Deck The Halls

Christmas has already been so much more fun this year because Cole is so into everything! The past few years Rhonald and I have decorated the tree when Cole was in bed but this year he got to help us and boy did he love it! Lily Kate slept the entire time in the baby carrier which, I must say, made things a bit easier. Cole had so much fun unwrapping the ornaments and placing them on the tree. We did have to encourage him to spread them out a bit as they were all being hung in a small area directly in front of him. He only broke one ornament and it was a cheapy anyway so I figure that is pretty good for his first time! He was so cute - he would hang an ornament and then dance to some Christmas music and then he would stand in front of the tree and yell "O Christmas Tree!" It was like he was so excited and happy that he did not know what to do. After we were done decorating we all curled up on the couch and watched a Christmas movie. Cole was so worn out that he basically asked us to put him to bed (a first for our son). It was a wonderful night - I can't wait until next year when we have 2 little helpers to decorate our tree.

Dear Santa...

There are two things that Cole has not stopped talking about for days...wanting to go see Santa and having dinner at Red Lobster. We hardly ever go out to eat so we were really shocked at how much he talked about going to Red Lobster (a place we have never taken him). So...we decided to make a night of it. On Sunday we bundled up and went to make our annual visit to Santa. Cole loves that guy and was telling his sister all about him on the drive to the mall. He waited oh so patiently and then ran up to the big man to talk about what he wants for Christmas. Cole asked for a batman cave and a remote control transformer (we think he made that up because we cannot find one anywhere). He also asked Santa to bring Lily Kate a tea set (which we already had so I greatly encouraged him to ask for that). He was thrilled to talk to Santa but then to our amazement told us, "He was nice but he is not real. The real Santa was here last year and brought me my trains." Um....we did not know what to say so Rhonald made up some story about Santa having helpers all around the world. No questions were asked so we breathed a sigh of relief! After our visit with Santa we headed over to Red Lobster where Cole gobbled up a plate full of grilled shrimp, went to the potty 100 times (because the toilet flushed itself and that is so cool) and even got to pet and learn about real lobsters. It really was fun and yummy! We all had a great night together....now onto searching for that transformer!

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!