01.22.12

Soooo.....I had grand plans of spending the last month updating the blog with our Christmas plans, the things we did with my parents in town, the anticipation of our child's birth, and a myriad of other lofty goals.  What actually happened was we had a relaxing and lovely Christmas with my parents and then proceeded to anticipate, and anticipate, and anticipate the birth of this child.  Anticipation can wear on a person.  Especially, a person that is rapidly becoming 41 weeks pregnant!  Luckily, all good things do come to an end and finally (finally!) John Crosby Cole made his debut on 1/8/12 (exactly one week late).  I would love to recount every detail from the time labor started to the moment they laid him on my chest but, unfortunately, I am actually expected to keep this boy alive so I'm having a bit of a hard time finding time to wax eloquently on the whole experience.  Thus far, my thoughts on parenting consist of repeatedly looking at David and saying, "This is so much harder than anyone told us!".  But, we are surviving and so is JCC.  And, really, who can resist that sweet face?  Even if it is 3:00 in the morning and he just ate 20 minutes ago?  Stay tuned...

Born 1/8/12 at 7 lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long

 Heading home from the hospital

Sacked out

12.22.11

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.

- Louis De Bernieres (Author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin)

11.24.11

Not being in Texas for Thanksgiving was a first for us!  I always hear people say how great it is to start your own family traditions and have a relaxing holiday without the stress of a million different family schedules and events.  While David and I certainly have our fair share of holiday chaos, we have never really understood what these people were talking about.  I love the traditions my family already has!  So, while we did have a restful and enjoyable weekend with each other, we are so very thankful to have family and friends that we missed like crazy!  I tried to document our day of thanks to keep myself in a positive mindset and distract myself from jumping in the car and driving home!

 I woke up early to start the marinade for the lamb

 Sage + garlic + salt

Thanksgiving migas.  Prepared while blasting Texas Country.

 DC decided to make an apple pie from scratch.  We had a lot of hours to kill, obviously.

 Pie crust ingredients + sustenance for the chef

The pie crust process got a little frustrating but, I have to say, that boy turned out the most delicious apple pie I have ever had.  

 My job - apple peeler

 The finished product

 Cole family turkey trot

I typically love this hill.  It's a great workout but has become less enjoyable the more of me there is.  That said, I'm looking forward to pushing a stroller up it as soon as it is warm enough.

We enjoyed our lamb, risotto, and asparagus in front of the Cowboys game.  Not our typical Thanksgiving set up but necessary due to the silliness of Eastern Standard Time.  

11.10.11

We have been beyond blessed with the showers and support from our friends and co-workers at P&G.  The first of three was thrown by my girlfriends Jess and Ana and the best part is that it ended up being on the same weekend that my mom was in town!  She got to meet all of the girls that I work with and help us put up and organize all the gifts we were given.  

  

In Dish alone, we have three babies being born in less than 6 weeks so we took one afternoon to celebrate the new additions and eat lots of yummy food.  

And, finally, Dave's Purchasing group put together an afternoon shower that involved not using the word "baby", a heated game of baby-themed pictionary, and more white cake!

10.30.11

Thirty-Three

10.27.11

The Coles came to visit in late October and were a HUGE help in getting us set up for this baby!  They helped us convert the guest room to a nursery and set up the new guest room in the office.  Probably not on the list of "most fun" vacations in 2011 but definitely in the running for "most productive" and we couldn't have appreciated it more!       

No trip to Cincinnati is complete without a meal at Anabel's.  

 My mother-in-law may regret having ever told me she could sew!  This was the final step in a long journey to create curtains for the baby room and the guest room.  

 Handy Cole boys

 Unfortunately, the crib building started a bit early as we could no longer take the pain of watching the Rangers lose the World Series to that team from St Louis.  

 We did take a break from all things baby to venture out to the Amish country.  I wish I had gotten some pics of all the horse and buggies that we saw.  It was amazing to see that slice of life and felt like we were hours away from the city.  

  Covered bridge

A quick pic of us in the nursery before they left.  Hard to imagine that the crib won't be empty the next time they come back!

10.15.11

I spent nearly a week in Long Beach in October to celebrate my dear friend's nuptials.  Amanda and I were "accidental" roommates in college and loved it so much that we continued the tradition once we moved to Dallas.  She moved to Cali nine years ago and has built a fantastic career and life for herself on the West Coast.  That said, I have never seen her as happy as she was this weekend and I attribute it solely to her relationship with Jason. I was sooooo glad that I was able to travel and be there for so many of the events.  

   

 Mani / Pedi with the Lewis sisters

 View of Long Beach from my room at the Avia

I completely spoiled myself with breakfast in bed every morning and lots of long walks on the beach.  DC wasn't able to make it out until the actual weekend so I took full advantage of my down time! 

 Ladies' Brunch at Starling Diner

 Baylor Girls!

Once DC was in town, we were told to hit up George's Greek restaurant in downtown.  It was phenomenal and will definitely be our Friday night place should we ever end up living in the LB. 

Morning walk by the marina

We were so lucky to be able to meet up with Walter one afternoon in Seal Beach.  I love that even though we haven't seen him in months, it always feels like it was yesterday.

 DC and W on the pier

Headed to the wedding with BC in tow 

Custom-made dunnys for the bride and groom 

 I hate this pic of me but Amanda has never looked better.  She was stunning.  

The wedding and reception were on the rooftop of an Italian restaurant.  It was half-open air and the weather couldn't have been more perfect.  The whole evening, for that matter - Amanda planned every detail perfectly and I was so thankful to be included.  Cheers to Mr and Mrs Stephens!