Pumpkins

Cole had such a blast this morning when we went to visit a local church that had pumpkins set out. The weather was more like Summer but all of the pumpkins made it feel like Fall. As soon as we drove into the parking lot, Cole squealed with delight at the sight of all of the pumpkins. He said, "Mommy, go see?"

He always has an eye for the one that is "different" and he'll choose that one every time. Kind of like his Mommy, I guess.

Such a cutie!

He decided to take this wagon for a spin. He wanted to be the one that pulled the wagon. He's practicing to be "big brother" already.

I finally convinced him to sit in the wagon for a picture.

I couldn't leave this post without sharing this picture. Cole is constantly talking to his little sister, hugging her, feeling her move or kissing her. I think it's the sweetest thing. He already has so much love for her. Oh how I'm blessed! I just love 'em to pieces!

Leah - 'lil sis

Today I got to see Leah. Isn't she adorable. We are almost 8 months along and counting down the weeks until we actually get to meet our precious baby girl. Everything looks like it is going well. All my vitals are reading terrifically, as are hers. There's only one thing......the doc says that she's going to be a big girl. Her exact words were, "Good thing we're not going to have this baby vaginally"; "She's a big girl". That's right, our baby girl is just shy of 6 lbs right now. I'm so glad she's healthy and all is going smoothly this time. Praise God for the work of His hands!

Freezer Ready Recipes

Donny and I are six weeks away from having our little girl and we are so excited. Cole has been getting ready by taking care of "his baby" (a life like doll) and doing a lot of talking, kissing and hugging his little sister (through my belly button).

One of the things I'd like to do before Leah arrives is to stock my freezer with meals ready to cook and serve. If you have any recipes that work well from freezer to oven please let me know.

I appreciate all input.

Dosey Doe with Collin Raye

Buying a CD that you already own, just to get it autographed by your favorite country singer = $20.

Sitting at a table just three feet from your favorite country singer = more $ than a stadium concert.

Going out to dinner with My Love (alone) = awesome.

Sitting next to two complete strangers while eating dinner = turned out for some pretty cool conversation.

Seeing the play-list before the show started (because we were that close) = way cool.

Waiting seven years to share an experience like this with My Love = PRICELESS.

Cole's First Day of MDO

Cole went to Mother's Day Out for the first time today. He did great! He walked right in the classroom and started playing with the other kids and toys. I gave him a hug and kiss, told him that I loved him and that I'd be back for him in the afternoon. He kissed me and ran off to continue to play. What a big boy.

Our MDO supplies. Cole picked out his own backpack and lunch box. Grammy made his nap mat. (Isn't it the coolest!)

My adorable prince playing "get chew" (chase) in our back yard before MDO this morning.

Peek-a-boo Mommy.

Oh how I love you, son! Thank you Lord for the precious gift of this boy! I feel so very blessed.

The Skinny on Leah

I had my seven month check-up with the doctor yesterday. Everything seems to be going great and "normal" so far. Praise God! Leah is a mover and a shaker; making it really hard to rest these days (day, night, it makes no difference). It is such a blessing to feel her wiggle; I know I will miss this one day (like I did with Cole). Anyhow, I'm on the two week schedule now so I get to see the doc twice a month. I get my next ultrasound at the eight month appointment. I will be sure to post those pics then.

Until then, Leah's due date is November 4, 2009.

A Ray of Light Through the Darkness

The last few weeks have been a little rough for our family. It seems like we are getting hit with "bad" things at every turn. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about; these times come in cycles throughout life. We just happen to be in the middle of one right now. The good news is that it looks like we might be on our way out of the crazy cycle. Yay!

Sunday was another one of those days. Cole and I tried to go to church while we let Donny rest at home with his foot elevated (he broke his right heel bone about a week ago). We got off to a good start, had a decent breakfast, made it to church on time and found Cole's new class (he moved up to the next nursery). Everything was going smoothly. I sat down in church, made it through the first three songs and then my cell phone rings. It is the nursery coordinator calling me to come get my son. My sweet angel. I thought something terrible had happened. Afterall, we'd NEVER gotten a call from the nursery before. The thoughts running through my head were: Did he hurt himself? Did he hurt someone else? etc. I gathered up my things and left the church service to go see what the problem was. The nursery coordinator met me at the door of Cole's classroom and began to tell me that I had to take my son out of class because he had a runny nose. Not only was it a runny nose; the mucus had a slight yellow tint to it. (GASP!) He has no fever mind you, nor has he had one in months. I listened to her talk about the upcoming flu season and the swine flu...yada yada yada. I smiled, nodded, and attempted to take my son into church service with me. We sat in the back hoping not to be a distraction to anyone. We failed. When the songs were over and the pastor started to talk all you could hear was my sweet boy saying, "Be Quiet!" very loudly over and over again. I tried to distract him with crayons. You then heard, "ORANGE!, BLUE!". I thought to myself, "I only have one more trick up my Mommy sleeve and if this doesn't work, I don't know what I'm going to do." I reached into his bag and pulled out his snack. After eating a couple of goldfish and drinking his water he decided to let the whole church know how many goldfish he was eating, "One goldfish", "Two goldfish", "uh oh Mommy, dropped it." People were turning around in their seats and all I could see were hundreds of eyes looking at me. Needless to say, I grabbed up our things and took Cole home. I don't know if this bothered me so much because I was embarrassed or because it took me 30 minutes to get to church to only turn right back around and go home, or what but I choked back the tears all the way to my car. It was just another one of those days, I thought.

Anyhow, I needed some change. Some fun. A distraction. Donny agreed to accompany Cole and I to the park in our neighborhood and take us out for lunch. I'm so glad. After much prayer and My Love's little act of kindness my whole mood has changed. I am now able to see things in a new light. I am now free to be happy. Today is a much better day. Thank you, Love.