Father's Day Weekend

So technically, this is Dan's 2nd Father's Day...but last year Cole was six weeks old and I was the mommy of a six week old baby. Honestly, I don't even remember how we celebrated. I think that was about when pure exhaustion had set in. But this Father's Day was great (actually the entire weekend). Friday night we went to a hotdog social at my new school and met some of the new teachers, parents, and kids. Cole LOVES hotdogs and he had fun running around the gym chasing basketballs. Dan brought him home and got him ready for bed while I finished up the event. When I got home Dan took off for poker with some friends.

Saturday was very busy too. We took Cole to the Austin Children's Museum. I wasn't sure if there would be things there for him to enjoy, but he loved it. They had a play area with things to explore for kiddos under two and a building area with trucks and tractors that he kept running into without us. He loved the big green slide too. It was funny because several older kids would climb up the ramp and look down the tunnel and then go back down the ramp...not Cole. He would go down the slide and then try to climb back up it until we taught him where to go. He is a little daredevilish - no fear yet. He took a header off of his little recliner the other day as he was playing "incorrectly" in it - scared the crud out of me. He cried pretty hard and hasn't done that again - so maybe he has some sense of fear if it hurts too bad. After the museum we went to lunch and then home for a nap (all of us).

Tricia, our neighbor, organized a Father's Day potluck on Saturday night. We all brought sides and our own meat. We also had a little kiddie pool set up in the neighbor's backyard. Again, I am happy that my son loves water, but it makes this old mommy a little scared sometimes. He played and then crashed early for the night.

Sunday all Dan wanted to do was stay at home, which was perfectly fine with me. We spent the day doing a whole lot of nothing - well Cole destroyed the house to say the least. So I am off to pick up the living room/play room for the 100th time today.

And I know I am a bit bias...but Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy (Cole's Daddy) and best Dad (my Dad) I know. They cannot possibly come any better than what I have been blessed with in my life!

Pajama Day at Ms. Debra's

Check out my new pajamas and flip flops. Such a happy boy!

Cole's sitter, Ms. Debra, had pajama day on Friday.

I wish I could have pajama day...in fact I think tomorrow will be pajama day at the Walker's.

Eating Skills...Or Lack There Of!!

Pasta and sauce!Trying to use a spoon...trying! Cookie Soul Patch...so gross and yet so stinkin' cute!

I'm just going to say he eats like his DAD...and leave it at that.

Cole = practice, practice, practice...Mommy = patience, patience, patience (and lots of wipes).

A Date With Mom

Down the slide. Nah...back up the slide.

Wondering how to get in there???

I took off his shoes and he ran to the entrance of the toddler play area.

Dan was playing golf with one of his friends today, and Cole and I didn't feel like staying home. We packed up our bag and headed to Jungle Java (less than 5 minutes from the house). I have heard things about the play area for little kids. For $3.00, it is not bad. He liked climbing the slides and LOVED watching the big kids play. We will probably head back this summer as the days get hotter and hotter and the outside time because less and less.

Toddler Time

So I know I am going to pay for this...but I had to take a picture first, before I made him get down. I left the room for a whole 30 seconds.

Action shot...throwing his train tracks. He thinks everything should be thrown right now.

When I was sitting on the couch watching him play, he decided to climb in the drawer.

Eating chicken tamales and peaches (in a bowl) with a spoon. Notice the hand in the bowl and the spoon in the other hand...we will keep practicing.

He figured out how to get the suction cup off of the tray and then he used the spoon :)

So it has taken me a while to realize that I do not have a baby anymore...I have a VERY active, very busy little boy. Dan and I have finished six weeks full of pure craziness and now are taking time to enjoy the little things, the little moments with Cole. It is really nice to not have any obligations, parties to throw, etc. I have about a week of work left for this school year and then about six weeks off. I have been planing my play dates with Cole. We have some library visits planned and we also joined Gymboree for a few months. I have a climber on my hands and I think, I hope he will enjoy the gym time. We are also going to go to the Children's Museum and whatever else we feel like doing...NO SCHEDULE!

