Cole - Smiling

I find myself always telling people just how happy / good of a baby Cole is.  Here he was, freshly dressed after a bath, and literally about 5 minutes before he fell asleep, smiling and posing for Mama.  I love this little guy so much!

Lazy Sunday

I have made myself a promise to take more pictures of the kids together now that I am settled into the new job, have the house cleaning schedule worked out, and the boys on a similar schedule, with just one extra morning nap for Cole.  Even if all I do is manage to get a couple of pictures each weekend and post them on Sundays, that is what I'm going to do to ensure I am truly chronicling their childhood, the fun things we do as a family, and for the sake of keeping this blog updated more regularly.

As you can see, we were just hanging out in the living room when I decided that pictures - any pictures - from this week were better than none.  Cole was about to get in the tub, so he's just in a diaper, and Carter was soon to follow, so no shorts on for him.  Oh well, it doesn't detract from the cuteness!

5 Months

Cole turned 5 months old on Wednesday, August 25.  It has both flown by (he was just my baby!) and seemed like we've had him forever.  He is irreplaceable, and is just my sunshine.  I always tell him and Carter that they split half my heart down the middle.  I love them the same, and yet I love them differently.  Cole is such a happy go lucky baby - anything goes, and he rarely cries or fusses.  He is always ready with a big smile for me anytime I walk into the room, make a silly face, sing, or tickle him. 

I have so many nicknames for him, amongst the many are Coca-Cola, Coley Moley, Colesa Wolesa, Coleslaw, and Bay-Cole, inspired by Carter saying Baby Cole and shortening it.

He is a CHUNK, a snuggler, and the perfect addition to our family.  He rolls over, ooh and aahs, loves the doorway jumper and exersaucer, and thinks his brother hung the moon.  I love to watch Cole watch Carter.  I never could have anticipated how wonderful it is to have 2 and thank God every night for my boys! 

Carter (and Cole's) first Dance Party

Last weekend, we went to a 14th birthday party for a friend's daughter, and the boys had a good time.  I was worried that Cole would be overwhelmed with the lights and loud music (they had a DJ), but he was my wonderful little Cole just like usual!  Carter absolutely had a BLAST and was dancing in the middle of the entire group with his hands in the air shaking his booty!  Since then, we've gone to a couple of other birthday parties, and he will tell me he is going to a dance party. 

That same weekend, on Sunday morning at church, Carter saw some people raising their hands while we were singing the praise and worship music.  The next thing you know, he was in the aisle dancing with his hands raised in the air...my little ham!

Cole & His Cereal

At Cole's 4 month appointment, we found out that he weighs 16 pounds, 12 ounces (at the time of this post, I think he's more like 18 pounds now!), and that he was ready to begin eating cereal.  Baby cereal just seems like it would be so gross, and the first couple of times Cole "ate" it, he spit the majority of it out, made some pretty funny faces, and didn't seem to like it.  Now, though, he is doing well with the cereal and has learned how to anticipate the spoon coming for his mouth.  He will eat cereal until 5-6 months old then start vegetables.  Though I never did with Carter, I plan to make all of Cole's baby food.    By the time I have number 3, which will be in a few years, I may even be brave enough to try cloth diapers!

August

I have been a horrible blogger lately and have not published an update post in OVER a MONTH!  As you can imagine, life is hectic with 2 under 2, and to add another layer of complication, I got a new job.  So, with all of that, things are crazier than usual.  We've had a good month and have been able to squeeze in some fun at home doing things like feeding the ducks, hanging out with grandparents, neighbors, and friends. 

These pictures are from approximately mid-August around 6:00 p.m.  We took the boys down to feed the ducks, and I think this is the first time we've taken Cole down when he was awake.  Normally, one of us will take Carter and the other stay home with Cole, but he's such a good baby and loves being outside in the stroller as much as Carter does, so I was glad to have the opportunity to take them both.  On this trip, Carter had a duck eat right out of his hand for the first time and Cole laughed and smiled at all the ducks.

St. Louis

We headed to St. Louis for our annual vacation with the Hinton's on July 15 and had a great time.  The boys were fantastic in the car, and while we were there, we enjoyed the zoo, Chuck-e-Cheese, and the Magic House.  Josh and Derrick also got to go to a Cardinals game, and they enjoyed that, while Ashley and I got a few hours to shop on Saturday morning.  Overall, we survived our first vacation with both boys and are looking forward to heading to Gulf Shores in September with my family.  Here are some pictures of our trip :)

Cole & Ava are 9 days apart and after much planning, we were finally able to get together for dinner with the Beyl's, even if it took us over 3 months!  Cole and Ava were staring at each other, and they were both so cute and alert that night.  Here are a couple of pics of the night; thank you Jenn, Gabe, and Ava for having us over!

