Junk Mail

This is for all those out there looking for ideas of what to do with your junk mail, besides through it in the recycle bin. We found a very fun, creative idea to put it to good use, though we must give Colin all the credit for this one.

View from the recliner - Part 4(?)

Today was just another typical Sunday in the Baker household. Colin spends most Saturday nights at Grandma & Grandpa's house, so Rene and I get up, go have a breakfast out somewhere (usually Cracker Barrel like we did today), do our grocery shopping (we've found Sunday mornings are great for grocery shopping), then go pick up Colin from Grandma and Grandpa. We usually stay and visit for a little while, then head back home around lunch time. The rest of the day is what we call "Coly Bear and Dadda day". Since Rene is at home with Colin each day, and he spends Saturday's away, Sunday's are when I get my little extra time with him. We play, laugh, and crawl/run around without a care in the world (except wondering when vacuum will wake up from his nap). While Rene was still expecting Colin, I was told by a co-worker that raising children is one of the most difficult and rewarding things in life. I can say now that he is right, but I can't imagine there being any level of "difficult" that would make me want to miss out on the "rewarding". Yes, today was just another typically Sunday for the Bakers, but they sure are special to this dad.

Elmo!

Colin is a huge Elmo fan now. We were at the store a few days ago and found an Elmo towel that we knew he'd just love. So we splurged and got it for him. We used it for the first time tonight, we showed it to him and asked him who it was, and he said "Elmo!" with a big grin. He's too cute. Daddy is pretty cute too...if you ask Mommy.

Bath Game

This is the game I mentioned yesterday in my newsletter, it's too cute to miss, I wanted to share.

Monthly Newsletter: Month Fourteen

Dear Colin,

I can sum up your fourteen month in one word: fun. We've had so much fun with you in the past fourteen months (and some not-so-fun moments) but this past month topped them all. You are at the age that we can really interact with you.

For instance, we've developed a new game we play with you in the bath tub. You have these little foam puzzle pieces that will stick together when wet, so we put together 3 or 4 of them, and then put them on top of your head. You smile back at us, reach up to take the off, and then slowly and methodically take them apart, getting a loud cheer and clapping when you've managed to take each of them apart again.

A few very fun, and sweet, things you've learned this month are to give high fives (Gramma taught you that one), blow kisses (thanks, Elmo!), you lean in to give kisses now when asked for a kiss, and you can walk by my side, holding just one of my hands.

Kisses for Momma

Elmo is one of your new greatest loves. I've begun to let you watch one hour of Sesame Street everyday, and the only 2 parts of the show you typically pay attention to are the beginning theme song and the 15 minute Elmo's World segment. You see Elmo anywhere or on anything and can't stop saying "Elmo!"

High Five Dada!

A finally, you have one new love that just CAN NOT be left out: vacuum cleaners. You are not just in love, you are obsessed, my friend. We have to put the vacuum in the laundry room or closet, close the door and tell you he is going night night, just to get you away from the thing. Momma vacuums 2 or 3 times a day now. We joke we have the cleanest floors in the city. Gramma said you went shopping with her this past weekend, it was early morning and the cleaning crew was still working, a vacuum was going on across the store, you heard it and went wild. You had to go see this vacuum! Let's just hope this obession continues until you can walk and use it yourself, you'll have to earn your keep some how.

My favorite part of the day is nap time. Not because it's 60 minutes of precious quite time, but because of the 10 minutes leading up to those 60. I take you into your room, we sit down and read 3 books and then you snuggle up to me with blanky cluched close and you just lay there with your eyes all sleepy and stare up at me, giving me a smile every once in a while, until you fall asleep, warm and sweet. I cherish this time, because I know there are only a handful of moments like that in life, and they won't last forever.

Love,
Momma

Colin Bowling

Colin and I went to the shower of a mommy friend of ours yesterday. There were some games played and the winner received a toy prize. I won the last game of the day, so we got a toy bowling set. Before I left, I told the other ladies I just knew Daddy would love playing with it as much, if not more, than Colin. Sure enough, Daddy got home, saw it and opened it right up. So tonight, we got some time to actually play with it with Colin. Daddy set them up and Colin knocked them down. He loved it so much, we had to hold him back so Daddy could set them up before Colin bowled over them. He was just laughing and giggling the whole time! Here are some great photos: (Remember, click on the picture to get a larger view, he's got some great smiles!)

Ready, Set, GO!







Round Two:

Surveying his damage

Funny Colin, Indeed

On Tuesday I went to a playdate at one of my fellow mommies homes. She and another mommie were teaching us how to knit. While we were learning she was watching the kids for us. A couple of hours after we left, I received this email, with the subject line: Funny Colin

Hey Rene,

I just wanted to share something funny with you. I was wondering why Colin was always by the cat door in the kitchen today during the knitting meetup. Just now when I went out to the garage to take some recycling I found several toys and things from the living room that he must've put through the cat door! It was a good bit of medium-sized objects, so he must have made many trips specifically to put them through the door. Isn't that hilarious?!

It was good to see you today. Hope the rest of your day is good.

Aubree

This came as no surprise to Daddy or I because, well, the kid loves to put things anywhere they'll go.