Colson- 10 Months Old

Wow-za!  Can't believe another month has already past!  Colson is 10 months old (tomorrow, but I'll be busy tomorrow...).  He is growing like a weed and keeps me on my toes at all times!  He is still crawling everywhere and he is into EVERYTHING!  I have never met a child who will put so much into his mouth.  Colson puts paper, coins, leaves, bugs, crumbs, toys, clothes, shoes... basically if it fits in his mouth, it goes in!  I am constantly scanning the floor or table (since he can now reach) for things that are choking hazards!  

We started out the month in Coppell with the Geeslin family for Thanksgiving!  It was a blast!

Colson pulls up on everything now too.  He walks along furniture, but hasn't shown any interest in actually walking.  Even with me holding his hands he isn't interested yet. 

Little man has 6 teeth.  Four on top, 2 on bottom.  With as many things as he puts in his mouth I have had my fair share of feeling those teeth.  He doesn't exactly open up when I do the finger swipe ;)

Colson is attached to Mommy still.  I actually left all three kids at home with Jared and took a girls trip to Canton.  (By the Way, Jared is amazing and wonderful!  I am so thankful that he gave me some much needed and appreciated time away.  I am truly blessed by him.)  I thought that my time away might break the Mommy attachment a little, but no such luck.  I came home to Colson having pink eye and a double ear infection, so he was clingier than usual.  Poor buddy, finally got over that and then when I took him in yesterday to recheck his ears we found he has ANOTHER ear infection.  He is on a stronger antibiotic and if he gets another ear infection then it will be off to the ENT for tubes more than likely.

Even with all the ear issues, he is still a happy boy!  I'm so blessed to watch him grow.  He is still very independent, but has his cuddle moments.  He likes to bury his face in my shoulder and rub it around.  He still gives me 'hugs'.   He is eating great.  He pretty much eats whatever his put in front of him.  He prefers more finger type foods.  Oatmeal is a new favorite for him.  His sleep is still hit or miss, but that is to be expected with all the ear issues. 

He loves his sisters and wants to participate in whatever they are doing (which is starting to bother Katelyn because he gets into her stuff...).  The girls have to do arts, crafts and games at the big table because he can't quite reach that high. 

Colson has been a trooper going to all the events here and there for Katelyn.  Her preschool music performance started at 7:00, his bedtime.  He sat quietly in Jared's lap, sweet!   

We had our family Christmas this past Saturday and here is Colson opening his stocking.  I know what you are thinking, that looks like a toysrus sack, not stocking.  And to that I say- HUSH!  Maybe I'll have his stocking made by next year?!?

Colson got 2 tonka trucks and his fox for Christmas.  I think Jared was the most excited about the tonka trucks.  Jared gave him the speech about how he used to have tonka trucks and he thinks Nanny and PawPaw still have them.  

Yesterday I was trying to get dinner ready and Colson was under foot, so I gave him some tupperware and a wooden spoon to play with.  Somehow he got in the pantry when I left the door cracked and this is what I found....

He then played with those cookie cutters for about 20 minutes!  

I am so thankful for this special boy.  He lights up our hearts and keeps us on our toes.   

Happy 10 month birthday!

Company Christmas Party

Last weekend we were able to attend Jared's company Christmas party and stay in a hotel downtown.  It was fun to get all dolled up and have a fun night at the HHS Christmas party.  They held it at the new Brazos Hall (owned and managed by HHS and partners).  It was beautiful and the weather was perfect.  I didn't get pictures there because, well, kids!  We were busy keeping them entertained and happy.  A few other kids were there, but this was a hard age to have them at a formal party.  

Katelyn's Preschool Christmas Performance

Tuesday night we had the privilege to go hear Katelyn and her preschool classmates sing a few Christmas songs.  I loved every second of it!  Although it was a little crazy.  I joked on the way that I wanted a good seat and I would elbow somebody if need be.  Apparently some people weren't exactly joking!  Those preschool parents and grandparents meant business!  We did however get a pretty good view of our star performer, and I didn't have to elbow anyone :)

Mary Did You Know Video-

Thanksgiving 2012

This holiday was a bit different then what we have done in the past.  We headed up to Dallas on Wednesday and had a day at The Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine before going to Byron and Megan's house on Thursday.  The girls loved the wolf den, or as Adelyn called it- her house.  

We made a stop at the craft station where we did the only free thing, color!

Don't worry though, they loved the coloring!

And here is Jared... Don't know what he is doing?!?

Here is the only family picture we got at the Lodge.

