Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween...have I mentioned that before? I have had to work on the past 8 Halloweens and I was so excited about this one...because of Cole and because I would be able to enjoy the holiday too. We started off by taking Cole to Rhonald's clinic to show him off. Everyone loved his monkey costume and squeezed on him like crazy. Then we headed down to the Fayetteville Square where they had Trick or Treating and costume contests. We were shocked at how many people were there. It was so much fun to show Cole off and see the other kids all dressed up. We even ran in to the Burrow family and got some cute pictures with Ben. Tonight I was so happy to pass out candy to all of the kids in our neighborhood. Cole helped me answer the door and laughed at all of the costumes that he saw. If I counted right we had about 35 kids come by and it was awesome! Before bed Rhonald read Cole his Halloween books (thank you Aunt Laura). We are already excited about celebrating again next year!

"I Love Black Beans!"

I think the pictures speak for themselves!!!! Cole has gotten to where he will eat just about anything and one of his new favorites are black beans! Boy do they make a HUGE mess but hey, if he loves them that is all that matters!

Bye Bye

We got to have a wonderful catered lunch at Rhonald's clinic today to help celebrate his birthday (which is Monday). I dressed Cole up in his Halloween costume and everyone thought he was adorable! We ate a great lunch and had a yummy piece of birthday cake. Cole was passed from person to person and did very well. He loved the banner that said "happy birthday" because the girls would make it wiggle around. He would laugh and laugh! When we were about to leave everyone started waving saying "bye bye" to us. Cole has never waved in his life but today he said "bye bye" plain as day twice! We were all freaking out. I thought it might just be a fluke since he is only 9 1/2 months old but after the party we went to Old Navy and he said "bye" to the cashier! I cannot believe it! He may just not be a waver...but he sure is a talker!!!

Something New To Do

As I mentioned before Cole has started to pull up on anything and everything! He loves doing it and he really loves all of the new things he can find and see once he stands up! We bought him this new toy to pull up on and eventually he will be able to push it around. He really likes pushing all of the buttons and turning all of the nobs! This thing keeps him busy let me tell you. He also enjoys the coffee table and loves looking for things to play with up there. We have started putting some toys up there for him to find and he gets so excited when he sees them. He has been eating a lot better lately too which is fun and makes us feel better. However, now that Cole is pulling up and eating finger foods he is worse than Mason about begging. Last night Rhonald was eating a cookie and Cole was pulling up on his pants and throwing a fit wanting a bite! And once I sat down with my dinner it dinner it did not take him 5 seconds to get to the table and pull up and beg for more to eat! What a little piggy he has become!!! This stage is so much fun. Every time he changes we say, "this is my favorite stage" but honestly it is...he gets more and more fun all of the time!

Pumpkin Frenzy

Tuesday night Rachel and Jamie had a group of friends over for a pumpkin carving contest and it was so much fun! We have not carved pumpkins in so long and it was a blast to get to do it again (and we look forward to doing it every year from now on!). While the boys carved away in the garage (for about 2 hours) the girls and the babies stayed inside and talked and ate and played. Above is a picture of Cole and his pals...Nathan (7 months), Audrie (9 months), Cole, and Ben (5 months). The babies had fun together and got along very well!

As you can see from this picture there were some beautiful and elaborate pumpkins! Everyone did a great job with their carvings but my favorite was this one....

I thought it was so ironic that Rhonald carved a spider into his pumpkin because he absolutely hates spiders. And not just a little bit...a lot! I will say, although the spider did not win 1st prize I was impressed because Rhonad was the only person to carve his pumpkin without a stencil. That should count for something right?!

Everyone had such a great time and we are so thankful to Rachel and Jamie for having us over. We hope that it was the first of many pumpkin carving parties that they will host (hint, hint)!

Some Fun Pictures To Share

Cole can finally sit in his rocking chair for a few seconds without tumbling out. This chair used to be Rhonald's and we have many, many pictures of Rhonald rocking away in it. I was so happy to finally get one of Cole. I must confess, right after I snapped the photo he slipped out...but laughed when he hit the floor!

