Welcome Baby Connor

We are so proud to welcome Connor Douglas Cole to our family. He was born October 23, 2009 at 4:51am, 7lbs 15 oz, 20 1/2 inches long. We are doing well and enjoying our precious new addition. More to come in the coming weeks.

Fall Fun

So, we made it to the pumpkin patch over the weekend with some dear friends of ours. Derek, Janise, Sophia and Emelia joined us. It was a hoot to watch Landon and Sophia run around together and us chasing them trying our best to get pictures! Janise was a smart mom and brought M & M's to bribe our little 2 year olds into smiling for pictures! :) It worked as you can see above. Immediately upon getting down from Stan's arms, Landon said, "M?"

Landon and Sophia with some of the Goards- very interesting these goards...not sure what the hybrid status was on these. Many of them looked ghoolish...

Trying to get two 2 year olds to smile for the camera is a joke! But, we had a blast watching them run around. They are just the sweetest of friends. Enjoy...

Kitty Cat Cookies

Landon and I had a blast making cookies together this week as we prepare for Halloween! Landon had his cars help, as you can see- he is holding one up for the picture. :) It was really funny b/c I made a whole plate of cookies and this boy has such a sweet tooth that he did not want to share with his mommy! He actually put out his bottom lip and started to cry. Then I convinced him to pick out a cookie to share with me and since he got to pick it out, it seemed to be okay with him. :)

His sweet tooth comes honestly...especially from his Pappa, his aunt Moo and I have to admit...ME! :)

Baby update- I am 2cm dilated and about 39 weeks (in 2 days). I went ahead and scheduled an appointment today for 41 weeks when I will be induced again if this little man doesn't come on his own by then. I am trying to be patient and know that God's timing is the very best timing. I hope he comes on his own, but if not, he will be a true little pumpkin with his birthday most likely on Halloween.

Halloween and Landon's Baby Brother are coming...

This shot was taken when my parents were visiting. Landon was so excited about his pumpkin shirt and I must say, it was pretty darn cute. He was running around the house in it and acting crazy- showing off a bit for his Pop and Mommom- I am sure no one can relate. :)

This is a preview of coming attractions...Landon picked "Buzz Lighteningyears" this year as his choice for his costume for Halloween. It is funny because I was trying to figure out a way for my petite framed little fella to actually fill out the costume...without taking on an entire sewing project. I realized we had a Bodyglove flotation device from the summer with floaty pads all in the chest area...PERFECT! Now he actually fills out the costume and obviously is SO proud. He was running around the house saying, "To Infinity and Beyond, I am flying mommy!"


I took Landon on a trip to a local toy store...turned out the be a disaster but I will refrain from returning to the past that involved carrying a screaming 2 year old out of the mall while being 37 weeks pregnant...Anywhooo...Landon picked out a lovey for his little brother. You can see that he is holding his two giraffes ("Raffie" and "Bunny") and also the little horse he picked out for his baby brother. So sweet. I can't wait to see him give it to the new baby. I am thinking he will take to his role quite well. I just have to be patient with all the adjustments this is bringing into his life.
A mommy and me picture where he is actually smiling. I love this little boy. What a precious gift.

Marbles Kids Museum and Caroline's 3rd Birthday

This is actually one of the better pictures of the two of us that I cannot believe Virginia was able to snap! We went to the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh today to meet my dear friend Virginia. We had a blast! Landon was on his very best behavior and really made me so proud. He is even saying, "No Thanks" without prompting, instead of "Nope or NO!". Now, this "No Thanks" extends into his response for not wanting to accept discipline which is always funny.

Me- "Landon, you are going to time out now."

Landon- "No Thanks."

Landon "digging" vegetables up in the garden. He especially loved putting them in the grocery cart and then slinging it in the floor with plastic food just a flying!

Landon figuring out how to make the fish fly down into the water. He was hilarious! I don't think this was the intent of the water table, but her sure had fun!

Landon with his magnifying glass on the search for bugs...He actually ended up putting two of his cars he brought with him underneath the magnifying glass and was much more impressed with the cars than the ladybug!

Landon showing Virginia the fish- there was a Nemo, Marlin, Dorry, Bubbles...He could not have been more excited to show off his knowledge of all his fish friends with his good buddy Virginia.

Virginia was such a trooper. She climbed in the pirate ship with Landon, helped him when he would be able to see better if lifted up and basically was my third and fourth hands! She has 4 girls who are each and every one- wonderful- she would be a great boy mom too. Watching her explore with Landon was a treat. She is not only an outstanding and treasured friend, but one of the moms I most look up to. Love you Virg!

Speaking of treasured friends...Landon got to go to Caroline's 3rd Birthday over the weekend. He and I drove down on Saturday and came back that night in probably the 2nd worst driving conditions I have ever driven. I was praying the whole way home and you better believe when we pulled into our garage, I had Landon pray with me, thanking God for our safety.

