Swing Time

We have finally found a solution to Cooper's evening crying....

Cooper prefers to swing side to side and listening to Pandora (especially if it is loud and he is right by the speaker).
We also found that if you turn the swing so it faces the TV, Cooper enjoys watching football.

Anything to keep our boy happy in the evenings.

Siblings

Its only taken 6 weeks, but we have finally captured a few shots of our 3 Sparkles!

We are blessed!

Goober Bear

Thanks Aunt Beth and Uncle Sean for my new bear.

 Cooper was not too sure what to think of his new friend.

 Cooper and Goober's first cuddle on the couch.

Best of friends.

6 Weeks Old

It is amazing how time has flown and how much Cooper has changed in the last 6 weeks.

Here is the latest glimpse of our little man.

A visit with Aunt Beth

Playing games

An afternoon of dominos before Aunt Beth flies home to Boston.

Cooking with Aunt Beffie

We have been so lucky to have Aunt Beth visiting us this weekend and cooking yummy meals for us.
The girls loved being Mini Chefs and helping.

First, they made home made spaghetti sauce- some for dinner, some for stuffed shells (to be frozen) and 4 jars to freeze for future meals.

Next it was time to make Spicy Pretzels.
Lillian was quite the helper... dumping the pretzels into the pan

Laying them flat

Supervising Mommy as she prepared the spicy sauce

Then helping Mommy pour

Of course, every Chef must taste their creation, just to make sure it is good.

After nap, it was time to tackle the bagel chips.
Lillian liked "painting" the chips with the garlic butter before having Madi put them in the oven to bake.

Happy Chef

And while the bagel chips baked, the girls helped Aunt Beth crush oreos for Oreo Truffles

Everything was delicious (and this was only half of the menu :)

Zoo Fun

A Saturday trip the zoo with Nana, Omi and Aunt Beth.

Cooper's first visit to his Lions at the Indianapolis zoo. It was a hot but fun afternoon.

The girls always enjoying jumping on the Rhino bridge. (I am not sure that Lillian knows there are actually animals at the end of the bridge, but it doesn't seem to matter to her).

Pausing beside the monkey exhibit to hand out lollipops for the children (and Omi)

We stopped at our favorite exhibit- the elephants
 But of course the yard behind us is empty :(

What a crew we are...

Lillian eyeing the the Lion... I think she was afraid he might eat her.

Mischievous Madi... she is up to something.

 

And the best picture of the day...

Squirrel!

5 Weeks Old: Cooper

At 5 weeks old, Cooper now weighs 9lbs 10oz (2 pounds more then his birth weight) and is 22 1/4inches long. He is in the 25th percentile for his weight and 50th percentile for height.

Not only is he getting so big, he is also expressing his emotions. Here he is sporting his SAD face.

Cooper- The World's Best Little Brother (or so his onesie says) snuggling his new burp cloth.

Papi and Gran

Last weekend, we were blessed to have Papi and Gran visiting us from Florida.
It was only a short visit but filled with love and many memories.

Every one enjoyed snuggles with Papi.

and playing games together (especially dominoes)

LOOK: they both have the same thinking face!

Our time together was packed with bike rides, neighborhood walks, family meals, and other activities (hence the limited photos :)

However, here are few of our family pictures together.
 Papi and Cooper- what a family resemblance

 Cuddles and Snuggles with Papi and Gran

 3 Generations of Sparkman's

 The Sparkman Men!

Omi Memories

We were very blessed to have Omi and Opi (the kids great grand parents) visiting for the past week.
We each enjoyed special moments with them.

Lillian loved reading stories with Omi

Cooper loved cuddles and Omi's singing.

And Madison (who is anti-photographs at the moment) loved playing Yahtzee with Omi.

We are so lucky to have them and the opportunities to build memories together.

Cooper's 1 month old

Cooper is 1 month old.

Look how he has grown.

 His Royal Lion-ness