Ellie Kate and Cole updates

Back to work for Jools!

2010-08-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am really excited about a job that I got for this fall. I will be teaching a small class of 3-year olds at my church. They run a weekday preschool for 2-4 year olds and I have gotten the great opportunity to teach there. Not only do I get to teach there, I get to bring Cole with me and he will be in their two-year-old class for next to nothing per month! I start August 30 with pre-planning then I get students Sept 7. Unfortunately, I can only teach there until December because I will start student teaching in January. I have not heard where I am student teaching at but it will either be Mountain View High School, Mill Creek High School, or Collins Hill High School.

I am very thankful for this opportunity to be able to get some "practice" teaching before going into student teaching. I am sure any teacher out there would agree - it is nerve racking to think about getting up in that class for the first time. Yikes!! So, hopefully this will allow me to get my feet wet before January. Then, in May - I WILL BE DONE! YAY! I have applied for May 2011 graduation. I am taking the GACE in Special Ed this Saturday - so wish me luck! :/

Rut-Row Shaggy...

2010-08-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

As you can see Cole-man's hair was a tad long in the front. I realized that. But, I loved it! I like it long in the front. But, I knew that it was starting to bug him. But, I also knew if I tried to trim up the front I would screw it up! Last night as I was getting the kids bath ready I thought to myself, just cut his hair and get it over with. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I WAS THINKING THAT?!?! A screaming, flailing two year + 1 pair of scissors = Cole looking like he could star in Dumb and Dumber. :(

Here are the pics...starts with before I got a hold of him, then what I did to the poor boy, lastly what the wonderful people at Pigtails and Crew cuts did to fix it.

Ellie's first day of Pre-K

2010-08-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my "baby". Not so much a baby anymore - and I am not sure when that happened. I can remember rocking Ellie in my recliner the day we brought her home thinking "I hope she is this small forever." Well, she did not stay that small. She has grown into a sweet, caring, and mature little girl. She is now going to school from 8:10 am till 3:00pm. It has been a big change for us all I think. A good one, though. Even if its only been 3 days, I find myself having more patience with both of the kids. I guess because just having one during the day is a BREEZE compared to two. I am thankful for the time I get just Cole and I too. Ellie had just mommy for 2 years so to give just mommy is nice.

Ellie loves school!! She is SO tired when she gets home. When we got in the car after the first day I asked her how her first day was. She replied "I had a GREAT day mommy" and in the middle of that short sentence she let out a big yawn. I thought to myself - job well done to her teachers! :)

My little hyper man...

2010-08-07T20:48:00.000-07:00

Today, after bootcamp Tim, Ellie, Cole, and I went to home depot to get some things for Cole's room (that STILL did not get finished...I need to stop coming up with ideas :/) Before we went to home depot we stopped at Arby's to grab some lunch. Tim got Sobe energy drink from the fountain machine...and of course - Cole wanted some. I guess without even thinking Tim gave him some. Within 10 minutes Cole was acting like he had been replaced with the Tasmanian Devil. The kid was BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS! He could not stop laughing - which if you are a mom or dad you know once your kids get going...you can't help but join in too. I had tears running down my face from laughing so hard. He was jumping, singing, and laughing...and he was loving it! But, I think we will just try to stay away from the energy drinks next time... :)

PS- Ellie goes to her first day of Pre-K Monday...check back to see the pictures! YIKES!

What's been going on the summer...

2010-07-29T10:41:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the summer and the stories behind them...in no particular order...

I may be biased, but I have some of the BEST friends. On my birthday, I was at the beach all week. Once I got back home I realized there was nothing going on in the 'hood the next weekend (all of my pals are neighbors too!) So, I decided to host a wine and cheese party for the gals. So, I sent out the invitation for Saturday night once me and my friend, April, got back from seeing Eclipse. Little did I know, that April had asked me to go to the movies as a plan to surprise me for my birthday. So, I hear there was a little bit of scrambling through email b/c they did not want to ruin the surprise by all saying no to my invitation. At 7:30 on the dot (which was the time of the wine and cheese party) my doorbell rang and all of my gal pals were standing at my front door with a cake in hand. I was SO SURPRISED! They had arranged for one of the girl's hubbies to drive us to Big Creek Tavern on Lake Lanier for dinner! I truly appreciate these awesome ladies making me feel so special! That is something I was always remember!

This makes me laugh because if you know once thing about Katie in this picture - I would not even have to explain her expression. Katie is PREGNANT!! She was in this picture too (not feeling in the best of humor)! She is planning to have a c-section Feb 28ish. I really, really hope it is a girl. I want a girl that I can do all my favorite girly things with, but not have to discipline the girl attitude! I would be just as happy with a boy - but if I had a choice...it would for sure be a girl! Katie is not feeling great. Both her and I have terrible all-day sickness. Hers lasted until 18 weeks with Luke so we are hoping for a shorter span of feeling icky.

Jill moved. She moved! She packed all of their stuff and went to NC! Ha Ha - I love giving her a hard time. I am really happy for them though...this is a dream and they are fortunate enough to live it out. Joe is the perfect match for a coach - smart, athletic, and has a good heart - so we are expecting big things (no pressure)! We miss Jill - well not really...I only talk to her 2 hours a day now!! We chat on webcam for hours throughout the day. We sit at our own houses with our computers and fold our laundry, clean the kitchen, make dinner, etc and just chat. So, I think we talk more now than before!
My favorite loves. Nobody could have ever warned me about the love I feel for these three people. Until you have kids - you don't even REALLY know how your own parents feel about you. My dad always says the best part about his kids having kids is that we understand the love that our parents have for us. It is pretty cool. We had such a good time at the beach this year. They get more and more fun each year! Cole-man could sit in the sand and drive his trains and cars all day! Ellie was really into the "wabes (waves)" this year.

In the middle of July, my Dad had a partial knee replacement done on his left knee. We are so excited that he finally had it done. He never complained about the pain - but he didn't have to...it was written all over his face. He has had knee problems since playing college football. This was his 4th knee surgery and hopefully his last! We knew he was in GREAT hands with our friend, Dr. Gary Levengood. Dad is still rehabing now - but he walks on it better than he did before the surgery. Mom has been a wonderful nurse to my dad. She has been with him pretty much non-stop since his surgery. I think we were all a little nervous about the surgery - but now that it is over we are all so happy for Dad! His ultimate goal is to play me in tennis - but he has a bionic knee...so if he beats me that is why!! ;)
If you know one thing about me - it is my choice in music. I LOVE country music. I always have. A lot of people put my choice in music down and tell me it is not good. But, frankly I really could care less. So, some of my lovely semi-country fan friends went with me to the Rascal Flatts concert. It was so much fun! I could sit there and listen to that type of music all day. It really is good for the soul! Mine...at least!

Love. I don't know what it is about this picture...but I LOVE it! There is nothing better than seeing your child have fun with a big smile on their face. My mom always said when I was growing up "if you're happy...I'm happy." Now I get it. To see that smile on his face makes me literally sit here and smile.

I think this is the same as the picture above. It captures the essence of summer and that beautiful smile!

Well, that was about the main points from this summer. Hopefully I will be posting more than I have been :/

Jill and Joe are moving...WHAT!?!

2010-03-01T11:19:00.000-08:00

That is right...they are moving! Can you believe it? None of the "Elliott's" have ever lived further than 1 hour away from each other! But, Joe got an EXCELLENT opportunity with Wake Forest to be a Graduate Assistant with their football team. We are so excited for them both! Joe leaves in 2 weeks and Jill will have to stay behind and work out her contract. Until then, they have put their house on the market (anyone interested?!?! :) ) I know Joe will be a fabulous coach and Jill will adapt well. We will miss them though!

What's been going on...

2010-02-24T11:51:00.000-08:00

Hello! I thought I would catch up on what has been going on the past month! I cannot believe it has been that long since I posted last!

Everything is going well around here...relatively speaking. Yesterday, I had a little 12 hr stomach bug which knocked me out for the day. Luckily, Tim stepped in and totally took over! For the past week or so Ellie has been "talking" to her ears. Yes, a little strange, I know! But, at first I just brushed it off. She would say stuff like "ears, be quiet!" and "ears, shhhhh..." Finally, I really started to keep track of it and she was doing it a lot. Then, Sunday when she was yawning in the back seat I looked back and her tonsils were HUGE, and RED. So, I decided it was time for the doc! Tim took both the kids yesterday so I could rest (thank you Tim!) and turns out she has a double ear infection and strep! Poor thing! I felt so bad. It is so hard to know when kids are really sick and when they are trying to get attention. I am glad I finally took note! oopss...

Cole-Man is doing GREAT! He said his first sentence the other day. He said "I want more juice" I just cannot believe he will be 2 this June! It seems like yesterday when I told my mom and sister that two weeks (until my due date) was FOREVER away...now he is almost two! Crazy! Cole is such a lovey...I don't know if it is just because he is a boy or what...but Ellie never cuddled like my Cole-Man does! I am TRYING to not make him a momma's boy...but it is not looking good ;)

Ellie has a big birthday coming up! She will be 4 on March 26th! That is nuts too! She is having a princess party at my parents house. Cinderella is making a SURPRISE appearance! She will be so excited!

Tim and I are taking a little R and R down at the beach house in early March. It will be nice to get away. We have never been away by ourselves...we did not even take a honeymoon since we did not know our employment situation and wanted to save all the money we could. So, we are really excited about going and being able to go to dinner, lunch, play tennis, lay on the beach, without having to worry about the kids. Thanks for Grammie and Pop Pop for keeping them!

We are also going on lots of other family and friend vacations too this Spring/Summer. We are going to the beach with the fam over spring break, then Tim's brother is getting married in Charleston at the end of April, then we go to NY in May, beach for another wedding at the end of May, friends beach trip in June, and then our annual family beach trip over the 4th! I am so excited about getting the kids to the beach. This year will be the first year where they can ALL enjoy it. Last year, they were ok but the boys were still a little young. I cannot wait to take them and see how much fun they have!

Speaking of the beach house...mom and dad added a room to the house this winter. We have grown a little in size since 2000 and we just plain needed more room. Well, as they were making other repairs (water damage) to the house the worker's discovered that the main beam in the garage was almost GONE! Yes, rodents and water damage had left the house a mess. They are fixing it as we speak so hopefully the house will be all fixed up for all of our trips! What a mess!

Oh - good news!! I passed all of my education exams and am certified to teach...I should graduate with my Master's in December...now my mission is a job for the fall! Lets just hope Gwinnett Co starts hiring soon! :)

That is all for now...

If they were this tired...they should have been in my shoes!

2010-02-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my sisters, mom, and I took the kids to the little park in my parents neighborhood. We *thought* it was a good idea to walk there. It was great for calories burned...but not so great for my hammies and hiney! OUCH! There are MANY BIG hills at Sugarloaf. The hills are bearable when you are just walking it alone...but pushing 120+ lbs of kids and stroller is a different story. But, we made it...sore...but made it! The kids were so tired after the park that on the way back this is how it ended...

My Little Super Woman!

