October Memories

Finally...normal Colton programming has resumed. Sorry for the brief hiatus! We've been very busy as you can tell from the following pictures. I think 3 months is my favorite age so far. Of course I'll probably stay that about each stage. He is very social and inquisitive. I call him my little professor because he is constantly looking around and checking things out. Sometimes he is very intense. He has started teething and has 2 teeth bumps that look very painful. He will chew on anything and everything. Unfortunately, I think the teething is causing him to wake up a lot more during the night and we're all very, very tired. We were spoiled for a while because he was sleeping 5-6 hours straight and now it's very sporadic. Hopefully these teeth will emerge soon, but I've heard it can take months. He's getting very close to laughing and giggling and continues to be VERY talkative! He loves to visit while Mom is on the phone. Sometimes, he's so loud that we can't continue our conversations. So fun! He is VERY active and only stops moving when he sleeps. Eating, smiling and playing continue to be full body experiences. Enjoy the pics!

Is this the face of trouble or what? Poor kid - he's grown right out of his 3 months clothes, but I had already changed his outfit several times and didn't want to push the envelope of his patience. So highwaters it is! Thanks Pawpaw for the cool shoes!
Holding my head up so well, now.
I love him in stripes!Trying to talk...
I am growing so fast!

We went to Abilene to visit family and friends a few weeks ago. It was our first out of town trip with the little man. He did great! Thanks, Meme, for letting us stay with you! Here is Colton with Meme's brother, Uncle Ross.
The Abilene wind took my breath away and made my hair stand on end!
My little mohawk man!
This outfit lasted about 5 minutes - he did not like it for some reason that night. However, he did great in it today when we visited a pumpkin patch for a few photos (coming soon). This picture was taken before the big news story about the bumbo chairs. We will be very cautious about using it in the future.

In Abilene, we also stopped by my college friend, Rebekah's house. Her two little girls Natalie and Lily had a good time loving on Colton! Here is Colton with Lily.
Here is Natalie with Colton!
I'm not sure about this Mom! Daddy won't be very happy when he sees me in these necklaces...
Here I am with Meme - my great grandmother!
This is me with Aunt Opal. She's very comfortable!

Got diapers? We love all of our handmade burp cloths! They are being used constantly as Colton has started drooling big time!
Sitting up almost on my own and looking pretty handsome!
We also got to see several of my mommy's cousins. This is my 2nd cousin - Sadie. She is 6 months and so cute!
Hey - we finally caught a cute little grin! Here is Colton with Sadie and her big sister Hannah!
Here I am again with Natalie and Lily! They were pretty fun to play with!

I love riding on Daddy's shoulders! He is so much fun!
Sometimes, Daddy lets me watch tv when Mommy's not looking.
We didn't make it to the State Fair this year, but I wore my "Big Tex" onesie from Miss Heather in honor of opening day! "Howdy, Folks!"
I think I've got a hitch in my get-a-long! "Y'all come back now, you hear!"

Great Book

*** Grandparents and Family *** The following post does not contain any pictures or anecdotes about Colton. Stay tuned and I will resume Colton programming very soon...

This post is about the book I just finished reading. My friend Lisa let me borrow it and I just couldn't put it down. It's called "Same Kind of Different As Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.
The book recounts a true story of an unlikely friendship between a homeless man and a millionaire. I love stories of inspiration especially if they're true!

Has anyone heard the "Mom Song"? It's by a lady who was part of the Women of Faith conference this year, named Anita Renfro (interviewed on KLTY). Here is a video link. Thanks, Michelle! Too funny!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Updated Nursery Photos...

Several friends from work have asked to see Colton's finished nursery since I talked about it so much last year. Here's the grand tour!

Colton's books :) Can you tell I'm a reading teacher?

Colton's Big Boy bed - My friend from school, Nancy, made the beautiful quilt. My dad made the head board (with a matching picket fence bench) for me when I moved to Cincinnati after college. I've had this trundle bed since I was a little girl.
Colton's "decorations" :)

My super talented Aunt Cindy made all the bedding, bumper pads, curtains and pillows. She is amazing!

Mom's Favorite Chair

Changing Table/Dresser and Closet... Our sweet art teacher from last year, Ms. Rowden, made a sign "Welcome to the World, Colton" for my baby shower last May. She does the letters free hand. So talented! I laminated his name and put it up over the closet door.

Colton's Hats... We don't wear them very much because it's hard to cover up all his handsome hair!
This globe is also a lamp. I had it when I was a little girl and it still works.

