Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend Colt got to play with his cousins.  Aaron had a great idea to get the kids together and go to the Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch in Clanton, AL.  It was our first time, and needless to say, we had a blast!  Colt was running around everywhere and even tried to join a birthday party there.  When he saw those pumpkins, it was on!  He would run so fast towards one and inevitably trip on the vines.  Then, get up, wipe his hands off  and go at it again.  He is a resilient and determined young boy!  Colt found so many he wanted to take home.  He especially liked the green and orange pumpkins.  Aubrey found a big pumpkin!  Lily and Jackson chose cute, smaller ones which was smart given how much more walking we still had.  "Truck" is Colt's favorite word right now, and he saw lots of them.  He also experienced funnel cake for the very first time (only a pinch)!  Aubrey, Lily, and Jackson went on a pony and train ride while Colt enjoyed all the animals at the petting zoo, especially the flipping lemur.  We had a great Sunday afternoon with the Dithmers!

 Funnel Cake!

Sharing is caring ;)

Yummy, yummy

Colt is full of smiles! 

 On the hunt...

I think Jackson found a winner!

Ttttrrrrrruck...

Aaron smiling for everyone :)

Yay for the pumpkin patch!

18 Months & Fall is here!

Fall is here!  It is my favorite time of the year -- perfect temperatures, low humidity, leaves falling.  Colt has had so much fun enjoying the beautiful weather.  He does not play when it comes to fun ;).  On the weekends, we feed the ducks, go to the playground, and swing in the front yard.  Colt is serious about his swinging.  If you try to stop before he is ready, he pushes out his hands and says "No, No, No."  

Bless his heart -- the teeth continue to come in.  We think he is getting his two year molars early.  He is constantly sticking his fingers back there.  After that, I think we are done!  It seems like every day he learns a new word -- cracker, eye, car, turtle, fire truck, shoe.  At school, he is the most talkative kid in the class.  One of teachers told me he was going to be a politician.  I don't know about that, but he certainly is expressive!  Here are some cute moments...

Daddy, the tickle monster!

Ready, Set, GO!!!!

He could be the CUTEST boy in the WORLD!!!!  (I know I am biased)

Lastly, Colt says HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE TY!!!  We ruv ruuuuu!

Coltman Update!!!

Our brave little boy has been intensley teething for over two months now.  At first, we thought it was just the 4 molars... then, it was 2 incisors, 2 more bottom front teeth, 2 top teeth next to the molars, and now, 1 more bottom tooth.  This has been going on since late July/August!  The incisors cut a few weeks ago but have been slow to descend.  I can tell he is in pain right now.  He is such a sweet, happy boy.  At times, he is a little off -- little things upset him, happy to sad very quickly, and wanting to held.  I thought surely he does not have more teeth coming in... I was wrong!  He has a mouth full of teeth and only lacks a few more.  At his last doctor's checkup, Dr. Peters said he would probably need braces -- yay!  Surprisingly, it is not from the thumb sucking but rather the lack of space in between teeth.

Mom, I really think I am too big for this ;)

I see you Uncle Ty...

 Playing in the front yard

Beautiful blue eyes!

 I love the laundry basket -- especially climbing on it.

Playing at Caleb's birthday party

Splish Splash

Colt will be 18 months at the end of this month.  The past year and a half has flown by.  We love our little man so much.  He is such a joy!!!  His personality continues to blossum.  He loves to feel strong and move things.  At school, he moves tables and even tries to pick them up.  They have been very impressed with his SUPER Colt strength ;).  Ms. Tracy also brags that he is the best little helper.  After snack time, Colt always helps clean up and put napkins in the trash.  He also likes to help put on his shoes and attach the velcro.  Colt is constantly changing and learning new things.  He is always talking although we do not understand all of it.  Here are most of the words he has down:

mama                                                                                                 Pointing to and saying "bird"
dada
cece
woof
gigi
papa
nigh nigh
bird
boat
abbey
baby
moo
hey
bye bye
dakota
apple juice
more
move
what's this
woo-woo (humphrey)
see
cookie
ball
uh-oh
happy
no
tandku (thank you)
yummy

Having fun swinging!!!

This little smartie pants empties out all of his legos.  Takes the box to the dog gate. 

Turns it over and climbs on top.  Needless to say, we are in trouble!

I know I am biased but he really is the sweetest little boy!  He gives kisses and hugs freely.  Derek has already put him to work.  His first and only chore right now is feeding the dogs.  In the morning and at night, he takes the food from the container to their dog bowls.  He really does enjoy it and of course, we praise him extensively for his good job!  Here are a few other fun facts about our Coltman.

Favorite food: raspberries and peaches
Favorite toy: his truck
Favorite non-toy: toss up among the laudry basket, remote control, and pots/pans
Favorite activity: the playground!  (he plays hard)
Favorite Colt Daddy activity: feeding the ducks
Favorite Colt Mommy activity: pulling my hair

Colt is still a solid little boy. He is in 2Ts right now but I think I am going to buy 3T for fall/winter.  He usually loves his food but the teething has thrown him off.  We have been starting every meal with a popsicle to help numb his gums.  Otherwise, he will not eat much at all.  I enjoyed nursing him so much and love providing for him in that way... so I have been trying to pick up my cooking game.  I think my boys have noticed ;).  Here are a couple of my recent dishes:

Chicken-Spinach Casserole

Southwestern Breakfast Braid 

Eating at Habaneros

Playing with the straw

Yummy milk

Excited the food has arrived!