2010-01-11T18:56:00.001-08:00

The other day I went to the Carter's store at Discover Mills and they were having a HUGE fleece footed PJ sale. I ended up getting each pair for $4.32. Anyway, they had these cute boys pj's that looked like a super hero outfit. It was SO FREAKIN' cute! I love those pj's on Cole. He has a racer one, police officer, and a cowboy set. So, since the fleece-pj-wearing will be over before we know it, I bought all 4T's for Cole to wear next year. Well, Ellie went through the bag and got the super hero set out and wanted to wear them to bed...so I let her...I mean if she wants to wear them...why not! SHE LOVES THEM! She got home from school today she wanted to put them back on...so...she did. She calls herself "super ziggy"....what a weirdo!! LOVE HER! Here is the picture of super ziggy!

Feeling better and Cole-Man Appointment

2010-01-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I can tell you I feel much better than I did the last time I posted. I have a lot more movement in my back today. I went to see Dr. Levengood Friday and I have inflamed lower facets in my back. Your facets are what holds your vertebras together. He gave me a back brace, and despite the hellacious muffin top it gives me, it really has helped me. He gave me a steroid and gave me PT time. I have not done the PT yet, and I am not sure when I will be able to get there this week so we will see how that pans out... :) But, I am on my way to recovery...I think. The inflamed facets could have been caused by an injury or arthritis. I am hoping it is an injury b/c I have psoriasis as well and arthritis goes hand and hand with psoriasis. I thought I had pretty much avoided the arthritis part...so let's just say for positive thinking sake that it was just an injury! ;)

Cole-Man had his 18 month appt Friday as well. He is in perfect health! Everything looked good...he was 33 1/4 inches tall (85%) and 26.5 lbs (52%). We should get his blood work back today to find out about his anemia. I am thinking he is ok with that too...again thinking positive.

Saturday night we had a surprise 30th birthday party for my sister, Katie. I cannot BELIEVE she will be 30 on Sunday! CRAZY! I remember living in our house on Cricket Ridge when we would make up dances to Paula Abdul. But, don't put it past us to still make up a routine...even though we might both end up going to see Dr. Levengood! LOL!

Until next time...

I have landed flat on my back

2010-01-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Ouch...is all I have to say. Last night after bootcamp I came home and my back hurt worse than it ever has. When I was pregnant with Cole I had all sorts of pains below the belt, if you will. I had bad varicosities, a Hernia, and horrible tailbone pain when sitting and standing. The first two went away pretty much as soon as Cole was delivered. But, the tailbone pain was worsened after delivery. My OB/GYN told me it would go away within a year and it was just sciatic nerve pain. So, I put my big girl pants on and just dealt with it. Then about a year ago it started moving into my lower back. It was off and on pain and I passed it off as just having kids and working out trying to get the last 10 lbs from Cole off. But, last night after bootcamp it was a whole different ballgame. I had a hard time even moving. My sleep was horrible and when I woke up it was not any better. I have taken two rounds of two Aleve, which usually knocks out any pain imaginable...but it really just takes a little edge off. So, I am off to see our friend Dr. Levengood tomorrow to see what the heck is going on. Today has been interesting with me being laid up with the kids running around. Both are still in the PJ's...it's 1 pm! I feel like a horrible mother...but I honestly cannot bend over to change them. Cole had a "soiled" diaper and I was in tears on the floor changing him. Hopefully it is just something muscular and can be fixed with a few pills and rest. I will keep you updated...I wish he was in the office now so I could get some relief!

BTW...Cole goes for his 18 month appt tomorrow. Mom is going to help me get there and help me with him so I should be good. I am anxious to see how he is doing. We will have to check his iron levels again to see how his anemia is doing...hopefully better!

Luke Evan Trice

2010-01-06T12:33:00.001-08:00

Today, I have a new second cousin/nephew. I call myself "aunt" to Caroline which is my first - second cousin so I will call myself "aunt" to Luke Trice as well. Luke Evan Trice was named after my cousin, Evan, who was tragically killed 4 years ago on his college campus. I know that Evan would be so proud of Caroline and Luke and all the "Elliott/Luke" grandkids. I will posts pics as soon as I get them. Welcome to the world baby Luke! Hold on to your pants...it's going to be one heck of a ride!! PS - he was 7 lbs 9 oz...I think!

How do you contain two toddlers while their sister/cousin does her nastics?

2010-01-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

Like that...nothing a little Dora can't handle! These two boys LOVE Dora!

The Georgia Aquarium

2010-01-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

Today, we went to the Georgia Aquarium with the kids. This is the first time we all went inside the actual Aquarium. When I was pregnant with Ellie, Tim and I went...but the kids have never been. Well, Jill got married there...but we did not go into the exhibits.

Both of the kids loved it! Cole really took a liking to the fish...shocker right...he must be his father's son! Ellie was a little scared at first but she warmed up very quick!

Tim knows a few guys that works at the Aquarium and we ran into one of his old buddies which offered to take us up to the place where all the action happens. It was neat to see just how big the whale shark tank really is. It was really cool to see that!

Here are some pics from our adventure!

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-03T10:56:00.001-08:00

I was thinking today that I really never gave myself some resolutions for this year...so I thought about it and this is what they are for 2010:

1. Continue to maintain my weightloss...3 years ago I started losing weight and lost a total of 76 lbs so far...I could lose 5-10 more...but ahhh...

2. Try to get as much stress out of my life as much as possible. I have had stress in my life where really there should never be stress and I am over it and ready to stress about important things like school, getting a job, or the kids!

3. Finish school this year a GET A J-O-B!!! Eeeekkkk...I am already nervous about interviewing!

4. Be a better house cleaner/picker upper! Yeah, not good at that...ask Tim!

5. Spend as much time with the kids and giving them lots of great experiences before Ellie starts Pre-K...yes...that's right...Ellie starts Ga Pre-K in the fall! Where did the time go?

Well, that is a good start...we will see how the year goes! What are your resolutions?

Dad's Video

2010-01-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great New Year's! We did, we had a small get together with our neighbors which turned out to be a blast as usual! This year Dad got a new video camera before Christmas and he was nice enough to tape our entire Christmas for us. He made a video that captures the entire Christmas season this year. It is really nice to have, thanks Pops!

Here it is...

Merry Christmas...and...I'M BAAAAAAACK...

2009-12-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

I am really sorry that I have been the WORST blogger in the world. No blog since September. Yikes! Well, I think I have a good reason for it...maybe. I was taking three classes this semester in grad school and it really took a toll on my blogging. Something had to give when it came to having to do something and blogging was it. BUT...thanks to Nana and Pops I am all set up to blog easily with my new MacBook Pro! Thanks Nana and Pops! This computer is AWESOME! I also got a new FLIP video recorder from no other than...myself...since Cole broke mine back in the summer.

So, enough of that...TODAY IS CHRISTMAS! We had such a good day! The kids are really getting to the age of true enjoyment. Well, maybe Ellie is...Cole will next year. Cole was in and out all day long on the whole Christmas thing. BUT, Ellie LOVED it!

Santa brought her a Princess Bike and a TAG learning system and Santa brought Cole a set of table and chairs and a race car (among a bunch of other crap that Santa just could not resist, even though the kids needed them like they need a hole in the head...don't judge...if you have not been there or are there...you soon will be!)

The kids got all sorts of other stuff from their aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great grandparents. I guess they actually WERE good this year ;)

Here is the video I shot of them coming down the stairs to see what Santa brought!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ellie's a Soccer Knocker!

2009-09-16T17:48:00.001-07:00

Tim and I decided to put Ellie in soccer this year. I never played soccer...ever...but I think it gives the ground work for any sport. So, she had her first class last Thursday. SHE LOVED IT! She was really attentive and followed directions great! She was much more coordinated than I thought a 3 year old would be out there. Cole went with us and he wanted to play SO bad. Poor guy...he can play with a parents assistance when he turns 18 mos...I guess we will need to sign him up then. Here are some pictures of her playing...

Ellie's first trip to the ER

2009-09-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

Ellie had her first trip to the ER yesterday. In my last post, we found the "blockage" b/c we went to the doctor for a virus. She was diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease Tuesday along with discovering her constipation. So, yesterday she woke up with a roaring fever and very pale and groggy looking. About 11 am, she starting throwing up. Within 30 minutes she had thrown up 5 times. I had started to notice that she has not teeteed all day and she was just looking weaker and weaker. So, I called the nurse line for her doctor - which was a waste of time! The nurse told me to give her fluids...which I was trying to do and everytime she would sip something she would throw it right up. I told this to the nurse (several times) and she simply replied "well, you are just going to have to get her to keep it down" - THANKS MA'AM...I am glad I help pay YOUR salary!!!! So, through out the day she was just getting really scary...she was talking wacky talk and would just fall asleep in mid sentence. So...that was the final straw...we packed up and set off to the ER since Betty (the nurse)...was EVER SO HELPFUL...I figured the ER was the best route. Mom had come and got Cole earlier (thank goodness...thanks Mom!) so off we went. We got there and triage took us straight back b/c Ellie was gagging and throwing up all over the registation desk (lovely). They gave her some Zofran (which is a miracle worker) and once that kicked in we started giving her gatorade 1 tsp at a time. We went back out to the waiting room until a room was ready for us. Once the doctor came in she looked Ellie over and said her heart rate was up and she could tell in her eyes she was dehydrated. So...that meant an IV :(. So, we did not tell her she was going to get "pricked" b/c last time we told her to just pee in a cup...she got all freaked out. The two nurses came in and set up and put the rubberband around her arm and she just sat there watching her movie (which is AWESOME that Gwinnett Medical has this!) THEN....came the prick...she screamed and looked at me and said "MOMMY!!?!?!?!" So...I am standing there rubbing her head, crying with her (which I am SURE helped her to stop crying...right!?!) But, I could not help it...I tried to hold it back...but it was coming whether I tried or not. But, it turned out all ok...she stopped crying (and so did I) pretty soon after the tube was in. She was such a champ. You could see the life come back into her as the fluid was dripping in. She started talking again and telling us all sorts of funny things. We walked out of the hospital (5.5 hours later) and I looked down at her and she was walking out of there like she had just won a purple heart. She thought she was big stuff with her "big" bandaid, 3 stickers, and 2 braclets around her ankle. It was too cute (after the ordeal of course). Here are the pics I got of her. The first one was in the waiting room and she was pretty out of it, then the next one was her watching a movie waiting on the IV, and the third was her sitting there like a big girl while the fluids dripped in. Today she is not throwing up, but the high fever is still here. The ER said it was viral and she should be ok.

Holy crap...Literally!

2009-09-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

For about oh say...a long time - maybe even a year...Ellie has been complaining that her tummy hurt and it hurt to go potty (t-t). The past few days she has been telling Tim and I both that her back hurt too. So, I knew something was up b/c I mean come on...what 3 year old has a bad back!?!? So, we ended up going to the doctor for a viral infection today and I asked the doctor if we could really get to the bottom (no pun intended) of her aches and pains in her tummy, back, and bottom. So, we ended up doing an x-ray to see what was going on in her bowels. And...HOLY CRAP...literally!! She has a MAJOR blockage! So, I am SO relieved that we know what is going on so we can fix it (which should be a blast in itself!) I feel so bad for her b/c I know what it is like after I eat a big meal and feel bloated and "Stuffed" and she is feeling this way everyday all day! Poor baby. So, I know this might be TMI...but no one will imagine how much is blocked unless they see it for themselves...so here is a picture of the xray. See the comparison to her body...I mean HUGE!!! I cannot get the picture to turn...so you will have to turn your head :) The blockage is the "foot" shaped black spot!

