Merry Christmas!

Pre Christmas Fun!

SNOW! Landon was so thrilled! This photo was taken at our playgroup today. We all went outside and started running around with the kids in the snow. It was so delightful. Just watching their eyes and sheer amazement really struck me. So often I look out the window and think, "Oh, snow" and continue about my assorted things I "have" to get done. Seeing the kids playing in the snow made me stop and really look at it. It is amazing. It is beautiful. It is so special to be able to be in the moment, to be in this space of time. Isn't it great the things kids can teach us?

Landon and I also did a "first" today and made a gingerbread house. It was so much fun as I realized I needed to read directions and entertain 2 two year olds (we invited JD to help) while keeping them from eating the candy. SO....with two bowls of goldfish crackers, two cups of juice and two "BIG" trucks, we managed...for all of 10 minutes. You can see the house turned out to be quite interesting. Since I didn't read the directions ahead of time, I didn't realize I needed to let it dry for 30 minutes prior to putting the candy on...needless to say, the roof needed lots of repositioning, let's say. :)

And, my sweet Connor. Here he is in the outfit Nanny got him, complete with a reindeer on his bottom. :) He is such a sweet heart. He is a mommy's boy and I cannot say that I mind. His smile melts my heart. He is really starting to "talk" to us and let us know when we get out of line. He had a 2 month check today and his first shots.... :(, but he handled it like a champ and has been cool as a cucumber since we got home. It is amazing how in 8 short weeks I cannot imagine our family without him.

Well, I must run, Landon has requested me for book time. Stacey - if you are reading this...I need all the prayers I can get, I am going in...for the bedtime rituals!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Few Christmas Shots...

These are my attempts to get photos of the boys in their Christmas pajamas. I think they are adorable. I am sure you will find it very hard to believe that Landon was a rascal most of last week and the coercing it took to get even these shots was, just plain painful.

I just saw a post of facebook that said that 3's are worse than 2's and I just cannot believe it. Landon has been a little pistol of late but I am certain it has to do with his whole world being recently turned upside-down. He is testing the waters, but we are working through it and I must say, he had a fantastic day today- listening, eating, playing well with others, entertaining himself and me. Today was one of those days that I love to post about. It is hard to take the testing, but when he looks at me and replies after I say, "I love you", "I wuv you too"- everything frustrating seems to disappear.

He is doing lots of talking and even joking these days. One of my favorite things he has been saying lately is "actually" and he even uses it correctly. It cracks me up.

We have been doing the "Elf on the Shelf" this year which I highly recommend. Landon has named our Elf "Jimmy" and is absolutely precious in the morning when he says, "Where Jimmy?" Jimmy is currently waiting to watch Landon on his way to school tomorrow morning. Jimmy is in Stan's car. I must admit, Stan and I are having a blast with this too.

Landon has also been realizing that certain animals and objects cannot talk or do things that humans do. For example: While watching the movie Cars, he says to me, "Cars not can talk! Silly Cars." When watching Clifford, he says, "Dogs not can dance! Silly Dogs!" He is a blast.

Here is is singing and dancing to Jingle Bells. Quite a little entertainer.

Stan and I actually got to go out twice! Once to my office party and once to his (thanks to my wonderful mother and sister in law!). We had a blast and really got a chance to catch up on the way to and from the parties, considering mine was an hour away and Stan's was 45 minutes. We both feel so blessed to have the jobs we do and work with the wonderful people we do.

Connor has been growing like a weed! He is tipping the scales at over 13 pounds, smiling, laughing and has even rolled over! He loves to cuddle with mommy, coo and talk after eating and stare at lights. :) He loves tummy time and I imagine he will be crawling at 6 months. After all, he has a big brother to keep up with! He is a pure delight. We are so in love with this little fella. How blessed we are to have two wonderful and healthy little boys. We are thoroughly enjoying our little family. Hope you all have a great night and enjoyed the update! I will not neglect my BLOG totally for facebook- I promise!

Landon is a little "Moo"

One of the greatest joys in motherhood is watching your children love your own parents and siblings.

