In a Year's Time...

My little monkey is officially a toddler!  He is drinking whole milk like a champ (still from the bottle however) and chooses to walk now more often and crawl.  Despite the fact he's sick everyday or hates sleeping, I have loved every minute of mommyhood.   Time really does fly by - so I thought I'd make a timeline of Cohen's first year for fun and of course for memory purposes. :)

1 Day Old

                                                       1 Month Old

                                                        2 Months

                                                        3 Months

                                                         4 Months

                                                        5 Months

                                                      6 Months

                                                         7 Months

                                                       8 Months

                                                        9 Months

                                                      10 Months

                                                        11 Months

                                                       1 Year Old

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To Coco Love, Mama

My little Coco Bear,
  One year has already passed since you became a part of our lives.  We waited a very long 40.5 weeks for you to come join us in this world.  But, on Tuesday, October 5th, 2010, you decided you were ready to come be a part of this crazy place -- and fast and furious you came!  You definitely have a mind of your own, but that's what makes you such a special little guy.  We refer to it as "Cohen Time."  Through the months of sleepless nights, days that we'd stay in our pajamas until 4 pm (right before Daddy came home) and the countless amounts of spit-ups and blowouts (and not the hair kind), we made it a whole year together.  I love you more and more everyday - you are always on my mind and I wish that I could spend all day, everyday with you.  You amaze daddy and I with the new things you learn and how quickly you pick it up. You are the most loving, sweetest and precious little boy I have ever known.  Your smile is contagious and you know how to flirt and get people to laugh.  I have learned so much about myself from you this past year, and I'm excited to continue to grow with you.  Daddy and I are better people because of you!  I am so thankful God has blessed us with you, our precious little miracle.   Happy first birthday, Monkey!

Love you, Mama

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Don't Blink

 If you know me or my husband, then you know that we are die hard Kenny Chesney fans (and not just because he can make a cowboy hat look good!)  But I recently heard his song, "Don't Blink" and couldn't help but think how much this song holds true to my own life.  A week from today,  my little monkey is turning 1 -  seriously, where did the time go?  Last year at this time my ankles were swollen, my rings barely fit my fingernail and I was eating the labor pizza from Bazbeaux's for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I was also enjoying my last childless birthday and one of my last mornings of uninterrupted sleep.  I remember anticipating what labor would be like (vomit, for me, literally) and wondering if I would know when I was in labor - and trust me, after 30 minutes of contractions, I did.   But I never realized how much our lives would change when we brought Cohen into it. Before, I knew love, but I didn't think I could love something so much.  And from the second I held my son, I was overwhelmed with this amazing love and affection for him immediately.  I was in absolute awe of this little being we had created.  Every morning I thank God for this amazing blessing - even when he wakes up in the middle of night crying, or throws his toys out of his crib trying to get us to come back and play or screams because he isn't getting his way.  I love my son unconditionally and with every ounce of my body.  It is so hard for me to imagine a life without him now.  So I know I'll be an emotional wreck as the big first birthday arrives, but seriously, "don't blink" because his second birthday will be here before we know it!

                                                                   How can he be so cute??

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The Eleventh Month

  It is really crazy for me to think how last year at this time my feet were swollen, I was over maternity clothes and how I could not longer see my legs to shave them.  Now, I have a crazy fun 11 month old who is all over the place!  It is so amazing how much developmentally babies grow in a year.  Seriously, think about it.  I know I've said it before, but within a year's time, they go from being basically a baby blob to a walking, talking, eating machine!  Cohen is the fastest crawler you have ever seen.  I can't turn my back now for a second or he's in the bathroom making a mummy out of himself with toilet paper, or making a mess out of the open cupboard I left open for just a second to get the garlic powder or sneaking through the baby gate we forgot to close and playing waterfall out of the dog's water bowl.  But he is so much fun these days.  He LOVES to dance -- seriously, the kid's got moves.  Cohen will wave bye-bye, throw up his arms when we say "So big!", wave his hand in front of his nose when we say "P.U.!", clap his hands and touch his head when we sing 5 Little Monkeys and one falls off and bumps his head.  His laughter can brighten the day of anyone and his smile is absolutely precious.  He has started to stand by himself and will take a few steps, but then realizes what he's doing and falls to butt and starts crawling.  I am just in awe of how much he has grown and how much two parents can love their child so much.
   Going back to work was a bit of an adjustment, but he's at an age where he plays now, so I now the social interaction is really good for him.  He's got a little buddy at the sitter that is a few months older than him and it's fun to see them play together.  Within 3 weeks, he was sick again, of course.  But it really didn't hinder his spirits.  He has a sinus infection that went into his eyes and he's getting nebulized, but I keep reminding myself his body is growing stronger to these illnesses.
  I've started planning and sending out invites for his first birthday party.  Kurtis and I had a little debate on the theme, but I gave in and agreed on a monkey theme - mainly because I got a magazine in the mail with the cutest party things for a monkey party.  I'm super excited for this party, but a bit sad that my little monkey man is almost a year old.  Time really does fly by past - but it has been one of the best years of our lives!

Okay...here's a Cohen timeline --- super fun :)

 1 Day Old

 3 Months Old

 6 Months Old

 9 Months Old

11 Months Old --- and 100% trouble :)

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9 Month Pictures

So I'm a little behind...like 2 months behind.  But, I blame it on the lack of virus protection on my computer.  However, we are finally back in business!!  Our good friend Michele Arndt took these pictures.  She is the owner and photographer of Chickpix Photography.  Check out her site here: Chickpix Photography.  Or, like her page on Facebook: Chickpix Photography Facebook Page.  She is really affordable and does a great job -  especially with little kids.  She has a daughter that is about 2 months younger than Cohen.  I've already scheduled Cohen's 1 year pics -- we're doing an outdoor shoot and a cake smash.  I can not wait!!!

Here are just a few from the disc of over 40 pictures that I loved!!

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Photo Card

Piece of Cake Birthday

To view our collection of birthday card designs, click here.

View the entire collection of cards.

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The First Haircut

So it took my child 6 months to start growing hair.  And when it did come in, it grew in the middle of his head, creating a Mohawk.  Yes, my child is naturally cool.  Then, about 3 months later, it decided to grow all over - and it is blonder than blond!  Of course he gets it from his mama - I mean I AM a natural blond (cough, cough).  But, we had a big trip up to Michigan for my cousin Sara's wedding, and the kid had bangs.  Yet, I waited until the last minute to cut his precious hair because it means he is growing up.  But, I kind of had to -- this is why:

But he still is cute as a button, despite the long bangs.  So in I took him to Cookie Cutters because God only knows that I should not be asked to cut my child's hair.  I was armed with juice, puffs and Cheetos - a youngin's must-haves in case of an emergency.  However, he did really well and actually stayed still enough for her to cut his precious locks, which hang in a baggie on a certificate on our fridge.  My little man is turning into such a big boy!

Seriously driving this fire truck.

Am I done yet?

Getting his ears lowered.



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