Update

My apologies for so long since my last update. I've got to be honest, I've just been worn out lately. Things are so busy and I've just been so tired, hoping that will be better soon.

So last weekend, Eli & I loaded up in the truck after a busy Saturday morning (the Y and a playdate with Evan) and headed to see Uncle Billy. He had surgery on his ankle Wed night and got home on Thursday. I wanted to go down there to check on him (yes, I'm an overprotective big sister) and see if he needed anything. Eli is a great traveling companion. I asked him several times if he wanted to stop to get out and walk around but he kept telling me to keep driving. Billy was at Niki's house (his fiancee who is renting the house that I grew up in - kinda cool huh?). It was weird pulling back into that driveway. I can't remember the last time I was there but boy oh boy, it seems soooo small now! Even Billy & I talked about that. Hard to imagine how 5 of us lived there with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Eli & Cole would be impossible to contain / keep happy in that small space but somehow my parents did it! So anyway, once we got there Eli was excited to watch 'Tow Mater's Tall Tales' with Uncle Billy. They hung out together watching tv while I was able to visit with my Mom, Dad, Niki and then made dinner. Billy seems to be doing really well with all going on and I was glad to lay eyes on him.

My sweet traveling companion

The house I grew up in

Eli & Billy - watching movies, eating M&Ms - good stuff!

Silly with the crutches. Billy's only mode of transportation right now.

Hopefully we cheered up Uncle Billy!

We also got to see Grandma C - a nice treat!

Sunday morning, Tim let me rest a bit since I got home late and then we were off and running. Grocery store, races through the house, naps, a walk, the Y, playing, dinner, baths, bed - just our normal Sunday.

Cole starting the race with Eli.

Eli not far behind.

Thankfully the weather gave us a break and the boys got to spend some much needed time outside.

Such a big boy!

Mom, really? You're taking another picture of me?

New telescope on the swing set tower.

I caught Daddy napping while the boys did. Probably well deserved. =)

Heading out for a bike ride.

Again Mom?!!

Eli's bike ride didn't last long, he wanted to ride in the wagon with Cole.

Eli surprised us this weekend by taking medicine by himself. I had "dispensed" it one night, went to give Cole his and Eli gave it to himself. How did he get so big and so smart?!

A little brotherly chat on the stairs.

And then some bottom bumping to come down.

This week's theme at school was Air Transportation - check out our own little Pilot.

Tantrum in progress - we're starting to see these quite a bit. Cole got sent home from school Tuesday with a very low grade fever and stayed home Wednesday with Tim.

Eli trying to make it all better - notice Cole's pretend mohawk.

Our weekend and other randomness

Finally getting around to our weekend update.....and thankfully, not too much to report. The big goals for the weekend were to get Cole a new pair of shoes and get haircuts for both boys. We set the bar high didn't we?

Saturday started off with a trip to the Y. Then playtime at home, lunch, naps, Tim took Cole to get new shoes, more play time, dinner and then some running around town. We went to start looking for a bed for Eli (he only has a mattress and boxspring right now) and then, after a long wait, I finally got to go to The Container Store. Unfortunately, while it was cool, I was disappointed. Oh well.

Sunday morning we did a family trip to the grocery store. After lunch, Eli and I went looking at beds again - this time was much more successful. He keeps talking about a "slide bed". Eli refused to nap on Sunday so both boys went to the Y with me while I took a muscle class. Since Cole had napped earlier, he was fine but Eli fell asleep in the car 5 minutes from the house. I tried to get him to take a little cat nap when we got back but he was having none of it. That made for quite a whiney night. Amazingly both boys went to bed early - like 6:45 for Cole and before 8 for Eli. Crazy!

Then, of course, as we all know the ice came. We didn't really get any snow up here but Monday night we got freezing rain that caused all sorts of issues on Tuesday. The boys were still able to go to school and I was able to work from home so the day turned out ok. Unfortunately, about 5pm I got a call from my Mom that my brother Billy broke his ankle after slipping on the ice. He had surgery tonight - screws and a plate - and it went well. I wish I could fix it for him but he'll get back to good as new. Uncle Billy, we're all sending you LOTS of love. We'll see you very soon.

Cole is his cuteness modeling his down vest from Aunt Cary.

Modeling his new fancy kicks - LOVE THEM. Daddy did a great job.

Cole loves wearing his sock monkey hat. Whenever we put on his coat, he asks for it.

Eli modeling his awesome vest from Aunt Cary.

I was so impressed with Eli this weekend. He put together this alphabet train puzzle many times by himself - showing me that he can organize the alphabet in order on his own. Pretty cool!

A bed system we looked at (and liked!). Eli will get a full size bed and then a loft kit to create a playspace underneath - we won't have a dresser and bookcase like this one. This model just shows the ladder but he also wants a slide to go on the opposite end - we'll see. Maybe when he's 4.....=)

Climbing up to give it a try.

Cole has learned how to unzip his pjs so he constantly tries to undress himself. Another unfortunate new fascination is his diaper - he likes to put his hand in it. This morning resulting in a really messy hand. UGH!

More cuteness - Cole helping me work on Tuesday. He's my little number cruncher.

This was pretty funny tonight. Cole has some M&Ms in a bowl. He went into the hallway to be alone and eat them - making sure Big Brother didn't try to take any. I sat in the hallway with him and he waved me away. No one was coming near his M&Ms.