FINALLY...a good report!

2009-08-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Today we went for Cole's 14 month check-up and he got an A++++++!!! FINALLY! His ears were GREAT...everything was great. That goes to show that the tubes were such a great decision! He was 24 lbs and 32 inches long. Which means he is in the 50th percentile for his weight and 90th percentile for his height. He did get two shots...but he did well with those too.

Cupcakes and naked boy!

2009-08-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

Today, Ellie and I made cupcakes after we ran out of the ones from the baby shower we had this past weekend. She helped me do everything even down to cracking all three eggs! I iced them and then she decorated them. They turned out REALLY good...ask Tim :)

Ellie and her decorated "cue-cakes"

Cole had a naked day today. A naked day means a messy day! For some real Cole just sayed NASTY ALL DAY! When I was in the shower Cole and Ellie got into the toothpaste in my bathroom which made them both NASTY! Then, after we got home from Nana's today he had a peanut butter and jelly...which in turn made him NASTY! Then after dinner the kids both got some strawberry chocolate ice cream which made him offically the nastiest! So, once the ice cream...he went the rest of the night without a shirt. It was so funny b/c he was walking around with this two thumbs in his diapers...geesh...such a MAN! :)

Cole with his thumbs in his diaper!! haha!

Both my babies at 13 months

2009-08-12T19:51:00.001-07:00

I was looking through old pictures I have on my computer (which totals over 3,000 pictures...yikes!) and I started going down memory lane of baby Ellie. I wanted to put Cole and Ellie pictures at the same age next to each other...so what do you think...do they look a like?

Ellie's first day of "nastics"

2009-08-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Today Ellie had her first "real" gymnastics class. She took a class on the Tumblebus but today she went to GGA in Suwanee and HAD A BLAST! They started off running around in circles, then jumped across a trampoline runway with a big foam pit was waiting to be jumped in. Then they paraded around the gym in perfect gymnast position. Then off to the beam and then to do forward rolls. They ended the session with a good old fashion jump in the jumphouse. What is not to love?!? Here are some pics from her first day!

Cole is "Tubular"

2009-07-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

Cole got his tubes put in his ears yesterday and did GREAT! He was really fussy before the procedure because he had been up since 4:30 am and he did not actually go back for the tubes until 7:45 am. So, Tim and I took turns trying EVERYTHING to keep him happy EXCEPT food and juice...which is usually the #1 and #2 entertainers! But, I got to back with Cole while they put him to sleep which was NOT what I was expecting. I did not think much of this procedure. I was just looking forward to no more ear infections! But, I carried him into the operating room and layed him on the table and helped hold him down while they gave him the gas. He was fighting it and I felt horrible holding him down! Then, the gas was getting to him and he all of the sudden gave up and went to sleep. But, seeing him there SO asleep that it was scary was harder than I ever even gave thought to. The nurse said ok mom, give him a kiss and we will take good care of him. So, I kissed his little still cheek and walked out of the room CRYING! GEESH! The nurse was nice and told me he was in good hands, which I knew he was...but he looked so lifeless it was scary! But, the tubes are in and he is doing great! He took two naps yesterday the first one was for 3.5 hours and the second one was for 1.5 hours! Sleepy boy!! Hopefully we will not have anymore ear infections!

Here is a pic of Cole when we were in recovery. He looks so out of it! He was NOT a happy camper when we was trying to wake up! He downed 2 full sippy cups full of apple juice in the matter of 3-5 minutes! Poor buddy! Notice Tim in the background...he was more tired than Cole I think...he yawned the WHOLE time! Ha ha!

Cole update

2009-07-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

Monday, Cole went in for his little buddy procedure. It went very well! His little buddy is back to normal. He had a few rough days with diaper changes and baths but he is starting to feel much better!

Monday we go for Cole's tubes. His appointment is at 7:30 am...but we have to be there 2 HOURS EARLY!!!! That means we have to leave Buford to get down to Johnsons Ferry at 4:45 am! WHAT!?!?!? The things you will do for your kids! haha!

I will update everyone on Cole's tubes...he should do fine. The procedure only lasts 15 minutes, and there are no IV's...just gas to put him to sleep.

My poor Cole Buddy and Grandma Wilma

2009-07-15T19:24:00.001-07:00

The next couple of weeks is going to be big for Cole-Man. He has two procedures coming up that are not going to be too fun. This Monday we are going to the urologist to have Cole-Mans "little man" fixed. It is just a local on him, but it might be a little painful later on over the next week. Then, a week from that appt, Cole is finally getting tubes in his ears. We have been trying to hold off since our deductible for our insurance is so high and we thought over the summer they his ear infections would stop. But, they didn't so...he will be getting tubes. They will put him to sleep to do the 15 minutes procedure. Hopefully, this is help his poor little ears out.

Cole is now officially walking...which has made for more interesting times in our household. The other day Ellie and Cole were in the playroom playing and I heard them fighting so I went in there just in time to see them fighting and Cole look up at Ellie "grrr..." at her and then reach his little innocent hands out and PINCH HER! It was the funniest thing EVER! Of course, I could not laugh because Ellie fell in the floor acting like she was shot...but it was too funny to see him finally stick up for himself!

In other news, my Great-Grandma Wilma passed away this past Monday. She was 94 and lived in Conn. She was always so much fun to be around. I have so many memories of her when I was living at home. I remember going to her home in Royston, Ga and there was a creek that ran on her property and when we would get there she would have a big bucket of rocks waiting for us to throw in the creek and see the splash. She lived with us in Lilburn when I was in highschool and she I think we constantly entertained her and vice versa. The family is going up to Shelbyville, TN this weekend for her funeral. It will be good to see our family from Conn though!

Mother-daughter bonding time

2009-06-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

Today, Ellie and I got to spend some quality time together. Where you ask?!? Where else other than the nail salon! We are going to the beach on Wednesday so I wanted to get my nails done and Ellie always asks to have her nails painted so I thought it would be a special treat to let her tag along with me and April to get her first "pedicure". She did not get the works - just her toes and nails painted but she loved it! She got little flowers painted on her big toe nails and her thumb nails and she thought that was the greatest thing ever. She came home and showed daddy her "fwowers". Here are some pics I snapped of our little Diva.

My off-roadin' buddy!

2009-06-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

Cole LOVES Ellie's power wheels 4-wheeler. He has used it more in that past month than Ellie ever has. We have taught him to press the button himself. It is so funny! He won't sit right on it though. He either stands up or hangs this legs off the the side. Here is his video...

Missing Grampa...

2009-06-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

Today marks one year since my Grampa passed away. He (and Gramma) fought a long battle with alzheimers disease. He passed away two days after Cole was born. So, the first day at home with Cole we packed up all of our stuff and headed to Athens to be with the family. It was such a hard time because I was going through the emotions of just having a baby, trying to get used to two kids, not being able to be at home, and then dealing with the loss of a grandparent. I was on total overload! With all of that going on I never really got to do a good post about my Grampa so I figured today would be a good day to do that.

I wish Grampa was here to see these grandkids together. He met Ellie, and they got a long so well. We always joked that mom would take Ellie with her to "babysit" Grampa while Gramma would go to the doctor. Ellie just kept him from having a alzheimers "moment" and he thought the world of "that little boy" as he would call her. haha! But, if he were to see these two boys too he would just be beside himself. With Luke's spitfire personality and Cole's sweet heart he would have been in love!

Gramma, back in April, moved into a new home leaving her home with Grampa of over 55 years! That was a big move for her, but her new house is a much better fit for her. We all miss Grampa so much. When I was little I remember spending the night there and him telling me stories about him being in a banana boat in Africa during WWII. Not sure what he was doing in a banana boat in Africa...but it made for a good story! Come to think of it...I wonder if that was true or if he was just telling me a made up stories like I tell Ellie sometimes...I will have to check on that! But, anywho, we miss Grampa and still think of him!!

Cole's results

2009-06-25T12:37:00.001-07:00

We got word from the doctor today that Cole is still has low iron, it is up from his last blood work up it still requires his iron drops. He seems to be getting better as far as his ear goes so that is a good thing! So, we are moving Cole to an all spinach diet...haha...just kidding! But, we are going to have to change a lot of what he eats to make sure it is packing in the iron. If anyone has good high iron recipes...please feel free to share!

Also, I don't know how many read my sister, Katie's, blog but Luke has been diagnosed with allergies to Milk, Soy, Nuts, and cheese. So...not much he can eat right now. So, if anyone has any recipes not including those items...please share too!

Cole's "well" visit

2009-06-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

Today we went to see our favorite doctor, Dr. Washington. We just love her! Cole does too - he always shows off for her! We went in for Cole's "well" visit. It really was not a "well" visit. He has an ear infection in his right ear. Which I knew he had...he had been acting like it! We went to the ENT already but of course he was healthy when we went so we did not worry about tubes. We thought the winter weather that was causing all of the ear infections. But, we are going to see how they go from here to see if we need to go back to the ENT.

If Cole knew I was writting about the next topic...he would be so embarrassed! He has to go see the Urologist (sp?). He has always had a problem with his "little buddy" down there if you know what I mean. He was circumcised when he was born but has consistantly had a problem with the skin adhearing back. Today when we went it was pretty bad so we have to go see the specialist to get "it" back to normal. Poor buddy (both of them! :))

The blood work went SO MUCH BETTER! The lab guy was able to get the vein on the first time and there was no Ellie in the background screaming "my broder, my broder" He fussed a little bit but was nothing compared to the last time! We should get those results tomorrow! Hopefully his iron is up!

Cole weighed in at 22 lbs 6 oz which is only 4 oz more than he weighed at his 9 month appt so we are going to watch that to make sure he is eating enough. He was 30.5 inches tall and his head is 18.75 inches. He is average is weight and above average height and head width.

We have to go back next week to get his shots since he was sick today. I will update once we go to the urologist and get his lab results back.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLE!

Happy Birthday Cole-Man

2009-06-22T18:44:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is my baby boys first birthday. I cannot believe it. I could hardly believe Ellie ever turned 1, 2, or 3 much less Cole! Time goes by even faster with the second one! We go for our 1 year appt tomorrow so I will update his measurements tomorrow! Cole is doing lots...he is walking 4-5 steps at a time then plunk...on his butt. He loves to clap his hands and listen to us sing "if your happy and you know it" He says Momma, Da-da, juice, Nana, and I think I have made out some "ellie's" here and there. I think he has an ear infection now, he has just not been himself. He is very fussy and looks like he has no energy. So, we will get that checked tomorrow as well. We have to have blood work done to recheck his iron levels. Hopefully they are up! I am not looking forward to the bloodwork though...if you remember my last post from his 9 months appt...the blood work did NOT go well. I will let everyone know how it goes! Anyways...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet Cole-Man!

He is on the move...

2009-06-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

The few days Cole has really made an effort to start walking. He will take 4-5 steps and then fall. He is doing really well! I finally caught it on camera today!

Today was Ellie's first day of school. They had a traveling petting zoo come to the school. Ellie loved it! She was so excited to tell me that she "petted a wizard" which if you know Ellie that means she got to pet a lizard. We (she) are excited to go back tomorrow!

