Proud mama

Colt got his 2nd round of shots today- yes- we are a little behind, but he did awesome.  He did well last time, but I didn't want to get ahead of myself.  And we will see how tomorrow goes, but for now, he is awesome.  I am so proud of him.  I am positive it was harder on me than him. 
On the bad side, I had another annoying encounter with the staff there.  I asked my nurse (who was much nicer than the last time) about seperating his MMR shot.  She told me the man who did the research had been proven wrong and that the U.S. doesn't even manufacture the shot seperately anymore, so it isn't even an option.  I stopped myself from letting her know the real facts.  I heard about the Dr. who did the research, but the issue I have with it is not the reserach, but the first hand accounts I have seen.  Second, she lied to me!  The shot is manufactured seperately- my doctor just told me at our last visit that they would give it seperately.  I am not dumb... thanks. 
Anyway, now that I am done ranting :) Colt is growing everyday.  I can't wait to see how much he weighs at his next visit.  He loves to play with his feet- and suck on his toes (watch the video).  Justin is so busy.  God continues to bring people into his life that need to buy homes.  On the bad side, we owe a ton in taxes- the joys of being self-employed.  But we are confident that God will continue to provide for us.  Thanks everyone for the prayers and love. Enjoy some pics and a few videos!

pulling on Dad's face

So nice outside!

Enjoy the last nice day

Yep... I love to eat my feet

This is my life... lots of talking



Chicago and others

We went to visit Keaton again this weekend- Chicago is becoming Colt's 2nd home. :)  Keaton was doing great and had a very busy week.  I can't believe there was room for us in his schedule.  He directed a play/ read through along with his regular/irregular work schedule.  He is doing so well and working so hard to achieve his dreams.  As always, it was so hard to leave him- even though he is only a few hours away.  I just miss seeing him all the time. 

Keaton was not sure about the drooling

Brunch at Orange- it only took literally 15 tries to get this picture

Colt loves Keaton

 News from home- Justin and I decided to start having a date night and leave Colt at home.  Tonight was our first try.  Justin surprised me and took me to Stone Creek- where we had our rehearsal dinner and then we walked around the mall.  We were home by 8:40- we are so old!  My dad and Delaine stayed with Colt and had a blast.  He was all smiles today.  Enjoy some pics and a video :)

The Many Faces of Colt

Brain Cells

Being a mom takes all of my brain cells, so I have to write everything down these days if I want to remember it.  Colt is changing everyday.  I thought that only happened in the beginning!  Colt turned 20 weeks this week and he will be 5 months old next week!  I cannot believe how fast time flies.  Colt has stated to do so many new things.  Last week (18.5 weeks) he started catching moving objects.  It's like he looks at his toys in a whole new way.  He also is rolling over to get to his toys.  Before he would just roll over and look at them, but now he rolls over to try to reach them.  And he will reach and move until he can get a hold of them.  He is doing a great job sitting up and I think he would have it if it weren't for the fact that he is in love with his feet and just wants to fall face first into the ground to reach them.  Hopefully I'll have pics to post after this weekend- we're going to visit Keaton!!

Only in Our House

Let's just get caught up.  Winston has been pretty good since his surgery.  They said we could take the cone off after 7-10 days, so we have been giving him trial runs with it off while we are home to see how he would do- and he has done really well.  I let him go to the bathroom without a leash yesterday- big mistake.  He ran away.  Thankfully it was our neighbors that Justin went to high school with.  I said sorry and told them he had just been neutered, which is why he has a dumb cone on his head and joked about how that was supposed to calm him down.  So today, I had to run to the grocery, so I thought, I will give Winston a chance without his cone on- it's been 7 days- why not.  Again- big mistake.  I was gone for 45 minutes... that's it... 45 minutes!  When I came home, I saw he had been licking his legs until they were almost bleeding.  I yelled at him, and he tried to hide from me- I won that battle.  Then I decided to see if he had licked his stitches (they said it would be $150 if he ripped them out and they had to be replaced).  Well, guess what?  Of course he licked them.... he's Winston.  They were bleeding!  UGH!!!!!  I shoved the cone back on his head and decided I would get over it.  Then, I thought to myself, I think I smell something.  Oh yea- he pooped on our new carpet!  Seriously... only in our house.
On the Colt front, we are still fighting out cold- which has now been given to both Justin and I.  We have been trying to get his weight up still, but don't have an appointment for a while, so we aren't sure how much he weighs.  Well, on a trip to Wal-Mart last week, Justin mentioned we could weigh him in the fruit scale.  I thought that was a great idea!  Justin was mortified and refused to be any part of it.  Meanwhile, I unbuckled Colt out of his seat and sat him on the scale.  Only 2 people laughed at me :).  Then, the rest of the way through the grocery, Justin wanted to know how much he weighed.  I said too bad, you said you didn't want any part of it. :)
Of course, I'll post some pics.  We went to see some of my grandparents yesterday and we are celebrating St. Patrick's day and a BUTLER WIN today!!!!  Enjoy!

