Category: Cole

Mommy and Ryan Day

Today, Ryan and I spent practically the entire day together, which has been what I think has been the first time this has happened since Cole was born- 19 months ago.

My mom is in “the big city” for a visit, so we met up with her, and my sister for some last minute shopping. My mom also didn’t do any Christmas shopping before she arrived, since she didn’t want to pack all that stuff!

Ryan told me before we left, that he really “needed some mama time.” We met my mom, sister, sister-in-law, and niece, at a pretty cool toy store.

Our local toy store has a train table set up, but this toy store, “downtown in the big city,” had a train table, a Lego table, a pirate ship table, and a doll house set up. Ryan was so happy just playing. Of course, it was crazy busy, and I didn’t venture away from where he was playing, so I didn’t get to look around too much, but did manage to find this neat, realistic toy trumpet for him, that I know he will love for his birthday. I even managed to “sneak” back and have it beautifully gift wrapped.

My mom and I wanted to get some play food for Cole, since he will be receiving a cash register from Santa 🙂 , and a shopping cart from my brother and sister-in-law. I had seen a play food set from Melissa & Doug at our local toy store about a month ago, and when I went in yesterday, they were completely sold out. I even tried a few more stores in my town with no luck.

So my mom and I weren’t very optimistic we would find the set we were looking for, but we were thrilled when we saw this: the set we were looking for. It even had 12 pieces, and the set I had seen previously, only had 10 pieces. I know this says for ages 3 and up, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what could be a choking hazard. Each piece is solid wood construction, and there aren’t any lids that come off, and the pieces are big. Maybe it is something on the crate. At any rate, I know Cole will just love playing with these.

Back to Ryan…we had so much fun together. He kept kissing me, holding my hand, and thanking me for bringing him along. He told me he was having a fun day. He was so good too- he didn’t cry, or otherwise fuss when it was time to leave the toy store. I told him we would go to Jamba Juice and get a smoothie, since that is his favorite treat.

We stopped where we thought there was one, but it had closed. So he had to wait, until we got to another mall, and he didn’t whine or fuss. He fell asleep on the way to the mall, so I stayed in the car for 15 minutes or so, and let him sleep a bit. When I woke him up, he was fine, and we went to get our smoothie.

He climbed up to a tall table, and kneeled on his knees, and just grinned from ear-to-ear. He would sip his smoothie, and smile at me. At one point he said, “I love you Mommy…this is the best day ever.” That just melted my heart.

Before we left to meet back up with our group, I realized how much I love this little boy. He means everything to me. As he grows, he doesn’t need me as much as he did, or even as much as Cole needs me now, but I am so happy that he can tell me when he does want to spend time with me. It is nice to be reminded that he still does need me, but now it is in different ways, and it is so fun to enjoy him as a little person- as a little boy now, instead of a baby.

I realized how much I miss us just having time one-on-one. We will definitely have to have another Mommy and Ryan day soon, but today was the highlight of the entire holiday season for me. Spending quality time, with my sweet boy- it doesn’t get better than that!

Tags 275, 310, 323, 329

Cole Health Mothering

Cole’s Latest Illness

I am beyond being in disbelief, but Cole is sick again. He started on Sunday night with a high fever. At one point it was around 103. It finally broke Monday night, and then on Tuesday, he started to break out in a rash around his mouth and diaper area only.

He actually had his follow up appointment that was rescheduled from last week, for his croup and lung issues on Tuesday. His lungs had cleared up, and our doctor, Dr. B., said the rash looked like a yeast infection from the antibiotics. He suggested I give him some Kefir, to bring up the good bacteria count in his gut. He noticed that his tonsils were inflamed and debated doing a step throat culture, but we decided not to right now. Most babies don’t get strep throat before age 2, according to Dr. B.

I am supposed to call Dr. B., back tomorrow and let him know how Cole is doing. He said if he still had a temperature, and seemed like his throat was still sore, he’d call in another antibiotic, but at this point I think he is over the worse of the sore throat, and he hasn’t had a fever again.

The rash is bugging me though. Yesterday it started to appear on his back and upper legs, but very faintly. My mother-in-law pointed out there are a lot of baby viruses that result in rashes, and we probably just have to wait it out. The good news is, the rash isn’t bothering Cole at all. He is totally happy, and doesn’t even know the rash is there- he isn’t trying to scratch or pick at it. I guess this is a case where it truly looks worse than it is.

After telling one of my friends about this today, she pointed out that it could be roseola. After reading up on it, it probably is- but maybe a milder version, since Cole doesn’t have the rash over his entire body, and only around his mouth and diaper area, is the rash red. So maybe he does have roseola, and then the yeast infection on top of that as well- who knows anymore!

I am at my wits end with Cole getting, what seems like every illness! He just gets better and then one day later he is down with something else. Roseola says kids come down with it 10 days after they are exposed. I don’t even remember what or where we even were, where he could have been exposed.

