Quick Update!

Wow - so much has gone in these past 3 months and I realize I am WAY behind on postings. I've never even officially done a "Griffin is born!!" post - but they are coming. Greg has had our home laptop with him at school during the week so any extra time (who am I kidding...extra time?) has definitely not been devoted to doing blog posts. But, we're still as busy as ever and I have been taking pictures whenever I remember to bring the camera!
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A few updates:
* Lily finished her last swim lesson and is now on to a gym tots class. We went to our first one last week and she had a BLAST! At the end of class, she got stamps on her legs and I think she pulled her pant legs up at least 40 times the rest of the day to look at and show us her stamps. I knew a couple moms of little ones in the class which was really nice too!
* Griffin is 3 MONTHS tomorrow (gasp, shock!) I know, I can't believe it either! It feels like so long ago that he was born! He's getting SO big (as in 95% for height, weight and head circumference). He's smiling a ton and cooing all the time. He seems to enjoy books and will sit through a couple in a row. I still sometimes find it hard to believe we have a son! Greg and I will say out loud, "our CHILDREN are sleeping..." can you believe we have CHILDREN!?
* We've been busy going to the Y, friends' houses, the Museum, and playing in the backyard when the days have been a bit warmer.
* Lily and I recently had a "Mommy and Lily special day" (as Lily called it) and got dressed up to go to the theatre (AKA Madcap Puppet show!) followed by a fine dining lunch (AKA Big Boy). It was so fun and felt very strange just going out the two of us. It really seems hard to believe that was our reality just 3 months ago!?

Lily holding her play ticket.

Post show pictures with the biggest Madcap puppet (as you can tell, we took this picture from faaaaar away...)

A to Z

Here are a few funny videos of Lily reciting her ABC's. In the speedy version I'm not sure what I find more humorous - Lily whizzing thru the alphabet or Greg's reaction on the side...you be the judge!

The speedy version of ABC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEw7dr7et7o

The interrupted version of ABC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUKfcrGljw

A slower, calmer version of ABC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Th2k5b3DTQ

Lily the Fish

Lily has now attended 2 swimming lessons and she's loving every minute of it. She loved the pool this past summer (and the ocean) so we thought it'd be a nice activity for her during the winter. I didn't want her to forget how much she enjoyed being in the water! It also allows for some special time with her daddy since she now has to share her time with a new little person.
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I didn't come to the first lesson because I didn't want to be a distraction. After going to the second lesson, I realized I couldn't have been more wrong about thinking my presence would distract her! She just had an absolute blast in the pool that it really didn't matter if I was there or not. She did look over a few times to see if I saw her swim through the hula hoop or go down the slide, and a couple times she'd look over and sign "more" because she wanted to do whatever it was they were doing again! So cute. They did a bunch of different songs and activities and I think she smiled just about the whole time.
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As I sat on the bench with a few other parents (and grandparents) laughing and clapping, I couldn't help but think, "wow, my little girl is in there kicking and paddling and singing songs with the group..." and I felt like it wasn't that long ago she was just a little baby, brand new to the world just like our sweet Griffin.

I went a little nuts taking videos (I think I took 8 in total!) but here

are a few, quick snippets from Lily's lessons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz_YimquWXw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcb-3_0lxxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jMMSTdeT9s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwavjiGVDT4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_tpSUJUOUc

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! :)