Half a Year...

My sweet Cole,  

You are now 6 months old!  Seems like just yesterday you were lying next to me, your little legs tucked in... you fit right next to my stomach.  Now when you lie by me, your toes touch my knees.  You stretch out, you reach for my hand to hold it... Your sweet demeanor is beyond cute.

3 days old

These six months have flown by - but they have been filled to the brim with moments that matter!  Not one single milestone or memory has gone unnoticed!  I decided to write this post to you, rather than about you.  Someday you will be able to read about all the things you were doing & learning at this age!

Sitting in your Bumbo seat!  Soon you will be sitting all on your own.  You try to escape the Bumbo when you are in it, so we don't put you in there often.  Only when Mommy is doing the dishes.  Then you sit in it and watch me :)

You've worn your first pair of shoes.  You were bound and determined to get those off your feet, ha!  It was fun watching you try to figure out how to untie them and try to kick them off!

Your 1st trip to the zoo!  This was also Ty's first trip - Aidan went when he was about 9 months old.  It was so cute to take all three of you.  We were stopped by people about every few minutes as we walked along - they wanted to 'see the triplets'.  All the people who stopped us were so sweet and kind.  We usually explain that you are all a year apart from each other, but sometimes we just smile and nod when people say "Triplets!".  

You are still a bit too young to really notice the animals at the zoo.  You were so busy looking at everything around you - mostly people watching :)  You loved it!  The day was SO hot - we were all drinking a lot of water.  We poured water into the lid of the water bottle, and you drank from it like a champ!  So, it was kind of like you drank from your first cup! Your Daddy and I were ecstatic watching you sip from that lid like a pro!  Today you will get to eat food for the first time - avocado!  Brain food :) 

Your first time in a pool!  You weren't so sure at first.  I think the amount of water had you boggled haha!  Plus, our family of 5 was the only one in the pool.  Every sound echoed.  It was just a lot to take in for you!  At least the water was warm :)  Once you saw your brothers get in, and you saw how relaxed they were, then you really started to enjoy it!!

Your first little buddy - your cousin Kaelor.  It will be so cute to look back on this picture to see how much you guys have grown!

There is no doubt about it - you are a HAPPY baby!  You love just about everything... in fact, your zest for life is what keeps you from napping sometimes :)  If there are people over, or if we are at a party, you do not want to sleep.  And you won't.  You will stay awake an entire day just so you won't miss out on anything.  You also got the 'light sleeper' trait from your Mommy.  Sorry about that, ha!  Maybe Daddy can train you to 'deep sleep' like he does!  BUT you do sleep very good at night - so thank you for that!!  Granted, you wait until the rest of the family is in bed before you will go to sleep :)  Then, in the morning when you wake up (usually a few hours after your brothers), I go into the room to get you -- and you will have the best & biggest smile of your face! Mommy sings her good morning song to you & picks you up.... and you curl up into my arms.  I hope our mornings will always be like this (yes, your Mama has big dreams ha!)  

Speaking of singing, when we turn music on & sing to you - guess who tries to sing with us?  You!  It's adorable!  You really concentrate on the song that's being played or the words being sung.  You do a pretty good job at singing even though you don't even talk yet ha!  Our little rockstar!!

Best Little Big Brother!

You love to hold your brothers' hands.  

You and Ty spend many hours together in the mornings. Aidan naps all the way to lunch.  But you two like to snuggle and play during the early day hours.

You and Aidan were having a blast on his birthday!  

Giggling and being goofy!

All three of you boys, sharing in Aidan's birthday =)

It's been kind of hard for your Mommy, knowing you are moving past the little baby stage to the big (and mobile) baby stage.  Moms just get weepy about those kinds of things, Cole.  We want our itty bittys to stay little.  Time just goes so fast.  Soon you will be walking, talking... and maybe you'll be too busy to stop and hug Mama?  Hopefully that doesn't happen too soon, or ever :)

Despite me wishing time would stand still... which is just a small part of how I'm feeling about you being half a year old... I'm mostly just oh, so proud of you.  You amaze me every single day.  You are doing all these things that we thought we would never see a child of ours do.  And we appreciate every single thing.  It still blows my mind when you make eye contact with me!  I'm excited (and anxious!) for all the new things you will learn these next few months. Just go easy on Mama when you start getting really mobile, okay Sweet Pea?

You are so unbelievably loved - and you make me feel unconditionally loved every time you reach for me, smile at me, cry for me.  What a gift.

I see and encounter people who seem to care only about their material things, or only caring about themselves, or only wanting money... and it makes me very sad.  Maybe they don't know the kind of love that you boys have given me? Maybe those people have that love but are too blind to accept it and treasure it.

We only have one life, one body, one chance... and though I'm not perfect, no one is.... I at least try my best to love as much as I can, and to treasure the love that I receive in return.  I hope you will always feel very loved, Cole.  Not just from me and Daddy, but from every one in your life.

What a blessing you are to our family.  

Love,

    Mommy

My Baby, Aidan, is THREE

Dear Aidan,

I have spent the past week going through all of your pictures.  Can we say bring on the smiles?!  You make me light up.  There is nothing quite like the light that is in your eyes - you smile with your eyes.  I see so much of who you are in your eyes.

I'm glad I have so many pictures of you.  I don't want to forget a single memory!  

I know that someday you will be able to read this letter. Until then, I hope you know and can feel how much your Mommy loves you.

Here you are at one day old.  So tiny, so fragile.  You taught us how precious , and how fleeting, life can be. Without you, we would not appreciate every minute we have on this earth as much as we do.  Look at your Daddy's big hands holding you - you're oh, so tiny.  You just melted into our arms.  I can still remember how you smelled at that age, how you moved, how fuzzy your hair felt.  

