More Kisses Mamma

Last night I asked Cole to do something and he said, "No". So, I told him I was going to get him and give him LOTS of kisses. And so I did! We were both (Cole and I) in fits laughing. I was kissing him all over his neck and cheeks and his back and he was laughing so hard. I'm guessing it tickled. When I stopped he would laugh and point to his chin or neck and say, "More Kisses, Here Mamma" laughing hysterically. This went on for quit awhile until I was out of breath and my stomach hurt from laughing so hard. And Cole fell over and banged his knee on the coffee table - fun over.

Single Momming It....

DJ is in Mexico this week for work (believe me - if I would have had enough vacation saved up I would have gone too!). So it's just Cole and I - and Annie. We both greatly miss DJ and I also miss my early morning runs and not having to do the dishes!

Last night I fixed a plate of baguettes with mozz/tom/basil and a sliced apple. This is a perfect meal for me but Cole spit it out. He ate the entire apple (sharing the skins with Annie) and drank a quart of milk. Hah...

Running after work with the jogger and Annie has been fun but a challenge. The streets in White Rock are nice and wide but with the ice/snow and our "gear" we need the entire street. Cole laughs (when he isn't mad at the sun in his face) hard at Annie running in the water. Running with Cole is a treat for me and him since I usually get up and go with Annie while the rest are still in bed.

I also have been letting the little guy sleep with Mamma. He asked me the first night "Go Night Night Mamma's bed" and of course I fell for it. I don't sleep much - even giving him 3/4 of the bed he still sleeps horizontal and kicks, hits, sits straight up and talks - you name it. I will get an occasional snuggle which is worth all of it! I have been explaining to him every night that this is "special treat" for both of us and he has to go back to his bed when Dadda comes home - we'll see how that flies!

This morning he got up on his own while I was in the bathroom and got a bowl of cheerios and went back to my bed. There was a trail of "O's" all down the hall and a big pile on the bed. I wish I could have seen him trying to get up in my bed with his snack. I am proud of him for fending for himself in the dark!

Cole started a new classroom this week - the "Pre Early Childhood Room" and I am SOO happy for him. His teacher is the best (Ms. Dora - I am sure it helps with the name since Cole loves Dora the Explorer). She is so warm and motherly and only has 6 kids in her room. She is so quiet and calm and is a great fit for Cole. He talks about her and is excited to see her every morning. He has been sitting on the potty at school 2-3 times a day too! What a big boy...

Early Christmas

DJ started a very fun Christmas gift tradition for little Cole when he was a baby. For Cole's first Christmas DJ bought him a caboose for an electric train set and Cole received another Holiday boxcar last year. This year we decided to get him the tracks and engine (the set came with several other cars as well.) The engine even has a whistle and can blow smoke! Next year we will have to buy more tracks so the train can go around the tree.

We let Cole open this gift early (I think Dad was really excited to get it out and start playing.) as actual Christmas Day will be so overwhelming. I am very new to the electric train world and find it a bit intimidating at times - it goes fast! I am paranoid it will fly off the tracks and hit someone or something. Cole of course likes to get the train going as fast as he can to try and derail it. Or, placing his cars on the train tracks as it goes by - which usually results in a crash and then me fixing it. So we have been working "train etiquette" the last couple of days and reminding little Cole we can't be as hard on the train as he is with his cars.

(Meredith - Cole did just have a growth spurt...of course after I went shopping too! He is such a little boy now and no longer a baby at all! Complete sentences and everything - it is amazing!)

Christmas Tree Hunting -

Last weekend we took a drive up to the Jemez Mountains to hunt for our Christmas tree. There was no snow and the weather was beautiful; almost no coat weather - so it did make the activity a lot of fun but very serial. Cole had an absolute blast! He was in charge of measuring the prospects and making sure we didn't go over the permit allowance.

10 Reasons Mommy Loves Cole (Of course there are more....)

1. The way he gives me kisses with a big open mouth.
2. When he puts his arm around me while sitting together and pulls me closer.
3. "Come on Mom, Come on" - when he wants to play. Or "Do this Mamma, Do this..."
4. The random "huggings" of my leg and the way he sweetly says "Mamma".
5. He's just so stinking cute!
6. The way he acts like he doesn't hear me but then later I realize he was listening after-all.
7. When he pats the couch cushion and says, "Sit Down Mamma, Sit.".
8. His sense of humor - for example, when ask, "Cole do we need to change your diaper? You're stinky." Cole's response, "No I didn't, just tooted." Hah...I think we need to get going on potty training. Lazy parents....
9. When he laughs at my silly cheerleader routines and dance moves.
10. He is very much like me! Hah...I get his moods completely.

Powdered White Donuts...YUCK!

Had I known videos were so easy I would have done this a year ago!!! My dad used to give us these donuts when we went on family vacations. He introduced them to Cole last spring and they STILL catch Cole's eyes everytime we go to the store. Thanks Dad! I told Cole on Sunday I needed to go to the store and he said, "Donuts Store Mammma, Please..." So, I couldn't resist.

Thanksgiving @ Pagosa Springs, CO

This year for Thanksgiving DJ, Cole, Annie and I headed to Pagosa Springs with some friends. (Cole's godparents Rob & Natalie Trujillo) We rented a cabin for a couple days and did nothing but relax, eat, have a drink, eat some more, play and then eat again. It was great fun and great company. Cole and "Cousin Sofia" play very well together.