8 Months

As Jackson would say, Cole turned 8 "mum-fts" yesterday!

He's been very busy and is starting to move around quite a bit more, but in his own way.  He loves to sit and spin around or lay on his tummy or back and spin around to get to see and/or reach whatever he needs.  It's definitely a unique take on moving around, and something we hadn't experienced with Jackson (who army crawled just after 7 months, and was crawling just before 8 months).  As I've mentioned, he will roll from tummy to back occasionally, but typically chooses not to.  And I'm not going to lie...I am appreciating this (mostly) non-mobile phase.  I remember with Jackson always liking the current phase but looking forward to each new/next phase, but with Cole, I know how much harder it is to keep track of them and get things done once he starts moving, so I"m enjoying this phase where I can sit him down with some toys in one spot, and know that he won't be going too far.  But I know it probably won't last too much longer.

Other things new this month:

• He's learning to give high 5s
• Still loving to clap, and we'll find him doing it on his own while playing
• Eating more and more solids - a few times in the last couple weeks, I think he's eaten more than Jackson at dinner. And he just quietly works his way through whatever is on his tray - a big change for us!  (No bribing, no telling him to stay in his chair, etc., like we have to do most nights with his big bro.)
• Making lots of sounds and "talking" more and more every day
• Enjoys the mouth patting game (he'll make humming sounds while I pat his mouth, which makes a fun sound and gets lots of cute little smiles out of him)
• Has worked through his rough sleep patch (!!!) and typically sleeps from 7:30 p.m. until 6:15 a.m.  He usually naps 3 times a day (though has been just fine with two naps several times in the last few weeks
• Is a pro at picking up one of the spare pacifiers in his crib and re-inserting it when needed.  (Often times, when we lay him down to put him in his sleep sack, he quickly rolls and reaches to grab one and as it inserted before we even have him halfway in.)
• Speaking of sleep sack - he's no longer in his sleep suit overnight, or at naps.  We transitioned into the sleep sack at night right around 7 months, and he did great with just a few somewhat restless periods for a few nights.  Then over the last few weeks, we've stopped using the suit for naps and while we feared he'd go back to mostly short naps, he still takes at least one longer nap per day (typically his morning nap is 1.5-2.5 hours, and his first afternoon nap is typically 45 mins to just over an hour).
• He's extremely squirmy which makes diaper and clothing changes very difficult.  I usually give him something to play with while I change his diapers, which helps keep him fairly still but tonight, I literally had to move in a full circle, along with him, around the floor of his room just to get diaper cream and a diaper on him, before his PJs.  It's quite the workout.

I've been back at work for half of Cole's life already which seems crazy - I feel like I've only been back for a few weeks.  And I know I'll be saying that I can't believe he's 1 before I know it.

This & That

Jackson continues to come up with amazing questions, say the funniest things, and is basically becoming quite the know-it-all.

He loves to look at the forecast on his phone for all the cities we know people in, and then tell me all about the weather for that day/week.  We were looking together one night before bed, and he saw a moon for that day, and he said, very enthusiastically, "It looks really moon-y, today!"  I can't say I blame him...moon-y the opposite of sunny, right?

For some reason, he truly thought his friend Romi in his class at school was going to turn 5 leading up to her birthday a few weeks back.  He was adamant about it, and never would believe me that she was only turning 3.

Not sure what his teacher actually told him, other than she's from a country far away (Taiwan) but he was adamant that "Miss Alex lives at the North Pole!"

One of his friends left Rainbow School to attend Montessori school.  Jackson told me that "Aaron is going to high school now!"  I kept telling him that Aaron was just going to another preschool, but he wouldn't believe me.

We go to the farmer's market for dinner every Wednesday evening and it just happens to be across from Skyline (the high school he'll go to).  We must have told him that once a long time ago, but every time we drive by, he says "That's my high school!"

He's got a great memory and can recall everything we've told him in the past.  When asked what age he can drive, he will tell you 16 every time. Or when asked when he can have coffee, he'll tell you 16 (we must have told him that once, because if we just tell him "when you're a big boy", he confirms he's already a big boy, hence us having to tell him a specific age).

