At the park!

Park
Originally uploaded by stuflannery

We are so blessed to able to live so close to City Park. A few months ago we took Cohen to the park to swing, but the swings were gone. I happened to be driving through the park (something I do a lot of) a few weeks ago and saw the swings were back up. Monday I packed up Cohen and we went to the park for an hour. He laughed and squealed the entire time he was swinging....my heart was full!! He ran around, climbed and went down the slides. We even played with the ducks. It's moments like this that make my heart smile. Watching him take in the world around him is the best gift I have ever been given...and I'm so thankful for him and my husband. I love being a mom.

Cohen luvs Corny Dogs!!

IMG_5230
Originally uploaded by stuflannery

When it comes to Cohen...having food available quickly is something I learned early on. I just so happened to walk past the frozen food aisle at wal-mart and see corn dogs on sale and figured I try it out. He was grouchy when we got home so I popped in a corn dog to see if he'd eat it. At first he wasn't sure, but after he saw me take a bite he took a bite and loved it. I had to pay close attention though because he kept sticking the corn dog in and on everything including the dog food bowl and I saved it from rolling under the dusty TV! I guess a little dirt never hut...at least it didn't seem to phase him. He was content with his dirty dog. I'm not a bad mom I promise.

Cohen Update...

I have no idea the last time I just typed a post updating on Cohen's accomplishments...and "NO" I'm not going to flip back through my posts and find out. It will probably just end up making me feel bad. Cohen's latest trick is spinning in circles. This is quite hilarious. He will spin and spin and spin....THEN....he tries to walk. I know you've seen the baseball game where the guys spin around on a bat and then attempt to run the bases...well....it's kind of like that. Today he spun in the kitchen and then face planted into the dishwasher. I thought for sure a meltdown was approaching, but nope...he picked his red scuffed face up off the floor and began spinning again. This time he sideways smacked into the refrigerator and face planted onto the ceramic tile. This time....the meltdown came full force. He bit his lip. The best is when he spins and then takes off running....it freaks me out because he smacks into everything.

Not only does he spin and hit random objects he has figured out how to climb everything. Then after he climbs it he stands up and sometimes "jumps" (falls) off. You'd think after a couple falls he'd stop....not this kid.

He loves to hide and jump out and scare us and he likes for us to scare him back.

Wrestling is probably his all time favorite. He wrestles me more than his dad. Maybe he likes my fake side punches.

He loves to read books. Thank you if you got him a book for christmas.

His best bud is our boston terrier Bosco. He tries to ride Bosco like a pony.

He loves to swing at the park and he loves other children.

When he thinks I'm not looking he gives treats to the dogs.

Christmas

Christmas was sooooo much better this year than last. Not because I got more presents, or better presents, but because I got to spend so much time with everyone. My husband graciously talked me into leaving a week before him. At first I didn't want to because I had somehow created a picture in my mind of lonely Stu sitting at the house night after night all by himself....silly I know. It took him about a month to convince me to just buy a plane ticket and go. I am so happy I did. Last year we were rushed around from home to home that I didn't feel like I got to spend any quality time with anyone because I was so focused on where we were going next and what time we had to be there. Not the case this year. The week I came in I spent all that time with my family and catching up with friends I only get to see once a year. I am sorry if you are my friend and are reading this and I didn't get to catch up with you...I'll make it up somehow I promise. During our 15 day visit...well my 15 Stu's 7 day visit we even managed to check out some real estate. We are trying to get back to Indiana, but this is a slow process. The jobs are just not there. So if you are reading this say a prayer that some jobs open up so we can come home. I miss Indiana and I miss family and friends. All my friends (well 90% at least HA!) all have children now and the thought of being able to all together with our kids is amazing. Here are some pictures from our visit.

Cohen's 1st Birthday!!

This kid loves cake!!  He sat at the table in his oversized king hat surround by Mickey Mouse balloons as I bought out his birthday cake glowing in his one year candle. He was all smiles. He dug into the cake so fast I about didn't catch it with my camera. It was just us three celebrating this year. Cohen got to open all the gifts that our families sent and we even skyped with Nana and Poppy (Gilbert's) while he ate some cake.