16 months - 3 days old

Today this cute little stinker turned 16 months and 3 days old.

Why is this so significant?  Because 5 1/2 years ago that's the exact age Jack was when he was called home permanently.  After we lost Jack, I wanted a baby more than I have EVER wanted anything in my whole life.  We were so blessed when we were quickly pregnant with Jaden a few weeks later.  The pregnancy was a breeze and I only gained 20 lbs.  Then Jaden arrived and I was head over heels in love with him.  But soon after he was born I felt like something was a little off for me.  Jaden wasn't the easiest baby and I think that subconsciously I wouldn't even allow myself to love him like I loved Jack because there is and always would be a chance that he could be called home as well.  But after he turned 16 months and 3 days...it was like my heart was able to completely open up and love him with all the love that I could possible give and then some.  It was a good feeling.  

Well, today Coleson reached that milestone.  It's no secret that from the start of this pregnancy up until even now, Cole has not exactly been the easiest and most dreamy baby.  He's been a challenge to say the least.  It's been so difficult that the thought of having another baby makes me so exhausted.  Crazy exhausted like when you are so sleep deprived after 3 weeks of a newborn.  Things have gotten better.  He's getting a lot easier, but still seems to be more work than the others.  Coby tells me that I'm just not remembering correctly!  I feel like a complete jerk when I think of others and the challenges they deal with their own children due to illness and different handicaps.  Then I can usually snap out of my funk and see Cole for what he is...just a baby.  A normal baby.  Some babies are easier than others I have come to know.  

I'm just so happy that he's here.  I'm so happy to be his mom.  I love this short tempered little boy more than words could ever say!  He's sick right now.  He has a nasty virus and another ear infection.  He's been running a low grade fever since Sunday on and off.  He's been extra clingy and snuggly (a definite sign that he's not feeling well because he's NEVER snuggly unless he's really tired).  He's happy when he is in the tub taking a bath.  He's been babbling all day and it's the sweetest sounds I've ever heard.  I could sit and watch him do it all day.  I hope he feels better, but I'm enjoying the tender moments I'm being given.

Joanne's Birthday Girl's Weekend

Happy Birthday Momma Jo!  You are SO loved!!!  

Look at all those smiling faces ready to "help" you blow out your candles!  

We went to dinner later that week at Little America with just the adults.  It was pretty yummy!  At the end they brought out the most delicious German Chocolate Cake and....I loved it...maybe a little too much!! Nice choice...lady after my own heart!

Then the girls all headed back to Joanne's for a little stay-cation.  We all hopped in the hot tub for a much deserved soak. We did our nails!  And now, I think I'm hooked....I may have to buy all the shellac stuff!  Thanks ALOT Marse and Whitney!! Then we settled in and watched an old classic with Rock Hudson.  It was so funny!  I love old movies!  

The next day we woke up and went to the MDA walk in honor of Jim.  Joanne was able to rally the troops and raise almost $3000 for the cause!  I sure wished there was a cure.  

After the walk we headed back to Joanne's, freshened up and then headed to Cafe Rio.  I love their Saturday shrimp tacos.  YUMMO!  Then it was off to get our toes beautified so we could do a little feet flirtin'!  My pedi was super short...but I got to stay in the chair and get a great little back rub!  It was so nice to just sit there chatting together and relaxing while the Bok Toks (as Joanne so cutely says) magically made our feet so pretty!  Marse had a little issue trying to get her skinny jeans to roll back down!  It was pretty comical!  After the pedis we did a little shopping.  

This weekend was fabulous!  It's always a treat to be with Joanne and my cute sister in laws!  Coby was a super trooper and manned the fort with the boys.  I even came home to a clean house.  I sure love that handsome husband of mine!  Happy Birthday Joanne!  Thanks for letting us be a part of your birthday! I know that Jim was there and wished that he could give you a birthday surprise. He told me to tell you "Cordova"??!!  Whatever that means!  :) You are amazing and everyone blessed to be near you can feel your sunshine!  :) 

MDA Walk

Joanne has been actively involved in doing whatever she can to aid the MDA (Muscular Distrophy Association) in honor of Jim.  

Today we were able to do a charity walk for the MDA.  We had a lot of support from both sides of the family.

Here's our Jim...doing what he loved best!  I'm sure he was there on the walk with us in spirit.   

