Vegas, Baby!

To celebrate my birthday, Tutu and G-Paw's retirement, and Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary, we went to Vegas. The clan included us, our parents, Katie, Joelle, and Rachel (Joelle's friend). We stayed at the Mandalay Bay and, it's a long story, but after Ben and I had to change rooms twice due to pot smokers next door to us, we had a nice time there. The pool area had a lazy river, a beach, and a wave pool which was pretty cool. Cole went swimming for the first time. Well, it was just sitting in the water, and he wasn't a huge fan because it was a little chilly, but he enjoyed floating in my lap down the river.
Cole was awesome the entire trip. He LOVED sitting like a big boy in his stroller and just staring at all the people and the lights. I think he's going through flashing light withdrawals. We also joked that Cole ate his way through Vegas on a breastfeeding tour since he ate at the following hotels: Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Paris, NY NY, Treasure Island and Caesar's Palace. When ya gotta eat ya gotta eat, right? Ok, now for the fun part...LOTS of pictures!

Day 134
(This is where Cole slept, yes, he slept in bed with us in Vegas)

Day 135

Ready for some sun

Floating is fun!

Rachael, Joelle, Jim, Katie, Linda, Bonnie, Rick, Lindsay, Cole
Everyone minus Ben who is taking the picture :(

By the pool at Treasure Island

Outside the Venetian

Their "Free" drinks
(that cost them $30 in gambling money)

99 cent margaritas

Day 136

Cole checking out the fish in the aquarium at our hotel

All dressed up for dinner

Cole's first limo ride

Lori and I in front of LOVE

Day 137

Bellagio Gardens

Mmmmm Chocolate Fountain

Paris

NY NY

Day 138

So tired from our trip!

Happy Birthday to Mommy!

Last Thursday was my 27th birthday. Cole and I had a lovely day filled with Starbucks, errands, dance, pizza and getting packed for Vegas. We got back from Vegas today and now I have to unpack and pack Ben for a 7 day training he has to go to in San Antonio. I'll post our Vegas adventures soon, hopefully by Thursday after I get Ben off to the airport at 4am...boo.
Oh, and the video is of Ben playing catch with Lola. Cole thinks this is hilarious! I hope you can hear him cracking up, it was so cute.

Day 133
(Playing with Mommy on her birthday!)


Day 132
(Fetch with Lola)

Day 131

Day 130

Parties

Cole was quite the party animal this weekend! Ben's cousin, Emily, graduated from the University of Puget Sound, which is right up the street from us. Emily's family had a dinner for her at our house, so we stayed for a drink and appetizers before we had to leave for our second party in Seattle. Cole's future Godfather, Dom, just got home from Iraq and so his friends and wife threw him a welcome home party. Then on Sunday, Ben was on call so Cole and I went to Emily's graduation brunch up at the school. It was another busy weekend packed with fun, friends and family!

Day 129
(Emily, Cole's cousin and babysitter, at her graduation)

Cole with Ben's Cousins: Meghan, Emily, and Danny

Day 128
("Auntie" Merrilee at Dom's party)

Day 127
(Lesson #1 from Lola: how to eat a sock)

Day 126
(Cole's had enough mommy kisses for the night)

(Maybe just one more kiss is OK)

Day 125


Day 123
(I'm sure daddy was saying something funny about mommy in his ear)

Jolly Jumper

This is the Jolly Jumper we received from the Dr. Jean and Dr. Alastair Carruthers (Rob's parents). Cole is still not sure what to think of it, but I think he's going to really like it. I'm still a little hesitant about it, I'm not quite sure he's ready for it. Ben thinks I'm crazy. I'm sure he'll be bouncing everywhere soon. (Disregard Ben talking to his parents in the background of the video.)

Day 124

Mother's Day!

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day and it couldn't have been more perfect! Cole slept well the night before, my mom and Joelle visited, it was beautiful outside, and Ben and Cole (and Lola) got me a "replenishment" package at a spa. I'm going to go enjoy my spa day on Friday and I'm REALLY looking forward to it!
Here are some pictures from our great day:

Day 122
Mother's Day!

Cole was not very happy...

Then Grandma fed him and he was all better!

Auntie Kisses

My two "children"

How cute is my hat?

4 Months!

Cole turned 4 months old yesterday! I of course can't believe it. He went to the doctor for his shots in the morning. Everything went well and he's doing great. He's in the 50% for weight and height.

Here's his 4 month progress:
Height: 25 1/4"
Weight: 15lbs even
Head: 43.4 cm
Clothing size: 3-6 months
Sleeping Patterns: He sleeps in his crib for 10-12 hours a night and gets up 1-2 times to eat. He is napping in his crib for short periods of time (30-45 min)
He's always happiest in the morning
Play: He loves his play mat and his exersaucer. He also just started holding on to two rattles and his lovey. This month we'll hopefully be able to break out the Jolly Jumper.
Teeth: None yet! We're still drool city and eating our hands non stop.
Strength: Has great head control and he has almost mastered the "tripod" sit by himself.

So our biggest developmental milestone is that Cole rolled over yesterday! From his tummy to his back (of course, now he really gets out of tummy time) There's a video of him doing it. My new baby bible (Dr. Sears) says this is a 5 month milestone. I'm so proud!

Day 121 - 4 months
(Rolling Over)

Day 120
(Bumbo Fun)

Day 119
(Watching Mommy cook dinner)

Day 118
(One baby and one dog have an eye on Daddy's milkshake)

Day 117
(I LOVE my Exersaucer!)

Lola and Cole

I just realized that for 3 days in a row we have pictures with Cole and Lola. He's become much more interested in her and what she's doing. He also likes to sit and we help him pet her. She's so gentle and calm with him.
This weekend Tutu and G-Paw came to visit and then Auntie Katie drove up for work and stayed the night. We had a fun visit and we're looking forward to more visitors this weekend!

Day 116
(Holding on to his rattles)

Day 115
(Bed-time story with Tutu)

Day 114
(He was dressed as a cow)


(His first big boy bath with the ducky)

Day 113
(Ben thinks she's a great babysitter)

Day 112
(Um...Mom, the dog has your pjs)

Day 111
(Petting Lola)