My little Cheez-it!

2009-06-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

Lukey has a new skill..."cheesing it up" It is SO CUTE! My two kiddos spent the night with Grammie Saturday night so we got to spend some good one on one time with Lukey. We went to dinner after a wedding Saturday (Congrats Kelsey and Jimmy!) and he was such a camera ham for us...here is the video of Lukey new trick. You say "cheese it up Lukey"...and he makes this face...

33 years of _______

2009-06-12T19:28:00.001-07:00

Fill in the blank...hopefully Mom and Dad would fill in the blank with happy marriage! Today they have been married for 33 years! Way to go guys! Love you!

What makes me smile...

2009-06-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

Today Ellie, Cole and I ventured out around town looking for a good invitation/gift shop to get some invitations for some up coming baby showers I am hosting. We drove all over Buford and had some good conversation with Ellie along the way. The best one was:

It had started raining and of course as soon as it did...Ellie asked her new favorite question...WHY? "Why is it raining, mommy?" and I replied "Because God wanted it to rain today" She did not ask any other question, you could just see that info processing in her little brain.

On our way home, the rain had stopped and the sun had come out. It was quiet in the car except for Thomas the Train palying in the background and Ellie pops up and says "Mommy, I guess God wanted it to stop raining, huh?" SWEET BABY! I did not say and word for about 2 mintues...then I just replied "Yes, Ellie he wanted it to stop raining" She melted my heart!

Happy 5th Tim!!

2009-06-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

While Tim and I were at the beach this weekend we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary! I cannot believe it has been 5 years. Seriously...I just cannot believe it! I hope we are as happy 50 years from now as we are today. He really is my best friend. I am so proud of us and our life we have created over the last 5 years. He is an fantastic husband and father...can't wait for 5 more, then 5 more, and so on...

Cole put the "Monkey" in Monkey Joes!!

2009-06-08T12:27:00.001-07:00

Today, Tim was off from work today so we wanted to take the kids somewhere since we have been at the beach for 4 days without them. So, Ellie got to pick and we headed to of course, Monkey Joe's! This was Cole's first time playing. HE LOVED IT! He did not even skip at beat...we put him in the toddler area and he took off up the ladder and down the slide...he was so cute and had all the moms there laughing!

You know you need a facebook intervention when...

2009-05-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

I was video taping Cole the other day showing off his standing tricks and at the end of the video I caught something that Ellie said that caught me off guard and got the thinking that maybe I need to have a facebook intervention. Watch and listen closely at the end...yeah...pretty bad!

Coles new tricks!

2009-05-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Cole, over the past few days, has been so close to taking his first steps. He will just stand there and look at me like he does not know what to do with himself. I actually caught some of it on video!!

From Mullet-Man to Military-Man!! My Cole-Man's first hair cut

2009-05-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

If you know us well, or hang out with is often, you know that our sweet little Cole-Man rocked a great mullet for a long time. After going back and forth about it...I decided I was just going to cut his hair - even though I have heard it is bad luck to cut a child's hair before they are a year old. For some reason, Cole's hair only would grow at the bottom 3 inches of his head. Therefore, leaving him with a business in the front, party in the back type hair do. It was really cute and funny for a long time...but then it got old. So, I sat Cole up on the bathroom counter today and just starting trimming his poor mullet right across the bottom. Well...I got done and turned him around to look and he looked even WORSE...he looked his he was wearing a toupee. It was so thick at the bottom when I cut it straight across it looked really bad. I was for sure going to have to be at Pigtails and Crewcuts in the morning! Then, I was talking to Jill, my younger sis, and she said just shave it...so...I did. I put on the longest guard and went at it! It actually looks GREAT! The bottom is now the same length at the top - and I did not even touch the top of his head...that was how bad the mullet was! So...he is very clean cut now and looking extra handsome!

Here is the best pic I could find of the Mullet! It will be missed!

Here is my sweet clean cut boy!

Stop the MADNESS!!

2009-05-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

In recent days, my two lovely, kind, sweet children have turned against each other!! Cole is now VERY mobile...crusing, climbing, crawling, standing...and it is driving Ellie NUTS! I spend most of my days now wiping Ellies tears, putting her in timeout, kissing boo-boos, and saying "don't hit your sister, or don't hit, push, pick-up, or pull your brothers arms out of the socket! Here is a quick dialog of my day...

Setting: Ellie and Cole playing nicely in the playroom while I work of school stuff or doing chores at the house.

Ellie: MMMOOOMMMYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH.....
Me: What Ellie
Ellie: Cole hit me in the head with the pink castle.
Me: Cole-Man, we cannot hit people with the pink castle (even though he looks at me like I am crazy). Ellie, he is sorry...he does not really know better right now.

Few minutes of nice playing...

Cole: WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.........
Me: Ellie...what happened
Ellie: I pushed him
Me: Why?
Ellie: Cole was chewing on my shoe
Me: Ellie you cannot push your brother over, you have three minutes in time-out.
Ellie: cried and pleaded with me for 2 of the 3 minutes.

Ok, few minutes of peaceful playing...

Cole: whimper, whimper, whimper
I look over and Ellie is dragging him out of the playroom by his arms...
Me: ELLIE KATE WOODSON...you CANNOT drag your brother around by his arms.
Ellie: why not?
Me: because you will hurt him, if you do it again...you get another time out

About 20 minutes later...

Ellie: WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....COLE-MAN...you RUINED IT!
Me: What happened?
Ellie: Cole knocked over my building (of blocks)
Me: picked up Cole...said no Cole...you cannot knock over Ellie's building.

Do you get my drift here??

I knew this was going to be an issue (it is in every family) but I thought it would be atleast once Cole was over a year!! It is SO IRRITATING!! :)

For Mom...

2009-05-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

I know this is a day late...but I could not figure out how to put my playlist on here...but I finally did. My friends Lauren introduced me to this song and I LOVE it! I know I can play it for my mom and be true, and I hope in the future Ellie will agree with the song for me. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM! Play the song that I have posted...

Happy Birthday Sweet Lukey!!

2009-05-08T18:53:00.001-07:00

Today is Luke's first birthday! I cannot believe he is a year old! I remember last year not getting much sleep b/c Jill and I got up at 5 am (which is REALLY REALLY EARLY for me!) to go watch Katie be induced into labor. Well...she was having certain issues with dilation and ended up having a C-Section...but it was nice b/c he came so quick. He was born at 9:29 am! I was 7 weeks away from giving birth myself so you can imagine what jealousy I had!!

Tonight we had the infamous "birthday dinner" with my family. Luke showed off his new skills...WALKING!! BIG BOY~

Happy Birthday sweet Wukey!

Ellie's School Program

2009-05-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ellie had her end of school program today at school. They were all SO cute! It is so funny how kids think singing is more like screaming...mom and I laughed through the whole program. Here is a clip from Ellie's program...and some pics too!

Ellie's Ballet Pics!!

2009-04-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

She looks SO cute doesn't she?!? Did you miss them...they are right above this paragraph. OH WAIT...that right...SHE WOULD NOT GO! We fought to get her clothes on b/c she said the tights were go figure...tight. So, after getting little Miss Sunshine in the car to go (leaving 10 mintues later than I wanted...which if you know me makes me in a REAL good mood!) we went to walk into the dance studio...and she looked up at me and started to cry...she said mommy...I am scared...so I asked her if she wanted to just go in and watch and she shy-ly agreed. We went in there and the teacher was explaining that the parents cannot stay and I just KNEW this was not going to work! I leaned down and told her we had to leave and she turned around grabbed my knees and said NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...........it honestly broke my heart. I was tearing up too (Katie...don't laugh...I bet you are tearing up just reading this!) So, we told her she did not have to do it and we left. She was MUCH happier then! So...no ballerina this year...BOO!!

Teaching Cole no!

2009-04-19T14:29:00.001-07:00

Cole is now starting to get to the point where he needs to know what no means. We have been trying all weekend and this is what he learned...

Cole is standing for a few seconds now on his own, and is really starting to play well with Ellie. It is nice to have them entertain each other. They basically make each other laugh the entire time...it is so cute!

American Idol Poll

2009-04-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

Over on the right side of my blog...vote for who you think will win American Idol. We had a debate about it tonight in class, and I was curious to see what my fellow bloggers thought.

Our little fish Ellie...

2009-04-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of Ellie jumping into the water. She loves it. She now asks me to put her on the counter so she can jump off. I don't think she realizes there is no water beneath the counter! So, no counter jumping for her...we will stick with pool jumping!

A "hoppin" good time!!

2009-04-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

Our Easter this year was a lot of fun. Ellie was really into it! She understood the egg hunt and the Easter bunny and all of that good stuff! She woke up Sunday morning and went to hunted her eggs outside. She loved it! Then off to church we went. After church we headed to Athens to have one last Easter at Gramma's house. Gramma is moving into a new house after 57 years at her old house/land. After my Grampa died last year she has just not been able to keep up with the older home and all of the land. So, she has bought a cute ranch in Bogart to move to with minimal land. We had such a great time over at her house on Easter. When we were little my dad use to make sure the softball gloves, bats, and balls were in tow to her house so we could get a little practice in on her pasture. This Easter was no different except we played kick ball this time. It was so much fun! Nothing like a bunch of 20/30 (and mom) year olds playing kick ball while the youngins watched!! Here are some pics from Easter...

The most fun I have ever had

2009-04-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

Today was our last day at the beach for spring break. We have to get back so Tim can get back to work. But, we had a really good time while we were here. Ellie could not get enough of the beach!! This was the first year she could stay out all day and could be entertained the entire time. At one point we were running away from the tide at the shore (which was more fun than it sounds) and Ellie looked up in between loud giggles and screams and said "mommy, this is the most fun I have ever had." It was the best thing I have ever HEARD! She was so much fun to watch down there. She flew her kite, play with her doll in the sand, played in the tide, dug in the sand, ate numerous favor-ice, and learned to put sunscreen on herself!

Cole slept a lot of the time while we were on the beach b/c he is just not old enough to play in the sand yet. He did come out during the day for a little bit...but he was not able to appreciate it like Ellie could.

Here are some pics from the trip...

Ellie stories...

2009-03-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

I wanted to update my blog on a few of the Ellie stories. Whenever she says something funny I think oh- I need to put that on my blog. Then, I end up forgetting them. But, one story I thought was cute, and I actually remembered it. Ever since Jill's wedding at the Aquarium...Ellie LOVES fish and LOVES to talk about the aquarium. She has a fish book and Tim has taught her all of the different types of sea creatures. She can name shrimp, coral, sea stars, cucumbers, jelly fish, squid, etc. Anyways, she wants to go back to the aquarium...the only thing is she thinks someone has to get married in order to go back. So, one day we were sitting at the table eating lunch together and a commercial for the aquarium came on. She looked over at me and said "mommy, we can go to the aquarium and you and daddy can get married" I just laughed and said...mommy and daddy are already married, we got married a couple of years before you were born. She looked at me like she just lost her best friend and said "ah, man...I guess we won't get to go to the aquarium". haha!! Then I explained that we would still be able to take her to the aquarium even though no one was getting married.

Also, Shunggy (Ellie's ghost friend) has been paying us visits more and more. Ellie puts out snacks, opens the door for her, and makes her juice. The kids went to Grammie and pop pop's house this weekend and they said she even wanted to pull up a chair at the dinner table for Shunggy.

