Belly laughs

There's something so wonderful about being along for this ride called parenthood. I feel blessed to have the presence of mind to "stop" and smell the joyful moments and what I've discovered is that there's a lot to learn from a one year old! Everything that Cooper experiences is new and delightful in his eyes and at the age of 35 I have the pleasure of recapturing some of this youthful pleasure through his innocence.

Walking in grass barefoot...seeing a school bus...being licked by a dog...or noticing your own belly button for the first time are the gifts that Cooper is sharing with us each and every day and it's magical.

Yesterday Cooper stood in front of the mirror and held his shirt up so he could see his belly. He laughed and laughed as he patted it and I think he was making the connection that his "little friend" in the mirror is actually him. Very cool!

JK

PS: One "spot" on his shoulder tonight during bath time - could be a blemish...I hope he doesn't wake up with more...the morning with tell!

All choked up...

So this morning after Cooper finished his breakfast he was sitting on daddy's lap enjoying some of his pita while Peter read the paper. I was fixing my lunch and heard a weird gagging sound coming from Cooper. A piece of pita had lodged in his throat and he was starting to choke. I yelled "he's choking" and Peter quickly turned him over and "patted" his back until the piece came loose. I then fished it out of his mouth - needless to say Cooper was not impressed with us.

This experience was unsettling and made me realize that although I was a lifeguard in the early 1990's that doesn't mean that I remember my lifesaving skills today - much like I couldn't do a "stride jump" or swim 60 lengths anymore either... Soooo I've done a little research and have discovered a company out of Toronto that comes into your home to teach infant and child first aid and CPR. I'm going to make a little party out of it and invite over some other moms.

I know that there's many bumps, bruises, and accidents ahead, but hopefully this course will make me a little more confident to deal with things and keep a "cool head" - yah right!

JK

PS - no chicken pox yet!

I love being a mom!

Call it cliche but I REALLY dig this mom-gig and I want to share my simple yet delightful experiences far and wide. Like today for example - Cooper who is now 14 months old has started to dance. He turned on some music (supplied by his Leap Frog toy) and started to sway in a circle. Not only cute but proves beyond a doubt that bad "white guy" dancing is more nature than nurture!

We found out that a child at Cooper's daycare had come down with the chicken pox. We are only a month shy of getting the vaccination but there's not much we can do. We'll just have to cross our fingers and hope that if he does get them that he won't be too sick with them!

JK