What's on the mind of this Mama...

I have had two things constantly rolling around this Mama Mind of mine lately and they both have to do with the fact that Cole is turning one in 6 weeks.  6 weeks!

 

The first is how to wean Cole off the bottle?  How do you do that?  It's supposed to be done on or around his first birthday.  I've been trying to pick the brains of my friends and family for the last few weeks, and the responses are as varied as the people.  Of course, I want it to just be black and white with a formula to follow.  I don't want to mess up.  As I research, I'm beginning to realize that it's hard to mess up, it probably will happen somewhat naturally, and I should stop stressing about it. 

 

Last night I finally googled it to see what I could find and up popped this huge discussion/debate about sippy cups.  Should you give your baby a sippy cup or just skip it all together and go to drinking straight from the edge of a cup?  Is a sippy cup just a glorified bottle?  Will it hurt their teeth just like a bottle will from the sucking motion?  I had heard mutterings of this sort before but hadn't really read much about it.  It's crazy how everything baby seems to be controversial (I wonder if just everything in general is controversial...you can always find people who back up both sides of any issue.)

 

But, one of the websites had a review on sippy cups with straws (which "they" say is better because of the type of sucking the baby is doing) and I happened to have a few of the cups that got some of the best (meaning easiest to clean, best value, easiest to drink from, etc.) reviews.  So, I tried it at breakfast this morning and was so surpised how Cole picked right up on it!  I have been giving him different sippy cups with water for the past few months, and he has gotten pretty good at getting a drink from them (though his latest trick is to let all the water ooze out of his mouth, down his chin, and collect around his neck), but this was the first time he had tried a straw.

 

Don't know if this solves all our weaning/sippy cup problems, but it was a fun little discovery!

 

 

The other thing I keep thinking about is Cole's first birthday!  What do I do?  How big do I do it?  My personality isn't big, but I do want to make it special.  I have heard quite a few stories of moms going all out and it not being worth it.  I don't want to do that, but I also want to push to think things through ahead of time so I'm not rushed at the last minute or come up with a good idea that I want to do without the time to do it.  So, I've been picking my friends' and family's brains on this too. 

 

So far, I am pretty sure I don't want to have a theme or very many decorations.  I do want to have a cake for him to dive into. (As a sidenote, whenever I give him a big piece of food that I usually only give him small pieces from, like bread or something, Cole stops, looks at it, looks at me and smiles the biggest smile ever, and then grabs it with glee.  I imagine this happening with his cake.)  I also want helium balloons behind his chair and maybe party hats, for him and the guests.

 

I'd love to start some traditions.  I talked to Marc about finding a wall some place in the house that we could measure and label his height every birthday.  I also want to do something with the pictures I took of him every month this past year.  I bought a Groupon for a JC Penney photo shoot.  Maybe I could do something birthday with that?  I like that my friend Katie videos her kids answering questions about what they like and what they want to be when they grow up every year.  I'll tuck that away for the future.

 

Any thoughts on these things that are bouncing around in my mind?

Lilli and Cole

Today Cole and I went to Lilli's house to play for a bit.  Lilli is 10 days younger than Cole and is the daughter of my new friend, Jonae.  Jonae is in my Sublette Bible study and is the wife of a pastor in Sublette.  They moved to town about a year ago.  I am really grateful for her friendship.  We have gotten to pray together, cry together, laugh together, and share our hearts.  Today I was just looking for a place to get out and go for a bit since the wind was blowing 30 mph.  Too windy for a walk or the park!

 

Lilli was born with TONS of hair.  Her mom's hair is red.  You can tell she's her father's daughter.  She's already gotten a haircut!

I wonder if they'll grow up to be friends?

Breakfast Sandwich

Just about every morning Marc has a microwaved breakfast sandwich (our current compromise for his preference for a hot breakfast as opposed to my desire for cereal/oatmeal).  General is always close by and gets the last little nubbin of his sandwich.  They have a deal.

 

But there's a new kid on the block...



Now Marc's sharing with both his boys.  Pretty soon there won't be much sandwich left!

One Spot

Cole is an active little boy.  I love that about him.  But, I have to admit, that I love finding things that keep him occupied, in one spot, for any length of time.  Sometimes it's a pile of books to look through and turn the pages or a snack, but check out our latest find...K-State playing cards from Grandpa Ellis!  This was us on the kitchen floor for a good 10 minutes the other night!

