Cole's New Hobby

I recently got a new camera and have been taking lots of pictures with it. So many pictures that one day Cole was straddling the foot of my bed, pretending it was a horse, when he said I should take his picture. I asked him why and he told me that he thought it was funny and would make a good picture. Well Cole has decided he likes to take pictures too. I have let him use my camera a couple of times and he really does a pretty good job. One day he was taking pictures in the car while he was strapped in his carseat. I asked him what he was taking pictures of and he said his feet and Ella. He also loves taking pictures of his Dad, his favorite subject. I can't bring myself to delete the pictures he took. So here are a few of my favorite.

Pictures of my Daddy

Oops. Where's Daddy's head?

In the Car

He even took a picture of himself in the mirror.

Ella 11 Months and Crawling

Yeah! Ella is crawling. Well, sort of. She kind of crawls and drags one leg along. I've never seen anything like it. It's time to put the babygate up. She actually got into something for the first time yesterday, Cole's puzzles. I know to some this is not a big deal. But for Ella it is huge. She has been trying to crawl for months now. Today she turns 11 months old. She likes to clap. Claps all the time for no reason. Makes a real mess when she eats. Loves to tear up paper and eat books. Loves chips just like her mama. Hates wearing socks. She has the sweetest smile, bluest eyes and the fattest little legs. Love them! Can't believe her first birthday is next month.

Loves chips!

Hates socks.

Tearing out puzzles.

Blue eyes just like my Daddy.

Say cheese!

Happy Birthday Mama

Dear Mama,

Now that I'm a mom myself I am able to appreciate you so much more. Now I see how hard you worked when we were younger and how you must have worried over us and probably still do. Thanks for all the sleepless nights, the mountains of laundry you folded and for all the meals you cooked. Thanks for all the knees you kissed, all the boogie men you scared away and for all of your silent prayers. Thanks for the many tents you built, toys you cleaned up, trips to the park and for allowing us to be kids. Thanks for all the laughter and for all the tears you wiped away. Most of all thank you for loving me so much.

You are so many things....

• a wife
• a daughter
• a sister
• a nana
• a mother
  

But most importantly you are a friend, my friend. Happy Birthday! As Dalton says I love you to the moon and back.

We sure do love you Nana!

Watching the Band

Cole loves the marching band. He knows all the instruments and his favorite is the drums. We went with the Woods to a West Johnston football game just to see the band play. Not to sound old but teenagers today - Oh boy. I wouldn't teach high school for anything. We ended up leaving at half time after the band played. When we got home Cole said, "Hey Dad. We forgot to watch the football players." He's still too young to actually pay attention to the game. But we had a good time anyway.

Waiting for the game to start.

Scott, Cole and Ava watching the band go by.

This is the best seat in the house.

Precious

Ella has been saying, "ma ma ma ma" for a while now. Well the other day I laid her down for a nap in her crib. I was scratching her hair, when she looked up at me with her sleepy eyes and said," Mama." I smiled and said,"That's right Ella. I'm your mama." Still looking at me she said,"Mama" again and then closed her eyes. It was as if at that moment she realized that was my name. Still, when I think of it, tears fill my eyes because you never know how much that word will mean to you until you hear your child say it for the first time. Granted when your three year old is yelling, "Mama watch this" constantly it can get old. But there is nothing like the first time.

Ella, I love being your mom!

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like These

Have you ever looked around at other moms and wondered, "Is your life as crazy as mine?" Everyone seems so relaxed and laid-back. It seems like stuff never happens to other people. I often find myself wondering why me Lord? Today I decided to take Ella to the doctor. She has had a bad cold for a week and it's not getting any better. I dread going to the doctor. I dread it even more when I have to take Cole and Ella. We get called back and are waiting for the doctor, so far not so bad. (Besides Cole asking everyone he sees do they know who doctor two brains is. Which, by the way is from Word Girl on PBS.) Then everything falls apart. Ella starts crying uncontrollably because she is sick and needs a nap. I'm holding her, bouncing her trying to get her to calm down. Then Cole looks at me and says he has to do number 2. I said, "Oh no Cole. Not now." Then he starts to cry and says, no he has to do number 4. That is code for throw up. I quickly throw Ella into the stroller and grab Cole. Throw up starts to fly everywhere. We got most of it in the trashcan. But his shirt is covered and the floor too. I have to get a nurse to help me clean it up. Then the doctor comes in to examine Ella and Cole will not let me put him down. He is crying and very upset. The doctor has to look at Ella without me holding her so then Ella begins to cry and sob. Then the doctor can't see in Ella's ear because of wax. She has to clean her ears out. Cole finally lets me put him down so I can help the doctor hold down Ella's legs and arms. Pitiful. Absolutely pitiful. During this part Cole says, "Mama, I have to do number 1." I yelled back that he will have to hold it for right now. Then the doctor proceeds to tell me that Ella is fine, just a cold. I thought to myself, "You mean to tell me I've been up for two nights with no sleep because of a cold." Luckily this is not a day I'm feeling rage because I just screamed in my head and not out loud. The doctor did say that Cole probably has a stomach virus that is going around. She asked if he has had any diarrhea. I said not that I know of. Then we get out of there but as we are leaving, Cole reminded me that he has to go the bathroom. We have to go back inside and get a bathroom key. As Cole is standing to pee, he says he has to do number 2 and starts crying. By the way Ella is still crying hysterically in her stroller because of the ear cleaning thing. Before I know it, you know what starts coming out all over Cole's underwear and pants. I'm out of babywipes from trying to clean up throw-up. I have to use toilet paper and do the best I can. I have to put on Cole's throw-up shirt because his pants and underwear are ruined. (I have a change of clothes for Cole by the way-in the car.) Yes, I have to return the key and walk out of the doctor's office with one screaming baby and a half naked 3 year old. He is wearing his crocs and a shirt. I have him hide behind the stroller so the receptionist can't see him and a mother and her daughter were snickering a little on our way out. All is well now. Ella fell asleep in the car and I bathed Cole when we got home. So the next time you see a mom with two kids and you think, "Man she has it together. " Remember she has days too. Her day is not today but it will be her turn soon enough.

