No More Paci!

Something I had been pondering on is how much longer I should allow Cohen to have his paci....He was addicted and I knew the day we took it away would be a disaster. I would be proven wrong. At Cohen's two year doctor check up, the doctor suggested that we should start cutting it back to maybe naps and bedtime. He explained to me what the paci could do to his teeth and though no major signs were occurring, the doctor could see it starting. Say no more! That had officially helped my decision on what to do. As of that day and with GG's help, we only allowed him to have it at naps and bedtime and would continue this until the weekend. He was doing really well with that change and showed no signs of meltdowns when he would ask for it and was told no.

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So on Friday, the decision was made and we would pack up the paci for the "Paci Fairy" to take. I explained to Cohen that if he gave them to her, she would leave a surprise. He seemed excited about that. There was no crying or fussing. I think he was really excited about getting that surprise. We did have a little trouble going to bed that night and a thought crossed my mind, that if he had the paci, it would have made it easier. But we worked through it and he finally went to sleep. The next morning, there was a surprise waiting for Cohen. And although he did run to the door saying "Paci Back Peez", he went straight to his surprise and played all morning with it. Occasionally he does ask for the paci but we just explain to him that the Paci Fairy took them and that he is a big boy now and doesn't need them. He just moves on... The process of saying goodbye to his paci wasn't as hard as I anticipated it would be and I am a very proud mommy!!!!

"Last time putting paci in mouth"

"The Surprise"

The Future?

A BASEBALL PLAYER

or A SKATEBOARDER?

These were some birthday gifts (if you know him, you probably could guess who gave the skateboard ~ um....Uncle Clark). But not only did he love all the fun, indoor toys, he seems to really enjoy both of these. What I find funny is, as soon as I pulled out the baseball set, without us showing him anything, he knew exactly what to do and has had some good hits.

So, which could it be? I hope both or possible something else. No preference for this mommy but for Cohen to enjoy life to the fullness and have a good time with whatever sport or activity he likes (well, with the exception of Boxing, just don't get the whole hitting someone in the face thing)!!!!

One and Only....

It was time to take Cohen in for his two year old pictures and I had a feeling that it might not be as easy as it had been prior to his 18 month photo shoot. And I was right! So Saturday morning, we got dressed and headed to the portrait place. As soon as we stepped foot in the door, the whining and crying started. They called our name and Cohen wasn't happy at all. We tried everything from cars, blocks, balls or whatever was in sight to get some shots. But this now 2 year old was not going to let it happen. I was getting stressed and knew he just didn't understand, so we decided to reschedule and try the next day.

I pondered the rest of the day and even early Sunday morning on what I should do. He seemed to be in a good mood and I told him that if he did get his pictures done for mommy, that I would take him to pick out a surprise at the toy store but I really don't think he understood (except the getting a surprise part). So again, we got ready and headed back for "round 2". He would win again. After trying several things again, even some new birthday toys he had received, nothing was working. So I told the photographer, let's try the profile shot. So while sitting on a stool and mommy close by, I bribed him with M&M's. The photographer was able to get 6 pictures of the same pose and only one showed his mouth not chewing. I was asked if I wanted to reschedule and I felt that I just couldn't do this to myself and more importantly Cohen. I decided to get the "ONE AND ONLY" and to me, It is just perfect of my baby boy growing into a little boy!!!

Our Birthday Boy!!!!

On Saturday, we celebrated Cohen's 2nd birthday! I truly cannot believe he is 2. It seems that just yesterday, he was placed in my arms for the first time and we brought him home. The past two years have been so wonderful and such a joy having our little man in our lives.

The day started off by taking Cohen to get his pictures made. Let's just say we are in the terrible two's stage and apparently a little clingy too. He was not cooperative at all and was not going to allow any pictures to be taken. After plenty of bribing and begging by his mommy, I decided to call it quits and reschedule for the next day. With the help of Grandma, she took Cohen home with her so I could finish getting the party ready before everyone arrived.

~

After picking up the balloons, trip to the grocery store, finish cleaning the house, decorate, pick up the cupcakes, make a 2nd trip the grocery store and started getting the food ready, IT WAS TIME for little man to arrive. And so he did with his uncooperative self....

~

The party did in fact go well even though Cohen had his moments especially when we all started singing Happy Birthday to him. Overall he seemed to have a good time and of course, loved opening all his wonderful, fun gifts from everyone. It seemed like Christmas morning....

~

Thanks to GG and Pops, Grandma and Papa, Great-Grandma Hardee, Papa and Grandma O, Uncle Clint and Aunt Kimee and Uncle Clark for loving our son and being a part of this special time with him!!!! I know he loves you ALL!!!!

So it begins.....

And I can already tell I am in T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!! Finding out on Monday that we were in fact having a Girl still has not sunk in and probably wont until I get to hold her. But I am super excited and just couldn't wait to make my first girly purchase for our Ladybug. Which is exactly what I did on my lunch hour that day. I headed to BabiesRus to browse and pick out one cute outfit. But one wasn't enough for this excited mommy and especially at the sale prices of $5 to $7. They had all their summer clothes marked down and I couldn't just settle on one.

