I guess I'm having writers block, because I've been putting off writing a post. It's not that there has been any less going on, or any fewer funny Cole moments to write about, I guess I just can't think of them when I sit down to write. So I'm winging this one, hoping something entertaining will come to mind that I can share. I guess I'll just start with some updates on the boys. (Sorry, but this is my "baby book" so I have to bore you with details.)
KELLEN is 8.5 months old now has really become such a fun and happy boy. His personality is really starting to show and he is full of energy. He is getting all four top teeth and chews on EVERYTHING. Oddly enough, though, he really isn't drooling like most teething babies do. He never has been a drooler, which is ok by me! I remember Cole at his age sporting a permanent wet spot around the collar of his shirt. He still has dimples you could sit dimes in, and is so tall. His feet and toes are REALLY long, and I feel sure he will be taller than his brother in another year or so. I have a hard time finding outfits for him because he and Cole have been different seasons and very different body types. He wears 6 month shorts, 6-9 month shirts, but 12 month footed PJ's to fit him length wise (and to fit his big feet!) He has been done with baby food for awhile now, and only wants to eat what he can feed himself. Since his new found love for feeding himself, there isn't anything we've given him that he hasn't happily (and messily) scarfed down. It's a mystery to me how slim he is because he eats twice the amount of food Cole does (literally). The awesome thing about Kellen eating whatever we give him is that I don't have to make things special for him. He eats what we eat. Now if we could just convince Cole to do the same! His hair is still pretty red, but starting to come in very light blonde. Kellen is our daredevil. He is fearless and I swear I'm going to find him on top of my refrigerator one of these days. He loves the pool and bath and puts his face right in and comes up laughing about it. He climbs over things with no reservations about how far the drop is on the other side, and pulls up to stand next to whatever he can manage. Sigh. He really is growing up. He still army crawls, although he gets up on hands and knees to climb or get from his belly to sit or stand up. His favorite game lately is to take off towards the dog food bowl and squeal and laugh and speed up when you call after him or start to walk toward him. Unfortunately he has beat me a few times. I wasn't kidding when I said he eats anything. Dog food, dirt, tree bark, you know, the staples.
COLE is, well... it's an interesting age. It's his most fun so far, but also the most challenging. It's so nice that he can tell us what he wants, and is gaining more independence every day. His personality hasn't changed a bit, and it's so fun to watch how expressive and loving he is. I'm hoping some of his antics will come to mind so I can share, but for now I'll just say he cracks us up. The hard part about the "preview" (that is what I call this "I'm almost 2 stage") is the whining. I know it's typical of toddlers, but you sure get to practice your patience. My biggest struggle with him has been to try and explain that I'm not going to listen until he uses words instead of whines. I know this is the age where their little sponge brains take in everything you do and say, so I try to be purposeful in my reactions to his melt downs rather than react on my frustrations. This is where Justin and I differ some in our parenting. He choses to ignore the whining until he stops, and I tend to want to talk to him about it. Wow, ain't that a typical man and woman! I think it's also fair to mention who the softy parent is. Justin gives in the more he whines, whereas I stand my ground even stronger when I get tired of hearing it. I think the best method would be an even split between my way and his, but we have never claimed to be anything less than stubborn! I must say my favorite thing about Cole is his kindness. He is funny, laid back, shy at times, and inquisitive but his kindness really sticks out. He gives me so many kisses and hugs that my "love cup" just spills over. I can only hope that his cup is just as full. Not only does he give kisses at the best times, but sometimes he knows when you need TWO kisses. After the first, he says "two kiss" and then lays another one on you. If the first one didn't melt away all your worries, the second one sure did. (And probably got him off the hook for anything he'd done wrong recently!) He wraps his arms around your neck and gives the good stuff. No "hello great aunt Sally" kiss, the GOOD ones! Every night he gives us kisses before bed, and never forgets to include his brother. Although he's having a hard time with sharing lately, he really does go out of his way to make his brother happy. He brings him toys and wants to see him as soon as he wakes up. "HI BABY!" he tells him like he hasn't seen him in weeks and is so excited! He mostly still calls him baby, but calls him by name some too. It usually comes out "Ken." Although he says the K/C sound when he says "ken," if you ask him what his name is he says "Dole." Silly boy. We've taken a break from potty training because he was getting frustrated. He was doing really well, but I guess he just isn't mentally ready because he got to the point where regressed and didn't tell you at all when he needed to go and would get upset if you asked him if he needed to. At least we know he is aware when he needs to go and has the ability to tell us, now we'll just wait until he's ready.
Ok, Cole is up from his nap so I'm gonna give up on babbling away until I remember something funny. Maybe next time?
