Another update, with hopes of updating weekly :0)

We are officially living in North Charleston!  The move has gone relatively smoothly, with only a few hiccups, broken AC being the worst, it's fixed now!  Two weeks ago began our adventure.  We left VA on Thursday morning, anticipating a 6 hour trip, which turned into a 8.5 hour trip due to traffic.  We spent the night in a hotel Thursday night, and Friday moved what we brought with us in to our new apartment.  We are renting a 2 bedroom apt. for 6 months, hoping our house will sell within that time.  Saturday bright and early Luke, Cole and I headed to FL with Papa (Edgy) for a week vacation.  Ben stayed behind so he could start work on Monday.

Florida was a lot of fun!  The weather was gorgeous!  Luke loved playing in the sand and spending time with his Papa and Grandma.  Aunt Sue and Uncle Craig also joined us, and spoiled Luke rotten!  We went to see the dolphins at Marineland, Luke went putt putt golfing with Grandma and Papa, and we enjoyed spending time at the pool.  It was a great vacation! 

We headed back to Charleston on Friday, once again and 5 hour trip turned into a 7 hour trip due to traffic.  Ben was so excited to see the boys and we all felt the same way to see him.  We've spent the last 5 days getting the apartment feeling "cozy", exploring the area, and meeting some new people!

Unfortunately poor Cole has been battling a cold for the past 3 weeks, I took him to the dr. today and he has a mild ear infection :0(  On a positive note, we have a new pediatrician down here, who so far we like :0) 

Ben's job is going well.  He has met some great people and feels like he is going to enjoy what he will be doing.  It's very similar to what he did before but on a larger scale.  Everyone we've met has been so nice down here, which helps make the move easier!  As long as I have my boys, I can make my home anywhere :0)  We miss our friends, not a day goes by without Luke mentioning some of his friends names.  Hopefully we'll meet some new little ones for Luke to play with.

Cool tree at Caps Restaurant

Sweet baby Cole

Old City St. Augustine

Dinner on King St., Charleston

Easter

So cute!

Happy 30th Birthday Ben!

Today is Ben's birthday, it's hard to believe that he is 30... because that means I am also turning 30 this year!  Luke made Ben some big poster boards saying Happy Birthday Daddy, We Love You!  Luke also helped make Ben his birthday cake, and picked out the flavor, strawberry.  We went to Ben's work today to have lunch with him, and also brought him a yummy Edible Arrangement.  Ben has the day off tomorrow and I'm looking forward to some family time!

Luke is sick, once again!  This is the 6th time in three months and I feel so bad for him.  This latest illness came with congestion, and a cough, which Luke is not used to.  He keeps walking around stating "poor Luke" and "I don't feel good"...  It appears that his fever has finally broken, he's had one since Monday night, now we just need the runny nose and cough to go away.  Luke has started singing a lot more, and loves to sing the alphabet song.  I'm really looking forward to spending more time outside now that the weather is warming up.

Cole laughed for the first time yesterday.  I was dancing and singing to him, and after Luke stated "you dance good mom" Cole laughed.  So he was either laughing at my moves, or Luke's comment, either way it was awesome!  Nothing beats seeing your babies smile and hearing them laugh.  Knowing that they are healthy and happy gives me strength and motivates me in so many way!

Happy Birthday to my husband!  I couldn't ask for a better partner and feel very blessed to have him in my life!

Update

Cole is 10 weeks old, it's amazing how fast time flies!  He is continuing to do well, and is a very happy baby.  We love seeing him smile, and all of us are constantly trying to make him smile.  Cole loves looking at his big brother and looks for him immediately when he hears his voice.  Luke is doing great as a big brother, and we have not had any "issues" for a few weeks (knock on wood).

Our biggest news is that Luke is potty trained (pee pee, not the other)!  We are so proud of him.  He started going on the toilet regularly on Friday and has not had an accident since Saturday!  We put a diaper on him at nap time and bed time, but he wakes up dry at nap time, and at bedtime he has called out for me several times to pee.  He has tried several times to go number two, but he just can't seem to do it.  As soon as he does, we will have a new fishy swimming around in his room!

Unfortunately sickness has hit our household again!  Ben is not doing well, with the chills, aches, cough, congestion... I feel so bad for him and I'm praying that the rest of us stay healthy.

We cannot wait until the warm weather comes.  This weekend it got to 64 here, and Ben, Luke and I enjoyed a long walk outside!  I cannot wait until we can play outside every day! 

My workout plan is going well, and I've lost a few pounds, but still have a ways to go!  I know I promised pictures, but I still haven't found my cord... check out facebook because I upload pictures from my phone!

6 Doctor Trips in one week!

As you know from my last post, we have been a pretty sick household over the past couple weeks.  After my doctor appointment on Saturday, Ben decided he should go on Monday to rule out strep, and then poor Cole was running a fever on Friday, so we took him to see the doctor.  Fortunately, it appears that everyone is healthy, for now, and Luke is no longer on his anti-biotic.  I am definitely a germ a phobe right now, and no one is allowed to kiss on the mouth or share food or drinks, and everyone's hands are dry and cracked from washing so much.  I'm praying we stay healthy!

