You're A Mom Monday...

You Know You're A Mom When...

- All the stresses of your day melt away the moment you walk through the door and see your son's smiling face and outstretched arms greeting you...heaven!

- You love to read but the last book you ordered online was labeled as, "For birth-4 years old." :)

- You have been cooking for a 10 month old but end up eating packaged and canned for yourself!

- You just for a second considered that a minivan wouldn't be THAT bad when you have sworn all along you would never get one. (That moment of weakness has passed by the way!)

- You notice your son's pacifier squeaking when he sucks on it and see it has bubbles inside it...you promptly taste the bubbles to make sure they are spit and not soap. It is not until after you do this that you think about how you were actually tasting for soap or spit bubbles...both are kind of gross to be tasting! :)

- Your heart just keeps expanding beyond what you think it can!

Where Have I Been?

Dealing with life I guess is the best way to put it. Where do I begin?

I have been so tired lately. I work all day, get home in time to play with Cole some, feed him, bathe him and put him to bed. Then I cook dinner. At this point, I am exhausted and often fall asleep sometimes without having eaten dinner myself! If I don't fall asleep I do some sort of housework that must be done. If I am lucky I may get one thing done and I usually am then so exhausted I head to bed. Going to bed AFTER 8:00 or 8:30 is a rarity for me lately.

My brother Trent has a spot on his kidney. It has the Urologist baffled because it measures between the size expected for a cyst and that of cancer. Lots of testing still cannot rule out cancer for sure. However, there is about a 95% chance it is not cancer. He will get another MRI in 4 months to hopefully tell us it is not cancer. Regardless, it is step by step at this point. The only way to know for sure if it is cancer is to remove some (possibly all!) of his kidney...not a good option. Trent's strength through all of this is amazing. I have leaned on my church family a lot. They have been great. I went to a wonderful healing service and prayed for my brother then. There is another next month that I most likely will attend. I just have to tell this quick story about the service...I prayed so hard at one point in the service for peace of mind and within moments felt a sense of calm and began to smile...God is so good.

I have been struggling with what I do not know how to describe other than to say "evil in others." I just cannot fathom how some can be so cruel. I know it is not my place to figure this out but I can't help but wonder. Gossip, lies, hate, I just do not get how people can enjoy spreading it. They must enjoy it, why else would they do it? I guess I just have a hard time watching it happen but more so, understanding how someone could enjoy doing it? And why? I don't know. I continue to pray over this. We just had a sermon on lying and it raised so many more questions. I guess when judgement time comes for those people justice will be served then but I still have questions about all of this...anyone with more insight into the Bible, etc. on this please chime in!

So, that in a nutshell has been what I have been up to lately and why I have been absent. I have just been physically and emotional drained. However, through it all I have seen how strong I can be, how much I can do even with feeling exhausted, and how much no matter what, I wouldn't change a thing in my life....I love it!

Oh, one more thing. I was in charge of flowers for the August 16th church service (I signed up for it) and had them dedicated to my friend who past, Eliza. I didn't take them with me because I was away camping so I missed that service. However, they ended up on my doorstep on Monday. I found out that a curch member new Eliza's parents and dropped the flowers on their doorstep. Eliza's parents saw the card and thought I should have had them. So, they flowers representing my best friend visited everyone at church, visited her parents, and then ended up with me! How wonderful is that? I just loved the symbolism in that...she touched so many people's lives before her passing and still continues too! :)

I Love Rain!

I know, many of you are saying you love the rain?! Well, my little man does! Just after dinner tonight it began to rain. Soon it was a downpour. We had to shut up some of the house it was raining so hard it was splashing into the house. Tony got a phone call and headed into the office. In the meantime, Cole seemed mesmerized by this rain for some reason. I took him to the screen door to look out. Then I thought it was so hot I would take him out to feel the rain briefly. We went out and he seemed mesmerized again. I took him back inside only to have him point to the door handle to tell me he wanted out again. We did this several times...he even got down and played with the rain pooling on our porch (it was raining that hard!) Finally, I took off my watch, put on a raincoat (all while Cole was crying on the floor (already soaked!) because he wanted to go back out!

