"Am I Really A 3 Year Old?"

Cole has loved being 3 years old! The entire day of his actual birthday he kept asking me, "Am I really 3 years old?" We knew he was pumped about becoming a "big" boy! We had his birthday party the Saturday after his birthday at Gymboree Play and Music. It was so much fun celebrating his life with so many of our friends and their kiddos. Lily Kate had a touch of a cold and, let's face it, she is 3 months old and we did not want her around a room full of toddlers...so my parents stayed home with her. It actually made the afternoon more special for Cole because he has not had "alone" time with us in 3 1/2 months. I don't think any of us stopped smiling at all throughout the party. Cole had a total blast and I am pretty sure the other kids did too. It was so neat to look around and see so many faces that were there to meet Cole for the first time on the night he was born. We feel so blessed to have these friends to raise our kids with. What fun it will be to watch them grow up together! Thank you to all of you who helped us celebrate the life of our sweet Cole....he has been a huge blessing to our lives and I hope to yours as well!

Lily Kate at 3 Months

Is it true...is Lily really 3 months old? It is so funny how we cannot even remember life before this sweet baby girl. She has grown so much this month! She is now wearing her 3-6 months clothes...I love changing sizes. It is like shopping!!! Lily can push up while on her tummy although after about 5 minutes on her tummy she is mad and ready to turn back over. She finally found her hands and usually has one of them in her mouth at all times. She has started batting at the toys hanging from her play gym and watching them move around. Lily Kate is the happiest most smiley baby I have ever known!!! Seriously, that girl can make a bad day wonderful with her big, beautiful smile! She is so laid back and carefree and I adore that about her. Lily is not very fond of the car and I pray she gets over that soon. She is napping in her bed and still sleeping in our room at night. She is nursing every 3-4 hours and will sometimes sleep all night and sometimes wake up once to eat. You never can tell. Lily is taking 3 naps a day...2 short morning naps and one very long afternoon nap. She is amazing and wonderful and has been such a huge blessing to our lives. I cherish her so much!!! Lily, I pray you always feel the love that we have for you. I pray you grow in to a strong and Godly woman. I pray you know your Daddy and I will always take care of you and love you no matter what. We thank God for you each and every day!

Cole At 3 Years

Yesterday marked a big day for all of us...Cole turned 3! He really thinks he is a big boy now and it is amazing how true that is. Cole has changed so much this year. He loves to pretend and has the most vivid and wild imagination I have ever seen. He loves to do puzzles and still loves to play trains. He is so smart (I won't list all that he knows but if you want to know I would be glad to share - ha ha). Cole is obsessed with dinosaurs and knows them all by name and what they eat and what they do. Cole has a very kind heart and loves to share. He prays the sweetest prayers I have ever heard and loves to pray for all of his friends. Cole loves to help me around the house and help Rhonald fix things and work outside. He is always asking "May I please help you?" Cole is starting to be very independent in some ways and has been using the phrase "I can do it myself" a whole lot these days...but yet he still loves a good cuddle on the couch with mom and dad too. I did a little interview with Cole yesterday that I will share...

What is your favorite....

Color? Red

Toy? Dinos

Book? Thomas books

Movie? Maters' Tall Tails

Food? Vanilla Ice Cream

Song? The Bob the Builder theme

Thing to do with Daddy? Play Wii Fit (which he has never done)

Thing to do with Mommy? Play Dinos

Thing to do at school? Eat lunch

Bible story? Joshua and the walls of Jericho

Thing about being a big brother? Kissing Lils and going potty

Oh sweet Cole, you warm our hearts with your sweet smile every day. We are so very proud of you and the boy you are becoming. No one on this earth makes us laugh as hard as you do. We cherish every part of your being...good and bad...and will love you and support you always.

Bath Time Fun

Lily is finally loving her bath! It is so cute to see her kick and try to splash around in that small space. She loves every part of it and I am so anxious to get her in to the big tub and watch her go! Cole is also still a huge fan of bath time! We broke out the finger paints the other night...before bath time so that he could paint and do something a little different. These cold days are torture on him. He has so much energy these days but changing things up a bit helps. He told me, when he was out of the tub that night, that he would like to paint my shower next...oh boy!!!!

Rhonald's new job has been such an incredible blessing to all of us. One of the many awesome things about it is that he is able to spend a lot of time with Cole and Lily. We try to do something super fun at least once a week - sometimes as a family and sometimes it is just is Cole and Rhonald. From Chuck E Cheese to jumpzone to movie nights - we are having a blast! That time together has been priceless and we both can see the positive affect it is having on Cole. We are so thankful that God has led us on this path and that we can be together so much more!!!!

A Winter Wonderland

Sibling Love

We so love watching a relationship develop between these too. Cole is always wanting to hold Lily Kate's hand and teach her about everything he knows. In turn, Lily loves to watch him and smile at him, taking everything in. I can't wait to see them grow up together...and always have one another to lean on.