Super Strength

We spent a relaxing weekend in PA this past weekend with Craig's family. On Saturday we went to Uncle LJ's graduation party where Cole enjoyed watching the volleyball games. On Sunday, Pap and Grandma had a BBQ for the family. Cole entertained us all with his amazing ability to hang! Everyone thought it the was the funniest sight. He just loves to do it, pointing back up to the hanging devise with this standard "da....da....da" of late.
Speaking of "da...da...da", it has become Cole's way of communicating with us and letting us know what he wants. I hear it so often I'm wondering whether I want to know what he needs or wants at all! But really, it's very cute...until he begins to scream when he doesn't get what he wants.

Lazy Dayz of Summer

The hazy, hot summers typical of DC have set in and in many cases have left us searching out cool (that is as far as temps go!) places to hang out. We found ourselves along Alexandria's waterfront under the shade of a big tree and in the company of this cannon last weekend. Cole rushed to the water at every chance, freaking me out at the 6' drop to its surface. I was not about to jump into the Potomac to rescue him (well okay so I would but I certainly wouldn't like it!). Take care and keep cool.

Keota Street Biker Babes

Happy 4th all! We celebrated America's birthday in our usual fashion with the 12th Annual Keota Street Parade. Cole and Emory headed up the kids group in their red, white and blue attire along with festive tattoos, do-rag, and tiara. This year's Grand Marshall, Max Fix--my granddad, was quite surprised at his appointment to the most prestigious position of the parade. Friends and family gathered to watch the parade, join in the after parade ice cream, water battle and of course the cook-out. By 7:30, our little one was wiped out and so buzzed from sugar it took him an hour to babble his way to sleep in the crib at home!

Camp cook

Well we survived our 3 day adventure in camping with the little guy. In fact, it wasn't the lack of sleep, the park ranger's eviction of the 2nd half of our group or the clingy toddler that proved to be the downfall of the trip, but the COLD! It was a generous 50 degrees at night and I nearly froze to death, despite 2 sleeping bags and the body warmth of Cole and Craig.

Regardless we had a great time in the PA wilderness, hiking and taking in the sites of the Youghiogheny River. Cole loved to walk through the rapids (a lovely 56 degrees!) and even better were all the rocks!

Every Boy needs....

..a set of wheels! Cole's Pap purchased this snazzy ride for him for his first birthday and although it doesn't look like it in this picture, he is totally in love with it. It has become the 'cool' way to ride around old town and is definately saving my back from some heavy lifting!

Just like Dad...

Happy Father's Day to all the male figures in Cole's life. As you can see from this photo, Cole was not so happy at my encouragement to take a photo of him in Dad's shoes and tie. I think the scowl only makes the picture better!

Not much else happening on our end. Enjoying the summer with various outings to the zoo, the pool, and the playground. Next weekend we'll be camping in Pennsylvania...stay tuned for some sure to be good stories!

Cole proofing...

Regardless of what common sense told us, we had put off baby proofing (and even denied that it had to happen) for a long time. A few bruises and a couple occasions of blood coming from somewhere (in some cases, never to be determined), we have the baby gates in place and padding around the edge of the coffee table. Cole has now officially taken over the house, if the toys hadn't before.

I suppose its all in good measure. Cole and dad had oh so much fun installing the gate at the top of the steps. Cole seems to really like his dad's cordless drill! The brackets to attach to the wall were pretty interesting material too, heck any ole' plastic is worthy of chewing on!

Down Time

After 3 exhausting weekends we finally had a weekend at home for some good ole down time. We spent 3 glorious days doing just about nothing and it was great! Don't get me wrong, the little one keeps us running (literally these days!) but after continuous weekends of being away, it was just good to spend some time at home. Craig and I did get to scoot off to a movie for our anniversary, thanks to the Reed Family for keeping Cole occupied for an evening. We also took Cole to the pool. He was a little timid of so much water but I think he'll warm up to it after a few tries. Otherwise it was just time at home...blowing bubbles, reading with Cole and running after our new walker :)

Go Team Gram!

It's hard to believe that it has been an entire year since Cole's Gram, Nancy, left us. Their spirits passed each other as Gram was on her way to heaven and Cole came into our lives.

We remembered her with a family Chinese take-out dinner that even Gram would have been proud of (we sufficiently over-ordered so there would be PLENTY of left-overs!). We also participated in a walk in her honor, the Walk for the Whisper, held in Reston this past weekend. We made t-shirts for Team Nancy and Cole strolled along in her honor. It was great fun and even better to have everyone together. Thanks Team!