He is very perceptive and notices when I've recently painted my toenails. He'll tell me, "I like your NAY-als, Mommy!"

And one of our recent favorites..."hockey socks".  In his class, when you reach 10 smiley faces for good behavior, you get to pick out a "treasure".  The only toy he hadn't already selected when it was time to chose a new one yesterday was a hacky sack, so that's what he came home with.

Life Lately

Lots of fun to be had around here lately.  Here are a few highlights.

Happy (belated) birthday, Corey!  (I realized early last week, about a week after his actual birthday, that I never did a blog post in honor of the big day - oops.  Unfortunately it's kind of the story of my life lately.  Everything is half-done, too late, or a mess.  But not to fear - I didn't actually forget his birthday - we celebrated with a nice dinner out at El Gaucho, followed by drinks and watching the Husky game at Earl's.  A great date night out, while the boys enjoyed time with my parents.

Jackson was invited to his friend Romi's birthday last weekend, and had a blast. Her mom is quite crafty - she made a fondant Abby Cadabby cake and did face painting.  J loved looking like a pirate for the day.

Jackson is usually my grocery shopping helper every weekend. Not only does he drop things into the cart for me, he hands the items to the checker, helps me sign my name when I pay, opens and shuts the back door of the car, and even empties the bags when we get home.  I turned around after putting some things away the other day to find him like this.

I can't stand how cute he looks in his Seahawks jersey!  We'd avoided trying it on thinking it looked big (it's 12 months) but finally tried the other day and were pleasantly surprised to find it actually fit.  He seemed to enjoy it.

Cole's latest party trick is a seated spin.  He will go around and around if you want around him, like a dog chasing his tail.  He just loves it though.

A family of Hawks fans

 For the time being, Cole continues to love to eat any solids we give him.  He will just keep opening his mouth any time you put a spoon or fork near it, without looking/caring what is about to enter.  Tonight he ate an impressive serving both of spaghetti and meatballs, along with some bread, and was eager for more after every single bite.  He's extra happy when he's eating, as you can see from this video.

Jackson started Lil' Kickers soccer last weekend and is having a blast.  Not much actual soccer going on yet, but lots of cute games and drills to help the kids get comfortable playing with others, following directions and having fun on the field.

I have one cute family, if I do say so myself!

For my mom's birthday/Mother's day this year, my dad and I chipped in on a girls weekend for my mom and I, which we just recently had the chance to enjoy after a busy summer.  We shopped at the Seattle Premium Outlets and stayed at the Tulalip Casino.  We enjoyed dinner and some gambling, as well as checking out all of our bargains.  Jackson had outgrown many of his 3T clothes, so while we all score some new things, he took the cake.  Loved having my mom to myself for a bit - we hadn't had a weekend away, just the two of us, since 2010!  Thanks to Corey and Joan for watching the boys, making the girls weekend possible.

Love to see these boys having so much fun together.  Can't wait until they're able to play together even more.

J's First Day of (Pre)School

Jackson began the Rainbow School's preschool program yesterday! 

In preparation for the big day, he and I went on a shopping date last week to pick up a new backpack (he picked out a cute puppy bag).  And then over the weekend, my mom and I spent a night at Tulalip and an afternoon shopping at the Seattle Premium Outlets (a belated weekend getaway for her birthday/Mother's Day), where we picked up all kinds of big boy school clothes. So yesterday morning, he was all set and ready to roll in a new outfit, with his new bag. 

Every day, he'll be in "Blue" class (the preschool class) from 9-12, before heading back to "Green" class (his current class) for lunch, naptime and playing.

He was very excited to start class and when we'd been talking to him about it over leading up to his first day, he had all kinds of good questions like when was he going to go to kindergarten, who would be in his preschool class, when would he go back to Green class each day.

