The Calm After The Storm

Today has been another day of rest and peace around here. Really, it seems so calm and quiet outside. There are kids playing in the snow and cars slowly driving by to check out the sites but other than that there is quiet. It is so beautiful as well. We did lose power last night but only for a few hours. We all snuggled up in our bed (yes, even Mason) and slept well. When we woke up the power was back on and the house was nice and warm. We are one of the few lucky ones - most of our friends do not have power at all...some don't even have water. After Cole woke up from his nap we ate a yummy lunch and then decided to take him outside to play. We were not sure what he would think of the ice and snow but he loved it! I was a bit overprotective and tried to keep a hand on him but he loved walking on it and touching the icicles. He enjoyed watching Mason find his way through the yard and he liked seeing the other kids outside playing. After that we piled in the truck and drove around our side of town to see what the damage was. It was so sad to see so many trees down on peoples' homes, so many power lines down and so many wrecked cars on the side of the road. As I mentioned before...we are blessed. We have enjoyed this time off together and have not had anything tragic happen to us. We are thankful and we are blessed...what more can I say?!

There Are Not Words

I think we all felt like we were going just a little bit stir crazy at the end of today. Not being able to go outside is tough on everyone but especially when there is a little one in the house! By bedtime Cole was acting so silly...dancing to American Idol singers (he only likes the bad ones), walking aimlessly all over the house, kissing our belly buttons about a million times and then, putting 2 pacifiers in his mouth at once! What a ham!!!

Hip Hip Horray - It's A Snow Day!

We had our first big ice storm of the year today! We were all excited that Rhonald was able to stay home today due to the horrible weather! It is amazing to watch our little neighborhood transform before our eyes. There are so many trees down in our neighbors yards and 85% of our county is without power. Luckily we are not included in that!!!! The tree included in the pictures above is our Red Bud tree that is usually taller than our house but is now leaning so far over it looks like a bush. We have had a lot of fun today - we started out the day with omelets and blueberry muffins and we have been snacking ever since. We have all had a nap and we are all still in our jammies! What more could we ask for! And...we may be doing it again tomorrow because they have already closed the schools for tomorrow too (that is how Rhonald's clinic determines if they are going to open or not). Here's to snow days--I have always thought of them as a little, unexpected gift! It is amazing that they are still exciting today!

1 Year Stats

I took Cole to the doctor today and Dr. Thomas said that everything about him looked perfect! Of course, we already knew that - ha ha! She always seems impressed with how happy and well behaved he is. He was spoiled by Nurse Jean and Nurse Susan and was even given his first sucker after his awful shots (I was a mean mommy and did not let him have the sucker but we did say thank you!). He was so cute walking around the clinic in his diaper and socks while we waited! Anyway....he weighs 22.8 lbs and is 31 inches long! The only other thing that is new since I posted his 12 month stuff is that he says "duck." Not all of the time but most of the time when we ask him. Oh! And he is learning his parts...and ours! When we ask Cole where his belly button is he smiles and then he walks over, lifts up our shirts and kisses our belly buttons! When we ask him where his nose is he laughs and points to his ear. We aren't sure if he knows and is just being silly or if we need to keep practicing. Either way it is adorable!

Is This The Same Baby???

This picture was taken a couple of days after Cole was born. Cole and my dad have always enjoyed napping together.

This picture was taken a couple of days after Cole's first birthday. When I look at them side by side I cannot even believe this is the same kid!

And He's Off

Well everyone ... just wanted to update and let you know that Cole is officially walking! He took his first steps on Tuesday and has taken more and more every day since. He loves to be up and around and will hardly crawl at all anymore. It is so cute to watch him. I wish I had a video but we haven't been able to get one yet. He kindof reminds us of a mummy when he walks - he always has his arms straight out to keep his balance!

Fireman Cole

My parents found this adorable firetruck at Cracker Barrel for Cole's birthday! He absolutely loves it!!! It actually has pedals but he is a little too short for them so he stands up in the truck and walks it around the house. It has an actual working bell that he loves to ring and ladders that he loves to pull off and carry around. He was so happy when he woke up and saw the firetruck! Thank you Grammy and Pops - what a special birthday gift!