Happy First Birthday

Our little man hit a HUGE milestone today...one! We celebrated this weekend with a big party and lotsa cake. I think Cole had fun?

Spring has Sprung...

and the Little one is loving the outdoors. For the past two weekends, we've had glorious weather in DC and we've taken full advantage of it by spending the majority of our days outside. Last weekend Cole assisted in remulching the planting beds by plopping himself right in the middle of them and eating the mulch. Then he helped to wash the car and ensured a full supply of soapy bubbles by playing in the water while mom and dad did all the work!

He's also full swing into ALMOST walking. It's his favorite day time activity and when the big people are too busy to assist in his activity he is likely to throw a HUGE fit. Thank GOD for toys that help with this, although the big people have to help steer them :)

Cole's First Cut

So after much debate and turmoil, we finally decided that it was time to take the plunge and cut off those curls. Who knew it would be such a hard decision? If it were Cole's to make, I'm sure he would have trimmed his hair long ago. All the hair tucking behind the ears, the neck hair tickling him and the bangs hanging in his face. As cute as he was with the little angel wings, he's even cuter with his little boy trim. More pics to come soon...

So Cole says "yea, this Easter Bunny guy...."

"...he brings some good stuff. Just look at this shiny thing i have here. I chewed on it, because it is so neat looking, and this good tasting stuff starting coming out. Then Mom came and took it away from me...I guess I wasn't supposed to do that! Oh well, It sure was good while it lasted. Back to the Easter Bunny...he also brought me these odd shaped balls that were filled with things that made noise when I shook them. They're fun! Later on we went and searched for those same things out in the yard. My pap helped me. We found 12 of them, and every one had something inside that made it rattle. Oh what a good time."

One hikin' fool

Cole was a little skeptical at first about being dragged up and down a mountain on dad's back but he eventually grew comfortable enough with the whole experience to take a nap in the pack.

Here we are climbing to the top of a mountain in Phoenix with friends Jake, Rhoda and Nathan so that we can get an aerial perspective of the City. Neato!

Oh so Grand!

We just returned late Friday night from our very first vacation with the little one and we had a great time! Cole loved being outdoors so much and out west that's what you do...spend time outside! We had great weather to do all sorts of things like visit the Phoenix zoo, the Botanic Garden and the Grand Canyon. Cole hung out in a pack on dad's back as we decended into the Grand Canyon over 1,600 feet down on the South Kaibab Trail. More pix soon...

What you lookin' at?

 

Mom, Dad and Cole spent a nice weekend together preparing for our upcoming trip to Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. Cole, however, had to take a few moments away from our planning to cheer on his favorite team (Go Hoos!) as they competed in the NCAA tournament (too bad they lost). Regardless, he looked awefully cute sporting his new sneaks and UVA gear.

Ewwwwww!

boys will be boys

Kiss me...

... I'm Irish! Actually, I'm not sure whether Cole has any Irish blood but you would think given his fair skin and my reddish hair, there is likely some in our lineage somewhere!

Old Town's yearly St. Patty's Day parade was on Saturday, amidst 60 degree temps and sunny skies. Cole thoroughly enjoyed the bagpipers, marching bands, police motorcycles and various dog groups. Best of all we got to enjoy it with our family, even Cole's Pap and Grandma made it down from Johnstown, PA!

Cole also turned 10 months on Tuesday. Wow time is flying!

Crawling is for babies

Our little man continues to be anti-crawl and apparently when he takes a stand over something he's going to be stubborn about it (the Taurus in him!). He does LOVE to pull up on everything within reach, however unstable it may be.

An update on Cole's other milestones at the moment....he is a constant babbler of "da da da" with an occasional "ma" thrown in. He's up to 7 teeth right now, with the 7th just popping through...still a little pain to go through. We finally hit the 16 lb mark! 9 month clothes here we come (Cole's almost 10 months so he's a little petite!). Much to our dismay, Cole seems to be a needy little boy...requiring someone's (mostly mom's) constant attention and love. For now, I don't feel bad giving him the attention, but I also don't want to raise a spoiled little boy. Is this normal?

Snow bunnies

ahhh...we finally got to take the little man out for some good ole' fashioned sled riding. I think we were taking it a little too easy on him though because we never could get a reaction out of him. I think we should have taken him on the "big boy" run complete with a jump...that would have been sure to get atleast a smile.