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!!!!

Music Man

Recently Cole has started to really like music...even this little piano. Usually he is the one playing it but today as Rhonald started messing with it we noticed Cole bouncing. When Rhonald would stop Cole would stop. It was so cute we had to share it. He did not do it as much once he knew I was filming him but I got as much of it as I could. Maybe, just maybe, he has gotten some of his daddy's musical ability!

And He's Off....

Cole started crawling a little over a week ago. It is so much fun and so exhausting all at the same time! We are quickly learning about all of the things that we need to move or hide. It is so cute to watch him find his way around the house. Cole loves following Rhonald around. He does not do that much with me but whenever Rhonald leaves the room Cole is right behind him and he is laughing the whole way! I know Rhonald loves it so much. A new game that he and I play is "where is mommy?" I will hide around a corner and say "where is mommy?" and poke my head out so he can see me. He quickly starts coming after me and, again, he laughs the whole time! We played this for almost an hour yesterday. Watching Cole crawl around is really making me realize how fast he is changing and growing up. I have been much more sad about that than I ever thought I would. I knew it would happen...I know there will be many more things to happen that will make me realize he will not be a baby forever. I never thought I would be "that mom" who is so sentimental about her kids but I totally am "that mom" and you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Priceless!!!

Meal time has become one of my favorite times with Cole. He loves it and it is neat to sit there with him and talk to him and watch him enjoy his food. We have been working with him to start feeding some things to himself...mainly cheerios. We place a few on his tray while we feed him his fruits and veggies. He has really gotten in to trying to get those silly little things in his mouth...about 3 times out of 10 he manages to do so. He makes a huge mess trying though - food is in his mouth, his fingers are in this mouth and then all over his face as well! I love it...the bigger the mess the better. After all, isn't that what being a baby boy is all about???