Cole is now pulling all the way up on things and attempting to try to cruise. This is all going way too fast! I don't think I posted on here that his blood work came back that he was anemic. He is on a iron supplement and high iron packed foods until his 1 year appt...where they are going to have to DRAW BLOOD AGAIN to make sure his red blood cell levels come up. If they don't...not sure what happens...but if they do he will just remain on the high iron foods. I am just going to tell the guy to prick his finger instead of going through all of the troubles we had last time though! I made the appt while El is in preschool so she won't be tramatized again!

We leave for the beach Friday...Ellie is SO excited! She keeps saying "mommy, I want to go to the beach NOW" But...I will have lots of fun pics and stories to share when we get back!

My L-Bean is going to be 3 tomorrow

2009-03-25T16:39:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet Ellie belles. I cannot believe she is 3 today! Here are some pictures of Ellie over the past 3 years...Love you El!

Check-up updates!

2009-03-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

Cole and Ellie had their well visit today at the doctor. Ellie had her annual check up and Cole had his 9 month appt. Both went well...kind of...

Ellie is good to go...of course she impressed the doctor with her vocabulary and personality (shocker she talks a lot!). She was 37 1/4 inches and 37 pounds.

Then my poor Cole buddy. He had a rough day poor guy. At the 9 month appt Kaiser does a blood work up to check for the normal blood work things (that is my way of saying...I have no idea why). So, I was prepared because when Ellie had this done Tim had to hold her down and it was awful. So, I knew not to go by myself. Nana stepped up and came with us! Thanks Nana! Cole was first looked over by the doctor and turns out he had bronchiolitis. He has had some problems with coughing and then gagging and then...bllahhhh all over the person who is holding him. It was getting really old cleaning up his bllaahhh...anyways...the doctor said he has the congestion/fluid/whatever in his broncioles which has become infected. So...he is on an inhaler in hopes that the congestion will go away and help with the coughing/puking.

Cole was 28 3/4 inches and 21.2 pounds...which he has lost a few ounces since he went about a month ago...but that was expected with all the vomiting. He was in the 70th percentile for his height and weight and then his head has made a big leap to the 80th percentile!

Back at his 6 month appt they were running low of the HIB vaccine so Cole/Mommy got an unexpected shot today. Then, it was off to the lab. Mind you Mommy made a mistake and had this appt right in the middle of his afternoon nap time. So, needless to say Cole was not being a gentleman before we walked in there. So, the little lab man wrapped that blue rubber band around his arm to get the vessel popping and then the mean man took FOREVER to get ready to draw the blood. So, as Cole's left arm is all but falling off the lab man is taking his darn sweet time. Then, in goes the butterfly needle. And, nothing...and nothing...and crying...and howling like a dog...then in the background I hear Ellie screaming "my broder, my broder". Finally, I had to release Cole's legs (because I was having to hold his legs while my mom held his arms) and take Ellie out. After about 5 minutes of this guy digging in Cole's arm with a needle he never found the vein. So...THEN they had to prick the poor little guys fingers and let the blood drain (slowly) into the container. By this time, Cole had worked himself up so much that he fell asleep in Nana's arms. Wheeewww...when we left both Nana and myself were both sweating like we played 3 sets of tennis in the dead of summer! But, it is over...thank goodness!

Ellie's 3rd Birthday Parties!

2009-03-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

This was as a BIG weekend for our Ellie girl! She had her birthday parties for her 3rd birthday. Time really does fly! I remember sitting at my parents house, newly pregnant, talking to my sister Katie saying wow, there is going to be another person in our family...that was so weird to think about. Now, I cannot imagine life without her. She had lots of fun at her parties. She had a breakfast party for her friends in the morning. They all wore their PJ's and we all ate breakfast together. Then, we had her family party in the evening. We grilled out and played on Ellie's new jump house. Here are some pics from the party...sorry my video recorder died so no video...booo...

Jesus love Ellie...and she is proud of it!

2009-03-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Here is my future singer (Not really!!)

He will kill me one day for this...

2009-03-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

I cannot HELP it. I have to tell this story and show the pictures. It will be a story that I want to tell Cole one day! Sorry if this offends or grosses any one out!

Wednesday night Kate, Dan, and Luke came over for dinner b/c I was watching Luke Thursday for them. So, I was outside grilling the hamburgers when Katie came running out saying "Julie, you have to get in here and see what Cole is doing." So, like a concerned mother I ran in and found Cole sitting in the bathroom floor playing with Tampons. He was chewing on them, holding them up and looking at them, and scattering them all over the floor (these were clean and unused Tampons, of course!) So, we were laughing so hard at him and then here comes little Ellie. She looked at Cole and looked at the Tampons and said "Cole-man, you cannot play with mommy's bandaids! TOO FUNNY! Here are the pictures and I can guess that Cole will NOT be happy with me later in life!! Hehe!!

My sweet, yet attacking nephew!

2009-03-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

I was looking through my Flip video recorder today and came across this video...it made me laugh so I thought it would make at least his mama and daddy laugh too! This begins to explain Luke...INTO EVERYTHING! But...he is so sweet and I love him bunches!

Cole caught us spying on him!

2009-03-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

In Cole's room we have a video monitor...we had it with Ellie and loved it...so it stayed in the nursery when Cole was born. Recently, Cole has been very interested in the thing that was hung on the wall with the fun lights on it. Today, he was trying to get to it...I video taped the monitor...I thought it was so cute!

I only spent $6.89!!

2009-03-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

My sister, Katie, and I have become quite the little bargain shoppers. It all started with my quiting my work at home job (I know - sounds stupid...but I would not have been able to have my two kids home all day with me - and still work - plus the job was stressful!) so...I started couponing and looking at ways to cut back. I got really into it - and then Katie soon followed. Let me tell you...I created a monster! If Katie and I are together on the weekends we get together at some point and go through the paper looking at what is on sale and what we can combine with coupons to get the best deal! A lot of the time I walk out of a store with a few free items!

Katie is especially good at figuring out how to work CVS. CVS can be your best friend. You just have to know how to work it! I want to give you an example that Katie helped me get! Ok, CVS had their Coke products 4/13 That is an ok deal right now...but the key was you get $3 in extra care bucks when you buy 4 of them (an extra care buck is dollars you earn using your extra care card - which is the first thing you need to do is sign up for one at CVS.com) Ok...back to the deal. Katie had a Coke coupon that got me $2 off of 4 packs. Well, I was buying 4 packs (We use A LOT of coke products) to get the $3 buck deal...so...I paid $11 for 4 packs of Coke products plus I have my $3 bucks to use next visit. Then, later Katie and I went back...and I had some GREAT Huggies coupons (get them at Couponsusie.com you can print two copies by clicking the back button and refreshing the page). These coupons are for $5.00 off a jumbo pack or bigger. It says you have to get Gentle Care type but I bought the regular old Snug and Drys. I also needed M&M's to put in Ellie's plastic eggs for Easter. I also had a coupon from the Sunday paper a few weeks ago. The candy was on sale for 2/$5. I also get a $5 off of $25 CVS coupon everytime I go into CVS...they have a machine when you walk in and you scan your CVS card and it prints out coupons. So...I bought 2 jumbo packs of Huggies ($19.76), 2 bags of M&Ms ($5.00), but I needed .24 to meet my $25 to get $5 off. Katie looked through her coupons and she had mentos coupons for a dollar off of 1 pack of gum. The gum was $1.29...so my total before any coupons with all 5 products was $26.05 (this was after the sale of the diapers and M&M's though). Then I had $20 worth of coupons (including my $3 from buying the cokes, 2 -$5 mannies for Huggies, $1 off candy, $1 off gum, and $5 off a $25 purchase!). So, my sub-total was 6.05 and with tax I paid $6.89. So, I walked out of the store spending $6.89 for full-price no coupon total of $33.66!!! THAT is a deal! You can get coke coupons by signing up for my coke rewards at mycokerewards.com. Each 12-pack is worth 10 points and when you get 35 points you get a $1 off coupon. The KEY is to match your coupons with sales and in store loyalty programs. Also, being flexible on brands...buy what you have a coupon for...when it is on sale!

I have to give a shout out to Katie on her yearly savings. She shops for formula, diapers, cokes, prescritpions (which Luke has had a lot of this year)...and a lot of other stuff. This year she has spent like $215.00 there but has saved like $291.00. Plus, every quarter you get 2% back on what you spent in extra care bucks, so...right now Katie would get back $10.15 b/c they take the amount BEFORE discounts...that is 1 1/2 free packs of diapers!! LOVE IT!

Updates!!

2009-03-06T09:56:00.001-08:00

Well, lots has happened since my last blog entry.

First, My sweet Wukey got his tubes put in his ears. I was not able to be there (7 am appointment + 2 young children = disaster!) But, we went over to his house to see him that day and he was great! He was his normal wild and ALL OVER THE PLACE self. I have never seen a child into so much stuff! Katie is gonna have her HANDS FULL!! He is still my favorite nephew though!

We are all still trying to get over our sickness. I still have the congestion and have been put on an anti-biotic to knock it out! Cole has the crud now...but hopefully it won't turn into an ear infection. Ellie and Cole both go to the doctor for their 3 year and 9 mos appointment on March 23. Cole will have blood work done then, and I am not looking forward to it! When Ellie had blood drawn Tim had to literally hold her down...and mommy had to leave the room b/c I could not stand to see that! So...mom or Tim will for sure be coming with me for this!

Ellie and Cole are really starting to interact together and it is SO CUTE! They are starting to play with another (which sometimes causes melt-downs from certain little 3 year olds). But, today Ellie was talking about best friends and I asked her who her best friend was and she said Cole-Man. It really made me smile...I hope they stay "best friends" forever!

Lastly, last weekend we got to spend our Saturday night in the ER with Cole-Man. For some reason (we will not get into it on my blog) Cole was sitting on the bar stool at my mom's and his care taker looked away for a moment and Cole took a dive off the chair! He fell flat on his face and head. Poor guy...we thought he would be ok then he puked...and he was starting to have bloody boogers...so I freaked out just a little bit ;) and off we went. He was fine...he was flirting with all of the nursed by the time we got there...but the peace of mind that night was worth going. Now, both of my kids have an excuse if they grow up and are "just not right". Ellie fell out of a shopping cart at about the same age as Cole-Man...haha...we are FABULOUS parents! In all joking...I felt like the worst parent in the world after Ellie fell...but when I would tell other parents...immediatly they told me their "story" of what their child had done when they were little...it made me feel better that defax was not coming to knock on my door. Hopefully we won't have anymore "stories" like that...yeah right! haha!

Boo on the flu!

