Cute Video of Lily!

Had to post this little video of Lily (and daddy) dancing to Jingle Bells. I love how she imitates exactly what Greg is doing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA0dJBA7le8

A Few More Pics from Lily's 2nd Birthday!

Catching up on posts! Here are some pics from Lily's 2nd Birthday. The Bouncy house was a huge hit (and a good way to have the kids expend some energy!)

Lily checking out her new backpack in the mirror.

Cousin E's bday was just a few days before!

Lily preparing to blow out her candle...

Group shot!

Lily loved her little "life like" baby doll. Good practice for when the baby comes!

Had to take a few pics of the small (and big) cupcakes!

My first attempt at the big birthday cupcake. Tasted good!

Four Days in December

So Mary Lynn, Lily and Griffin are all sleeping and I have some Christmas music and time to reflect. Most people that offered advice about getting ready for the second child always said the 2nd was easiest, which I thought was strange and false advice. In our 5 days together, though, I have found that (except for changing diapers...) Griffin in many ways is "easier" than Lily was. More accurately we actually sort of have a clue this time and aren't worried about as much of the little stuff that we were with Lily.

The challenge has come in balancing time with Lily and Griffin. As much attention as Griffin needs, Lily appears to need the same (at least that is what she is SHOWING us). I wish I could explain to her how proud I am of her sleeping in a big girl bed, or putting together four word sentences, or even wanting to not nap because she literally surrounds herself with every book in her room (until of course I took all the books out thinking that would get her to nap. You guessed it...didn't work!). She has gone from being a baby to being a big girl instantly and we are still trying to figure out what that means for her and our family. How much can she help? What does she understand and what can we punish/reward her with (candy/timeouts) and for (saying "no"/cleaning).

I will say that the more "life events" that I go through, the previous step seems so much easier. Just Married w/ Dog was 2 years ago. One Kid was 2 weeks ago. Somehow I also understand my parents better, as well as those that I have their kids in class or on the team. It also shows me that we have made it through everything so far and I am going to "assume" that this will be true with the addition of Griffin.

Of course, as I type that last paragraph, I hear Lily walking around upstairs, probably emptying her drawers and Griffin started squawking...a perfect segue.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

I'm going to be a big sister today!

November 29, 2010....it's 5:45 am and I'm anxiously awaiting the time we leave for the hospital this morning (around 7:30ish). We've been anticipating, praying, thinking, dreaming, planning and had this day in our minds for many, many months now. Baby Cole #2 will be born today!!
After many thoughtful discussions and considerations with Greg and my doctor(s) - we decided to schedule a c-section at 39 weeks. Without boring you and going into too much detail, it just seemed like the safer and more feasible option. There was a lot of prayer and thought that went into it, but I feel very comfortable with the decision. While opting for surgery wouldn't necessarily be my first choice, I've gone through it before and am better prepared for what's coming. And in the end, as long as there's a healthy and happy baby in our arms...that's all that matters!
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There are so many emotions and thoughts that have been swirling in my head - but the overwhelming feeling is excitement! I can't wait to meet this new and miraculous little being. I can't wait for Lily to be a big sister. She definitely knows something big is going on! For many months now we've been trying to prepare her (reading books, talking about the baby, showing her the new baby things) and the last few days she's just been wired. She gets excited in the car when she sees the "new baby seat." We tell her she'll have to sing to the baby and watch over the baby and she excited says "yes - and feed baby bottle" or "hold the baby." She's going to be an amazing big sister. It's kinda funny, too - whenever we ask her if she wants a baby sister or brother...she replies with sister. Who knows!? I'm sure either way she's going to be one excited little girl.
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We've taken a lot of special "Lily time" these past few weeks and here are a few pictures from some recent events. It's been a busy time with Thanksgiving and family, but wouldn't have it any other way and it actually made the last week or so go by very quickly. What a blessing to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends.
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I've also had a mile-long "to do" list but I'm much better being busy and with "stuff to do" then just sitting around waiting for this to come. I feel like we're as prepared as we can be...and I know there are going to be ups and downs to becoming a family of 4 - but we're ready as we'll ever be! I think about the fact that a baby is born every 4-8 seconds (I looked this up and there were varying answers!) UNREAL! This amazing event happens literally every few seconds but it's mind blowing to me to think that each and every time it's a little miracle occurring.
I can't wait for our miracle. We'll keep you posted! :)

Big Girl!