We're getting close to moving Colton to his room full time. Right now he just takes his naps in the crib and sleeps at night in the bassinet in our room. However, he's starting to get very loud around 3-4 am (snoring, chattering, squeaking). His latest tricks are batting at objects and grabbing onto his toys. He is also talking a LOT! It has got to be the sweetest sound on earth. He usually starts jabbering right before nap time and can go on for 5-10 minutes. So cute!

Weeks 10 and 11

Watching my first Cowboys game with Daddy! I cheered and chattered for the whole first quarter then it was time for bedtime!
I just can't help it! The chicks dig me.
Now, I didn't ask for this. Can't a guy get a little respect?

Allright, Mom - have your fun!

My hands are my new favorite toy. They keep me entertained and a little puzzled.

No swaddle can contain me - I'm "Super Baby"
My first pair of sunglasses.
Mom will post more later. Now it's time to eat!

Colton Smiles

My sweet friend and Colton's babysitter, Jenilee, was able to catch him smiling in his swing the other day. He is now adding a squeal with each smile. He's cooing, gurgling, chuckling and chattering - the sweetest sounds on earth! Lately, when I sing "You Are My Sunshine" or "Old McDonald Had a Farm" he tries to join in. It's either a "mom stop singing noise" or "his version of harmonizing"! So cute. He's also trying to mimic our facial expressions. He's got the smiling down and today he started sticking out his tongue. Again, we need to catch those moments on video. Does anyone know of a good site to save videos and pictures? I would like to be able to share them with family and let them download from there as well.

Two Months Old!

Here is Colton on his TWO MONTH birthday! We had his two month check up on Friday and he did great even with 3 shots. He is now 11 lbs 14.5 oz (50th percentile) - 24 1/4 inches long (90th percentile) - head 15 1/4 inches (20th percentile). We think he's just perfect! I'm not sure if he's really 24 inches long or if his hair adds an extra inch or two :).

Church outfit - so handsome in plaid! I love his expression here - he looks like he knows something that we don't know.
Almost a smile! We're having trouble "catching" it on film because my digital camera is too slow. I'm thinking about buying a disposable camera with a quicker shutter time just to capture it!


Are we done yet???

Weeks 7 and 8

Stretching like Superman!
Playing with Daddy!
My "football watching" outfit! He wore this in honor of his dad's most favorite day in the whole world (besides Colton's birthday of course) the start of football season!
Colton at 8 weeks! (His shirt says "probably the best baby in the world"!)

We survived our first week of school. Colton did great with the babysitter. Unfortunately his mom cried all the way to work the first day...I just missed him so much! Thankfully, my sweet colleagues went out of their way to welcome me back and were careful not to mention the b or C word (baby or Colton). Here are a few of Colton's latest pics from weeks 7 and 8. It's so hard to believe he's been around for almost 2 months! I had to put away all of his newborn clothes. He's now wearing 0-3 months, and some 3-6 months outfits.

Here are the things I want to remember about this stage in Colton's life ~

• The way he stretches like Superman when he wakes up.


• He has just noticed his feet. They are fascinating to him. Today I put socks on them and it just rocked his world!


• He has sweet but stinky hands. I guess it's because they are always in fists. The smell nearly knocks me out every time. Needless to say, I wash his hands constantly!


• I suppose only a mom can think this is cute, but he smiles when he tinkles on himself. Just today he managed to get some on his face and just smiled like he was so proud.


• He is noticing sounds and loves to watch and listen to his Ocean Aquarium. He fusses when it goes off.


• He loves his mobiles and is so observant!


• Sometimes when he cries and I smile really big at him, he will smile back right in the middle of crying and then go right back to crying again.


• I LOVE the way he smiles and it takes over his whole face! It just lights up my world! That boy can have anything he wants!


• He eats with his whole body - it's a toe curling, hair-grabbing, body-twisting experience!

Back to Work...

Some friends of mine from ACU have a 2 week old son named Bennett. He was born with some health concerns and is in the NICU. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. He has been on my heart a lot and I just cannot imagine what they are going through. Every time I look at Colton, I thank God for his health and that he was able to come home with us from the beginning. Here are some sites with updated prayer requests for Bennett.

http://www.totsites.com/tot/bennettmitchell

http://www.prayingforbennett.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow is the big day. I return to work part time. I couldn't ask for a better babysitter for Colton and know that he will be in great hands - but I'm going to miss him so much. I'm thankful for such a great work schedule and the fact that Jenilee will come to our home to care for Colton. If you have a moment tonight or tomorrow, say a prayer for us as we begin this new schedule.