We also made a stop at the arcade.  One of our prizes were the stick-on mustaches.  I thought they were hilarious and wanted the kids to wear them longer, but Colson was eating his and the girls didn't care for them.  Although Katelyn did get the giggles at one point and then said, "Adelyn looks just like Bubba!"

The water park was the best part!  The wave pool was a favorite for Katelyn and Adelyn.  Colson was happy just being held.  Katelyn was the only one big enough for any of the slides, so we took her on those a few times.  We will for sure go back to the Great Wolf Lodge, but not until Colson is at least 2 or 3, maybe even more like 5 or 6.  It is hard when he has to be held the whole time, plus keeping up with Katelyn and Adelyn.  

On Thursday afternoon we headed over to Byron and Megan's house for our family Thanksgiving.  

The girls loved the back yard and being able to run free!

Joshua, Katelyn and Adelyn loved playing chase.  I'm not sure what it is that makes it so fun, but it makes for easy entertainment, and bonus- it wears them out!

Adelyn also loved the leaves, again- easy entertainment!

Here is the best grandkid picture with Bubba and JoJo.  Taking these pictures is one of my favorite things to do.  It is so fun to see all the kids piled on Bubba and JoJo and I think the kids are getting better at cooperating :)

Love Colson's expression!

And of course here is a grandkid picture with all the kids in their Christmas pj's.  

What a blessing it is to spend time with family.  It may be crazy with all the things going on, but I am thankful for family, kids, water parks, and love.  Especially God's love this thanksgiving holiday!

Colson- 9 months old

  Today is Colson's 9 month birthday.  We had his well check today and he is weighing in at 21 lbs (90%) and is 29.5 inches (90%).  He is overall very healthy and doing great.  His eczema has flared up the last few days.  The doctor said that as soon as you start using your heater in the house, you can expect it to flare.  This past month was lots of fun for Colson.  He is one lucky boy to have 2 sweet big sisters, but we will talk about them a little later! 

Colson is still sleeping ok.  Wakes up a little earlier than I would like, but most nights he does ok.  He takes 2 naps a day and is generally happy.  He is most certainly attached to his momma.  If I walk by when someone else is holding him and don't pick him up, he will let us know he isn't happy.  Most of the time this isn't a big deal, but if I'm trying to accomplish a task then it can be frustrating.

Colson eats whatever puree's are given as well as some table food.  Puffs, cheerios, banana, bread, waffles, and raspberries are what we have given him so far.  He enjoys being able to feed himself.

Colson's favorite thing to do is stand these days.  He is crawling like crazy.  Actually, I had to put the gate at the bottom of the stairs because he was just getting too fast.  

The 3 kids play so well together.  I'm loving watching the sibling dynamics start to play out.  The day I snapped this picture they all were playing around this table for at least 10 minutes straight.  They were each in their own world, but they were playing side-by-side nicely and it was lovely to watch.  

Colson was a dragon for Halloween.  He enjoyed the costume because it had over-sized claws on the hands that made great teethers!

Little man's hair is growing around the back and sides (yup, another mullet-ish hairdo for the Hughes').  I'm thinking we may get the sheers out soon!

I just love this picture.  Katelyn was my 'helper' that afternoon when I was taking pictures.  She was supposed to get him to smile (because she is the BEST at getting a grin or laugh out of Colson).  Well, all he cared about was looking at the grass, so she took matters into her own hands- literally.  Colson so far doesn't mind Katelyn's 'helping- hand'.  I'm sure that will one day change, but for now he loves her dearly and she can do almost no wrong!

Adelyn is more and more enjoying playing with him.  She is more of his partner in crime (in the picture she is getting him more grass to eat).  The more mobile he becomes, the more she enjoys him.  Today he was 'chasing' her around the living room.  She takes over as being in charge when Katelyn is at school.  She will see him with a toy and run across the room saying, "No, No, Colsy..." Although most of the time the toy is fine for him to have...

Happy 9 month birthday little Colsy-Wolsy-Underpants.  You are a blessing!

Just because...

Megan's baby shower

Sunday was Megan's baby shower in Arlington.  We were so excited to come celebrate the big day with her.  We can't wait to meet Brooklynn Jo!

The food and punch was all yummy.  I don't know who made the chocolate chip scones, but yum! 

Since this is Byron and Megan's first baby they need all the essentials, I think it is fair to say this shower was a good start!

This picture doesn't do justice to how much wonderful stuff she received   You can tell already how much Brooklynn is loved!

Colson was a trooper the whole day.  He was great the 6+ hrs in the car, and he took a little nap during the shower.  The hostess offered a crib upstairs for him, but I declined- I don't get undivided attention often with him and I was quite enjoying holding him!