Long and Lean....

We had Cole's four month appointment last Monday and we are happy to report that he is growing at a very steady rate according to his Doctor! He is in the 25th percentile for weight (13lbs. 8 oz.) and the 75th percentile for height. Daddy thinks he's on his way to being 6' 5"!!! Although we had a great appointment, the acid reflux that has plagued our little guy for several months now appears to be getting worse! Cole is normally a pretty happy camper (unless he is tired or hungry) but we were noticing him being more irritable/fussy, arching his back, not sleeping well, and spitting up TONS (as if he didn't spit up a lot before!). We were about to make a call to the Dr. when before we could do that we got a call to come get him at daycare on Friday b/c he was inconsolable - not like our little man so we were very concerned and off we marched him to the Dr. In true Cole form, he was giggly and smiley at the Doctor's office (making us feel like liars - although earlier in the week at the Dr. she got to see the reflux symptoms full force!). We were given a prescription for a new medicine (and Mommy was put on a dairy free diet!) and also a referral for the pediatric gastoenterology department at Hasbro Children's Hospital. We were told it could take a few weeks to get an appointment but (thanks to lots of prayers) - when we called they had a cancellation on Monday. So on Monday we are off to Hasbro to hopefully find some answers for our little guy. We love hearing him giggle and flash us those dimples so we hope we can figure this out for him!

On top of all of this, we happen to be going through the dreaded four month wakeful - SLEEP REGRESSION! While Cole has never consistently slept through the night, he has really only ever gotten up once a night since he was born. We thought we were on a pretty good schedule of 7pm - bedtime, 2:30 or 3:30 am - wake up to eat and back to bed, 6:00 am - up for the day. That schedule is history - we are now up three to four times a night - either hungry or just wanting to play. We are trying to see the positive in this which means that Cole is developing cognitive skills that are allowing him to realize that people, toys, food, and fun exists (and that sleep maybe isn't the most fun thing to do!) We are praying that he will return to his old sleep habits so that his Mommy and Daddy can get some sleep - until then - caffeine, caffeine, caffeine!!!

Here are some recent pictures!

Loves tubby time - except he HATES the getting out part!!!

Well oiled machine

Well we are on week three of being back to work and Cole going to day care. I can honestly say I have a whole new appreciation for working mothers. Wow - this is very challenging and has been quite the adjustment but I can finally say that I think we have the routine down. There isn't much "free time" at night as most nights consist of picking Cole up, going home, washing bottles, packing lunches, getting Cole's stuff packed for day care, taking showers, eating dinner, playing with Cole, feeding Cole, and then putting him to bed! Wow - its exhausting and goes by so quick! We are in the groove though and Mommy and Daddy have a great teamwork approach going which seems to help! Cole is adjusting to day care although its been a rocky start because he was sick for three days last week. We seem to be back in the swing of things this week though. Cole has his four month appointment on Monday so we will report back with his stats then! Here are some recent pictures taken last week or this week! Cole is now rolling over and loves being on his tummy, playing in his exersaucer and kicking his legs like crazy!

Loves listening to music!

Over the river and through the woods....

To grandpa Wildeman's house we went (well actually cousin Denise's). Last weekend we took Cole on his first long distance road trip to meet his great grandfather and the rest of the Wildeman clan. We had a great time visiting with the family and introducing Cole and Mason to everyone! Cole slept the whole way there and the whole way home - which Mommy and Daddy loved! While in the area, we got to go visit with Shayna & Chris (and Tonka). Thank you so much for hosting us and providing us with a yummy dinner and breakfast! We'll be back to visit soon! Here are some pics from our trip!

Thanks for hosting us Shayna & Chris!

Grandpa Wildeman and his five great grandchildren

Grandpa and Natalie snuggling with Cole

Snuggling with Grampy

Mason snuggling with Tara (wearing Cole's Yankee bib that Daddy won't let him wear!)

Cole meeting Great Grandpa and Great Aunt Helen

Four Months

Dear Cole -

Four months - where has the time gone? Seems like only yesterday that Mommy was walking around with swollen ankles (or should I say waddling around) and we were anticipating your arrival. Now you have been here for four months - one third of a year down! I can't believe how much you have grown and changed in these four months. You are a little part of Daddy and little part of Mommy - Daddy's eyes, Mommy's lips. Each day we see your personality emerge a little more and we love you more than we loved you the day before! You've learned so much already - you continue to impress us with each developmental milestone that you reach and we couldn't be more proud! You've learned that fingers are for sucking, toys are for playing, spoons are for eating, and Mommy and Daddy are your biggest fans! You've learned to smile back at people, to "talk" and "tell stories", to hold your head up, and drink from a bottle. We look forward to what the next four months holds.

I want you to know that Mommy and Daddy love you in a way we can't describe but we hope for you that one day you will hold your own child and know the love we are talking about. While there are days and times where we can't seem to soothe you or can't figure out what your little cry means but we continue to love you through all of this. Mommy and Daddy thought they knew all about love but the kind of love we have for you is so different and we continue to learn more about this love each and every day. We have learned that despite a lack of sleep and bouts of crying that we continue to love you. We have learned that through fevers, runny noses and sickness, we continue to love you and want to protect you. This gift of love is something that I hope Mommy and Daddy teach you lots about as you continue to grow into the boy and eventually man that you are meant to be. We hope you see this love within our family and that you choose to love others. You will encounter love in many different ways - friendships, family, and relationships and we know it is one of the greatest gifts we can give you.

Lastly, we hope that you are happy in all that you do and whatever you choose - athlete, musician, artist, friend, son, husband, father. Whatever you choose - Mommy and Daddy will love you unconditionally!

I love you as high as the sky and as deep as the ocean!

Mommy

We are adjusting....

Now that the new year is upon us, Mommy and Daddy are back at work and Cole is at daycare. He is adjusting well to daycare for the most part and Mommy is adjusting to being away from Cole and trying to get this "working mother' thing down! We are slowly getting the hang of it but its tough! We are certainly appreciating our weekends and time together as a family even more now! Unfortunately, the start of daycare brought on Cole's first sickness. He started to run a temperature on Saturday night while we were over at Uncle Brian, Auntie Tat, and Cousin Mason's house. He was a trooper though and didn't appear sick till Sunday. The temperature hasn't let up so we ended up at the Dr.'s office and found out he has an ear infection. Despite feeling sick, he is in pretty good spirits and still flashing us those dimples!

Here are some recent photos!

The Nap Nanny - the best invention for babies with reflux - wish they made these for adults! It's like Cole's little own recliner!

Loves time in the exersaucer!

Finally got the head control down so he enjoys tummy time!

Go Pats!

Vacation was coming to an end and Mommy and Daddy would be going to work and Cole off to daycare so we were looking for something fun to do as a family. Grammy and Grampy invited us to go with them to Patriot Place which seemed like the perfect family outing. Despite the less than favorable weather, we made the trek to Foxboro and enjoyed the Patriot Hall, lunch at Five Guys (Yummy!) and even convinced all the boys to let us do some shopping! It was a great day! Mommy looks forward to going back to do more shopping when the weather is nicer!

Family Huddle!

View of the stadium from the Hall

Daddy was in heaven and could have stayed there ALL day!

Happy New Year!

We rung in 2010 in low key fashion which was exactly the way we were hoping! We enjoyed some take out food with Grampy and Grammy and watched Daddy play on his new Wii. Mommy and Cole went to bed around 10:00 but Daddy stayed up to ring in the new year with Zoey! We are anxiously anticipating all that 2010 has to bring us! We look forward to watching Cole grow and reach milestones and we also are looking forward to many more memories with families and friends! Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!