Birthday Parties

Yesterday was Cole's 1st Birthday Party.  Wow, what a day.
It started calm enough.  I got up with the boys at about 7am, and we ate some breakfast (peanut butter and jelly waffles for Jax, and rice cereal and fruit for Cole).  When Dad got up, we all got ready and loaded into the car.  Cole went to Nana and Papa's house (to facilitate good napping, since he is not a good traveler) while the rest of the family drove to Jana and David's house for Lincoln's birthday party (it was actually his birthday yesterday).  Happy 3rd birthday, Linc!  We had brunch and cupcakes and Jackson played with all of the kids at Lincoln's party, and at about noon we headed back home. 

I ran off to Hy-Vee to pick up the cake and balloons and other various items we needed.
Aunt Jeana and Uncle Ryan came over early to help get things ready (Dad and I decorated with streamers and banners the night before).
At about 4pm, people started arriving-47 people in all (17 children). What a crowd.  Cole, you are one loved little boy.  The theme of the party was Our Little Rock Star, so we had guitars and stars everywhere. 

Cole liked opening presents, but I am pretty sure all of the other children got just as big a kick out of it. Cole had lots of help.  Jackson and I ended up doing most of the opening.  Cole was more interested in the wrapping and tissue paper. 

After gifts, we moved on to cake. 

Cole was very excited to eat, started out a little timidly, and then just went for it. 

Cole's Guest List:
Mom and Dad and Jackson
Nana and Papa
Grandma and Grandpa
Uncle Ryan and Aunt Jeana
Uncle Coby and Aunt Kerry, Brielle and Alexandra
David and Jana, Lincoln and Emmy
Matt and Amanda, Benson and yet unnamed Heeren-to-be
Great Grandma Catherine Round
Great Grand Aunt Cherie Beer
Great Aunt Pam and Uncle Jeff Harper
Matt and Andrea Wenzel, Hannah and Chloe
Ashley Thrasher, Emmy and Averie
Lacey and Lanie Hochenauer, and Steven Adams
Amy and Madison Teschner
Sue Patterson, Kaleigh and Zachery Ziesel
Lorie and Josh Rosebrook, and Clara
Ray and Krystal Staggs, Carson and Henry

We were all very excited that so many of our friends and family were able to come for Cole's party. 
When it was time for the Brown's to leave, Lincoln says to his mom, Jana, "Mom, Just say 'Yes'"
"To What, Lincoln"
"Just Say 'Yes', Mom"
"Okay, Yes"
"Yes, I do get to stay!"
Almost as ornery as Jackson (and that takes a lot of practice).

After the party had wound down a bit, Jax was getting ready to go downstairs (again)and play some more, and Lincoln and David were coming upstairs when Jax turned around to say something to me.  When he turned back around, the door to the basement was opening, and he caught it full in the eye, practically walked right into it.  It actually cut underneath his eye, and gave him a black eye, but he is a tough guy, and was only upset for a few moments.  This picture is of the next morning.

All the gifts are a huge hit, and Cole has had a hard time deciding what to play with this morning.  Whatever he plays with, he loves to clap for himself after.  Some favorites include his new ride on "Cars" toy, his dumptruck with blocks inside (he loves to dump them out and put them back), his new "lawnmower", and definitely his new tunnel tent. And he wore one of his new outfits today.  I can not believe the little guy is going to be 1 tomorrow.

Baby Food for Thought!

There is nothing Cole hates more than baby food-that is, if anyone else in the room is eating big people food.  If he is the only one eating, he is content to eat jar after jar of baby food.  He will scream, he will cry, he will throw all of the food on his tray to the floor until he gets some people food.  This has presented a bit of a problem, since Jackson obviously is always eating "people food", and in the interest of saving time, I like to try to feed them together.  Whatever Jax is having, Cole wants.  I imagine this will not change, and only expand to all other arenas of life as they grow up. 
Some things they may share in the future:
1.  Interest in sports
2. Interest in food (this has already begun-Cole loves waffles)
3. Interest in girls (hopefully not the same girl-a little doll named Emmy comes to mind)

HMMM... Food, Sports, Girls...Is there anything else in life? 

Growing up (too fast)!

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a Superhero"  Marc Brown

I have a feeling Cole is going to be quite the rough-and-tumble boy.  He loves to chase Jackson and attack/tackle him.  Jackson thinks this is hilarious and plays right along, running from Cole and then coming back so Cole can catch him or coming up behind Cole (which makes Cole squeal and laugh hysterically).   You two already play so well together. 

