Whirlwind

The last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind. It seems like Kellen was just born, but it also feels like we've done a million things and been a million places since then. Kellen continues to be such an amazing baby. He is such a great sleeper (thank goodness!) and is so patient and tolerant of his big brothers loud mouth and always wanting to "help" with him. I've had a bad cold since Christmas Eve and my mom has been helping me a lot at the house until I'm feeling better. I did, though, have the first half of the day yesterday on my own with the babies. Things went surprisingly smooth, but the time absolutely flew by. I can already tell that they are going to grow up WAY too fast. Here are a few more pictures from the last week. I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Years Eve...my hope is that the Rogers house will be fast asleep when the ball drops!

A week old ALREADY!

This week has absolutely flown by. It seems like I was still pregnant yesterday, but Kellen has been with us for a week, and Daddy is back to work in the morning:-( It has been amazing having him home and spending time together as a family. He is such a great Dad and he and Cole have had a blast! He definately got a taste of what it's like to be a stay at home parent and has acknowledged more than once how busy I will be. There were a few times this week when we were scrammbling, and I realized just how full my plate will be when I'm on my own. It was nice for me to have him experience what I do at home, and for him to appreciate it.

Kellen has been an angel. He tolerates our loud house surprisingly well, and is already sleeping longer stretches at night. I hope that lasts! He is still very jaundiced, but it's starting to get a little better.

Once again I waited until too late to get on the computer, so I'll post a couple pictures and write more soon. This first one is Cole with my brother, Chris, and his fiance, Jen. Merry Christmas! I hope there is as much love in your house as there is in ours!

Kellen Christopher

Kellen Christopher is here! He was born at 8:50 Wednesday morning (12/17) weighing 7lbs 3oz and 21 inches long. I had about one contraction an hour through the night Tuesday night until about 4:30am when they started to be at least every 5 minutes. We left home about 5am, and after a VERY uncomfortable 40 min drive to Rex, I was admitted at about 6am. I have to mention that Cole is absolutely without a doubt the best baby in the whole world. I knew I was in labor all night, but wanted to wait as long as possible to wake Justin and Cole. I guess I thought he would cry (Cole, not Justin:-)) and be really upset if we woke him, but he was SO GOOD! When Justin walked out of Cole's room after waking him up, he looked at me and smiled so big as if to say, "i'm a little confused, but happy to see you...where are we going?" Things progressed very quickly once I was admitted, and after about 10 minutes of pushing, Kellen was here. I have wondered how I would possibly love another child as much as I love Cole, because I didn't think it was possible. All my friends with more than one child told me over and over that I "just would" but I'm not sure I ever really believed them. The second my doctor put Kellen on my chest, I understood. I didn't have to think about it, I didn't have to try...my friends were right, I "just did." I loved him just the same. I guess I thought I would have to love Cole less in order to love another child as much as I loved him, but somehow there was just more love. It's not the kind of love you can explain, it just makes your whole heart smile. Justin has never understood why I (or anyone else) cry when I'm happy, but the moment I saw both of my boys I cried. I tried to explain that the tears are a combination of love, pride, joy, thankfulness and a good bit of "thank goodness labor is over!" At first glance the first thing Justin and I said was that he looked exactly like Cole. For some reason I just expected him to be a carbon copy. We spent those first couple minutes comparing their features. I was just saying to Justin tonight that I feel like I have known his face my whole life. Cheesy, I know, but it's like I look at him and it feels strange to think that I didn't know what he looked like a week ago. So we stayed one night in the hospital, and I decided I wanted to be discharged without staying the second night. I can't sleep in the hospital and was anxious to get home and be with Cole. Things have been surprisingly smooth since we've been home. Justin has been such a huge help, and I dread the day he goes back to work. Thankfully my mom will come stay for a few days before I'm totally on my own! Friday we had to get Kellen's bilirubin level checked, and thankfully it was ok and we didnt need a bili blanket. I seem to make some pretty yellow babies:-) You'll see from the pictures he has a nice "glow," haha. Sunday we went back to the pediatrician for a weight check since he was 6lbs 14oz on Friday. He weighed 6lbs 15oz, and they said his jaundice was improving so we didn't need to have it checked again.

