I hope you know...

Dear Cole,

I hope you know how much I love you. You've just turned two, and although it makes me sad in a way to know you are growing up, it warms my heart to see what an amazing little boy you are growing up to be. I can't help but think that of all the things I've done wrong in my lifel, I got you right. Although you couldn't have convinced me during the eight months we tried to conceive, there was a reason for the wait. I understand, now, that the time wasn't right in those first several months because I was waiting for you. You are patient, and remind me that life shouldn't be rushed through. You are kind, and you inspire me to be kind. I hope you know you were the purpose of my life; the missing piece that I could never fill in my heart. I hope you know that whenever you fall, I will be there to pick up the pieces. I hope you know that whenever you are afraid, I will be there to hold your hand. I will always hug for too long, kiss too many times for no reason, and tell you that I love you every single day. I promise.

Here's a little about you that I want to remember when I look back on you at TWO!! You are such a lover. You give great hugs and sometimes even a few pats on the back when you really mean it. You give me the best kisses with both arms wrapped around my neck. Your eyelashes go on for days, and I'm in love with the swirl in the front of your hair (yes, the one I thought I would hate!) You look so much like your Daddy, but something about your eyes reminds me that you're mine. You love, love, love when Nana and Aunt Suzi come over to babysit you. You are so kind to your brother and I could watch the two of you interact forever and never grow bored of it. You help Kellen "cruise" by taking his hand and placing it gently on something new and you ask for him as soon as you wake up. Every morning you tell him "Hello Baby!" with the biggest smile on your face like you missed him so much while you were sleeping. So sweet. You love animals, trains, trucks, airplanes, balls, Elmo, Dora and Diego, and Mickey and Minnie. Your hair grows really fast. You don't like to eat your vegetables. Milk makes you happy when you are sad. You love to rock and ask me to sing you songs. The "Moom song" is your favorite..."I see the moon, the moon sees me, under the shade of the old oak tree. Please let the light that shines on me, shine on the one I love. Over the mountain, over the sea. That's where my heart is longing to be. Please let the light that shines on me, shine on the one I love." You sleep with your hands shoved under your tummy. You think you're Daddy hung the moon. You have 14 teeth, going on 16. You can spell your name, but say it "Dole." :0) You know your basic colors, and used to count to 10 in order, but now like to mix it up a little. For whatever reason, your favorite number is 7. You have great manners, and say "I love you" at the most perfect times. You love to swing, but are still timid with slides. You like to observe first before you play, and always want to help with things like unloading the dishwasher and putting away groceries. You sleep from about 8:15- 7:30 and take a 1.5-2 hour nap in the afternoon. At your 2 year old doctors appointment today you weighed 28lbs and are 35 1/4 inches tall. That's 55% for weight and 75% for height. You've always been 50th for height, but maybe you will be tall like your Mommy and Daddy afterall. We sure hope so!

We went to the Zoo on your birthday, just you and your Daddy and I. You had so much fun and named every animal (some we had to teach you, but to be perfectly honest there were some I had to teach myself first!) and each time we walked away you would tell them goodbye. We spent over 5 hours walking around the zoo and the times you wanted to be in the stroller were few and far between. You were all about your Daddy that day, and had to be holding his hand whenever we were walking. Watching the two of you makes me so happy. Your favorite animal was the otter. I think because it was really the only animal that seemed to enjoy the crowd. They would spiral and spin and swim right up against the glass and come right up to where people were watching. They are little show offs! I was personally disappointed that most of the animals were asleep, or just laying around, but you didn't seem to mind. You also really loved the lions. You ROARRRRRED so loud that you almost scared them away. Okay, so I'm kidding, but you did roar really loud at them and it was pretty darn cute. It was such a special day and although we love Kellen to pieces, I was glad to have him stay with Nana and Pops so we could have you all to ourselves. Daddy and I had made you a tractor cake (what an experience!) the night before your birthday, so we enjoyed a great birthday song and ate cake, just the four of us when we got home. These are some of my favorite pictures from "TWO AT THE ZOO!!"

Trying to blow out his candle. Isn't he cute!

Maybe it will help if I blow from this side...

Ok, this is everything I've got!

Ahhh, finally...I worked hard for this

Yummy!