Cole is starting to try standing by himself.  He got almost 5 seconds logged before plopping on his bottom yesterday.  It's the little things, right.

Jackson went into preschool all by himself this morning for the first time.  I dropped him off at the curb.  My little boy is growing up so fast.  We had to stop behind a school bus this morning on the way to preschool, and Jackson asks "Mom, what are all those kids doing?" 
"Getting on the school bus, silly.  They are going to school.  You will ride a school bus next year." 
"Why?"
"Because you will be in kindergarten"
"What comes after kindergarten?"
"First Grade"
"Then What?"  (Believe me, the questions abound at our house)
"What do you think?
"Second Grade"
And so on....

We got to play outside again on Sunday.  70 degrees, mostly cloudy.  So windy that when we tried to go for a walk, we barely made it around the block before being driven back inside by the wind.  Cole is going to be like Jackson and love the outdoors.  He gets so upset when we go inside, and will stand by the door and just look out.  Poor Baby!

Maybe "Mama"

Today was Grandparent's Day at preschool.  Jackson got to have Grandpa Harper come to school with him. He was so excited.  They played, colored, cut and got a new book-"Shark vs. Train"-definitely something Jax would pick out.  Thanks, Grandpa, for our new book.  After preschool, Jackson came home, had lunch, and outside we went again.  Today we did major garage cleaning (but it is still a huge mess, and will probably look that way until we can have a garage sale) and spent some quality time in the sunshine-Thank You, Lord (during Cole's nap) and Jax helped Dad put together the new grill.  I am excited to use it-YUM!

We think we might have heard a "Mama" from Cole today, but since he will not repeat it, I am not putting it in the baby book/blog.  Okay, so I put it in the blog.  But it does not count yet.  Hopefully soon, we will get lots of them.  He needs to make up for lost time. 

Cole had his 1-year pitures taken in Kansas City on Wednesday, and we looked for a new car for me. My 2004 Ford Explorer (that we have loved) has started making a clunking sound, prompting us to feel the need to shop for a new used vehicle.  I am leaning toward another Explorer (2010) or maybe a Toyota 4-Runner. We will see what we end up with.

Dance, I mean Spring Fever

    Spring FEVER!!  Finally, the snow has all melted!!  I LOVE Spring. I know, it is only February 17th, but it is 70 degrees out and it feels like Spring.  We spent about 6 + hours outside today. The whole neighborhood was out. It was fantastic.  Jackson and Dad went outside while Cole ate lunch and played baseball and played in the sandpit.  Then we all went to Buffalo Wild Wings (Jackson's request and one of our favorite places to eat) for lunch.  After lunch, Cole fell asleep in the car on the way home, so he went down for a nap, and Jax and I went outside to play.  We spent a lot of time in the sandpit, building things and digging, and then we took a walk around the neighborhood.  Not long after that, Cole woke up from his nap, and we all went back outside.  We played in the neighbor's backyard, rode bikes, played basketball, baseball, and football, and Cole pushed the red car around the driveway.  Another walk for Mom a little after 5 to complete the day outdoors and Dad had dinner almost ready when I got home.   What a Treat!  In this first 6 hours of warm freedom from the confines of our home in the new neighborhood, Jackson has made many friends and had so much fun.  We are definitely looking forward to more warm weather.  

Some of the reasons I love spring--1.  Warm Sunshine.   2.  Playing outside.  3.  Getting out of the house after being cooped up all winter.  4.  It means Summer is coming.  5.  Did I mention Sunshine?   

Dance FEVER!!!   Cole loves to dance!  Music or not, you say "dance" and off he goes.  I am talking, arms in the air, shoulders moving, head bobbing, tummy jiggling loves to dance.  It is so funny, and he does it on command every time.  We can be anywhere, for example, Buffalo Wild Wings today, and he will start dancing if he hears music. This reminds us a lot of Lincoln Brown, who also danced anywhere and sometimes to his own music.  What a delight to see my little boy so carefree and happy. 

Super-Cool Dad!

