Volleyball

It was supposed to be naptime, however it seems Cole wanted to play volleyball instead.

Why am I still on the sidelines?

Dinner on the Patio

Cole and I enjoyed dinner on the patio with friends on Monday night. It was a gorgeous day and we had a wonderful dinner! Thanks Betsi, Nikki and Amanda!

Mark's New Job

Mark and I want to thank everyone who has been praying about Mark finding a job. He was offered a manager job by Hy-Vee. He just had his first day at work yesterday.

It has been great having him home with Cole and I for the first 3 1/2 months of Cole's life. He has been a great help around the house, got a few projects done, has taken care of me a few times while I have been sick (thankfully not recently) and been a wonderful daddy to Cole. I already miss having him around during the day. Mark said just a few weeks ago that he was looking forward to going back to work though.

We were thinking the other day that we should have enjoyed our "time off" more and went on a vacation or done something bigger with our time. As soon as he lost his job, my first thought was that we could still buy tickets and join the rest of the family in Florida for Spring Break. However, the looming thought of not having a job might have lessened our fun, plus we didn't have an income. We quickly decided against it. Oh well, we have had lots of fun at home during this time.

My maternity leave is just about over and Mark and I decided that I should cut back on my hours, so I decided to no longer be an Executive with Target, but to demote and work part time. I can get out of the house a bit and have adult interaction, earn a bit of extra fun money and still keep my coveted Target discount.

Thanks again for all who have kept us in your prayers.

Birthday Celebration

Thanks to all who were able to make it to the lake to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was a beautiful day and I think everyone had a good time. I know I did.

Cole thinks he is a big boy.

Riley, Amanda, Shay and Keegan enjoying a pontoon boat ride.
The Schulz's take Ella on her first boat ride.

Melissa and I getting some sun.

Des Moines Arts Festival

Mark, Cole and I went to the Arts Festival on Friday night. We had a good time and saw all sorts of interesting art.

Cole took a dip in the fountains downtown

Beautiful flowers
So serious...

That's better! Looks like he was having a good time!

These feet are made for walking

At just 3 1/2 months, Cole is already walking! Okay....so not really. His time will come soon enough, for now, he is adorable just laying around and smiling.

Happy Father's Day

We spent Fathers Day at Kevin's house with the whole family. Katie and Joe were able to join us to celebrate. Thankfully we had good weather, lots of good food, air conditioning, the US Open to watch and a pool to cool down in.

Cole's first dip! He did very well and seemed to be enjoying himself until Mark dunked him! Although Mark does things differently that I would, Cole always seems to have fun with his daddy. Mark comes up with different things to do and Cole loves almost every activity.

Ode to Mark:

Mark is a wonderful father. He is loving, patient, kind, creative, honest, a wonderful husband, and he loves all his kids a ton. He plays with Cole, bounces him up and down, hangs him upside down, tickles him and all sorts of other fun activities. Mark can make him laugh and smile in a split second. Cole just adores his father.

Size 2

Cole is wearing his last size 1 diaper! I had stockpiled a bunch before he was born and he just finished the last one! Size 1 goes up to 14 pounds and I am guessing that is about where he is. Last Wednesday he weighed 13-8. So....now onto size 2 - which he already has 350 of stockpiled. He also has 400 size 3s and 2460 more diaper wipes.

What's for lunch?

My latest favorite for lunch....

I am loving this yummy smoothie and salad. I don't have a recipe for the smoothie, but with such great ingredients, I don't see how I could go wrong. This smoothie has fresh cherries, blueberries, raspberries, yogurt, milk, orange juice and some ice. I have been making a variety of flavors and they are all really good.

Where's Cole?

Concert with the Boys

Sunday night, Mark Schultz gave a free concert in Grimes. Cole and I enjoyed the beautiful evening of music and good times with Eric, Amanda, Keegan and Shay.

What a cute family! The boys are getting so big!

Awwwhh....

Cole will be as big as Keegan and Shay in no time!

What a fabulous wedding!

Here's to Andrea and Scott who got married on Saturday. We wish them all the best as they embark on their new life together! Congrats!