It is especially neat to hear stories of how you responded to certain things as a child and how your own children often mirror those reactions. In this picture, Kay (Stan's mom) is reading Landon one of Anna's (Stan's sister) favorite books. It is called, Stand Back Said the Elephant, I think I am going to Sneeze. As you can see, Landon is sitting with a line of animals, all that Kay has collected - each of which has a certain part in the book. You better believe Landon grabs the animal when his part arrives and makes sure to act it out in full style.

The neat part about this picture and Landon's reaction to this book being much similar to his aunt "Moo" is that he is so much like her in so many ways. We have always heard stories about how she loved her friends- her many stuffed animals who all had certain names and all had to be named for bedtime. Landon is the same way. I think he has at least 6-7 little critters that have to go into bed with him at night, each with their name and place. He even has a "FROG cover" like Anna.

He is also bubbling with personality just like we hear Aunt Moo was. Little entertainers, these two. I do think Anna was a better eater than Landon has been though! :)

I love it. I love watching his face light up when he sees Nanny, Pappa, Mommom, Pop, Anna, Uncle B, Tahti, Uncle John and Uncle Marc. I love my family.

We'll see what this little fella is like! :)

Thankful

This Thanksgiving made me feel especially happy because I have so much to be thankful for...

I am thankful for my heavenly Father and for the love that he gives to me every day. I am thankful that I live in a country where I can freely worship Him and teach my children to do the same and why His love is so amazing.

I am thankful for my husband. He is our protector, our provider, our rock. I love him more every day as I watch him be such a wonderful father. I am thankful to have a devoted husband who works so hard to keep us safe as a family and our marriage strong.

I am thankful for my boys. I am thankful for their health. I am thankful for the home that I can provide, the education I have to be able to better care for them. I am thankful for the ability to stay home with them and work part time. I am thankful that I have them in my life. I love them so.

I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for the help they have given us with our newest addition. I am thankful for the love they always give. I am thankful that they live close. I am thankful we can depend on them.

I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for the family they have become. I am thankful I have the opportunity to share life's journey's with such special friends. I am thankful to have their shoulders to cry on and their listening ears when I need them most.

If you are reading this, you most likely fall into one category. So, today I am thankful for you!

Miracles

Having a new baby in the house reminds me daily of miracles. Seeing his tiny fingers and toes with the perfect little nail beds, his eyes, nose, mouth and ears perfectly formed, his little belly button where his very life was sustained by mine, his arms and legs, learning to move on their own, seeing his eyes start to gaze into mine, hearing the sounds from his little mouth as he begins to find his own voice... Seeing new life makes my faith so much stronger- that God orchestrates life so intricately, so perfectly. I am thankful today and everyday.

My Sweet Boys

Life at the Cole household is going well. Big Brother Landon is getting acquainted with Baby Connor and is starting to level out in his behavior. Stan and I are doing our best to understand how 2 year olds express emotion- especially emotion involving being "dethroned" as the first born and only for almost 3 years. Landon is actually doing great and teaching Stan and I a ton. We are so proud of him for being such a Big Boy and he reminds us all the time that he is not a baby.

Here is a sweet photo I shot of Connor sleeping. He is such a good baby. He is a great eater and sleeper and really likes to grunt. :) He is already in size one diapers and has 3 month clothes on today. I think he is going to be our big fella. Kay says, he will be the football player and Landon will be the track star. :) We are so blessed with this guy and I am esp. enjoying spending Tuesdays and Thursdays with just Connor as Landon goes to daycare and plays with his friends. I even braved giving a 2 week old a bath by myself today!

Here is my Big Boy. Landon was surprised by his Tahti Karen with this giant Lollipop! He had a hard time giving it up for sure. Our families have been so good to Landon. It is such a blessing to see him react to his family and see the love that is so mutual between he and his grandparents and aunts and uncles. We are so blessed!

Unfortunately, that is all I have time for. I will most more pictures as I can. Little Connor is starting to go from his grunt to a soft cry...in other words his dinner bell is ringing!! :)