Jackson and Cole-
You have got the coolest Dad!  I am sure at some point (probably during your teenage years), you will not agree, but he is pretty awesome.  He loves to hang out with you boys so much, and being a father came to him so naturally.  When  I was pregnant with Jackson, he told me over and over again  "I don't do diapers, I don't do bottles, etc..."  I am pretty sure I did not get out of bed for the first 24 hours after Jax was born because all of a sudden TJ was Super-Dad.  Guess that is what happens when you fall in love with someone at first sight.  First diaper ever changed, first bottle ever given-No Problem!  Since his job is so flexible, he never works weekends and has been traveling less since you two came along, we get to have him around a bunch more.  He lets me go to Zumba, or for a run, or to the spa whenever the need arises.  He buys me flowers on Valentine's Day and cooks us all dinner when I get off work late.  He makes me laugh when I want to cry, and makes my life easy whenever it seems to get hard.  But more than anything, what makes your Dad so great is that he gave me the two of you.  He will never be able to top that. 

Best Friends

I feel like I should give more background information.  Not so much more family info as just little things that I want to remember. Since I started this when Jax was almost 5 and Cole is only 11 months, most of the flashback stories will probably be about Jax.  Example: #1-Jackson-it took forever for you to learn the color orange.  We would read the Colors book EVERY NIGHT, and still you could not remember orange.  Of course, we finally got it (months after all of the other colors). #2-When Jackson first learned to count, he would always skip the number 15.  #3-Jackson’s speech has always been flawless.  With about 8 words by his first birthday, and talking in short sentences by his second birthday, we have always said it is like talking to a little adult-too funny.

Good Times-Saturday night, Mom and Dad went out with two of our very best friends, David and Jana Brown.  Get used to those names, boys, because they (along with their children, Lincoln and Emmy) will be a very big part of your lives (as will the Heeren’s, whom I will expand on in a moment).  We went to dinner at 801 Chophouse on the Power and Light District in KC, and then found a place to sit and talk. We always have fun when we are with them, and at one point Saturday night, we were all laughing so hard, there were tears rolling down our cheeks.

Every year, we take a trip to Lake of The Ozarks with the Brown’s and Heeren’s (Matt and Amanda-who have a son named Benson and another baby on the way-due in September).  We have not started including children on our trips yet, but I imagine that is coming in the not-so-distant future.  Jackson already loves the lake and is a great swimmer. I am sure Cole will not be far behind (he will be taking Water Babies at the YWCA in April).

A little history about the Brown’s and Heeren’s.

I met Amanda on my very first day at UMKC (moving into the dorm), and we quickly became best friends, and ended up living together until TJ and I got married.  Once classes got going that first year, we met David Brown, another pharmacy student.  David and TJ became fast friends.  Amanda and David brought Matthew and Jana, respectively, into our lives.  We are like 6 peas in a pod.  Now, we get together as often as we can (which is always less often than we would like), but the more our families grow, the busier we all become.  We make a point to schedule the lake trip every summer, and plan other get-togethers and trips whenever possible (mostly around birthdays and holidays).  We have a Europe trip planned for 2020, kids included, of course.  Now we have to do it, it is in writing.  Jackson is always very excited to see Lincoln and Benson (as I am sure Cole will be soon). 

Another couple I will probably mention frequently is Lacey and Steven.  They are super-fun, and we love hanging out with them.  Lacey is TJ’s best friend from 7th grade through high school.  She has a daughter named Lanie, who Jax loves to play with, and we think her boyfriend of about a year, Steven, is fantastic-even if he is a KU fan.

Time-Out!

Cole woke up at 5:10 am today.  It was almost as if he could sense that I was leaving early (I had to be at work at 6am).  TJ said he finally went back to sleep just after 6,. only to wake back up just after 7.  Ornery little thing, huh?  Tonight is the last night I will nurse you at bedtime.  I am a little sad, but it is inevitable.  Mom and Dad are going to the Bahamas in three weeks (we leave 2 days after Cole's 1st birthday), and Cole and Jax are staying home and splitting their time between Nana and Papa's and Grandma and Grandpa's.  I can not wait to be lying on the beach, but know I will miss my little boys like crazy!