I just had to document a big milestone today (11/18/2010) for Lily! Today my mom was over for a few hours watching Lily while I ran errands. When I got home my mom and I were chatting when Lily said "bathroom" and walked in on her own to sit down on her potty. We took off her diaper and she went! Wahooo! We were so proud of her (and I almost cried!) Silly I know - but wow!

We thought she was ready a couple months ago but she ended up not really being interested and didn't go, so I sorta wondered if this would be a fluke. Apparently not! I gave her a few pieces of candy and we told her we were so proud. I told her when she needs to go potty to let us know and we'll go into the bathroom. I'm not going to push things, but since she initiated it today, we'll just go with it and see how she does.

Hard to believe she's in her big girl room this week and now went for the first time on the "big girl" potty!

A Few Lily Highlights...

Sunday morning at the Cole house (daddy post-run and Lily on her scooter car). Lily reading her daddy a book.This is how Lily kisses - by touching noses (not sure where this started -

but it definitely caught on with all of us!)

Lily "reading" through her Christmas book. This was a gift from grandma and grandpa last year and she loves it - it has their voices recorded!

I know I've posted lots of pics, but I feel like I've been neglient in posting about all the things Lily is doing! We've been so busy (isn't everyone!?) that updating the blog has just not been a priority. I can only imagine how it'll be once Baby Cole 2 comes, but I'm going to do my best! I'll probably do a separate post on my thoughts and the excitement of upcoming Baby #2, so for now I'll focus on Lily!

Here are a couple highlights from Lily's life recently:

* Lily is a chatterbox. She has picked up so many words and phrases and can really communicate what she wants. I don't compare her to other kids, but I notice other people's reactions when we're out. People are amazed at how much she talks and expresses herself and this was all happening before she even turned 2! I can't help but be proud of her. At her 2 yr check-up her nurse was amazed at how much she was saying (and pointing out her colors etc). At her 2 year check she also weighed in at 28 pounds and is pretty tall (90th percentile - forget the actual height?) Again, it's funny because I don't notice her being tall, but then again, most of her little friends are boys who are generally taller anyway!

* Lily can identify most of her colors - red, blue, pink, black, brown, yellow, purple, green, orange, white. She also counts to about 17 (why 17 and not 18...not sure!?) and recites most of the alphabet (albeit skipping letters here and there). It's so funny to hear her say "l,m,n,o,p" because she kinda rolls them all together as I'm sure it sounds to her.

* Lily is on day 3 of the transition to her big girl bed and she's done great! The first nap in her bed was on Sunday, Nov 14. Previously she had a double ear infection so I didn't want to start anything foreign especially when she wasn't feeling well. We had been reading in her big girl room and put her books in there, but hadn't tried sleeping yet. She loves sleeping with her little Pooh Bear and I told her Pooh really wanted to sleep in the big girl bed. So on Sunday we read a few books before her nap, I tucked her in and did our routine (wrote out numbers on her back) and told her that I loved her. I anxiously closed the door and crept down to the bottom of the stairs. As I sat listening on the bottom step, I heard her say something to Pooh and then silence. I cranked the monitor so I could hear any little peeps, but she didn't get out and took a 1 1/2 hour nap. Wahoo! I think I was way more anxious than I needed to be. It wasn't as long as she normally naps which worried me a bit, but I was just happy she didn't get scared or try to come out. Then, Sunday night Greg gave her a bath, read her books and put her in bed. Not a peep! She slept from 8:30pm -8:20am - her normal! Monday nap and bedtime were a success as well! Her nap on Monday went from 2:30 until we had to wake her up at 6:30. That was unusually long partially because she had her flu shot and vaccines earlier that morning. That plus a quick shopping trip to Target I think wore her out.

