Better Late Then Never

As I've said in earlier posts, things have been a little crazy, and I've not had a lot of time to catch up with the blogging. However, I at least want to get Cole's birthday party pics uploaded in order to document such a momentous occasion! So, as the title says, better late then never!

We had his party the weekend after his birthday - April 17th. It was sports themed, so I asked everyone to wear their favorite team or team colors. The birthday boy got in on the action, too, and he wore the cutest Razorback shirt - specially made just for him! We had the shin-dig in JT's barn, and decorated it in baseballs, footballs, and basketballs. We served traditional sporting event eats - hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chips, and cracker jacks! We also rented outdoor games, but the rain moved in, and most of the festivities were kept inside.

The cake was from Merritt's bakery and SUPER good! I was convinced I'd ordered too much (a full sheet), but I'm glad we did since not much was left.

I think everyone had a great time, especially the birthday boy! Cole was so exhausted he slept until after 10 the next morning.

Thanks to all our family and friends for making this 1st birthday such a special one!

Cole, Mommy, Julie, and Eli (Eli is 40 days older)!

Gee-Gee, Poppa, and Cole-Man

The "loot" (and yes, that's an elk back there)

The cake table!

Opening gifts!

The Cake!

That's all folks!

Ummm...This has started WAY too early!

I really thought I would be able to wait a few years before I would have to pull the girls off of my son! Guess I was wrong! (Really, it's the camera angle - it was just a little peck on the cheek:) But, I guess if my son is going to have Cougars after him, there wouldn't be anyone better than sweet Emma!

I'm Supposed to be Working...

But, I'm thinking about how far behind I am with this blog! There is sooooo much that has changed in just a few months.

• Cole started full on walking shortly after he turned 1,


• has 6 teeth and practically cuts a new one every other day,


• says a variety of words (Mama, DaDa, Gee-Gee, Poppa, cracker, bubbles, outs-hide (outside), doggie, tea, and a whole lot of babble),
  
• loves being outside,


• likes to play in the pool,


• enjoys bathtime, and


• LOVES to eat - especially bread and butter, pickles, chicken and dumplings. I'm so glad he isn't a picky eater (I hope I didn't just jinx myself)


• Cole loves going to the park and playing on the slides and swings with Gee-Gee and Poppa,


• He loves to "read" books, or at least turn or rip out the pages


• And so many other wonderful and new things!

The one thing I've found with motherhood that has gotten increasingly more difficult is the time I'm away from Cole. Getting up and leaving him every morning is very hard :( I know he's staying with my parents, two people that love him dearly, but I want to be the one that enjoys the day with him! By the time I get home from work, I want to spend all my time playing with Cole, but I've got the other motherly/wifely obligations to do, too - laundry, dishes, house cleaning, etc., then it's Cole-Man's bedtime. It's hard to balance my time appropriately and get everything done that needs to be, AND spend time with my toddler, not to mention my husband.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a projcect at work, and I like to contribute to my household financially, but I'm very confused as to how to find the correct balance - baby/work/personal time?? I guess it's Mommy guilt, but man, it's tough!

Enough of the poor me stuff. Here are some fairly recent family pictures:

One Year Old!

My precious baby is turning one on Tuesday, April 13th! How can that be? It seems like just yesterday the doctor was placing Cole in my arms, and I was convinced I would never have more love in my heart then right at that moment. I was wrong...I love that little boy more and more everyday.

Every, single day has been a blessing and a wonderful experience. It's amazing to watch him grow and learn. You can almost see the realization in his bright, blue eyes when he learns something new. His excitement is contagious, and my heart almosts bursts with pride.

Everything about this first year has been great, but I've got to say that right now might be my favorite age so far. There is nothing like first thing in the morning when he wraps his little arms around my neck and squeezes tight. No one else will do - just Mommy! I know it sounds selfish, but I hope it stays this way forever! I hope he will always know that he can come to his Mommy, no matter how old or big he is. I will always be here for a hug, or as he gets older, a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen.

Cole, you've made all of us so happy, and we love you more than you will ever know!

Happy birthday, sweet boy!

Catching Up!

Hi. My name is Heather, and I'm a slacker! I know there aren't excuses for failing to chronicle my little boy's life, but GEEEZZ we've been busy! Since Cole became mobile we don't have time for extra curricular activities like blogging...I'm just lucky if I can get a shower and brush my teeth!

Anyways, enough of the excuses. Here's what's been going on around here:

As I stated in my last post, Cole started crawling in early December, and man the training wheels are off! He's fast, and he's everywhere! He started pulling up shortly before Christmas, and now he's really close to "crusing" (Taking steps while holding on to the couch, coffee table, or other pieces of furniture for balance.) Cole has also cut his top two teeth, for a grand total of 4! Where has my little baby gone?? In three short months my little guy will be 1! UNBELIEVABLE!

Cole had a great first Christmas. We had our first visit with the big man in the red suit, and Cole wasn't quite sure what to think of ol' Ho Ho! I have a feeling they'll be fast friends in a few years though! As for what the little guy got, well, just about everything - toys, clothes, books, stuffed animals, and a helicopter teeter-totter! Yup, he's not quite 1 and already has a chopper (thanks Gee-Gee and Papa. We don't have to worry about you guys spoiling him or anything)!

Cole's seen his first snow. In fact, he's now seen two semi-blizzards - Christmas Eve and January 29, 2010. We took him out this time around and he seemed to be pretty fascinated by the stuff falling from the sky...he kept sticking his tongue out. Let's just hope in a few years his dad doesn't tell him to lick the frozen flag pole. Sad thing is, boys and girls, I can TOTALLY see it happening!


Enough of the talking...here's the pics! Enjoy!


Thanksgiving 2009 - Cole and Mommy

November 2009 - Cole and Daddy

December 2009 -
"You make one more move, old man, and I'll scream!"

Reindeer Games

Where's Waldo??!

Definitely on the "Good" list!

Family Pictures

Towards the end of October, we had Cole's 6 month photos/family pictures. Here's a few of our favorites!

My "Little" Man

It never ceases to amaze me just how fast Cole changes. Everyday it's something new, and I'm equally, if not more, excited than Cole is when he masters a new skill! But, on December 4th a big milestone arrived - we crawled!! (Too bad his daddy didn't get to see it, he was elk hunting in New Mexico. Did I mention the 4th was our 10 year anniversary also? I'm not bitter.) Since then, there's no stopping him!

Cole is EVERYWHERE, and he's so fast! You look away for two seconds and he's in the kitchen knocking over pop bottles like bowling pins, or he's creeping into our bedroom heading straight for the bathroom where there's all kinds of goodies to get into - trash, the scales, daddy's underwear that never quite make it to the hamper, you name it! I think it is going to be impossible to baby proof our house! If anyone has any suggestions, we're all ears!

And our house! Holy Smokes! It looks like a tornado went through! I can't keep anything where it belongs, and I never seem to have time to pick anything up either. Is this normal? Is it supposed to look like a bomb went off, littering the house with baby toys?

Regardless of the mess though, Cole is absolutely the light of my life! There's nothing like those chubby little arms wrapping themselves around my neck right before he falls asleep. I love you, Cole-Man, more than you will ever know!