The Boy Who Cried...Baby??

I am at the boys' school quite often these days. That's a whole different blog post. I'll get there soon. On the one day I wasn't there, Cole's teacher wanted to talk to me. The very next day, I track her down on the playground. "What's going on?" I asked her. She smiles. I am immediately terrified of what she's about to say. The convo goes a little something like this....

Teacher: "Cole told me something..."

I interrupt her. 

Me: "Oh no, I'm worried. I never know what's going to come out of that kid's mouth! I'm worried" 

Teacher: (laughing) "Well that is why I want to confirm with you." 

Oh dear, I'm even more worried. What on Earth could this kid possible tell her? 

Teacher: (smiling from ear to ear) "Are you pregnant????"

Me: "What???" "Are you kidding me????" "Absolutely not!!!" "Did he really say that???"

Teacher: (almost disappointed:) You're not????

Me: (praying the kid doesn't jinx me) "No, I am not!!!"

She and I have a good laugh together. She tells me how she's a late third child so she was wanting to believe my story telling child. She was ready to congratulate me and spread the news!!! 

While the idea of a third child was floating around in our heads about a year ago, those thoughts have long since gone! Cole, without a doubt, would make a good big brother. Jase too. However, we are passed our baby stage in life. We've been there, done that. We are enjoying this stage of our children's lives. No need to start over. All. The. Way. Over. This mom is done changing diapers, lugging around diaper bags, and late night feedings. I am pretty sure my husband is done with a hormonal, cranky, and stressed out to the max wife. Oh wait, that's the wife he has now! Well, the baby he could deal with. Pregnant me, not so much. Ha!

I end this post hoping and praying I did not just jinx myself by writing about how I am done with being pregnant and done changing diapers. Also, consider yourself forewarned...do not believe anything my child tells you! 

Breakfast With My Boys

I had to hurry and make note of this happy little occurrence. Read on...

Over a year ago I blogged about being alone at the breakfast table and enjoying it. Need a refresher, read here. This morning the complete opposite of last years post happened...I was actually able to have breakfast with J & C.

A lot has changed, and a lot has not, since last years post. The boys are older, one has an appetite that has outgrown him, and the other, well, C still eats no more than cereal, toast or pancakes for breakfast. This morning I had one request for scrambled eggs (oh yes, this has changed since last year, J now eats eggs but only scrambled) and one for pancakes. I went with the scrambled eggs. C opted for toast. Anyway, after the eggs were scrambled and sausage was done, I got everyone's plates and drinks on the table, prayers were said, it was time to eat. It wasn't until mid conversation about some wild man television show that I realized we were having breakfast together. My heart melted just a bit. I thanked God for this time with my boys and told myself I would do this again.

There are still mornings where the boys eat and are gone from the table before I can sit. I still enjoy those mornings where I am alone at the breakfast table but I much prefer the moments of sitting with them and talking about whatever. Looking across the table at their messy little faces and their almost still sleepy eyes is something I don't want to forget.

Four

My littlest man is 4! He is not a baby at all anymore. In the year since turning 3 he has completely given up the pacifier (thanks to cousin Colten for telling Cole "cowboys don't take binks"), he starting going to school two days a week, and he is enrolled to start Pre-K in the fall. Nope, all traces of baby are gone. Well, except for the occasional fit but who doesn't need to throw a fit every now and then?

This year for Cole's birthday we had a little party with neighbor friends. Seven boys ages 3-11 swam and played in the sprinkler in our backyard, sang happy birthday to Cole, and enjoyed ice cream and cake. Cole had a wonderful birthday party.

The party was held this past weekend. Today is my little man's actual birthday. Last night we was so excited he couldn't go to sleep. The trouble going to sleep thing happens most nights but tonight I let it slide a little longer than any other night. He asked me if he was going to look different when we woke up as a 4 year old. He thought he'd wake up as big as Bubba! Today he woke up ready to take on the world! He was so happy to have birthday pancakes and to have Jase and I sing happy birthday to him. It was a great morning.

At age 4, Cole: is still mommy's baby, loves his cowboy boots, loves t-ball, can ride his bike without training wheels, loves Batman, Lego's, and chips. He really loves donut holes, milk and swimming. I really could go on and on but I'll stop here. Perhaps now would be a good time to update that baby book that hasn't been touched since his first birthday. I am not proud of this. Anyway....

Happy 4th Birthday Coley-oley! We love you to infinity and beyond!

The night before his 4th birthday. He couldn't sleep. Was so excited & wanting to know if he was going to wake up different!

Birthday waffles! Whipped cream, syrup, chocolate syrup - all the sugary badness for the birthday boy and his Bubba!

He's 4!!