We ran in it and stood in it and played in the rain. Mommy stayed a little more dry with her raincoat (Cole wanted no such thing!), Cole loved playing in it and Daddy even joined at one point to clean out a clogged gutter...Cole was in heaven then! Daddy said the person on the phone with him said to tell Cole, "hi"...she could hear him squealing in the background! LOL.

Cole had so much fun and so did Mommy! I got to be a kid again and experience it on a whole other level by experienced it through my child's eyes. I am usually a planner and I am not one for spontaneity but having a kid sure brings it out in you! Thanks for teaching Mommy to just have fun sometimes Cole! Love ya!

Who has the bigger smile? :)

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Fridays Fun Facts

- You have now taken to switching between your Born Free pacis to your Soothie ones...I went in to check on you during nap today and you had switched to the Soothie after I laid you down with the Born Free. I just checked again and you have the Soothie back in! LOL.

- You are really clingy again...you had settled a little and it is back. You hate to be put down and GASP! left alone in a room for second!

- You LOVE bath time again. You are particularly found of the faucet now and just last night had a fabulous time sucking on the washcloth (this is not new) but then soaking it and waving it around thus soaking Mommy! Or, you just splashed around yourself and made sure to get a lot of water out of the tub...great fun!

- You "peed out of" your number 4 overnight diapers so we know it is definitely time to upgrade to size 5. You pee so much at night! You barely fit in the size 3 regular ones too! You are so long! Hopefully we will use up the "old ones" in the next few days so you can upgrade.

- Your eczema on your butt looks a little better...the salt water really did it good! You still have that patch on your lower belly area but we are hoping the diaper is just chaffing it where it is so low on you now and will resolve with a new size! The expensive cream Mommy bought seems to have helped too.

- You got a coupe car and play set for outside along with a lot of new inside toys thanks to the Mommy of one of your Mommy's clients. Free stuff! You love the toys too!

- You still love to be outside.

- You still love your lion lovey.

- You still love to clap and wave hi and bye.

- You love big people food! You can't get enough chicken when Mommy is eating it :)

- You tried yogurt melts.

- You still bunch your blanket, lion, maybe even a stuffed animal you find too, underneath you and sleep on it. Too cute.

- You cont. to make Mommy smile so much especially when you laugh so hard over the smallest things.

- You love to point to things you want :)

- This is a bittersweet one, you push Mommy away when on your outside play set...you don't want my hands there just in case you sidestep and start to fall. You make it very clear my hands are not even to touch the play set. So proud of your independence but so sad you don't feel you need me for everything anymore. Should I remind you of how you rolled out of the coupe car the first time you tried it when you got cocky opening and closing the door? :)

- You are getting REALLY good at climbing. You have only had your play set a little under a week and you almost climbed up it on your own today!

Love ya lovebug! :)

Pool Time!

A few weeks ago Daddy came home with a pool for Cole. Cole enjoyed some naked time in the pool...


And then helped Daddy pick just the right song on the IPod player....


A good time was had by all!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Mommy and Daddy thought he was just going to dip his feet in; Cole had different plans. He plunked down in the pool in his onsie and diaper (not a swim one!)

Dear Eliza

The roses to the left are from my Mom; she gives me flowers each year on this day. The arrangement to the left is the flowers I had for the church service on Sunday in memory of Eliza.
Today there will be no You Know Your A Mom Monday because today is a special day. It is my best friend Eliza's birthday. As you may remember from my post last year Eliza was my best friend out of a group of close knit friends I have from high school. Thankfully, despite the lose of Eliza, we still remain close despite being seperate by several states.

Dear Eliza,

Today I woke up with a slightly heavy heart. They say time heals and I suppose I have noticed it does. When this day came several years ago I couldn't get out of the house. Then I did go to work a few years later but still was "off" all day. Today, I was able to function and not dwell. I have learned I have to move on, yet I can still remember you. And I do. I am sad to say I feel like I have forgotten some things (this was my biggest fear.) I am sad that my life is moving on without you. I am sad I got married and you weren't at my side. I am sad I have a son and you aren't here to meet him. I am sad your life was cut short. It bothers me to think about where I am and how far I have come and to not know where you would be at this point.