Chris and Jen's wedding weekend

Weddings are so much fun. They bring together family and friends from all over, give you a good excuse to party, and just make you happy. My brothers wedding brought nothing less than all of these things, and I just couldn't be happier for he and his new wife, Jen! One of the highlights of the weekend for us was getting to spend some time with my cousin Danica and her family (and Kristen too!) at Pullen Park the morning of the rehearsal dinner. I grew up going to that park, but forgot how much fun it is for kids. The boys really had a good time. Too bad we won't have such good company every time we go! Cole really took to Camille and Kayleigh, and was over the moon to hold their hands and play with them.

I didn't take my camera to the wedding. In fact, I didn't take anything to the wedding. (Well, except my phone that Justin kept in his pocket for me.) It was so nice not to have to keep up with anything. My friend Maria kept the boys for us, and we were so grateful for a night out without the kids!

The reason I share Cole's bright and EARLY morning face that he's covering from the flash (since it was still DARK) is because it was a perfect indication of how Justin and I felt when we woke up after only a few hours of sleep!

I also have to include a couple pictures of "spaghetti night" the other night. I might... possibly... purposely give the boys spaghetti (their favorite) on nights that I scoot out before clean-up to go to work. I would never do that. Hehe. So these were pictures that Justin took to show me what I missed.

Not Me! Monday

It's been awhile, but I think I still remember how to do this (wink).

I did not have to use so much shout spray on a load of the boys laundry today that I felt light headed from the fumes. I did not get diapers this week for less than $3 a pack and free wipes with my crazy good coupon skills :0) I have NEVER washed Kellen's hair in the kitchen sink with dishsoap because he had so much food in it. My husband and I did not leave our kids in a hotel room with one of my best friends while we let loose and had a blast at my brother's wedding on Saturday night. And I did not wish more than ever before in my kids lives that they would please just let me sleep a little longer on Sunday morning! I certainly didn't have a headache all day either! Most importantly, I am STILL NOT in denial that my sweet baby boy is turning 2 a week from today.

Quick funny story from the other day... Cole is learning about hide and seek and loves to run and hide when it's bathtime. I play along and went around the upstairs loudly looking in closets and behind door saying "maybe cole is in here" and "i wonder where cole is. i just cant seem to find him". His favorite hiding spot is in his tee pee that Nana made him that is in the play room. I went into the room and opened the closet and said "Cole, are you in the closet?" He stepped out of the tee pee and said very frankly "No, tee pee." I guess he needs a little work on his hide and seek skills. But so funny and sweet!

Just some pictures

Just wanted to post some pictures from our last few weeks since I've been slacking. Here are the boys at the pool. Kellen is our water baby! He entertains himself splashing and kicking and trying to climb out of his float. Cole has really warmed up to the pool (now that the season is almost over!) and will wear his floaties and "swim" without being held. Nana came to the pool with us a few times. These boys love their Nana!

The Breakfast Club was playing out at Triangle Town Center a few weeks ago, so Justin and I and the kids went with Grandma and Grandpa (they managed to stay behind the camera). For some reason the music was much better when we were in college. Maybe it had something to do with the alcohol involved back then?! Sweet moment between K and Daddy. SEE Daddy, he does like you! (Justin jokingly likes to say that Kellen doesn't like him because he would rather be with me.)

Playroom fun!

Sesame Street, you are a life saver!

My future sister-in-law in the middle, with her mom and sister at her bridal shower at Aunt Suzi's house.

Cousin Kristen with K. Can't say enough about how amazing she is. And the boys adore her!

The human garbage disposal in action!

Cole and Nana playing baseball. Look at him hitting the ball! Maybe he'll make me some money some day in the major league!

Bet you can guess who dressed them this day:)

Taking a break from playing ball and undoubtedly pointing out an airplane.

Ok, that's all for now. I'm going to bed early tonight since I work tomorrow night and we haven't been getting much sleep around here lately. Kellen is still working on those 4 top teeth and they are really bothering him the last few days. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

I'm thinking Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Halloween...what do you think? No, really...what do you think? About anything really...halloween, a picture, a story, a NOT ME moment... Click the word comment below the post and write me a message! So many people tell me they keep up with us on here, let me know and say hello!!