J-Ville

After Cohen's doctor's appointment last Tuesday, we packed-up the car and braved the long drive home to Jacksonville. Cohen did such a great job considering his longest stint in the car seat has been for 20 minute car rides around Charlotte. We arrived at GG and Papa's around 10 p.m. that night, and Cohen settled right into the laid-back beach attitude.

We went to dinner at Mojo's Wednesday night with GG, Papa, Nana and Pop.

Cohen, Papa & GG

Cohen, Nana & Pop

Mom, Cohen & Dad

Cohen had so much fun walking around Atlantic Beach! He experienced his first of many trips to Al's and the beach. It was great to hang out with Jessica, Eric and little Ace!

Future Best Buddies, Ace & Cohen

Cohen at Al's

The party at GG and Papa's was a blast. We are happy our family and friends got to meet Cohen!

Cohen & Aunt Margaret

Cohen & Cousin Hayley

Cohen & Mom

We celebrated Jessica's Quarter of a Century Saturay night! We of course went to Sliders and Ragtime.

Katie & Jess at Sliders

Cohen with the boys after beach bocce

The Cousins - Laura, Meg, Hayley, Katie

Cohen was such a good boy on the ride home. Easter traffic was bad, and we sat on I-95 for about 30 minutes because of a wreck. We had a wonderful week at home, but we were glad to finally get back to Charlotte.

Four Months Old

Cohen turned four months on April 6th! We can't believe how quickly he is growing up. He had a great check-up with Doctor Ball. She couldn't believe how strong our little guy is! Cohen weighed-in at 14 lbs 9 oz and is now 24 1/2 in long. He was having a wonderful time flirting with Doctor Ball and the nurses...that is until the two shots. Cohen recovered quickly, though! We're so lucky to have a happy and healthy boy, and we are excited to try out rice cereal this week!

A Beautiful Weekend

We had a gorgeous weekend in Charlotte! The weather was in the mid-seventies and abundant sunshine. Katie and David enjoyed a couple of outdoor runs with Cohen and Grady, and Cohen went to his first cookout (we actually went to two cookouts Saturday!). We were also excited to finally join Kilgo United Methodist Church this morning! Pastor Mike and the congregation welcomed us with open arms, and we are very happy to have a church home. David drove to Augusta this afternoon for The Masters, and Aunt Laura is spending the night with Cohen and Katie. We can't wait to leave for Jacksonville on Tuesday!

Dad and Cohen ready for the cookout

Cohen chillin' in the hammock

Our new church home

Meg Madness

We had a blast with Cousin Meg this week! Cohen absolutely loves her. We've gone on walks, had dinner at Thomas Street, shopped, visited with Laura, Claire and Elisa, grilled out and had many laughs. We will miss Meg when she leaves tomorrow! Cohen can't wait to meet Hayley, Aunt Lu and Uncle Hank next week!
Here's a video of Meg giving Cohen the Tickle Monsters and having dance time.

Mom and Cohen ready for a walk

Cohen and Meg

Little Wahoo - Dad loved seeing Cohen in this when he got home from work. Don't worry, we'll have a FSU picture coming soon. Poor little buddy scratched his nose during a nap.

The Cousins (Katie, Claire, Elisa, Laura, Meg)

What Up G-Money

While Dad was away on a golf trip this past weekend, Cohen enjoyed some quality time with his ladies (Mom and GG). We did so much playing that we forgot to take pictures! Flat Stanley (not to be confused with "Stanley the Monkey") made his annual appearance at our house, and Cohen almost ate him! Also, Cohen discovered his feet yesterday, and they immediately went up into his mouth. Our little man is growing up before our eyes, and we need to remember to enjoy every second of every day and cherish all of these wonderful memories. GG bought Mom and Dad the book, Let Me Hold You Longer, and Mom immediately cried her eyes out after reading it. Thanks GG for visiting!

I'll leave you with a couple pictures of the little man...

He's Baa-ack!