Great Grandmama

Great Grandpapa

Great Great Grandma Helen

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

sick

Well, Colt has his first cold.  I had no idea how hard it was for the parents when the kid is sick.  He doesn't want to be put down, but can't get comfortable being held either.  He is so pitiful, it breaks my heart.

Growing up

Not much is new with Colt.  We are just working on getting more milk at each feeding so he can grow.  Justin is enjoying Colt more and more each day as Colt is able to interact more with us.  I just have a few pics of his new tricks and a visit with his friend Camden. 

he doesn't take a pacifier often, but he looks like such a big boy when he does!

Camden is tickling Colt :)  So cute

Oh Winston

Well, Justin has been asking to get Winston neutered for quite some time, but we just kept putting it off.  Finally, in hopes it will calm him down, we had it done this week.  It was so sad!  He did great, but he was so confused when he came home with the cone on his head.  He kept running in to walls, doors and anything that stuck out by more than 1/4 inch.  I got it on video, but I can't get it uploaded here.  Needless to say, I ended up on the floor because he ran in to me with the cone.  But I do have a picture.

4 month check-up

Justin and I took Colt to see Dr. Moreland today for Colt's 4 month check-up.  Here are the stats:
 Head Circum: 16.1 "- 20th %tile
Height: 25.5" - 73rd %tile
Weight: 12.4 lbs -7th %tile
So... Dr. Moreland said he hasn't lost any weight, but he definitely isn't gaining enough.  She wanted to see him again in a month instead of 2 months to reassess his weight.  She said if he dips below 7% or doesn't show some gain, then we will run some tests to see if he has an underlying condition.  She thought he was doing well overall and didn't think his lack of weight gain had anything to do with his surgery.  Still, I couldn't help but worry and get sad.  I told her how often and how much he eats, and she thought I may not be producing enough milk, but for now she wasn't too worried.  So- say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed that he gains some weight before his next visit.
On the good side, she said his is doing great developmentally!  He is so alert and aware of everything and grabs at anything in front of him.  She said he is doing great standing up and sitting- although when he sits, he falls forward a little bit.  She said in the next few months he should be sitting up unassisted and then we can start feeding him baby food :)

On the very hppy side, Colt just rolled from his back to his stomach and then from his stomach to his back!  It was his first time rolling all the way over.  And the even better news is that Justin came home early, so he got to see it too!

AT-TI-TUDE!!!

I just went to wake up Colt from his nap.  I rolled him over, and said so sweetly, "it's time to eat."  He literally opened his eyes, looked at me, rolled himself right over, put his thumb in his mouth and closed his eyes!  It's like he's a teenager already.  We are in for some trouble- looks like he has both of our attitudes!

48 hours

What a difference 48 hours makes... Justin and I have been wanting to paint our bedroom furniture forever!  My dad bought me the furniture when I was a freshman in high school!  It has been good to me, but it needed a little updating.  So we did some research and found out that most people recommend spray painting furniture... who knew.  So we went to work and it turned out great.  We love it.  We're thinking about selling the house next spring, so any updating we can do ahead of time will help us then.
On another note, Justin sold a house today!  We are so proud of him and feel so blessed.  God continues to provide for us as I stay at home with Colt.  And Colt is doing wonderful!  He turned 4 months old yesterday.  He is changing so much.  He is starting to play with his feet (which is funny to watch).  He is reaching for things much more quickly than he used to and putting them immediately in his mouth.  He is doing AWESOME sitting up- with some help and he will stand up if I hold on his hands- but not for too long ;).  I cannot  believe how different he is from week to week.  I was so sad when he was little about him getting older- but watching him grow is so much fun!  I'll post a few pics- ENJOY!

dresser before

after

bed before

after

at uncle Josh's basketball game

holding on to his rattle- and obviously in his mouth

laughing

FEET!