Over the weekend, he and I tackled his first homework assignment - we put together his "ME" box (a box of things that he loves/represent him, so share with the class so they get to know him). He presented that today, and did a great job.

I dropped him off in Blue class yesterday since it was his first day (normally he'll be in a different room with lots of other kinds between drop off and Blue class starting), and aside from looking a little shy, it went very smoothly.  He found a seat at a table and began playing before I'd even left the room, looking up to give me a big smile as I blew him a kiss.

Miss Chris (the main preschool teacher) has had great remarks about his first day, and we look forward to seeing all the new things he learns, now that he's following an official curriculum.

If you're Cole and you know it...

Our take on "If you're happy and you know it..."

7 Months

I'm stealing borrowing an idea from my friend Natalie, and in honor of Cole's 7th month, I'm posting 7 little tidbits about him.

1. Cole loves pulling himself up into a standing position while holding onto my hands.  He gets the biggest open mouth grin when he's fully upright, and has  been clapping (usually after some prompting) once up.

2. He's still going through a rough sleep patch. ever since those teeth came in.  Over the last few weeks we've been putting him to bed with a pacifier, and he's finally able to get it back in on his own more.  But we still have to go in at least 1-2 times to assist each night. And then some days (like this morning) he's decides that wake-up time should be at 5:30 a.m.

3. Cole continues to enjoy trying new solids, and Mum Mums, puffs and Cheerios seem to be his favorites (surprise, surprise).

4. He may be learning the sign for "more".  We showed him a few times, and then within a few days, he'd have food on tray that he either couldn't get to, or wasn't enough of the item that he wanted, and he'd do something that looked like a clap.  After giving him more, he stopped clapping...so we're thinking that's what he may be saying!

5. Has the absolute best laugh ever - it's kind of a breath-y cackle.  A guaranteed way to hear it is to do lots of kisses and raspberries on his neck, just below his ears.

6. Cole's (finally) been spitting up less and less - thank GOODNESS!

7. Coley's been babbling more and is often saying what sounds like "da-da-da-da".

We all just love this kiddo more every day - he brings so much happiness, and so many smiles to our family.

Happy

Here are a few things that make me extra happy lately:

This happy, bouncey baby.



The Reeders recently loaned us Hadley's jumper and Cole absolutely loves it.  He has such a blast for long periods of time bouncing around and babbling.  We only ever had the Exersaucer with J, but now I'm wishing we'd invested in one of these bad boys earlier so both boys could have enjoyed it.

Games.

J has been pretty into board games and puzzles lately, and continues to like apps like Moose Juice and Moose Math.  It's so fun to see him learning, and he's doing much better about not getting upset if he doesn't win a game. Corey recently ordered Robot Turtles, which is a fun game that helps teach kids the fundamentals of programming.

Coffee.
After several months of amazing sleep, Cole is going through a rough patch ever since he started teething a few weeks back.  He's been waking up several times throughout the night, though settles down quickly if we quickly pop in his pacifier (something he didn't need overnight much before these chompers appeared).  But, we're still waking up to do this, and it's exhausting.  The good news is that he's able to put his pacifier in by himself every once in awhile in the car, so I'm hoping that he starts to do this with more accuracy soon, which will mean more sleep for us, if he continues to need it at night.

Summer.
We've had an amazing summer and I've loved every second of the sun and warmth it's brought.  It's allowed for lots of outdoor time...from trips to the park and farm, to sun bathing while the boys nap, to cool morning runs, to eating dinner outside (both at home and Agave), and the list goes on.

Yakima.

We headed east over the weekend to spend time in Yakima with my parents and grandma. It'd been a year since I'd been, and two years since Corey had been, so we were looking forward to it.  Not only does it give my parents and grandma lots of time to spend with boys, it's usually even warmer there than here, and it's always so clam and relaxing - no traffic or crowds.  We were even able to sneak away to see a movie, and we all enjoyed a meal at El Porton (our favorite Mexican restaurant there). And J got to "help" grandpa in the yard (i.e. run around with the hose, spraying plants, trees and grandpa).

