Cope's Two Year Checkup

Cope had his two year checkup this morning. Thankful to report that he is healthy! And growing..proof?

Weight: 32 lbs, which is in the 86th percentile

Height: 35 in, which is in the 60th percentile

For comparison's sake, this little girl

is only 2 lbs bigger than Cope. She weighed 34 lbs in December. And she was 26 lbs 12 oz at her two year checkup. Yep, he is a big boy.

The next best thing to hearing that he was perfectly healthy, was hearing our pediatrician say that she doesn't think he needs speech! I was blown away by this. I trust her completely on this matter, so I was so thrilled. She definitely thinks Cope has made progress, and is continuing to make progress. She also thinks his mama does a little comparing of him to his older sister, which she said is like comparing apples to oranges. We will do another assessment in 3 months, but for now, we are so happy and plan to do all we can to help him keep making progress!

She gave me some great advice and a great book to read to help us help Cope deal with his frustration that he sometimes experiences due to not being able to communicate as effectively as he'd like. After I read it and implement what it says to do, I may do a post on it. I just know from reading the reviews of the book and the fact that our ped has used this book too and is proof that it works, makes me really excited!

His picky eating habits didn't concern her too much. He does take a vitamin and drinks a carnation instant breakfast each morning with his breakfast. I mean he obviously isn't falling off the growth charts by any means :). In big eating news, he did start eating yogurt last week. Here is proof:

He still sleeps well, although get ready for this, he has GIVEN UP HIS NAP! That was my break! My alone time with Simms. No more. He is done with it. Dru and I just decided to not push it anymore. Simms gave hers up around this age too, so now we are a happy party of 3 all afternoon. I've had to completely "schedule" our afternoons until Dru gets home. We usually pick Simms up and are home by 12, so we do lunch and just piddle around, then weather permitting {always praying it is} we head outside from 1:30/1:45ish until 3. Then we come in for a snack and some quite time while I do "chores" and yes, our quite time involves TV. I'm OK with that. I do read and play with them then too, it isn't all TV till Dru gets home {most days at least :)} This schedule has really added structure to our afternoons which I'd come to realize, since Cope gave up his nap, was a necessity!

He did nap on the drive home from the doctor, cradling his new train that I got him for being such a big boy. I LOVE this boy. I truly can't explain it. It is such a sweet, special bond that we have. He has my heart.

He came home and enjoyed being the little boy that he's turned into SO quickly!

Goodwin Animal Hospital and Pet Resort

Dru's dad, aka Papa to my kids, or Dr. Donny to me, has expanded his veterinarian practice by opening a new office on Chantilly Parkway in Pike Road. He still has his practice on Atlanta Highway in Montgomery but the new office is a pet resort in addition to a vet practice. And let me tell you...It Is Unbelievably Nice!! So nice in fact, that I told Dru I may go and check myself in on a Friday and come home on Sunday :). It is also a state of the art office when it comes to the technology and equipment there. The new practice offers surgery, orthopedic surgery, ultrasound, laser therapy, endoscopy, internal medicine, oncology, dentistry, physical therapy, preventive medicine, day care, luxury boarding and regular boarding. Dr. Donny is such a knowledgeable and compassionate veterinarian, but he is also a kind and caring person, and I think that is what makes him such a good vet! The best vet if you ask us! So definitely head his way if you are looking for a vet, and if you have to board a pet, I can promise you this is where you'd want your pet to be! Here are some pictures of when we took all 4 grand kids to see the new office!

Papa with his 3 grandaughters and 1 grandson in front of the aquarium, Simms' favorite part of the new office!

Gigi and Papa with Simms, Emiline, Lilla and Cope

Some pictures from inside..I wish I knew what everything was and I'd explain a little more, but here are pics nonetheless..

Love the orange and blue

Pictures of the Resort area..cute little "houses" for your pet surrounding a pool! Each house even has a flat screen TV! Pets will feel very pampered here!

You can even request the "Auburn Suite"

or gasp...an Alabama one {that shows what a good man the Doc is. As much of an Auburn man as he is, I know this was hard!}

Looking at the fish

Happy to have fed the fish

And here are some pictures from around our house lately..

He looks so big now that he is 2!

He loves playing with this game that Simms got from Santa

And he loves getting his very own milkshakes now too!

And she loves playing "deer hunting" because she's been two times this year. She talks in a whisper when playing. It's pretty funny.

One day we were so tired of cold, rainy weather that we set up the kid's bouncey that they got for Christmas from Gigi and Papa in the playroom. It took up the entire room almost but it was worth it!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our precious son!

Our sweet boy turned 2 on December 30! I just can't believe it has been two years since he was born! He has been a true blessing in our lives. He is loved by so many. I had always desired to have a son, a baby boy, and he has filled that desire beyond measure. My first few weeks with him were clouded with postpartum depression. A dark cloud that I never expected or saw coming and that I still wish never came, but it did and he loved me and needed me through it all. He depended on me through all of that, the way he still needs, loves, and depends on me {and his Daddy} now. He is a gift. A joy. A boy with a temper, oh that temper. He is slowly talking more and continuing to be the pickiest eater I've ever seen. I treasure him, love him more than I could ever explain, and thank the Lord for him continuously. I still get excited thinking about life with a little boy. Happy Birthday, Copeland Evans Goodwin!

Birthday Morning..a pancake, balloons, singing and presents with our little family!

Later that evening we had a small family party..dinner, cake, ice cream, presents, a bon fire for the older gentlemen..a great party! Cope was so loved on and had so much fun being the center of attention. That is a role that is hard to come by for him, with Simms in the house and all. You know how girls are!

Our little boy was given lots of gifts. And guess what? They all suited him so well! Dru and I were saying it seemed like over night he went from our little toddler to a little boy who loves trucks, matchbox cars and trains. He was so lucky too to have so many family members celebrate with him. From all four grandparents, to his 2 great-grandmothers and 1 great-grandfather, aunts, uncles and cousins. He is one blessed little boy. Thank you all for loving him and being a part of his life! And now looking back..

December 30, 2009

We loved you from the very first day we knew about you Cope, but nothing could prepare us for the day we met you..

December 30, 2010

A whole year with you. It was a sweet and special year.

December 30, 2011

Two years! We've started seeing more of your personality and your heart, and we love you so much! It became a little more obvious to me during this last year that two kids isn't easy, especially when they both want you to themselves at the same time, but we've made it through another year, and we are thankful for this second year of your life!

And I have become very aware, after this post, that my cell phone camera isn't going to cut it much longer..