Thursday, April 30, 2009

Month Fifteen

Dear Colin,

Happy 15th Month Birthday.

Some months I can write these letters so quickly and other months I struggle with what to write. This month I struggle. It isn't that you didn't do anything blog worthy or reach new milestones but rather I just don't feel creative or much like a writer. I'll do the best I can little man but I make no promises. You have a new found sense of independence. You've got walking legs and you want to use them by yourself. You don't want to be carried unless being held means you can grab something that you otherwise can't reach. You prefer to feed yourself. If Mommy or Daddy are feeding you with a spoon, you like to take your finger food and 'dip' it in the spoon so you feel like you are still feeding yourself. You like carrying your lunch box or getting your diaper for me. You realize things have its place and you love putting them there. Your sippy cups goes in the cup holder on your tray, the french doors to your play room should be closed, shoes go by the door. You like to help put on and take off your coat, socks, shoes and hats. We are amazed by how smart you are becoming. You are soaking everything up lately. You know what we find funny and you do it often. You know that Ethan loves when you lift up his shirt and smack his belly as hard as you can. You know that I love when you kiss me on both cheeks and smack dab on the lips or when you blow me a kiss when Daddy carries you up to bed. We laughed at you clicking your tongue in the car the other day and now every time we get in the car, you click your tongue and laugh. When we ask you a question, you now respond - not usually with actual words but with actions. If I ask you if you have a stinky P.U. diaper, you will wave your hand across your nose and head towards the stairs. If I ask if you are hungry and want to eat, you will walk towards your highchair and lift your hands to be picked up. You will take out your pipey when talking when I remind you to not talk with your pipey in your mouth. It's exciting to see how fast you are learning and can't wait to see more. Someone asked me the other day how many words you are now saying. I wasn't quite sure but guessed about 20-30. I, of course, later had to make a list and I came up with 26 words and 12 animal sounds that I could remember. You have words for: MaMa, DaDa, Grandpa, Tim, diaper, bottle, pipey, all done, more, book, baby, hi, buh bye, whats this, this, drop it, banana, thank you (you seldom says this and always only when prompted), ahhh boom (when you drops things), bite, choo choo, duck, ball, tada, button, and zipper. You says something for both shoe and sock but I don't think it's shoe or sock, so I didn't add it yet. I also had two people say they think you said please and Ethan but I haven't heard it, so I didn't add those either. You know what the following animals say/do: puppy dog, monkey, lion, frog, elephant, alligator, bird, rooster (my favorite), cow, pig, sheep and duck. I am so proud Colin of your ever increasing vocabulary and how quickly you are catching on to new words and sounds. I'm not excited about how this monthly letter went but I am excited about you and where you are going. You are growing and learning and {usually} loving life. You love being around people and saying 'hi' to everyone you come across at the store. You even blow kisses to strangers when they say bye to you. You are such a delight and I am so proud to be your mom.

Love always,
Mommy
Monday, April 27, 2009

Reason 427

why geography and distance stinks. I've said countless times how much I hate geography. Let me give you a little more insight as to why.

1160.62 miles.

It is exactly 1160.62 miles from Jacksonville, Florida to Wyoming, Michigan. 1160.62 miles from her doorstep to mine.

The distance, the miles are normal for us. We've never lived by each other. We've never had the typical friendship of sitting in each other's living rooms talking and laughing until our sides hurt. We can't go on double dates or to the movies. We can't grab a beer or eat ice cream because we had a crappy day. Missing everyday life is normal for us.

When it becomes even more difficult is when milestone and major events happen. When we bought our first homes, the birth of Colin, today.

Today my best friend graduated from nursing school. Words can not explain how proud I am of her and her accomplishments. Words can not explain the disappointment of not being able to be 1160.62 miles away on this special day in her life. I wish I could give her a congratulatory hug, tell her face to face how proud I am of her dedication and hard work. I wish I could tell her she's going to make a great nurse and I would - and will- come to her in a heartbeat with any medical questions or advice. I wish I was there listening to her family's southern drawl and the sound of laughter and excitement in the air. I wish I could see the sense of accomplishment on her face. I just wish I was there.

Reason 427 of why geography sucks. I'm missing Angela's graduation and it sucks. I miss you AC and I love you dearly! Congrats!!
Friday, April 24, 2009

Randoms

Here are a few random pictures from the past few days.

Mike often leaves his ties out and Colin has been taking it and putting around his neck.
Disclaimer: Mike took this picture himself while I was at work. Notice how Mike is smiling nicely and C is ... not?
Colin looking ridiciously old.
The boys reading together
A close-up
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

"hi daddy. I miss you."

Monday, April 13, 2009

Easter 2009

If you were really the Son of God, you could just climb down off that cross!" they said.

And of course they were right. Jesus could have just climbed down. Actually, he could have just said a word and made it all stop. Like when he healed the little girl. And stilled the storm. And fed 5000 people.

But Jesus stayed.

You see, they didn't understand. It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there.

It was love.
Yesterday we celebrated His Resurrection Day! I left the sanctuary to get Colin from nursery as the service was nearing an end to beat the crowd of people and as I walked through the halls, I heard hundreds of people loudly excitedly full of passion and hope say "HE IS RISEN. HE IS RISEN INDEED!" What a powerful ending.

------

On His Resurrection Day, we spent the day as a family at my parent's house with the people we love because of the One we love.
The boys clearly all excited about having their picture taken. Still equally as excited huh? First picture of all 4 grandkids 'together'. Colin opening his Easter basket from Grandma and Grandpa Sweaty Colin staring out the window
Mike had to go out of town this week to a lovely small town by the Iowa border. He left this morning and comes home sometime late Friday. To say we are less than thrilled is a gross understatement. There have been alot of tears shed, offers of help given, and text messages sent. The truth is we are spoiled. People do this everyday. People raise children and work full-time. People are separated from their spouses. We just aren't one of those people. So while I can't do anything to bring us closer together, I can atleast take pictures. Here was our short night together babe. We miss you and can't wait until you get home. We are counting down the minutes.

Take One (I asked say hi to Daddy and he was looking around b/c he didn't see you)


Take Two - Colin asking if we have to do this again


Giving Monkey our nightly hugs


Heading upstairs to get ready for bed


"What?!?! You gave them to me?"


Trying to put his socks back on


Bedtime bottle

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Fun Wednesday

Mike had Wednesday off. Ethan is on spring break. It was Micah's birthday. So we all stayed at our house today. Mike and the older boys walked to a local playground while C napped to wear off some energy. We had a fun lunch and then headed downtown to the Children's Museum.

in the boat fishing. I love how big Colin's life jacket is.




The Birthday Boy standing in the middle of a giant bubble.



Colin loved all the mirrors.





When we came home, we decorated Easter Eggs.



Micah coloring his egg.
Colin coloring his egg.
Ethan coloring his egg.


Dyeing his creation.


Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Bragging Rights Here!

Seriously how much do I rock?!?! Over 5 Million people played and check out where I ended up? :) Too bad we didn't play for money.

click on the photo to see the results

Wordle: Untitled
Saturday, April 4, 2009

FMG part 2 - LOTS of pictures!

Mike is working a back-to-back, so are staying at the hotel tonight. Colin is finally fast asleep in the room next door. He had a busy day of swimming lessons, an Easter Egg hunt, meeting the Easter Bunny and some weird duck thing. We ran some errands and he spent a few hours at Grandma and Grandpa's while Mommy ran a few errands. He skipped a nap and instead of going to bed early, he apparently wanted to stay up and watch MSU beat UConn! I'm sitting here praying the people across the hall will finally be quiet because I will be ticked if they wake C up. So as I wait for Mike's shift to end, I might as well be productive and post some more of the pictures from Thursday's visit to the FMG.


I love how sweet this picture is!

Colin looking through the rocks into the waterfall.

Colin trying to grab the butterfly.

I adore this picture!


all boy. already loves dirt.


He loves the empowerment of opening and closing doors himself. He loved this little Colin size door.



Where's Colin?


Colin hugging the mini horse.