2009-02-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

This week has NOT been a good week around the Woodson household. Sunday and Monday evening I started to feel very weak and tired...but I thought it was just me working out too much so I vowed to cut back my workouts...then Tuesday at 2 am I woke up feeling the COLDEST I have EVER felt in my life. I was shaking the whole bed which in turn woke Tim up. He asked what was wrong and I said I am just so cold, and I put my feet on his legs and said "see, feel" He said my feet were not cold, in fact they were burning up! I felt my whole body and I was on FIRE! So, Tim got up and got me some Tylenol then I shook myself to sleep. I woke up and I felt like I had been hit by a MACK TRUCK! I had a headache, cough, nausea, fever, achy body...it was not fun! I did not know what to do...I mean how do you call in sick when you are a stay at home mom?!? Well...thank goodness my mom was able to help me out...she came over and helped me until Tim could get home. Tim then switched around his work to be able to stay home yesterday (the perks of being your own boss!), and then mom took the kids again today. I went to the doctor today and they confirmed that I have the flu. I have never had the flu (at least that I can remember), and it SUCKS! From now on...I will be getting my flu shot instead of just the kids! I am starting to feel much better this evening, but Tim is feeling achy...GREAT!!!

Go ahead and super-size it for the little lady...

2009-02-16T07:06:00.000-08:00

Haha - sorry I have to start out by laughing at this post. As far back as I can remember, my family has had this running joke about taking your spouse to McDonald's for special occasions and not only going for a special occasion...but when you go for that special occasion you get your meal "super-sized". It might not be as funny to everyone reading this as it is in our family...but thats ok...anyways...when Tim and I were talking about where we wanted to go for Valentine's Day and told Tim...what I really want is a quarter pounder and french fries from McDonalds...I have not had this meal in at least two years when I started getting healthy...but that does not mean I don't WANT one! So...after thinking about how PACKED everywhere else would be on Valentine's I said..."Tim...let's go to McDonalds" He said...are you serious? I said absolutely. So...Saturday night Tim and I (and all of the single teenage boys in Buford) went to Mcdonalds. It was GREAT! NO WAIT...and it cost $11.22!! Haha! We went after to see a movie...which was nice. I almost chickened out by getting such a high fat/calorie meal...but it was worth it...it was SO GOOD! I made Tim takes some pics of me eating it to remember our "super-sized" Valentine's day!Here are some new pics of the kids...Cole got a sink bath the other night b/c Ellie was asleep and I did not want to wake her...he LOVED it! Also...I wanted to put up some pics of the kids playing outside together. Ellie decided to push Cole in the swing outside and they both loved it...they entertained each other...mommy loved it too! In more freaky news...Ellie has a new ghost friend! Her name is Shungy (Shun-g-ee). She first visited Ellie at mom's house. She was actually up in the canister lights in the kitchen and then I guess she followed us home b/c she said shungy was at our house last night and then she ran out of the house trying to get away from Shungy this morning. I know it is just her little imagination running...but...I have to tell you...IT FREAKS ME OUT! I hope she moves to just regular imaginary friends soon!

Cole got teffers!!

2009-02-12T17:22:00.000-08:00

It is offical...Cole popped his first tooth today! I feel like it took forever b/c Ellie has her two front bottom teeth at 5 months old...so almost 8 months feels like it is so late (even though it is not...I googled it...hehe). He actually has three teeth coming in at one time...poor guy! I will try to snap a picture of them...but he is not one to let you dig around in his mouth. With three teeth coming in at once...Tim says soon he will have an "insta' grill".

Cole and his new hat!

2009-02-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

I was at Target yesterday looking for the kids Valentine's day presents...and I was browsing through the kids section (like normal...and all you parents don't deny you don't go straight for that section) and I saw the cutest little hat for infants. I thought...Cole won't mind getting a hat for Valentine's day...he won't even remember...so I got it. I came home and could not resist giving it to him to try on. He looked so grown up and cute! Here are some of the pics...

Happy Birthday Carakrine

2009-02-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

Today is my cousin, Suzanna and Mike's, daughter's 1st birthday! Time flies!! Caroline (we call her Carakrine...b/c that is what Ellie calls her) was born 1 year ago today!! Ellie wanted to send a video message to little miss Carakrine! Happy birthday!!

Shut out to KT and Dan and Cole at 7 months...

2009-02-05T17:58:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to tell my sister Katie and her husband Dan a Happy Anniversary!! 4 years now!! Congrats...

Cole is getting SO BIG!! He has hit a lot of milestones and is on his way to becoming a little boy...he wore a big boy outfit equiped with "chucks"! He looked so cute I had to take his picture!! Like I said in my last post...he is crawling all over the place!! He is teething really bad too...we should hopefully have our first tooth soon!!

The newest member of the "Geek Squad"...

2009-02-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

Our little Cole-Man really loves gadgets! He LOVES the laptop...just watch this video...I cannot keep it away from him. In fact I have started using my desktop more and more b/c I have had to put the lap top away to protect it from the Cole-Man!!

Weekend update

2009-02-01T17:14:00.000-08:00

This weekend was nice...nothing planned to do...just get done what needed to get done around the house. We did not get a lot though. Saturday we went to the gym as normal and then pretty much hung around the house doing nothing but playing with the kids. Today (Sunday) I went to go visit Gramma...she is in ICU now - they are trying to get her breathing better...she looked good and knew who we were today - so that was good! Hopefully she can get out of ICU (when ready) so Ellie can go visit her. When we me and Katie were visiting her today - she looked at us and said "You girls are so beautiful"...if you know my Gramma - that is not typical. Not that she does not think we have always been beautiful (I am sure she has ;) but we just don't ever talk like that. I don't know if I ever remember hearing that from her. I about lost it in the room - and get this...Katie was the strong one!! Anywho...I just cried the whole way home...trying not to get pulled over in Arcade, Ga (been done twice in the Woodson household). But, we are hoping for a good outcome here and Gramma can go home or to an assisted living facility.

Jill and Joe came home from Hawaii today - I cannot believe it has been over a week since her wedding. It seemed like so far away - but now it is over...Ellie still wants to wear her "high heels" to the "weddin'"

Ellie was really sick the past week - she had an ear infection that caused her temp to go up to 103.8...SCARY! Then, she was put on Augmenten which tore her little tummy to pieces. Let's just say we are down a few pairs of panties. Finally, I caught on and she wore pull ups the rest of the week...which then caused horrible diaper rash (wow, I don't sound like a stellar mom at this point.) But...she is all better...she is back to her old self. But...I am taking Cole in the morning b/c I think he has an ear infection now. GREAT! To top is all off my sweet baby Wukey has to get tubes...it will be for the best...no more ear infections hopefully!!

That's all for now...

PS - Ellie goes back to school tomorrow after being out for a week!! Wahhoo!!

Sorry for so many posts - Nana this one is for you...

2009-01-28T19:16:00.000-08:00

And check out Ellie's new do...I cut her hair...haha!

25 things you may or may not have known about me...

2009-01-28T16:42:00.000-08:00

This is a chain letter that is going around Facebook and the blog world...here is my list...

1. Being a mom has completed me
2. I am finally happy with every aspect of my life
3. I love my kids more than I ever knew I could love someone
4. I have a great husband who takes care of me
5. I am not high maintenance...just in need of someone to take care of me.
6. I will do anything for my friends
7. I cry when I listen to songs in the car
8. I don't cry in front of people
9. I have a great family that loves me
10. I love stupid reality shows like the Bachelor
11. I actually have good in-laws - I know hard to find!
12. I have become dependent on exercising to release stress
13. Being a stay at home mom is harder than I once thought.
14. I am afraid to get old
15. I don't agree with some of people's jealousy. If you are jealous of something...put in some hard work until you get what you want, anything is possible you just have to put in what it takes to get there.
16. I love to host parties
17. I have a new love of dancing!
18. I hate rap music
19. I am a perfectionist
20. I want to figure out how to have a third child that comes out at age 3...OUCH!
21. I drink nothing but coke (and water at the gym)
22. I love my nephew Luke like my own
23. I am lucky enough to have 2 all time best friends...my sisters!
24. I could spend all of my money at target if I did not have will power!
25. Wish she could stay at this point in her life always!

She's feeling beeettttteeerrrrrr...

2009-01-28T07:36:00.000-08:00

Ellie woke up feeling MUCH better this morning. No fever...that is awesome! She was really funny this morning...I caught some on tape! Cole-Man is still sleeping a lot so I hope that does not mean he is sick too - he slept like this the last time he had an ear infection. He is really crawling now...I will post video of it soon. Here is Ellie telling us about high heels...

I don't know where she gets it!?!? ;)

2009-01-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

Ellie is sick right now - and this is her on Motrin (SO much better than tylenol!) It is like up and down with her now. She feels bad then the Motrin kicks in and she goes to Target...go figure!

Jill got married!!

2009-01-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

First, I have to start with this...

Thank you Lindsey for that beautiful song...Jill's getting married (in a British accent - don't ask me!?!) This was the theme song for the weekend...

Katie pushing her goods back to the car...this was so funny!

Tim and I

April and I

My Cole-Man!!

Aunt Jill and Ellie
The beautiful bride!!
Jill and me pre-wedding
Cole-Man and a big shark!
All the girls at the bridesmaids luncheon!
Ellie made it the WHOLE way down...I did not think she was going to do it...but she did. She was ready for her blow-pop that I bribed her with ;)

Jill and Joe are now in Hawaii...hopefully having the time of their life!!!

Saving for med school...

2009-01-03T21:13:00.000-08:00

Today I went to Athens to see my grandmother in the hospital. She is doing much better and should be going home tomorrow. But, I just went my self and decided to leave the kids home with Tim. I got about 15 min down the road and Tim called...at first I was like...really...15 min...he could not last longer than that. But, he was calling to tell me what Ellie just said.

Tim said once I left Ellie looked at him and said 'Where did mommy go?" Tim said "Gramma is sick and mommy went to go visit her" Then Ellie said "Is Gramma with Paw Paw (which is my grandfather who died back in June)?" Tim said no, she is not with Paw Paw" - he said "Remember, Paw Paw lives with Jesus now" He then told me she looked down (I guess taking in what Tim just said) and then looked back up at him and said "Daddy, I want to be a doctor to help people feel better" -- SWEET BABY!!

So...I am so proud of her goals she has set...but I think we need to start doubling what we put in her savings account so we can pay for all of that schooling...yikes!!

Get well wishes to Gramma

2008-12-30T08:02:00.001-08:00

My Gramma is currently in the hospital not feeling well. Ellie wanted to tell Gramma to feel better! Here she is...

We hope you get feeling better soon Gramma. We love you!!

Tim, Julie, Ellie, and Cole

I only wanted to kick it 537 times...but I finally got the hang of it

2008-12-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

Another one of mom and dad's presents to me was a sewing/embroidery combo. I am not one to read directions...especially when there are 200 pages of them. I am more of a trial and error type of gal...(and don't deny that you are not one either). So...after messing up a good bit I finally figured it out. I have posted some of the pics of what I have done. I am not doing this for a business...just for the kids and little shower gifts and stuff. It is just really fun to personalize things!!

Here are my first two items I have done. On the bib the name got closer to the plane than I wanted but I will know for next time!

Ellie counting in spanish...

2008-12-27T17:48:00.000-08:00

Here she is...counting to 5 in spanish.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the Flip video recorder

2008-12-25T18:27:00.001-08:00

Mom and Dad got each of us a Flip video recorder for Christmas...I love it!! It is SO easy. Christmas was really fun this year. The big man came to see Ellie, Cole, and Luke. Ellie got a train table she was asking for! Here are some videos from today with Tim's side of the family!!

Cole laughing...

Big walls and spanish counting!