Cohen is the smartest baby we know. He has totally figured things out, and now he owns us. Cohen knows that the end of bath time equals bed time, so he cries. He has figured out that the bottle is not mom, so he started refusing to take one. He realized his crib is not his favorite chair, so he refused to nap in it. BUT...the past two days have been great! With a little persistence from Mom, Awesome Cohen is BACK! He has taken long naps in his crib and he is taking a bottle again. Cohen is still crying at the end of bath time, but things could be a lot worse. I figure he's sad that the day is over and he has to be away from Mom and Dad for a little while. Now we just need to get him sleeping through the night again...Oh the adventures of parenthood. Alright. Enough bragging about Awesome Cohen. Dad and I both know that "The Mush is REAL."

Grandparents, a Jumperoo and an Ear Infection

We had a great time with Nana and Pop this past weekend! The weather was beautiful and Hank and Grady really enjoyed having Bill around! We are looking forward to seeing GG this weekend. Today is GG's birthday...happy birthday! And happy late birthday to Nana.

Cohen with Nana (Debbie) and Pop (Bill)

Cohen is getting bigger and smarter by the day, so we bought him this fun Laugh & Learn Jumperoo. He loves it! He is a little short in it, but we solved that problem by stacking some books underneath his feet.


Cohen and the Three Little Pigs

Mom took Cohen to the doctor yesterday because he was kind of fussy, and she knew something had to be wrong with her sweet boy. Sure enough, Cohen has a little ear infection. He started antibiotics and seems to be his happy old self again! The doctor weighed him, and he's now 14 pounds 7 ounces. Our little man is getting so big!

Spring Baby

Courtney is at it again!  We celebrated Cohen's three month birthday in the warm weather as sweet Courtney snapped pictures to capture the special day.  She did an amazing job because Cohen is a total wiggle worm these days, and he was not all about posing like the last time she took pictures.  Thank you Courtney!  You really are the best.

Night Out

We had our first night out away from Cohen, and it went great! We celebrated Laura's birthday at Strike City last night. Katie had a hard time leaving Cohen behind, but he was happy and sound asleep at home with Nana and Pop. Unfortunately, FSU lost to Wisconsin, but at least Katie dominated David on the lanes!

"I'm not so sure about this guys..." - Thanks Nana and Pop for watching me!

The girls at Strike City

Shorty Got Low

Hey ladies, check out my moves.

Happy Birthday Auntie Laura

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone...and happy birthday LL! We can't wait to celebrate on Friday!

Been sippin' on grandpa's cough medicine? You'd shut your mouth if you knew what was good for ya.

Three Months Old

Our little three month old is all grown up! He has the sweetest personality and a smile that melts our hearts. We are reaching many milestones with Cohen! He talks up a storm, laughs all the time, takes a bottle, holds his head up on his own, rolls over during tummy time, loves walks in his stroller, has a pretty set daily routine, etc. We have fun during music time every day, and his favorite show is Word World. Mommy is so thankful that she gets to spend every day at home with Cohen. He lights up as soon as Daddy walks in the door every evening.

We are trying to transition Cohen to the crib in his room. He is not loving it, and he usually ends up passing out in his chair for naps during the day. We bought a mobile for his crib, and he fell asleep on his own twice yesterday! Hopefully he'll learn to love his crib soon. Also, Cohen has really taken to his two blankies - Chuck the Giraffe (see above) and Stanley the Monkey (not pictured).


We have a thumb sucker! Cohen's hands are constantly in his mouth. He isn't partial to just his fingers...he loves to grab our hands and put them in his mouth too.

You don't say!

Cohen went bananas when the weather warmed up this week!

Cohen watching basketball with Daddy

Cohen sitting in his Bumbo

Cohen pulling the monkey into his mouth

Happy Birthday Grady

It was seven years ago today that the most beautiful dog was born. On March 10, 2002, Grady Gainer came into this world. Thank you Grady for making the past seven years so much fun. You are definitely one of a kind. Happy birthday Biggie! We love you so much.

Biggie and his Mom on July 4, 2007

Grady in Nags Head Summer 2002

Grady in his FAVORITE place in the world...Pawleys Island, SC

Grady's 5th birthday party...what a party it was!

Snow Day!

We had our annual March snow last night! The dogs are loving it - Grady is eating as much snow as possible. It's beautiful outside, but the snow is melting quickly, and we will soon be living in slush for a few days. Oh well! Spring will be here before we know it.


Mom and Cohen on the front porch



Staying warm inside with Mom

Sir Talks-a-Lot

Cohen is talking up a storm these days. Here's a conversation he had with Dad this morning.