Thanksgiving

The whole crew
Brad and Craig
Tony, Casey, Me, Cole (19 months), Dad, Mom and Kristie
Cooper (16), Kyle, Grandmother, Faye
Grace (10-Dec 3rd) and Olivia (8)

We had a nice Thanksgiving. We went down to "the country", Perry Co. where my dad is from and my grandmother, uncle and aunt still live. This year it was at my grandmothers house. As long as I can remember it has always been at my great aunt June's, but my cousin Chris had hip replacement surgery the day before Thanksgiving so Aunt June was busy with him. It was nice and simple and super delicious. If you ever need some good comfort food, my Aunt Faye is the person you need. She cooks everything and it is ALWAYS so delicious. My cousin Kristie was in town with her family from St. Louis so it was nice to see them, since it had been about 3 years since I had seen them.

It was a beautiful day so we spent pretty much the whole day on the back porch. Cole thought he was so big playing with Grace (10) and Olivia (8). He was all over the place, following them and seeing what all he could get into. Brad also brought his girlfriend, Karen (who took the picture!) so it might just be serious if he is bringing her around all of us! :)

Digging in the dirt with my spoon

In grandaddy Shelby's old truck.

Wheeling around with daddy

Mom, these people really related to us?

Posing like a picture from 7 years ago-being silly

Daylight Savings...Sigh

So I remember people telling me how this affects kids so much, but I do not think it has really been so noticeable until now. Well at least I hope that's all this is :)So this past Saturday we fell back an hour. We had a yard sale on Saturday and had been super busy so Cole did not get to bed until a little later Saturday night, like 8:15-30, which he typically goes to bed around 7:30. So Sunday morning he slept until 8:20 am, well now 7:20am, so I was all excited thinking it had not phased him. Then Sunday he was just fussy. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with him? Sunday night came and he was just so restless, he could not fall asleep around 7:30pm. It was more like 8:30pm, but then I had to wake him up for school Monday morning and he was not happy about me waking him up! At school on Monday they said he threw a fit/tantrums at nap time today, which he has never done. Monday night he went to bed fine and woke up Tuesday about an hour earlier than he normally does. Tuesday night he was the same wrest-less kid he was Sunday night. Wednesday he cried on and off for about 10 mins before going to sleep, but woke up at 12:30 like it was 6:30 am and was up until 2:00am and then I had to wake him up again this morning. Whew! Are you following all of this? if not, bottom line is he is OFF!! I was reading somewhere on-line and it said that sometimes it can take up to two weeks for a child to get back on there routine. Oh goodness!!Times like this it makes you appreciate your good sleeper and then makes you think, oh goodness I do not know if I could have another and go back to sleepless nights!! :) hahahaha...here's to hoping he regulates back to normal soon!

On another note...words, words, words... Our little boy is talking up a storm. It blows my mind the things he is able to say and how fast he picks up on things. My new favorite is "love you", so freaking cute! Melts my heart. The other day we were watching a cartoon show, Caillou, and in the theme song at the end it says "thats me!" We had only watched the show once or twice. The show was coming on and right before it said it on TV, Cole said "that me" and then it said it on TV, "that's me!". I was like, seriously? you picked up on that all ready? So watch out people. I have a talker!!

Trunk or Treat and The Deming's Bonfire

Our little Clark Kent

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Well, I have to say we had a fun time celebrating although Cole was still unsure of what was happening. His favorites were dumb dumbs, marshmallows and his new found favorite...fruit snacks. Tonight we just stayed home and passed out candy since we went to trunk or treat at church Monday night. I originally did not know what to dress Cole up like? I was at Wal-Mart going through the costumes and bought a Superman costume about a month ago. Mainly because it did not have a hood or hat. I figured he would not go for that, plus I thought it may be too hot (wrong! cold spell came in and it was 40 degrees Monday and SO windy). So one night while on pinterest.com I ran across the idea of Clark Kent. We already had everything for Cole to wear except for some glasses. So I took the costume back and got some glasses. We had been playing around with wearing them for about 2 weeks before time to wear them. Cole was hit or miss with them, so I had no idea what he would do when it came time to wear them. So Monday night KK came over to come with us and Uncle Craig was going to meet us there. Oh my goodness!! When we got it all together I was loving it. He was the cutest Clark Kent and when we got to church he was so excited about being there and checking everything out he kept the glasses on the whole night, which just made his outfit. He was a hit for sure!! Uncle Craig put on his Hulk mask and Cole loved it. It really surprised me. I thought it would scare him, but Cole was so curious about his mask. He just kept laughing at him.

with daddy

My cute little Clark

Trying to figure out Uncle Craig

My buddies Batman and Robin...aka Aiden and Brody O'Neal

I love it!

So Sunday night we went to Michael and Beth Deming's house/farm for our annual home church bonfire. Here are a few pics from the night.

