Mr. Clean: Part 1

Cole likes to help out with the chores. He is great about putting stuff into the garbage - cheerios that have fallen on the floor, used tissues, shoes (?!).... He takes his job very seriously; I've had to rescue many a thing from the trash.

Wise beyond her years....

Quote of the Day: "Mommy, do you know that [eating] chicken grows us up like parents?"

Chillaxin'

Turning One

Cole had a blast on his first birthday. He started off the festivities with his 12 month check-up, measuring up to 19.7 oz (5-10%) and 30.5 in (75%). We also got back the results from his allergy test - he is allergic to eggs (both yolks & whites).... Never fear! Grandma Pennie prepared him a yummy egg-free cake for his party with all the Grandparents on Saturday. Didn't get much reaction from him w/r to the cake (although he did like squishing the icing in his fingers), but he certainly enjoyed tugging on his balloons, and ripping the paper off his presents. He received lots of fun gifts - including a Thomas ride-on toy, some adorable outfits from Gymboree, fun books, a toy CD-player, and a pair of sunglasses (from Lauren). Party on!

Happy Easter

Easter was a lot of fun this year. Lauren colored a few eggs on Saturday, while Cole watched from the comfort of his high chair (while snacking on Cheerios). Sunday morning the kids checked out their Easter baskets,
and Lauren went in search candy-filled eggs in our family room (the two blue ones must have been for Cole, as they contained Cheerios). Then we dropped by the egg hunt at Rawhide, and Lauren (and Cole)picked up a few more candy-eggs. After a nice long nap (woo hoo!), Lauren helped decorate some cupcakes for another Easter treat, by placing jelly beans on top. She had a little trouble falling and staying asleep at night though -I'm guessing because of too many jelly beans!

Tight Squeeze

There comes a time when it's handy to fence Cole in. We've been using 2 ottomans and a wicker basket to keep him in the family room, where he can play with his toys while we cook, eat, etc. However between these objects there remains a little gap, and he has managed to escape once or twice now....

High Hopes

We went to the Chandler Ostrich Festival a couple weeks back, and Lauren really wanted to go on the big swing ride. She was quite disappointed to learn that she didn't meet the 42" height requirement. Alas, she finally settled for the Jumbo Dumbo kiddie elephant ride. (As a side note, since then, she's been 'pretend-checking' her height at home against the wall - probably hoping to grow a foot or so taller before the festival returns next spring....)

Hired Help

For Valentine's Day, Lauren and I baked heart-shaped sugar cookies. Although, after rolling out the first batch of dough, she grew bored after cutting out only the 3rd cookie.... So I finished up the rest, but she agreed to pose for this picture, and to sample the results.

Taking a Stand

Cole figured out how to pull himself up and stand in his crib a couple weeks ago. He also likes to bounce and chew on the rails a bit while he's up there - he thinks it's party time. This, however, makes the transition to nap/bedtime a little more challenging...

Produce Galore

I decided to place an order with Bountiful Baskets last week, and I was pleasantly surprised with the selection this go-around: asparagus, cauliflower, romaine lettuce, zuchini squash, corn on the cob, jicama, garlic, tomatoes, a pineapple, mandarin oranges, pink lady apples, asian pears, and bananas. What a good deal for only $16.50.