New Year, New Milestones

Happy 2015 everyone!  2014 was the most amazing year ever, and I'm super excited about what this new year will bring.  It's already started off with a bang, as Colin has started WALKING!!!  He took his very first steps on Christmas Day, at Nani and Pop Pop's house in Florida.  We had noticed that he was gaining some confidence in his balance, and letting go of furniture to hold on to a toy or to clap his hands.  So, we began encouraging him to take a few steps on his own...and I think he was more excited about his success than we were!  (OK, it was probably an equal amount of excitement!)  It started out with just 2 or 3 steps at a time, getting from Mommy to Daddy as we sat on the floor.  The next day, he made 4 or 5 steps on his own, and then on Marshall's birthday he walked about 6 or 7 steps!  All on his own!  Such a big boy (and such proud parents) :)  He's been getting braver each day, and just this week he's attempted to let go on his own to walk a few steps toward his destination.  Colin is discovering a whole new way to navigate this big world, and I think he's ready for the challenge.  Last night, he even followed me around the couch!  He doesn't seem to be discouraged by falling every now and then, and he's so determined to figure it out.  In the meantime, we're having a ball practicing, cheering, and taking as much video as we can!  Here's a few exciting moments for you to enjoy!

The Most ONE-derful Time of the Year!

TODAY IS COLIN'S 1st BIRTHDAY!!!  We celebrated this momentous occasion with a holiday-themed party at our house this past Saturday.  We had about 30 guests and everyone seemed to have a great time.  I took most of my party decorations and food inspiration from Pinterest, and I was so pleased with how it all turned out!  It was certainly a lot of work, but it was all worth it to make this day extra-special for our little boy.  After all, this was as much a party for us as it was for Colin - we all have a lot to celebrate!  The invitations said "Our Little Dear Is Turning One!" and I ordered a cake shaped like a reindeer that was pretty cute.  Colin even had his very own "smash" cake, which made for some adorable pictures.  We put balloons and streamers all over the Christmas tree to transform it into the "Birthday Tree," and all of the guests put their gifts under it.  I had a banner that said "Merry Birthday" and made some red, green, and white pom-poms.  We served fruit "Grinch" kabobs, a snowman cheese ball, a veggie Christmas tree, and a yummy oreo-mint cookie dip.  We also had 3 crockpots cooking delicious things - one with white chicken chili (which was gobbled up before I even had any), one with taco soup, and a third with hot chocolate!  We had a hot cocoa bar with lots of goodies to add in.  We even had a "naughty" and "nice" cranberry punch!  But the highlight of the day was when Santa stopped by for a surprise visit!  The kids at the party were so excited, and they each got to sit next to Santa on the couch and tell him their Christmas wishes.  Before Santa left, he helped to sing "Happy Birthday!" and we all watched in delight as Colin delicately explored his very own birthday cake.  It was an absolutely incredible day, one which I'll never forget.  Here is a link to all of the photos from the party, which have been uploaded to Snapfish, if you'd like to check it out!

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=13849053007/a=24077577_24077577/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

I'm still so amazed at how quickly this year has flown by.  It seems like just yesterday I was complaining about back cramps, checking in with the doctor, and being anxiously driven to the hospital in preparation for labor.  I can most assuredly say that this has been the greatest year of my life, and I know that Marshall feels the same.  Colin has not only made us parents, but has made our lives truly complete.  He is the child I have always dreamed of, and it seems as if every moment has been too good to be true.  Colin is happy, healthy, silly, smart, affectionate, friendly, determined, thoughtful, busy, and loving. I love bringing him out and about to interact with the world.  People are constantly telling me how beautiful he is, and I swear he seeks out this kind of attention from others!  It has been totally mind-blowing to watch him develop and grow right before our eyes.  Each new sight, sound, and experience have been learning opportunities that have helped him to discover the world.  And I'm pretty proud of us, too.  Not only did we manage to keep this tiny person alive and well, but I think we succeeded in helping him adapt to "life on the outside" by establishing routines, following cues, and maintaining order.  I know that this is a job I was meant to do, but I never knew I'd love it so much.  Being a mommy has always been my dream, and I'm so lucky that I have the opportunity to stay at home with Colin so that I don't have to miss a thing.  There have been ups and downs, several tiring nights, and certainly times when I questioned my abilities; but as I reflect on the past year, I realize that I feel very accomplished in my role as a mother.  We're so blessed and fortunate that this little person is ours, and although it's a little sad that our baby isn't quite a baby anymore, we are thrilled about all of the memories that we will get to create with him in the future.  Here are some of my favorite highlights from this most special year:

• When the nurse told us that she could see our baby's dark hair!
• Holding Colin for the very first time
• Bringing him home from the hospital during rush hour traffic on a Friday night, to a house decorated with balloons and signs, and a yummy dinner waiting in the oven (courtesy of Mom and Dave!)
• Taking Colin to John and Kimmie's Christmas party when he was just 3 days old
• Celebrating our first Christmas together as a family
• Being snowed in with a newborn for a week with Mom while Marshall was in California for work
• The first time he giggled (the most adorable sound I've ever heard)
• Going away on our first real trip away from the baby - to the Bahamas for my birthday!
• When some very special family members came for a visit and met Colin for the first time - Uncle Drew and Aunt Rachel, Aunt Adrienne and cousin Evyn, Uncle Brad and Aunt Lindsey and cousins Amelia, Bishop, and Clive, Uncle Jim and Aunt Sarah, and Great Great Aunt Rose
• My first Mother's Day, which we celebrated with a morning boat ride on Lake Norman with Aunt Ginna, Uncle Blake, Grandma Kimmie, and Grandpa John
• Ginna and Blake's wedding, where Colin made a guest appearance for a family photo!
• Swimming in the pool at the YMCA
• Playdates with his buddy, Hunter Poole
• Spending time in the mountains with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Lee, picking blueberries and going on walks in the stroller
• Colin's baptism at our church, Harrison United Methodist
• Our first plane ride and trip to Florida to visit Nani Lynne and Pop Pop Dave
• When Colin started crawling and pulling up all over the place!
• Our beach vacation in the Outer Banks with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Lee
• Baby storytime at the library
• Watching Colin discover the pets
• When Colin first started to say "Dada" and "Mama"
• His first kiss from his neighbor friend, Amelia
• Trick-or-treating around the neighborhood in the little red wagon
• Colin's first Thanksgiving with the Rothwell family
• When Colin sat on Santa's lap at Southpark Mall - first intrigued, then a bit terrified!
• Colin's first birthday party at our house, with lots of family and friends

And of course, the birthday wouldn't be complete without the monthly chalkboard wall update!  So please enjoy this final one, but I hope you will continue to check in to see what we're up to in 2015.  And YES, for those that keep asking, we'll be considering a sibling for sweet Colin in the next few months :)  Happy New Year!

So Much to be Thankful For

Colin's very first Thanksgiving was filled with family, food, football, and fun.  Grandma Kimmie and Grandpa John hosted this year, and we spent much of the holiday weekend with them, Jim and Sarah, Ginna and Blake, and Blake's stepdad, Mick.  We all had a blast eating delicious Thanksgiving treats, playing games, going on walks, and relaxing on the couch.  Marshall and I were even able to take Jim and Sarah to a few local breweries and show them around our town on Friday, while Grandma and Grandpa babysat our little turkey.  Even though the 3 of us ended the weekend with a head cold, it was one of the best Thanksgiving weekends I've ever had.  Probably because this year, we were able to spend it with the newest member of our family...and he is truly the thing I am most grateful for.  Marshall and Colin make my life complete, and I am so very thankful for all the blessings in my life.  I spent a lot of time reflecting on just how lucky I am, and wanted to share some of the things I am most grateful for this year.  Here's just a few, in no particular order!

• Our sweet baby boy, Colin - I didn't know it was possible to love anything so much
• My amazing and loving husband, Marshall, who is the ultimate provider and my soul mate
• The opportunity to be a stay-at-home-mom, to watch Colin grow and learn, and to not miss a single moment!
• All of our basic necessities and more - the food we eat, the clothes on our back, and the roof over our head (and these things are well beyond the basics)
• Our house, the one that I dreamed of that fits our family perfectly in every way
• My health, and the health of my loved ones
• Marshall's job, which he loves and is so successful at, and the opportunities within it that lie ahead
• My family, both near and far, and the unconditional love and support they provide, as well as the examples they have set
• My friends, who make me laugh, listen when I need to talk, and bring joy to my life
• Our pets -  Kai, Jack, and Phoebe - our first fur babies who always make me smile
• Being an American, and all of the freedoms that allows me
• My church, which has helped me to grow in spirituality and faith, and has enriched our lives as a family
• My education, which has shaped my life and taught me valuable life lessons

I'm sure there are many more that I can add to this list...and that thought alone truly humbles me.  We want for nothing, and I'm so very thankful every single day for each blessing in my life.  Happy Thanksgiving to all! I am grateful for you!!!