However, I am also happy. I am happy that I know you are watching over me. I feel comfort in that. I am happy to have moments that make me smile because they feel like moments you come back to me. I am glad to know I will see you again and when my time comes I wont be as scared because I will know you will be waiting for me. I am happy to know my grandfather had someone I love to greet him when he went to heaven. I am happy my son has someone to watch over him. I am happy I had the time I did with you. I am happy that your parents have become such an important part of my life. I am happy your death has led me to do good for others.

Happy birthday Eliza (said with both a smile and a tear.)

8-8-2009- Children's Festival

Cole was feeling well enough by Saturday to attend the Children's Festival on "The Common." He had a ball (literally!) See for yourself...
Driving the car...doesn't he look like a natural already?

Having a ball :)

Laughing it up...he had so much fun in the ball pit.

Enjoying the water table...notice his butt has a few water spots on it? His front was soaked :)

Splash splash! He loved the water table. Apparently he doesn't like to actually be in the water but likes to play in it!

Snacking of course!

10 Months!?

Oh Buddy, I cannot believe you are 10 months old today! Where does the time go! You spent your "big day" camping with Mommy and Daddy at a local campground. You had kind of a fussy day but it was HOT (90 degrees the last time we checked) so I do not blame you! Here is what you are up to now...

- You are around 30 inches (probably a little more now) and you weigh 21 lbs. or so.

- You have recently switched to your Born Free pacifiers but will happily take your Soothie one still!

- You seem to be in a growth spurt as you eat 8-9 ounces of formula each of your feedings plus are snacking constantly! For your breakfast and dinner you usually take about 4 ounces of formula and 2 fruits and 2 veggies (morning is 2 veggies, oatmeal and a fruit.)

- You have been a little more "sensitive" and drooling a little more so we wonder about teeth again? You already have 8!

- You have officially stopped breastfeeding (when you got sick that kind of put an end to it!)

- You were sick for the first time :(

- You stand, pull yourself up, stand on your own for longer and longer, walk while holding an adult's hand, and love to holler.

- You have taken to men lately. You were a Daddy's boy all day Thursday while getting ready to go camping and all day today. You also love your Grampa and Grampie!

- You use the sign "more" when prompted and LOVE to wave "bye" now. If you see someone leave the house, start a car, etc. you wave! While camping you waved to every car that went by :)

- You love music and bounce or dance to any rhythn even if it is just Mommy singing a silly song to you!

- You still love giving wet open mouthed kisses :)

- You are ready to move up to size 4 Pampers Cruisers and size 5 Pampers Extra Protection (you still need this at night because you pee so much!)

- You have started to love to eat "big people food." While camping you have had a turkey burger and bun (pieces of course) and green beans and corn as well as a Nilla wafer! You look so proud after you eat this stuff too.

- You love to drink from a "big person" cup and love to say, "Ahh!" after each sip!

- You don't seem to like the pool a whole lot but tolerate it for the most part. If you get the pool in the day....you hate the bath at night. It seems your distaste for being in water is not completely gone!

- You still sleep with your afgan from the hospial and you still love your lion lovey.

- You still love to clap and will do so on command.

- You know what "no" means and USUALLY will stop. You also shake your head no when we tell you not to do something...very cute.

- You crawl everywhere and follow Mommy all around the house.

- You are starting to show you like to be "babied"...that is, held, have things done for you, etc. Mommy struggles with enjoying this as it wont last and teaching you to be a "big boy."

- You are looking more and more like my little boy and less and less like my baby every day. Bittersweet....

Happy 10 Months Big Boy!

Friday's Fun Facts

Here's What Cole's Been Up To:

1. He (crossing fingers) is better now. I wonder if he had an ear infection as I noticed his balance was off last Friday and the MD did notice some slight fluid in his middle right ear. That (fingers crossed) seems to have resolved too (the balance part...and hopefully the fluid!)

