Today's wardrobe

courtesy of Uncle Billy and Miss Niki. Eli in his DIRT shirt and Cole in his Bass Pro camo overalls. They were so cute!

Our weekend

Our weekend actually started on Friday. Mr. Cole seems to have a case of Friday-itis. It was the 3rd Friday in a row that he had to miss school. This one was because we thought he might have pink eye. Early doctor's appointment said it could be the start of pink eye or nothing but we started eye drops just in case. He & I had a pretty good day together. He napped just enough for me to get the work I needed to get done done and then we hung out and played.

Saturday started early for me. I got up and went to lift weights at the Y and then Tim brought the boys to meet me and play in Y-care while I took a spin class (yes I was super Mom that morning!). The boys had fun playing and then we went home for snack followed by a quick errand, lunch and naps. I had planned to go do a little shopping (which was a bust, I found nothing!) while the boys napped. It turns out that only one boy napped. Cole wanted nothing to do with it. After Eli woke up, we headed to Logan's Trading Company to get some stuff for our garden. We ended up with 18 bags of soil mixture to fill our boxes that we're building next weekend. It was fun to walk around the garden center, talk with the staff and browse the seeds. I NEVER EVER thought I'd be excited about a garden. My whole life I had to help my parents harvest their garden and I never expected to want my own. My how things change!!

The weekend was also dominated by two things - Cole's eating and Eli's resistance to going to bed. Cole has been fighting spoon feeding for a few days now. It has been hard to get him to eat a full meal. We finally figured out that he just wants to feed himself. And now that we figured that out, he doesn't want to stop eating! He's been eating graham crackers, goldfish, cheerios, beans, pasta, bananas, anything we put on his tray! He has been so happy. After a while of feeding himself, we can get a few spoons in him if he needs it. Now Eli's resistance to going to bed. This one has been tough. Saturday night almost broke me. He cried and screamed for probably an hour and a half. He couldn't tell me why he was so upset. I'm not sure if he was scared or what. He did it again tonight. Once he made it to sleep, he slept pretty well. We also got a sleep / wake clock to help him with when to get out of bed - he has been getting up at 5am. The bunny on the clock goes to sleep and stays lit up all night. Then when it's 6am, bunny wakes up and the section of the clock where he's awake is lit. Eli got all excited Sunday morning when bunny woke up. Let's hope it helps him sleep in a bit.

Sunday was a pretty good day - it was full of happy domesticity. The boys flip-flopped naps so it was a flip floppy kind of day. In the morning Eli & I went to the grocery store and to get a haircut while Cole took his first nap. Then during Eli's nap, Cole & I went to the Y for a quick swim. When we got home, Eli got up and Cole went back to sleep. It was crazy! The good thing is that both boys got their naps. While Cole napped, I did some house chores and TIm & Eli went outside to play in the mud. Eli loved it! He wore his mud boots and stomped around in the back yard. After dinner, we were able to go on a family walk thanks to daylight savings time. Love the extra light!! Oh yeah, I also managed to do some baking. Baking is good for my soul, it makes me so happy. I made a loaf of bread (it turned out perfect!) and Eli & I made cookies. Everyone enjoyed the baked goods.

I'm glad that we got Cole's eating figured out (for now) and hopefully we'll get Eli's sleep figured out soon. Overall our weekend had a lot of family time, a lot of fun and a few tough moments. This upcoming weekend my parents are coming to town so we're looking forward to getting some things done, namely building the boxes for our garden. Not too many things got accomplished this weekend!!

Eli showing off his authentic Canadian pjs - courtesy of Ryan & his family

Baby Cole enjoying a waffle

Eli's green tongue from his lollipop - he thought the green tongue was funny

Loving goldfish crackers

Our pile of soil complete with two little helpers

Spoon fed by a trackhoe bucket - whatever it takes to get it in him!

Yummmm, cookie dough from our Sunday baking

All boy - loves mud

Cute muddy face

Who loves cookies?

Baby Cole loves cookies!! Ok, so do the rest of us. Tonight Cole proved that he totally belongs in our family. His teeth may just be coming in and they may be small but there's definitely a sweet tooth there.

Fun weekend and some updates

We had a fun and busy weekend. It started off with a birthday party Friday night. Eli went to our neighbor Carl's 4th birthday party at the Rainbow Party Room. There was a huge room with padded flooring and a very large play structure. Not sure but I think there were about 20 kids running around having a blast. Eli loved it! He ran and ran and ran all around the room. He climbed up the structure every possible way and went down every slide multiple times. There was pizza and cupcakes (yum) and then more playing. I don't have any pictures of the birthday boy but, of course, I have lots of Eli. As I was running around making sure he didn't get hurt, I got lots of cute shots.