No big deal Mom.

Back to Normal

It was so nice to have Scott home tonight. When he walked in the door at 6:00 Cole smiled really big and said, "Daddy what took you so long?" He had no idea Scott has been gone for days. He just thought he took a long time getting home from work. Just goes to show you children have no concept of time.

Playing in the closet after supper.

Working Late Again

Scott is working late again tonight. I do not know how women handle their husbands being gone for weeks at a time. Hopefully tonight is the last night he will have to work late, until busy season that is. He's been getting up at 5:00 and working until late at night for a couple of weeks now. It has to be taking a toll on him, but not once has he complained. We love him so much around here and miss him badly. Thanks Scott for working so hard to provide for your family. I know we (meaning me) sometimes may give you a hard time for working so much, but please know that we are proud of you and all that you do. You sacrifice so much of yourself for our family. I can't remember the last time you bought something just for you. You give us all that you have. Thanks to the Olivers, Mama, Daddy and Lisa for getting me through these couple of weeks. It's been tough without Scott's help around here. I'm not use to being on my own. Another thing that I'm not use to is what a mama's boy Cole is being. But don't anybody worry. It won't take 5 minutes and Cole will be yelling for me to get out of here. Thanks for everything Scott! We love you!

My Parenting Philosophy...

Whatever makes them happy!

Yes, I let my children.....

• run in the rain
• watch TV
• jump on the bed
• go outside with no shoes on
• Every time we go to Target I buy Cole an Icee and he never once asks for a toy. Ella is sure to follow soon.
• eat in the den
• blow bubbles in the house
• We bring the sandbox inside when it's too cold out.
• eat dessert before supper
  
  

This may explain why our carpet is ruined but we sure have made some fun memories and my kids are happy and just a little spoiled.

Cole waiting for rain.

Cole wanted to play too.

Ella slowly took all the wipes out of the bag, one at a time. A lot of parents would have taken the wipes away. But I thought it was funny watching her. She took one out and another one would appear. It amazed her.

Cole at Three

Cole just turned 3 in June but if you ask him how old he is he will tell you that he is getting ready to turn 4. He will tell complete strangers this when they ask him. I've tried to explain to him that he should say he is 3 but he won't listen. Stuff like this is why Cole is constantly making me smile. He really is funny. Other cute things he says: If I try to love on him his says, "Stop mama. Kisses and hugs are only on Tuesdays." He once told me to stop freaking out. (Not sure where he has heard that from.) One day I asked him if this shirt I put on made me look fat. I didn't really expect an answer I was just talking. Well he said, "Yeah it does." I must have given him a sad look because he said, "Oh mama, you're not fat, just your belly." I thought he would be so shy because he gave strangers the serious stare when he was a baby, just like Ella. But oh no. He will talk to anyone that will listen. Once at Target he said to the lady in front of us at the checkout, "Hey, lady. Where's my daddy?" Every night he and Scott check for trolls under his bed with a flashlight. I don't think he is really scared that there are trolls under there. He just likes to do this with his daddy. I enrolled him into preschool this year and he just finished his first week. I picked him up Thursday and he said,"I had so much fun mama." I was glad to hear that because it is so hard to leave him. For some reason Cole always wants me to carry him around. If I go downstairs to get something for him. He wants to come too and I have to carry him. I asked him why he can't walk and he says because his legs are so short. If I won't carry him then he finds someone else to do it, like his aunt Lisa. At this age he loves sports, especially golf and baseball. He loves to read books and watch TV. He is a real couch potato and sometimes I have to cut the TV off just so he will go and play. He likes playing pirates and cowboys. He has just now gotten into playing the computer and video games (which I secretly like to play too). He has entered the "Watch this mama" phase. He's always doing flips and "cool moves" off the couch for me to see. The only time he gets in trouble is for throwing things across the room and for being sassy. I love it when he sits in my lap with his sippy cup and blanket and we watch TV together. He will let me hold him for just a little while this way. Once the show goes off, out of my lap he goes. Doing his boyish things. Until the next time, I just look forward to Tuesdays.