I am going to work with my friend who is an herbalist, in trying to build his immunity up. She mentioned that he may just need some more immune support, and when I told my boss today what was happening, she reminded me how weak babies this age immune systems can be.

She said her nephew who is three now, was sick every week from the time he was 1 until he was 2.5- she said she wasn’t kidding. That made me feel a bit better, but I hope that is not in store for Cole. This really bites, one sickness after another.

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Activities Cole Holidays Ryan Work

Let It Snow

It started snowing last night and it hasn’t stopped all day. Not counting all the snow that melted as the snow first hit, we have about 8 inches. The weather didn’t forecast this at all…why is that not surprising!

Last night we went to a Santa’s Workshop, and an outdoor light walk. I was a little disappointed. A lot of the booths were empty, and the lines were really long for the train ride. Inside, at the workshop, it was arts and crafts for older kids, really. The kids that were having a lot of fun all looked about 8 years old and older.

But Cole enjoyed being outside, but Ryan, who came down with a fever last night, obviously was starting to feel sick, so he didn’t have a very good time.

Tonight we braved the weather again to go to our town’s holiday parade. We have always gone in years past, and this year it was a little disappointing too. Seeing how it was snowing, and about 20 degrees, I am sure a lot of the floats and performers backed out. In years past, there were always at least three of the high school bands- this year there was only one- and it was a small private school’s band. Usually the parade lasts about an hour, and this year it was under 45 minutes. Cole again had a blast- but Ryan and I went into a store, and watched about half of the parade from the window. He is feeling better, but still isn’t 100%, and I didn’t want him to get chilled.

I realized last night that Ryan’s boots from last year, didn’t fit him this year. So I stopped off at a kiddie consignment store today, and picked up a pair in his size. He wore them tonight, and when we were outside, he was standing in about 2 inches of snow. After the parade we went to eat dinner, and Ryan said he wanted to take his boots off in the restaurant. I took one off, and his foot was SOAKED! Poor little guy- his feet must have been freezing.

I knew he would want to play in the snow tomorrow, and he needs boots when he goes to preschool on Tuesday, so we did a quick dash over to Target, where we got him a brand new pair of boots, that hopefully won’t leak. I also got a pair for me. I don’t own boots- I haven’t had boots in about ten years- we just haven’t had that much snow, or it always melts in a day or so. I have been getting away with wearing Dansko clogs, that I never slip in, but standing there tonight- my feet were freezing, and in deep snow, they just don’t work.

I figured since I have two active boys, who love the snow, I will be spending more and more time in the snow, so a nice warm pair of boots, sounded like a good idea. They were so warm- I didn’t want to take them off, and wanted to wear them home like a kid!

In other news, my Christmas dinner / party went well. It was a very long night, but it was amazing.

Tomorrow, Joe has to start working very long hours until Friday, so I am figuring on kind of being a “single” parent for the week. I am going to try to get all my baking done for the cookie exchange I am going to next Sunday, this week. We went to the grocery store today and got everything, so I wouln’t have to make any late night runs to the store for sugar!

One of the recipes I am making is really fast and easy, but the other one is really complex. I wanted to do something special, and I hope the group likes it. I’ll post pictures when I get them done!

Finally, I scored a really, really, nice Christmas present for Joe. Shhh…it is a surprise (if you know us in real life). He doesn’t read my blog, (at least that I know of,) but just in case I can’t say what it is. I was surprised I was able to get it, but it is something that I know he will absolutely love. I had to get on the computer today to get it, and told him not to come in, while I was on the computer. After the purchase was complete, I told him it didn’t work out. So he has no idea, and hopefully he doesn’t suspect anything. After Christmas, I’ll spill some of the beans on what it is. 🙂

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend, and getting all those names crossed off your Christmas shopping lists. I still have some gifts for cousins, and our family exchange to get, but I don’t feel rushed or under the gun- yet.

Since we don’t have anything to do tomorrow, like the song says, for now, let it snow!

Activities Cole Family & Friends Parenting Ryan Work

Super Busy Week

This will probably be the only post I have time to write this week- as we are having an unusually busy week, well for us anyway!

Yesterday I worked all day, and Joe took the day off and stayed home with the boys. We had a role-reversal for the day, and it went well. I had a somewhat stressful day (trying to learn something new, and the computers and software were not cooperating!) I was tired when it was time to come home. I had two boys, who missed their mama, jump on me the second I walked in the door, and they didn’t stop until bedtime! I have a new appreciation for Joe; it is hard to be 100% at work, and on top of it all, and then have to be energetic, and happy for your kids when you come home. I also missed them- I guess I’m not used to being away from them on this particular day!

Joe’s day went well- the boys were really good for him. I think he got a taste of how my days go though, when he decided to replace our bathroom faucet. It has had a leak for a few days, and he said he learned his lesson in never trying to do a plumbing project with the two little monkey’s around! He said they just wanted to see everything, get into everything, and he had to keep stopping what he was doing, to watch what they were doing. The highlight was when Cole picked up a wrench, and pounded it down with all his might on Joe’s knees!