Cole thinks Ava looks tasty!

Ava with her Mommy :)

July 4, 2010

For the 4th of July weekend, we enjoyed lots of sunshine.  On Friday afternoon, we took Carter to the splash park in Collierville.  He had such a wonderful time; I really wish I wouldn't have forgotten my camera!  On Saturday morning, we took the kids to Chick-Fil-A to let Carter play on the indoor playground, and again, he had lots of fun, then we went home and swam.  That night, we went up to the high school parking lot and watched the fireworks with our neighbors.  Carter was not a fan of the fireworks...he didn't cry, but he wanted to be held and turned away from the fireworks.  Cole was mesmerized and never made a peep!  On Sunday, we had about 30 friends and family over for a cookout (Derrick smoked boston butts for hours and hours), swimming, and fun.  Finally, we enjoyed the day off Monday by leaving the kids with my mom for a few hours while we went to see Eclipse then finished the long weekend off with birthday dinner with Lindsey. 

I don't think we could have packed in any more fun than we did!  It is so nice to be off work and be able to do lots of fun stuff with the kids.  For now, Cole is just sleeping or watching his brother while Carter plays, but I know it will be no time till he is up and running around right after him!  For now, though, he is my little sumo wrestler,weighing 16 pounds at just 3 months!

Carter saying everyone's names

Here's a quick, cute video of Carter saying everyone's names...he is such a smart little boy!

Cole's Smiling Video Debut

You'll have to excuse my singing in this video, but Cole's smile will more than make up for it!

Cole - 3 Months

Here are some pictures from family dinner at Derrick's mom's house from last Wednesday, when Derrick's MiMi was in town from Big Sandy, TN. Cole is 2 days shy of 3 months in these pictures.


Cole, Nana, & Shelby


Derrick, Kelley, Cole, Shelby


Coley happy in Nana's arms

Derrick's MiMi, Derrick, Carter, and Cole

Carter at Lindsey's house - Saturday

Cole on his 3 month birthday

Cole's Baby Dedication

On Sunday, June 20, Father's Day, we dedicated Cole to the Lord at Central Church. He slept for the first part of the service and woke up as we were walking onto the platform. Even as oil was placed on his forehead and he was held by our Pastor and prayed for, he never made a peep! It was such a blessing to have him dedicated on the day honoring Daddies...Derrick's dad and step-dad were there, my dad, and lots of our immediate family.


Everyone - Shannon's family, Lindsey's family, Shelby & Justin, Nana, Pop, Garrett, MiMi, Big Daddy, Papaw, and my friend Sheneka's family :)


Carter & Cole with Nana & Pop

Carter & Cole with MiMi & Big Daddy

Carter & Cole with Daddy & Papaw

Our family - thank you Lord for the blessings you have given me!

12 Weeks - 15 Pounds!

Cole is 12 weeks old now and weighs 15 pounds! I have friends who have 1 year olds that weigh about this much....pretty unbelievable. He can sit up really well in his Bumbo seat, is filling out his infant bathtub, and is smiling and cooing so much lately. I feel so lucky that God chose me to be these sweet boys' mom!


Chillin' in the tub


Tummy time - he can hold his neck up really well


Brothers in their matching hats...poor Carter's is small - I didn't realize I bought 2 infant sized hats!

Close up of my little guy

Weeks 10-12

Cole continues to be such a joy in mine, Derrick's, and Carter's lives. He is now able to stay up 2 hours or so at a time, is doing great with holding his neck up for tummy time, and I think is just about ready to get into the pool! He gives me the biggest smiles each morning when I sing him his good morning song and makes the sweetest cooing sounds when I'm talking to him face-to-face. I am so thankful for this little boy!

He had to go to the doctor this week for congestion and a bad cough. The night it came on all of the sudden, he wanted to be upright and held or else he would cry and cry...poor little guy! As a mom, it broke my heart that I couldn't just fix it and make it all better immediately, but I gave him all I could by holding and snuggling him, rocking and singing.

When we were at the doctor, we discovered that he weighs almost 15 pounds and he's not even 3 months old yet...WOW, he is HUGE! I keep thinking that Katlin only weighed about 17 pounds at a year old, and I'm sure he'll weigh that by 5 months.


Daddy kissing Cole


Sleeping in his 3 month outfit that I put on him...which is almost already too small!


Sleeping on the couch with Derrick

Check out him sleep smiling...must have been a good dream about milk!

Katlin & Carter in her new room

Holding hands on the car ride home - so sweet

Having a picnic in our living room - these kids LOVE popcorn!