2008-12-22T06:32:00.000-08:00

Well...there is more to add to Ellie's new found love for the spanish language! Also, she is becoming a geography buff as well. After church on Sunday Tim was carrying Ellie out to the car and the church has a new little outdoor courtyard edged with a small wall. As we were walking to the car Ellie looked down at the wall and said "hey daddy, wook (look) at dat wall...it's wike (like)China." I just could not believe it!! She knows that there is a wall in China. I asked her where she learned that and she said Dora. Then I guess that makes sense since Dora is "Dora the Explorer" Dora explores different places and I guess there was an episode on China!!

Then, last night I was asking her about spanish and all of the sudden she busted out with "uno, dos, tres, quattro, cinco"...my jaw dropped. I asked her what are you doing? She said counting in spanish! Geez...maybe Dora can make an episode on how NOT to use markers to draw ALL OVER YOUR BODY...which is a whole other story in itself! Just use your imagination!!

We are ready for the big man himself to come to visit...SANTA!! I think Ellie thinks she will never get to open her presents since I have had presents under the tree since the weekend after Thanksgiving. But, she got to open her present from My grandparents this weekend. She got a Melissa and Doug wooden doll house...SHE LOVES IT!! It joined her in bed Friday night!! haha.

We go tomorrow for Cole's 6 month appt...I cannot believe he is 6 months old!! Yikes!! I will update on Cole tomorrow!

Ellie in Espanol!

2008-12-17T19:40:00.000-08:00

As most of you know Ellie's favorite "tar-toon" (cartoon) is Dora. We have it DVRed so we always have Dora on demand! Well...in the opening credit of Dora she says vamonos and arriba in the little song that is played. Well...Arriba come to find out means come on in spanish. But, I did not know that until Ellie wanted me to do something the other day and she looked at me (I hope you are sitting down) and said "mommy, play wif me - arriba" I was sitting in the chair and when she said that I fell out of the chair! I have heard of arriba from the little band at Frontera...but I never knew what it meant. I looked it up and it means "come on". So...not only did Ellie say a spanish word...she used it the right way. So if it were all in english she would have said "mommy, play wif me, come on".

THEN...April and I were talking in the living room and Ellie was running around. I thought I heard Tim getting home and Ellie always like to tell me when Daddy is home so I said "Ellie go see if daddy is home." So, Ellie ran to the door and looked and I said again "is he home" and she replied...(again I hope you are sitting down) Si!! I looked at April and I said did she just say yes in spanish? April looked back and said "yeah - I think she did." So, if you ever need a translator you know where to go. See...TV can be educational!! hahahaha...

Sick, sick, sick

2008-12-10T11:30:00.001-08:00

We have all taken a turn now...getting sick!! I had it first, then Ellie, then Cole, then Tim, then Ellie again. Ellie had an ear infection a couple of weeks ago and she just never seemed to get better so I took her back yesterday and she now has an ear infection in both ears!! She got in a little trouble at school Monday which told me to take her to the doctor. She usually does not act out - especially at school so I knew she did not feel well. While we were at the doctor, our awesome, doctor looked at Cole too to make sure there were no infections...he was in the clear...just snotty. Tim is getting over the fluid in his ears...but he is still snotty too. Hopefully over Christmas when Ellie is not in school we can get rid of the snots!

Ellie got to shop at school today for our Christmas presents. The church preschool gets gently used items donated and then the kids get to go and pick out what they want to buy for each family member...can't wait to see what I get!!

Oh, just an update on Colby...he has not made anymore appearances at the house, yet. But, Ellie's little mind is just working and making up really funny things. I just love to sit and listen to her stories. She is so creative!! Ellie has also noticed how much mommy and daddy exercise and has taken interest. Tim does push ups on his perfect push up bars at night. The other night after Ellie's bath she looked and me and said "ok, time for my push ups" and she went and got Tim's perfect push up bars and attempted to do push ups...she was pretty good at them too!! When we go to the gym in the evenings she always wants to get on the machines and "wurk out" Hopefully we are showing her a healthy lifestyle and not giving her a complex on her body image!!

Ok...I have been hounded enough!!

2008-12-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

As you can see I have let the holidays, shopping, and the kids get in the way of my blogging. My sisters have called me out on it - so I am back!! I do not have pics to upload right now - they are uploading on Walgreens.com right now. But, I have updates!

Cole is on the move! He is crawling backwards now and rocking trying to go forward. I cannot believe this b/c Ellie was 10 months when she started crawling. I was not prepared for this - I will soon have two mobile children! Yikes! Cole is getting his two bottom teeth so he is extra drooly and chews on EVERYTHING!!

Now...Ellie...she has become very imaginative. If you know me well you know I usually drink about 1/4-1/2 of a canned coke and leave it around the house b/c the temp gets too hot for my liking (I know - it is my weird little thing in life) well Ellie was up on the counter helping me cook dinner and she picked up the coke and started to drink and I told her she could not have it. She looked at me and in a semi whisper voice said "Mommy I need it b/c my breath smells like butter" Yeah - that was my reaction too - WHAT?!? I just started laughing so hard!! The night before that happened she was up on the counter helping me make dinner again and I was just talking talking talking to her and she looked up and whispered "SSHHHH...mommy...there's a ghost. I WAS FROZEN! I said really what is his name was and she said "Colby" I was SO freaked out!! It was that frozen you get you know when you are laying in bed and you think you "hear something." So, Ellie I guess now has an imaginary ghost friend, Colby.

We put up all of our Christmas decor this past weekend and Ellie just LOVES it!! She walks around the house picking up things and putting them on the tree. The other day I looked and the tree and my umbrella was hooked to the tree!! haha!

Well...I promise I am going to get back blogging!!

Sorry...I am going to get better!

2008-11-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since my last post. We have been so busy...I feel like I never stop until 9-10 pm and by then I do not feel like blogging. But, both kids are sleeping now so I thought I would fill you in on what has been going on.

Cole is getting so big! He loves to be in his jumperoo a lot! I think he is getting a little cold...but seems to be handling it good by sleeping ALL THE TIME! Cole and I had lunch with my friend, Nikki, and Cole flirted the whole time. He would look at her and then start smiling really big and bury his head in my chest. Then, he would slowly turn and look at her again and then smile and bury himself in my chest. I think he has a crush on Nikki!

Ellie is still cracking us up with all the saying and things she does! The other day she said something to me (don't remember what she said) but I told her she hurt my feelings and she ran downstairs and asked to get some medicine. I said what do you need medicine for and she said "I get you medicine because you are hurt" haha...so sweet! Ellie has offically moved into her new playroom...she LOVES it. We had friends over this weekend with kids and they all played in there...it was a mess but it was a contained mess...and not in my LIVING ROOM!! It is really nice to have that room now.

I will post some pics soon...

Evan's Memorial

2008-11-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

Saturday marked the 3 year anniversary of my cousin, Evans, death. Every year we gather at his grave and try to make the best of the day. We try to laugh (which is my way of dealing with situations like that) and tell the funny stories of Evan. he is truly missed. Here are some pics...
Ellie and Marin
The whole "Luke" side of the family
Luke and Cole sporting their "camer" flouge and sitting next to Evan's picture

On a lighter note, Ellie had lots of fun trick-or-treating for the first time. She got the hang of it quick!

Luke, Cooper, and Ellie. Cole slept through the whole night!

My little pumpkin!

Nana and her babies

Ellie aka Cinderella

Tim and Ellie

Here is a video of Cole laughing...it is so cute! Tim was getting him going!

The prunes came back to haunt me!

2008-10-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

If you read my previous post you can see Cole throughly enjoying his prunes. Ellie never liked them but Cole seems to love them. TOO BAD COLE! They have already come out to visit us. I picked him up out of his entertainer...and OH MY GROSS! Talk about GAG A MAGGOT!! Poo was EVERYWHERE! All down his legs, up his back, all over his front little...you know ;0

Needless to say - he went from the entertainer STRAIGHT to the bath! When I found his accident I looked at him and he was just grinning ear to ear at me! Little booger - or should I say little pooper!

Cole's form of art

2008-10-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

Cole learned a new trick...if he sneezes while eating he makes mommy laugh...but...this is what he ends up looking like...

This is me, Katie, and Jill at Jill's most recent shower...
This is how Ellie watches TV while the construction is going on!!
My sweet boy playing in his entertainer and making a funny face
Ellie and mommy

Katie and Ellie at their play date!

Taylor and Cole at their playdate...

Jessie, Cole, and Taylor...

Cole's 4 month appointment

2008-10-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Cole went for his 4 month appointment on Friday and he is healthy as he can be! He weighed in at 16 lbs 9 oz...that is almost 3 pounds LESS than Ellie was at this age! He was in the 70th percentile for his weight. He was 26.5 inches long - which he is 1 inch longer than Ellie was at this age. He was in the 90th percentile for his height. His head was 16.75 inches...the 50th percentile. So...he is long with an average (but small to me) head (Ellie was always in the 90th or above for her head - well...and everything else!!)

Cole got 3 shots - poor baby...but he cried and then got over it. He slept for most of the day I guess due to the shots...so it was a calm day for mommy!

Ellie is trick-or-treating this Friday...her first time. I am not sure if Ellie is more excited or me!! She is going to be Cinderella - let's hope she does not freeze! Cole is going as a pumpkin! I will post pics after Halloween!

Mommy...I want "dat"

2008-10-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Monday night I needed to go to the grocery store BAD! Tim was working late setting up a client tank so I just said screw it...I will take the kids. I just told myself to relax and the kids will be good - which they were! I was very impressed that they were both excellent with no big outbursts.

The only thing that was different than the last time I took them was that Ellie wanted EVERYTHING! We passed by the produce and she wanted Strawberries, Apples, Oranges, Bananas, and mushrooms (?!?). That was a good want - so I got a few new fruits that we don't usually get - we normally get Apples and Bananas. Then we got to the cereals aisle. She wanted Apple Jacks - I have never even had Applejacks...why she wanted them - I am not sure! I gave in on that one and got them (which they are yummy - now mommy is addicted to them...and of course...Ellie has not taken 1 bite! We got to the meat department and she wanted Steak...not sure why again b/c she does not eat steak - so I was finally figuring out that I cannot get everything she is pointing out - at first it was cute...then it got old!

THEN...THE ICE CREAM AISLE - that should be banned from the grocery store. Thanks to her Nana and POPS Ellie had to have a box of pop-ice and every other ice cream box in the aisle. I told her she could pick 1 - she picked the pop ice. She put the box of pop ice in her lap and carried it the rest of the trip. SHE wanted to hand it to the grocery scanner to "pay for it." Which...that is a improvement from her screaming b/c she did not want to give up her grocery like in the past. So, after spending out $25-$30 more than I usually do when I go to the grocery...Ellie was set! I think I will still leave the kids at home when I shop so my bill will stay down!

I don't like to talk about it...so I will write about it...

2008-10-17T10:04:00.001-07:00

This time of the year is always a rougher time of the year for me. For anyone who knows me and my family well...we love the holidays. But...it always reminds of me of Daniel and Evan. This is the time of the year that both passed. Don't get me wrong...I am happy for the way my life has turned out, I just don't like what had to happen for me to get here.