The cake was as delicious as it was beautiful!

Mark and I at the reception.

The New Exersaucer

Cole just loves his new exersaucer! He loves to play with the toys, looking at each one and figuring out what to do with it. He can barely touch the bottom though and it is on the lowest setting. He touches one toe down at a time, but sometimes he can get both feet down!

Lunch with Jack, Ella and Melissa

Cole and I enjoyed lunch at the Schulz's house the other day. It is always fun to get together with them. Jack is growing at an amazing rate! Here are some fun photos we took!

Jack at 1 week and Cole at 7 weeks

Jack at 7 weeks and Cole at 13 weeks

Going to the Aquarium

Mark, Cole and I went to the Shedd Aquarium while we were in Chicago. Cole enjoyed looking at the fish swimming past his view. I'm sure he didn't understand too much, but he sure kept his eyes focused! We like to think he had a good time!

Cole checking out the big fish swimming by!

Obviously, the Shedd Aquarium.

The Chicago Skyline from the Shedd Aquarium.

Fun in Chicago

Mark, Cole and I went to Chicago this weekend. We had many things to celebrate! I enjoyed a night out with Andrea and friends for her engagement party!

What we love about Cole

Cole turned 3 months old on Saturday! To celebrate, I thought we would post our favorite things. We love:

• His dimple
• When he smiles at us
• Cuddling time
• When he talks and babbles
• I love nursing him and the reward that it gives both of us
• We love watching him sleep, holding his hands above his head
• I love when he smiles when he is falling asleep nursing
• We love changing his diapers
• Picking out cute outfits for him to wear
• Going to garage sales to buy toys for him to enjoy
• Making him laugh
• How alert and inquisitive he is
• I love middle of the night nursing, when the house is quiet and we snuggle after he feeds
• His adorable blue eyes, just like his daddy's
• His 10 perfect fingers and 10 perfect toes
• His mohawk
• How content and happy he is (most of the time, but not all)
• How much he loves his changing table - its his favorite place!
• We love how much joy he brings us!

During the first three months, we haev also called him many different names besides his given name of Cole Paul Prendergast. Here are a few:

• Buddy
• Peanut
• Buster
• Chunky Monkey
• Blue Eyes
• Gooey Pooey Louie
• Champ
• Stinker
• Big Boy
• Punkin

Other milestones to note at three months:

• He loves to stand up (with help of course)
• He loves to talk and have baby conversations with you
• On my birthday, we heard him laugh for the first time!
• He has taken a new interest in toys and interacts with them
• He sleeps well at night, usually only waking once in the nighttime
• Mark and I are amazed at how he didn't seems to be a "baby" for that long, he has grown and developed a ton
• His head has grown a lot - another thing just like his daddy!
• He loves to put things in his mouth - especially his hands
• He has consistently gained weight and weighed 13 pounds 2 ounces just before his birthday

Three months has flown by and we have enjoyed him as our new addition to our family.

We love you Cole!

Oh what fun!

His first laughs!

Its a beautiful day!

We had a picnic at Jordan Creek and enjoyed the sunshine and nice weather.

30th Birthday!!!

June 4th was my 30th birthday. My parents came to visit for the day to help me celebrate! We went for a walk at Gray's Lake. It was a beautiful day!

Mark took me out for dinner and we enjoyed a nice birthday dessert! He told me that even though I am now 30, and considered old to teenagers everywhere, I will always be young to him!

Making progress

Last spring, the lake flooded. Water came up 4 feet inside the cabin and we had to tear out everything. But, we are making progress on rebuilding. The first photo is what it looks like now, and the other three are from a year ago.

Going away

Friends of ours - Todd and Melanie are moving to Detroit. We will miss them and wish them good luck in their new city. Congrats to Todd who just graduated medical school! Cole and I are hanging out with Mel, Alaina, Kelly and Kelsey.

Second time at the lake

Cole and I went to the lake on Saturday. Unfortunately Mark had to work at the golf course (his new part time job). Cole and I enjoyed a beautiful day and spent time with his Grandma and other relatives!