This Moment:: Wasn't me!

Cool Colby

I have lots of pictures to share and not a lot of time to write...so how about a few days of pictures to finish off the week?

ps. no time to edit sorry :(
pps. Yes, he had 5 stitches after slipping into the brick hearth...shhh don't tell Nana!

This Moment::Sidelines

Colby...We Hear You!!

At almost 18 months old, Colby G makes himself known. 

"AH, AH, AH!!" 

That's his way of pointing out something interesting, asking for help, wanting food, well...just about anything. We hear that ALL. DAY. LONG.

He also calls his buddy, "Ey-ya" and Ella comes a running. He answers nearly every question with an enthusiastic, "Yeah!" 

Once I start to dry my hair he sticks to me like a monkey, for fear I'll sneak out on him. 

He loves, loves, loves to be outside. Still a dancing fool and if you read him a book you'll be friends for life. He follows close behind the big kids intently mimicking their every move. 

He makes us laugh. He makes us pull our hair out in frustration. Mostly he just makes us so thankful. 

My Baby

 No matter how big he gets, he will always be my baby - whether he likes it or not.  He knows when Im getting ready to leave. He clings on to me, or runs to get his shoes. I have left him more than I have left any of my other babies.

Momma guilt is tough. 

 But, despite my neglecting him :) He is happy! He is a smiling, dancing, laughing baby. He makes our days better as he has since the day he was born. 

Tonight will be the second night in a row that someone other than me puts him to sleep. Although it breaks my heart, I know that my mother, father, and his awesome daddy around him can only make him happier. 

So I guess I can live with that guilt.  

These Two

Oh these two. They are going to be trouble, I tell ya. Three mornings a week they rule the roost. Colby, usually left to his own devices while the 3 kids play, is called upon as Tyler's playmate. I use the word "playmate" loosely....maybe "toy" would be more appropriate, or perhaps "victim."

It must be said that Colby is beginning to hold his own against the T-Bone. He yells back at Tyler, pinches his cheeks and tackles him when he is on the floor. He is 14 months old. And that is why we are going to be in trouble. Has Tyler met his match? Only time will tell.

In the meantime Im focusing on the tender moments, like the one above. Sometimes, for a minute, they are sweet together. Loads of kisses and hugs, sharing a love for the snack cabinet, and dancing away to music.

These two...

This Moment:: Stop Taking My Picture!

Colby to the G

 Im pretty sure he knows he's cute. He strikes a pose when he sees the camera out, shoots coy little smiles when he does a trick, and plays peek-a-boo with a face you could just devour. It's a good thing too.

You see this little perfect baby of mine has a few phases working right now that I could do without. I know, I know...it is just a phase...it will pass. But geesh. He follows me around most of the day and grabs onto my pant legs. When he gets a good grip, the whining starts. And.It.Doesn't.Stop.
And the baby who used to plop into his crib with a nippy and a kiss now requires me to stand next to his crib until he falls asleep. I don't do that. At least I never did before and never thought I would.

If he is outside he is happy. Lucky for him we are out a lot.

Like I said, good thing he is cute! xoxo

This Moment:: Sandy Baby on a Beach

{Belated} Birthday Boy

I took these pictures while blueberry picking a few days before Colby's 1st Birthday. He was walking all over the fields, bucket in hand like he owned the place. At first, I was carefully breaking the berries in half and feeding him one at a time - because he is a baby and all. 

But, he quickly learned to pick the berries and shove them in his mouth - green, blue, stems, leaves - no matter. 

Before long he figured out it was more efficient to find a big brother or sister and steal a handful from their buckets. 

This is who Colby is. 

He is fiercely independent, determined, and brave. He is a dancing, ball throwing, hair pulling, hugging machine. We all adore him and continue to fight over who gets to hug him first, or make him laugh, or bring him a toy.

As an infant he melted into our hearts with his quick smiles and easy going personality. Now he has us all wrapped around his little fingers and he knows it. 

Happy Birthday Colby! 

You have brought us so much joy and love this year...xoxo

Baby Boy

 Did I forget to mention my baby boy Colby turned 11 months a few weeks ago? 

 He is always eating. Always. As a result his face is always messy - why keep wiping if he is still eating? 

He'll have whatever your having. Chicken, fish, steak, veggies and of course fruit galore. Baby food now comes in squeezable little pouches - he starts sucking and doesn't stop until it is empty! 

And don't even think about eating ice cream in front of him without sharing! 

 As soon as the music starts he dances. He waves his hands in the air like he just don't care! Except he always stops to check if your watching...my boy likes an audience. He also slaps his belly and knees to help with the beat. We love it. 

He is OBSESSED with dogs. He chases them (at a sadly slow pace) shouting his attempt at "dog!" He also says "woof woof." We are working on patting gently, as his petting style is currently the "grab a handful of fur and don't let go" method. Thank goodness we have a plethora of nice doggies around. In fact, the kids have been around so many dogs this summer, they started treating Colby like a puppy. 

