Our Daddy

"Whenever my daddy signs his name he always writes M.D. so that people will all know that he belongs to me. For M.D. means "My Daddy" or something just the same and that is why he always puts these letters in his name. Some letters in his name are small but these are not, you see, he always makes them big like that because he is so proud of me."

There are big changes in store for our family. This is Rhonald's last week of work as a hospitalist at NWMC. After lots of talking, praying and very little sleep (and a whole lot of call) Rhonald has decided to leave his current job. He will begin working at a local urgent care clinic in the next few weeks....working less hours (he was up to 80-100 per week) and spending more time with his family. Although we have been very blessed in many ways by his current job the fact that he is gone so much has been hard on everyone. We are all thrilled to know he will be home more and that he will be doing something that he is really excited about! Praise God for new beginnings!!!

Giving Thanks

We celebrated Thanksgiving a little bit differently this year. Normally we head up to Chicago to be with my side of the family, however this year, Rhonald had to work and because Lily Kate is still so young we decided to stay home. We have so much to be thankful for...beautiful, healthy kids, a strong marriage, a wonderful home and great friends to have dinner with. Honestly I was going to order pizza...very un-Thanksgiving like I know but why cook for 2 1/2 people??? Then, our dear friends from church invited us to have dinner with them and several other "plan less" friends of ours. It was great - great food, great company and it was really great that one of Rhonald's partners took his call for 2 hours so he could enjoy dinner with us. The funniest part of the day was a conversation that I had with Cole over breakfast that morning. I asked him what he was thankful for and he quickly shouted out "Dinos!" Then I said, "I wonder what Lily is thankful for." To which he replied, "I think your boobs." Oh, out of the mouth of babes! It was a great day!!! Although we missed being with our family we are so very thankful to have "family" here to be with as well.

Could They Be Twins???

Cole 2 1/2 months

Lily Kate 6 weeks

Cole 6 weeks

Lily Kate 6 weeks

Ever since Lily Kate was born people have commented to us that she and Cole look so much alike. Rhonald saw it from the beginning as well but, to me, they always just looked like themselves. Last night I got out the book I made of the first year of our blog. Cole wanted to know more about when he was a baby and that book holds every memory, picture and milestone that we have. I could not believe it when I looked at his pictures and then looked over at her - they finally look alike to me. And not just a little bit...a lot! It is adorable. Yes, they still look like themselves but I don't think anyone would never argue that they are brother and sister. So, you tell me, what do you think?

Sweet Cole

Oh Cole...you are and always will be the sweetest boy that we know. I feel so blessed to be your mama and I love you with all of my heart. It is bittersweet to watch you grow up into a big boy. I remember every moment of your life with fondness and I look forward to all of the memories we will make as you grow up. You light up my life each and every day. I am so in awe of your caring heart and ability to love everyone unconditionally. Even though you are only 2 1/2 you teach me how to be a better person every day. Some days I feel I learn more from you than you do from me. You are so smart and so precious and so very, very funny. You are really growing up and changing into a wonderful little boy. I am so thankful to be able to be home with you and witness those changes every day. I still cannot believe that you are mine and I will cherish you always.

Say Cheese

Our sweet baby girl has started to smile! She actually began smiling at about a week ago (at 5 weeks) but I wasn't able to get a picture of it until now. It is hard to make her smile and take a picture all at the same time. Lily Kate has the most beautiful smile in the whole world! It simply lights up the room. She looks so much like Cole to me when she is smiling. It is so wonderful to see that cute grin and know that she is so happy to be with us!!! We simply adore her!

Real Life Heros

About a week and a half ago I became so sick (sooooo sick) with Mastitis. I never, ever had trouble with that with Cole but it came on quickly and horribly. Rhonald was working another 12 shifts in a row and could not stay home to help me so we ended up calling in reinforcements. My parents came as soon as I called them and stayed for a week. My mom cooked, cleaned, did dishes, laundry and shopping. They played with Cole and loved on Lily Kate and allowed me to rest and recover. It was wonderful and so very appreciated. Cole was able to get out of the house and get some great TLC and Lily Kate was able to get to know her Grammy and Pops a little better. Rhonald and I were so thankful to have them here to help and to spend time with them. There are not enough words in the English language to let them know how much we value them.

