3 year check-up

I took Cole to the doctor today for his 3 year well check-up.

It hit me all at once, again, that he is no longer a baby. We walked in the back and they got his weight and height. He was 35 1/2 pounds and 39 inches tall. That puts him in the 80%. Then, they sat him down, checked his blood pressure, pricked his finger to check his iron level and cholesterol, and made him pee in a cup!! Whew, I was like, he's not an adult!!! This is what they do to me when I go to the doctor! Cole, of course, thought it was major fun to pee in a cup (boys!) and did great when he got his finger pricked. He wasn't too sure what the nurse was doing with the blood pressure cup, but he took it like a champ! I just kind of sat back and took it all in. He was such a big boy. I felt like he was all grown up, especially when they said they wanted to check his cholesterol. This just cracked me up. I mean, I guess young kids can have problems with their cholesterol, but this is the kind of stuff my parents talk about when they have doctors appointments!! (No offensive, Mom and Dad! Love you guys!)

So, he also received an A+ along with his sister last week. The pediatrician said Cole was a big boy and he thinks that will continue. Whenever we go out, people always think Cole is at least 4 because of his height. So, maybe he'll play basketball or something. But he does love football, so who knows?!

Cole really loves to be outside, and with all the toys he got for his birthday, he wants to be out there even more. I really needed to feed Raleigh and cook dinner this evening, so I let go and let him be a 3 year old. He went in the backyard, by himself, and played with his soccer goal, rocket launcher and golf set. He was a little confused at first because I always fuss at him if he tries to sneak out the back door alone, but I reassured him it was okay. I, of course, watched him out the kitchen window the entire time, but at least I let go a little and let him be a boy. He kept coming to the back door to say hey and tell me he loved me, and then off again he'd go. I made pancakes for dinner (Carrie, you'd be proud, they were made from scratch!!!). He was thrilled because that is one of his favorite foods. He and I were eating them hot off the griddle; I forgot how much I too loved pancakes; they were great! He kept saying, "MMM, Mommy, these are good! Thanks for making me pancakes, I love you!" How precious is that?! I love that boy!

Eric and I will be celebrating our 5th anniversary on Friday! Can you believe that? I am so excited. We can't really go away this year since I am nursing Raleigh, so he has dinner plans made for us. I can't wait. He works so much, so it will be nice to spend some time with my man and just relax. Maybe even make us another little Michelin.

Just kidding, Mom. :)

More birthday pics!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, COLE!!!

It's official!

My little boy is 3 years old today. The last 3 years have gone by way too fast, but they by far have been the best of my life.

We threw Cole a luau themed party at our home yesterday afternoon. It was a blast! He had so much fun and received some amazing gifts! He got a soccer goal and ball, golf set, books, DVDs, an easel and paint/paper to go with it, a tray with his name on it, clothes, USC football jersey and sunglasses, educational computer, baseball glove, money, toy camera, cars, trucks; the list goes on! We had the house decorated and everyone wore leis and Hawaiian outfits. Of course, big days are always going to have their hiccups.....

I ordered Cole's cake from Publix. For months now, all Cole has asked for is a Thomas the Train cake. So I was going to make sure he got it. They had a precious Thomas cake that literally was a 3D version of a Thomas the Train. It was awesome, and Cole wanted it. They also had a Thomas sheet cake that was a carnival scene. I made sure that the lady who took the order new that I did not want the sheet cake, I wanted the signature cake. Besides, we were having a luau; a carnival scene would not go with his party! She said she understood and if there was a problem, one of the decorators would call me. Well, I never received a phone call and so I assumed everything was ok. BIG MISTAKE!!! When I got there to pick up the cake, low and behold there was the stupid carnival scene sheet cake. I was devastated! I told the lady that I was sorry, but that was the wrong cake. I showed her in the book which cake was the correct one, and she wanted to get an attitude with me! She was rude and I didn't appreciate it, nor did I need it; I was stressed out enough. She told me to come back in half an hour and she would have the correct cake. I walked out to my car where Eric was sitting with the kids, and I just started crying. I wanted Eric to go back in and tell her to keep her cakes! He calmed me down and said let's just go with it. I'm glad we did. The cake turned out perfect, and Cole was absolutely thrilled! That was all that mattered to me.

2 more hiccups occurred. For some reason, our video camera decided to stop recording right as we were all singing Happy Birthday to Cole. We had no idea until I went back last night to watch the cake. And last, Eric broke our dining room table! To his defense, it is old. He pressed down on it trying to close the cake up, and all I heard was a loud snap! The table is very unstable and leans. He and my dad are going to try and glue it back together this weekend when he is off. Great!

All in all, it was a wonderful day. A day full of love and laughter and excitement for my little boy. Yes, boy. Not baby anymore. He doesn't even resemble a baby. :( I guess they have to grow up eventually.

Here are some of the pictures from Cole's birthday party.

