I must be the luckiest woman in the world because this is the smile that I woke up to today! Isn't he adorable?!
It finally happened....Cole has an ear infection! I am happy to say that it is the first time he has ever had one but I am sad to have to report this news. He was really restless and fussy last night so we thought something might be up but really did not think much of it. Today Cole was "off and on" and I finally called Rhonald this afternoon and asked him if we could come to his clinic so that he could look in Cole's ears. He has never really acted like this before and I had that mommy instinct that something was wrong...and I was right! Thank goodness Rhonald said we caught it early (not much fluid build up and no fevers). We started him on antibiotics tonight and are praying our little one gets back to his old self soon!
So it hit me today....I mean, it really hit me....my baby is not a baby anymore! It seems like when I put him to bed last night and we were snuggling so close he was still my tiny baby Cole and this morning when I went in to get him he was big boy Cole....a toddler. For whatever reason I feel like he looks older today. In some ways that makes me so sad and in others it is so exciting. He is so much fun and so smart and sweet! I love to just sit back and watch him learn and do new things all of the time. Cole amazes me! It seems insane that someone can change so much in just 14 months. It has really been overnight that he has developed into this boy...at least it feels like it. I cannot even imagine what is in store for us over the next 14 months...but I will admit, I hope they slow down a little bit.
You know the old saying "Home is where the heart is?" I feel I am learning how true that really is each and every day. Today Rhonald and I are celebrating our 6th anniversary. I have never felt more at home than I do when I am with Rhonald....wherever we happen to be. The past 6 years have been the most exciting, fun and happy years of my life. I have grown so much and learned so much by being Rhonald's wife and I feel so blessed to call him "mine." It is amazing to look back at where we have been and dream about where we will go and know that God has had his hand in every step. I love this man with all of my heart and I cannot imagine my life without him in it. Happy anniversary baby - thank you for creating this home with me! I never want to be anywhere else!!!!
I have been getting lots of great recipes off of other blogs lately so I thought it was about time to pay you all back! There are some days when it is really hard to get a good meal on the table and still get everything else done. My mom sent me this recipe and it was a huge hit with everyone in my house! It is super easy and fast and tastes great!!! They reminded us of meatloaf so I made mashed potatoes and salad with them. Sweet and Sour Meatballs2 lbs ground sirloin1 medium onion, chopped1/2 tsp garlic salt1 cup plain bread crumbs1/2 cup milk2 eggs, slightly beaten1 1/2 tsp salt1/8 tsp peppermix all together and form into meatballs, using scant 1/4 cup each.Sauce1/2 cup ketchup1/2 cup balsalmic vinegar1/4 cup mustard2/3 cup brown sugarPlace meatballs in a 9 x 13 baking dish and pour sauce over meatballs. Bake at 350 for about 50 mins. They freeze well too!
Well, no pictures to share today but I do have some wonderful news! Cole is done with bottles!!!! When I weaned Cole from breastfeeding the only way we could get him to drink any type of milk was in a bottle (and that was after days of trying). Our pediatrician recommended that we get rid of the bottles by 15 months. Cole turned 14 months yesterday and I had a true desire to get rid of the bottles. I was so anxious about this transition - Cole has never done well with change of any kind but I knew it had to be done. Rhonald and I prayed for Cole to transition well and for ourselves to be patient and those prayers were most certainly answered today. When Cole woke up I fixed his milk in a cup which he threw on the floor (but did not throw a fit). He would not drink a sip of milk until lunchtime. The 3 of us went out to lunch together and we slowly noticed Cole would take a sip of milk and then spit it out. We did not say anything to him and by the end of lunch he was so thirsty that he actually drank a whole cup of milk! Then he drank more at snack time and then, the big test came....bedtime! I was so nervous about what was going to happen and to my surprise Cole grabbed his cup from my hand and drank away while I read to him. He is getting to be such a big boy and I am constantly shocked at how amazing he is. I am so thankful this went 100% better than I thought...I pray it continues!
This sweet smile really speaks for itself doesn't it? Cole has been feeling a little under the weather lately....first he had a bad cold and then he cut 2 more molars (the bottom ones) which turned out to be the worst teeth for him yet! The poor baby has not been himself for over week .... until today! He was full of smiles and giggles today - it was wonderful to see him back to "normal" and feeling good. He played until he could not play anymore...he laughed until he lost his breath...he ate until he could eat no more and he slept like a log when bedtime came. It was amazing to see him feeling so great after seeing him feel so bad last week. I am so thankful for today!!!!OH! I forgot to share that Cole now says "ball." So we are up to 3 words (besides mommy and daddy): ball, dog and duck. I can only imagine what will be next!
Can my baby really be big enough to sit in his own chair???? I know it may seem silly to some but, if you are a mom, you will understand what I mean. It seems like just yesterday he was learning to sit up by himself and now Cole can climb up in this big boy rocker and sit to watch cartoons. It is amazing how fast time is flying and how quickly Cole is changing. It is so much fun to watch him develop and learn new things but part of me wants him to stay my sweet baby boy forever! I am so thankful to be able to stay home with him so that I get to see each and every moment of his day.
I have nothing but true love for these two boys....and when I see them loving each other it makes my heart melt! I am so thankful to have them in my life. I feel so blessed when I get to see moments like this without them knowing it. I love watching their relationship grow more than anything. I love being a part of each of their lives!!!!
I have written many times before about our wonderful Tuesday playgroup. We are so blessed to have these families in our lives!!!! Today was so much fun. We went to Miss Kellie and Ben's house to play, have lunch and have an early Easter egg hunt! Before lunch the kiddos played on Ben's swing set and I was amazed that Cole actually went in the swing without a fuss and even smiled a little bit! I don't know why but I really want him to like swinging. Cole was such a big boy at lunch and sat with the other kids at the table in a real chair (Cole is the youngest) with a real plate and fork. He did very well and actually was the last one to leave the table. I think he really loved being "so big!" After lunch the kids played in Ben's playroom while Kellie went outside to "hide" the eggs. She had a bag with each child's name on it and after a bit of explaining...or handing them the bags over and over...they were off! Cole thought the eggs were balls and enjoyed shaking them but quickly learned to pick them up and put them in his bag. I thought I would have to carry his bag for him but he insisted on carrying it himself. I was really shocked at how many eggs he collected. After they were finished hunting the boys sat together to look at their loot. It was so cute to watch them really enjoy spending time together. They are growing so fast!!!! What a wonderful way to spend the day!