I'll have to post more tomorrow, I'm starting to fall asleep typing! Cole has been an amazing big brother, and Kellen is a GREAT baby. Here are a few pictures, I'll post more tomorrow. A huge THANK YOU AGAIN to Marty and Jim for my awesome new camera!!

Dancing

So we have a couple of those singing snowmen from Hallmark and Cole LOVES them. He plays them CONSTANTLY. Normally when you ask him to dance, or he does it on his own, he sits and rocks back and forth or sometimes taps his heel on the floor while sitting. These snowmen apparently get him really excited because he stomps and squeals and bounces like crazy. He also has this new dance move where he shrugs his shoulders, haha...typical white boy moves:-) I tried to get a good video of him doing it, but of course when the camera is out he is more reserved. I guess you have to watch it sideways because I couldnt get it to turn.

Another funny story happened last week when I went to lunch with 2 of my girlfriends, Maria and Lauren. Cole apparently developed a HUGE crush on Lauren since he last saw her because for the 2 hours we ate and talked he stared at her and smiled. It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. He would tuck his chin and look at her out of the corner of his eyes, batting those long eyelashes like crazy. When she talked to him he would get super shy and look away smiling. I didnt know a 14 month old could have a crush, but this one was pretty obvious:-) At least he's got good taste!

Cole Camden WALKS

17 steps and Impatient Mommy

Cole has finally decided that he will give in and walk for us. It is still, by no means, his preferred mode of transportation, but his record is 17 steps. I pick on Justin because he makes him "practice" every night when he gets home from work. I, on the other hand, say he'll do it when he's ready. We need to get him on video because it's really funny. He starts out slow and steady, then gets really excited and smiles so big that his eyes are closed and tries to run. If he makes it to his destination he claps so proudly, and when he falls he says either "uh oh" or "boo" (which I think is either "boom" or him trying to repeat when I say "busted it!") He has learned so many words in the last couple weeks. Some of them I think he just repeats because we cant get him to say them on command, but his frequently used words are: mom/mommy, dad/daddy, shoes ("shoosh"), dog ("daw"), nose ("noose"), no no ("nu nu nu"), more ("moh"), cheese ("sheesh"), juice ("joosh"). I've been working on "baby" but no luck so far! He loves to crawl around and imitate our dog Bella by picking up his toys or snack with his mouth, and always shares his snacks with her. He "dances" anytime there is music on, or if you ask him to, and still gives the best hugs and kisses. He is cutting the 2 top teeth next to his 2 in the middle, so he chews on everything, including his crib!

I haven't been sleeping well for about a week now, and it's driving me NUTS! Kellen is VERY active at night and I wake up to him trying to stretch out or having contractions. I don't remember Cole ever waking me up when I was pregnant with him. Then of course when Kellen is sleeping, I am lying wide awake wondering when he'll come, will we be home by Christmas, will Justin be home or will I have to wait for him to get home from work, and the list goes on...... Needless to say, I am READY. So send me lots of labor vibes:-)

More pictures, as promised

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Here are a couple more pictures of prince charming.

Bump in the road

I only have a minute because I just put Cole down for a nap and I need to lay down myself since I'm working tonight and tomorrow night. We are headed to Nana and Pop's house after lunch for a pre-thanksgiving dinner, then Cole will spend the night and I will go to work. Tomorrow afternoon we will have another dinner at Gail and Van's, and then again...Mommy will go to work:-( Sherwin Williams gave us a severe beating last week in the form of a significant pay cut for Justin, so unfortunately I will be working more for awhile. Please keep our family in your thoughts as Justin looks for a new job so I can continue to spend as much time at home with our boys. I guess timing for these things is never good, but geez we just bought a new house and have a baby due in 3 weeks. So enough of my feeling sorry for myself...here are a couple pictures.

Ok so our computer is being super slow. I'll have to post more pictures later.

Countdown to Kellen

It really just hit me in the last week how close we are to Kellen being here. The anxiety about having 2 boys under 15 months is gradually converting to readiness. I have been mentally preparing myself for this since May, so I guess it is finally sinking in. I'm SO excited to meet Kellen. I just want to look at him and hold him and tell him how much we love him. I know he will bring so much more happiness into our lives.