Let Him Eat Cake

Needless to say....Cole loved playing with his cake. He did not eat very much of it but it sure went everywhere! Cole was scheduled to have 2 parties - one with his play group and one with family. The play group party was a blast! We had 8 kids over for lunch and fun!!! Cole had fun opening gifts and playing with the other kids. So much fun that he totally passed out as soon as they left! The family party that we had planned had to be changed up a bit. Cole has had a cold for about a week now and the night before his party he developed a low grade fever. Rhonald and I decided to "un-invite" the kids that were invited to come. We would feel so bad if someone else got sick just so Cole could have another party. We were still able to celebrate with both of our parents and our good friend from Harding, Ryan. Cole was not feeling too well that day but ended up having a lot of fun anyway. After all, who wouldn't have fun when you have 2 parents and 4 grandparents spoiling you too death?!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy

As I write this post, with tears in my eyes, I am both happy and sad! Our baby boy turns 1 year old today!!! This year has flown by in somewhat of a blur but it has been the best year of our lives for sure. We have been so blessed by Cole and love being his parents so much! It seems like just yesterday we were in the hospital welcoming Cole into the world! Well, enough sap....onto the monthly updates! Cole is obviously weaned and is drinking cow's milk now. That has been fun and rough all at the same time. He is getting to be a bit pickier with what he wants to eat but still eats a lot and eats a wide variety of things. He loves to snack and often crawls to his snack drawer and pulls out what he wants. He uses a sippy cup. He is standing alone very well and cruising around furniture but still not walking alone. He babbles all of the time. Before weaning and before he got this darn cold he was sleeping from 8 pm - 6/7 am. He is taking two 1 1/2 hour naps each day. He loves music and will dance to just about anything. He can point to a lot of things in the house. If I say "time to put your shoes on" he will sit down and lift up his foot (most of the time). Cole loves to play peek-a-boo and still loves to read his books. Cole has 8 teeth. I am not sure on a definite weight and length...we go to the doctor in 2 weeks so I will share that then. He wears a size 5 diaper and 12-18 month clothes if that helps! Oh - when Cole drops something (mostly on purpose) he turns his hands over as if to say, "where did it go" or "I didn't do it." Well, all of this to say...this has been the most fun year ever and we are really looking forward to what this new year brings! Happy Birthday baby boy - We love you with all of our hearts!

Taking A Nap With Daddy

We have all been sick with colds this week - most likely due to this crazy weather we have been having! Rhonald gets to come home a little early on Fridays and got home just in time for Cole's nap this week. Both of them were sleepy so they decided to cuddle up on the couch and snooze! Mason just had to join in too, of course!!! When Cole woke up I was able to snap some adorable pictures. Cole likes to have a small snack when he wakes up. He has really gotten in to snacking since I have weaned him. I think he even shared some of his crackers with his daddy which was super sweet! I love to see my guys spending time together - it just melts my heart!

Bye Bye Breastfeeding

Well, needless to say this has been a long week at the Searcy house! Cole will be 1 year old on Sunday so we have been getting ready for company and his birthday parties! So fun! Before I had Cole I set a goal for myself that I would like to breastfeed him for 1 year. It always seemed like such a long time - until that 1 year mark came and now it seems like time has flown by. I think we were both ready for this but still...it is like the end of an era. As of 2 days ago Cole is officially weaned from breastfeeding. I thought it would take a long time so I started a little early but once he got used to it he was fine. Don't get me wrong - the first couple of days were not fun for anyone but things have gotten better and I am thankful for that. He hated cow's milk at first but, with practice and patience on both of our parts, he now seems to enjoy it. And he wanted me to hold him all of the time and gave up on sleeping for a few days/nights but...things are better! Now he laughs and claps when he sees me get his milk from the fridge and we cuddle up on the couch just like always to drink. I was much more sad than I thought I would be...poor Rhonald - all he has heard about this week is how excited I am to watch Cole grow up but how sad I am that he is not my little tiny baby anymore. For those of you that have shared advice and support - thank you! No one could understand this but another mommy who has gone through it!

Mommy's Little Helper

We turned Cole's car seat around (yes, I know...6 days early). He loves it so much more! He sits back there and talks, talks, talks! I took our new seat to the police station to have them show me how to install it properly. It was so funny because the police man said, "My, how much does he weigh? I mean, I am not worried about him being less than 20 lbs but I am curious!" It is so much fun to have him right there with me in the car...I am shocked I have not had a wreck since all I want to do is turn around and watch him!

Cole and Mason both love the dishwasher and I usually save this task for nap time but today they helped me! He climbed up in the dishwasher all by himself and had a blast handing the dishes to me.

My mom bought Cole a snack cup which has been neat to use. He learned how to get his snacks out very quickly and loves using it. He also loves taking the snacks out and feeding them to Mason. Now whenever I hand Cole his snack cup Mason comes running over!

Rhonald's parents bought Cole a wagon for Christmas. It was something that I wanted him to have so badly! I know he will love it this spring/summer. Since it is too cold to ride around outside right now the wagon is sitting in our living room without wheels. Not a day has gone by since Christmas that Cole hasn't played in his wagon!