He actually ate the green bell pepper.

After Labor Day, Colt moved from Infant II to Toddler I.  It has been a good transition except for the naps.  He has been down to one nap a day for about a few weeks but he wants to take it at 9:30/10 not 11/11:30.  They have a class schedule and 11:30-1 is the nap time.  He gets grouchy.  I am sure he will adjust soon.  He has done great with the nap mat.  I knew he would but it was hard to picture him not in the crib.  Ms. Tracy and Renika are great!!!  We have been very pleased with Vestavia Baptist Child Development Center.

Sleeping on his nap mat for the first time :)

When Colt was first born, I remember wondering about who he would become.  We have been so busy lately that I have not really thought about it.  Although I have had the thought many times, I hope his wife and I get along ;).  This article and the comments at the end got me thinking about it again.

http://www.raisingarrows.net/2012/09/the-epidemic-of-stupid-men-and-useless-fathers/

Limiting and monitoring television time is of course important.  But, I think more than anything it is home life.  If boys have good, strong male figures, then they are more likely to develop and adopt those values/attributes.  Some of the comments go on about how a woman can change or lift up a man.  Sounds like a bad country music song to me.  Supporting one another is essential, but there is difference between support and one person being overly burdened with responsibility.  No person or marriage is perfect but you have to care, be engaged, and work at it.  Colt is blessed to have such wonderful male figures -- Derek, Ralph, and my dad.  Everyday Derek spends one-on-one time with Colt while I get ready in the morning.  He works 24/7 to provide for us but at the same time, priortizes us over everything else in the world.  Derek stops everything to play, read books, eat dinner, and bath our little man.  He is emotionally, physically, and financially supportive.  In my opinion, that makes him the strong male figure that Colt needs and is lucky to have.  We love you Daddy!!!!

Fun story time with PaPa

Hanging out with CeCe and Woof Daddy at Bluff Park

The day before Daddy cut off his luscious locks :(

Lastly, on the grandparent front, Colt is very proud his PaPa for writing "The Brain Fix" -- although he was hoping for a dedication or something ;).  Ralph helps a lot of people and their families recover from terrible illnesses.  We have mixed emotions about my parents moving to the beach.  We will miss having them close but look forward to visiting them at the beach.  Colt has been worried about his CeCe and her gallbladder.  He is a man on the move and needs his CeCe at full capacity to keep up.

We are so in love with Colt and his cute, playful personality.  Thank you to all our friends and family for their love and support.  It has been an incredible journey, and we are excited to continue on it.

Love,
Jess

15 months & we miss dada

Derek and Ralph are on their quest to visit all the baseball stadiums in the USA right now.  It's a mid-west road trip this year.  I know they are having fun but we still miss dada... Colt was 15 months on Tuesday, June 26th.  We had his check-up and he is moving right along :).  I was looking over his blue form for school and counted 22 vaccinations since he was born.  Isn't that crazy!?!?!  He got two shots at the visit and was one brave little boy.  We stretched out several of the vaccinations because at some of his well-baby check-ups, he would have received 6 or more.  Dr. Peters is very pleased with his motor and verbal skills.  He is quite the climber these days.  "More" is one of his favorite words.

Look at me mom.  I'm on my tip toes!

I love my truck.

Once he climbs to the top, he gets so happy and claps... then usually falls! 

No worries.  Mommy was ready.

Colt has a fascination with wheels.  He loves to make them go round and round. 

We cannot wait for Derek to safely return home.  

We love and miss you! ~ Jess

Father's Day 2012

We had a wonderful Father's Day!  The Coltman is a fantastic alarm clock -- 6:00 am every morning.  Derek is such a sweetheart and usually lets me sleep in on Saturday or Sunday.  Well, I tried to return the favor on his special day, but Colt was too excited to see his daddy and made it known -- making as much noise as possible.  Derek got about an extra hour of sleep.  That counts, right?!?!  We started the day off with basketball!!!
  

                                               

Slam Dunk!

The box is super fun too!

Humphrey needed some love :)

Then, came breakfast.  This is one my favorite new recipes.  So easy and simple.  Here is the blog where I have gotten some great recipes.  This particular dish is nice because instead of sausage you can do a veggie delight with mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach... Very yummy!  I halve the recipe and use the rest of the crescent rolls with lunch or dinner.
http://www.plainchicken.com/2012/03/breakfast-bake.html

                                           
                                           Smells good!  Even big boys need scooby-snacks ;)

After Colt's morning nap, we were off to The ZOO!!!  We had a great time but it was a little hot.

Mama, look it's Humphrey's cousin.

War Eagle!

Dad, do you see those zebras?

"Bird" -- one of his favorite new words

Derek surprised when Colt said "giraffe"

More birds (parrots) as we were leaving.  

Colt loves my sunglasses.  So much more entertaining until they brake...

Colt is learning new words everyday but is still not able to fully express himself.  However, it is very clear from his hugs and kisses that he loves his daddy very much!  

Happy Father's Day to the BEST DADDY a boy could ask for!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a walk down memory lane...

We love you dada, daddy, husband, dc, d-rock, derek. ~ Jess