You are amazing.

2 days old

Is it possible you were really once this small?!

5 weeks old

Look at your little legs!  And sleeping so peacefully...You were always such a good baby, and now a good 'big' boy. You're our firstborn son, and your Daddy and I were just learning what it was like to be parents.  We had to learn a lot and teach ourselves as we went along. You were basically the 'guinea pig' before your brothers came along. We tested and tried everything out on you - and can I just say that you are SUCH a trooper!  You have put up with Mommy and Daddy doing this and that - BUT, it has all been in the best interest of you!  Everything we do is in an attempt to make your life fuller, better, richer...

5 weeks old

Do you remember your brown pillow?  I had almost forgotten about it until I came across this picture.  We bought you the longest, comfiest pillow we could find..with the softest pillow case cover.  You would sprawl out and nap for hours on that pillow!  In this picture you are 3 months old, but with those long legs you look much older ;)

Mommy finally found the courage to let you sleep in your crib some nights.  You always look so peaceful when you sleep.  I love how your hands and fingers relax...  I love your tiny snores - there is no sound like it! I see there is a pacifier in this picture.  I must have been trying to see if you would use it.  Every now and then I would see if your sucking reflex would come back.  It never really did, but you gave it your best shot!  And notice the double layers of burp cloths under you!  Protection!  You were quite the puker as a baby. Thankfully for both our sake you grew out of that!

4 months old

You have taught me so much in your three precious years.  I knew you didn't like or appreciate all the tubes and cords - we had you on oxygen for a couple of months.  You had a NG tube down your nose/throat.  You did not like that one bit... but Mommy didn't know how else to get you to eat since you wouldn't suck for us.  Finally, together, we taught each other... we learned a way to feed you, without any tubes at all!  You have amazed us and your doctors with your ability to eat so well!  

6 months old - first time eating food!

You have sooo many familiy members who love and adore you.  If I posted pictures of everyone who loved you, I would be at this computer forever ha!  

10 Months Old

You LOVE being outdoors.  I never see you so relaxed as when you are outside, with the breeze blowing through your hair and the sun shining down on you.

Sometimes I think back on the time when it was just us three - you, me and Daddy.  I had all the time in the world for you. I wish I could still give you every single minute of my time. You deserve it!  But alas, your brothers came along ;)  Yet, even though you now have to share me, I think you are happy to have your little brothers.  Together the five of us are much better, much stronger, than when it was just the three of us.  Now, you not only get time with Mommy and Daddy - you also get time with your brothers.  Priceless!

Daddy and I plan on spending your birthday with just YOU - after all, it is YOUR day.  It will be just the three of us. Daddy and I will spoil you rotten for your 3rd birthday.  Don't worry, your brothers will still be here when we get back from spending our day with you!  ;)

8 days old

A big brother.  You will always be the biggest brother.  You will always have two little guys who look up to you.  Because of you, Tyler has had a buddy his whole life.  You keep each other company when you two decide to stay up all night. You wake each other up when one wants to sleep, ha.  You two find ways to gang up on Daddy and I, but yet flash us your sweet smiles...and then nothing seems too hard or impossible.

Aidan 14 months & Ty 2 weeks

Yes, your Mommy dresses you boys up in matching outfits (it drives Daddy nuts, ha!).  I think it's a Mom thing. Thank you for always being such a good sport :)

All that I am - All that I ever was...

is here in your perfect eyes.

They're all I can see.

You have every right to a beautiful life.

Because of you, Cole will know compassion, empathy, and kindness.... things that are often lacking in this world. These are some of the greatest gifts you could ever give to a child. And they are coming straight from you (and Ty!).

Because of you, Daddy and I will appreciate and treasure every single moment and milestone in Cole's life.  

You are one of the best things in Cole's life.  Because of you, he will know unconditional love.

This is what life is about.

I love how you are in the middle...

 ..with your little bros on each side of you.

You find joy in everything that you do.  

You bring joy to everyone around you, Aidan.  

Your smile is infectious.

You love the water.  Daddy says someday you will grow up to be a fish.  =)  You can be anything you want to be when you grow up, Aidan.

If there was one word to describe you, it'd be smiley !

15 months old

Okay, so not only do I put you and your brothers in matching outfits, but I do things such as this... ha!  Thank you for putting up with my antics.  Thank you for being such a cutie, mustachio and all!

You are well-known for your wild hair!  People LOVE your hair - it has a life of it's own.  Sometimes we cut it short, but most of the time we just let it grow... we let it be.  Just as we let you be who you are, we also let your hair be it's wild and crazy self.  Why fight it?!  Let those locks flow!  Lately your hair has been getting curls in the back, more and more. My hair is doing the same thing.  We both have stick straight hair in the front, and waves in the back.  I love that we share this.

Aidan, I spent many days of your first year shedding tears.  I was so afraid I'd lose you.  Yet with each day, I see how strong you are.  You give me strength.  You make me appreciate each and every day.  

You've taught me to live in the moment.

You've taught me to seize the day.

Never focus on what if - focus on what is.

Nowadays, I shed tears because of how proud I am of you. You amaze me every single day.  I know that no matter what, no matter where you are, no matter who are with, you will be okay.  But please, stick by Mommy, okay?  You are my whole heart, my true love. 

I'll always be your Mommy, and you'll always be my baby. 

I'll always give my all, and always do my best at being your Mommy.  Because you are the best.

Three years ago I was given the greatest gift.  You changed the course of my life.  You've changed so many people, for the better.  I hope you know how much you touch people's lives....

Happy 3rd birthday, sweetheart.  

Love, Mama