Fun Times with the Cole Boys

What a wonderful weekend we had! I got to visit with two of my best friends on Saturday. Crystal and I have actually been friends for 20 years in June! It is so hard to believe that I am old enough to have had friendships that are that long lasting! Heather and I have been friends for 14 years - also just hard to believe! We went shopping, sat and had coffee and donuts, ate dinner at the Olive Garden and did more shopping. It was just what I needed.

On Sunday we spent the whole day as a family. We actually played hookie from church, which is not something we ever do. We would NEVER make that a habit, but we needed a day not to rush around everywhere. Connor got to take his full nap, we went to Sam's club and the pet store for Landon to see the fish and were home by 1:00 to eat pizza and settle in for our afternoon naps. Connor didn't sleep so long, so he and I went out and I got a run in with the jogging stroller! Then we played outside when Landon and Stan got up and our neighbors came over. Porter and Landon had a blast playing ball with their daddies!

This week Connor really enjoyed prunes and bananas. He has been such a delight to feed! He just opens his little mouth and eats like a baby bird. He is still nursing like a champ and loves his oatmeal. This picture was taken during breakfast. He was in such a fantastic mood- usually he wakes up cooing and laughing and it continues through his breakfast. He is such a sweetheart!

Connor also loves his toy piano. He looks like a little Mozart sitting and playing the piano. If he ever goes into music, this picture will be priceless.

Connor even put on a concert for his big brother. It even looks like he is instructing Landon. How precious!

Landon got to have some fun this past Friday with his little girlfriend, Sophia and Ryan, two of our friends from playgroup (my sanity savers!). We made Easter cookies- a little crazy with an 21 month old, 2 1/2 year old and a 3 year old!

I let them sprinkle the sprinkles on top. Landon obviously enjoyed that part!

We are having a blast with these boys. Today I took them to the mall play area and Landon, though a little timid at first, really warmed up and loved sliding and crawling under the tunnels. Connor was just as happy as he could be because he got to watch the big kids.

I am constantly in awe of my children. I am also constantly praying for guidance and wisdom to be the best mother that I can be. What a gift!

Mommy Guilt

Well, Stan and I did have a chance to get away this weekend...and boy was it needed. We went to our dear friends Carol and Andy's wedding in Newport, NC. We got to spend one night away thanks to our lovely Aunt Moo-moo and Nanny.

The wedding was beautiful- right on the Albemarle Sound and the weather was absolutely perfect. It was a tear jerker for me as I watched my dear friend marry such a loving, caring, genuine man. It did my heart good.

We were invited to another wedding this weekend too- my cousin, Dan, and his now wife, Kara. It was in Tucson, AZ. We hated to miss it but could not make the distance with the two little ones- esp. Connor. Boy were we thinking of all those Freys though, we were there in spirit for sure!! Dan and his twin Greg, have always been very special to me. Our parents always made a point to get us kids together and it sure made a difference. I have always felt very close to my cousins and just hated to miss Dan's wedding. Booo.

So, where does the mommy guilt come in? Well, I did not feel guilty for leaving my little boys for a night. It was actually very good for Stan and I to spend that time away. I feel very strongly about caring for our marriage first so that we can better care for our children. The boys were left in very capable hands and had a great time.

I guess the guilt is just a part of it. Am I doing all the "right" things and by the way, what are the "right" things? And, particularly with my Landon. Landon has continued to be a very spirited child, one I absolutely adore, but do not know how to parent sometimes. I believe he is giving up his naps. That is ok with me as long as he has a "quiet time" and is not a holy terror at night. That is where the problem is now lying. He will not stay in his room and he screams and throws things. I cannot let Connor nap upstairs because of the noise level. I have tried positive and negative reinforcement, neither of which work. He can get out of his room even with the parent door handle.

Today, I told him he just needed to be quiet and stay in his room (he has books, puzzles, blocks) and I would come get him and we could go play outside. I feel like I am giving him and out, then I think- is he too young to be expected to sit there for an hour by himself being quiet? I don't know. The he looks and IS so tired that nighttime is a continuous battle. No fun for anyone.

One suggestion I read was to let him watch a movie for quiet time. I am not a huge fan of more TV. I try to limit it. I often feel like I know a lot about childhood development and behavior, but he definitely throws me for a loop...and OFTEN. Anyone have any great strategies?

Here are some recent pictures- enjoy!

Every time Landon is Superman, Stan has to be too!

Connor and his little girlfriend, Anna. They are a week apart and next door neighbors! We are so blessed to have playmates right next door!

Landon in our new playroom. I decided to give up trying to have a "sitting room" for now. It is much better used space as a playroom and Landon is thrilled!

Stan and I couldn't figure out what to bring Connor home from the beach as his little prize. After all, 2nd borns already have all the hand me down toys...so we got him some prunes. Hahahaha! You can see, he was quite pleased with our gift! :)

Ain't it great to be 3!

While making muffins this morning, this is what I looked to my right to witness while putting the muffins in the cups!!

Blogging

This year I decided to give up Facebook for Lent. It was one of those things that I knew was taking a great deal of my time and although I consider it to be harmless and actually enjoyable for us extrovert types, I knew it would certainly be a challenge for me to give up. Notice I said challenge and not sacrifice...that word is very strong for giving up something like facebook.