Cole will be 8 weeks old tomorrow!  He is doing great!  He is smiling, and exploring with his hands.  I think he might be a thumb sucker because he will spit his binky out and try so hard to get his thumb in his mouth.  He does this all the time, and it sometimes frustrates him when he can't get it.  Luke has made of the observation that Cole "dances" a lot, because he is constantly kicking his legs.  I think he is trying to keep up with Luke and Daddy!  Cole is establishing a pretty good routine for himself, and I am greatful for that!  He goes to bed around 10:00pm, wakes up around 3:30am to eat, and goes back to sleep until 6:00-7:00.  He'll then take about an hour nap in the morning, and then a 3-4 hour nap between 1:30-5:00.  He dozes off downstairs with us during the evening.  He is truly an awesome baby, and Ben and I both know how blessed we are!

Luke is doing well!  Everyday he adjusts more and more to Cole and we are having less and less "issues".  He loves to kiss Cole, put his binky back in his mouth, and wipe up his "spit up".  He told me that he is going to "teach Cole how to shoot" (baskets) when Cole "gets tall" like him.  He is a great big brother and makes me very proud!  We started learning the alphabet and are learning one letter a week!  He could probably learn one a day, but I want it to be fun and relaxing for him.  We are on letter C this week.  The potty training is not going well.  Luke knows when he has to go, but does not want to go on the potty.  I'm not going to push it, but Ben and I both are encouraging him.  Hopefully over the next month or so he will see how cool it is to pee pee on the potty!

Ben started his Masters program last week.  He is trying to find a good balance between family, work, and now school.  I know he will figure out a schedule that works for everyone! 

Now that I am feeling well, and have a little more energy, I am planning on starting my journey to get back in to shape, or at least get back to the weight that I was before Cole :0)  I gained 45 pounds with Cole, and I still need to lose 15-20 pounds to get back to my fighting weight!  Wish me luck :0) 

We have lots of visitors coming the next couple weekends.  My dad and Marla came this past weekend, and we had a very nice time!  Luke made sure to tell Mar Mar, several times, that "Beamie at my binky", haha!  This coming weekend Ben's parents are coming, the following my mom and Edgy (and maybe my Aunt and Uncle), the weekend after that Ben's brother and his girlfriend, and the weekend after that my dad and Marla are coming back down for Bryanna's play.  We love the company and the help!  But if you'd like to come visit, you better call waaay ahead, haha, j/k!

I have my camera sitting her to upload pictures, but now I just need to find the cord to connect it... I'll try to put some pictures up tonight!

Doctor Doctor Doctor

We had kind of a crazy week with doctor appointments.  First I had my 6 week check up, post baby on Monday.  All was good, and the doctor was already asking when we are having another.  He had four kids in five years!  I assured him we would not be following in his foot steps.  Next up was a dentist apptointment for me, I needed a sealent.  Then Luke had a funny rash, so he went to see his pediatrician, he has strep and had to miss his friend Riley's birthday party today.  Lastly, this morning I went to the family doctor to see if I have strep, fortunately I do not, but unfortunately I am not feeling well.  Ben too is under the weather.  Hopefully we'll all start feeling better and Cole will not get sick.  I feel like I've been sick so much lately, I guess my immune system is down, although I thought it was supposed to be up considering I'm nursing... 

I need to start taking more pictures, I haven't been very good about it.  So my next post will have some new pictures of Luke and Cole and hopefully good news that everyone in our household is sickness free!

Christmas 2010

First Month Check Up

Cole will be 5 weeks old tomorrow.  It's so hard to believe.  He is doing great, and is healthy and strong.  At his one month check up he was 11lbs 6oz and in the 90th percentile for his weight.  He is now 22 1/4 inches, in the 75th percentile for his height.  He has gained 3lbs and grown 1 inch since he was born.  He is really starting to take in the world around him and is right now enjoying the lights and sounds of his play yard.  He is sleeping well during the night, he typically wakes up twice to eat and goes right back to sleep. 

Luke is continuing to adjust to being a big brother and I think he is doing a pretty good job.  He has his moments when he doesn't know how to channel his feelings and will act out, but they are becoming less and less.  Luke is talking up a storm and now speaks in complete sentences.  He continues to amaze us.  He knows his shapes, colors, and can now count objects.  We are starting to learn the alphabet and he got a lot of tools and games to help him for Christmas.  Luke is very active and loves almost every sport.  Golf, football, baseball and basketball are his favorites and he plays daily (yes in the house).  He just started using the Wii Sports and tennis is his favorite on there.  This winter is going to be tough not going outside, but I'm planning on getting him enrolled in some classes so he can get out his energy.  He is all boy!  He also loves to read, and we typically will spend about two hours reading during the course of the day, an hour during the morning, and again in the evening. 

We had a wonderful Christmas, and I will post pictures soon.  Every day is a blessing and I am adjusting well to being a stay at home mom.  I have my moments of insanity, especially being that it has been so cold outside, but overall I am really enjoying being able to stay home with my boys!  Ben is going to be starting grad school in a few weeks, and I am very proud of him.  He is pursuing a Masters of Science in Healthcare Management.

I will do better to post each week, so please keep checking :0)