Our sweet boy is 1!

I can't believe yesterday was Cole's 1st birthday! The past year has absolutely FLOWN by. It's bittersweet to think of Cole as entering "toddlerhood." On one hand, we will never get back that first year of him being our "baby" and teaching us how to be parents, but on the other hand watching him grow into a little boy has been the most amazing journey. I swear I say with every new stage that he enters that "THIS is my favorite!" First it was having someone who was totally and completely dependent on you for everything, and loving every sleepless moment of it. I remember well jumping out of bed at all hours of the night to feed him, feeling needed and loving it. Although it was exhausting, those moments of staring at each other in the dark and feeling absolutely consumed with unconditional love for this life Justin and I created will never be replaced. Now that isn't to say there werent a few "can you just BRING him to me...I'm too tired to move." Haha. Then it was rolling over and sitting up and feeling as though he had accomplished something so huge. I would just stare at him in total aww with pride just rushing out of me. So many hours in the last year have been spent just watching him. The pride and happiness for your child is so much more profound than anything I've ever experience in my own life. I have a four year degree with a great job, but my proudest moments are watching Cole reach the simplest milestones. Lately Cole has really been figuring things out. How they work, cause and effect... what things do what. He sits on the bathroom counter while I dry my hair and put on make up and damn if he doesn't take the comb and brush his own hair or a makeup brush and touch his cheek. He then looks at me and smiles like "look mom I know what this does!" I often think, you are so proud of yourself, but not half as proud as me! Remotes used to just be fun to play with but now he pushes buttons and then looks at the tv, or puts a phone up to his ear. It's so fun to watch him learn about his world and then look to us as parents to make sure we're watching! He babbles constantly and points and says "Dat" and we just wish more than anything we knew what he thought he was saying. Haha. So although we will never get back that first year with our first baby who made us parents, he continues to teach us how to be BETTER parents every single day.

We had a HUGE party (I think around 50 people) at our house yesterday for Cole. My cousin took pictures with her nice camera so I'll have to post some favorites when I get them from her but it was a fun and busy day. Justin and I went in together to get him when he woke up (we never do this because one of us is at work when he gets up) and sang happy birthday to him. It was the cutest thing ever because he just grinned as wide as he could to see us both come in. Justin made eggs, bacon and pancakes for breakfast and Cole consumed his body weight in pancakes. The party was great and Cole was so good. Although he was a little overwhelmed with all the people giving him attention, he did manage to break his blank stare look to smile for a few pictures! He is such a nosy little people watcher! He got SOOO many nice gifts. Once I opened his presents he spent the rest of the day playing. Although his favorites were a big Happy Birthday balloon and the ribbon from the gifts, he enjoyed everything. Even after everyone left he was in the best mood just playing with all his toys. He never did take his afternoon nap, and went to bed at his usual time just as happy as can be. I did spend extra time with him reading books and then rocking him in the dark singing songs and snuggling with him. I just kept thinking how pretty soon he wouldn't want me to rock him and hold him so I'd better take advantage now! He was so sweet and just sat in my lap facing me with his hands on my cheeks and the biggest smile ever listening to me tell him how much I loved him and how proud I was to be his Mommy. Then he gave me the biggest kiss and hug. I can't always get kisses when I ask for them but I swear he picks the most perfect moments to offer them. I went to bed last night thinking that I had to be the luckiest person in the whole world to have such a perfect little boy. So here are a couple random pictures that I managed to take with my camera and I promise to post more once I get them. Love to you all for making Cole's birthday so memorable!

Fun at the playground...

We walked up to the neighborhood playground last night and Cole had an absolute BLAST on the slide. He and I have been to the playground many times during the day when Justin is working, but all we've ever done is the baby swing. Well, leave it to Justin to scare me to death treating him like he's grown! After my initial wave of anxiety passed when Justin threw him up to the very top of the "big kid" slide (not the little baby one that is low to the ground) I grabbed the camera and got some pictures. Cole LOVED sliding down (while we held on to him-I'm not interested in seeing my child's head busted open) and then cracked himself up trying to climb back up the slide. Nothing makes me happier than to see those 2 little teeth (yep, still only 2 :-)) hanging out in a wide grin!

Updates...

I'm at work with a few minutes of down time so I thought I'd post a few updates. First of all, I love my hubby:-) He had the most gorgeous stargazer lilies sent to me at work for my birthday! Of course I immediately thought about how much they must have cost...but it was such a nice gesture I can't be upset. We were hoping to go to Myrtle Beach this weekend with friends, but thanks to Hanna, we'll be celebrating my birthday at home. This will be the first weekend in over a month that I'll have off work so I'm really looking forward to it, even if the weather is crappy. I had an OB appt today, and yet another ultrasound of Kellen. He FINALLY cooperated and they got to see everything they needed. And he's head down...at least for now! He weighs 1lb 10oz which is 50th percentile for 24 weeks...right on track! It's hard to believe that I take care of babies much smaller than this at work! The ultrasound tech couldnt get me a good profile picture of his face because he wouldnt be still, but she said he looks just like Cole (so basically just like Justin and nothing like me!). She said she's been doing ultrasounds for so long that she's gotten really good at comparing features and seeing what babies will look like. She said "sorry mom, I think this one looks just like dad too!" Of course all that talk about what he looks like made me anxious to have him here...oh but then I think for half a second that I have an 11 month old and I am happy to wait on Kellen:-) Speaking of that 11 month old...Cole is doing great! I swear he is the sweetest and happiest baby in the world! If Kellen is half as good as Cole has been, we will be so lucky! He still only has his two bottom teeth, but his gums on top are pretty swollen. He's not walking yet, although he's getting a lot more comfortable "cruising" and will let go with one hand and turn around. I'm a firm believer in letting kids hit their milestones in their own time...but I have to say it would be nice on my back if he'd start walking soon! His latest favorite things are: his toy train from Nana (that he pushes the button on to make it move and then crawls around pushing it backwards so it makes an awful clicking noise), blowing bubbles in the bathtub, taking toys out of the toy box and then putting them all back in, climbing on the dishwasher, BANANAS, terrorizing Bella, rambling on about who knows what in his own language, unrolling the toilet paper roll, crawling away laughing hysterically while Justin or I crawls behind him threatening tackles and tickles. He melts my heart with his sweet smiles and wet, open-mouth kisses. Every morning when I go to get him he gives me the biggest most excited smile followed by the longest tightest hug around my neck. There is nothing in this world better than that feeling. Uhh, I can't help but smile just thinking about it. Ok, back to work...

Labor Day Cookout...

Our Labor Day cookout was a lot of fun. Justin did a great job with the burgers and dogs and the kids had so much fun turning the living room into a playground. It's so nice to do things out of the normal routine and spend time with friends and family! Here are a couple pictures...although, as usual I wish I would've taken more. Maybe I need a fancy camera like Susan;-) Justin thinks not!

Busy with the toy train...SO serious

I managed to get all 3 cuties in the same shot!

Cole LOVES baby Landon! Let's hope he loves his little brother this much!

Not a great picture...but we're all 3 in it at least!

Mommy and Cole...with Kellen poking out! Four more months to go!

The plaid twins:-)

Fun pictures from the last couple weeks...

What do we have here....

Hi mom...I'm not climbing;-)

The higher the better!
This looks like fun...

Is she really letting me do this?

Naked baby on the loose!!