Music to my ears!

I was able to catch Cole doing his AWESOME cover of "oompa loompa" today! Enjoy!

Touch A Truck

Saturday, I took Cole to the Touch A Truck event in Prescott Valley. Basically, it was a little boy's paradise. They had everything from fire trucks and semis, to construction trucks and a military grade Hummvee. Of course, there was Cole's personal favorite- the garbage trucks. They had the trucks set up for the kids to climb around, play on, and honk the horns.

I can't even begin to tell you the squeals, gasps, and giggles I heard from the backseat as I pulled up to the event to park. Then, once Cole realized we were headed to the very spot where all these trucks were, he was beside himself. Marching his little legs and swinging his arms with such determination, headed for the glory of all glories (the garbage truck) with the greatest of anticipation, until, about two feet from the back of the truck, some stinkin' kid blasted the air horn! Cole jumped a mile high, latched on to my leg, and spent the rest of the morning with a death grip on my finger.
I did manage to get him into the garbage truck, briefly, and had to snap this picture quick, before he did his leap to safety into my arms!His little pointer finger was going a mile a minute, and as we were leaving, the Waste Management folks made his day/week/month/year! We walked up to their table and I explained to them how, as much as he loves garbage trucks, his true obsession lies with garbage cans. You know what, they gave him a miniature Waste Management garbage can, complete with lid and wheels (his two favorite parts!) Let me tell you, that little boy did not drop that can for hours! It was the first thing he wanted when he awoke from his nap, the first thing he went for Sunday morning, you get the idea. He instantly (and I mean, in the car, on the way home) figured out that his new garbage can was ideal for holding beverages (he poured half his cream soda, which he got as a "prize" for getting all the "trucks" signatures, into the can, and then drank from it!), it was an even better location for his sandwich and snacks, and best when used to carry cars! He was so proud to show it to his dad the next day, and it just absolutely has thrilled him beyond all belief.

The only thing that would have made it better is if Abe had gone with us (he was in Phoenix for the day), because Abe could have helped him get in and out of trucks, shared in the excitement, etc. All in all, I think he had a great time- minus the air horns, of course!

I'm back

So- I've been away for a while, and oh the amount of things that happen when one takes a break. I won't bore you with all of them. Cole and I took a trip to Utah with my family (I may post pictures of that later), I started a blog for my MOMS Club (sorry, its private), Abe took a trip to Alaska, I have been dealing with endless amounts of drama (boring to talk about), and helping with my upcoming 10 year reunion. Cole and I also took cookies to the firemen on September 11, as part of a MOMS Club function, where Cole made friends with the firemen and got his very own (plastic) helmet! He was in heaven and now yells hi at the station (which is down the street from our house) all 4+ times a day that we drive by. That's just what I can think of right now, though I know there was so much more!

Cole has started saying several more words including but not limited to, MA- FINALLY!!!, "hops"- for when he's showing off his awesome hops, and "housh"- house. He sings the "oompa loompa" song from Willy Wonka- his new obsession (he doesn't sing it well, but he gets the gist of it), and he has become an expert eye roller- which is so hard to not laugh at! He has also been consistently saying "plis" which is so hard to turn down, though he still won't say please when you ask him to. He is definitely quite the entertainer, and makes me laugh most of the day!

We also went on a MOMS Club "camping" trip this past weekend. We stayed at a KOA, hence the quotes around camping. We'd never been to a KOA before, and it was interesting. I think it would have been ultimately enjoyable if it hadn't been for the I-40 within throwing distance, and the railway, not far beyond that, keeping us up most of the night. We did have a good time though, and really enjoyed getting to hang out as a family, too.

Cole had fun. In an effort to try and "pack light' I neglected to bring toys- I know, WHAT WAS I THINKING??!!?? I guess I figured there would be stuff for him to do, and kids to play with, so carting toys was unnecessary. Abe ended up pulling out his tool kit and letting Cole play with his tools- he enjoyed it way more than he would have his toys, so it all worked out.

Dozer taking a break on the cooler.

Cole still playing with the tools- notice the "tongue of concentration"

This is one of Cole's friends from playgroup. He's a bit bigger than Cole, so I had to assist with the teeter totter momentum.

These next few are from our MOMS Club potluck dinner. We sure had quite the turn out!

Cole kept running up the ramp at the Kabin next door, and jiggling the door knob (a cabin which I believed was occupied. Poor people, dealing with my obnoxious kid playing with their door and running around on their porch, not to mention the gathering that formed just outside their door!)

We finally gained control by doing this...

Shortly after, Cole came up, told me bye bye, shook my hand (which he picked up from a TV show) signaling he was ready for bed. Really, he was ready for this...

Dozer taking a break on the luggage.

Breakfast in bed.

(This really wasn't his breakfast, more of a morning snack. We went and had real breakfast at a cute little diner in Williams. Notice he pulled the DVD player into bed with him,too!)

We needed to get the camper packed up, and needed Cole wrangled. This was what we came up with, and as you can see, it was pretty devastating!

Thinking about making a break for it...

Before the other MOMS Club people began arriving, we broke down and bought Cole some toys at the little KOA convenience store. Here he is playing with Dad.

I apologize

I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from blogging for a while. I am hoping to return to blogging sooner rather than later, but for now, apologize for this brief absence. Please check back often, as I am unsure as to when I will start again.

