Middle Child

Since Jackson started "school" back in September, I thought of all the wonderful one-on-one time I would have with Cooper. Turns out, that wasn't really the case until recently. It seems that having a newborn soaks up alot of time (who knew) and the rest of the time was used getting all three of them dressed, fed, and out the door, dropping Jackson off, coming home, and then doing it all over in an hour or two. Maybe if Jackson were in school for 8 hours a day vs. 2 hrs a day it would be different : ) But, we'd miss him too much!
After the Christmas break, Charlie seems to be easier and easier every day. I mean, he has always been really easy going, but just nursing all day long, changing clothes from all the spit up - and the normal baby duties required my attention. Now he is taking 3 regular naps (sometimes he sleeps for 30 minutes, other times - 1 1/2 hours! He can sit up on his own and loves to be on a blanket surrounded by toys. Now, Cooper and I have some nice time to "bond" during Charlie's morning nap. I try really hard to include Cooper - even if he is playing happily by himself (which he usually is), I make sure to get him to help me gather all the laundry, or let him pour in the laundry detergent... and lately, he's been helping me do some cooking. I'm trying to get back in the groove of having a semi-decent dinner everyday. Sometimes I'm more successful than other days.
Cooper is a different kid when he has all of my attention. We just seem more connected. He laughs more and communicates more clearly. (Or maybe I can just hear what he is saying without a crying baby or a talkative older brother). I do feel like the middle child gets the short end of the stick in some ways. I really do have to make a conscious effort to take advantage of every minute I have with him alone, I know it's so important to our relationship.
Here's a few shots of him helping me make some butternut squash puree for Charlie.

I'm hopeful that very little sock fuzz made it into the puree.