Here are a few cute photos from our wonderful holiday weekend.  Enjoy!

Colin was mesmerized by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...so cute!

Mommy's Little Turkey wanted some champagne from Aunt Ginna Bug

A beautiful Thanksgiving table filled with yummy food prepared by the amazing Chef Kimmie!

The boys helped clean up the Thanksgiving feast

Jim, Sarah, Amy, and Marshall at NoDa Brewery

Colin is 11 Months Old!

Only 1 more month left before Colin can be officially considered a toddler.  A TODDLER!!!  Can someone please explain to me just HOW that is possible?!?!  Well, one thing is for sure...and that is that he is certainly starting to toddle!  He is gaining so much confidence now, and is determined to do things on his own.  He loves being able to be on the move, and explores everything he possibly can.  "Busy" has been our favorite word to describe Colin at this stage!  But it's very evident that pretty soon, crawling and cruising around the furniture won't be enough to appease our little adventurer.  While my mom was in town visiting during the week of Halloween, she gave Colin an early birthday present - a push toy with an activity center and a handle so that Colin can stand up and walk it around the room!  He was so excited at this new-found skill...and we were a little on edge with the speed at which he zipped around the couch!  Colin also loves to stand up and bounce the yoga ball in the playroom.  He's got pretty good balance, too.  But when he does lose his footing and falls to the carpet, I'm so impressed with the way that he picks himself up again (and without any fuss, I might add!), and goes right back to it!  We've also watched him crawl up a few stairs and stand on his own for a few seconds at a time.  It won't be long now before he takes that amazing first step...and I spend the rest of my days chasing after our busy toddler!

I'm also amazed lately by Colin's fine motor skills.  He's perfected his pincer grasp, and can use his thumb and forefinger to pick up tiny peas and cheerios at meal time!  He has also learned how to take the lid off of a cup and put a ball inside, shake it up, then do it again.  The first time he did this, he discovered it all on his own...and I was such a proud mommy!  I'll attach a video of this for you to marvel at :)

Little Man has also popped out four of his top front teeth!  Luckily, teething didn't seem to affect him too bad this time.  He's using his new chompers to explore a wide variety of new foods as well.  He is basically over the baby food and ready to move on to more interesting tastes and textures.  So far, I haven't found too many things that he turns his nose up at.  And this will also be our last month of formula and bottles...our baby is growing up SO fast!!!

Colin is the absolute joy of our lives.  He is funny, charming, clever, and sweet.  He loves being tickled, silly faces, and rough-housing with Daddy.  He loves splashing in the tub and exercising his voice.  He loves music and books, and has a blast at baby story time at the library each week.  I taught him to clap his hands a few weeks ago, and I love how he uses this gesture to show his excitement!  We play patty-cake and peek-a-boo, and lots of other rhyming games.  But the best part of my day is waking up in the morning and bringing my cutie in bed to snuggle.  I cherish these moments, and plan to cuddle with my little buddy for as long as he'll let me!  Cheers to the last month of babyhood!

Here's the latest chalkboard wall update!

Hooray for Halloween!