We have these neat shelves under our coffee table and end table. We use them to store baskets of Cole's toys and recently Cole has figured out how to pull the baskets off and get his own toys. Today he figured out how to crawl up on to the shelf and sit there for a few minutes. The only problem is that he is not quite sure how to get down ... but I am sure he will learn that very soon!

This has to be our favorite "new face" that Cole makes. He has started grinning when he is happy and the cutest part of it is that he sticks his top 2 teeth out. It is almost like he is so proud of them he can't help but show them off! He has been doing this face so much lately and every time Rhonald and I crack up because it is so sweet!

Here is an action shot of Cole getting up on the shelf. I am not sure why it got separated from the other shot.

Another fun thing he likes to do is crawl into his room and pull all of his books out of the basket. As soon as they are all out I start putting them back. As I start putting them back in the basket he is already pulling them back out. He loves books...reading them, playing with them and chewing on them! It is really fun to watch him enjoy them in every way!

9 Month Check Up

Cole had his 9 month check up today. Dr. Thomas said that everything looks wonderful! She is so funny...she even told me that Cole has a beautiful and straight back! As soon as she walked in to the room he started smiling and charming her once again. She loved his teeth and watched him crawl some and listened to him talk. Poor Dr. Thomas ... I always have a bunch of questions but she made sure to answer all of them. We even got to see nurse Susan, the lactation consultant, who praised me for still nursing Cole and loved seeing how much he had grown. Speaking of...Cole weighs 20 lbs 6 oz and is 29.25 inches long!

Some things that he loves are....feeding himself, reading books, playing with Mason, going outside. He loves "the itsy bitsy spider" and "this little piggy." He likes when we build a tower with blocks and he gets to knock it down. He loves crawling over obstacles. He likes looking for toys after we have hidden them. Cole loves to see himself in the mirror. He loves taking a bath. He is starting to pull up on things. He has 8 teeth. A neat thing he started doing a couple of days ago is that when we read a "touch and feel" book he can figure out where to feel without us showing him. Cole is pulling up on the furniture and can roll a ball back and forth with us. Cole laughs at anything and everything and because of that he never meets a stranger. Everyday brings something new and different. Our little boy is so much fun to play with and cuddle with...he is so full of love and has made our life absolutely wonderful!

A Day At The Pumpkin Patch

We had an absolutely wonderful time at the pumpkin patch this morning! We had heard about the patch from several friends and decided to check it out today. We had no idea what to expect but we were so happy with what we found! When we arrived they gave us our own wagon filled with straw and a huge pair of clippers to cut our own pumpkin off of the vine. They offered hay rides and they even had a picnic area in case you brought your own lunch. Cole did not know what to think about the wagon at first but loved it by the end of the trip! We walked to the end of the patch where the "big" pumpkins were and, after about 45 mins, picked out 3 beautiful pumpkins to decorate our front porch. It was so much fun and the weather could not have been nicer. Cole loved seeing all of the other children and the pumpkins. He wanted to get down and crawl everywhere but we carried him most of the time because it was a little muddy. Rhonald and I agreed that this will have to become a family tradition since it was so fun - and so easy! Cole had such a great time that he slept the entire drive home! I can't wait until it gets a little closer to Halloween so that we can carve our pumpkins!!!!!

Oh How I Love Fall

I do love fall! It has always been my favorite season. Growing up in Michigan I was blessed to see beautiful fall weather. It was a treat right before winter hit...and stayed for most of the year (or so it felt). I love the pumpkins, the colors, drinking apple cider and the early dark evenings. I even love the start of the school year (yes, even when I was in school)...you know, everyone shopping for school supplies and new backpacks. Fall is beautiful in NW Arkansas too but the weather takes FOREVER to cool down. This week has been nice and cool. My mom bought Cole this outfit ages ago and I have been waiting and waiting for a time when he could wear it. We did not have a lot to do today but it was cool out so I jumped at the chance to put him it! Doesn't he look handsome? I can't wait for him to wake up from his nap so we can go for a nice long walk and enjoy the day! I hope that you get a chance to get out and enjoy it too!!!!