Anywhooooo- the party was a blast and here are some fun pictures I captured. Allison did a fantastic job decorating and putting on a full throttle princess party. I am sure she was meant to be a girl mom...I am not so sure I would have gone to as many stores as she did in search of the perfect princess outfit for Caroline to wear at her party. :)

Pre-party giggles...

These two know how to have fun together- it is such a joy to watch!

Allison did have "Prince" crowns too, as not to leave out the little fellas!

And, last but not least, a very pregnant mommy with Landon's little brother! :) Hope you feel caught up now! :)

Proud

I couldn't leave my BLOG as I last posted...but thanks to all of you who have prayed and offered words of support. I appreciate it a great deal!

The title of this post is the truth. Landon had a great day of accomplishments today!

He slept through the night! Because he did this, he received his "Brown Tomater", one of the characters from the Cars movie. We have been promising this to him if he would sleep through the night as an incentive and it FINALLY worked. He has a sticker chart full of one sticker a day for his nap (which is great, I am not complaining), but couldn't seem to get two stickers to get one of his cars until today! It has been three weeks since we started the sticker chart, so I will let you know if the success continues. I am very proud of this major accomplishment!

He also went and got his hair cut today by CiCi. She is a wonderful hairdresser at Fantastic Sams and Landon absolutely loves going to see her- I think she enjoys it equally as much! You can see how happy he is, esp. with his lollipop she gives him. He has loved getting his hair cut from the first time he had it done. I am very proud of the way he sits in the chair like a big boy!

Landon also voluntarily sat on the potty and tried to poop today! We were talking about it and next thing I knew he had taken his pants down and was trying to put the potty seat on the potty so "he could get his "DJ"" (another Cars character) for pooping in the potty. I was amazed. I gave him his privacy and told him to tell me when he was done. He sat on the potty and called me - no poop in the potty, but I am so proud of him for trying!

So, such is the nature of the 2 year old. I am glad I am celebrating a day of accomplishments and compliance today. He truly is such a blessing. I would have him no other way.

Finished product. Happy little fella. Happy and proud mommy.

Landon's Fun Monday and Mommy Woes

Landon got to meet another turtle today! He is so fascinated with turtles and cannot seem to get enough of turtles or of any sea creature. JD, our next door neighbor, came over to play this morning and his Grandma DieDie stopped on the side of the road to pick up this turtle for JD and Landon to see. I tell you these grandmas will touch anything for these little fellas! Diana told me the turtle even peed in her car on the way here- YUCK! I think I need to toughen up before I have another boy! We kept the turtle so the boys could show their daddies when they get home from work. I could not believe how both boys were touching the shell and chasing the turtle. I don't know if you can see or not, but the turtle was quiet lively- his head was sticking out and he was the fastest moving turtle I had even seen!


Landon also shot his first hoops last Monday, but I managed to get it on film today. It was so much fun watching he and JD shoot the balls and actually get them in the basket! I have had that little basketball goal for about a year! Finally, some good use for these boys. I know it in only foreshadowing what is to come. I am so glad Landon has nice neighborhood boys to play with!

I actually got a picture of both boys smiling which was a miracle in itself...so sorry it is a little far away, but the fact that they are both smiling was worth posting!


So, such cuteness, how could there be mommy woes? Landon is such an amazing kid and I love him to pieces. There is no "BUT" only a... why do they have to become so dang defiant? It grips at me like nothing else and I hate it when I recognize that we are going to have to come down hard again because he is pushing too much. I think it is hard when I really feel like I am trying everything to help him feel secure, loved, cared for and he basically spits in my face (not literally). I think one of my best friends described life with a 2 year old the best...one minute you are laughing having a blast and thinking life could not be sweeter with this precious being, leaning in for a sweet hug... the next minute they hit you in the face for no reason.


On top of these trials, Landon is having MAJOR sleep issues. Stan and I are doing everything I know to do as a professional and a mommy and so far, nothing is working. I seriously cannot remember the last time he slept all the way through the night. I find myself asking, "Did he ever sleep through the night?" I know he did. Have all the changes leading up to having a new baby (new bed, new room, no paci, potty training) caused him to be stressed and it is coming out in his sleep? Mommy guilt, go away. I cannot believe he is having such sleep issues and I am looking at a every 2 hour waking and feeding schedule in the next 2-5 weeks. Please pray for my patience, it is so much harder when you are sleep deprived.


Why am I blogging then, when Landon is taking a nap? Because today he is not doing that either, and I have decided that I will leave him in his room for quiet time and what he does, is what he does. I am no longer going to stress about him skipping naps. But, it is hard when I truly need them. I used to think God was mad at me because I would pray and pray that he would help our sleep problems and they didn't seem to resolve. But now I realize, God is there, he has the best plan and truly, maybe not going through the shock of 8 hours uninterrupted (except for pee breaks of course) to maybe 2 hours at a time will be easier for me now that we are lucky to get four in a row.


Sorry for the woes, blogging is a good place to vent. Now I will go watch my soap and be mindless- unless of course Landon is actually sleeping, which is when I will take a nap. Thanks for listening.