Thanks for checking in, and I hope to be back up soon.

A little of this, a little of that...

I took Cole in for his two year check up (only a month late this time, he was "sick" remember?). He is the same, healthy little boy that he's always been. He's about 24 lbs (small, but still on his increasingly skinny curve) and 33 1/2 inches. His head is still enormous at just around 21 inches (that's huge!), and besides not talking, seems to be hitting all other 'milestones'. He also received one booster shot, and I was encouraged to bring him back next month for a flu shot (which I absolutely will do.) I took him back to his Scottsdale pediatrician (best decision ever) and relayed to her our whole story of ups and downs. By the end, she was rolling her eyes and snickering at the whole ordeal. I have decided that from now on we will make the trek. The poor kid was so traumatized by everything that happened here in Prescott, he had a very hard time warming up to the Scottsdale doctor, and hysterically screamed if her hand even approached him. She was very patient (and understanding) with him, and that absolutely reaffirmed my decision to continue with her practice.

So with all that behind us, we are now preparing for a trip to Utah with my brother and parents. I'm still scrambling as to how I am going to keep Cole entertained (and content) in a car for 14+ hours, but I think with enough pit stops, and enough toys of course, he'll do fine.

So until we get back, I probably won't have much to update with, so until then...

Station 71

Yesterday, I took Cole to tour the fire station with my MOMS Club.

We started out in the lobby, with all their antiques (just like everywhere else in this town- tons of antiques! It's kind of cool though.)

This is fireman Conrad. He had the foresight to dress is in his garb in front of the kids. He said he had made the mistake once of dressing in the hall and then walking in the room with a group like ours, and swore he would never do it again. Even as it was, the kids were all still pretty freaked out (Cole wouldn't let go of my leg!)
After touring the rest of the station (it was pretty small) we went to the garage to check out the truck, with lights ablaze (sirens, again, wouldn't really have worked well with our group of youngins)
Needless to say, Cole finally became impressed.
But then he found something more intriguing...
...a helmet he may be able to snatch for his own!(He didn't, of course.)

They let the kids walk through the truck, and I was surprised that Cole actually did it and actually enjoyed it!
Although he wasn't too sure about fireman Conrad helping him out.

Photo Op!

Again, something more interesting (according to Cole). He also wandered around and found the basketball hoop, the forest service tanker, the FD's quad used on trails (there's a lot of remote stuff up here), and everything else that he really shouldn't have.

The firemen pulled out the fire hose, and inadvertently had water leak out the bottom of truck. Of course, all the little boys went running and splashing.

Cole just thought they were hilarious!

At the end, each kid got a "Firefighter badge." Cole was pretty proud.

And then he went and took his own turn splashing and running through the puddle.
Cole and a great time and was super mad at me when we left, making sure to emphasise the fact he didn't have a helmet (by motion, not words, obviously). He cried practically the entire way home! What was really funny though, was last night, before bed, we read one of his books about fire trucks, and he instantly started signalling about the helmet again. I couldn't believe he remembered! I think I take for granted his comprehension level, since his expressive level is so lacking. Cole has picked up a few new words, though. He started saying "plis" for please on Saturday (of course he said "plis" about 50 times Saturday, and has hardly said it since, especially when prompted to), and then Monday evening, started saying "up." He has been using that word more, and even said "up" when seeing the ladder on the side of the fire truck.

Abe and I swear we hear him saying other things on occasion, but then never hear them again. Andrew, his speech therapist, thinks Cole seems to be making some progress, though. He is definitely jibber-jabbering, the precursor to talking (better late than never, I suppose) and is making movements with his mouth that he wasn't in the beginning. We'll see (though I still have my fingers crossed to have preschool taken care of for him through the AzEIP)

Happy Birthday

to Abe!

Yesterday was Abe's birthday. Cole and I took him balloons to work (I think we succeeded in our ultimate goal of embarrassing him!). Ironically, Abe picked the exact moment we were getting out of the car to go to his car to get something, so he ruined the surprise, but only a little. Cole still got to carry them inside and leave them in Dad's office.

Then Abe chose to have me make him fish tacos for dinner (I had offered to take him out, but fish tacos were what he wanted) I googled a recipe and they actually turned out really stinking good! If I hadn't made them and knew it was fish, I never would have guessed it!

I also made brownies. Abe's not a huge dessert guy, but I knew he would eat at least one, and that Cole and I would enjoy the rest. Sadly, I think our candles are still in a box somewhere (we never officially unpacked everything- especially things we don't use often), so I settled with Cole's #2 from his party (I totally spaced buying new ones while we were at Target yesterday, due to the fact Cole was having a COMPLETE meltdown!) Although the #2 was appropriate since Cole insisted on getting his dad an Elmo birthday card for a "big 2 year old" (we altered the card with some Sharpies to reflect Abe's true age- 34!!!!) I know this pic's a little fuzzy, but Cole was attempting to help Abe blow out the candle! Too cute!
I think Abe had a good birthday (I hope he did, at least!). Cole and I got him 2 new pairs of shoes and a new Camelpak water bottle. We also were down in Phoenix, Saturday, and were able to meet his mom for dinner in Cave Creek. It wasn't too shabby, and we can't wait to embarrass him more next year!