Photo Updates

Not a lot to report around here, but wanted to share some photos.  Cole is starting to smile pretty regularly, but we're always too busy enjoying the smiles, rather than capturing them on camera.  We'll try to get some this week to share.  

We did get a visit from Emily's friends Erin and Krissie who brought by some delicious dinners!  It was a welcome treat and good to have them over to see Cole.

We did get to go out to Suncadia this weekend, so that was definitely the highlight of the week.  It was great to get to enjoy the snow and spend the time with good friends.

Dinner with the gang

Wilson decided his large bed (left) wouldn't do.  He opted for Kima's bed

Cole abducted by a mountain man

 Hit the tube hill on Sunday.

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

We got a special treat with Grandma Pam and Grandpa Reed coming to visit and babysit while we went out to celebrate a good friends 30 birthday!  They showed up early afternoon and we got to catch up for a good while before we were off to dinner.

 Cole was not ready to party

 Bath time!  Always a favorite.

 Not sure if Grandpa is admiring himself or his grandson.

 Grandma has the magic touch.

 The next morning.  Cole apparently stayed up a bit too late too!

Almost there!  We're hoping for a full fledged smile this week!

3 Months Old!

Yesterday was the big 3 month milestone for Cole.  Hard to believe he's already been with us for a quarter of a year.  But at the same its been quite a journey getting here!  Cole got to celebrate his birthday evening with Grandma and Grandpa and we'll post some pictures here shortly of their time up here.

Here he is in his month by month photo.  Almost outgrown the giraffe!

Snow Week!

Well despite having great snowfall all week long, we failed to take any pictures of Cole in his first Seattle snow.  We spent most of the week cooped up in the house, only venturing out for needed supplies (see beer and Mexican Train pictures below).  On the bright side, we did get some good neighbor time in with a series of game nights with the Kelly's.

We are hoping to for this ice / snow to thaw out soon though!  Grandma Pam and Grandpa Reed are planning to come up on Saturday, plus there's a little cabin fever building around here.

Here are a few photos from the week!

Our friends Kris and Andy stopped by to meet Cole and visit for a while.  It was great to catch up!

 

Someone looks angry.  "It's dinner time and you're busy taking pictures of me!"

Sleepy time.

Garrett and Lauren helping out with babysitting while we get Clue! set up

Night 3 of game night.  Mexican Train.  Cole's favorite.

Sleepy baby

"When's it my dinner time?"

This one may be a little crude, but it was too great not to share.  This is Wilson's yellow snow.  Anyone that (for whatever reason) didn't believe the boys had a special affliction for each other is now disproved.  If you look carefully, you can see an S and W written in the snow.  True love.

First week on our own

Well, 5 days in and Emily survived.  I was pretty impressed with how well she handled everything and still had energy and smiles late into the evening.  Seems like we might actually be able to handle this parenting stuff on our own.

We had a great surprise of some delicious chicken enchiladas dropped off by Emily's boss, Jen, and her husband Jon.  It was a welcome treat after a long week.

Hoping to catch up on some sleep and chores this weekend with no plans at all!  Here are some photos from today and this week.

Go Cougs!

Uncle Ike came by tonight to give Cole a very special present. Emily wasn't terribly happy to see it, but she has been tolerable so far. Baby steps...

Today was day three for her on her own and it sounded like another successful day for Cole and Mom. I am certainly proud of the two of them. Here's a picture of Coles first art work.

Tough Day

Not only was today my first whole day alone with Cole (Drew was home with me the first two weeks, Mom/Nana was here for the last three weeks), but Cole also had his 2 month well baby appointment this morning at 10:30.  I am proud to say Cole and I somehow managed to actually make it to the doctor on time (and yes, I was able to shower and actually feed myself breakfast before we got out the door!).  

In addition to the standard immunizations babies receive at their 2 month appointment, Cole also received his second round of synagis, the active antibody given to qualifying babies to prevent RSV.  Learning a trick of the trade from the nurses at the NICU, I went to the appointment armed with sucrose water to try and ease Cole's pain.  Unfortunately, the 4 separate shots seemed to be a bit too much for the sucrose to handle. 

Today was the day Cole cried for the first time - not just the wailing of an infant, but literal tears rolling down his cheeks - it 100%, without a doubt broke my heart to have to sit there waiting for the shots to be over.  The good news is, as soon as I picked him up he instantly stopped crying and soon enough fell asleep in my arms.  He's been asleep pretty much the remainder of the day but is even more adamant than usual about not being put down - I did not get a single other thing accomplished today besides holding Cole and giving him comfort whenever he woke up crying.  But, so is the life of a mom, right?  I'm pretty comfortable knowing that I can always tackle my chores tomorrow, today was a day simply to give Cole love : )

Here are the quick stats from today's appointment:

Height: 20 1/4 inches (< 2nd percentile)

Weight: 9 pounds 9 ounces (< 2nd percentile)

Head circumference: 38 1/4 centimeters (10th percentile) [there's definitely no denying Cole is Drew's son ; )]

Prayer for Benson

While Cole was a resident of the NICU, our close friend Amy let us know of a college girlfriend of hers who also had a son at UW's NICU. This friend and I coincidentally met one another the next day in the elevator on our way up to visit our sons. While Bre and I only spoke briefly in passing between the pump room, etc., it is amazing how quickly you become attached and feel connected to parents going through the same thing as you.

Benson and Cole actually share the same due date of 12/21. While Cole was born 10/21, Benson decided to join his parents on 9/11 and was born at just a little over 1 pound. While Benson has already overcome momentous obstacles, he and his family are now facing one of the biggest fears any NICU parent has.

Early this week Benson was diagnosed with contracting RSV at the NICU. Any of you that have spoken with us directly know how terrifying this diagnosis is. Benson has now been transferred to the NICU at Children's Hospital where he is receiving the best care possible.

Drew and I truly believe it was with all the love, support and prayers from our family and friends that got us and Cole through his time in the NICU. We are hoping that some of you can please add Benson to your list of prayers - he and his family are in the fight of their lives. While we wish there was more we can do, Drew and I feel this is the best way for us to help Benson and his family at this time.

Thank you!

Happy New Year!

We're doing things backwards here and posting some New Year's pictures (ahead of Christmas pictures) from our time up at Suncadia with Cindy, Kate,Pam, and Reed.  It was a fun 5 days packed with games, catching up and maybe a little drinking.  The snow was coming down most of the time, which was great to finally see.  We also got to break out the Costco special snow shoes.  Here are some photos from the trip!

Grandma Pam administering the bottle.

We got to Skype with Melissa, Jason, Jack and Maggie.  They were up at Mt. Fuji for sight-seeing and sledding.

Kate, Pam and Drew out snowshoeing on the golf course.

Wilson in his "big bed."

Kate preserving the champagne with a foil top.

Dad and Cole.

Mush Steve!  You can guess this didn't work too well.

Emily out snowshoeing in the backyard.

Wide awake!

Excited baby!

Mom and son.