 

 

 

Lucky for us, the playing cards are the awful kind to actually play a game with.  You know, the ones that don't have Jack pictures or diamonds on the face of the card but instead other images and just the card label in the corner.  How are you supposed to play Nerts with that? 

The pack of cards is labeled "52 Things to do before you Graduate from KSU".  They're fun to look through and be reminded of my time in Manhattan.  I bet Dad picked it up at a college day or something.

Spring Break Visitors

Shandra, Paul, Owen, and Adam came to visit at the start of their spring break.  We always look forward to their visits.  We get lots of time together and eat great food over at Shirley's house.

 

We usually take a trip out to the farm.  This time, Owen had a bow and arrow he was excited to practice with Uncle Marc.  Marc got him some hay bale targets to try his hand at.

 

Owen and Marc both managed to get an arrow through the hole in the old piece of tire.

Adam at the top of the roll-y slide with Cole

Uncle Paul loves babies and is so good with them.

Owen and Cole.  Pure joy!

Walking home from the rec park.

One of the highlights of my weekend was Shandra and Paul coming over to our house after Cole was asleep and watching Catching Fire together.  None of us had seen it, and Shandra and I had read the books "together".  I thought it was such a good movie and reminded me why I liked the books.

A New Baby

Today I got to spend the day with Titus Alexander Koehn, born three days ago to my friend Tiffany.  Tiffany injured her tail bone during labor and is having a hard time getting around, though she's taking strides every day.  I was happy to oblige her call for help to do diaper changes, hold Titus while she slept, and work around the house while she fed him.  I can't hardly remember Cole being that small!  It was a great day.  I was glad I could help.  And Cole had a fun day with Grandma and Grandpa Voth...they can't get enough!

 

Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Here's a recipe that I've come to love.  Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie from the Betty Crocker cookbook (thanks to Aunt Kay for buying me my copy).  Every time I make it I think, "Is it really that good?"  And, every time, just like this week, we practically eat it all, just the two of us, in one sitting. 

 

I don't know that it's dinner with guests material, but it's definitely weeknight with the family material.  I was going to send it to Julie as a text but thought that I'd share it with all you too.

 

 

It's reminds me a bit of quiche.  Notice that it takes hamburger and onion but you can use anything really...sausage, ground turkey, green peppers, mushrooms...whatever you have on hand.  Like this time, I had the leftover stuffings from bierocks I had made the day before (hamburger, oninon, hot peppers, and cabbage) and stuck it in there...and it was delicious!

 

Wanna try it?  It's Impossibly Easy!

 

As a side note:  I have been cooking out of the Betty Crocker cookbook as much as I can lately as opposed to internet recipes.  I feel like they are tried and true recipes.  Normal recipes.  Easy to find.  Easy to use.  I've been happy with it in this season of my life.  One of my favorites...chocolate cake.  So much better than boxed cake!

A Sunny, Calm Day

Cole and I got to go on a walk last week on one of the only calm, sunny days.  We have lots of sunny days, but it seems like the wind has been blowing like crazy lately!  Welcome to southwest Kansas spring, Cole!

I thought he looked pretty cute in his hat, protecting that bald head from the sun.  When is that boy going to grow some hair (it's getting a little longer in the back, will it be curly?)?

 

He's smiling at General in this picture.  A boy and his dog.  If only General liked Cole as much as Cole likes him.  General doesn't mind him but more than anything just tolerates him.

A Few Surprises

When I got home from Derby, I had a few surprises!

 

Our neighbor, Eric Bustillos, had stopped by and was dropping off homemade enchiladas from his mom.  A few years ago, Lupe taught me how to make enchiladas from scratch.  Delicious!  But, of course, there's nothing better than hers (and there's nothing better than coming home to dinner provided).  Thanks, Lupe!

 

Eric was home from K-State for spring break.  Over the past few years, Marc and I have gotten to know him a little better and have had some spiritual conversations and a chance to pray with him as we learned that he became a Christian (or at least drastically grew in his faith) through the Student Mobilization ministry at K-State with our former Navigator staff. 

 

Thank you for the enchiladas, Lupe!  Too spicy for Cole...but just right from mama and daddy.  Yum!

And, the next surprise!  A new dishwasher!  Installed and ready to go thanks to Marc and his parents!  Music to a tired moms ears.  Marc went above and beyond with this deal.  He researched and priced and called around and went to Garden City to order me a Bosch dishwasher.  Top of the line, in my opinion.  It comes complete with a third rack above the cups for big utensils and silverware/knives, and is super quiet.  He got us the model that doesn't have any controls on the front to keep adventurous, sneaky little fingers from starting the cycle prematurely.  What a treat!  Thanks, Marc!

Notice the red dot on the bottom right of the dishwasher that is lit while the dishwasher is going.  It's so quiet, you can't even tell when it's on!

And, the final surprise was that Marc had bought a vanity for the bathroom in the basement.  We had had a lot of trouble with getting one delivered from Home Depot (like 4 different vanities delivered, all only to be returned because of damage/wrong product).  We started the process back in November!  It's been ridiculous.  And, Marc's taken care of it all, all along the way.  He finally worked a deal with the Home Depot store by talking to the manager and asking him to honor our discounted online price (which he'd already negotiated because of all the hassle) to buy the product that was in the store and that he could deliver to our home himself.  The result...a beautiful vanity for an awesome price just waiting to be installed.

As a side note:  Marc's brother, Michael, is going to finish our basement!  He's beginning his own carpentry business and will do this job as he's getting started.  There's light at the end of the tunnel!

Thanks, Greensburg!

On our trip home from Derby, Cole and I stopped in Greensburg.  Since the tornado, Dillons has rebuilt as a half grocery/half gas station.  It usually has the cheapest gas, good drink options (reminiscient of QT), and great bathrooms complete with changing tables and these awesome safety seats that let's a mama potty in peace.

 

 

For most of my previous public bathroom experiences Cole was young enough, small enough to be taken inside in his carseat carrier and that's where he'd sit, strapped in while I went to the bathroom.  But, those days are gone.  Julie warned me about this.  We've had some good laughs about her experiences going to the bathroom with Elsy in her arms...or not.  Ha!  Both of us are so thankful for places that make the bathroom going experience a little easier for moms with babies.

 

And, to top it all off, we ran into so many nice, friendly people as we walked around the store.  They stopped and talked to us and doted on Cole.  One elderly lady made sure to let me know how precious these moments were with my son and to cherish every minute of it.  I agree!

 

Thank you, Greensburg!

Trip to Derby

On Monday morning Cole and I loaded up and went to Derby to meet Sara, Cameron, Natalie, Hallie, Julie, Elsy, Mom, Cindy, Charlotte, Mary, and Janet. What a group! It was my first road trip alone with Cole. We did great! He slept most of the time and was content to play with toys or suck on his pacifier the rest of the time. 

When we first arrived, Cole spent a long time exploring Natalie an Hallie's toy corner. He was mesmerized by all the little pieces.  I really hoped I could catch him with a princess in his mouth for his daddy.  Wouldn't he just love that?!?

Cameron was nice enough to get the baby swing out for a crisp evening swing.  It was Cole's first time in a swing.  He loved it!

That baby needs to grow some hair to keep his head warm!

 

Our visit was just over 24 hours, but it was well worth it.  We love any face time we can get with the family.  Thanks, Wilson's, for opening your house for us.  What fun!

Kids don't do this without an adult

Every time I do a somewhat dangerous trick I tell kids don't try without an adult. Where was my adult today when I put rubber cement on my nose. Yes, I put it on trying a fun trick, and I am having a hard time getting it off. I think this is what a skin peel must feel like. Won't be using this one in any show!

Science Magic Show

I did a magic show today in Jack's class today, Charlotte volunteers there. I had Charlotte & Jack assisting me. I have never had so many tricks fail in a show. I was just glad they were 1st graders because everything I did was awesome to them. It's a good thing I don't charge or I would have had to pay them.

Cole is 10 Months Old!

Cole is 10 months old!  He's full of smiles and easy to make laugh.  He's crawling all over the place and has even started crawling on his hands and knees, instead of his elbows.  He's pulling up on everything he can get his hands on.  Just this week he reached up to the kitchen table.  He loves to watch the people when we're out and about.  At a restaurant, you can find him craning his neck or completely turned around in his chair to check everyone out.  He's eating like a champ and isn't afraid to try anything and everything.  Tonight we had acorn squash, though he was hesitant with it being so stringy.  10 months!  That is dangerously close to a year.  Wow!  It's gone so fast!

 

Our 10 month old Photo Shoot...

 

Cole's mom's favorite shirt he has right now, thanks to Grandma Ellis

Pensive

How our photo shoot REALLY went...

 

Turning aound, standing up on the chair, pulling leaves off the plant

Mesmerized by something very important in the chair

"My mom gave me this toy to hopefully distract me long enough to look at the camera.  It didn't work."
He looks mad/sad in this picture, but really he is wrinkling his nose and snorting.

"Forget pictures.  I'd rather go explore."

Success!!

Now I Get It

I always wondered how single shoes got to be in the middle of the road when I came across them.  Where is the owner?  Do they only have one shoe?  Did they not notice the shoe was missing?

 

Well, I found out today how it happens.  Their mom takes them on a walk, puts shoes on them so their feet stay warm, and then doesn't notice when the shoes fall off.

 

Both Cole's shoes fell off at different times.  The only reason I saw the first one was because I stepped on it.  This second one, in the picture, didn't come to my attention until I was taking Cole out of the stroller at our house.  Luckily, it was just down the street a short ways.  Oh my!

 

Where'd He Learn That?

Sometime in the last few days Cole has learned how to stand up at the front door where there's nothing to pull up on. He loves looking out and making squeaky noises on the glass. He looks so big to me these days...

Beautiful Day

Monday was a gorgeous day! Cole and I took General for a walk and then walked downtown to the post office, bank, and grocery store. When we got home, I thought it'd be fun to put Cole in the grass, really for the first time since he could sit up and crawl. I figured he'd be all over the place, but he stayed put. 

One thing he DID do was immediately put grass and leaves and anything else he could find in his mouth! Yuck! Nothing seemed to deter him. Is this something he just grows out of, or do I have to train him not to do that?

My Laundry Helper

We don't really have a completely "safe" place to leave Cole for very long, so when the dryer beeps, it's down to the basement we both go! I've gotten in the habit of putting Cole in the basket to carry it all up the stairs. Today I put him in the basket before I put the clothes in. He wasn't sure what to think as the clothes started piling up all around him...

 

On a sidenote: I'm about 90% sure I did this entire load without soap. I didn't realize until the next load was going and this one was in the dryer. After smelling the clothes and not finding anything bad, I decided to let it slide this time. To my surprise, they came out just fine. 

Don't worry, this doesn't mean I'm going to stop using detergent, even though it's tempting with my semi-hippie ways these days. ;)

Cole had FIRSTS at Grandpa & Grandma Ellis's house

From Georgann

Dana, Marc and Cole visited us for four days last week.  Dave and I loved every moment of it. We especially liked the times we got to watch Cole - all by ourselves.  On Friday evening, Marc and Dana moved some furniture up to Brad's and Kathryn's and then they all went to dinner together.  We were in charge of Cole.  He was so well behaved and so much fun!

While Cole was here, he experienced a few FIRSTS.  It was the first time he played with pots and pans.  He loved pushing them around by the handles, turning them over, banging them together or with a metal measuring cup.  He entertained us for "hours".

 He had his first tub bath.  He actually had two of them.  I gave him the first one when his mom and dad were away.  He wasn't too sure about the whole thing.  He seemed nervous and unsure under my care.  A couple days later he had his second with his momma supervising.  He liked it.  He splashed. He played with the toys and enjoyed the water.  A much better experience.

Dana loves a fire so we built her one.  It was Cole's first fire!  He enjoyed watching the constant movement of the flames in the safety of his momma's arms.

Before we put Cole to bed one night, he snuggled with Grandpa for a few minutes, watching TV.  Come to find out, that was the first time Cole had watched TV.  Come to find out, he wasn't suppose to watch TV.  Oops!  Actually, it wasn't too big a deal (we hope). It's just that the "experts" say babies shouldn't watch TV for the first two years of life.  Dave and I would never want to harm Cole in any way.  But I will say Grandpa surely enjoyed those minutes with him.