Landon, Mommy and Nanny Therapy

What sweet precious boys I have. What a dear sweet mother-in-law I have. I was able to capture these photos- and give a lot of credit to Kay and I for actually getting everyone to look- smiling is next! :) We four have so much fun together and today was no exception.

Today Kay rescued us from a rainy day cooped up inside! We surprised Landon and took the boys to Chuck E. Cheese. I could tell this morning was one of those mornings where we really needed to get out. Landon was basically bouncing off the walls! Off to Chuck E. Cheese we went!

Landon and Kay playing the fish game. Landon was of course thrilled that it looks like Nemo and kept challenging Kay, " I got another one! And another one!"

As a prize from the owner for eating a great lunch (which we are all, in fact, thrilled about), Landon got to taste his first cotton candy. Needless to say, it was a huge hit!

Ski ball as always- such a treat. I think Nanny had the most fun on this one and actually made it into the 10,000 slot at least once! We ended up with 200 tickets! (give or take a few since I think the owner fudged a little again- because Landon was stealing the show with his charm).

Connor loved to watch. I am sure he will be thrilled when it is his turn! He is just SO easy going. He is absolutely the perfect 2nd child. We can basically take him anywhere...as long as mommy is there! :) He is attached to me and my hip and I don't mind a bit!

We also had a blast over the weekend playing in our pool. Landon's friend Porter was over and the boys just laughed and splashed and jumped around...we parents had a great time watching them and trying to dodge the freezing cold water. Stan actually added several gallons of hot water to the pool in an effort to warm up the water. The boys didn't mind...but mommy and Connor stayed out under the shade. :)

Connor was happy to sit under the umbrella and talk to me while I tried to start a little tan on my legs...whoooh. Long way to go on that one!

In other events of the week...Connor found his reflection quite entertaining. :) I love watching babies look at themselves and just laugh and laugh.

Connor got his first bath without a sit up tub and loved it. He was in there with this guy who had mixed feelings...I had to include this face because it is his classic whiny face. He will kill me for this one day!

See- mixed feelings. He was obviously happy to have his brother in the bath tub here. I just love this picture. Brothers. It is only the beginning of what I pray will be a beautiful relationship. What genuine smiles. A pure joy to watch.

Happy Mother's Day

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend, complete with a Cole celebration on Friday night and a Frey celebration on Sunday afternoon. We were busy taking care of kiddos and trying to get dinner on Friday night, so no pictures were taken...boo. But I decided to include this recent picture of Nanny and Landon in honor of Mother's Day. Kay is just the best Mother-in-law in the world and loves our kids immensely. Landon's favorite playmate is Nanny and when she is around, everyone plays second fiddle!

Then there is Mom-mom, another Landon favorite! He learned to shuck corn with her this weekend. Mom-mom teaches Landon all kinds of fun things, especially having to do with gardening and outdoor life (feeding squirrels, birds, etc.). Mom-mom made a special trip to see Landon and Connor and got this great porch time with Connor too. :)

I had a lovely Mother's Day. We went to church and enjoyed a wonderful sermon about women. I made it just in time for the sermon b/c my little Connor has been sick. I let him finish his nap, had to give him a breathing treatment, then we met up with Stan and Landon who were already at church. We came home, ate some leftover grilled hot dogs with chili and prepared for the Freys. Mom, dad, Karen and Marc and Zaiya came over and we enjoyed grilled chicken, corn and fresh cantaloupe and rolls. It was a beautiful day that ended with us taking the boys the the park followed by bedtime then Stan and I worked out.

It was a beautiful Mother's Day and my husband was wonderful. He asked me what I wanted to do, bought a beautiful card and let me pick out beautiful flowers for our front porch. We spent some good quality time together and began talking a lot about our boys and being parents. I have started reading a book called, "Bringing Up Boys" by James Dobson. It has given me a lot of insight into the things that drive little boys and men for that matter. I see it as a huge responsibility to raise men and want to do the very best that I can.

I have recently started to develop a much more protective nature when it comes to my boys. It is not like it wasn't there before, but I think as kids get older, other moms and people in general, tend to feel more at liberty to chime in about your children. My friend, Virginia, calls it the "mommy mofia". I am so thankful to have the friends that I do who can listen and support me through the rough spots of parenting, while every moment encouraging me and also speaking positively about my boys. My boys are the most precious thing in the world to me (along with Stan and second only to Jesus).

I told Stan, I have recently felt like saying, "Get off of my kid!" I know it sounds crazy, but there are little subtleties that can really hurt my feelings and nothing more tender is the heart of a mommy. Yes, my Landon is strong-willed...but boy is he bright, boy is he tender-hearted, boy is he a laugh a minute. I wouldn't change a thing about him. Maybe he isn't yet potty trained for poop, but I am sure he won't go to Kindergarten pooping in his diaper. And while we are waiting for that glorious day when he decides to go in the potty, I don't want to shame him in the process.

