Cookie Monster

I decided to make some chocolate chip cookies this week, and of course I had to share them with Cole. Both Matt and I are cookie lovers, so it's no surprise that Cole loves them too.

Watching them bake...

So tasty!

Do you want some too?

I think I need a cookie now.

Well, hello.

It's safe to say that a few things have happened since my last post, in OCTOBER! We had a series of firsts for Cole: Thanksgiving, Christmas, crawling, solids, Easter, walking, and a first birthday. Words are coming along slowly for our little man, but we have lots of jabbering. Consistently we get mamama, dadada, and uh oh. Today, I was addressed as mama for the first time with a point to to the door. Outside is Cole's favorite place to be And, later, he decided to get out all by himself. I have got to remember the dead bolt.

Our boy keeps us quite busy, and is so much fun to have around. I can't believe how much he has changed this year, and how much joy he has brought to my life.

In other news, I stumbled across an article:

http://www.divinecaroline.com/22189/98450-thirty-books-everyone-read-they-re/4

I have forgotten how much I love to read, and I want to set an example to my ever observant son. So, I decided to take on the challenge to read (or reread) these books. I turn 27 next month, which gives me the task of 10 books a year. I can do that!

Well folks, we are back, for now. And hopefully, we can be a bit more consistent in documenting our wonderful little life.

Halloween

Cole had a great first Halloween. On Saturday we dressed up for our ward Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat. Our little lion (costume courtesy of G-Auntie) snoozed throughout the party, but woke up just in time for the candy. That’s my boy! Matthew and I donned our oober fancy safari getup, a.k.a. any khaki we could find in our closet and a kid’s safari hat that was maybe a bit too small for my trooper of a husband. Sunday we spent the afternoon visiting with Lolly, Pops, Auntie Chelsea and her beau Adam. I made chili and cornbread and we all watched Hocus Pocus and a little baseball too.

 

 

Don’t you just love that pirate booty? Haha! I crack myself up!

Happy Halloween from the Gamblins!

Growing, growing, growing!

Its time for a little update on my fabulous four month old. He really is just that. At his most recent check up, Cole weighed 16 lbs. 7 oz. and measured at 25 7/8 inches. He was such a trooper with his immunizations and only cried for a few minutes this time.

Cole is getting so strong. He loves to sit and stand on our laps. He can sit independently for a few seconds before he topples to the side or down to grab at his toes. He loves those toes. They are always in his hands now, and often in his mouth. His socks are frequently wet, as he enjoys sucking on them. Cole loves soft fabric and drifts off to sleepy land sucking on his blankies. It’s hilarious!

Baby boy is such a happy little guy. At home, he is mister chatter box, cooing and giggling at us. He will often mimic growling sounds (Lolly discovered that one). Out and about, he is mister observant. He hardly makes a peep and just stares at everything around him. That is, unless he is hungry :)

Today, I put him on the floor for his tummy time. He followed the edge of his blanket, scooting until he had rotated 270 degrees. And then he stopped to stare at himself in his little toy triangle mirror. Maybe he hears he is so pretty too often and its going to his head. But really, look at this face!

I can’t believe that this time a year ago I was spending all of my time hanging over the porcelain throne wondering if it was all going to be worth it. Let’s just say I would do it a thousand times over to have my little boy. He is perfect!

Visiting Uncle Chase

My favorite brother lives up in Washington. I only have one brother, but if I had more, I think he would still be my favorite. Anyway, Chase was heading out for some work overseas soon and we decided to go see him before he left. So Cole and I jumped on a plane with Auntie Chelsea to go see him (Lolly and Pops left a few days before us).

A plane ride with a 3 month old is rather unpredictable. But my sweet boy did so well. Aside from the blowout during the takeoff and resulting in a naked baby throughout the flight, all was peaceful. He was happy as can be and enjoyed a good long nap almost the whole time.

We spent the weekend viewing a few of the sites around Tacoma and Seattle,

 

eating lots of yummy foods,

laughing and enjoying the family time that is so hard to come by lately.

It was so nice to have time to spend with my big little brother. It has been a long time since we have really had a chance to visit, and I am so glad I was able to go. Matthew love, I missed you! Next time, you are coming too!

Happy Birthday Grandpa D!

Cole’s Great Grandpa D. turned 90 in September. That’s right, 9-0! We were lucky enough to spend his birthday weekend with him to celebrate the occasion. It was a great chance for Cole to meet a few more of his family members, and to snag a few generational photos.

Celebrating in style!

Cole (who consistently soils his clothes) and Great Grandpa D.

Grandpa kisses!

Great Grandma G. getting some baby time.

I am so happy that we were able to get these shots. They capture little moments that we too easily forget. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family, and to make happy memories together.  

Birthdays, Brides and Baseball

September is a busy month for the Gamblins. We have celebrated my birthday, Matt’s birthday, and there are still a couple more to come! My mom came down  and took me to lunch at my favorite Mediterranean spot, Casablanca’s Cafe. They have really yummy falafel sandwiches. Matt and I made our first attempt dining at a real restaurant and went to the Cheesecake Factory. The baby was fussy the whole time and I felt so overwhelmed. But hey, cheesecake makes everything better!

My sister was in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, so we went down to Oakdale to see it. She did a wonderful job and I was so proud of her. The curtains opened, I saw her on the stage, and I immediately started to cry. I guess I am a little hormonal…

Lolly watched Cole, and we had our first real date since the baby was born. It was so nice to be able to focus on some “us” time and not have any interruptions. I have really missed my husband. We celebrated our birthdays with my parents on our visit as well. My mom made a great dinner, and a decadent chocolate cake!

Last weekend we celebrated Matt’s birthday with his parents and went to the A’s game. We had a great time cheering, visiting, and eating (a lot!). Cole was such a good boy. He only cried (seriously, the only time he really cried) when he heard the loud “BOOOOO” as the Red Sox were introduced, and pretty much any other time that shout was made. No negative energy for that boy!

 

On Sunday I made blueberry pancakes for Matt’s birthday dinner (his request), and we had a couple people come over for dessert, blackberry cheesecake. We were on a real sugar high that night!

September has been a great month, and we are only halfway through. We have a few more fun things in store, it’s gonna be great!