2. He is getting fussy in his bath's again and not sitting nicely when I try to rinse his head...regression...sigh.

3. He has switched pacifiers! (See first picture above.) I put it in his mouth as we always do for him to play with and it stuck! Literally. He uses this oen all the time now. I bought stock in the Soothie ones so not sure what I will do with those now! I hope this doesn't mean we now have to buy stock in this one...we only have two! I had just found a paci clip that fit the Soothie too! I am kind of glad he switched in some ways though because this is supposed to be more "orthodontic" but Tony reminds me these are not his permanent teeth. The down side, this is smaller and I worry about him shoving the whole thing in his mouth!

4. He has switched sippy cups! (See second photo above.) I bought this cheap disposable kind when he was sick because I could squeeze the water into his mouth with it because he didn't like to suck (another reason I thought ear infection) and he loves it! Not sure if he likes the colors on it or the fact it is new but he likes it! It was funny to watch him use it at first as it has a hard spout and he would just keep biting it...lol. He seems to have the hang of sucking on it now. They aren't the best though as the top can come off easily and they do leak a little. My boy likes it though!

5. He weighs around 21 1/2 lbs....he wouldn't hold still on the scale at his MD visit.

6. He continues to bop/dance to music! Tony and I hope this means he will like music as he grows.

7. He waves by with his whole hand and a little arm now with an open palm. Too cute.

8. He loves to give open mouth kisses while I play with him. Case in point, he was playing in Daddy's truck on my lap (he was "driving") and he kept turning around mid playing to give me a kiss. LOVE IT!!!

9. He has tried mango now.

10. We have put a latch on our cleaning supply cabinet under the sink because the boy is officially into cupboards and cabinets! (He particularly likes under the bathroom sink where he can grab Mommy's "female stuff." I have been tempted to take a picture for future embarrassment but haven't yet! :)

11. He continues to babble and sometimes spits out some random sounds and we swear we are hearing attempts at words now! You go Cole! Make SLP Mommy proud! :)

12. He now loves to crawl to the door and look out when the storm door is open. Too cute.

13. He officially has his own pool at home now.

14. He still has excema all over his butt (poor little man.) It looks like it is getting better and then pops up again. We try to give him naked time for it but it is hard where a diaper covers the area most of the time!

15. He is a great furniture walker now and stands more and more on his own!

Wordless Wednesday...

I know it is supposed to be "wordless" but I just have to say, "Cole, this is exactly why Mommy put the bumper there in the first place...so this DID NOT happen. Now say thank you to Mommy for putting your foot back in the crib where it belongs and stop pushing the bumper down!" :)

Blog Hop- Favorite Photo(s)

This Tuesday's Blog Hop is Favorite Photo(s) so here are several of mine in random order...I could have done so many more! I love this one for two reasons: it is one of a handful of photos of Cole and me and because it catches us in a moment I often treasured...both of us sleeping peacefully with him on my chest.
I love this one because it catches a type of moment I treasure...watching Cole experience something for the first time (in this case investigating a dandelion.) I also like the angle I took the photo at...an attempt by me to get a little more creative (I am a photographer wanna be at heart!)
One of many photos I love of Cole with his Daddy. I love the face they are both making :)
I love that Cole was a ham even "way back when." LOL.
This is one of many "photo sessions" I have done with Cole. He didn't seem like he would be cooperative but then he became so cooperative and such a ham! He is proving that he really loves the camera...in fact when I say Cole to get him to look for a photo he turns with some pose that is just perfect...lol.
I have said it before but I just love this photo. Hours old and already so ready for the world! :)

My little tigger was so good about being dressed up and posing for photos...only a couple weeks old and already so cooperative for the camera.

I love this family photo (photo by Russell Caron Photography) and I love that Cole is holding the blanket he got from the hospital and still uses as his blanket each night!

I love this photo. Christmas Day...he was worn out. He literally looks like a little elf to me :)

Well as I said, I have so many photos (probably literally at least a thousand of my little man.) These were just some of my "favorites" that I threw together quickly :)

You're A Mom Monday...

