Rocking Horse

We just couldn't wait to give Cole his birthday present. I know it's a month early but we just couldn't resist. Besides, he spotted it right away and went right for it. It's totally my fault, I set it on top of our dinning room table, out in the open. I didn't think he'd notice it since it was off of the floor. Boy was I wrong. As soon as he spotted it from across the room he started calling to it and crawled as fast as he could to the edge of the table and stood up trying to reach it. He was so cute I just had to give it to him.

When he sat on the rocking horse for the first time it whinnied and made a trotting noise. Cole squealed and started jumping/bouncing. Even though he doesn't have the rocking motion down yet, he loves his rocking horse.

God's Creatures Great and Small

Cole and I got to go to the zoo yesterday with our friends Courtney and Lyric. I think the last time I went to the zoo was when I was a kid; school field trip or something. I think I was in as much awe and amazement as Cole was to see all of the beautiful animals. God sure is a master artist.

Lyric and Cole get ready to take a tour of the wild kingdom.

I don't know why I included this one other than I think Cole is just so cute.


Our first stop was the marcats (I think that's what they are called).

Second stop was the giraffes. Once Cole noticed them he was in awe. He was pointing to them with his eyes wide and his jaw dropped. It was so neat.

The elephants were just as amazing to Cole.



I forget what this one is called but I thought it was so interesting. It had stripes on it's legs like a Zebra and a head that resembled a deer. What an awesome creation.

Who could resist the turtles? I love turtles.


This leopard was so gorgeous. Look at his confidence. I can almost feel his power and strength.



We stood and watched this bear pace back and forth for several minutes. I kind of felt bad that he had no where else to go. I could almost image what he would be doing in the wild.

So beautiful.

We stopped and ate lunch near a pond. After we ate, Lyric chased the pigeons that had gathered nearby. She was so adorable. I loved that I could take a picture of her in action.
I can imagine Cole chasing the birds next year.




We stopped to see the groundhogs (I think that's what these were), and Cole couldn't stop watching them pop their heads in and out of their holes. I don't know why he was making "fish face" but I thought he was so cute.


We stopped at the kids petting zoo to pet the goats. I did not get any pictures of this (unfortunately) but Cole loved getting to pet an animal. He squealed in excitement and kicked his legs and waved his arms around when we'd get near one. I think this was one of his favorite parts of the zoo. Cole can't take his eyes off of the goats as we leave the area (pictured above).

The bald eagle. What a majestic creature. The bird stretched out his wings for us once.

Cole was taken aback by its size.

Finally, the tiger was out! We waited all day for this one to make an appearance. It was well worth the wait. What a fantastic creature. Beautiful.

These coy fish were HUGE. I didn't get a good picture of the largest one we spotted but I think he's probably close to 4 feet long. It was amazing.

Thank you Courtney and Lyric! Cole and I had such a great time. We will definitely have to go again soon. We will not be strangers to the zoo. What a neat place. (Check out how excited Cole was about the zoo in the picture above. He has his arm in the air as if to say, "This place rocks!".

Welcoming Entrance & Other Stuff

I was inspired by my friend, Tiffany, to decorate for each season or holiday. I figured I'd take it slow by decorating our front door and entry way for each season. I made an Autumn wreath for the front door, placed a couple of pumpkins off to the side and put out a new flag. I think it looks great. Very welcoming.

I had so much fun making the wreath I thought that if any of you would like one (for a fee of course) I could make one for you. I could make a number of different wreaths so if you would like one a little different or one for a different occasion, just let me know (jmboudreaux@gmail.com).

I know most of you reading are here to see pictures of Cole so I thought I'd include a few. Enjoy.

Cole got caught digging in the baking cabinet. He pulled out the rolling pin and was going to town; rolling the floor. He had just shut the cabinet door and grabbed the rolling pin when I asked him "what are you doing" in a playful voice. He jumped and put this huge smile on his face. We both laughed. So cute.

Cole loves to swing. Donny and I try to take him every weekend and I try to take him a couple of times a week on the way home from our walks. He smiles and enjoys the wind in his hair. He thinks it's funny when Donny or I swing on the swing beside him. Cole is so much fun.

Blue Balloon

The last time Cole and I went to the grocery store, the sweet lady at the door handed us a blue balloon. The woman was very wise. Cole was entertained by the balloon almost the entire time we were in the store. He would look up at it while he tugged on the string, smile and giggle and look at me as if to show me that he had discovered something new. He was so cute. He caught the eye of every man, woman and child in the store.

When we got home I let him play with the balloon while I put away the groceries. It kept him busy the entire time. I put the balloon up until Daddy got home and then let Cole show him all his tricks. By this time he was a skilled balloon player. He'd tug at the string almost as if to a beat of a song. As he tugged on the string and the balloon hit his head, he'd smile and giggle while showing off to his Daddy.

Who knew that a balloon could be so much fun. I think we'll have to get one next time we're at the grocery store.

Pumpkins

Marianne and Jasmine met Cole and I at a local pumpkin patch today. It was so much fun. We got to watch our kiddos get wide-eyed and ooo and aahh over rows and rows of pumpkins. The variety of pumpkins was awesome. I'd never seen so many different kinds.

This was the first time Cole had seen a real pumpkin up close. The first thing he tried to do was pick a pumpkin up by the stem. Then he tried to crawl over the pumpkin, pat the pumpkin, and yes eat the pumpkin. When he got tired of one pumpkin he'd crawl down the long isle of pumpkins and sit or stand by another. It was really cute to see him so excited about discovering something new.

We did get Jasmine and Cole to sit still long enough for some photos. They both were way too into their pumpkins to look at the camera very long (if at all). They were just darling.

Next year Cole will be running down those isles picking out his very own pumpkin to take home. I already know it will be a lot of fun because he was loads of fun today.

First Cool Snap

In south east Texas if it dips below 60 degrees at night and reaches highs of 70's or 80's we consider that a cool front. I know that's nothing for anyone who has ever lived north. I have to admit, when I stepped foot outside in my jogging shorts and T-shirt yesterday morning it felt a little cool. It even gave me goose bumps. During this season it is always hard to tell how to dress yourself for the day, let alone trying to dress a little one who can't tell you if he's cold or hot. I just try and use the rule of thumb that he gets one or two more layers than I would be comfortable in. Since I knew I'd be getting sweaty even in the nice cool air I felt that my attire was fitting. For Cole, I tried to imagine what I'd feel like if I were just sitting in a stroller with the wind on my face not really exerting any energy (i.e. heat). This was my first thought:

A very thick snow hat, short sleeve shirt, light weight jacket, pants, socks, shoes and a blanket. Isn't he so cute in that hat. He has matching mittens too. Ha.

I thought that hat may be a little too much, so I went with the hoodie.

He stayed pretty warm, only his hands were chilled because he wouldn't keep them under the blanket. I think I'll also put a little heaver jacket on him next time. Or better yet, wait until late morning or early afternoon to take our stroll.

The Doc Says...

Cole is doing great! Cole went in for his 9 month immunizations and check-up. (I know he's 10 months but I couldn't get in until now.) He was really brave and recovered from the fright and pain of the shots quickly. I am so very proud of him.

Here are his stats (for a 10 month old):

Height: 29 1/4 inches (75%)

Weight: 21 lbs. 7 oz. (50%)

Head Circumference: 46 cm. (75%)

Our little boy is healthy and growing and developing right on track. What more could we ask for. God has truly blessed us with this child.