And YET...Another BUSY Weekend!

My handsome hubby! I would turn my back for a second and Cole was climbing (and then face planting) onto something. He loved the gigantic ball!

Giving the baby in the mirror kisses. He kept looking around the outside to "find" the baby.

Didn't sit still for a second.

Helping Daddy!

When I say I am taking the months of June/July off...I mean it. We plan on doing a whole lot of nothing...at least nothing for our family - probably still more than most.

Saturday, my hubby graduated from Texas State with his MBA. I was very proud. When they announced his name I got very choked up and tears started to fall...until he did the "raise the roof" signal as he crossed the stage and then I slid down into my bleacher chair in embarrassment. I was alone in the stands and nobody had to know that he was mine, but I guess by my reaction the guy next to me said, "Is he with you?"...I smiled and said, "Yes, sir...All mine."

Later that day we went to our friend's birthday party/housewarming party. We couldn't stay long because of our little tired boy. We decided to leave when he tried to climb into the dog water bowl...for the fifth time. Did I mention he loves water???

Sunday I woke up at 6:30am and went to the grocery store for the week, came home and got Cole and I ready for 2 year old birthday party number one. It was at Little Gym...to say that Cole enjoyed it, does not quite describe how he felt. He was running all over the place and OLD, OUT OF SHAPE MOMMY was chasing after him. He is so active and so strong. I would hate to be the boy that picks on him when he realizes how strong he truly is. We played for a while and went home to eat lunch and take a nap...well that was the plan. When we got home Cole was wired. He threw his lunch on the floor, so I put him down for a nap and he just yelled at us the entire time to come and get him. So I caved and let him play instead. He helped his Daddy fix something in the living room - he was trying to climb the ladder of course.

Then on to 2 year old party number two at Gymboree. Cole played and played again. He loved the kids and all of the fun things to climb. I realized that day, that I do not have a baby anymore. As he was climbing the soft mat stairs and sliding down the big slide, I wondered how he had become a little boy. We sang Happy Birthday and grabbed a snack for the road. He had a cheese puff in each hand as he fell asleep in the car on the way home...he was spent...and so was I. Did I mention OLD, OUT OF SHAPE MOMMY chasing him around (round #2)???

In between the 2 parties I made a batch of chicken salad, fruit salad, and yummy lemon-orange cake for 25 of my coworkers.

We are now getting ready for all of Dan's family coming in town Thursday afternoon, Dan's 40th Luau Party on Saturday, Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake, Staff Party at my house, and then one more trip to the lake over my birthday weekend.

I will say this again...We plan on taking the months of June/July off...period...end of story!

A Letter To My Son

May 2010 - 1 Year Old May 2009 - 1 Day Old

Happy First Birthday My Sweet Boy!

To begin to tell you how much you are loved is almost impossible. You make me happy when I am sad, you give me energy when I am exhausted, you give me hope when I seem to have none, you make me feel loved when I might not always deserve it.

You are such a good boy. You are so happy and bring out a smile in everyone around you. Your Daddy and I talk all of the time about why we are so lucky to have such a sweet boy - we don't know why, but we know that we are just that - LUCKY. It has been such a joy watching you grow over the past year. So tiny when we brought you home from the hospital and such a BIG, strong boy now. You are walking to greet us and waving bye-bye when we leave. You reach for us when you need a hug and make our hearts melt when you say MaMa and DaDa. We love that you always want to share your snacks with the dogs and that you still think taking a bath is the most fun time of the day. You make us laugh a million laughs a day!

Cole, YOU make US a better Mommy, a better Daddy, a better wife, a better husband, a better daughter, a better son, a better friend. All because YOU love US without conditions! YOU make US better!

You healed your mommy's broken heart and I am forever grateful. Daniel Cole - you are the BEST thing mommy has ever done. Thank you for choosing me!