But, despite all the stop-and-go’s, he did get the faucet in, and I told him now he knows how triumphant I feel when I can get a few things done around the house in a day. He also told me we were going out to dinner, because he hadn’t had time to cook anything. I’ve been there before too! 🙂

Today Ryan was supposed to go to preschool, but he woke up with what sounded like a bad cold (I know, NOT again), and we had wind blowing about 70 miles an hour. They go outside for most of the day at school, so I decided to keep him home. I didn’t want him to get anyone else sick, and I didn’t think it would be good for him to be in all that wind. About 10 minutes before school started, he said he felt fine and wanted to go to school. Figures. The wind also died down, so Ryan and Cole played outside in the back yard all morning. I am happy to say, that his cold seemed to disappear too- he just has a bit of a runny nose.

Then this afternoon, we went to see a pretty famous concert band play. Joe came home, and Joe’s dad came with us too. It was really good! This was the first concert either boy had ever been too, and they were wonderful! The concert was about an hour and a half, and Ryan was fine during the entire time. Cole loved the concert for the first 45 minutes…he was clapping, singing, tapping his hands on his legs to the music, and dancing. He was thrilled. During the last half, Joe and I took turns standing in the back of auditorium with him- he was getting a bit restless.

After the concert was over, Santa was on the stage, so Ryan and Cole got to meet Santa. I don’t think I ever saw Ryan’s eyes so big. He asked later if that was a pretend Santa, or a real one, and of course we told him that was the real Santa. He said he had a lot of hair in his beard! 🙂 We also got to meet some of the musicians- Ryan and Cole got to touch and feel a French horn, and a trumpet. Of course as we got home, Ryan and Cole played band all night, with Ryan as the the conductor, complete with a baton. They were imitating some of the acts they saw, which was neat to see.

Tomorrow, I have the longest day ever! I work all day, and then it is my work’s Christmas party. Since it is a very small firm, the owner decided to take us out to dinner after work, and then to another very, very, famous show that happens to be in town. It starts around 7, and I am sure by the time it is all over and done, I won’t be home until 11pm.

Thursday, it is back to work for me, for half a day, and then we have another follow up doctor’s appointment for Cole, so the doctor can see if Cole’s lungs are finally clear.

Friday night we are taking the boys to Santa’s Workshop, complete with reindeer, lights, train rides, hot cocoa, and of course, Mr. Claus himself.

Saturday night, there is a holiday light parade that we are going to, and then on Sunday, Joe has to start putting in some very long hours at work all week.

I have four projects I am trying to finish myself for work, and have been trying to get some of them done at home, at night, after the boys are in bed. (I am playing hooky right now from my stack of work.)

Not to mention trying to keep up with the house, (Joe did clean the bathrooms and vacuum yesterday, so that was big help!), go grocery shopping, do laundry, trying to figure out and plan Ryan’s birthday, trying to fit in some Christmas shopping, and some baking for a cookie exchange I’m going to next week. Whew…

So check back in with me in a few days- I’ll be blogging again as soon as things slow down a bit.

Activities Cole Family & Friends Ryan

It’s Begining to Look a lot Like Christmas

Post author By A Mama's Blog
Post date December 1, 2007

Tonight we put up our Christmas tree, and decorated it as much as possible. Since we have a little munchkin- aka- Cole, we had to decorate the top 3/4’s of the tree, because nothing would last within his grip. We put a few non-breakable ornaments at the bottom, and Cole is having fun taking them off, and putting them back on.

Ryan and Cole were so excited; Ryan would look at an ornament, say he wanted to hang it up, and then dive into the next box, deciding what ornaments he wanted to hang. When I got to my ~~special boxes of glass ornaments~~, boxes of highly breakable ornaments, I held one up which is a glass snowflake. I put that at the very top, and Ryan said, “Oh, that one is adorable.”

We only had one tragedy in only one ornament got broken. It was from my vintage set that my mom got for me a few years ago, and I was bummed because it was a cute little blue car-Ryan was sad too, because that was the first one we hung up. Surprisingly, neither boy broke it, it was a total accident. When Joe was plugging in the star at the top; it just fell off the branch.

Tomorrow, we will hang our stockings with care. Joe’s mom is a wonderful cross stitcher and seamstress. She has made all four us beautiful, cross-stitched, one of a kind stockings. (I’ll post a picture of our stockings when we get them hung.)

Ryan is very excited about hanging his stocking this year. We got a Little House on the Prairie book at the library, Christmas in the Big Woods, where all the children get a piece of peppermint candy left in their stocking by Santa. He just knows Santa is going to leave him a piece of that candy that he left for Laura and Mary. 🙂

Here is a picture of the three of us, taking a break from all the ornament hanging (you can click on it to see the image larger):

After the boys were in bed, I went outside to put some recycling materials in the bin, and it was snowing! A light snow, but it feels like Christmas and winter is here.