The Cowans' Calling: February 2013

This is my last monthly post before our baby turns one. Everyone always told me that time would fly once he arrived, but I never really understood how quickly. The first few newborn weeks stretched on forever (maybe it was the lack of sleep), but now it seems like someone has thrown us into hyperdrive, and it's all I can do to keep up. I find myself having to be purposeful about slowing down, savoring this time, and prioritizing my "want-to-do", "need-to-do" and "would like-to-do" lists. Psalm 90:12 has been playing on repeat in my brain over the last few days: "Teach us to number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom,". This has truly become my prayer--that I would learn to number my days. The fact is, we have so little time--our days are numbered. Collier will turn one in 23 more, in fact. I pray that I have wisdom in making the decisions about how I spend my days, and in turn, how I spend my life. I pray that I have the wisdom to turn off the demands of the world (I do NOT need to check facebook for the 4th time today...), and savor the moments that we have now. Because I'm not getting them back.

Alright, friends, sermon's over! :) Here's the lowdown on our boy's last month.

Dear Collier,

It's hard to believe that you're so close to your first birthday. But, still, Daddy and I find it hard to remember a time when you weren't here with us. You add so much to our little family! Even Avery loves having you around--you pat her very gently, and want to play tug with her. You bring her toys to play with, and she loves to sit under your high chair to help with clean up.

We've had a big month! Your first snow, first real haircut (you managed to pull the sucker part off of two sticks and almost choke), more teeth (we're up to 5 now), and road trips to see Papa and Gram were highlights. This month, you've been very busy practicing walking. You're getting very quick, as long as you have something (or someone) to hold onto. As soon we let go, you get nervous and sit down. Recently, you have also decided that you'll have nothing to do with being fed from a spoon. You're too big for that now, I guess. Luckily, you seem to be doing just great with table food only. Your favorite still seems to be sweet potatoes, but you also really like grapes, blueberries, and yogurt.

We had our first "snow" this month--only about 1/2 an inch.

Please excuse the too-big-hand-me-down snowsuit (thanks, Leauna! :).
We can do a re-enactment of "A Christmas Story" now!

You were interested in the snow. Until we put some in your hand. Not a fan.

Hanging up your first "school" artwork for Valentine's Day!

Where's Collier? is a favorite game of yours.
It's a close second to "Lets pull all the pots and pans and dish towels out of the cabinets".

You're also practicing talking all.the.time. You babble to your toys, to us, "read" books. My favorite is when I can tell that you're singing along with the radio or TV. You often sing yourself to sleep too, which is pretty adorable. You dance along to music, and laugh like crazy when we dance around. You try to mimic a lot of what we say...including "Boom" when we pound fists, and saying "Yesss" and scrunching up your face. Your favorite toys are anything that aren't really toys--pots and pans, dog food, the stairs, our filing cabinet, the list goes on... You really like bigger kids, love to swing, and being chased and tickled.

I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to be your parents...we love you so so much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

I dare you not to smile... :)

As always, life is crazy busy. And I'm trying to choose the best things with the limited time I have with my guys. Often that means chasing Coll around in the floor, and not blogging. I think that's ok. ;). So....here's what happened in Collier's 10th month!

At 10 months, Collier, you are just a bundle of energy!! You are crawling and cruising everywhere--and quickly! You still love to read books, and love toys that make music. You love to shake your bells or tambourine toys, or beat on a drum while we sing songs. You can wave and say "bye-bye", and occasionally will say other things that sound like words too. You're not consistent about these "words", so I'm not sure if we could them as words, or babbling. You're settling into your new babysitting situation, and take two 1.5-2 hour naps a day (provided you have your sound machine). You still love to eat, and are starting to have more table foods, too. Your new teeth help with this--you now have two on top and two on the bottom. Big boy!!