Also tonight, he tried to feed the magnet animals (Yes, Amy these are the ones from Stella Dot!). He would take them off the cookie sheet and shove cheeseballs in their mouth. He was pretty funny to watch.

18 month check for the Cole-Man

Today I took Cole in for his 18 month check up. He was so happy and having fun in the doctor's office until it actually came time for business. He didn't like her looking in his ears, nose or mouth and definitely didn't like when the nurse gave him a shot. He is doing great and is a perfect (big) 18 month old. The one thing that I did find out today is that Cole has strep. He has had this diaper rash for the longest while that wouldn't go away so I asked Doc to look at it. She did a strep test and it came back positive. Now I understand how I might have gotten strep. I had no idea that you could get strep on your bottom but now I know.

Stats:

Weight - 29 pounds, 1.5 oz (75th - 90th percentile)

Length - 34" (90th percentile)

Head circumference - 49-1/2 cm (90th-95th percentile)

Amazingly, these are almost identical to Eli's 18 month stats. My big healthy boys. Love it!

Double Trouble

The boys got some really cute clothes for Christmas and this week, I have become that Mom. You know the one that dresses the kids alike? I never thought that was or would be me but I'm loving it!!! I had to stop myself from going shopping to continue the trend all week. Check out the cuties.

Monday - wearing shirts that my friend Kara made for them. Little future Executives.

Tuesday - Big Brother / Little Brother shirts from Grandma C. Eli is upset in the picture because Cole has the play keys in his hand. You see, possession is the law in our house. Whoever has it, owns it. Whoever doesn't have it, wants it.

Wednesday - super handsome in shirts from Grandma N. Love them!

Camping out and catching up

Whew, it has been a long 10 days. The boys have been out of school, Tim has been off work and I've been working part days. We've tried to stay busy but it wasn't always easy since the weather wasn't too cooperative.

Let's see if I can remember the highlights: Monday - Eli & Cole had a playdate with Eli's classmate Gray. They had a lot of fun running around like crazy boys. We braved the ice and snow to get out of the house for this one. It was a much needed playdate for the boys (and the moms!). Tuesday and Wednesday are a blur but I know there was at least one trip to the Y with the boys. Thursday I worked while Tim took the boys to the indoor playground and to Chick-fil-a with Ryan and Carol. Then Grandpa & Grandma N arrived at lunch time for our delayed Christmas celebration.

We had a great family dinner. I made Pioneer Woman's chicken fried steak, her homemade mashed potatoes and green beans. Yummy! I could get used to all this home cooking if only there was more time!! After dinner we opened gifts and the boys loved that. By that time, they'd really gotten the hang of presents. Friday morning, we had a nice breakfast. Tim & his Dad put the hitch on his truck. We hung out a bit and then they were on their way back home. It's almost time for them to migrate to warmer climates so they've got to get the "bus" ready for its' journey.

Friday night, New Year's Eve - you'd never know it in this house. We just wanted to relax and bring in the new year sleeping. New Year's Day included some exercise and family time. We did manage to un-decorate our Christmas tree (Eli & Cole were great helpers) and put it outside. Then last night, Tim & Eli had a camp out in the playroom. It was so cute seeing the two of them inside the tent, sleeping on the air mattress. They slept in there all night and this morning Eli told Tim "Thank you for the camp out Daddy". It was so sweet! Next step will be to camp in the back yard and then we'll be headed for the woods!

Today was probably our best day. Tim & I did a little divide and conquer. This morning Cole had his first solo playdate with his own friend, no big brother tagging along. He had a blast playing with Boyd and was pooped out when we stopped by Ryan's house to find Tim & Eli. Tim & I switched kids and he brought Cole home to nap. Then it was lunch and nap time for Eli. Cole woke up before Eli so he went with me to the Y. By the time we headed home, Cole was asking for Eli in the truck. They played together so great after being apart most of the day.

Now the boys are sleeping and we're getting ready for the week. Going to be hard getting back into a routine and getting out the door at a specific time but we'll get it done!

Eli & Ryan were wrestling with his moose pillow on our couch. Their expressions are so funny.

Thursday we made chocolate chip cookie bars. Of course, my little helpers care mostly about the chocolate chips.

Pouring chocolate chips in the bowl. I have to mix fast so they don't eat too many!

Eli surprised me by wanting to wash the mixing bowl. I definitely let him try.

Slinky Dog from Grandpa & Grandma N. He has done miles around the house so far.

Cole got some adorable Elmo slippers. He thought they were fun and cute until he tried to walk in them and then he was not amused. He quickly went back to Grandpa to get them off his feet.

We gave Grandma & Grandpa a calendar with pictures of the boys and one with their cousins. They loved it.

Eli & Cole had to help us open our gifts. Here they helped Tim open his awesome new shop vac. I'm hoping to get my truck detailed soon!

Eli is already learning to love Craftsman tools.

Grandpa supervising Tim putting the hitch on his truck. Thankfully it was as easy as Tim thought it would be.

Eli has been playing with the "Trio" blocks his cousins sent him. He loves making all kinds of things.

Eli helping with the tent poles for the playroom camp-out.

Checking out their accomodations.

Books before bed.

Full set up - doesn't this look fun?!