First Day of Preschool

Today was Cole's first day of preschool! He was so very excited to go. He woke up ready to eat breakfast, brush his teeth and get dressed...I couldn't keep up with this kid! Finally, it was time to go to school and he beat me out the door.

Ready to go! 

Ready to get inside! 

Once finally inside, he's attitude about school changed just a little. He stuck right by my side, even when the kids were welcoming him to school. At this point I wasn't sure how my leaving was going to play out. I was nervous but doing my best to not let Cole pick up on this. It wasn't until one of the teachers pulled out a fishing puzzle that Cole's little smile returned and he left my side. He sat down at the table and began "fishing"...I took a small sigh of relief. I stood around for a few minutes watching Cole and chatting with the teachers. Finally, it was time for me to go. I told Cole I was leaving. He got up from the table and gave me a hug - the biggest and best hug ever. I will never forget that hug he gave me on this day. He lets go of my neck and tells me "I'll see you later!" with the biggest smile on his face. And with that, I walked out of the room. 

This is what he was doing when I left him on his first day of preschool. 

I walked out of the building with a lump the size of Texas in my throat. I was on the verge of tears but they did not flow. Yay me, right? I got in my car, drove away and spent the day with just me, myself and I. 

The first day of school was a success! Cole was so excited to tell me about what he did at school and the friends he made. Tonight as he was going to bed, he said he couldn't wait to go to school tomorrow. Sadly, in the morning I will have to break it to him that he doesn't have school, he'll have to wait one more day. 

My littlest man loves school. I am a happy mom. 

Accomplishments

My boys make me proud on a daily basis. I am so thankful that I get to witness their accomplishments - big and small. This morning Cole made me a very proud mommy. He finally did something on his own that we've been working on for a while now. Are you ready for this? He wiped his own butt!

With the first day of preschool on the very near horizon - tomorrow - I was a little worried what Cole was going to do if he had to poop at school. Thankfully, this morning he decided to do it himself. He didn't want my help at all. He did a good job - good to know he was listened and paid attention when we explained the "how-to's" of wiping!

This little accomplishment put me at ease and ready for Cole to start school. He starts tomorrow. Mixed emotions here. Stay tuned for the details of the first day.

Congrats to my littlest man for this step towards independence and making mommy's job one task lighter! :)

Cole's World: Rough and Tumble

We were in Oklahoma a week or so ago...Cole came back to Texas looking like this...

This child 'o mine is a rough as they come. He runs, kicks, flips and wears his cowboy boots from the minute he wakes in the morning til the very last second sleep takes him over. And on most nights, he fights his sleep. 

This was his first black eye. No, he did not get punched by his big brother or by his cousin O. Nope, Cole took care of this one all by himself. He was running, got tripped up and fell face first into the bed. He's nose made a perfection connection with the bed frame. Thankfully, his nose was not broken. Sadly, this is what I had to walk around with...people giving me looks and all. 

Eventually the black eye cleared up but Cole's little tough guy attitude is still intact. The run-in with the bed frame did not slow him down. I hope and pray this is the only black eye my baby ever gets. :) 

When I Get Big

Today, for the first time ever, Jase shared with me his dream for his occupational future.

"Mom, when I get big I want to be a policeman just like PawPaw Joe so I can catch all the bad guys!"

We were in the car when he said this so I adjusted the rear view mirror to see his face - excitement was written all over it. I immediately get a big lump in my throat and my heart filled with pride...and fear. The lump for "oh my goodness, my little boy is growing so fast", the pride for "oh my little boy will make a great police officer" and the fear for, well you know, "oh please Lord, guide my boy's dream and keep him safe." I choke back that lump and tell him that sounds like an awesome job and he'd made a great policeman.

Soon after Jase shares his plan Cole tells us what he's going to be when he "gets big". He's going to be Spiderman so he can catch all the bad guys! I laugh and tell him he's going to be an awesome Spiderman! A little sigh of relief here cause, on most days, Cole is going to be a bull rider. Wait, I don't know, which is less dangerous and will cause me fewer gray hairs?? A criminal catching superhero or a cowboy riding big dangerous bulls??

I do not know what the future holds for my little guys but as of right now it's looking like they are going to be a crime fighting duo.

Look out world!

Check-ups

This mommy finally took the time to find a new pediatrician for the boys. Yay me. I am pretty satisfied with the new doctor (sweet woman) and the staff (nicest ever). We are treated like royalty here where as in SI, NY we were always treated like dirty strangers. Anyway, I love the new doctor.

Cole was up first for his check-up. Little over 2 months past due but hey I got him there. Here are his stats:

Height: 38 1/4 inches

Weight: 31.8 pounds

48th percentile in weight and right at 50th percentile for height. I couldn't be happier that the little monkey finally broke 30 lbs. Did not think we'd ever break through! He received just one vaccination and a clean bill of health. He left mad about the shot but happy with the Spiderman stickers he walked away with.

