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!