Team G: July 2010

Just a year ago, Brian rushed me to the hospital and Cole arrived 20 minutes later. Now our "baby" is ONE. In the past 12 months, we've managed to hit some of life's most pivotal events, including having a baby, moving, losing a loved one, and enduring a deployment. Can you think of anything else to add to our plate?!

Luckily, we LOVE having Cole on our plate. He's our little bundle of happiness, always smiling and always making US smile. (Well, except when he's teething. Then no one smiles.)

His birthday was quite an event. I planned our summer trip so we could celebrate the day here in Iowa, surrounded with love and support of family. Therefore, it only made sense to go with a farm theme because, well, we're on a farm and it saved me on decorations.

Cut me a break on the backwards 1, please.

Cole grinned from ear to ear from start to finish. Favorite moments include playing with wrapping paper, crawling up and down his new roller coaster ramp, devouring the graham crackers from his barn cake, and taking a nice long nap to recuperate. However, Daddy brought the biggest smile of the day. As soon as Cole saw Brian's face on the computer screen, he clapped and reached for him. What a memorable moment.

Hi Dad!

This is huge...is it a car?

Not a car...but a roller coaster will do.

He doesn't like it AT ALL.

Sporting the Marine bib from Dad

Check it out; Brian is in the pic too!

No more photos...let's eat.

Bewildered

He went straight for the graham cracker roof

Did any of the cake make it into his mouth?!

Grandma arrived!

Great Papa, red is your color.

His beautiful cousins, Gabrielle (13) and Allie (11)

I don't need a bath, Mom. I'm cool.

Post-party Gator rides with me at the wheel...hold on ladies...

Caden was not sure what to make of Cole's birthday. I thought I had aptly prepped him, but we still had some issues. He was pretty hyper with all the other kids around, not to mention he didn't understand why he couldn't eat cake and open presents on HIS terms. But, he's 3...what can you do. He did personally wrap a present for Cole. Oh, but wait...he unwrapped it also and threw it aside before Cole even saw it. Hmmm. Right idea, kinda.

Who needs the toy when we can play in the box.

This is the 2nd time Caden blew out his candle.

Apparently Cole did not receive the memo that he should walk by age 1. I suspect that he can, and just prefers to keep it under wraps. He loves to sit on the floor and out-stretch his arms with beckoning eyes, so we'll carry him. It's ridiculously cute, and manipulating. Nobody can resist his thick blond hair and blue eyes, and his sweet little waving and clapping. He recently started climbing on top of boxes, furniture, and chairs, so we really have to keep eyes on the monkey. He is a daredevil on his birthday roller coaster. He crawls up and down the ramp like it's his personal race track. He said his first real word, "hi" this past month.

I'm also proud to say that he's already a farm boy at heart. He wants to be outside 24/7. He stands at the backdoor glass wistfully when we're in the house. And if he sees Caden get a ride and he doesn't, a tantrum ensues. Earlier today, he screamed and literally tried to hit his head on the floor when Mom brought him inside from riding the John Deere Gator. Motorhead was MAD. He just loves anything with an engine, especially the Gator. He sits next to us, buckled in, and barely moves, content as can be. He tries to catch the wind with his hands.

This is the only hat he will wear. Go figure...it's John Deere.

Helping Grandma and Papa with a tree trimming job

He looks right at home

Mingling with the cattle.

Mom's ribbon for Brian

His first time baling hay

Uncle Jeff shows Cade how to excavate

Uncles Jeff's toys are pretty big.

I suppose I should touch on the events from earlier this month, like July 4th. Has it been that long since I blogged?! I mean, it's not like we're busy or anything. (Riiiiight.)

Fourth of July ended up being pretty good. This is one of Brian's favorite holidays, so of course he was in our thoughts a lot. In his honor, Caden and I wasted about 300 Pop Pop fireworks in our driveway. We also went swimming in the pool and sent Brian a pic of our festivities. I was hesitant to drag little Cole to the late night fireworks display but didn't want to deprive Caden. So Caden won. We drove to base and walked to the celebration with some other deployed families from Stroller Warriors. We enjoyed a yummy potluck and let the kiddos play until the fireworks began. Cole ended up loving the fireworks almost as much as Caden. Not only was he NOT scared, I think he would have watched them even longer.

At one point, he just dumped the bowl and stomped on them.

What a face.

Does this pool have a size limit? Don't answer that.

Cole, that isn't even our toy.

Getting tired but hanging in there

Getting comfy before the show

Wait...didn't I take that photo last year?! YEP...check it out!