Jase was up next. He was a little nervous going in - scared he would have to get a shot. But thankfully he is up to date on his vaccines so no shot for Jase. He was relieved. I too was relieved for no shot. I was going to have to hold this kid down. His stats are a little something like this:

Height: 44 1/2 inches

Weight: 43 pounds

Vision: 20/20

Hearing: Perfect

Jase is in the average range for height and weight. He also received a clean bill of health and was deemed ready to start Kindergarten (in 2 weeks!!).

I am so thankful for my healthy, average children. Hard headed, spoiled rotten and all, Jason and I couldn't be more blessed.

Time Well Spent

A Crowded Queen Size Bed

Below is the sight I wake up to during the night. After my child, with his stealth like skills, climbs into our bed and after I get a foot in the stomach and/or a fist in the face.

I'd be a liar if I didn't say that this sight makes me a little angry. Especially after I get kicked in the stomach or punched in the face. But at 4am I just can't gather the required energy or alertness to carry this 3 year old, almost 30lb. weighing child back to HIS bed. HIS bed. So I push him closer to his daddy with hopes that he'll punch him in the face, stomach and/or manhood. Haha, not really! I don't 100 percent wish that on the hubs. 99.9 percent maybe! Kidding! But I do push him closer to Jason, I rollover, find my comfy spot and drift off back to dream land.

The sun rises to this sight.

"Good mornin' mommy" and "It's mornin' time mommy" along with this smiling face make the crowded queen size bed and the feet to the stomach tolerable.

One day he will not refer to my bed as his bed. One day he will sleep all night in his bed. And on this day I will wonder what happened and wish for him to be back in my bed. But until that day happens I will continue to be crowded and kicked at 4am and wake up to the best smile ever.

Bye, Bye Binkie

We've been part-time binkie users for about a year now. Keeping binkie use to bedtime, car rides, meltdowns, and to keep us happy. Now that I look at that, maybe we weren't so much part-time as we were full time users. I think I was in denial. Ok, anyway read on.

Cole took it upon himself to put his binkie in the garbage yesterday. Sure I and everyone around him has been telling him "big boys don't use binkies" may have had something to do with his decision. But I really think it was his cousin, Colton, telling Cole "cowboys don't use binks" that did the trick. Colton is one of a few cowboys in our family. He rides bulls and ropes. Cole and Jase admire this about Colton. Cole says he is a cowboy and I think he adores Colton. Colton just may have saved Cole from years of orthodontic work and saved Jason a lot of money!

For what ever reason Cole tossed the binkie in the garbage, he did it on his own and I am glad it is gone! Gone forever. I hope.

Three

My baby is now three. Three. When did this happen? Ok, I know when it happened so I won't play the part of a crying mother who is sad because her baby is no longer a baby. Nope, that is not me. So lets start over.

My baby is three! Three! No more bottles, no more diapers - Hooray! Wish I could say the same about the pacifier. Oh well, we'll celebrate the positive and deal with the negative later.

We celebrated with some of our Oklahoma family on a hot, somewhat muggy Sunday. Bounce house, hot dogs, cake and ice cream were enjoyed by all. Cole loved playing with cousins and was happy for those who came to celebrate his third birthday with him. He had a good day.

I am so thankful and have been so blessed to be the mommy of this little guy. Happy Birthday Coley Oley!

Now to Google search for ways to get rid of the pacifier.

Potty Training 101

Have two kids. Or more if you choose.

Suffer through potty training with the oldest.

Let the youngest learn from his brother.

Sit back and watch the youngest train himself.

:)

Way to go Coley-O! Thank you and Jase for making this time around easy for mom and dad...we owe you!

PBR

The cowboys and bulls came to NYC and we couldn't miss it. The boys were decked out in their Wranglers, boots, chaps, and cowboy hats. You can imagine the looks we got while on the ferry, on the subway, and walking the streets of NYC. Some good and some not so good. Sheesh people, have you not ever seen a cowboy hat??

Cole thought he was going to ride a bull and has been telling stories of how he is going to ride bulls. My heart stops a little each time he tells me "Momma, I going to ride bull." If he's going to "ride bull" I hope and pray he does it well enough to ride at the Garden one day.

So anyway back to the PBR and my cute little cowboys. Once inside Madison Square Garden the boys fit in with the other Wrangler, cowboy hat wearing people. No weird looks here. The boys had fun cheering for the cowboys to hang on and watching the bull fighters to their thing. A good time was had by all.

Thanks Grams and Papa Mike :)