ONE YEAR {Cole William}

ONE.  We now officially have a one year old.  And he is the 99% percentile/ going off the chart for height, so he definitely does not even look like a baby.  The other day someone asked me if he was TWO! I can't even handle that.  Today he fell asleep in the car and even just holding his little body as I was walking into the house was just the sweetest.  And to be honest with you, I love the teeny babies and all the cuteness that is involved with the first couple months, but I also LOVE this stage.  We officially stopped nursing and even though it wasn't initiated by me I'm ok with it.  He was definitely ready and so was I and it for sure makes me heading out for photo sessions and other things much easier!  He sleeps through the night (except when traveling lol), takes two naps, eats everything in sight, and loves his push toy :)  Here's a couple other fun things at this stage!

• He is making so many connections.  He is starting to imitate what I do by putting blocks on top of each other. He always grabs his little brush and starts "brushing" his hair; he takes Jake's toothbrush and tries to put toothpaste on it; he is starting to put all the toy phones to his ear (which I posted on instagram the other day that I think he's doing because Jake has been talking to his imaginary friend Josh on the phone recently lol)- the list goes on and on.  I completely forgot how quickly they pick up on all of these things!  It's a blast to watch.
• Probably his cutest thing right now is when we put a blanket over his head and say "where's Cole?"  He always comes out with a big smile and has started to put the blanket over his head himself! Jake always like to find the biggest blanket to throw on top of him and sometimes Cole can't get out.. that never ends well lol
• He also has just recently started walking!  I guess we can officially say around a year he took his first steps but here we are a couple weeks into his first year and he is walking all over the place.  Today he definitely walked way more than crawled and he is loving having little races with Jake pushing his grocery cart and Cole pushing his little push toy.  I know they get each other's nerves, but they really do play so well together right now so I'm trying to soak it all in :)
• He is starting to make Jake's crazy face.  It's really hard to explain and I hope to get it on camera soon but he puts his lamb in his mouth and then clenches his teeth and starts laughing because we all do it too when he does it.  He's already got such a personality :)
• He still sleeps with his lamb and sucks his thumb which makes sleeping super easy and nice right now :)
• His favorite things right now are balloons, balls, opening and closing doors and drawers, and he loves putting things in and out of anything.  

We love our little guy :)

11 months {Cole William}

So I figured I should post an 11 month update before  three hours from now Cole turns ONE.  It's been a long month, and I'm sad I didn't get these pictures posted earlier (because they are so cute!) but better late than never :)

It's hard to remember 11 months specifically since we are at 12 months- we are doing the basics around here- pulling up on everything and cruising along furniture, playing more and more with Jake (and taking his toys :) ), still loving food more than anything, starting to fall into a two nap schedule, and he took his first plan ride to California this month!  He did awesome :)  MUCH better than the car.  I really think he just doesn't like being strapped in.

We love this guy more and more.  I definitely love the baby phase, but I have to be honest, starting to see his little personality is so fun :)  I really forgot how fun it was!  Just the other day Dan told me that this is when he starts to take over, aka dad becomes the favorite, but I'm still holding on to his little snuggles and the clinging that he does to me- because if he's anything like Jake, Dad's going to be the hero soon.  But honestly, I'm ok with that and there isn't anyone else I'd rather them look up to! We are so so blessed- I can't help but look at these little guys and feel so incredibly thankful for them.

Teeth, Trips, and Musings on Motherhood

I'm trying to remember the little things these days.  New teeth popping through.  Sitting up.  Riding in the car cart at the grocery store.  Again, that's just another reason why I love photography- because it seems that for a moment I can capture it all and never forget. I think I'm finally starting to get what every grandmother tells me everywhere I go with my kids: enjoy it because it goes so fast.  I think it's because Jake is older but I've realized it does go by so fast.  Too fast.  And while I want to soak it all up I'd be lying if I said there were moments that I really wanted to fly by- sleepless nights, feeding and nursing what seems like 6 times a day, walking a toddler through temper tantrums, discipline, watching your child's feelings get hurt at the playground, not being able to squeeze in much time for myself.  It's so hard to balance the tension of hard and good all at once.  Yet such is the rest of life really- it's just not so right in front of your face like it is when you're raising a kiddo under one.  

I've been listening to a lot of podcasts on "God Centered Mom" and something stuck with me that a mom said- she said that she really wants to see her kids.  I know it sounds silly, but a lot of my days can be spent looking past Cole and Jake at the dishes, pee on the bathroom floor, the clock where I seem to be late for that doctors appointment or play date- again.  And sadly I can rush through the sweet moments like bedtime because I know on the other end is some alone time.  The other day I practiced really trying to see my kids.  Really playing baseball with Jake and having fun and not saying "ok we only have 10 minutes."  Instead of wandering how I could multi task dusting while entertaining Cole I just sat on the floor and  played with Cole- giving him my undivided attention.  And my day was so. much. better.  I didn't feel torn.  I didn't feel stressed. Granted, I didn't get as much done- but I felt like what I got done was the most important stuff.  I'm hoping for a lot more of these days to come. 

That's why I'm memorizing Ephesian 5:15-17 where it talks about making the most of the days and doing the will of God.  I want to make sure I am doing what God has called me to do and what is my most important job- even if its not my easiest job at the moment or the job I selfishly want to do. 

 This thing called motherhood- it's quite the learning process.