 FINALLY, a shot of our whole family!

 I tried to show Cole the big bunny...he did NOT appreciate it!

 He kept checking to see if the bunny was gone and where exactly he was so that we couldn't "accidentally" bump into him again!

One last shot of our Rich Family.  I am happy that we were able to help contribute to this cause in Jim's honor.  I wish there was a cure.  I wish that Jim was still here.  But I bet if you really look hard you can probably see him standing right behind Joanne.  I know that he was there today.  We all felt him.  Joanne has been such a trooper staying strong and doing all she can to continue to serve others through noble causes such as these.  We love you both!  

SURE Delight!

If this picture doesn't SCREAM pure delight....

Today Coby got the replacement battery for the hot wheels jeep.  (Long story short...our dishonest neighbor from our old house STOLE ours and then LIED about it...what...I'm not bitter!!!) and it's taken us a while to get another one ordered!

Jaden could hardly finish dinner because he was so excited to get out there and take the old jeep for a little evening spin!  Once Cole noticed what all the excitement was about, he ran as fast as his little legs would go to claim his seat next to Jaden!  They rode around the culd-a-sac until it got dark and Coby had to quite literally drag them inside!  It's always a treat to see smiles that big on the boys' faces!  :)  It makes bad days not seem so bad!  :)

"Victims" of a little green Leprechaun

The boys made sure to wear GREEN to avoid being pinched when they woke up.   I thought it was cute until Coby reminded me that I was not exempt from the "green" rule...and I knew that there would be a whole lot of pinching if I woke up without it!  So, despite being so cozy in bed the night before...I got up anyway!

That crazy leprechaun got into EVERYTHING....just look at those green pancakes.  (well, they are supposed to be green...but you can't really see it that well!  :)

He even got into the kids milk and apple juice! 

 And from what I was told he may have even peed in the 1/2 bathroom!  :)

Good times!  It's always fun to wake up and celebrate silly holidays!  The boys get a kick out of it and that makes any hassle worth it!

And he's UP

HOLY COW!!!

I can hardly believe it!  It took this kid 2 tries and he was UP and ready to go!  He LOVES riding his bike and feeling like a BIG kid!  He wasn't ever scared and didn't even cry when he fell down.  He just kept getting back up and hopping back on the bike!  That's my boy!!  LOVE that cute little Jadesy babe of mine!  :) 

Jaden/Daddy Make-up Date

Coby was true to his word and asked Jaden where he wanted to go for a special Daddy/Jaden date!

Blue Man group isn't my cup of tea...so Coby opted to take one of the boys instead.  Jaden was the lucky winner!  Coby said he had so much fun!  Jaden calls them "aliens" and loved the parts about the "balls" and all the different names for your "butt".  Typical!  :)  They had fun and made some good memories together!  :)  Love that Coby does fun things with our boys to make them feel loved and oh so special! BEST. DAD. EVER!!!

Boy's Weekend in Sunny St. George

Coby and Corbin got a little invite from Dan and Preston Carter (cousin's on the Patterson side) to head down to sunny St. George and have a little boys weekend.  They golfed...and when I say golf, I mean Dan and Coby golfed and Corb and Preston searched for golf balls.  I heard that Corbin may have accidentally been hit with Coby's club slightly...in the....well...you KNOW where!  Then they headed up the canyon for a mountain bike ride.  They all had a GREAT time until Corb flew forward on the handle bars and may have landed on that pole in the middle of the bike.  Poor Corb.  Coby said it looked like it hurt quite a bit.  I sure hope he can have children one day!  :)  

Cobe said that Corb and Preston had an absolute ball together.  

It's so nice that Corb is getting to the age that he can actually do outdoorsy things with Coby.  There is nothing he loves more than to spend time with his dad.  Jaden on the other hand was pretty disappointed...but I'm sure Cobe will make it up to him later in the week.

Just like Daddy

Coby's work does a lot with the colors Red and White.  They even gave everyone on the marketing team fun red and white sneakers.  I won't lie...I think Cobe looks pretty cute when he wears them.  But I found these ADORABLE little look-a-likes for Cole and they were a perfect fit.  I'm LOVING dressing him up and since he's crazy about shoes or "shoosh" as he likes to say....it was a win win for everyone!!  :)