Peek-a-boo

a little rock climbing

down one slide front ways

and another back ways

a little break to act like he was playing a video game

cheese

Eli in the bubble

more climbing

You'd think that after a full day of school that included outside play and Jump Bunch and a full on playing birthday party that Eli would sleep in for us. Well, you'd think wrong. I sure did! Eli was up before 5am - ugh. That has been his new norm and we're trying hard to break him from that. Tim ends up going upstairs and getting in bed with him to keep him there until 6am. Maybe the time change next weekend will help.

Saturday, the boys & I went to the Y and Tim went on a bike ride. It was a great break for us both and nice to get in some exercise. Eli had fun playing outside with his Y friends. That morning, Cole also decided to show us that he is capable of rolling over (witnessed it once) but apparently he doesn't want to show off so he didn't repeat it (and hasn't since). After the Y, we played at home, had lunch and then the boys both took a good nap. We then went on a family trip to Lowe's to scope out what we're going to get for our garden. It's about time to get that set up - hopefully it will go well.

Sunday we started off with a lazy day. Truth be told, we indulge Eli with some 'Word World' on Sunday mornings early so we can chill and quickly flip through the paper. It's the only time we actually look at the paper any more. Eli & I ran to the grocery store and then he & Tim played outside. Sunday afternoon, I snuck away while the boys were sleeping to do a spin class at the Y. I felt guilty not having a child with me and then felt more guilty when Tim told me that Cole woke up shortly after I left. Cole was Mr. Fussy Butt this weekend and gave us such a hard time. He was sent home Friday with a fever but was fine other than that. We decided that his top tooth was trying to come in and that was bothering him - his gums were pretty swollen. Fortunately Eli didn't wake up from his nap until I was on my way home. Once I got home, Eli & Tim went on a bike ride around the neighborhood and Cole & I met them at the lake to feed the ducks. Both boys loved being out there. Cole just watched the birds and was amazed at all the activity. We also got to spend a few minutes with Ryan and his parents. They walked down to the lake as well. Eli & Ryan took off running, multiple times and Tim / Carol / Kevin took off after them. I think the boys are having fun figuring out what their little legs will do. A good dinner and books later, the boys were asleep and we were pooped from the weekend.

Saturday morning, Eli playing with Henry on the trampoline

Daddy the Super Bike Sherpa (Eli's quite a load to haul!)

Mommy and her sweet little boys

Cole and Ms. Carol

Running on the bridge

Now time for some updates:

Me - had a follow up with my orthopedic doctor today. I'm doing great with recovery. He said that he wished all patients did as well as me and that it's normally a 3-6 month recovery time. I'm more on the 3-6 week track. I have most of my flexibility in my left leg back and the right is not far behind. It's still a little swollen but it was the one that was worse off. I talked to him about what I can and can't do and where to go from here. He did remind me that I'm on borrowed time with my knees so to be nice to them. If you haven't seen me, I'm walking around pretty much like normal. Still slow on stairs but that will come.

Cole - he ditched the duck tub and took a big boy bath tonight (pictures below). He's so cute!! And that top tooth, the left one has completely popped through so hopefully he'll be a little happier - but I think the right is not far behind.

Eli - the other day I was playing with him about sounds. I was amazed that he knew the phonetics of most of the alphabet. It turns out that he & Daddy have been working on it at night when they read books. Eli is doing very well with it! He has also gotten two 'Happy Grams' from school lately for being a good participant in circle time and answering all the questions.

Tim - he's getting through each day, trying to find time to exercise (like me). The boys keep us so busy that when they're finally in bed, we just exhale and basically collapse.

sitting in the tub - he really enjoyed it

sweet face

Now Monday is through, it's time to get some sleep and hit the ground running tomorrow. I'm already tired thinking of it!!

Random cuteness

Taken Thursday morning:

Baby Cole ready for school

Eli, his own sense of style - DIRT shirt, green necklace and retro hat. love it

Baby Cole - 8 months old

I love that little laugh

sweet baby blues

Wow, another month another entry. Baby Cole you are growing fast!! This past month has been busy and we have lots to report. Here we go:

• Unofficially you weigh 22.4 pounds (I sat you on our bathroom scale)
• You are busting out of 12 month sleepers and you're in 18 month shirts. I don't think we spent many days in 12 month shirts!
• You are sitting up very well. That happened in a matter of days. You were all wobbly and then boom, you mastered it!
• We've changed your car seat - out of the bucket into the rear facing big boy seat. You love sitting in the back seat laughing at (and with) Eli.
• You've moved up classes in school. You're now in 'Older Infants' with Miss Katie. You can still see Miss Tracy and Miss Alicia across the half wall and they still give you lots of hugs and kisses when they can.
• YOU SLEEP LIKE A CHAMP!! Oh, this is my favorite development of the last month. After you got tubes in your ears, you started sleeping 11 hours a night. You are pretty consistent in that and it makes Mommy so happy. We're starting to feel normal again with some sleep, however your brother has started to get up in the night. Maybe you should have a little brother / big brother talk with him.
• Now with that sleeping, you have become a pacifier wizard. We love to watch you in the video monitor because you can find a pacifier in total darkness and manipulate it a million ways to get it in your mouth. Your brother never figured that one out, he always wanted us to do it for him.
• You love to eat. I think you must be growing because you eat everything in sight. You're starting to want to feed yourself more and you get aggravated when we don't get food to you quick enough.
• You love to watch Eli. It doesn't matter where it is, you keep an eye on him. You two laugh in the car, at the dinner table, bath time, playing, any time. Eli loves to be silly and make you laugh. I love hearing you both.
• You're talking a lot. You've got "dada" down pretty well but no "mama" yet. That's ok. You talk your own language and make yourself smile. I think you have conversations all the time and I'm just trying to keep up.
• We still haven't seen you roll over. You have no interest in it. You don't want to be on your tummy so I'm doubtful that you'll even crawl. Right now you just want to stand. Any time, any where, holding our fingers or up against the couch. I think you'll probably skip crawling and just take off after Eli.

This month was filled with so much and your sweet little personality keeps coming through. We love you so much Baby Cole and wish you a happy 8 month birthday. XOXO

Happy Birthday Miss Belle

Happy 14th Birthday Miss Belle - we love you!

Eli the photographer

Since I dropped my digital camera last week, it has become Eli's camera - complete with a label of his name on it. He loves turning it on and taking pictures of everything. He is going to be JUST like his Momma loving pictures. Here are some that showcase the handiwork of a 2-1/2 year old.

Jeeps

More cars and a monster truck

a close up of his peanut butter toast one morning

he got a shot of his friend Noah on Saturday

Mommy - and I actually don't mind how this picture looks!!

yellow balloon from Harris Teeter

Play Dates for Eli and Cole moving up

A busy weekend around our house. For those of you that don't know, I hurt my back Thursday so that, along with still recovering knees, made things hard with the kids and put Tim on the spot again (have I mentioned that he's Super Daddy in disguise?!). Cole had to stay home from school on Friday so Tim stayed with him while I had my back worked on. We just hung out Friday night at home and had some family time.

Saturday Eli explored outside while he waited for his friend Noah to come over for a play date. It was so fun watching Eli & Noah play. Robin & I enjoyed the time to catch up and chat. It was also Cole & Kylie's first date - shhh, we haven't told Waylon yet! The boys played upstairs, downstairs and outside. Tim took them outside and let us have some rare time with just the babies. Lunch, some more playing and it was time for nap (hopefully Noah took a good one?). We got lucky and Cole & Eli napped at the same time so the house was quiet for a while. After nap, Tim took the boys on a walk and more play time. We're so glad our friends came to see us today - thanks Robin!

I love this picture because it shows the little boy Eli has become. Laying on the floor watching 'Word World'. Oh yeah, holding his monster trucks!

Eli & Noah playing together in the playroom

Our little cowboys

Look at those sweet babies!! They kept trying to hold hands but like good celebrities they never let the paparazzi catch it on camera. =)

Robin reading to all the kids

Outside Eli pushing Noah in the cozy coupe

Noah pushing Eli - that's some road side assistance!

a little "cheers" at lunch

Kylie was tired out from all the excitement

Gotta love boys and their matchbox cars

Working together on a puzzle

Saturday while the boys were playing, Tim upgraded Cole's car seat. No more bucket, moved on to a rear facing big boy seat. We didn't get to try it out until Sunday when we ran some errands. Also on Sunday, Ryan came over for a play date. Ryan and his family went to Canada to the Olympics so we missed them the past week and a half - it was great to see them and catch up with Carol. (Mommies need their time too!!) The boys played for a long time - inside and outside - and had a lot of fun.

Look at our little Cole getting big

This is my full back seat now - precious cargo

Eli got to take a special little ride in the way back of my truck (shhhhh)

Belle got a new bed this weekend - all soft and cozy

Eli & Ryan - adventure boys

Last night when I put Eli to bed, we had the funniest exchange. I told him that I loved him. Then a few seconds later, he asked "Do you love me Mommy?". My response "Yes, buddy, I love you very much" to which he replied "I love.....balls......and my blankie." I couldn't help but laugh!

Today Cole started in the Older Infant room at school - moving on up! He had a great day and was pretty pooped tonight at bed time. I got to juggle getting them both out of school without the bucket - thank you Ergo carrier! Here's a cute picture of Eli & Cole as we were goofing around tonight after dinner.

Two little boys in a bucket