Just yesterday, Cole and Jax were playing in the living room, and I went into the kitchen. Next thing I know, Cole is screaming.  Back in the living room, I ask Jackson (who is practically on top of Cole) what happened or if he did anything to hurt Cole.  Of course, he says "No".  Mom-"Are you Sure?"  Jax-"Yes"-incredibly ornery look on the face.  Mom-"OK, well go to your room until you can remember what happened"  All of a sudden, his memory becomes quite clear- "I tackled him".....Long Pause...."Do I still have to go to my room?"  Mom- "Uh, Ya- You can not tackle your 11-month-old brother"

Grandma came over to play tonight while Mom went to a Junior League meeting.  Cole tried a new baby food concoction I made. Mango-Triple Berry-it was a hit!  Jax had his absolute favorite food in the whole world-peanut butter and jelly waffles with apricot jelly. I thought maybe those would be a phase, but they have been the favorite for at least 2 years now.  Oh, well, we hit most of the food groups with them, at least.

Cole said his second word today-"Hi"... Still no "Mom".

I take it that is LARGE

Out of the mouths of babes…. So, Jackson and I are riding in the car this afternoon, and we were playing a little game I like to call “You know how much I love you?”  We usually start out with small things such as “I love you as big as the car” countered with  “I love you as big as our house”, and so on, always trying to say something bigger.  Today, after I told Jackson I loved him as big as the world, his response was “I love you as big as the University”, to which I answered “You mean, as big as the universe?”  “No, Mom.  I like to call it the University.”  So, that must be big.

Cole absolutely refuses to say "Mama".  He says "Dada" constantly.  He uses the "R" sound and the "N" sound and the "G" sound, but NO, not the "M" sound.  

Winter Wonderland; February 3, 2011

Jackson loves to play outside-rain or shine, or should I say, snow or shine. That is what we have-SNOW, and lots of it. Over the past about two weeks, we have gotten about 2 feet of snow.  The drifts are 2-3 feet high in places from this last snow.  Dad has had to take me to work every day this week, so that he can have my car.  His has not left the garage since last Sunday.  I am very tired of snow.  Training for a half-marathon inside is torture.  Anyway, no matter the temperature, Jackson loves to play outside, so out we went.  -10 degrees, and we played and shoveled.  It takes almost 10 minutes to get Jax prepared to go outside, then we (or him and Dad-thanks, Honey, for letting me stay inside in the warm sometimes) spend about 20-30 minutes outside before the adult gets cold (never Jax), and we come in.  Cole stands at the window and watches longingly.  But, sadly, snow and cold is not for babies, so he has to stay inside.  Besides, I don’t have snow gear for the little guy. 

Cole’s new moves this week are what we have dubbed the “snowplow”(which I mentioned previously, but he has taken to a whole new level) and turning in circles while sitting on the kitchen floor using only his feet-This is so funny. For the “Snowplow”, he crawls with his head down to the floor, and just plows through whatever gets in the way-toys, people, etc, until he hits a wall or a piece of furniture. 

Well, now i am caught up, so new posts should be actual date. 

My Sleepy Babies. January 28, 2011.

This afternoon we went for a drive.  Mommy is training for a half-marathon, so I wanted to know how far I had run today.  As we pulled back into our driveway, I turned around to ask Jackson is he wanted to go inside or go somewhere else, and you were both out cold in the backseat.  My sweet sleepy little boys.  To watch the two of you sleep is one of the most enchanting things I have ever experienced.  You perfect skin, and little noses just like mine, those eyelashes that go on forever (Jackson), your little mouth pursed into a perfect bow (Cole), not a single care showing on your face.  Your eyelids flutter gently every once in a while, so I know you must be dreaming.  I hope they are all happy dreams. 

Every night when I am about ready to go to bed, I come to your rooms and check on each of you.  Every night, without fail.  I get to kiss those beautiful, angelic faces, pat your backs, and smell your sweet little boy smell.  Cole, you still smell like milk, and baby shampoo.  Sometimes, I climb right in bed with you , Jackson, and just hold you for a few minutes more at the end of each day.  It seems no matter how big either of you get, you are always the perfect size to fit in my arms. 

COLE, 11 Months old today.   You are my baby, my last baby. I want to tell you to Never Grow Up, but I know that I really want you to grow up (just not too fast), because I cannot wait to see the person you will become.  Strong-willed, definitely.  Kind-hearted,  absolutely.  I am in full-on 1^st Birthday Party planning mode now. The countdown is on.  We are planning a Rock Star birthday party for you.  I hope you love it.  I am sure the only part you will be concerned about is the gifts and the cake.  You are on that cusp where you are sure you should be eating what everyone else is having, but not quite ready yet, physically.  Only 4 little teeth.  Still such a Mama’s boy.   While Jackson started signing “Milk” at 6 ½ months, you decided that the sign for hunger would be to gnaw on Mom’s jawbone.  Well, I guess it gets the point across.

