New toy!

My sister and brother-in-law have wanted to buy this activity center for us since our baby showers but I told them to wait because the baby wouldn't probably use it much until around 6 months which was Chirstmas and they could just give it to us then. Well, that was before I had a 18 lb, 4 month old, on-the-move boy who is now 7 lbs away from the weight limit for this thing. So we requested an early Christmas gift and Auntie Em and Uncle Ryan were more than happy to help us out! Here is Russell and Ryan trying to put that darn thing together....

And Cole enjoying the fruits of their labor! Thanks Auntie Em and Uncle Ryan!

Pumpkin pictures

We headed to the local pumpkin patch on Saturday with Russell's mom, sister and our niece Makayla to take some pictures. It was pretty cool that morning so we waited until closer to lunch to go but then it was pretty bright (hence the shadows and squinting). Makayla is 9 months old so she has the sitting by herself thing down, however Cole does not (hence leaning tower of baby and Grandma coming to the rescue in picture 2). I love the look on Makayla's face in the second picture..."what are you doing over there?"

Happy Birthday Russell!

Happy birthday to a wonderful husband and amazing father! We love you!

4 months old

Cole had his 4 month old check-up yesterday and boy has he changed in two months since his last appoinment! He is now 18 lbs and 26 inches long....no wonder we can't hold him for very long without our arms hurting! He loves to roll over (except in his sleep because he wakes up), has discovered his feet (but not in love with them yet like he is with his hands), he smiles alot (his doctor called him a ladies man!), he is amazed by the weinie dog, he loves to walk around and look at everything, he can semi-hold a cup, he grabs at everything and then drops it (I know he is being a little scientist but it gets old...), he hates shots (that has to be the worse sound in the world when a baby cries from a shot), he loves to stand up on his feet and watch himself in the mirror, is adorable especially in his footed pj's (below) and so many other things I don't have space to type! Next week I will update everyone on whether he loves/hates solid food as we are supposed to start giving him cereals. I am a little sad to not be his primary food source at every meal because that is such a special time to cuddle and really a miracle that my body is able to do that but know he needs the extra nutrients and calories to continue to grow and be healthy (and possibly sleep for longer stretches at night!) Here are some pictures before bedtime in our baseball pj's for your viewing pleasure:

"Mom, I'm not really in the mood for pictures..."

Sliding into home...

Not really sure what this face is but it was funny:)There's that happy baby face!

Little angel

We never really got a picture of just Cole in his baptism outfit last month so I put him in it this weekend before he outgrows it for a photo shoot. Here is my favorite (it looks like he is praying!).

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my sould to keep. Angels watch me throught the night, and wake me with the morning light. Amen.

Boys and their toys

Russell enjoyed playing with our niece Makayla's toy ball so much that his Aunt Maxine decided to get him one back in August as a joke and for Cole to use in the future. Even though he can't really roll it and push the buttons yet, we decided to get it out last night to see what Cole would think of it. His eyes were really big and he smiled as the ball lit up and rolled around! I think he will definitely enjoy it as much as his daddy in the near future! However, the dog did not enjoy it quite as much (he was hiding and barking at it from the hallway).

Buddies

Many of you know that Baxter was our first "child" and we were really nervous about how he would adjust with getting less attention after our actual first child was born. So far, he has done really well except when he barks when Cole naps and I threaten him with his life. Anyways, Cole LOVES watching Baxter and Baxter LOVES to play with Cole (except when Cole grabbed his tail yesterday which was hilarious and bad pet owner manners but he doesn't know any better yet!) Here are some pictures of the two buddies:

Baxter bringing his puppy in to join the fun while playing on our ocean mat.

Baxter interrupting our photo shoot...no, I do not let him lick Cole on the mouth even though being around dog germs when you are a baby decreases your risk of asthma and allergies later!

Me: "Cole look over here honey. What are you looking at?!"

Cole: "I am not sure what that crazy dog is doing but I find it fascinating!" (yes, my 4 month old uses words like fascinating:)

Baxter: "Take my picture, take my picture! Look, I'm even trying to smile!"

Got the dog off the couch and finally captured that happy baby smile before this outfit was removed due to poop escaping from the back of the diaper!