Cole trying his first Popsicle
Do you think he likes it? :) He actually did keep going back for more. You should have seen his face when he actually bit off a chunk! Priceless. I gave the Popsicle to him at the recommendation of the pedi to let him try anything that might get a little fluid into him. He obviously wasn't feeling well because he only ate half. Or perhaps it was that Mommy insisted if Cole was going to have a Popsicle it was going to be sugar-free! Mean Mommy...I know...cut the sick boy some slack right? :)

You Know You're A Mom When...

1. You call the MD at least once a day since the first day your son was sick because you feel the need to check in with him and your MD gives you his pager and tells you he is "at your service for the weekend." Furthermore, he asks you how you are taking this...lol.

2. You literally are worried sick while your little one is sick!

3. You realize you missed two dinners and a lunch over two days because you were busy with your sick little man and you hardly noticed your stomach growling!

4. You continue to learn that you really can't turn your back for just a minute (this time you caught your son standing up backwards in his "highchair" while starting to tip the chair behind him....hard to describe but lets just say...not safe and an accident waiting to happen for sure!)

5. You continue to seriously consider alligator wrestling as a profession...you are getting REALLY good at it!

6. You do whatever it takes to get your little one to drink (Popsicles, a new sippy, etc.) Meanwhile, you don't remember the last time you ate or drank anything yourself.

7. You consider going against your better judgement and picking your little one up from his crib because he has laid in bed for over an hour and still hasn't fallen asleep despite it being his bedtime and he has been so good about it! (If you were just babysitting this thought would not even have crossed your mind!)

8. You have just as much fun at the Children's Festival (maybe more!) than your child.

9. Your happiest moments now consist of watching something for the firs time through your child's eyes (e.g., exploring the trees outside, playing in a ball pit, splashing in a pool, etc.)

10. You still look at your child now and then and marvel at the fact that you created him.

My Poor Little Man...

Note his shirt says "Mommy's Tough Guy"

The above picture should let you know what I have been up to in my blogger absence. Cole has been sick. The fact that he just wanted to be held, read to, and let me keep this cloth on his head without even touching it; all while moaning a lot let me know the boy wasn't well.

Tuesday I thought I was bringing him in for another "unattaching" of the extra skin on his penis so I gave him Motrin. Only to be called to be told the appt. was scheduled with the PA not the MD so I decided to reschedule the appt. for the next day. I was pissed because I had dashed out of work for this appt. (got it at the last minute) and had given Cole Motrin. Little did I know this was the start of it all. And really the least of my worries for what was to come.

I brought him to the hospital to get his blood draw (9 month well baby I put off because it required a needle in his arm so I knew it wouldn't be good...they tested for anemia and lead; I found out his anemia results were negative and the lead is still pending.) The two girls who did his draw were fabulous but holding him in a hard bear hug while they draw blood from your screaming thrashing son is horrible! I actually think it was worse than holding him down for his procedure. He was so upset. Of course nothing a few Puffs and some play time with Mommy when we stopped for gas couldn't fix! Furthermore, I look in my rear view through my baby mirror on the ride home to see him look down and yank the gauze off his arm. I miraculously was able to grab it while driving before it inevitably was attempted to be eaten. I then watched like a hawk because soon after Cole looked down and saw the Bugs Bunny band-aid still on his arm and ripped that off. Again, miraculously I reached back and snagged it before it went in the mouth. He literally did it with a look on his face like, "I don't need these stupid things...these are for sissies!" LOL. All in all though my boy was so brave and I thought that was it for the torture until the next day when he would get his procedure. Little did I know.

I went in to check Cole Tuesday night as I always do and despite that he sleeps in an AC room he felt like he was on fire. His legs, arms, back were all burning up. I checked again and the same. I asked Tony and he agreed he felt warm. I checked his temp under arm and it was 101, which was high for him. He slept through the night so I figured a teething fever as he had started drooling and fussing a day or so earlier. The next day (Wednesday) he ate his breakfast and ate his mid morning meal for Mom. However he was fussy and getting warmer. His temp climbed to 103.5 before I got to him around 12:45 to bring him to the MD's early (with MY Mommy in tow!) and if they couldn't see him I was going to go to the E.R. because was lethargic, glassy eyed, drooling, he looked horrible! However, he fell asleep on the car ride up and his fever lessened a little with the dose of Motrin I gave him in case the MD still did the procedure at our 2pm appt. I didn't think he would.

