Dear Colin,

Happy 20 Month Birthday little man.

We survived our first real illness. Earlier this morning, you got sick and stayed sick. Call it Mama's intuition, call it a barf-sensor on high alert but after a week of throwing up, we finally figured out your cues before we were covered in vomit. Put your hands in your mouth, cry, reach for us, and then puke. However, being prepared only makes it _ this much less disgusting. After two visits to the Dr, 7 looooooooong days of on and off again throwing up, and losing 5 pounds, we thankfully found the road of healthiness a few days later. We spent the rest of the month trying to break the bad habits we allowed while you were sick, trying to get you to be with anyone other than "Moooommmmmma", and trying to fatten you back up so your pants would stay on.
While some of these are not new milestone, they are things I don't believe I've mentioned yet. You count to 5 but still won't say 1. You like counting with your fingers but still don't get most correct. You describe things by colors. Blue plate. Green frog. Yellow, green, blue, black, and purple are your best colors. You love saying "Ready, Set, Go" before you run as fast as your legs will take you across the house or "Lets Go Joe" before you climb up the stairs. Anytime we walk into your room in the morning or after your nap, you happily exclaim "MORNING!!" You love praying before meals. Well actually you love praying during the entire meal. You love praying so much that you have been given the nickname Preacher Man Colin. You still love singing and doing motions to the songs.
You've really gotten into playing pretend. You like playing with spoons and bowls creating yummy food for everyone to eat. You love playing with Monkey and Spot. You are great at feeding them and having them go nanight on a pillow with one of your pipeys. You like reading books to them and giving them hugs and kisses. At Grandma and Grandpa's house, you love playing with their animals at their little play table and chairs. Grandma fills the table with bowls, cups, and spoons and you love to feed everyone. I think Grandma had high hopes of playing tea party with that table little man, but since it doesn't look like Grandma is having any girls anytime soon, thank you for playing there with her. Even though I thought it was a little girly at first, I am delighted you like playing there. Forget how stinkin cute you look playing there. Ignore how great it is for your imagination. When you were sick and borderline dehydrated, Grandma had you play "tea party" and you drank! I was never more grateful for tea parties and your furry friends.
We are heading into busy times. Apple picking, tractor rides, Halloween. Our trip to Puerto Rico is around the corner. And all too quickly the holidays will be here. And then you'll be TWO! But lets not rush things. For now you are twenty months and that's old enough for me.

Love Always,
Mommy

Merridith and James welcomed sweet little Alexander Joseph into the world this morning. Weighing in at 7lb 13oz and 20 1/2 inches long, he has a wonderful amount of dark brown hair. Mike, Colin and I stopped up at the hospital tonight to a full house. It's nice to be surrounded by so many people who love you, huh Alexander?

Colin helped me bake for the first time yesterday.

"Yes Mommy I understand. No throwing things on the floor."

"this is funny Momma"

Someone got a little carried away, so the shirt came off.

"No way Mom am I putting these in there. These are yummy!!"

Colin excitedly played here while I baked these ...

{Colin receives daily "report cards" from daycare. Tuesday's warmed my heart }

We realized we take alot less pictures without Colin around.

Happy Birthday Babe! Long after the smoke is gone from the candles (there would have been a lot had I used 33 candles), the birthday windsock is put away, and the cake is eaten, I hope you continue to know just how much you mean to C and I. Daily I am reminded how lucky I am to be your wife. I could not ask for a better husband or father. You are a great provider, protector, and friend. You are goofy, funny, and playful. You are attentive, affectionate, and giving. You are a hands-on dad who always helps not only because I appreciate the help but because there is nowhere you would rather be than with Colin even at 6:15am. Thank you for all you do. We appreciate and love you more than I can ever express. I hope all your wishes come true...

Things have been so hectic that I'm way behind with pictures. We had an extended family picnic a few weekends ago at Spring Grove park. I adore Spring Grove for pictures, so I brought my camera along in hopes to get a few cute family pictures. We took a bunch but here are a few of my favorites of everyone. I can't wait to head back again soon once the leaves start changing and hit up a few other spots.

Tim and Leah

Merridith, Baby and James

Dad and Mom

My sweet boy loves his bubbles.

Here's what happens when you only have kept down 2 meals since last week Wednesday :(

I thought I'd go old school and bust out the bullet points:

• The obvious - there's a new layout. I figured it was about time to make a change.
• C's been sick. Woke up from a nap on Thursday with a fever and proceeded to throw up ALL over Mike when he got home from work. When I say all over Mike, I literally mean all over him; his dress pants, his under shirt (which we just threw away), his goatee, everywhere. Mike took Friday off and the boys laid low. Colin had a low grade fever for the morning but seemed more like himself by the afternoon. My parents watched him this weekend as Mike and I both had to work. He was more himself but without the appetite. He didn't nap for crap and played with his ears, so I took him into the Dr today. He got an "everything looks perfect" from the Dr and I left feeling relieved he wasn't sick but puzzled as to why he won't eat. He finally decided to eat some dinner tonight and towards the end, he started crying. I assumed he bit his finger and as I was asking where his owie was, he threw up again. Unlike on Thursday, he seemed perfectly fine afterwards. I don't know what is wrong. I don't know if it's a bug or if it's something he ate. Hopefully the poor little guy starts feeling more like himself soon.
• Both Mike and I have been working like D-O-G-S ... especially Mike. Working at both hotels means tons of extra responsibility, hours, phone calls, etc. It's looking like this arrangement isn't ending anytime soon, so we are trying to make the best of it and see the positives.
• Mike's birthday is Sunday! We are debating if we still want to go up north and will probably wait to see how Colin is feeling before making any final decisions. Hopefully it works out. I think we could all use a much needed break from reality. Although I'm still hoping to find a last minute downtown all-suite hotel in Chicago since we weren't able to go for my birthday.
• My newest little nephew should be here soon! Ok yes it could be a few more weeks but it could be any day now. Mike and I are so excited!
• And just because every post really should have a picture, he are a few from today. Colin loves to make everyone wear their shoes. Seriously, the child is obsessed with shoes. He also loves going outside and I also tell him we can't leave until he has his shoes on. So this morning around 8:15 when he wanted to wear his shoes and me to wear mine, I didn't think too much of it. However, when he grabbed Monkey, put on his hat, and started closing the door behind him, I don't think he just wanted to wear his shoes. I think someone was ready to go.

"Buh Bye Mommy!!"

I'm in love with these pictures. I love the colors, the fading, the clarity. I love how funny the picture is of Colin flexing his muscles and how you can see his reflection in the car. I love how chubby his face looks in the 2nd picture and how the 3rd picture his face is a completely different shape. I adore how the flower is in focus and how long his eyelashes appear. I love the gorgeous blue sky contrasting against the green grass and how the clouds look like you could just grab them. I love my new camera almost as much I love the lil guy in the pictures!

A few misc pictures from August.

Shirtless Colin and Uncle Tim playing

When did he get so old looking?!?

Apparently something is really funny :)