"Come here boy!" 

"Sit, Colby, sit!" 

And yes, he is a full fledged walker now! 

Big Brother Awards

When you love someone this much, you squeeze them with every opportunity, and plant big fat juicy kisses on whatever body part is in reach.

And if you were able to choose your big brother, you wouldn't do better than Drew.

He is patient, thoughtful, loving and above all else - kind. 

And as much as Colby loves Drew....Drew loves Colby right back.

 

This is the stuff that makes being a mom so kick ass (excuse my language Nana). 

Another Month

 10 Months always feels like the beginning of the end for me. The end of being a baby. They eat more regular foods and cut down on nursing. They start moving all over the house, causing commotion and destruction. 

Colby G is 10 months tomorrow. He loves to eat - and has already learned that when Mom goes into the pantry, food will be coming out. He is turning into a noisy guy and the kids love when they talk/yell at him and he mimics them back. He gives the cutest, biggest, wettest kisses complete with a "MMMMUUUWWAHHH!" 

And yes, he thinks he can walk...almost Colby, just give me another week or so of baby. 

Flashbacks

Its funny how as soon as I pull a shirt or a hat from the storage bucket for Colby to wear, I remember. I remember the day Drew wore it, the places we went, the picture I took. It is hard to believe he was ever that small, and at the same time I can't believe he is a big boy now.

It is also a little shocking that I don't remember Tyler in these clothes. I guess I was a little more fried than I thought I was! Pictures??!! I had too many little ones under foot to remember my camera :)

They certainly look like brothers, don't they?!

Monday Monday

 Oh my GOD, I love this baby!! 

It was a full weekend. TBall, breakfast at the Diners, Nature Centers, Street Fairs, Family Dinners, Dentists, Shoe Shopping...my favorite kind of weekend. 

The kind of weekend that makes me look forward to Monday just a little bit. A return to the routine. The kids are almost done with school, just under 2 weeks left. And then the fun really begins. When weekends spill into the week and I run us ragged until a rainy day mercifully comes along just in time for us to spend a day on the couch rejuvenating and resting from the sun. 

But I won't rush it yet. There is still a bit of Spring left. 

Kap-arazzi

I handed my camera off to Kappy (my cousin's husband) to capture some Christening shots. He gladly accepted the task in fact I almost had to pry my camera out of his hands at the end of the ceremony! The Kap-arazzi (his new nickname) caught some great moments...here are just a few...

One benefit of handing your camera over? Im IN pictures :) 

 and Mike and I are IN pictures together :)

 I love this shot Kap-arazzi caught of his wife. I find it romantic. Like he couldn't wait for her to walk near him and started shooting before taking the time to focus. 

 Precious. Notice how Tyler is covering his ears? He predicted that Colby would cry when the water was poured on his head. He was right. But I think he was crying because he wanted to sit in the water and splash. 

Love Katie's expression in this one. Only a Godmother would feel so bad for her little charge. Notice how the rest of us are laughing at the poor baby? Not Katie...I think this is a sign that we chose well. 

Thanks Kaparazzi!! 

Colby G

He is waving Bye-Bye. 

And he just spent 10 minutes slobbering all over my face when I said "give me kisses!" 

He sits in the swing in the park and eats whatever I put on his tray. 

Sometimes it feels like it is all happening so fast. 

He is supposed to be my baby forever, so I never have to be pregnant again. 

But he didn't get that memo. 

The novelty of him hasn't worn off even after almost 9 months. 

They still fight over who gets to say good morning first, who pushes him in the swing and who rides next to him in the car. 

He is the best thing that ever happened to us. 

Better than video games and sprinkles and the beach. 

He is the kind of baby that makes you want more. 

Notice that I said you and not me!! 

Socks Off!

The Toy

 It starts first thing in the morning and lasts all day. Every day for the last 8 months, with no signs of slowing down. 

 They queue up in the morning as if waiting in line for the hottest concert tickets in town. 

Just to talk to him. 

They fight over who sits next to him in the car, who can fetch his diapers, or find his pacifier. 

They laugh when he rips out their hair, scratches their noses, or drools on their toys. 

They sing when he cries, dance to distract him when he gets his medicine. 

Tyler is often found laying beside him in the crib, or tucked up under the handle of his car seat -practically laying right on top of him.

I don't blame them. 

Sometimes I sneak upstairs for a moment  - just to have him all to myself. 

Our toy. 

The Patient

He takes a breath every second, when most of take a breathe every 2. 

His face is dripping from his eyes, nose and mouth. 

He coughs and sneezes so often it blends into the background music. 

But, he smiles. 

He smiles at the doctor as she listens to his chest and checks his ears. 

He smiles at the pharmacist as she hands over a shopping bag full of medicines. 

He smiles as he wears his little mask and dances in the kitchen with mom. 

He is the best and I just want him better.