We Have a Walker!

I know it has been forever since I blogged, but I thought I should at least document Elizabeth walking finally! Hope you enjoy the video and I will try to update again soon. Everyone is doing great in the Cole Household.

Lots of pictures ahead. It is only Wednesday and we have had a full week. After the girls' birthday party on Saturday, we decided to go to Church that so we could let the kids rest and recover on Sunday. So Sunday morning everyone slept later and then the day outside began. The weather was absolutely beautiful, so we went on a walk to the duck pond in our neighborhood. Jacob rode his bike and the girls were in the wagon. As we started our walk, I looked at Matt and asked, "Why is Jacob old enough to ride a bike? He is supposed to still be my baby." I have really been emotional lately over my little boy not being so little anymore. Of course I can't believe the girls are getting bigger either, but I guess it just hits a little harder with Jacob since he will be the first to go to kindergarten, high school, and then college! So maybe I am getting a little ahead of myself...he is only 4 1/2. I love my kids so much and just want to enjoy every single minute of them at home with me. I hate the hard days when there are temper tantrums or arguing, or when mommy isn't having the most patience. I don't want to waste time being mad over something stupid. I want to remember each stage they are in and how amazing it is that they learn so much in such a short amount of time. Sorry to share all my mommy emotions, but it is my blog. We had a great picnic lunch outside and then Elizabeth took a nap and daddy and Hannah attempted to. Jacob and I stayed outside and watered my flowers, washed his car, played in the water, played soccer and chase. I loved spending one on one time with my little boy. He thrives on having my undivided attention. Then, Hannah came back out and Jacob went to play with Matt. So I got to have some one on one time with my sweet Hannah Grace. I pushed her on the swing, we talked, sang songs, and just got to be silly together. Later that afternoon, Matt took Jacob and Hannah to the store and I got some time with Elizabeth. She was crawling all over me, I was trying to get her to walk (not happening yet), I tickled her and laughed with her. What a great Sunday God gave us. We spent so much time in his creation and I got to spend valuable time with the three creations he gave me.

Monday I took the munchkins to the zoo. We were supposed to meet Nana and Brady there, but Nana wasn't feeling well, so we took a rain check. I had a wonderful morning with my kids and reminded myself never to take time for granted. After we got home, Elizabeth was napping and Jacob and Hannah started playing together so sweetly. They had a plan of what to do. I snapped a picture of them together.

Today, we went back to the zoo. Nana and Brady joined us this time and the kids had a great time and so did Nana and Mommy. I had such a great time with my sweet nephew. I love that little boy so much. It is fun to watch him make faces where all I see is my sister. It is also fun to watch him walk and run and look just like his daddy! I can't wait to watch Karsyn and Kaden show different features as well. Please keep the little princess and prince in your prayers. They are still fighting. Check out Kim and Jeff's blog for full updates. We love these babies and their mommy and daddy and big brother. We are praying for ultimate healing that only God can provide and for peace and rest for mommy and daddy during these next few months of NICU stay, and for big brother that he would not feel the stress of this situation. Thanks so much.

Now for the pictures, which is why you look at the blog anyways... Sorry for the novel!

Sunglasses, water cups,

wagon, the girls are ready to go

Mr. Stud on his bike!

Feeding the ducks with Daddy

Picnic lunch outside!

Jacob washing his car!

On the train with my precious gifts from God

My first born...I love this little boy

Looking at the giraffes.

Jacob and Hannah playing together

(they did not know I was watching)

The kids throwing bread at the fish

Jacob climbing!

Tunnels are so fun!

Looking for an animal....not sure which one!

My sweet nephew, Brady looking at the BIG fish!

Nana and Jacob looking at the Elephants

Nana and Elizabeth

Don't you just want to squeeze her!

My darling children on the carousel

(why do I pay money for them to sit on a bench?)

Nana, Hannah, and Brady on the train

Choo Choo!

Birthday Princesses and Prince Charming!

Sweet Hannah Grace turned THREE on March 9th and Elizabeth will be ONE on March 30th. How did they get so big so fast? We had a double birthday party for the girls today. All the kids had a good time. We missed Aunt Kim and Uncle Jeff (who were visiting the twins at the hospital), but we were so glad that Nana and Brady came! We had a face painter at the party and cupcakes and ice cream of course! We were so blessed to celebrate our sweet girls with several family members and friends.

Mommy and Daddy with Elizabeth

Cute pic just before Hannah pushed Jacob off the car!

Hannah and mommy

The girls about to blow out candles!

My new favorite pic of the kids

Jacob in the ball pit

Hannah getting ready to hit her pinata!

The sisters getting ready to go

The Cole kids with cousin Brady

Elizabeth getting her arm painted

Taking a Capri Sun Break

Jacob helping me water the flowers

One of our birthday princesses with her face painted!

Holding her dresses from Aunt Kim. This girls LOVES clothes!

Nana, Mommy, & Elizabeth

All the girls with the middle name Ann

Jump Jump

My mother-in-law and I took Jacob and Hannah to the Galleria this afternoon to see the ice skating rink with the Christmas tree and all the decorations. We ventured into a few stores and then had McDonald's for dinner. The kids saw the trampolines you could jump on. Jacob said, "I will do that when I get bigger mommy." Hannah said, "I am already big." She was determined. She sent first and laughed the whole time. Big brother decided to give it a try, but after one jump decided his sister could have his turn too. Hannah was jumping at least two levels high at one point. She had a blast. Enjoy the pictures and video!

Let it snow Let it snow Let is snow!

What a fun day! Snow in Houston, Daddy got to come home around lunch time, and we went out to play in the snow. Here are some pictures from our day in the snow! It really feels like the holiday season now! We have made cookies, had hot chocolate, and The Polar Express will be on the tv for the afternoon! Here are my little darlings. Elizabeth liked her first snow experience. She kept trying to crawl off the blanket!

Jacob and Hannah trying to eat the snow!

Mom's favorite picture

Sweet Sisters

Our backyard

Daddy and Hannah

Sweet Hannah

Elizabeth Ann loving the snow!

Jacob still eating snow

Mommy and Jacob and Hannah

Elizabeth trying to crawl away!

Thankful for blessings, saddened by loss

I just found out today that the executive director of Homes 4 Good (where I worked for 3 1/2 years) passed away on Monday after a long battle with cancer. She and her husband were amazing to me. They started Homes 4 Good to help find forever home for children. Charlotte and Rick hired me when I was 6 months pregnant with Jacob and treated me like family. Who hires someone when they are 6 months pregnant? I was able to work from home and be at home with my kids. I was given 3 months paid maternity leave when I had Hannah. Rick and Charlotte made it possible for me to be at home with my kids and work at a job I was extremely passionate about at the same time. I will forever by grateful to them and all those I worked with at Homes 4 Good for those 3 1/2 years. I am also thankful for the support they offered when I decided I should quit to be at home 100 % when I had Elizabeth. Please pray for the Charlotte's husband, Rick, and her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, as well as her parents and sister. I am thankful that she is no longer in pain and that she is in Heaven face to face with our Lord and Savior.

For Nana

Okay, I know I stink at updating my blog. I actually have a lot to update on from this last month, but just for now, this post is for Nana. She being a grandmother who lives out of town asks me all the time to put pictures of the kids up on the blog so she can see them. I fail at this most of the time, so Nana, this picture was taken just for you and the kids knew why we were taking it! They smile at the same time, can you believe it? We love you Nana and hope you like our picture. More updates later!