Mothering is hard work. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am so grateful for my Landon and my Connor. Both are God's unique gifts to me, the ONE person who was chosen out of everyone else in this whole world to be their mother. I am honored. I am so blessed. I pray that I will be the kind of mother who makes my boys proud.

That Little Boy of Mine

Two eyes that shine so bright,

Two lips that kiss goodnight,

Two arms that hold me tight,

That little boy of mine.

No one could ever know how much your coming has meant.

Because I love you so, you're something heaven has sent.

You're all the world to me.

you climb upon my knee.

To me you'll always be,

That little boy of mine.

-Grace Wolgemuth

Cole Boys and Cousins

This week Tahti came over for the day on Wednesday and I got some special time with baby Zaiya and Connor. It was quite amusing to see my "monster baby" beside little Zaiya. They are three months apart but WOW the difference. Poor Zaiya was NOT pleased. Connor was so interested in Zaiya and wanted to touch him. You can see Zaiya's reaction!

We had a nice week complete with a second visit with little Zaiya. Karen and Marc went to a benefit for Haiti and we were the lucky recipients of baby Zaiya for the evening. He was a trooper- especially since we had our neighbors over that night and there were 2 six month olds, 1 two year old and 2 three year olds plus all of us crazy adults! He was so happy and I even got a little lesson from him in this picture. Too darn cute!

Landon, Connor and I made our debut voyage to the airport. I used to take Landon all the time and was a little intimidated with the two kiddos...but they did GREAT! Landon loved being there again and we had a little picnic lunch. Connor was just amazed at his big brother, as always. Connor just loves to watch Landon. Connor and I were entertained by Landon's original song about throwing away band aids and counting to 10 (all the while missing 4, 5, 6), his play by play of the planes landing and taking off and of course, his sweet little way of saying, "Silly Baby Connor."

It has been great seeing Landon adapt to baby Connor more and more, saying he loves his baby brother and wanting to include him in whatever it is that we are doing- though he did ask me to leave him here while we went to the airport. I have been really trying to spend even more special time with Landon which has been really fun. We were playing monster trucks tonight and he said, "Superman crashed him and he falled down. He was really sad." I am glad to know that his monster trucks have feelings and that he is able to recognize that crashing into things makes them sad. I tell you, "boy play" is just all out. That is the only way I can describe it. I think he broke a sweat playing monster trucks...I am actually not sure I didn't!

Hope you enjoy!

NC Zoo and Connor is 6 months!

What an awesome day Landon and I had with Caroline and Allison on Monday! We went to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. The day was beautiful, the company was spectacular and the kids were on their very best behavior. It was a perfect day. Allison is my best friend from college. We have been through many many ups and downs together in this life. Her little girl, Caroline, is just a doll. It is so special to me to see the almost instant connection that Caroline and Landon have had since the beginning. It is almost like they just know...how special their mommies are to each other. Just as Allison and I are much like kindred spirits, so are these two.

Some moments at the zoo were quite interesting, I must say. We were introduced to chimpanzees and their crazy antics. Caroline and Landon were standing at the double Plexiglas window that separates the chimps from us. All of a sudden, without provoking I might add, a chimp thrust his entire body at the glass where they were standing! I picked my little buddy right up and held him. He was ok and said, "Mommy, that was a little bit scary." Followed by, "Mommy, that monkey was a little bit nuts!" Too funny. I must say, I was startled myself. I had no idea chimps were so aggressive!

Also, while visiting the Lions and talking about "Alex" from the movie Madagascar, we overhead a woman saying to her son, "Don't swing on the rail. You will fall in the cage and the lion will eat you. Lions eat little boys who don't listen to their mommies!" One word for that comment. Nice. Needless to say, we found another place to view the lion away from the lovely mother teaching her child all about the dangers of predators while Landon and I were happily waving to our "friend" Alex. You all know what followed. Landon asked, "Mommy will that lion eat me?" Aughhhhh- that woman!

In other news, my Connor turned 6 months old on Friday. I have always heard that time flies with the second and boy is that true! Connor weighed in at 19.3 pounds, 27 3/4 inches long. He is our 85th-90th percentile kid in all areas! It is just so crazy! He is sitting up really well, he is cooing like crazy, has dropped a nap and is sleeping through the night most nights! He has found that he loves to roll over on his stomach at night and sleep snuggled up with his little hippo (his raffie). I am so glad to have my video monitor as the belly sleeping is a little nerve racking... :)

Connor is a very happy baby who is also very content the majority of the time. He has a wonderful smile and is very good at giving hugs. He loves his babysitters, Kim and Candace. He loves to watch Landon and frequently laughs at him. He loves to dance with me, sit on my hip and simply be with me. It is awesome being his mother. I never imagined being able to love another child as much as I love my Landon. It was so hard to fathom. But, much to my delight, the love I have for my sweet Connor is just what it is for Landon. A mother's love is so unique. When I look at these two boys, it is so hard to believe that they lived inside me for 9 months and have always been a part of me. It is just amazing. I feel very blessed and grateful.