Definitely appreciate the Stroller Warriors making the holiday special. We recently decided to be Kayak Warriors for a day, minus the kiddos. We rented boats on base and gave our legs a rest (and our Motherly instincts) while we enjoyed a quiet 3 hours on the water. None of us drowned, and we didn't see an alligator either. I was disappointed. (I mean, about not seeing alligators. Of course I don't want someone to drown. Sheesh.)

This is a brackish water channel that extends onto base

Stroller Warriors is still thriving and we have over 100 members now. I had to say goodbye to my first member and my assistant last month, and she was so good that I replaced her with 2. They are holding the fort down while I'm gone. I'm maintaining my marathon training in the meantime, although the Iowa humidity and steep hills are raising my heart rate, and hopefully my endurance.

Miss you Kim

What a group!

We left for Iowa on July 14th. How was the trip? Well, would you believe me if I said, FANTASTIC?! Yep, my boys are travel all-stars. For the first time ever, Caden did NOT freak out at security. At that point, I felt like I had already won. Cole was wound up for that first 45-minute leg, but it was manageable, and quiet (yes, you read correctly...QUIET) Caden played with his new Nascar race cars. Our layover was short in Charlotte and I sort of regretted leaving the BOB Duallie Stroller behind for the long terminal. But Caden's little legs can MOVE. We made it to our gate and even had time to get Cinnabon (the only reason I fly). Cole fought his nap for the 30 minutes of the second flight, but didn't cry...just fussed. He finally gave in and slept for over an hour. I couldn't feel my butt, but that's a fair price to pay. Caden watched the Penguins of Madagascar and chatted with the sweet Grandma beside us about going to Iowa.

My Mom picked us up in Kansas City so we still had a 3-hour journey home, but at least then I could truly breathe. No more flights, no more airports. Just a fun easy road trip with my Mom at my side and the sleeping kids in the backseat. We even got to have lunch with my good friend from KU, Jordan. It was probably the most hectic lunch she's ever had with Caden running circles around tables. Perhaps it made the waitress dizzy because she dropped an entire tray of food on Jordan's purse. Impressive. But Jordan claims that she still loves me and would do it again (but will probably leave the designer purse home).

A storm greeted us our first day home

Happy belated birthday, Jordan!

Both boys have adjusted splendidly to Iowa. They are sleeping through the night and playing hard by day. Caden snags rides from Mom and Dad whenever he can, be it the skid loader, the tractor, the lawnmower, or the Gator. He just loves farm vehicles. He loves them so much, he wants every toy replica. About a month ago, he started informing my parents via Webcam that they needed to get him a John Deere sprayer. We have no clue what prompted this, but Dad willingly abided. Well, apparently the dinky pull-behind wasn't good enough because Cade spotted the BIG tractor sprayer in his little John Deere toy catalogue. "I want THAT," he said. We told him that would have to be a Christmas present from Santa. Later that day, he said, "Mommy, I think it's Christmas tomorrow." Oh really Caden...Christmas in July?! He insisted it was. I told him there was no snow. He yelled for my Dad and said, "Papa, there's no snow. We need snow." Oh my. Such tall orders for Papa.

Now he just needs some real chemicals to play with.

Papa...you shorted me. I spy a BIGGER sprayer.

When Caden strays from riding the farm vehicles, he hangs in the house watching the movie Wall-E or wrestling with Cole. Aside from the birthday jealousy, he actually really likes Cole as of late. He's randomly hugs him. Well, it's more like a headlock, which is fitting since that's what they enjoy most together...wrestling. Yep, my 1-year-old is already taking on big bro. Cole is actually pretty strong for a little guy and his best move (and only move) is the dive. But Caden has a better move that involves smothering. Uh hem. I have to be on the ball.

Brotherly love

They wrestle the kitty too

Brian prefers to not wear a shirt...is it possible this is genetic?!

The kids had to scale back the wrestling while their younger cousins stayed over. My cousin Angie and her family participated in Ragbraii and needed somewhere for Bailey (2 1/2) and Colton (11 months) to stay. We volunteered, with a big gulp, to watch all 4 kids, under the age of 4, for 3 days. My Dad started looking for accommodations elsewhere. We actually managed quite well, as long as we didn't let Cole tackle Colton. Just glad we could help out and it was neat for Caden and Bailey to bond. The morning after they left, Caden asked "Where's Baywee? Where's my buddy?"

Buddies

I guess the only other major thing to speak of is the kitchen makeover. I'm not sure if you remember the green kitchen or not. The prior owners meant well but missed the mark. Actually, I think they missed the planet. Green must GO.

I will be excited to get back to Jacksonville and start decorating. I'm doing a wine/bike theme. If you have an old rusty bike, send it my way. I have plans...

But for now, we'll enjoy our long visit in Iowa. Much love and hope to see you.

Snugglies