though.  We have a lot to teach him in these short sixteen years!!  What an incredibly important, amazing job He has trusted us with!  My prayer for us in the next sixteen years is that we are able to teach Chandler how important Christ is to his life and how very very much he is loved by our Lord.  I pray we can equip him with the tools he needs to be financially independent and responsible, emotionally healthy and strong, and to find an adventure around every corner.  I just want us to fill the next sixteen years with as many memories, fun, adventures and love as we possibly can.  It's only sixteen years!

A few more recent pictures


Going to check horses

Reading a book our cousin Kristen sent us
Not only has it been a busy month or so since I posted last, but in a seven day period, we have celebrated Chandler's birthday, my birthday (EEKK), Father's Day and tomorrow we celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary.  What a fun, beautiful life TJ and I get to live!  Our hearts are so incredibly full!