Bonfire with my buddies Luke and Jake

Bible story before the hayride

Pumpkin Patch

So Casey and I had been discussing going to a pumpkin patch this year. Casey really wanted to go last year but we ran out of time and then convinced ourselves that Cole was to small for it at 6 months, but now at 18 months he is into everything, loves to run around and be chased, and he is all about some farm animals. I had heard lots of great things about a pumpkin patch called Lucky Ladd in Eaglesville, TN It was about 45-50 mins outside of Nashville. Then I talked to Julie and she said they were going to one on Sunday too in TN. So I got excited thinking maybe we could go too! It was Lyon Farm in Fayetteville, TN. I thought, it's farther but it will be so much fun, plus she said that a few other family friends of ours were going. So I asked Casey and he was like "whatever you want to do is fine with me". So we had it all planned, go to church, come straight home for a quick lunch and nap and then head out. Well, while Cole was sleeping and about 20 mins before we had planned on leaving Casey must have looked it up. He freaked out when he found out it was an hour and a half away. He came in  where I was and was saying things like, "this is ridiculous, admit this is stupid, why are we doing this again? these people would not drive this far to meet us, etc..." He was driving me nuts. He waits until right when we are suppose to leave? plus he had already said we could go. Typical Casey fashion. :) Yes, I know it was farther, but it is not like we do it every weekend, plus it will be so much more special with great friends. I cannot say he went with a smile on his face, but needless to say, after all that, we went! and had a GREAT time. We met Julie, Bert and the girls (almost 3), Zac, Carrie and Aubrey (2 1/2 yrs), Dave, Regan and Davis (4 yrs), and Dolph, Kim and AJ (5). The weather was perfect (78 and sunny). Lyon Farms had so many fun things for the kiddos. We slid down slides, played in corn feed, went on a hayride to pick pumpkins, played in an inflatable bounce house, watched pig races and had a small petting zoo. All that with great friends!! Not sure if Casey would admit it was worth it, but he would say we had a fun time. I still think he would say it was crazy/stupid to drive so far, but he did have fun too!!

Weeee....

Watching the big kids :)

Kim and Jessi

Miss Julia...big girl

Brave Aubrey...she LOVED IT!

Serious talking by the men

About to slide with daddy

I think I found one...

How about this one?

On the trailor going to pick a pumpkin

Julie and Julia

Checking out the cow with daddy

Our little turkey

18 months and getting so big!

Morning! I am 18 months!

....well he is getting big by the things he is doing and saying, but he has actually not gained any weight since he was 10 months old, just getting taller. Cole is SO much fun!! I love this age. He is busy and keeps me going, but he is so sweet and just curious about everything. I love to watch him and wonder what is going on in that little head of his? :) He is Mr. Independent for sure. He wants to try everything and do it all by himself and as long as it is not dangerous I usually let him try. Like eating yogurt, our new favorite! He was wants his own spoon and he wants to do it himself, he does not want mommy to feed him. So of course he makes a mess, but they are clothes and tables so we can wash them both. He loves it!
The words keep coming! He has really just taken off with his vocabulary. He has about 25-30 words that he says almost daily, but he will attempt to repeat of words here hears. Like this morning he woke up with...MINE! I guess that officially makes him a toddler :)
We went for Cole's 18 month well visit (Monday, Oct 15th) and in Dr. Mishu's words he is "perfect". He did gain a few ounces so I think he has made it to a full pound heavier since he was 10 months, 28.2. He only grew a 1/4 of an inch (he is right at 34 inches). I didn't really think he had grown very much, which makes his 2T clothes a little big for fall :) Dr. Mishu said that he acts more like a 26 month old with his development. She said next he would be saying more two words. Right now he says Oh no, I'm ok, whats it? and Uh oh. Cole was charming (waving and saying hi and bye and blowing kisses) Dr. Mishu at the appointment and letting her check him without any complaints, she was very impressed. He was not a fan of his tetanus and flu shot though, but the tears only lasted about 30 seconds.

My FAV! YOGURT

Loves wearing momma's shoes...drives daddy nuts!

Octoberfest, October 13, 2012
Karen, Craig, Jon, Mommy, Cole and Brad.