8 years ago...wow...8 years...my highschool boyfriend of 4 years died in a single car accident. I was 18 years old at the time. That Sunday evening will never leave my mind. Daniel left my apartment about 4 pm to head back to Statesboro. About 7-8pm my sister best friend, Lyn-Dee, called me at my apartment to see if you could come hang out. I really did not think much of it - b/c me and Lyn have always gotten along well b/c we are so much a like. Little did I know my mom, sister, and family friend Mrs. Greene were on their way to get me. The police had called my mom b/c Daniel had a check from me in his wallet with my home phone number on it. I cannot imagine taking that call. They did not tell my mom over the phone that he was dead...but I think she had an idea. My mom had sent Lyn over to make sure I did not find out before they got there. I was sitting at my computer talking to Lyn-Dee when my mom walked in...then Katie...then Mrs. Greene. My stomach dropped b/c I could see sadness and fear in their eyes. I said what is going on...mom came to me and said Daniel has been in a car accident and we need to go to the hospital. Immediatly I asked if he was alive...she said she did not know. She really left a little bit of postive thinking in my head - even though I don't think she had any. They helped me get dressed and we packed into that car and drove out to Washington, Ga. We pulled up to the hospital or should I say the Washington clinic and right then is when I knew that if he was alive they would have life flighted him to another real hospital. I walked into the hospital and there was a police officer there and they led us behind some doors where I saw Mr. and Mrs. Elder there crying. Mr. Elder looked at me and said "Daniel's dead." From there I remember bits and pieces. They asked if I wanted to see Daniel and I said yes...but mom thought that was not a good idea. So, after prayers and lots of crying and hugs we left and my mom took me back to Lilburn where all my friends were waiting. Since that say...I always think what if...what if he had not come to see me that weekend? What if I had told him to put his seatbelt on before he left...what if he had taken a different route home. All those questions have gotten really bad since I have become a mother. Before becoming a mom, I always felt bad for Daniel and myself, which was very selfish. Now, all I can think about is Mrs. Elder. I think how bad her heart must hurt. If something like that ever happened to Ellie or Cole...I would not be ok...ever. That is what makes my heart hurt now.

Then...3 years ago...my cousin, Evan was killed at his college in Milledgeville. It was so senseless. I will never forget that call either. Tim heard his phone ringing downstairs at 6 am and ran down to get it and I was still sleeping. He came running up the stairs saying it was my mom and something happened to Evan. I answered and I was my very upset mom telling me Evan was killed. I was pregnant with Ellie at the time so mom wanted me to try to stay calm...but who could in that situation. We jumped in the car and headed to Athens to be with the family. When we walked in I saw my Aunt Phyllis, and it broke my heart. Again, now that I am a mom I hurt for her and Jimmy.

I have had to learn that life is really short and anyone at anytime can be gone. Daniel and Evan have made such an impact on my life...I have learned what is important in life...I want to enjoy every moment with my kids and give them lots of life experiences.

Daniel and Evan were a lot a like. They both liked the outdoors, country music, and mostly they lived like there was no tomorrow - both of them were fun people who did not care what other people thought. I appreciate that.

I know they found each other on the other side and now Grampa is there playing, fishing, and cutting grass with them. It makes me feel better to know Grampa is with them to keep them in line.

Ok...well enough of that...I just needed to get that out b/c I don't really like to talk about it b/c it gets awkward and sometimes I feel like I want to cry and I don't like to do that in front of people anymore. So...I am taking the awkwardness out of it by writing about it. So...if you have kids give them hugs and lots of kisses and appreciate every moment you have with them.

If anyone has any good memories with either Daniel or Evan...please comment on here - I would love to show their moms...I know I would like to hear good memories if I were in their situation.

Sorry...my camera is at mom's!

2008-10-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

I do not have any pics to show you yet b/c I left my camera at my mom's house this past weekend. Hopefully I can get it back soon!

Last weekend went well...we hosted a cookout and a monkey joes excursion with Tim's brother, Tommy, and his family. Saturday we went to the UGA game with friends Kelly and Kevin. Last, Sunday we had a shower for Jill. Everything went well - Jill got lots of really useful things! Ellie of course loved meeting and playing with her cousins, Lynsey and Lily. Lynsey is 10 and Lily is 5. They were so good with her - they were great little babysitters. I wish they lived closer...I would use Lynsey all the time!

The construction on our new addition and deck started on Tuesday. We need more room in our house (really just a play room). So...we are taking our old deck and making it a room that is apart of the house and adding a new and bigger deck. The deck is already done and right now they are framing in the room. I am really excited - I think it will make such a HUGE difference! Ellie is excited about her new playroom! Cole will too - but he won't remember it any other way!

As soon as I get my camera back I will post pics from this weekend!

This weeks summary ended 10-9-08

2008-10-09T18:20:00.001-07:00

On Tuesdays we have our weekly play date with our Friends Jessie, Katie, and Taylor. Jessie is mommies friend, Katie is Ellie's friend, and Taylor is Cole's friend. We are all with in months of being the same age! So...we get a long well. Katie and Ellie sat up there and Katie said "take a picture" so I did! I told them to make a silly face and this is what they did...This is Ellie eating breakfast before pre-school...usually grits or eggs!
Her posing for the camera...what a ham!

This is Cole in the outside swing...he is really starting to enjoy it!

On Thursday evening we usually meet aunt Jill and Nana for dinner. Tonight we went to Outback (one of Ellie's favorites!) It is nice b/c when we go eat Jill and Nana usually take the kids...thanks guys!

Ellie sneaking some of Nana's diet coke!

Aunt Jill and Cole

Both of them?!?

2008-10-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Well...Ellie started off this week with a little tummy issue - let's just say it was not coming out of her mouth ;) She was still able to use the potty...which was a lot different than Cole! Cole now has it and does not use the potty - so you can imagine we have pulled out the rubber gloves and the hazmat team! Hopefully Cole will be feeling better b/c he is spending the night with Nana this weekend while we go to the UGA/UT game. I will have lots of pics to come from this weekends activities. Friday, we are going to Monkey Joe's and having a cookout with Tim's brothers family from PA (and Grammie and Pop Pop of course). Saturday we are going to the UGA/UT game. Last, Sunday, I have Jill's shower in Lilburn, and we are going over to Grammie's for dinner. BUSY...but would not have it any other way!

A pumpkin family weekend!

2008-10-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

It was another busy weekend here at the Woodson household!

Friday night me and some of the girls from the neighborhood went to Cinco's in Suwanee. We had such a good time! It is always nice to get out!

We went up to Katie's house to go to Washington Farms. April, Cary, and Ryleigh joined us a long with the Luke side of the family...Ellie was POOPED on the way home!

I took everyones family pics while we were there...great backdrop!

Ellie making brownies

2008-10-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

Today Ellie and I made brownies together. I found these GREAT low fat brownies (I know sounds like an oximoron! It is a box mix made by Better Crocker and I get it at Kroger. I was wanting something sweet so I asked Ellie if she wanted to help me. She helped me crack the egg and stir. Her favorite part was licking the wisk! She kept saying mmmmm....yummy.
This is what Cole did while we made brownies...swinging!

The two kiddos

I am losing custody :(

2008-09-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

Well...I got some bad news this weekend. As you know, I have been watching my sweet nephew, Luke, since the beginning of August. I have really become close to him since I see him so much and he is my nephew...he is like my own. But, Luke parents (my older sister Katie and my brother in law Dan) have decided not to move here to Gwinnett and to stay to raise their family in Oconee County. I totally think they need to do what they feel is best for their family - I would not want someone trying to talk me out of not doing what I wanted to do - but I am really going to miss the little goof ball. I know the kids will still be close and I will see him a lot - but since I keep him Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have really bonded with him.

The deal in the beginning was that I would drive to pick up Luke at the Waffle House at Harbins - but that was understood to be just until they moved here. Now that they are not moving - it is just a lot of driving on both parts and we don't really think it is economical. So...this was kind of a weekend of mourning...but I know I will see Luke lots and he will still love me the same ;)

So...to sum it up...I am losing custody of Luke. I guess the parents reign over the aunt (for anyone who does not know me well - Katie and Dan are GREAT parents - and there was no custody battle - I am just being funny)

Ellie's 2 1/2! Grammas...and Monkey Joes with the Kepps

2008-09-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

We are at it again...busy bees. I feel like I am going and going and going...like the energizer bunny!

Wednesday we went to Gramma's house. I had the best time! It was really nice outside so we got to pick Gramma's pears for her. I was up on the ladder and I would hand them down to mom and mom would put some on the ground for Ellie to pick up! She loved it and it kept her busy. Then she got to help Gramma make her famous (in our family) homemade bisquits! She had just made some Muscadine jelly so it was even better! I am craving them right now! YUM!

Friday after we picked up Ellie from school the whole fam (including Luke) met Morgan, Kaden, and Brilee at Monkey Joe's. We had so much fun. Since Tim was there I got to play a lot more than the first time. Tim and I tag teamed the babies and playing with Ellie. She was BEAT when we left! Her hair was wet she was so sweaty and her little cheeks were as red as they could be! After Monkey Joe's we came home for a much needed nap and then headed to Nana's to have dinner with them at the club - which we sat outside and was SO NICE!

The boys at Monkey Joe's

Saturday we got up early so daddy could make his tee time. Mom and I took all three kids to Bunten Road Park and walked 3 miles with 3 kids...wow...what a work out!! The last 1/2 mile I was carrying Cole and pushing Luke in the double stroller. It was a nice workout!!

Then there was Saturday night...that is all I am going to say about that :(

Happy 3 month birthday Cole!

2008-09-23T12:26:00.001-07:00

Today is Cole's 3 month birthday! I cannot believe it! Time really flies by with you are not pregnant and hurting!! Cole is really starting to "perk" up even more. He plays and interacts now which is nice - he can be left alone while I do other things like clean, wash bottles, or anything else that needs to be done in this house! I look forward to the rest of Cole's birthdays whether they are months or years - I just hope they don't go too fast!

We had Ellie's friend Katie and her mom Jessie over for a play date - the girls had a blast! They played outside, ate (all day), played in Ellie's room, and play in the living room...they really get along good and it is nice to get to know Jessie and have an adult to talk to!! I think we are going to make it an every Tuesday event!!

Whew...that was a busy weekend!

2008-09-21T12:49:00.000-07:00

Well...we survived the weekend. We had a packed Friday and Saturday. Friday we went to Frontera and then to the circus. Ellie enjoyed herself and was fun to watch her watch the circus. She would clap when everyone would clap and she danced a lot too! She says her favorite part was the L-Fants (elephants). I had not been to the circus in a long time and it was fun!!

Saturday we woke up and went to Monkey Joe's. What a FUN place! It is just as enjoyable for the adults as the kids. It is only $5 for kids 3 and under and parents are free! What a great way to pay for a nap... :). Ellie played hard with her friends Katie and Ava at Monkey Joe's!

We left Monkey Joe's about 11:30 and ran by the grocery (which was NOT a good experience for me!) Then Mom, Katie, Luke, and Aunt Phyllis came over. Here is Phyllis and Cole!I had a Southern Living party at my house and then as the party was ending the boys in the family came over for dinner and to watch the UGA game. I was pooped last night!

Here is Grammie and Aunt Ellen (Tim's aunt) and the kids...

This week we are going to Gramma's and having Katie over to play. So...we will have another fun week!