Connor with the little girls in our playgroup that are close to his age. We all turned around and saw the "next generation" of our kids playing- look how big Connor looks!

Connor snuggled up with his sweet sweet babysitter, Kim. I am going to have to watch this ladies' man! :)

Top 10 Reasons we love Lyckebo!

First of all...in case you are wondering, Lyckebo is the name of my parents' cabin in Old Fort, NC. It means, "Happy Home" in Swedish. We took our very first overnight road trip with both boys this weekend. Here are the top 10 reasons it was a fabulous weekend.

10) Raffi learned to fly a Rocket ship (a plastic cooking spoon), complete with a song, "Rocket ship, Rocket ship" sung over and over and over and over.

9) Mom-mom got a chance for some real bonding with little Connor. So sweet how they rocked and how he smiles at just a glance of his Mom-mom now. :)

8) Landon had lots of one-one playtime with mommy, daddy, Pop and mom-mom. He even was caught peeing off the deck, he felt so free and one with the beautiful nature of the mountain! Pop and Daddy were so proud...I guess the re-training begins!

7) Pop's ribs. No need to say more except for YUM!

6) Landon got to see his very first waterfall. He was so thrilled with it and when asked about his favorite part of our trip, he said without hesitation, "Getting to see a waterfall!"

5) Lewis stories on the deck with Pop. Landon will literally sit in my dad's lap for an hour and listen to him tell stories about the squirrel named Lewis. It is just plain precious to watch.

4) Getting to see Pa Cole on the way down. He is an amazing great-grandfather to our boys and just plain proud. He is definitely one of the most genuine people I know and is always happy to see family. He is happy to share his wisdom and the many happy memories he and Ma Cole made throughout their lives. They were married for 65 years- what a legacy. We really miss Ma Cole and wish she could have had a chance to meet our Connor.

3) Connor got to bond with his namesake, my dad, Doug. What a gift to watch my parents as grandparents. What wonderful memories it brings back for me from growing up.

2) Raffi got to see the waterfall. Heehee.

1) Two wonderful little boys who travelled great! They rode in the car, slept and ate great. They made Stan and I SO proud!

Beautifully Inadequate Me

New daisies planted this weekend.

Stan and I pre-kids at the beach 7 years ago! Hard to believe!

I read the greatest BLOG post a friend sent me this week. See this. I started thinking about it and it really resonated with how I have been feeling lately. My life has changed so much over the past 3 years. All for the better. All for two other human beings. What a huge gift it is that Stan and I have been given. How truly inadequate I feel so often. But, where do I find my strength and my "adequacy"?

I was challenged by the quote "Humility, selflessness, and freedom await us when we embrace our inadequacies and rest in the shadow of the Perfect One." How do I do that when my day starts at 5:00am and doesn't end? I stay in the presence of the Lord. I cry to HIM for mercy and to HIM for help. I ask HIM for patience. I keep my "gaze on the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4).

I believe it is totally awesome that God gives us these insights just when we need them most. Sometimes I feel alone in my feelings and I put a little (or big) wall up. I shut down. It is in those times when I realize that I am not allowing God to pick me up. How easy! Just let him do it, let him pick me up, let him guide me. I wave my surrender flag and lift my life as a mom up to the Lord. How better a way to raise his children, his beautiful gifts, Landon and Connor.

How beautiful my women friends are. How beautiful my flowers. How beautiful my husband and I's relationship. How beautiful our children. Today, I celebrate my beautiful inadequacies. I celebrate them because they are what makes me rely on my Heavenly Father.


Connor playing (and loving) the piano.

Stan calls him the smallest "fratboy" ever. :)

Landon fingerpainting.

Landon and his Easter "popsicle"- as he calls it. :)

Landon is SO glad it is spring!

Easter, Connor's Milestones and Mickey Mouse!

We had a lovely Easter together yesterday and even got a few family shots and a couple of the boys (major effort there- esp. since Connor missed a nap!) We went to church after opening our Easter Bunny Baskets and talking about the Resurrection Story. A highlight of that conversation was when I asked Landon what happened to Jesus after he rose to heaven to which he replied, "That's when Buzz Lightyear and Zurg came." Not quite, but I can see the imagination trying to put all this together! :)

We got the boys together and Landon's incentive to smile was getting to watch the new movie he got for Easter, Toy Story 2, hence the reference to Buzz and Zurg. :)

Here is my happy boy! He loves loves loves to laugh at his mommy. He has also grown quite attached to my hip...

Connor is learning to sit up. I cannot believe it!

For Kay and Landon's birthdays I got them tickets to go see the Mickey Mouse Roadshow. It was a blast and particularly because Buzz and Woody were there! Landon was thrilled and Nanny bought him a lighted ball as a souvenir- he loves it and lights it up all the time! Those things are quite the rip off though. 20.00!

Here are the two birthday Mouseketeers! Landon was born on Kay's birthday which has always been really special. These two have quite a bond.

I even managed to get a squeeze in with my little man. He sure is growing up fast!

I hope you all had as nice an Easter as we did!