We sat in the car in the AC as Cole woke and came alive just a little. He still had a fever of 100.2 in the MD's and cried the whole time, which is not like him. There was a cute intern there and he of course did manage a slight flirt with her. Then of course he tried to pee on her when the MD was inspecting his "man part" for the procedure, which he was going to do since he was already miserable and it wouldn't make him worse but someone was looking over my little man and the MD didn't do it because he said it was just at the level of the glands and it would inevitably reattach. I am to just keep a close eye that it doesn't get worse and Cole should unattach it himself as he grows and begins to "explore." :) Good news there! I do press the MD enough to tell me if it should reattach what he will do. He says it is unlikely but if it should he wouldn't keep torturing him like this and he would seek the opinion of a urologist before anything more drastic (can you say recircumcise?) This is what I wanted to hear though...that we would not keep torturing this poor guy and we would get another opinion if necessary.

Back to the sickness. The MD said since he wasn't vomiting and was eating to do Tylenol as needed for comfort. We get home and he gets worse. Temp spikes to 103.5 on Motrin and he vomits up his dinner. (I was out getting pizza for Tony at his request since it was obvious his birthday dinner out wasn't going to happen now so happy birthday Daddy, watch me projectile vomit all over you!) Cole is feeling and looking miserable when I return. I call the MD who is on-call (ironically it is Cole's MD) and he says to give him Tylenol, try to get some fluids in him and try to get some sleep. The MD bless his heart, asks how I am handling this. (Apparently I sound very calm while panicking inside because the MD says I sound calm about it all.) I let him know I am a little scared but will wait and see. The MD says he will be there all night so call if needed, which reassures me a little.

My Mom (bless her heart) comes over before she heads to work and rocks Cole while I try to get Tony his cold pizza (Happy Birthday Hun!) and clean up the puke. My Mom leaves and I rock my sick boy to sleep in my arms. I loved every minute of the chance to just hold and rock him but would never ask for it under these circumstances. At this point I am exhausted and I just cry while holding him. I want to make it better and I can't. My little boy is sick and I can't fix it. Yes, I know. I am lucky that he hasn't been sick yet (breastfeeding apparently does help! Ironic too that he has pretty much stopped this week and this is the week he gets sick!) and yes, I know it could be a lot worse. It still sucks though. I want to fix everything for this little guy. I am so wrapped up in him I realize I haven't had dinner the past two nights and Wednesday I didn't eat lunch or dinner!)

Cole sleeps fairly well (a blessing for all) and eats a little oatmeal, 4 oz. of formula, and a bit of banana in the AM (today.) He crawls around the house while I get ready for work. His temp is a low grade. But then he refuses to eat much at mid morning (4 oz....his usual is 8-9 each feeding) and even is refusing snacks (the boy loves his snacks) and his pacifier (he loves that the most!) He wont even take his medicine; which he also loves. He holds his tongue out a lot and drools a lot. He acts like his mouth or throat hurt? Basically the little guy still feels horrible. He cries out of the blue and sleeps off and on. Grammy (aka babysitter) watches him at our house so that he can be home. I call the MD again. MD says to try Pedialyte if we want (Tony asked about it) and just try to get fluids in him and sleep. If he's not better in the AM even though the MD doesn't have office hours then he will see him.

Tony gets home and Cole perks up a little. He eats a little food, drinks a little water and a little Pedialyte. He has fun in the bath (hated it last night, which is not like him). He smiles a little. Then we try 2 oz. formula. He wont have it. He wont take his medicine. He feels like crap again. He is running a little warm again. Tony rocks him and puts him to bed. He perks up a little again and plays in his crib for a bit. I go and check him and he is playing still. A good sign since so far he screams if you don't hold him...playing alone quietly in his crib is more normal for him. I check again and he is asleep but sweaty. I can't get a good auxiliary temp so I will try again. My poor little man.....

