Merry Merry!

We had a lovely Christmas with all the family. We started in WI and ended in IL. I always come away from being with family feeling very blessed. Cole is so lucky to have so many who love him. Here are a few pictures of the packed, fun-filled days. The whole family shots will come soon when I get them. Daddy and Cole (our little camo elf) bonding while mom packs!
Merry Christmas Eve!

Cole directed us at Grandma Peterson's while we did the annual caroling.

I was so excited because I was going to get to open all of Cole's presents as well as my own...well it ended up that I held Cole while my dad opened my presents! HAHA

Getting ready to open presents with the Peterson family. Cole made it to his first present from us...the Fisher Price Nativity Set. So cute and it will be pulled out for years and years to come. A nice new family tradition.

WOOHOO...Sara, Gera,Katy, and Elena arrived late on Christmas Day from Costa Rica. Here are the cousins meeting one another. And me meeting Elena for the first time!

(Cole really isn't scared)

(Notice my cute new Vera bag on the floor)

Auntie Beth and Cole...sideways...oops!

It was so fun to watch Caden and Katy play. Carol got all the kids matching outfits...those pictures are on Naomi's camera.


We had a great Christmas. We have have had a great 2010 with the birth of Cole. Having a child makes everything about life better. I am constantly baffled at the transformation our life has taken...it is great! We are in for another transition with my going back to school on Monday. Pray for me as I am going to miss my little Cole baby! I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. It is the definition of bittersweet.

Have a WONDERFUL New Years!

3 Months...2 days early

(we totally rocked the 3 month picture...so excited about it)

This has been a great month of firsts. Oh my, I just love this boy so much...I am really starting to understand and feel the difference that a baby brings to life. It is wonderful.

And now...the 3 month update:

• Cole is still wearing his 0-3 month clothes. Most of the pants are much to long on him so I think we are closer to the 0 than the 3.


• He laughs, talks, and squeals!


• He rolls over from his tummy to his back. He has started to arch his back and look behind him so I think that means he is close to going from back to tummy. We practice all the time.


• When he is rolled to his tummy he holds up his head to look around for about 1 minute!


• He loves to stand up and look around.


• Kyle insists that Cole takes steps when he is standing....I think Cole just likes to move his legs.


• He sucks his thumb! And always is putting his hands in his mouth.


• Bath time continues to be fun, he kicks and smiles!


• We have a pretty great routine and I see the value of a routine. He is so much more content. I am looking forward to trying to keep things "normal" with all the holiday traveling.


• He goes down for the night around 9:30 (even though he falls asleep at 8:15, he eats at 9:00) and sleeps until 2:30. It is a good chunk of time.


• We wake up every morning at 8:00. I read that it is good to wake up at a certain time every morning. I agree.


• He goes to sleep for naps and at night time on his own. By that I mean he is awake, we read a story, and then goes to sleep once laid in his crib with the music and his cuddly monkey. This has been a major blessing.
  

With the 3 month birthday comes the end of my maternity leave. I am so glad for the extra week for Christmas break. My heart beats a little faster from anxiety when I think about leaving him but I know he is going to be in good hands and they already love him. I am excited to get back into the swing of things at school but know that I am going to miss Cole so much. 4:00 every day will be my favorite time when I go pick him up. I am thankful that he is mostly awake at night so I will get lots of valuable time with him. He has been such an amazing joy to Kyle and I. I can't even imagine life without him.

Look at those little feet dangling...that is the whole reason for this picture. haha

Nala loves Cole...we think! :)

I will be done with blog posts for a few days now. I have been going a bit crazy with them. haha

Makes Me Smile...

I took this video of Cole from my phone today! He cracks me up...ignore the wobbling...he is a mover! :)

Roomie Christmas 2010

It is time for the annual Roomie Christmas post! We had a great time of food, games, and fellowship. Kyle and I hosted this year and it was SO fun to use all my great dishes! We always plan to have it during the Stagg Bowl because Whitewater always ends up playing. The boys watched while the girls did gifts and made fun crafts. We are so excited to be a big Roomie family and we are really excited to have the family grow throughout the years. The goal is 16 total kids! Cole got to partake in his first Roomie Christmas and just like his mama....didn't want to miss any of the action so he had a hard time napping. He wasn't crabby at all, just wanted to be part of the fun. Today he slept hard for all naps, without fuss, in his crib because he was just pooped. TWINS! Auntie Nikki came to babysit for a few hours on Friday night. They just happened to be wearing almost the same outfit.
Mama Mumm really loves our friendship so she sent us some cute ornaments to celebrate. Susan was so good and didn't open the package until she came to Roomie Christmas.

Every year we exchange names and create a gift. This year...picture frames. We are starting the tradition of taking a group picture and placing it in the frame every year. So excited. Nikki made mine and I made Tina's.

So proud of Kyle!

AND NOW A FEW PICTURES OF COLE...

New way of being put down for a nap. He hugs his monkey and it holds the nuk in! And so darn cute!

Reclining like a big boy!

Notice the Dr. Seuss book....he loves them! Mr. Brown is his favorite but I think he likes the way that I read them and it makes it fun to read them because of the rhyming. We read one before nap time every day.

THURSDAY is 3 months!

Merry Christmas to Katy Lou from Nala

Cole the Movie Star

Last night Shannon inspired me to get going on the videos! :) We continuted chatting about firsts and I knew that I had to document these by putting it on the blog. And I know Gramma Kringel in TN and Sara in Costa Rica need to see more of Cole in action. Lets be serious, Jordan, Josh, Mariah, and Taylor in Menomonie, and Brad and Betsy in Cedar Grove, and Naomi in Milwaukee, and Beth in Port, etc...you get my drift...all need to see him in action. :) So enjoy the little guy...I know I do!

Roll Cole Roll

So on Sunday I took a really great video of Cole rolling over with our new video camera. It has been processing for 2 days. So frustrating! So, tonight we took one with the camera! I just have to say that I am so thankful that these "firsts" are happening before I go back to school. He has been smiling, laughing, and rolling! Such great times! We are so excited! I hope to get a laughing video on camera tomorrow...it is precious! Being a mommy is pretty great!

Father Like Son

See the resemblance??

We don't have any pictures of me on the computer as a baby...come on over and I will show you the on the fridge. Cole is a good mix!

Dreams Come True

I have been waiting for this moment to happen. This morning I went into Cole's room at 8:30 because I heard him making noises. I walked in and looked over the side and he smiled at me! Smiled like he was happy to see me this morning. Then we started to chat and he made his excited face! It was the PERFECT way to start the day! What a blessing he is!

Cousin Fun!

Caden was so good while posing for pictures with Cole. So sweet!
These two will be wrestling together before we know it!

First time in the kiddie pool with Daddy!

So excited to add Katy and Elena to these cousin pictures at Christmas! :)