Anyway, I decided to continue with my BLOG and often wonder if it is just therapeutic for me. I wonder how to back it up so one day my boys can enjoy it. I wonder if anyone even reads it. :) Then I have posts, like, "Rainy Day" and I get several emails from caring friends and family who let me know they are thinking of me and that they enjoy my little space on the web. Then I find out that I do have some readers who enjoy learning about my life that don't necessarily "comment" on the posts. Some are relatives far away, Hi Aunt Karen and Uncle Fred, some are relatives close by- Hi Teresa and Allison, some are friends close by- Hi Ursula, Stacey and some are new friends through friends and family- Hi Jenn! Thanks to all my readers, whether you comment or not and thanks for your sweet encouragement about my BLOG. I really enjoy it and find it very handy to keep up with what goes on in our boys' lives.

So, the update...Connor is really starting to love to watch Landon. His face just lights up when Landon is in the room. Landon can make him laugh like NO other. Landon has nicknamed him, "Baby Keenoch"- not really a nickname I hope sticks, but it is cute none the less. These two are really starting to bond and Landon told me today that he loved his brother again. It is such a blessing to witness.

Here Connor is fixated on Landon, watching and learning. Boy do I hope he is choosy in what he learns!! :)

Here Connor is talking to his Pappa. These two have such a sweet connection. Connor is such a sweetheart and really melts his Pappa's heart. Here Pappa was leaning down talking to Connor and Connor was just giggling and cooing. What a treasured time.

Here is Landon with his Pappa. Landon and his Pappa love to watch Mickey Mouse together, eat animal crackers, eat moon pies and they also used to love giving Wendy and Mack dog cookies. Wendy just died on this day we were visiting (last Wednesday) after Mack had died in October. Sad sad day for Pappa, Nanny and Moomoo, but I think the boys helped brighten their moods!

Here is Landon with his beloved playmate, Nanny. These two have more laughs together than I can count.

One thing is for sure, we have a wonderful family. Aunt Moo and Uncle B often give up Saturdays to keep one or the other of our boys, loving every minute of it and even making cookies - Landon's favorite! Tahti and Uncle Marc always bring a smile to little Landon's face and the Lewis stories of Pop, Moonpie sharing of Pappa, All God's Critters stories from Mommom and the adventures with Nanny sure do brighten our boys' lives.

So, whether you are family or friend, thanks for reading and thanks for sharing in this journey of motherhood for me. I am just plain blessed.

Connor's Baptism

Connor was baptized yesterday. It was a wonderful service and very moving baptism that our Pastor Jeff performed. He is a very humble man and always speaks from his heart. Connor did great. He was as calm and peaceful as we could have hoped for. He just took it all in. Above is our family that came to celebrate with us. We are so blessed. We also had a ton of special friends come which, as I told them at our celebration lunch, they are just like family to us. God has given us such a wonderful circle of friends and family surrounding us, we cannot express our gratitude.

Proud Pastor Jeff holding Baby Connor.

Our family and Jeff- totally surprised we got a smile out of Landon for this one!!

A picture taken when Jeff was explaining what Baptism means. What a gift to be a part of God's family and what an honor it is to have been given these children to raise. Please pray for us to do so according to God's good and perfect will. Thanks to you all who were there, whether in person or spirit! We love you all!

Reliving Childhood Memories

We had a very exciting weekend complete with a visit from Allison and Caroline. Landon and Caroline had an absolute blast! Caroline was talking about coming here to visit Landon and said, "Landon is my boyfriend, "Whop"" and covered here mouth like she didn't mean to let that out!!! That same morning, Landon said at breakfast that he loved "Carowine". This boy sure is turning into a ladies man...too fast!!

Allison had a doctor's appointment Monday morning so I got to try my hand at keeping 3 kids. I am telling you, it is so much easier with someone to occupy Landon! We had a great time. Here are some photos:

Caroline and Landon painting very nicely together. I was shocked. Look at that concentration!

Caroline and Landon reading books to each other...too cute.

We made Allison a birthday cake...and Caroline and Landon got to lick a chocolate spoon...and help blow out the candles...3 times so they could each make sure they got to blow FOR SURE!!! It was so funny when Allison got home. We were going to surprise her and Caroline said, "Mommy, we made you a cake while you were gone!!" Oh well.

We played with stickers and they both put their names on the plates with stickers ...ummmm...we have a way to go there. :)

They even included my tiny man. They read stories to him and helped me make him giggle. Connor just loved watching those two!

We made a tent, complete with a tunnel to exit and Thomas the train included. They had a blast! I have to admit, I did too!

Sweet Connor

Well, my baby is officially 4 months old as of the 23rd! Wow, how time flies. It is amazing the way it is happening so much faster this time around. So, here are a few things I don't want to forget about this time:

• Started rice cereal and sweet potatoes and is already a fan! He is learning to control his tongue still, but smiles, coos and blows raspberries at us while eating.
• Slept for 8 hours last night! He ate at 7:30 and woke at 3:30 without a sound in between! Then he slept again until 6:30! YAY Sleep!
• Starting to recognize his hands and loves to put them in his mouth.
• Very content and chill, loves to sit back and watch.
• Loves his Hippo (a blue little lovie just like Landon's raffie)
• Loves his paci.
• Loves to watch Landon and giggle at him.
• Poops ALL the time!
• Giggles when I change his diaper.
• Giggles when I blow on his tummy.
• Still loves his swing and can easily be rocked to sleep in it.
• Coos constantly.
• Loves to be read to.
• Sits well in his bumbo chair.
• Does not like his nails clipped, getting out of the bath or having his nose cleaned out!
• Has almost outgrown our Safeseat carseat due to his length...at 4 months!

It is a pure joy, watching Connor grow. He is so precious. We continue to get comments that he is looking more and more like me and my side of the family. As he grows, he does in some ways look more like Landon, in others, less. He is such a sweet little person and I am so thankful God gave him to us to take care of. Just wanted to update you on my sweet "Connor-bear". :)