Cole has absolutely no idea what is coming. He thinks my belly button is interesting since it is poking out, but otherwise is oblivious to the fact that soon there will be another baby in the house. We point to my belly and say "baby," and he just looks at us and says "this" or "that" or some other indistinguishable word. I think he will be great with him though. A little rough maybe, but I dont see him getting overly jealous or anything. Cole still isn't walking solo yet. He will walk holding your hand or furniture or with a push toy, but will only take a few steps completely on his own before he sits and crawls. It's funny to Justin and I because it's obvious that he could do it, he just has to decide for himself that he wants to. He is still such a sweet baby and gives the best hugs IN THE WORLD. He won't hug and kiss when you ask him all the time, but he sure picks the best times to offer them. Like the other day we took a nap together in the afternoon and when he woke up and realized I was laying with him he gave me the tightest hug around my neck and planted about 10 wet kisses all in a row right on the mouth. (He doesnt mess around with kisses, they are the REAL DEAL :-)) He LOVES to be held and to sit on your lap and read books.

We've been staying at my parents house this week because Justin has been out of town hunting, and it has been so nice to have some help with bathtime, etc in the evenings. Cole and Nana are in absolute awe of each other. It's really sweet. She is the only other one he gives the good hugs to, besides Justin on very rare occasions. When she gets home from work at night, "mom" no longer exists...its Nana time. My intention was to catch up on uploading pictures this week, but I forgot the adapter for my camera so I can't get them on to the computer. So no new pictures this post, sorry! Maybe Saturday I'll have some time before I start my work weekend. I've got some good ones from Halloween and Cole sitting on my growing belly.

Some new pictures

I don't have a whole lot to update on... Cole is doing great, Kellen is growing (Mommy too, a little more than I'd like!), and we're looking forward to spending the holidays with family. Cole is going to be a dragon for Halloween and he is such a cutie in his costume. Here are a few pictures from the last couple weeks. Cole trying on his costume, looking at the animals at the state fair and being silly with Daddy.

I've been tagged x2

So since I've apparently been "tagged" by 2 of my blogger buddies (Susan and Helen) to participate in this "7 random things about yourself" I guess I better participate real quick before I go cook dinner. Hmmm...

1.) Ditto Susan...I'm definately anal retentive about things being neat and in order, and am a huge nag. I will just never understand why people (my husband) put things off until tomorrow that can be done today! Dishes in the sink and things strown everywhere make me CRAZY!

2.) I've moved 3 times in 3 years

3.) I've been pregnant for 2 birthdays in a row...but at least my maternity leave got me off work for 2 Christmas' in a row too!

4.) One thing I could not live without...SODA

5.) As a little girl when others were daydreaming about what they wanted to be when they grew up I was daydreaming about being a mom. I didn't decide on nursing until the end of my first semester in college.

6.) I have absolutely NO SENSE OF DIRECTION. NONE. And I have huge amounts of anxiety when I dont know where I'm going or where I am.

7.) Although I'm a very motivated person and rarely get behind on my "responsibilities" I have a bad habit of staying in my PJ's (or at least lounge clothes) when I'm home or just running to the store. It's not a pretty sight but I DESPISE putting on makeup and drying my hair.

Our last couple weeks

Just wanted to post a few more pictures from Cole's party and the last couple weeks. I've been feeling really guilty lately about Cole only having 2 more months with Justin and I to himself, so my blogging has suffered a bit so I can spend all my time giving 100% of my attention to him. When he is napping, I'm trying to nap or at least lay down to ease some of my back pain. People keep reassuring me, Justin included, that Cole won't remember anything before Kellen, but my heart still aches. I know he won't be ignored by any means when his brother is born, and that Kellen is an absolute blessing and very much desired addition to our family, but I can't help but feel like Cole will be shorted a little bit with his "mommy and daddy time." Our time spent as the three of us is already precious, so he will be an extra spoiled little boy until the arrival of baby number 2! We've had a few play dates lately, so some pictures are with Cole's buddies Cooper and Miss Lily Kate.

I have to add a little after note because this is really cute! I always tell Cole when Justin is almost home and then say "Daddy's home" when he gets here. So just a second ago when Cole heard the garage door open he looked up and grinned and said "Dad!" then crawled as fast as he could to the gate at the top of the stairs and started called "Dada, Dada!" It was too cute!