Update: I just went and checked him as he cried out a few times. He is restless. He takes his pacifier. I cover him as his arms are a little cool (a blessing!) and he isn't burning up (another blessing.) Still can't get an accurate temp though. Shhh....rest Cole, go back to sleep. Sleep sweet baby. Get better. Wake happy and healthy in the AM and bring a good appetite!

To be continued....

Mommy's Little Helper

Just one problem little Buddy...Mommy folded and put the clothes in because that is where they belong....not messed up and thrown on the floor. ;-)

You're A Mom Monday...

Lately Cole has taken to bunching everything (Lion, blanket, pacifier!) up under him and curling up around it. We put another blanket on him...it ends up under him! He often will use one as a pillow too...note above picture. He is just waking up here...don't you wish you could wake up this happy?

You Know You're A Mom When....

1. You begin looking through photos and notice that prior to the arrival of a certain someone in your house you took lots of different photos but now 95% of photos have that certain someone in them!

2. You search high and low (and still are) for a lion cake pan because that is what you know a certain someone would want for his 1st birthday cake.

3. You actually consider spending $23 on above mentioned cake pan because you are quickly finding the pan is discontinued and can't find any substitutes and a lion cake is a must!

4. You are hitting bed at midnight a lot again lately (which used to be your usual) but this time it is not because you are up for your enjoyment but yet, you are happy to be up for that person...you wouldn't want anyone else to calm those bad dreams or sore gums.

5. You have begun spending hours putting clothes away that you just put away, folding clothes you already folded, and packing a box you already packed all because someone is undoing everything as quickly as you are getting it done and yet, you don't mind this one bit!

Warning: Nudity!

Well lookie here! We captured a smile while in the tub! Yep, it is official...Cole loves his baths! In fact he often hears the water being drown and books it as fast as he can crawl into the bathroom stands up next to me and watches me draw his bath while playing with the shower curtain and testing the water temperature with me...lol. He can't get in the tub fast enough! Is this the same boy?!

I was told it would happen...it only took 9 months! Lets recall the journey the bath has taken...

His first sponge bath (well actually it was his second..this is in the living room and the first was in his bedroom...I was too nervous with the first to remember to take a picture!) and hating every minute of it! I remember telling Tony I couldn't wait until he was bigger and was able to sit up for me to wash him and be in a real tub!


His first baby tub bath and not screaming but looking a little freaked out! Little did I recall that now he would be slippery and since he braced himself constantly he made it very difficult to manage him...I couldn't wait until he was sitting up in the sink on his own.


His first sitting up in the sink bath. Looking a little less freaked and no crying. Little did I know I would now have to worry about the inevitable losing his balance and watching to make sure he didn't hit his head...couldn't wait for the big tub when he could just sit there while I bathed him.

His first big boy tub. It took weeks of prepping because for some reason he freaked when he saw one of us in the the shower...just peeking in it alone freaked him out! He is looking fairly happy but he is bracing himself (notice the legs!) This brought about worrying about him falling over now because he didn't have the small sink to lean against. Couldn't wait for him to be solid on his own and able to play in the tub to enjoy it.


And now we are at the first photo I posted. He loves the tub! He is in the big boy tub. He sits on his own and stands and climbs and splashes and soaks Mommy and sucks the soapy water from the washcloth and drinks from the octopus scoop...lol. Yes, now I cannot wait until he is big enough to stand on his own to wash his "man parts" without practically climbing in with him and not having to tell him 100 times to sit so he doesn't slip and fall. LOL!

Poll Results: If You Won A Million...

First a picture of my two "boyz" that I took today :) Now for the poll results. I think I would pay off all bills/debt. I would then splurge a little on some little things for myself like a cleaning lady. I hate to clean and if I felt like it wasn't wasting money I would definitely hire someone to do it! I already give money to charity so that wouldn't change. The saddest thing though, a million dollars is really not that much money in society now! It can easily be spent without any major spending splurges; especially if you pay off debt first!