Goodbye diapers!

Last week we decided to say bye to diapers (or so we hoped). We went to the store and bought about 17 pairs :)
We started late that day, put Cole in undies and he had about 4 accidents within a couple of hours! The next day he did great! 1 week later, he's gone days without an accident. Initially we stayed home, not having any plans except to use the potty and be accident free. After a few days of this, we can leave home and he asks to go potty when we're out. Not sure why I am surprised how easy this was. He is one easy boy! Seriously! Anytime we've made a change; from bottles to cup, crib to bed, switched his schedule or routine from how long we're away from him due to work or who stays with him he just handles it all so well. He's easygoing and such a joy to raise!

Next up...teach him to be a little fearful of strangers!...yes, that's right. Just yesterday we had the terminix man at our home spraying for spiders in our garage. Isaac and I were in another room, the screen door was locked in our kitchen. We didn't hear anything. Then all of a sudden our socialite son comes to us with a piece of paper that he had just accepted from the bug man. Yes! He unlocked the door and took this paper from a complete stranger...EEK! Wish us luck because we truly have a very friendly child who just loves people!

Terrible 2's or adjusting to life with another baby?

Our little Cole has taken on some new behaviors, such as doing the opposite of anything we tell him or ask him. For example, my favorite; "Cole give mommy a kiss." for which he responds "No, I don't want to." Me- "Don't give me a kiss, I don't want one." Cole- "Yes I want to" followed by an attack of kisses. That's a sweet example, there are plenty that aren't so sweet and get him time outs. He's often telling us "Mommy, Daddy I'm right here." or often saying "I'm sad" and when asked why he'll say "because I am" although doesn't act sad. His listening skills are lacking and his need to control is heightened. The whining is at an all time high. All of this acting out makes me frustrated but also makes me reflect on the fact that we should have had to deal with all of this last year, when we should have brought his sister home. He has spent a year of hearing about and speaking for himself about Olivia, yet it wasn't until this year that he gets to experience life with a living sibling. I often wonder what his little mind must be thinking because he knows he has a sister and now a brother, but the two are so different, one is with Jesus and one right here, everyday, all day.
He's still our sunshine, our baby before the storm of loss and we look forward to what the rest of this year brings with him.

We stand amazed

Yesterday, April 30, 2013 we stood in awe as Cole took off riding a tricycle at the age of almost 26 months. He just seems to catch on to things so quickly. After we watch him do new things, we say to each other "why are we really amazed, we shouldn't be, of course he would be able to do that too." Truly he never ceases to amaze us!
At dinner he had us laughing so hard after taking a bite of his pork (which was maybe too spicy for him). After he made some funny sounds and faces, he looks right at us and just says "I don't like meat", in a very pleasant manner, then went about eating everything else on his plate.
This little boy is a joy, and brings us laughter everyday! We love him more than words can express and feel blessed to have him as our son!

Fast forward 2 years

I am starting this blog as a way for me to keep up with the day to day memories that form while raising a child. There is just too much to remember and they grow so fast. Cole is already 2 years old. I was a mom who kept up with a baby book for him, however past the age of one, there is only space to have yearly updates. Therefore, I will keep updates here.
Cole was born March 3, 2011. He has been a huge blessing to us since the day we knew we were expecting him. I had a miserable pregnancy with him, however he was born healthy as could be, a little early albeit.
He has been the easiest baby imaginable (even if I had nothing to compare it to). He started sleeping well through the night by 7 weeks old. He has always been well adjusted, easy going, happy and content. He loves people and is such a little socialite. As he has grown, he just adjusts to changes in routine so easily.
As parents, we feel our child is just so "special" and marvel at how awesome he is. Cole (and I don't mean this to come across as bragging about my child) has a unique gift of language. He is advanced in his speech and motor skills. He blows us away on a daily basis with what he says and the things he's able to do. He also has a unique ability to understand emotions and to be a wonderful encourager and comforter.
We take great peace in knowing our little boy is learning about Jesus and even prays, with lots of enthusiasm on a daily basis. He is learning about his sister Olivia and has some understanding (based on his words) that she is with Jesus. He knows about his brother Nathaniel whom we are expecting and can be found kissing my belly or walking around saying "baby in my belly" with his own shirt lifted up.
We are thankful for the gift of Cole each and everyday and pray God's will for his life now and all of his days.

 

There is not much sweeter than the smile on your child's face. Just the other day Cole looked up at me and said "I'm happy!" Those words touched me and have stuck with me. I'm happy because he is so full of joy and excitement towards life.