17 months

Cole is getting to be such a big boy!! He is talking all the time. He thinks he is so big. He likes to repeat things. I was just thinking the other day? Wow, I wonder how many words he actually has? 1. Just out of curiosity, but 2. Because I know Dr. Mishu is going to ask us in about 2 weeks at his 18 month well visit. Now that sounds crazy! We will have an 18 month old. What happened to my baby?? There is a commercial out right now for Dreft. It ends with saying, "you only have a baby for a year", that is so sad, yet true! Sniff, sniff :(
I can just soak him up ALL day. It is amazing to just watch him and think how amazing this little guy truly is! He is an amazing miracle from God. We are so blessed that God has blessed us with this little guy. My new favorite, which changes often, because he is learning and growing so fast, but this will never get old... Hugs!!! Yes, Cole gives the best hugs! Those little sweet arms wrapped around my neck is priceless!! Cole has also started running. He loves for you to chase him. He has the best laugh/giggle as he runs. Climbing!! Oh boy! Anything and everything he can climb he is attempting. The other night he had climbed up the back of the chair, standing straight up on the back of the chair. He keeps us on our toes for sure :)
Words and signs Cole does...
Momma, daddy, bear, cow, pig, fish, truck, car, chicken, milk, shoes, hat, more, Cole, cheese, ok, and outside. These are the words you know he is saying. He will attempt and try lots more.
He can point to his head, ears, nose, eyes, mouth, and belly when you ask him where they are.
What does a chicken do? He flaps his arms like a chicken, what does a cow say? Moo. If he sees a bear, lion, tiger and a giraffe he puts his hands up like claws and says roar! Not sure about the giraffe? Haha
Cole wouldn't say daddy for a while ( he does all the time now) and Casey was bound and determined for him to say it. So Casey would point to his chest and say "daddy", well now Cole thinks that when you point to your chest that is the sign for daddy! Not sure how we are going to fix that? It's so funny. Just the other day Cole laid his hand on my chest and said "Momma", then he put his hand on his chest and said "Cole". I got all excited and said good job! Then I pointed to my chest and said who am I? He said "daddy". Silly boy!

He says "cheese" now when you take his picture!

Got scratched at school my a little girl

Driving with Uncle Brad

Halloween PJ's handed down from my buddy Lincoln

Giving daddy love! 

Tubes for our little man

So today was the day. Yes, it was earlier than we had originally planned. We were  scheduled to have it October 8th, over fall break, but after coming back from AL over Labor Day with another ear infection we decided to bump it up. They called us Monday after a lot of phone tag and going back an forth with different days. That's a whole other story and I am just going to forget it :) and be happy that it is done and hopefully this will be just the trick to keep those yucky ear infections away.
Cole's surgery was scheduled for 7:30, but we had to be at the doctor at 5:30 am. I was NOT looking forward to that at all. I was really worried about how my big breakfast eater and milk drinker little man was going to be, but he was AWESOME! Seriously, I could not have asked for him to be any better. We had everything ready to go, I went upstairs, picked him up asleep straight out of his crib and put him in the car. He had woken up, but was very groggy and looking at us like "what are we doing?".  He didn't make a sound the whole way there, which was about 25 mins. We went in and the directions we had were to go to the right to check in and then they will send you to the 2nd floor. No one was there to check in, so we went to the 2nd floor. After waiting about 10 mins they sent us downstairs, where no one was still, so then they sent us to OB check-in. I felt sorry for this lady. She was suppose to get off at 6:00 am and at 5:50 am they sent about 6 people down to her to do something that isn't her job. After waiting for about another 20 mins, they said we were already pre-registered, which I thought we were! Ugh! So they sent us back upstairs. By this time it was a little after 6:30 am. Cole was a trooper and just went with the flow. At 6:40 am we finally went back. Then everything just went fast and great from there. We changed into a gown (kind of, he wasn't a fan so they said he didn't have to wear it while he waited). The doctors, nurses and anesthesiologist all came in and told us what to expect. They gave us some red liquid to make him drowsy. The nurse said a lot of kids have a hard time taking this, and the older kids told her it taste terrible, but Cole took it like a champ. You could tell he didn't like it by his facial expressions, but he took it all. It was quit a bit of liquid too! The nurses were all very impressed, so they gave him a teddy bear. He loved it. He put a band-aide on his bear and put him to sleep a few times with his laughing gas mask. Then it was game time. One of the nurses came in and carried him to the operating room. He went without a whimper or cry (such a big boy). Casey and I stayed in his room. They told us that at Centennial they did things a little different so it would be a little longer before we saw him. Which I am glad they did, because I had a few friends tell me how fast it was. Cole left the room at 7:08 am, Dr. Mantle came in at 7:17 am to tell us everything went great and that they were waking him when he left, then at 7:38 am the nurse was carrying him back in to the room. He was a little disoriented and a little whiny. The nurse said "he said he wanted a drink, but he wouldn't drink it", I said what was it? " "Apple Juice", oh, he doesn't like apple juice. So the asked what would he drink? I said milk so they went and got him some milk and he chugged it. He was crying a little, but mostly because he was so tired and disoriented I think. Once I held him and rocked him a little he fell back to sleep. They let us go around 8:40 am. He ate a little banana bread in the car and once we got home he was acting tired. So I layed him down around 9:40 am and he slept until 1:00 pm. He woke up ready to go. You would not have known that he had done anything out of the ordinary today. Thank you Lord for watching over us and keeping Cole safe today.

Putting my new bear to sleep

Watching cartoons with daddy, while waiting on the doctor