Our Frozen-loving toddler.

 



Forget Dora.  It's safe to say that Jackson is a Frozen addict.  He watches his favorite parts of the movie nearly every day (on the bright side, it takes just enough time for me to make dinner), and when he's not watching it, we're likely listening and singing along to the soundtrack.  I've also caught him leaping and bounding around the house and when asked, he said he was "running like Elsa". (Oh my...)

Surprises.
Corey came home with a surprise for me one day last week - a new style of one of my favorite pairs of jeans!  I don't buy myself jeans frequently partially due to cost, but also due to not liking to try them on (it always takes so many tries to find the right pair).  But, he knew that I liked a pair of Paige jeans I bought a few months ago, and decided to surprise me a new style that came out.  He's always so resourceful - sneakily checking my sizes so that he's prepared when the right item comes along. And he knows me better than I know myself sometime - always picking out things that I like, and that fit properly. These jeans are dark and perfect for work, but are stretchy and oh so comfy.  A win win!



Life Lately

Lots going on around here lately, and here's a quick update of it all, as seen through photos from my phone.

Even constipation didn't keep Cole from loving play time.  (The last two weeks started with Cole experiencing some major constipation, requiring an early pick-up from school one day and a doctor's appointment another day.  But the poop issues didn't end there.  Roxy pooped in the house several times out of the blue (ugh!), and then the weekend ended with Jackson having diarrhea. Poor kiddos and bad doggie!)

I took last Friday off, for another Jackson/Mommy day.  It started with a trip to Starbucks, where he thoroughly enjoyed his bagel and cream cheese, with raisins from my oatmeal on top.

Then we hit up a park in Klahanie that we hadn't been to, where Jackson showed up his swinging skills. Thanks to the swings outside his current class at school, he's learned to get and keep himself going on the swings.

For our main event, he'd decided he wanted to visit a farm again, so we headed to Fox Hollow Farm and my goodness, what a difference a year makes. Last summer, the train scared him, he wasn't super interested in petting the animals and he didn't want anything to do with the inflatable toys.  This year though, he almost started crying when, after petting the bunnies, goats and pigs, the ducks kept running away, not wanting him to pet them.  He enjoyed the train, and loved the inflatable toys and went down the slide many many times after asking me to go with him the first time.  (When you're sitting at the top, it's even higher than it looks - I was impressed with out brave he was.)

We wrapped up our farm visit with a pony ride on April the pony, and headed to Red Robin for some mac & cheese, oranges and milk (his go to meal there).

Cole had a few rough nights in a row last week, requiring frequent trips into his room. (Luckily for all of us, he would go right back to sleep after we gave him his pacifier.) We finally realized on Saturday morning that it was likely because he had his first tooth (bottom front right)!  He's been drooling for months, and has always loved chewing on his hands, toys or anything that ends up near his mouth, so we hadn't put two and two together prior, especially since at his 6 month check-up the week before, the doctor felt around and said he didn't think his teeth were coming anytime soon.  (Jackson didn't get his first tooth until nearly 8 months, so we also still figured we had some time.)  To top it off, his bottom front left tooth is coming in as well.  Poor kiddo!

We love seeing Cole sitting up and playing, and I know he enjoys this newer vantage point as well.

Cole's tried more and more solids in the past few weeks, and seems to really enjoy feeding himself and so far (knock on wood) has seemed to like everything he's tried, including vegetables (green beans, peas, carrots, lentils), tofu, pancakes, mashed potatoes, prunes (thank goodness, since they're helpig with the constipation!), and the list goes on.  After he's (un)successfully managed to eat (or drop on the floor) everything in front of him he'll fuss until we give him more food.  I had forgotten what a big mess a baby can make when they're learning to eat though!  I swear more ends up on the ground than in his mouth, but Roxy doesn't seem to mind.  

Jackson and Romi, his friend from school, had a play date at one of his favorite parks in Issaquah last weekend. They had a blast playing on all the toys and then running around the grass together, and hugging trees (literally).  Even though we were there close to an hour and a half, they were not ready to go home when us moms decided it was time to get them out of the sun/heat.  It was so cute to see them enjoying each other's company so much.