Dance Party! January 27, 2011.

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." -- Clarence Budington Kelland

Today, the babysitter was sick. We had no one to keep Cole, so Daddy stayed home and hung out with the boys all day.  Tonight, when I got home from work, Dad was twirling around the kitchen with Cole on his shoulder, and Jackson was dancing, too. Naturally, I joined in.  So we had a dance party in the kitchen while I made some dinner.  Cole’s laugh and Jackson’s always mischevious smile made all the troubles of the world fade away. 

A little bit about Jackson:   You have got to be the cutest, sweetest, most ornery little boy I have ever known.  And I wouldn’t change a single thing.  Watching you with your little brother-so protective, or roughhousing with Dad-all boy!  You love to be around Cole and I do not think you have had a jealous moment since his birth.  What an awesome big brother you are.  You were an ideal baby-sleeping through the night at 8 weeks, smiling all the time, a great eater, and hardly ever crying.  Then you amazed us by being an incredibly easy, though incredibly ornery toddler.  You practically potty-trained yourself (3 days), and moved to a big-boy bed with such grace just days after your 2^nd birthday. 

Your favorite question now is “What do you wanna play” I think Dad and I must hear that 100 times a day.  Your favorite thing to play is cars, and you have a real talent for all things electronic, whether it be remote-controlled vehicles, driving you Power Wheels vehicles, or playing video games on the Wii or XBox Kinect.

I marvel at your little hands and feet.  Starting out so tiny, just 4 ½ years ago, and now I have to come to terms with my baby going to kindergarten in just a few short months.  You have recently gotten interested in trying to read, and like to tell us what letter things start with. You are starting to try to sound out words, and I am so excited for the day you can read to me.

Introduction: 1/25/2011

-I got this idea from a friend, and thought it sounded like a wonderful way to chronicle the lives of our family as the children grow up (Jackson is 4 ½years old, and Cole is 11 months).  I started a journal when I was pregnant with Jackson, but found that I was not very good about writing in it. I have tried to be very diligent about entries in the baby book, but Jackson says something funny, or Cole does something new every day, and there is just not room in the baby books for that.  We will see how I do at this.  The goal is to write interesting things that happen in our lives, funny things the kids (and TJ)do, and at the end of each year (that is assuming I even continue for more that today), I would like to print out a copy for each of you boys.  Daddy is really good about taking lots of pictures, and Mommy is good about putting them in albums, but I do not think pictures can tell the whole story. 

A little bit about our family- I am a pharmacist at Heartland Regional Medical Center here in St Joseph, MO.   Dad sells health insurance for a company called Reserve National, based out of Oklahoma City, OK.  Jackson goes to preschool (and daycare) at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School. Cole goes to Amber Taylor’s (a friend from church who is a stay-at-home mom and a nurse) on the days Mom and Dad are working.  Nana and Papa (Denny and Connie Patterson) live just a couple of miles away, and Grandma and Grandpa (Pam and Dennis Harper) live in Easton, which is about 10 minutes outside of town.  Uncle Ryan and Aunt Jeana Harper live in Gower (about 15 minutes away) and Uncle Coby and Aunt Kerry Moore (and their daughters Brielle and Alexandra) live just a few miles away.  It is so nice to have all of this family close, and you boys love going to all of their houses, and having them come see us so often.   We live in Corinth Estates at 4809 Aegean Terrace. We just moved here last month, December 2010, which made for a crazy, but awesome, Christmas in our new home.

I have so many stories to tell about you boys.  Just this week, Cole has started crawling with his head down to the floor. You look like a little snowplow (Jackson calls you a backhoe).  You mostly do this when you are mad or tired.  Right now, Cole is such a mama’s boy. I expect that to change real soon. It did not take Jax long to start thinking Dad was way cooler than Mom.  Cole is crawling (army and regular) everywhere, and pulls up to everything.  He is pushing toys and bar stools around the room, and even goes all the way up the stairs unassisted.  Cole’s favorite person in the world (other than Mom and Dad) is Jackson.  Everything he does is funny to you, and you are constantly chasing him and wanting to play with whatever he is playing with.  And since much of the time he is playing with cars, you have taken quite a liking to them also. You got your 4^th tooth today-Yeah!

I have started posting this online a little after the fact-so that explains the conflicting dates.