Dear Cole

Dear Cole,

You are 5 1/2 months old.  We still don't have a little blog spot for you, so this will have to do.  You are such a joy.  When you were born, I felt your peaceful spirit right away.  You have always had that peace with you.  In fact, when you were blessed by your dad, you were told that you would be a peacemaker. 

 

 

During the first few months of your life, you slept all of the time!  That changed around three months.  Now you take two long naps--one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  You don't sleep through the night yet.  Usually you wake up once or twice, but every once in a while (like last night) you put me through a doosy where you decide that sleep is at optional.  :) 

 

 Your eyes are so big and bright.  Everywhere we go, someone comments on how big your eyes are.  It's like you want to take everything in.  Especially faces.  You are more content to look at people than to play with toys or read books.  You love to stare at people.  You love people.  You smile at everyone with a big open-mouthed grin that melts my heart.  You are quick to laugh.  You laugh when you're tickled, you laugh when Josh does his funny dances for you, and you laugh when people look like they're going to "get you".  Even when you're crying, I can get you to laugh if I tease you.  Big belly laughs.  They are so fun to listen to.

 

Talking about crying--you don't cry all that much, but when you do--I mean when you really get going--you sound like a little mountain lion.  It's a mix between a screech, a yell, and a growl. 

You like to cuddle.  When you're being sweet--which is quite often--you lean your head into my face and stay there.  And stay there.  I'll give you a big squeeze and you giggle a little bit, like your simply happy to hug.  You like to give big open-mouthed kisses that are very wet and slobbery.  If you don't go in for the cuddle, you're going in for a kiss.

 

Let's see....you smiled at seven weeks, you rolled over from your front to your back a week before Christmas, and you rolled from your back to your front a week after Christmas.  You started realizing that your hands are part of you about two weeks ago, and it's been just a few days that you've started to really reach for things and put them in your mouth.  We got you a bumbo for Christmas (a little chair to help babies sit) but you only like to sit in it for a few minutes and then you start hunching over and whining to get out.  You've started doing this cute little karate chop with your right arm--you can really get it going, and you love to shake your maraca. 

You have really started to enjoy bath time, kicking and splashing up a storm.  Sorry to say you're lucky to get bathed 2-3 times a week--I guess that's the story of the fourth child.  :)  I usually keep you in your pjs during the day.  It's easier of course, and I figure it's the most warm and comfy way to go for the winter.

 

 Cole, you just love your brothers.  You think they are so funny, and they all adore you and are gentle with you.  You have to put up with the boys wrestling next to you, them helping you punch them out, them running around you, and a mom that doesn't have as much time to focus just on you as she'd like.  But you and I luck out when it's time for you to eat and sleep--the boys are pretty good at entertaining themselves now, so we get in a few good laughs and some great snuggle time.  I love you so very much.  You're so pleasant and easy going....but even if you weren't and even if you decide to turn into a little spit-fire--I will always love you.  You are my Cole.