Cole loves reading/books. He gets such a cute smile when I read to him before bed (his favorite seem to be a few $1 Sesame Street books I bought at Target a few years ago) - he looks at each page quietly and patiently in awe. He also enjoyed some new books (to him) with Daddy last weekend.  This is Cole's look of irritation for interrupting them.

That's it for now. We're headed to Yakima this weekend for the first time in almost a year, so I'm sure I'll have lots more pictures and stories to post soon.

Seafair 2014

With the Blue Angels expected back at Seafair this year, I thought it would be fun to take Jackson somewhere where he could enjoy their show for the first time.  Plus, I hadn't ever really see their show up close (just from a distance in places I've lived or from my office), and really wanted to check them out.  I did some research and decided that the Park on the Lid on Mercer Island would allow us a good view, while keeping us fairly close to home, and would provide Jackson a place to play before/during/after the show.

So, figuring it would be crowded, we decided to get there around 12 p.m., which was almost two hours before the show started, allowing time for a picnic lunch and for the playground.  While we made it with enough time for both of these activities, we actually sat on I-90 trying to get off the freeway for almost an hour - apparently everyone else on the Eastside had the same idea as us or they were trying to get over the bridge before it closed around 12.  Once we finally made it off the freeway, I started looking for parking and nearly took my friend Jennifer up on an offer to park at her parents house nearby.  But, a nice elderly lady happened to be in her driveway just a few blocks from the park when we were driving by and told us to park in her driveway.  So off we headed to the park.  Surprisingly it wasn't nearly as crowded there as I was expecting, considering the traffic and parking situation...but I think everyone was walking out to the I-90 bridge to watch instead.

There were some planes performing while we ate and Jackson played, and while he attempted to (unsuccessfully) use an outhouse for the first time, which made for great entertainment while we waited for the big show.  Once the Blue Angels started, Jackson was very impressed with them - he'd never seen anything like them.  We'd tried to describe them to him before the show, but without having any frame of reference, all he did was ask if he could ride in one (sorry, not that kind of plane, bud).  He wasn't scared like I thought he might be, but did jump once when they flew up from behind us (very loudly, and out of nowhere) at one point.

By the time they were about done, I think the heat and missing his nap was starting to get to him, as when we were playing on the playground one last time before we headed out, he started to get pretty fussy, literally bawling while at the top of the slide because he wasn't happy with where I was standing to catch him (even though he'd told me to stand right there).  Once his tantrums were over, we headed back to the car where he promptly fell asleep, though he says that's not true.

Meltdowns aside, I think he enjoyed the experience and I'm looking forward to future Seafairs that we can enjoy as a family.

No big deal - just documenting this momentous occasion, where he asked to have some broccoli (what?!)

Seafair selfie!

J being silly and asking me to take his pic

My cutie Seafair date

"Mommy, it's too loud!"

"I didn't fall asleep..."

Uncle Scott's "Weddin'"

They did it!  My brother married Anya this weekend at Evergreen Gardens in Ferndale.

The weekend started off on Saturday, when most of the guests arrived in Bellingham to celebrate.  That night, there was an informal gathering at a house that many of Anya's family members had rented for the week.  There I was able to introduce Corey and my boys to many family friends that I hadn't seen in years!  It was so fun catching up with them, and seeing family who traveled in for the big day.  Both boys did really well even though we didn't leave until way past their bedtime and both had limited naps that day.  They especially loved the video my mom and Anya's mom helped put together with pictures of Anya and Scott growing up, and the story of how they met, fell in love and got engaged.

