What a Day

We have had an amazing day! The weather was gorgeous, and we took full advantage playing outside. Cohen spent the morning at Finn's birthday party at the Nature Museum while Henry and I snuggled and played at home.

"Don't be jealous of my four-pack, guys."

Just look at those cheeks.

Tummy time is 10 times more fun outside.

After nap time, we walked to the park for more outdoor fun. The whole neighborhood was out playing!

Cohen has to carry his lunchbox filled with "trars" everywhere. He even goes down the "swide" with them.

Sweet Hendog stayed warm under my hat as the sun went down.

Peek-a-boo!

Our trip to the park was extra special because Sarah and Ellie joined us! Cohen definitely gets shy around cute girls. I think Cohen and Ellie look like they could be brother and sister.

And our afternoon at the park ended with a sweet kiss good-bye! Cohen makes the "mwah!" noise every time he kisses.

Cohen decided to forgo the stroller and run the entire half-mile home. It was so fun running along with him. We ended the day with a delicious dinner. David made Thomas' short ribs...yum-o! Seriously, one of the best dinners (and days) ever.

Mr. Boots

Cohen got his first real pair of cowboy boots this week. He is obsessed with them! The night they arrived at the house, he put them on, ran all over the house saying, "Woody! Dog!" (Woody, the cowboy, from Toy Story...and he calls that movie "Dog").

This kid cracks me up. His new thing is saying, "no way." I don't know where he got that from, but it's not just "no" anymore. The way he says it is so cute too. It's hard not to laugh when he's in a full-blown tantrum saying, "NO WAY!"

Cohen's favorite movie is still Cars. It's basically on repeat in our back TV room. He still says, "Trars!" - even though he can say c-words (he says Cohen all the time). He just refuses to say cars. It's his own little made-up-word, combining his two favorite things, cars and trucks.

Cohen loves singing "Life is a Highway" from Cars. His eyes light up when that song comes on. He basically just hums and says, "Highway, all done." ("Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long.")

I could go on and on about this boy of mine. He is the absolute best. He has now started climbing up on my "pwap" (lap) on the couch, leaning back and snuggling with me. It melts my heart. It is absolute heaven.

Cohen and I enjoyed some front porch swingin' this morning. It is a beautiful day in Charlotte (it's in the 50s)! Cohen was squealing so loudly, I'm sure the neighbors were wondering what the heck was going on at the Hathaway house at 9 am this morning.

One Pearly White

It's here...already...Henry's first tooth! I still can't believe the little guy popped out a tooth before his five-month birthday. The statement, "every baby is different," is so true. Cohen didn't get his first tooth until he was eight-and-a-half-months-old. I guess that's why I am kind of shocked right now. Anyway, Hendog handled it so well! I have noticed a little more drool this week, and he is always chewing on things, but other than that, he has been his normal happy self.

Our soon-to-be five-month-old is busting out of six-month clothes and has moved up to nine and twelve-month clothing. Wow. I can't wait for spring weather so I can see his chubby arms and legs everyday.

Henry Overload

Here are some pictures the Amazing Aunt Courtney took of Henry last month at three-months-old. We can't thank Courtney enough for capturing the adorableness of our sweet Henry. I can't think of a better word to describe him. He literally is the sweetest baby, and I kiss those sweet cheeks all day long! Henry was such a good model; he didn't utter one cry - just giggles and squeals.

My Cohen...

• is the sweetest little guy I know.
• gives kisses and hugs without asking for them.
• counts everything - all the way to 10.
• spells his name, C-O-H-E-N!
• loves "holding" his brother.
• has a blast at school, and says "Sanders and fwiends!" (Mrs. Sanders is his teacher).
• can jump so high - he jumps all around the house.
• says his prayers every night with the greatest enthusiasm.
• likes helping me cook.
• loves his mama.
• loves his dada.
• loves "Enwy."

Cohen, we LOVE YOU! I am seriously obsessed with hanging out with you. You (and Henry...and dada) are my favorite things in this world!

- Side note, Cohen got his stitches out yesterday. He's a tough and strong little guy. It took two nurses and David to hold him down. Fingers crossed that the scar goes away fast!

Our Week

This week has been trying to say the least. I came down with a bad cold last Friday afternoon, and it turned into bronchitis early Monday morning. That is when the winter storm came through Charlotte, and we became snowed/iced-in to our house. Thankfully, David was able to stay home to take care of Cohen and Henry while I rested in bed.

Wednesday came around, and Hannah, our new babysitter, helped me while David went back to work. Cohen and Henry had a wonderful time playing with Hannah. Then around 5:15, I was upstairs feeding Henry and I heard a huge bang. I knew it wasn't good. Thirty seconds later, I saw Cohen standing in the doorway crying, and his face dripping in blood. Poor Hannah looked terrified. They were playing hide-and-seek on the couch, behind the cushions and blankets. Cohen jumped on Hannah then flew off the couch onto the coffee table. Thankfully, David was on his way home and immediately took Cohen to the ER for stitches.

Cohen was such a brave boy! To him, the trip to the ER was just another fun adventure. The nurses and doctor loved him and swore he was the cutest kid they have ever had in the room. Cohen did cry while the doctor stitched him up, though. He first screamed, "MAMA!!" Then it was, "DADA!!" And finally, Cohen screamed, "ENWY!!" Poor buddy...Four stitches, 2 Cars stickers and a trip to McDonalds for a Happy Meal later, Cohen was finally back home around 9:30. He is fine and even went to school yesterday! Here he is this morning, showing off his shiner.

I am still battling this bronchitis, and I am praying my boys don't get sick! I want this week to go away and for tomorrow to be a good day. Here is Henry snuggling with sweet Liz this morning.

Last year, I wrote the quote below on a canvas and hung it in our bedroom. I read it every day as another reminder of how blessed I am to live each day. On days when I feel like I can't possibly change one more blow-out diaper, stop the whining of a testy two-year-old, soothe the cries of my young baby, pick up toys, clean spilled stains off the couch or scrub dried-up food off the floor or watch Cars for the 352nd time, I think of this quote, and remind myself that even if I am having just a "normal" day, I am blessed and I should be thankful that my day was normal. This week, I have been praying for my normal day to return.

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want more than all the world, your return."

Normal Day, oh how I miss you. Hopefully you will return tomorrow.

Here are some pictures I snapped when David got home. God I love these boys!

Henry all bundled up, ready to play outside

Cohen reached for the scissors in the kitchen drawer and asked me to cut off his band-aid. I explained that it had to be taken off by hand. He didn't like it one bit (notice the runny nose from crying).

My tough little man!

One Little Monkey...

jumpin' on the bed! Cohen has way too much fun post bath time.

Our Afternoon

After an awesome day yesterday when both boys took three hour naps, Cohen and Henry decided to boycott naps this afternoon. So, we've been playing cars and choo-choos listening to music as I chug an extra cup of coffee. The boys are ready for dada to get home and start the weekend. Henry was up from a very short nap first...here he is snuggling with "Ellie" in his sleep sack.

Our little monkey, Cohen, who insists on wearing his Monkey Joe's t-shirt every day. I do a lot of laundry. And the not so little, little brother, Henry. They look about the same size in these shots.

Cohen telling me where Henry's head is.

Photo shoot is over.

Happy Friday, y'all!