Sometimes it's the little things...

So we have all been sick. Nothing major but sick none the less. There was a time when I would lay around all day and do nothing when I was sick...those times have changed now that Cole is here. This was really the first time I have been under the weather since I became a mom and let me tell you - it is tough! Rhonald melted my heart and, once again, rocked, during this time. Keep in mind he was sick too...keep in mind he was working every day and even an extra shift one night...keep in mind part of his job is to listen to other people complain about being sick...yet, each night when he came home this past week he asked me how I felt and what he could do to help me! He even called to say he would pick up dinner for us on his way home so I would not have to worry about it...although I know he just wanted to jump in bed and rest. Yes, that is right...he rocks! He still helped me pick up toys, entertain Cole, and he let me complain about not feeling well all while being sick himself. Sometimes it really is the little things that mean the most!

Young Love

Can you believe Rachel caught both of them looking at the camera at the same time?!

I wonder what Cole is thinking...

"Cole I have a secret to tell you."

Doesn't it look like Audrie is saying "I said I want to hold your hand!" And being a typical boy he is totally oblivious!!!

We were so happy to get to go hang out with Audrie and Rachel on Monday since Rachel did not have to teach (thank you Mr. Columbus). We had fun catching up and watching our 2 little love birds as they played with one another. Rachel is so great at taking pictures and capturing everything that is happening. At one point we popped in a Baby Einstein DVD and this is what happened...they crawled to sit by each other and then kept holding hands. Actually, to be honest, this sweet hand holding only lasted a few minutes before it turned in to a pushing match - but it was still sweet while it lasted!!!!

A Morning With Mason

We say all of the time that Mason must have more patience than any person in the world. There is not a day that goes by where Cole doesn't crawl on him, pull his tail, steal his toys and take much of his attention away. Today was no different! The most fun thing to watch now is that they do play together...Mason is much more gentle with Cole than anyone else and he seems to enjoy his little friend. This morning after everyone ate breakfast Cole crawled right over to Mason's bed and began playing. It was so cute to watch him hand toys to Mason and then steal them away!!! I took the time to run into the laundry room to fill Mason's water dish and then took a basket of clothes to Cole's room to put away. I swear I was not gone 10 seconds when I heard a lot of splashing and a lot of laughter coming from the laundry room. To my surprise there was Cole, splashing in the water bowl, with Mason by his side watching! Should I have taken the opportunity to teach him that it is not ok to play in the bowl? Yes. Did I? No. Instead I took 100 pictures and laughed along with him! I guess some days you have to break the rules a little bit!!!!

Keeping The Beat

Here is a video of Rhonald and Cole from the night I blogged about previously. I hope you enjoy it!!!

Cole's First Fish

Rhonald's mom and dad came to visit us this weekend which was really nice. While Rhonald and his dad went fishing all day Saturday, Rhonald's mom stayed here and played with Cole. Rhonald was sure to bring back a big fish to show to Cole. He did not know quite what to think but after a little while he thought the fish was super funny! I know Rhonald cannot wait to take him fishing one day!!!!

Everyday

I was doing my daily blog reading this morning and when I came to my good friend Rachel's blog I started crying...not small, sniffly crying but bawling like a baby crying!!!! She is always putting awesome quotes on there and today was no different. Rachel is Audrie's mom and Audrie was born 3 weeks after Cole. We did not know each other well until then but now I consider Rachel one of my dearest friends and I am so glad to know her and her family! But back to the bawling...today, at 4:42 pm, my Cole will turn 9 months old! 9 MONTHS!!!! When he woke up this morning it was still dark and kind of cold so I went and got him and then we got back in bed. We all snuggled up and fell back asleep. It was wonderful and then I thought..."Oh my, there is going to be a time when he will not snuggle with me anymore!" It has made me so sad to think of him growing up...sad but excited too! I cannot, for the life of me, believe that it has been 9 months since I first saw his face and held him in my arms. It has been the most amazing and wonderful 9 months of our lives! Every smile, every tear, every milestone reached, every mess, even every middle of the night feeding has been awesome! I cannot imagine life without our sweet Cole! I praise and thank God for giving him to us to love. There is not another love like it in the world. So, now I will share with you "the quote" - it brings tears to my eyes just thinking of typing it. All of you mommies out there will understand...everyday is a gift and there is nothing like it!

"Everyday, you make me smile. Everyday, you make me glad to be a mother. Everyday, you make a memory that I'll never want to forget. Everyday, I am more thankful than the day before that you are my little boy. Everyday, I smell your hair and touch your skin and wonder how I ever lived my life without you. Everyday."

That's right...it is Friday

(ok, so it is Saturday....but pretend it is Friday)

The fact that I am married to Rhonald has always been a HUGE blessing in my life but the fact that I get to raise my children with Rhonald is an even bigger blessing (I hope that makes sense). I have written time and time again about what a great daddy he is and how much Cole loves him and it is so true! I was reminded of his wonderful ability to love and be a good example this week when I was making dinner after a long day. I heard Cole laughing and then I heard something that I have not heard in a long time - Rhonald playing his guitar. For those of you who do not know this...I always wanted to marry someone who could play the guitar! One of the first days I spent with Rhonald he played his guitar for me...I have loved that sound ever since. As with many things, the guitar playing has been put on hold for work, fatherhood, etc. but it was brought back to life that night! As Rhonald was sitting by Cole, playing and singing, Cole was jumping to the beat in his Johnny Jump Up! It was so sweet and such an awesome moment for them! I know it may seem silly....small even....but to me it meant everything! To see my hubby sharing something he holds dear with our son...it was amazing!

A Slacker...

I know, I know...I have become a slacker when it comes to updating our blog and I am sorry! The truth is, now that Cole is crawling it is so hard to get a picture and find time to blog...there is no more sitting him in the floor beside me and typing! I did want to share a few new pictures with you. These were taken at my friend, Emily's house. Another friend, Kellie, let us borrow her Johnny Jump Up and when we found out Emily had one too we had to try it out! Cole is still trying to figure out the jumping part - he spends most of his time spinning around in it. He just cut his 7th tooth - yes that is right....his 7th!!!! I think #8 will be here soon (they seem to come in pairs). He is really working on finger foods. It is kind of frustrating for both of us...I don't feel like he is eating very much but most of the time he won't let me spoon feed him baby food anymore. Maybe it is a phase...! We are finally getting back on track after a visit from Grammy and Pops. Funny how they were here for 3 nights yet it took 5 nights to get back in the swing of things! Cole will be 9 months old on Saturday...my how the time does fly! I cannot believe my sweet baby boy is going to be 9 months old! Well, I must get some things done while Cole is napping but I wanted everyone to know we are alive and well. We are having a lot of fun - it is just busier than I ever thought possible!!!!

A Wonderful Day With Miss Kim

A few weeks ago we had Cole's picture taken...he was 7 1/2 months in the pictures. It was such a wonderful experience and we owe that, and the fact that we got amazing photos, to our friend and photographer, Kim Lowery! Kim is so easy to work with and Cole loves her!!!! I haven't been posting much lately because since Cole has started to crawl I can't get a very good picture of him. Thanks to Kim we have many, many good pictures to share and cherish. The first picture I put on here is my favorite. That picture sums up Cole...if you have spent any time with him at all you know that is his normal expression. He is so happy and smiles almost all of the time. If you would like to see the rest of our pictures please go to kimlowery.com then select the life section. At the bottom there is a tab called proofing. Our password is Cole08. I hope that you enjoy the pictures as much as we do. It is hard to believe that in just 4 months we will be calling Kim to get Cole's 1 year pictures taken!!!!