That night, Jackson had asked that I sleep in his big queen bed with him.  I happily accepted since it would be the first time ever that this had happened.  It took him awhile to fall asleep being in a new place, sharing a bed, etc. but after 30 minutes of him asking questions, repeatedly sitting up to look around, etc. he finally fell asleep around 10:30.  While I may have gotten punched in the nose before he even fell asleep, and I spent the night with him spooning me while I tried not to fall off the bed, it was great to have the opportunity for so many snuggles.  Cole slept in his pack 'n play in the bathroom, which worked out perfectly (the sliding door kept the lights and Jackson's loud voice from waking him up).  He only woke up once around 11:45 and quickly went back to sleep after we gave him his paci.  Jackson woke up once in the middle of the night confused - I think - about where he was. Plus the pillow protecting him from rolling off the other side of the bed had fallen. Once we resolved that, he was back to sleep.  They both woke up around 6:45.

On Sunday, we grabbed some breakfast downstairs with my family and some of our family friends, and then J and I took a swim and relaxed in the hot tub for a bit.  Both boys played and entertained themselves while we packed up and got ready.  After a quick lunch, we headed over to the "weddin' " (as J would say) venue to get J ready for his duties as ring bearer.

While the wedding party was lining up, Jackson was shaking the rings around and I think some of the party got a little worried the rings wouldn't make it down the aisle, but everything went off without a hitch.  Both boys were quiet during the ceremony (Cole sat with Kels' mom, J sat on my lap), though to be fair, J was stuffing gummy bears in his face (we may have bribed him a bit to walk down the aisle and to stay quiet during the ceremony).  The only time we had to quiet him down was during a few funny parts of the ceremony where the vows had guests laughing...J figured he should laugh as well even though he doesn't understand the humor, he does a super loud and embarrassing laugh when he's laughing along with others.

Once the ceremony was over, we mingled some more and enjoyed yummy appetizers and dinner.  J was mostly looking forward to the desserts, which he made good work of --- strawberry shortcake, chocolate chip cookies AND a 'smore.  (Love that the venue had a fire pit so you could make your own!)  And then the dancing began. J was a little shy at first, but once he opened up (probably once the sugar set in), he was the talk of the wedding as he busted out his break dancing moves.  It was adorable.

It was a beautiful setting, with delicious food and great company, and the weather couldn't have been any more perfect. We loved every minute of celebrating Scott and his wife, Anya!

Sunnies, a Frozen sing-along and holding Cole's hand was how he spent much of the drive up to Bellingham.

Pit stop at Bob's Burgers & Brew for lunch and a charge at the Tesla Supercharger station.

Loved seeing Gramma Linda & Great Gramma.

And, continues to LOVE his big brother.

Being back at work, I don't get many opportunities to cuddle with Cole during a nap, but I had the chance over the weekend, and loved every second of it.

J in his BIG big boy bed, enjoying his gadgets.  He looks especially like his daddy here.

Mommy & J selfie before our sleepover.

Each boy enjoyed playing on their own bed.

I can't get enough of watching these two boys interact. Melts. My. Heart. Every time.

Who is this big boy?!

Taking his ring bearer duties VERY seriously (after I repeatedly told him he couldn't shake the can that contained the rings, or try to untie them, and bribed him with MANY gummy bears).

 

Success!  Made it up the aisle by himself, with the rings.

 Anya made a beautiful bride, and I still can't over my bro in his suit --- who is this grown man?!

They did it!

Big hugs from Gramma Linda

J and his second cousin Natalie

Both the boys loved these bubbles

Taking a selfie with Great Uncle Gene (who claims he invented the selfie - who knew?)

I just love these swing photos --- he looks so big and grown up, but then he's swinging and being a true kiddo.  I think J gives this place two thumbs up for the swings alone.

Another "good smile" from J.

Cole's open mouth smile --- love it.

Taking 'smore making very seriously

Great Aunt Karen and Cole

Worn OUT!  (Don't be fooled - this lasted 15 minutes on the way home.  The rest of the 1+ hour drive was spent with Jackson asking us questions about anything and everything (and then telling us to be quiet/"shhh"'ing because Cole was sleeping when we tried to talk to each other). Note: He holds Cole's hand to help calm Cole and get him to sleep.

And finally, our little dancer/break dancer in action: