Fall Fun/Fourteen Months

As I mentioned in my last post Fall is my favorite time of the year.  The weather, the colors, the upcoming holidays...I love it all.

This fall, the weather has been exceptionally beautiful so we have had time to do lots of fun things.

We took our last trip to the lake for the season the weekend of October 14th.  We had PERFECT weather for a fall lake trip, it was in the 60-70's and sunny.  Definitely not swiming weather but great for a trip on the boat in short sleeves and jeans. 

Kolten had a BLAST...he did not even mind wearing the life jacket this time.  His favorite thing to do was sit in the captin's seat and steer. 

 We went out on the boat several times, but one of the days(not sure which one) we stopped off at one of the Islands so the kids could walk around...Kolten LOVED the rocks, keeping them out of his mouth was the hard part.

 The whole gang minus Granny Lorrie who was taking the picture and Jack and Norma who were back at the house.

 The boys went fishing with Granny and look what they caught!!!!

 We had lots of fun in the house too, the kids got along great...so great that we could stick them all in one pack and play and go on our merry way....KIDDING...but it sounds like a great idea right???  The fun lasted about 3 minutes before they wanted out:)

 If the TV was turned on this is what Graham and Kolten were doing....good to know that Kolten is not the only one who goes into a TV trance

It's been awhile

Time must be moving at rapid speeds because it seems like only yesterday I posted about Kolten walking and it has been over a month!

Needless to say, since he has been walking we have been VERY busy around here.  So what have we been doing you ask? 

 Playing outside.  Kolten LOVES to be outside and being that it is fall I love being out there with him.

He likes shooting hoops on the basketball goal Auntie gave him for his birthday. 

And who doesn't play basketball with a screwdriver? 

Bryce has taught him how to "slam dunk" he usually does this on his small basketball goal in the bathtub.  He gets so proud of himself that clapping is not enough, he has to give himself a couple of chest pumps too. 

He also likes to drive his Mickey Car.  He knows, how to push the button and make it go already.  However, I am scared the child might have his daddy's driving skills.

Bryce's grandparents gave us Bryce's old tractor from when he was a kid which is pretty cool. It is the heaviest dang thing and I honestly thought I would just take a few pictures of Kolten on it because of its "vintage" feel, but Kolten actually LOVES to play on it.  The pedals and steering are broken, but Kolten does not seem to mind.(not like he could reach the pedals anyways).

When we went to Kolten's daycare open house the teacher told us that he likes to color.  Me being a naive first mom would have never thought a 1 year old would want to color but took her word for it and picked up some coloring pages and "toddler crayons" the next time I was at the store and we gave it a run....(outside of course)

He actually did color some, but I think he got more of a thrill out of putting the crayons in his mouth and walking around with them in his hands than actually coloring his pages. 

When he is not outside, he has several things he likes to do inside.  Top of the list is still BOOKS! He loves to be read to or just flip though a book on his own.  However, on is NEVER enough.  We must get out ALL of the books in the cabinet.  

 He obviously did not like the fact that I was not reading the book to him so he came after me.

He also LOVES to watch TV. (No judgements please) Mickey is still a favorite, but just recently Toy Story has started to dominate.  I think I have watched Toy Story 3 10 times now.

 Don't even think about trying to get his attention while it is on either...NOT HAPPENING.

\

His favorite toys for inside right now are probably his tool box and mickey ride on car, but he is pretty good about going from one thing to another.

He also LOVES playing hide n seek,"you can't get me" and peek-a-boo.  He will put his hands over his eyes(or sometimes ears) and just laugh and laugh.

At his last check-up he weighed 26 lbs(83%) and was 28 inches tall(5%).  He is doing better about eating different things, but his meal of choice is a peanut butter sandwich, cheese, and any fruit you have handy.  He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES grapes and bananas.

He rambles ALL the time and will sometimes repeat what you ask him to say, but I would say he consistently says a total of about 12 words.  If he sees a cow or you ask him what one says he will "moo" at you and we are also working on monster sounds for his halloween costume. 

He is in a size 12-18 months shirt and pant(can still wear some 6-12 pants because of length) and a size 5w shoe(he can wear some regulars).  He is still a major "mama's" boy unless Pop is around and then the whole world disappears.  If we show up at Grammy and Pop's house and he does not see Pop, the search is on.  He will look everywhere until he is convinced he is not home. 

Daycare drop offs are still no fun, he would much rather be at home but I think once I leave he is fine.  And he is NOT rotten at all...I mean just look at that face.

An Official Walker...

I'm Walking.....

"Somday I'll jump through puddles,

Take a stroll or run a race.

Someday I'll walk across the street, or maybe walk in space.

Someday I'll scale a mountain,

maybe two or more.

Someday I'll walk a tightrop

Or explore the ocean floor.

Someday these feet will do some things,

That only heaven knows,

But for today my feet are happy

Cause they're finally on the GO!

As you know, Kolten has been taking consecutive steps for sometime now.  However, I would say today we have an official "walker."  He is turning around, getting up on his own and even going down steps(don't worry, just the small ones).  If we thought we needed to be on our toes before, we REALLY do now!! Hard to believe how big our little man is!!

Oh what a Year!!

Dear Little Kolt Bear-

One year ago today, at this very moment, you, daddy and I were making our very first memories as a family.  I was feeding you your very first bottle and daddy was watching and talking about how "cute" you were...and I could not agree more.  It almost felt like you had always been there, like you just "fit" perfectly into our lives.  All I can remember thinking is how beautiful you were.  A perfectly pink, perfectly healthy beautiful baby boy.  I felt so blessed to have you and to be your mommy. 

You were born on August 30, 2010 at 7:19 pm.  You weighed 6lbs 13oz and measured 19 inches long.  You were three weeks early and not quite ready to leave the comfort of mommy's belly so Dr. Foster had to perform a C-section.  I was a little nervous since it was so early, but when you arrived you were a perfect, healthy, tiny little baby. 

 Mommy meeting you for the first time.

 Daddy was the first person to hold you since you were born via C-section and I was being sewed up.  He was so proud of you. 

There were lots of people anxiously waiting to meet you.  You see, mommy had been in labor for 12 hours and then after the C-section you, mommy, and daddy were in "recovery" for an hour so finally after 14 hours we got to introduce you to some of your biggest fans.

Daddy changing one of your first diapers.  You pottied on him the first time, so he was warming up the wipe:)

While we were in the hospital daddy had to go out and buy you a new "going home outfit" because you were much smaller than we thought you would be.  We were expecting a huge baby, but boy were we wrong.  We took you home on Grammy's birthday, September 2nd.  At the time we lived in your Great-Great Grandmas house becuase we were building our new house.  I think daddy drove slower than he ever had in his entire life on the way home.  He was so scared something might happen with you in the car. 

For the first couple of weeks it felt like all you did was sleep, and all I did was watch you.  It was amazing...you could entertain me for hours by just watching you breath.  I was so in love with you.  You had taken my heart and made it so complete.  At about week three, you started having some belly issues.  You would get so upset in the evening and the only thing that would make you feel better was "gripe water" and your swing.  You LOVED your swing, you could stay in that thing for hours and be perfectly content.  You were sleeping about 3-4 hours at night and eating about every 2 to 3 hours. 

By October you really started to grow, on your 2 month check up you weight 12lbs and 7 oz, in the 75% for weight and measured 213/4 inches long in the 15% in height.  You slept about 4 1/2-5 hours on average at night and ate every 4 hours.

By Christmas your belly started feeling better and you were a much happier little man.  We had a "White Christmas" for your first christmas.  There was not TONS of snow, but just enough to make it look pretty outside.  You were really starting to "ohh" and "aww" and loved hitting your toys in your bouncy seat.

 Watching football with daddy was one of your favorite things to do.

 Your first visit from Santa!!!

The first time you tried cereal, you were not very thrilled about it.  You would much rather have a bottle.

As you continued to grow, I felt my heart grow bigger and bigger.  It was like every new thing you did was the most exciting moment in the world.  You were so much fun and such a happy smiley little guy.  By March you were doing all kinds of new tricks.  You said "mama" and "dada", LOVED giving mommy big kisses(which melted my heart every time) and were holding yourself up.  You still were not a big fan of sleep, but by this time we had moved into our new house so you were able to sleep in mommy and daddys room with them.  You weighed 20lbs and were 26 inches long.

By June, you were everywhere!!  Crawling all over the place like such a big boy.  We had taken our first family vaction to Florida and you loved the pool.  Daddy would throw you up in the air and you would laugh so hard.  You loved your horse and your monkey and you were clapping your hands together for "patty cake."  You were a HUGE "mommy's boy" and I could not be more proud of you.

You started sleeping much better and were eating "big boy" foods from the table.  Your favorites were crackers and puffs...or anything crunchy in general. 

Here we are in August, and you have grown into a little toddler.  You are taking steps and becoming much more independent.  This has been the most exciting year of mommy and daddy's life thanks to you little man.  We both love you so much.   You have brought so much joy and happiness to our lives and we are so so blessed to have you.  We are excited to watch you grow and will do our best to help guide you in this crazy world.  Please remember that we are ALWAYS here for you and no matter what you do, we will always love you     I will leave you with some words I want you to remember from a very wise little bear named Winnie the Pooh.

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must ALWAYS remember.  You are Braver than you believe,

Stronger than you seem,

and Smarter than you think,

but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.......

I'll ALWAYS be with you.

Happy First Birthday Kolten James!!!

Love, Mommy