Dear Colin,

Happy sweet 16.

Another month. Another post. There's been discussion as to how long to continue these public monthly letters and while I sometimes struggle as to what to write, I'm not quite ready to stop yet. Perhaps a part of me thinks stopping means you are growing up too fast, mostly though as challenging as it is sometimes to come up with things to write about, I know I'll be bummed years from now when I want to remember these simpler times.
I will want to remember (and compare) your milestones. Remember when you changed from baby Colin to mobile Colin to Toddler-I'm-All-Boy Colin. You have become the stereotypical boy. You love being loud and being heard. You love pushing Daddy over along with others I'm afraid. You love anything that has to do with the outdoors. If you can't be outside, the front door better be open so you can atleast see outside. You love the sand, the dirt, dead worms, chasing birds. You are learning to run and mastered the quickest ways up when your short legs don't move as fast as the rest of you. You love choo choo trains and making car noises and big trucks and anything that beeps. You climb on everything and insist on doing most things yourself.
I say this each month but you continue to astonish us with how much you are learning, understanding, and saying. It's amazing to see how quickly you catch onto things. You've learned how to lock the bathroom door from inside the bathroom. (Lord help us since we don't have a key!) You know the exact spot to kick/push on the baby gate in order to move it slightly. You know if you continue doing that it will eventually topple over. You walk to your high-chair and say "seat" when you are hungry and want to eat. You continue to love reading and have 'memorized' most of your 50+ book collection. Animal noises, silly songs, and "whats this" questions are big parts of our day.
Colin as you continue learning, so do your father and I. We continue to learn new meanings of true love. True love is cancelling a much needed and wanted vacation opting to stay home because we knew it would be easier on you. True love is longing for your open mouth (with tongue! GASP!) kisses because its the way you show love and affection. True love is Daddy putting his finger inside your diaper at night to see if you pooped because your room smells stinky and we couldn't get close enough to your bottom. True love is watching you color as I order a grilled cheese to share with you at Big Boy on me and Daddy's 3 year anniversary and realizing this very non-romantic meal couldn't be any more perfect because you are here with us.

Love always,
Mommy

Poor C isn't feeling well and hasn't felt well since Sunday night :( Thankfully Mike and I have been on vacation this week, so we've been able to take care of the poor little guy. He is getting his last 3 (!!!) eye teeth all at once. We've had fevers, lots of crying, small meals, less patience for things, and what feels like bucketfuls of Tylenol. If he isn't feeling a little more like normal Colin by Friday, we are going to take him into the Dr just to be sure it isn't something more than teething. While it is far from our dream vacation, we are thankful we've been home to take care of our little guy and even more thankful we didn't decide to drive down south for our anniversary vacation.

Wednesday was Mike and I's 3rd anniversary! We decided to go back up to the Inn at Bay Harbor again this year. While we weren't upgraded to the Penthouse again this time, we were greeted with great service, beautiful surroundings, and fabulous weather. We spent the day enjoying the sunshine, each other, and the resort. While our dinner was far from a quiet romantic dinner, it was the 3 of us at a family restaurant. We were able to reflect on our wedding day and how far we've come in 3 wonderful exciting years. We came back to the hotel, received a wonderful anniversary turn down service, and watched the sunset over the water from our balcony. It was a busy fun day; Colin played so hard that he slept in until 10.30am on Thursday!!!! It was the perfect two days. Now onto what everyone really wants ... PICTURES!









I'll add a slideshow with more pictures later.

I took these pictures so long ago that I can' even remember when it was.

We've found a local park that we have been going there alot lately. There are bridges and trails and playgrounds and most importantly {to Colin} there are DUCKS!!

Colin would much prefer to eat the bread himself than give it to the ducks.

We are still working on the self portraits for 3 instead of 2.

I love this picture so much I had to post it again.

I promise to post the cute park pictures but first a few Mother's Day pictures. Colin giving me his card.
Colin's signature :)
Me and my little man
Quick picture before church

Ray tagged me to list 19 (how's that for random?) randoms.

{1}: Wonders what a disco dance-a-thon would be like at my work. Probably not as entertaining as it was on the Office

{2}: I wish my chapstick was closer. My lips are so dry!

{3}: Wondering why the Tigers are stinkin it up so bad tonight

{4}: Bummed that we can't make our anniversary roadtrip a reality

{5}: Irritated that we can't decide what to do instead

{6}: Excited about getting a new phone

{7}: Not as excited as Mike though. He's excited about getting a new 'toy'

{8}: I need to put away Colin's winter and too small clothes but I'm too lazy to do it. Subsequently it means most of his summer clothes are sitting in laundry baskets in his room.

{9}: I desperately need a vacation - or atleast a break from work and normal life

{10}: I l.o.v.e. Whale crackers from WalMart. I never go to WalMart but if we have to go there, I always pick up multiple boxes. It's like crack.

{11}: I've had a hard time sleeping the past couple nights. Insomnia slash too active mind equals very little sleep.

{12}: I'm excited to sleep with the windows open tonight. The air feels crisp and cool and smells like spring.

{13}: I found this fabulously cute dress online that I am already picturing myself in (a heck of alot skinner) although I don't know if it would even look nice on me and I have no where to wear it.

{14}: Seriously there is a show called "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here"? I'm a reality addict but seriously this is ridiculous. How stupid.

{15}: I might have a problem with online shopping. Just might at this point.

{16}: Why does Stride Rite have to be so expensive? $50 for a pair of kids sandals? Really?

{17}: I might just have to suck it up and buy them anyway. Poor Colin has been wearing jeans everyday b/c he only has shoes.

{18}: I need to come up with another item quickly. I need to get everything ready for tomorrow and head to bed (see #11)

{19}: I'm tagging Missy, Janna, and Merridith which will hopefully force Merridith to start her own blog :)

{ More to come}

I wanted to get Colin a Cozy Coupe for the summer. I planned on scouting out garage sales but before I had to my neighbor offered to give hers away. It's old but free!

Mike took these pictures this morning while I was at work. The box was on the kitchen table - the middle of the table mind you not in the living room as displayed by a few of these pictures.

Here are some pictures from the past couple weekends.
Pictures from Nick and Jenn's wedding reception:

Cousins with Grandpa

Leah, Kristi, Janna, and Merridith

Chris, Lindsey, Kristi and Mike

Jason, Janna, Mike, Kristi, Leah, Tim, Merridith and James

Chris and Kris

Gangsta Love

For old times sake

Uncle Marky and Colin

Colin giving Grandpa a kiss

Emma and Russell's First Communion

Russell and Emma

Uncle Marky, Aunt Missy, Grandpa, Uncle Russell, Aunt Emma, Uncle Bradley, Daddy, Mommy and Colin.