What have I been doing?

Obviously I have not been doing much sewing or anything craft related lately; I have been reading. Lots and lots of reading.
Colin insists on reading this book multiple times a day
 
This is one of his favorite scenes in the book.
This is the other book we have been reading.
I think it is a great book. I especially love how the authors relate the things that are happening to mommy to the children in a way that they can understand.
Colin is over the moon with the idea of becoming a big brother. He lights up like the Griswold's house at Christmas time when you call him big brother. He asks all day if the baby is napping and if it turned off the lights in my tummy so the baby could go night-night. Every night before bed we read the big brother book together and he gives our baby (my tummy) lots of loves. These little moments  have almost erased the memories of playing with the Lego's in the bathroom during what should have been mom's "private time".
We are taking Colin with us to the ultrasound on Monday, I hope he enjoys seeing his little brother or sister (Colin says it's a sister)on the tv screen. I hope it doesn't confuse him :) We are all excited to find out the gender on Monday, only a few more days!

Zoo-After Hours

Scott, my father-in-law, had his company picnic at the Oregon Zoo this last weekend. It was a blast. I cannot say how cool it is to be at the zoo after it is closed. The animals were very active even at 4 o'clock when we got there :) This post is going to have a lot of photos, sorry put I couldn't resist sharing.

      

  I think the female lion thought Colin was a lion cub. His hair is pretty close to their coloring. She was very gently with him while she tried to bathe him. It terrified me even though I kept telling myself there was a protective layer of glass. Colin loved every minute. She would paw at him and it would fill me with fright, finally I couldn't take it anymore and I had to pull him away. I had nightmares that night :)

We saw all the animals that we never get to see, it was obvious that they were night time predators. I hope that Scott's work has it at the zoo again next year, and that we are inviting again :)

These two birds cracked us up. The bird with the log in it's beak kept trying to give it to the other bird. She would not except and was running all over the exhibit trying to get away. The bird with the log was persistent and never gave up. We left while she was still running from him :)

A Special Visit

Please excuse me while I play catch up with some photos. My Uncle Mike was in town from Florida and it happened to be my Uncle Jim's birthday. Those two events defiantly called for a family gathering. Unfortunately not everyone could make it including some baked beans that jumped out along the journey to Grandma's house.

Colin took this photo :)

Grandpa Rollie and Colin filling up the fountain 

Showing Colin how to fish/ clean out the pond

Noah wanting outside :)    

Colin trying to help Noah open the screen door :)

The birthday boy, Uncle Jim.  He is a wonderful man so much so that we gave Colin part of his name...Colin James :) Have I mentioned that he is single??? (I will probably get a phone call for that comment)  

The boys and everyone else loved the cake. Costco cake is delicious.

I didn't get a lot of pictures taken, what I do have Brett took most of them. I was to busy chatting :)

Days 2-4

Day 2: Sitting in the window waiting for Dad to get home :(

Cleaning his kitchen while I was cleaning mine :)

Day 3: My mom and youngest brother, Ben, came and stayed for a few nights. Ben helped me take down the birthday decorations. Colin loves his Uncle Ben so much. When he woke up on Tuesday morning the first thing he said was "Ben?" and went looking for him.

I made a crocheted basket for some of Colin's toys. Pattern found here. I used some yarn I got out of the clearance bin at Joann's

Day 4: Colin is busy playing with his kitchen and wearing his new pajamas that I made him from this pattern. I opted out of the kimono top and went for a Hanes t-shirt instead. I love the pants on him and have plans to make some more.

Plans for the rest of the day include: treadmill for mom, nap for Colin, post office, Joann's, and maybe Toys-R-Us/Babies-R-Us. I need to get him a booster seat for the kitchen table (I am seriously regretting that our table is counter height).

Day 1 of 10

Today is day 1 of 10 with out the Mr around. Colin and I stayed very busy and got lots of  chores done. It is always a lot easier on me when the Mr is gone if the house is neat and tidy. The dishes are done, the trash/recycle are out, the grass is mowed (thank you Papa), the last of the laundry is drying,  and Colin is in bed (a little earlier then usual). I can hear him in their chatting away. I am just to tired and ready for  bed myself to make to his normal bed time. Not a good sign at the end of day 1. But I am still smiling

The Mr got me these.. along with some cute tank tops right before he left. I love them. They will most defiantly keep my spirits up while he is away.

I am debating on working on some craft projects or crawling into bed and reading....I think I will read :)

Good night,

E

03.29.2010

Colin turned 2 years old. The day did not go as planned. Brett took a vacation day from work so we could do something fun but ended up working from home and I was sick. It was nice having Brett home to help with Colin while I was not feeling very well. Little did I know I was going to feel much worse the next day and for days after.

We are having a little party for him this Saturday with friends and family. He is going to be really excited to have more "Happy Cake" as Colin calls it.

I still made Colin a birthday cake, Banana Sour Cream with Cream Cheese frosting :)

I so badly wanted to lick the frosting bowl clean but  I didn't.

My Grandparents stopped by in the morning and dropped of Colin's present, they didn't come in the house since I was so sick. They gave him some bobble head dolls, or "guys" as Colin refers to them, a birthday card with lights and music, and other goodies. Colin loves his guys, in fact he has brought them home from grandpa and grandma's house before, without asking.  And he plays the card over and over and over, while dancing away. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!

Brett and I sang Happy Birthday to Colin after dinner and he loved it. It was a lot more fun this year compared to last year. He was more aware of what was going on and enjoyed it. While I did miss having our family there to help celebrate, it was a very special moment and I think it was even more special since it was just the three of us.

        

He has grown and changed a lot over the last year. 

I love my little guy so much. I treasure every little moment. And I am so thankful that I get to stay at home with him :) I love my family and I am looking forward to all the adventures we have ahead of us.