Happy Birthday, Cole. You make me very happy; you brighten my world more than I could ever tell you. I am so proud to be your mommy, and I thank God everyday for choosing me for the job. You are so very precious, and I am so thrilled you have become who you are in your three years. You are the best little boy anyone could ask for. I love you more than life itself.

Mommy

Matching flowers! Fun in the bounce house. (Thanks, Mann family!)

Cole and his great-grandfather

switching hats! Isn't he cute?

6 months old!!

Yes, yes, I know I say this everytime, but I seriously cannot believe my little baby girl is 6 months old! Where did all those months go?
Raleigh had her 6 month check-up yesterday and she got an A+. I have to admit, over the last several weeks, random people have been coming up to us and saying, "Oh she's so chunky!" or others that really don't care say, "Wow, she's fat!" Ok, I'm a mom and therefore am very protective of my children. Eric and I can say she's fat or our family can as well because we say it in a loving way, but when people I've never met start saying it, I get a little upset. I think, are they saying that because they think a fat baby is cute, or are they trying to tell me I'm feeding her too often??? I personally love a fat baby, and I love every roll and crease Raleigh has. Cole was a very chunky baby as well, and I remember just adoring every ounce he had too. I feel very proud she's that way because I nurse her, so I made her that way. So I just needed reassurance from her pediatrician that she wasn't "too big." He just laughed and said absolutely not. He said she was perfect and healthy and to not worry because once she starts becoming more mobile, the weight will quickly come off. I do remember that with Cole. He was so chunky, but once he started walking, he quickly thinned out. Our Dr. jokingly called her "juicy." We thought that was hilarious!
She weighs 17 pounds 5 ounces and was 26 3/4 inches long. So that puts her in the 80% for height and 75% for weight. She is right where she needs to be developmentally; she is rolling over both ways, sitting up very well without assistance, and standing up alone for a few seconds at a time. She laughs and smiles constantly, and is saying "hey" (she has no idea she's saying that, of course!) and making the "m" sound. Could she possibly be preparing herself to say "Mama?!" Cole's first word was "MaMa" and I remember Eric being disappointed, especially because that was his boy! So if Raleigh says it before DaDa, he will be upset! She still doesn't have any teeth yet, but I'm certainly not complaining! :) She loves to eat solids now; she likes bananas, squash and sweet potatoes. She also still loves to nurse! But I will begin to increase her solids over the next few weeks. I will start her on juices soon too. Not sure if she'll like it or not, but we'll try!
I am just so amazed by her. She is so beautiful and full of life at 6 months old. She has the best little personality and is a joy to be around. Raleigh always smiles and is so happy all the time. I couldn't ask for a better baby, truly.
As for my little man, Cole will be THREE next Monday. I try not to talk about it too much; it makes me soooo sad!!! It's bittersweet. His birthday party is Sunday. We are throwing him a luau birthday party. He is so excited, he can hardly stand it. Everyday he's waking up asking, "Is it my birthday?!" I will certainly have many pictures to post of his big day along with some funny stories, I'm sure. He is so funny.

One more....

Okay, here is one more picture of Raleigh in a pink and camo hat. Yes, Eric was happy! He tried to buy her a camo dress with white lace around the bottom....yeah, hideous!!! I had to intervene for my girl.

Also, check out this quick video of Raleigh's "ocean experience." This was the not so fun time...watch at the end, she gets so upset that she makes herself choke. Too funny!

More beach pictures

Not so happy here!

Can you see her legs?!

Fun at the Bass Pro Shop!

Our beach trip

Okay, so one of these days maybe I'll find some time to update this blog regularly! Anyways, we went to the beach with Eric's family about 2 weeks ago and stayed for almost a week. We had a blast! Not many families do this, but Eric's entire family goes to the beach for a week; I mean aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone. It is so much fun and so nice to be able to visit with family we don't see very often. And, of course, I'd be lying if I didn't admit Eric and I wanted to show off our precious children. Cole had the best time. He loves the beach; playing in the sand, jumping the waves, chasing seagulls, you get the picture. And Raleigh? Well, she just loves to nurse! You can tell by the rolls hanging out of her bathing suit. The tankini we bought for her was basically a bikini, because it would not stay down over her tummy! Too cute.

Being at the beach reminded Eric and I of how much we would love to move to the coast. If a job ever presented itself to Eric anywhere on the coastline, we would be there in a heartbeat.

My sweet husband took me for a nice walk on the beach one night, just the two of us. It was really nice, but the whole time we talked about the kids! We had to laugh. That's what parenting does to you. But I love him and we had the best time. He even took me shopping one afternoon. I felt his head to make sure he wasn't running a temperature. He HATES shopping! The trade-off? We went to the Bass Pro Shop! But, I didn't mind a bit. It was worth it to be able to walk around the outlets, have Starbucks, and shop for who else, but our kids!

I'll post some more pictures and a funny video of Raleigh. She liked the water at first, but then something changed and she was done!