I mentioned to Greg that while I love her hitting different milestones, it makes me sad at the same time. My "baby" is now sleeping in a big girl bed. I can't believe she's 2. Like Greg said, we look at these transitions in slightly different ways, and I just know I'm a lot more nostalgic about it all. Not to say it doesn't impact him also - I know it does - but he takes it a lot more in stride. I know it's good timing too because when the baby comes, Lily will have her own special room and the baby will need the crib!

* she has the cutest phrases. When I ask her something, she replies with "Yes, mommy" in just the sweetest voice. "Want to go to the store with me?" "Yes, mommy" or "Ok, mommy." I don't know where she picked it up, but she also says "ok, sure" and nods her head. She has so many funny phrases that I'll just have to write them all down sometime. She repeats everything we say and just seems to be a quick learner.

* Lily has certainly asserted her independence. She wants to do a lot of things on her own now. Even reading - she'll pick out books and sometimes instead of letting us read to her, she'll say "I want to read it" and will grab the book so she can flip through. She has memorized a few books (Sand Cake, Hungry Caterpillar, a few Suess books) and likes to "read" through the book. While these are all normal and ok things to do, we've also had to learn when we need to draw the line. Dinner for instance - she's not too picky of an eater, but she definitely has her favorites. When I make dinner I'll sometimes give her a choice of what she wants first. I usually leave the fruit 'til last because once that comes out, that's all she'll want. At times she'll insist that she wants grapes or whatever comes to her mind, but we won't cave and just give it to her. She's had a few tantrums when we don't give her exactly what she's requesting. Once kicking or crying starts, we'll tell her she needs to stop, and if that doesn't work, we'll just take her out of her chair and continue on with our dinner. She'll stand next to me and repeat "mommy, up...mommy, up" because she wants to sit on my lap. It's distracting and frustrating, but Greg and I just try to continue talking and eating our dinner. Sometimes you wish there was a magic phrase or trick to make her behave, but if there is, I haven't figured it out yet. There are definitely times she tries our patience!

* Lil' is very interested in babies. My mom took Lily to story time twice a week and my mom would tell me that there'd be 20 little kids in class and while Lily would be interested in them, as soon as she'd see a stroller with a little baby come in, Lily's eyes would just light up. She'd want to go see the baby so my mom would always walk her over so she could peer in to see. We've been reading a lot of books about being a big sibling and about little babies and she has a special baby doll she can feed and put to sleep. She also goes with me to most of my doc appointments and gets excited to her "baby heartbeat." I know she can't truly appreciate what's coming, but I do have a feeling she is just going to love having a little sister or brother. When I talk about the baby she'll say, "help change diaper" and "Lily feed baby a bottle" etc. I have a feeling I'll have a good little helper!

Those are the biggest highlights for now. Now that I'm off work, hopefully I'll have a little time to catch up on some posts and pictures. Although, I've been in a serious "nesting" phase and have organized just about every cupboard and closet, gone through clothes bins and toys and have even rolled coins and taken them to the bank. Why in the world did I feel the need to roll coins as part of what needs to get done before baby 2? I really have no idea...but it was nice to do while watching a DVR'd Oprah. Maybe it felt like I was still being productive while putting my feet up. :)

My goodness...

...is our daughter actually 2 years old!? More to come, but had to pull up these pics to compare!

Lily at the toy store - 1 year on Oct. 27, 2009

Fast forward a year...Lily at the toy store - 2 years on Oct. 27, 2010

Daddy took a 1/2 day off to enjoy pancakes with the birthday girl!

Happy 2nd birthday sweet Lily!