Welcome Home Hermie

(These pictures are totally out of order - sorry)

Cole's pet Hermit Crab, Hermie, has been a long time in the making. As I have face booked and blogged about a ton, Cole has been able to go #1 in the potty for months but he has been struggling with #2. Oh we have tried every bribe known to man and the only one that seemed the least bit interesting to Cole was the Hermit Crab. Interesting but not so exciting that he ran in the potty and pooped. For weeks we have been talking about this and finally, during one of the many snowy days, I told Cole that he just had to do it. We would stay home and work on it together. I knew in my heart he could do it - he was just afraid. So, we prayed about it together and we stayed home....for 3 days....until finally he ran into the bathroom yelling "Mom come quick...I have to go bad!" And he did....and it was wonderful! I never thought I would say that about a trip to the bathroom but I am saying with pride! So, off we went to Petsmart to pick out a crab. Cole picked Hermie, his tank, his plant, his food, etc all out by himself. He was so proud that he told everyone we met at Petsmart why he was getting Hermie and they all congratulated him. Hermie has been with us about a week now and there have already been 2 occasions when I thought he was dead but fear not...Hermie is still with us! Cole checks on him daily and checks his food and water. He tells Hermie he loves him and good night at the end of the day. It is really sweet to see him love this little guy so much - we are all so thankful Hermie came home with us!

LOVE HER!!!!

Ok...Ok...if I have to be stuck inside for a week straight because of this darn snow at least I get to do it with this sweet and happy baby girl!

Another Snow Day

Our friends from church, John and Jen, let us borrow their baby swing after we all saw how much Lily Kate loved it at our small group last week. She sat by the fire and talked to these fish forever...and then feel asleep as happy as could be.

Cole is obsessed with snow ice cream!

Enjoying an afternoon nap on the couch by the fire (this is Cole's Thomas the Train blanket and we all fight over it...it is so warm and cozy).

Watching a Baby Einstein together

Trying out our sled. We have a very flat neighborhood so the most activity this sled got was when Rhonald pulled Cole around in the backyard. Thank goodness Cole did not know what it was for and totally loved it! that boy could play in the snow all day long!

We enjoyed a few more snow filled days this past week. Cole loves the snow so much! I would love to take him to Michigan one winter to show him how much snow I grew up with. Maybe one day. Thankfully Rhonald was off of work and was able to take Cole out to play while I stayed in by the fire and watched TV with Lily Kate. I did spend my share of time outside but not as much as the boys. It was such a relaxing couple of days .... fires in the fireplace, naps and yummy food. We played and read and snuggled like crazy. And the best part of snow in NWA is that it only lasts for a few days and then we were able to get out and about once again.

For The Love of Reading

I love to read....LOVE it...and I have always hoped my kids would love it too. We began reading to Cole as soon as he came home from the hospital. It was almost out of necessity. I was a new stay at home mom with a husband who was a resident - I would talk to Cole all day but when I ran out of things to say I would read to him...I would read magazines, my books, his books, anything really. To this day Cole loves to read. He would sit with a book all day long if he could. He asks so many questions about what we are reading and he truly enjoys stories. We realized the other day that the only time we read to Lily Kate is when we read to Cole. I know she hears the stories too but we had never sat down with her and a book. Rhonald picked this book out for her for Christmas and one morning when Cole and I were putting laundry away this is the scene I came across. Have you ever seen anything sweeter? She LOVED being read to and looking at the pictures in the books. Now, we make a point to read just to her at nap time and bedtime. I have high hopes for this little reader as well...she could look at these books all day. As I was rocking her tonight I imagined being curled up in her big girl bed, staying up way too late, reading something like Little Women and watching her get lost in the story as I so often did (and still do).

"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.