Cole, getting ready to turn 4.

Riding my tricycle.

My three favorite things; my blanket, my sippy cup, and TV

Cowboy Cole. In his pants he has stuffed a fly-swatter, a laser gun, a sword and some kind of pole. These are things a cowboy needs. Don't you know?

First Day of Preschool

Reading books.

Playing golf in the house.

Ella at Ten Months

Ella is a sweet, sweet baby. She loves babies, dogs and any toy that makes noise. She has completely given up baby food. Only wants what we are eating. Loves watermelon, corn on the cob and mashed potatoes. She has a favorite blanket that she sleeps with. Hates it when Cole gets something and she doesn't. Can get a real attitude and turn beet red when she doesn't get what she wants. If Cole gets an Icee then she will want one too. She is getting in 4 more teeth for a total of 8 teeth. My favorite time is going to get her in the mornings. She kicks her legs and her arms because she is so excited to see me. Then she talks to me and points around the room. No words just sounds. Seems like she is trying to tell me something. It is so cute. I also love how she buries her head in her blanket when she's tired. She can be very serious at times, especially around strangers. Sometimes she's even embarrassed me because people will talk to her so sweetly and she will stare them down. She won't even crack a smile. She looks at them like, "You're stupid." They don't know exactly how to react to that. I swear it's because she is studying them. Trying to figure out what they are saying to her. She saves her best smiles for her big brother and her cousins, Dalton and Parker. They make her laugh the most. She's very tough, rarely cries. I think it's from being around all the boys in our family. She didn't even cry when she got her shots at ten months. Doctor said that was a first for him. Then again it could be those fat, little legs that cushioned her. Still not crawling. She is trying so hard but keeps getting hung up on one leg. Looking back I remember wondering if Cole would ever crawl. Now look at him, he is buzzing around the house, jumping off couches and zooming by her saying, "This is how you crawl Ella. It's easy." Ella has her own time table I guess and she will crawl when she is ready. Scott and I just laugh at her because she is so laid-back that she props her foot on whatever she can find like an old grandma. (She gets that from me.) I can't believe she's turning 1 in a few months. Where has the time gone? My baby is growing up. It's amazing how fast the second time around goes by. I don't even mind if she ever gets up at night because I know this is my last one and she will only be little for awhile.

Serious Ella

See, I can smile.

I now have 8 teeth.

Now I can eat corn.

If I could just get this one leg out of the way. Man other babies make it look so easy.

Let me just prop my leg up and relax.

Once Upon a Pigsty

Yes, it is true. My house is a pigsty. Ever since I was a little girl I have had a problem being messy. People who know me best, know exactly what I mean. It's not that I don't care. I do. It's just that I don't want to put stuff away unless I can do it right. So the mess hangs around getting worse and worse. Until eventually I am overwhelmed and do not know where to begin. Having children has made this problem even worse. Staying home has made it awful. I thought I would have more time to clean and straighten. Oh no. Because we are home all the time now we make an even bigger mess. As of yesterday I was starting to panic a little. The mess had consumed me and Cole couldn't even walk around his room. I called to vent to Lisa and she said I know it is hard. My house is a mess right now too (which means there is a glass in the sink). Lisa and I are opposites you see. She has always been neat and orderly. She can take care of two children, a dog, workout, run errands for Joseph and her huge two story house is never a mess. I so admire this about her. Well, today she came over to help me get my life back in order. She spent the whole morning helping me clean my house. Now I can breathe again. This blog is dedicated to you Lisa, the one person who has seen me at my worse and loves me anyway. Thanks for today! I'm glad you're my sister.

My Friend Daddy

I know boys and their dads are suppose to be close. But whatever happened to mama's boy? Well forget about that. Cole loves his dad more than anyone else in this world. Yes, that means even more than me. At first I thought their special bond was a phase that Cole was going through, but now I'm beginning to realize that this is not a phase. If I walk into the room where they are playing Cole will yell at me, "Go back upstairs mama." He wants Scott all to himself. He even refers to Scott as "My Friend Daddy." Ask Cole who taught him that (it doesn't matter what it is) he will say, "My friend Daddy." If you know Scott, then you know how patient he is and easy-going. This is partly why Cole is so in love with him. For example if Scott's getting money out at the ATM he lets Cole go with him. He will endlessly hit golfballs with Cole. Putting the ball on the tee over and over again until Cole says he's ready to go inside. He really is a great Dad and I understand why Cole loves him so much. Maybe Ella will be my friend but she sure does seem to light up when Scott enters the room. I may lose another one. For now I will have to settle for second place and sit on the sidelines...waiting for this phase to end... hopefully it will.

Me and My Friend Daddy