Time Out With Daddy

We love our swingset! It has probably been the very best purchase that we have ever made. For so long now it has been Cole's but as Lily Kate gets older it has been obvious that she wants to play too. So, we bought her a swing...and she loves it! The first night that she tried it she was not too sure but now she adores it. She loves to watch whoever is swinging next to her. It has been nice for Rhonald and I too because it always felt like one child was left out...either Lily was on the ground playing alone or Cole was swinging alone. This way we can play with both of them at the same time. It is amazing to me that she is already old enough to enjoy the swingset but I am so glad she is. I can see many fun summer nights spent out there together!

"AMBUSH!!!"

We recently had a visit from Grammy and Pops and believe it or not, these are the only pictures that I took. I found these water guns at Target and knew Cole would love them. And I was right. On Thursday Rhonald, my dad and my brother, Mark, spent the day fishing. Cole spent the day plotting an "ambush" on them when they returned. We explained to him that an ambush meant to surprise them with an attack and that he did. I think the second they walked out to the backyard he nailed 'em! And he would have continued to do so all night long except there was a huge thunderstorm rolling in. I will warn anyone who visits our home this summer...Cole is ready for you!

A Blessing

Rhonald and I have been so blessed to be apart of this small group from church for almost 3 years now. We joined this group when Cole was 6 months old and have been so thankful for these friends ever since. We had a fun cookout the other night and almost every family was there (we were only missing 2) which, when everyone has little kids, is an accomplishment! There are 12 kiddos in this group...the oldest is 5 and the youngest is 5 months....wow! We love this group of friends so much...we have loved getting to know them so well and have been blessed to share our lives with them for the past few years. It is amazing who God will bring in to your life when you least expect it.

Lily Kate at 7 Months

What an amazing and wonderful 7 months it has been! Lily is seriously the happiest baby ever and, although it took a few months to get some things worked out with her, she has been such a joy. Lily Kate smiles and laughs and plays all of the time! She loves to play with Cole and tries to get to all of his toys all of the time. Lily has started army crawling around when she really wants something (which is usually one of Cole's toys). She gets up on all 4's but hasn't crawled that way just yet. That girl can still roll around like crazy and makes her way throughout the house like that if we aren't careful. She has her bottom 2 teeth and is working on a few more. Lily Kate takes 2 naps a day and sleeps (knock on wood) from 7-7 at night. She puts herself to sleep and actually seems to prefer it that way. So totally different from her big brother! Lily is taking 4 6 oz bottles a day and eats 3 meals. She loves to eat! Lily Kate definitely shows preference to homemade baby food, which she gets 99% of the time. She will tolerate store bought food but makes sure you know she is not happy about it. She babbles "Da Da" when she wakes up and goes to sleep but she doesn't really say it to Rhonald yet. Cole is trying so hard to teach her to say his name first! One awesome thing is that we have (knock on wood again) been able to wean Lily off of her Prevacid (her medicine for reflux) and she is doing great. It has only been 6 days so our fingers are still crossed on that one. She loves to be outside and watch all of the sites around her. She gives the best hugs and is starting to slobber on our cheeks when she is super happy...giving kisses and making messes! We just love her too pieces and she compliments our family in every way possible. I don't know what we would do without her!

Happy Mother's Day

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

---Elizabeth Stone

A Letter To Cole

Dear Cole,

I usually only write a letter to you on a special occasion but tonight I just couldn't help myself. You really have started to amaze us lately. Cole, you are one of the most tender hearted and pure people that I know. You love so deeply that it brings tears to my eyes and I pray that you always have that trait. God has blessed you with the most amazing laugh and the best imagination. You are always full of new games to play and new characters to pretend to be. You find such joy out of learning new things. Right now you are obsessed with Dinos and want us to tell you every fact that we can find. You are curious about everything! Cole you love to help everyone - especially Daddy and myself. You are an excellent big brother. No one can make Lily Kate smile like you can. You care for her so deeply and I am so very thankful that you have one another. Daddy and I say all of the time that we wish we were more like you. You love God and pray and sing all day long. You actually remind us to pray about things when we forget. You are so honest in your beliefs. There have been several nights before bed that you pray for your friends without being reminded and every time it blows my mind - you are only 3 years old! Cole, I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be your mom. Watching you grow up has been such a joy and such an honor. I love that I am able to stay home with you guys and share in everything that you do. That has been the best gift your daddy has ever given to me (to all of us really). I cannot believe how fast you are growing up and changing. I pray that you always know how much I adore you Cole Bug!

Thomas and Friends Live!

Cole doing his "peep peep"

Saying "Hi" to our church buddies, Connor and Dylan

We have been looking forward to tonight for several months now. Tonight was Cole's night - a special night we have planned to spend with just him. I ordered tickets to Thomas Live a long time ago and decided to leave Lily Kate at home (not a fun place for a 6 month old). Our babysitter arrived right after nap time so Rhonald, Cole and I could head out on the town. We had a yummy pizza dinner before the show (Cole's choice) and after the show we enjoyed some even yummier frozen yogurt with some friends from church who just happened to be sitting right by us. The actual Thomas show was very fun. Cole had a total blast singing along and getting involved with the story. He was a little worried at intermission that the show was over and he did not know what happened to the engines. Once he got over that it was all fun again! It was really crazy how many people we knew there...church friends, school friends....I guess everyone we know has a 2-5 year old little boy. Cole has never been to anything like this before (he hasn't even been to a movie yet) so we were not sure how he would do but it was great - he loved every second of it. And he really loved having some one on one time with mom and dad. When we got home he asked Sara, our babysitter, how Lily had done without him and then told her the entire Thomas story! We all had such a great time, although it did feel strange to not have our Lily Kate with us. I hope we continue to have these one on one night with each of our our kiddos as they grow up - it was a night none of us will forget for a long time!