October is my favorite month of the year.  The temperatures are cooler, the leaves are changing, and the skies are a clear Carolina blue.  But Halloween just might be the best part of this month.  We did a few fun things this year for Colin's first Halloween.  First, we signed up to work a shift at our church's annual pumpkin patch.  We really enjoyed the day and made a bunch of good sales...probably because we brought along the cutest little pumpkin in the patch :)  Colin wore his jack-o-lantern outfit and we got several adorable photos on hay bales, surrounded by pumpkins, and with our neighbor's little girl, Amelia, when they stopped by to pick out their pumpkins.  But Colin's real costume this year for the big day was a horse!  Marshall and I wore our cowboy and cowgirl gear, and took our little pony trick-or-treating to a few houses around the neighborhood.  He even got to ride in his new Radio Flyer wagon (a.k.a., the "Rothwell Rider"), which he seemed to really love!  With his candy basket in tow, he eventually picked up on the concept of reaching into the bowl to choose a piece of candy, and he even put it in his own basket!  It was so cute!  We also made a last stop trick-or-treat visit to Grandma Kimmie and Grandpa John's house, just before a thunderstorm rolled into town.  They were very excited to see us all dressed up!  My mom was also in town visiting for the week, so it was extra special to have her here for the occasion.  She babysat Colin for us on Saturday night, so we could attend Mark and Kim's Halloween party.  Marshall and I went as a "Day of the Dead" couple, a sort-of Halloween tradition in the Mexican culture.  Think skeleton meets mariachi...lots of face painting made this one a hit!  It took a while, but I had fun turning hubby and myself into these creepy characters.  We had a good time at the party, too...but next year, I think we'll be ready to host our own!  Here's some photos from all the festivities.  Enjoy!

 

10 Month Update

Every month I think to myself, "This is the best age yet!"  As Colin turns ten months old today, I've been thinking about how much fun we've been having with him...watching him grow and develop right before our eyes.  His little personality is really taking shape, and we can imagine what he'll be like as a toddler, child, and maybe even as an adult!  Our little boy has such a sweet and gentle soul.  He definitely has a sense of humor, and loves to be silly.  He'll even try to make me laugh as I'm putting him down for a nap...his way of telling me he'd much rather play :)  We've also learned that Colin really is quite adventuresome.  He's fully on the move now - crawling almost fast enough to catch the cats, pulling up and sitting down with ease, and cruising around the furniture as he perfects the skill of one foot then another.  And if you read the last post, then you already know how much he LOVES to swing...my little daredevil!  We even took a walk to our neighborhood playground and discovered some baby swings there too.  A nice change of scenery for Colin's new favorite activity!  He's also learned how to wave bye-bye (or hello, although we're not entirely sure he knows what it means yet!).  We've had fun practicing this gesture everywhere we go...and people seem to get a kick out of it.  Well, at least we do!  Colin is such a little social butterfly.  He loves to exercise his voice when out in public, probably aware that it gets him some attention.  He loves to yell all over the grocery store, in restaurants, and at baby storytime.  Guess he hasn't learned the quiet rule for the library yet.  He's also very intrigued by other kids and babies, and is eager to interact with them as much as possible.  Everyone always comments what a happy baby Colin is, and it's certainly very true!  He smiles and giggles at everyone, and I swear he poses when someone gets out their camera.  But my most favorite new accomplishment  this month has been hearing my baby say "MAMA!"  (And sometimes "mamamamamama" and "mom-mom").  It melts my heart every time.  And you know what?  I think he does know what it means! Each month has brought oodles of new surprises...I'm treasuring each passing day, and hoping our baby doesn't grow up too fast!!!

Here's the newest chalkboard photo!

Swinging Into Fall

Fall in the Carolinas brings about cooler temperatures, bright blue skies, and beautifully changing leaves.  We've been spending quite a bit of time outside lately, just taking it all in.  Colin and I enjoyed all of the autumn splendor in the mountains this past week, and it was wonderful to be able to be outdoors (without the threat of rain, finally!).  We stayed with Grandpa Lee and Grandma Mary while Marshall was on a business trip in Chicago, and then Marshall drove up after he returned on Friday.  We got to do some nice long walks, visit some playgrounds, feed the ducks, and sit by the fire.  We also watched a lot of football and celebrated Grandma Mary's birthday on Saturday.  Colin even got to check out a golf course for his very first time after Marshall and Grandpa finished a round on Sunday.  We think Colin will be a pro someday for sure :)  He even got to ride in a golf cart!

But Colin's most favorite thing to do in the fall is to SWING!  Grandma and Grandpa gave us a Little Tykes swing which we hung from the top deck at our house.  The first time we put Colin in it, we knew it was a winner!  Colin giggled and smiled the whole time, and we could barely get him out of it!  He also loved the baby swing at the Seven Devils park and the Valle Crucis park in the mountains.  We've been using the swing at home a lot, and it seems like the perfect way to enjoy the season.

Here are some "swingin" photos and videos for you to enjoy :)