A Day With Uncle Mark

A couple of days ago my brother, Mark, called to say he would be "near us" (as in 5 hours away at a meeting for work) and he wanted to come meet our newest addition. We were all beyond thrilled! Mark and his family live in Michigan and we have not seen them since Easter. Mark arrived and was able to spend one night with us...not nearly long enough. We had so much fun catching up in person and, of course, playing. Mark works for John Deere and arrived with a toy tractor for Cole - huge hit!!! I was so happy to introduce Lily Kate to him and let him see how much Cole had grown. When he left, very early this morning, I was so sad. These visits do not happen nearly enough....

A Visit From Miss Kim

A few weeks ago our dear friend and photographer, Kim, came over to take pictures of Lily Kate. It was so neat to talk with her and think back to the time when she took Cole's newborn pictures. This is just a sneak peak of the wonderful job that Kim did for us. She was, once again, able to capture such a precious time in our lives. Thank you Kim - we love them!

Lily Kate at 1 Month

Our sweet girl is one month old already!!! That is so hard to believe. This month has flown by! Rhonald, Cole and I are more in love with Lily Kate now than ever...she is really the sweetest baby I have ever known. Lily is right on track with everything that she is supposed to be doing...she holds her head up well (not steady but well), she makes eye contact...and today she smiled at me for real! It happened only once but it was real and it was beautiful!!! Lily Kate loves to watch Cole and follows him with her eyes whenever he is near. Cole is still full of love for his sister and has been doing great with her. We have had a few bad days lately where he is more disobedient and is looking for attention. When we realize it and we sit down with him, even for 30 minutes, his whole attitude changes. I have to keep reminding myself that this has been more of a change for him than anyone else. Lily is still eating wonderfully and sleeping well. She is very pleasant to be with. Lily does love to be held...that girl thinks she should be in some one's arms 24/7. She loves to be talked to and read to. I often will put them both in my lap and read to them together. Cole loves the stories and Lily just loves the interaction. One thing about Lily Kate is that she is the most gassy baby ever...I am really trying to watch what I am eating and when I eat it just in case that is effecting her. She is not normally fussy but I assume it is uncomfortable. Lily is still not a huge fan of her car seat but once the car reaches about 20 mph she calms down! We are still adjusting but we are loving our family of 4. Nothing has made us happier than these 2 kiddos and we are so excited to watch them grow and develop right before our eyes!

Bath time!!!

As you can see, Lily is not a big fan of bath time! She usually cries from the moment we start until the moment we wash her hair! Yes, she likes getting her hair washed! Cole loves to help with bath time. He always tries to calm Lily Kate down which is so sweet. Poor guy - it never works but he tries very hard!!! I can't wait for the day when she loves her bath and gets to sit in the tub as long as she likes playing with her brother.

Happy Halloween 2010

I have always loved Halloween. I loved it as a kid who got to trick or treat, I have loved passing out candy ever since I became to old to trick or treat and I really loved it this year...we were first time parents of a real live trick or treater! I don't know who was more excited about the night...Cole or us! We kicked off the weekend by attending a Halloween party at Audrie and Annie's house. It was super fun to see all of the kids all dressed up and to have a "trial run" for Halloween night. That night Rhonald came home from work to a yummy chili dinner and then off we went. Lily Kate and I only went to our next door neighbors house before she voiced her opinion on the entire night...not a happy camper...so we headed home to pass out candy. In the meantime Cole and Rhonald went house to house ringing bells and collecting candy. Cole was so tired and so excited when he got home. He told me all about the various costumes he saw and what he wanted to be next year. He spent an hour going through his treat bag and then helped me pass out candy to the kids who came to our door. Cole commented on every costume and always yelled "Happy Halloween!" as the kiddos left our door step. It was really one of the most fun nights we have had in a long, long time!