Something else that has me truly excited is Ladybug's nursery! Prior to even knowing that it would be a girl, I had been brainstorming on what the nursery would be (and I had back up plans for a boy too). While I was at the beach this summer, I ran across a frame. A frame that immediately made me think of a girl's nursery and what I had envisioned I would want it to be. I thought it might be a little crazy going ahead and buying the frame without knowing but now, I am so glad I did (Thanks Linds for the help in deciding to buy it too!). This "frame" would become my inspiration!!!

You see, I am not a big "pinky" girl. Love the color and I know with having a girl, I will see a lot of this color. But I just did not want her room to be "all" pink nor did I want it to be a typical baby girl nursery (not knocking on those by any means, just not what I wanted). I wanted to have a nursery that wasn't babyish and one that she could grow with. With not having any luck finding any bedding that stood out to me either at the stores or online, the only option was to search for fabric and have it made. I didn't waste anytime. I was at the fabric store on Tuesday, one at lunch and one after work. And, "The Fabric" was found! I will wait to post pictures of the bedding once it is completed but I absolutely LOVE IT and cant wait to show you all. I believe I am going to truly enjoy preparing this room for Lil' Miss Ladybug!!!!!!

Introducing Our "LadyBug"!!!!

On Cloud Nine. Super Excited. Truly Overjoyed. So Surreal. Blessed beyond words. Just a short version of what I am feeling today. The day that we were told a little GIRL is on her way!!! God has given us such a wonderful blessing of becoming parents to our lovable Cohen and now our family is being completed with our Ladybug...

Ladybug is growing perfectly and continues to give me those loving kicks. It is hard to believe that we are half way through the pregnancy and I know the end will be here soon. And I cannot wait to hold her!!!With a total of 17 lbs gained, all in all the pregnancy hasn't been too bad. The terrible headaches have eased off a good bit which I very thankful for. I have been experiencing some strong lower pressure but apparently that is from Miss Ladybug. I am curious to see how the next 20 weeks turns out but it will be totally worth it all to get to meet our little GIRL!!!!

Now it is time to begin the Nursery!!!

T-minus 5 days!!!!

And we will finally get to find out what this little one is!!!

Need more TIME....

It feels that I haven't posted anything in forever. I just haven't made the time to sit down and do it. So here I am at 10:30 pm, way past my bed time and trying to catch up. I use to do all my posting and catching up on my favorite blogs at work. Until a few weeks ago, when it was announced that we were no longer allowed to access social networking sites such as Facebook or blogs at work. UGH!!!!! I am very limited to time in the evenings unless I stay up late and that is just something I can not do. But I am attempting it tonight.

August has been a busy month for us, although we did have a childless couple of days this past weekend. We are finishing the final touches on Cohen's big boy room which I am just so excited about. It has turned out even better than I hope. I hope to have pictures posted soon.... We also have a big event for us this month. Cohen turns the BIG 2!!!!! We decided to have a small family party again this year but this mom cant do simple. The theme this year is ABC's. Something that Cohen is getting really good at. Looking forward to his party for sure...

Cohen has officially added a "First" that this mom would have hoped would never happened. It all began with a phone call last Thursday night. The night that began the childless weekend while he enjoyed some quality time with Grandma and Papa. I got the call around 9:30 from my mom saying that everything is ok but we are at the emergency room. Apparently Cohen had taken a fall which resulted with a cut in the back of his head. You hope and pray that your child never gets hurt but to add the fact that you are not there when it happens, well my heart just sank. Wanting to jump in the car and head that way, my mom assured me that he was o.k. and acting completely normal. It had already stopped bleeding but they just wanted to make sure nothing else was wrong. After waiting a while to see a doctor, he walked out not needing any stitches and grandparents very thankful it wasn't worse. I actually did get the chance to see my little man the next day for an already planned hair cut appointment. He did great and received his balloon and jelly beans (explains the expression on his face as he chews on a purple jelly bean). He went on to have a good weekend with them and a little boo-boo to show us when he got home.

Firetrucks and Art

Cohen loves Firetrucks!

"recently added to his car and truck collection"

"Art Night"

Messy but loads of fun!

Cookout with the Cousins!

Today, we enjoyed some wonderful company at the Gibson household. Along with Charlie's brothers and our sister-in-love, his cousins and their families took a little drive to have a cookout and hang out by the pool. The weather turned out to be perfect for a pool day, the food was delicious and spending time with these guys and gals was a BLAST! I love getting to see Cohen and Hamilton play together and look forward to next year, when Lil'Charlie and Alexander will be right there along with them. It is exciting to know that this is the beginning of our family get togethers and truly cant wait for more down the road!!!

" Uncle Clint and Aunt Kimmie"

"Cousin Monty, Lindsay & Lil'Charlie"

"Cousin Tricia, Craig, Hamilton & Lil'Alexander"

"Uncle Clark & Cousin Julie"

Lil'Alexander looking "Cool"

Say Cheese Boys!