1st Birthday Party

Thank you so much to all of our family and friends who helped celebrate Cole's first birthday! Cole is so blessed to be surrounded by such loving, generous and FUN people! Cole's Cardinals/baseball birthday party was a success. Our house was full of about 70 family and friends throughout the afternoon and evening. Wish we could have added one more person to the list of attendees...Drew! Tough not having him there but we sent plenty of pictures and videos so he could enjoy the day too. Sarah made it in on Thursday and enjoyed spending a couple of days with Cole before the busy weekend. Cole is so lucky to have so many new toys and outfits! He loves all of them.

 New game from Aunt Sarah.

 New outfit from Gigi and Pop.

Reading a birthday card from my parents the morning of his party.

 Party time!

 Still loving hats! Playing with his Great Gram.

 Checking out his toys the next morning.

 Telling Dad about the party the next morning. He was listening so intently to Drew talk. Really cute.

'Wallowing' around Sunday night watching the Olympics after a fun-filled weekend.

 Thanks again to everyone for making his birthday so special!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Today was such a happy first birthday for Cole! Only thing missing was Drew. Next year though! When Drew and I were discussing when to have kids, this was the real kicker...he would miss his first birthday. We knew we were ready though and knew we could do it, and do it we did! We had our healthy baby boy and enjoyed his first birthday apart. However, I hate the word apart because Drew is so actively involved in everything we do. From birthday planning to parenting in general, Drew takes part wholeheartedly which makes us feel so much closer. He was also able to Skype with Cole this morning while he was still in his jammies and even from the zoo. Thank God for technology. We started to say that wow, Cole is now 12 months old and Drew hasn't seen him since he was 6 months old. We don't feel that way at all because Drew has been right there with him watching Cole grow up. Still totally ready for Drew to be here physically instead of virtually!!

The day started out great with a quick breakfast before his first official hair cut at Jacque's.

Jacque was so touched that Cole made this the fourth generation of Brophy haircuts for her. Love that woman. I have buzzed his hair at home before but with the new environment and first official haircut, he cried the whole time. Needs practice. :) Jacque was great with him but she had me hold him so we both wore capes.

He was much happier when we were finished.

Then we were off to the zoo where we met Grannie Annie, Grandpa Bruce and Gigi. Grannie Annie and Grandpa Bruce decorated Cole's wagon with balloons and stars for the birthday boy.

To the zoo he points!

 We tried the traditional pic on top of the gorilla but he wasn't too sure.

 Tickled watching the wild asses. No really, the name on the sign was wild asses. ;)

 Monkey house!

Checking out Mr. Snake.

Mr. Hippo was in the corner but the fish were just as cool.

Sitting on the same staircase where we took wedding pictures five years ago. Life is good.

 Just need Drew home.:)

 Then we made a pit stop to open presents at Harris'. Cole got to see Pop too. LOVES his car and cute outfits! Thank you so much Gigi and Pop!! He'll have this thing forever!

After a quick nap at home we headed to get his one year pics taken. They turned out so well. I pick them up next Friday so more on that later. Then we were off to his one year well baby appointment. He is 24lbs 14oz and 30 inches long which puts him around the 75th percentile for both.  I guess I stop saying healthy "baby" boy now? Healthy boy!

Then boogie was done! We headed home for a quick dinner and bed. Cole has added so much joy and meaning to our lives which makes us excited for all the fun years and memories to come. Love our little man. Thanks to all for making his first year a special one. Looking forward to his party on Saturday!

Wedding Bells and Baby Announcements

Another weekend equals another opportunity for fun with family. This weekend Cole enjoyed time at the Brophy Ranch while I headed to Kansas City for a wedding celebration. We were not only celebrating Anne and Andrew's recent wedding vows but also the announcement that Baby Hicklin is a girl!! So exciting!! I was also able to sneak in time with Sar and Wade. Friday night we enjoyed sushi, lots of laughs and of course toasted to Drew.

Pete and Ashley joined us Saturday afternoon at Sar and Wade's before heading to the party. After a really nice dinner and great BBQ, we headed out for more drinks, dancing and laughs. Fun!

 Such a pretty bride!

 Have to sneak this one in here too. Love his little dimple.

Big week this week for the birthday boy!! And he met his goal (my goal really) of walking before his first birthday! He still has wobbly legs but walks all over the place now. So cute.

Fun with Hats

Cole is quite tickled these days when you give him a hat. Forwards, backwards, on your head, on his head...loves them.

 He was having so much fun putting his hat on his head that he fell asleep.

He took six steps today before sitting down. Getting closer to walking. Only one more week 'til the big ONE!

Happy 4th of July

We celebrated this holiday well beyond the day of the 4th. Cole and I went non-stop Monday through Sunday. Monday Sarah came in town, Tuesday we had all of my Dad's family at the Brophy Ranch, Wednesday we headed to Gram's for a day on the lake, Thursday I went to the Cardinal's game with friends while Cole stayed with my parents, Friday through Sunday we were at the farm, then Sunday night I had an open house for more friends. Crazy schedule but really fun! Drew also enjoyed a nice 4th by spending time at the main post instead of his remote site. The food and gym are much better so he took full advantage of it. It was a nice break but he was also happy to head back and get to work. I am waiting to get the really good pics from a few of the cousins but here are plenty.

Matthew and Cole engaged in conversation.

As Matt and Nick said, Cole is such a dude.

Brophy girls, Cole and a brewing baby. Maggie is 20 weeks! :)

 It was so fun to meet Alex who is only a few weeks younger than Cole. So stinking cute!

Merello girls, Barb and Nancy at the creek.

 Cole loving his wagon.

 Gigi and Cole playing at Gram's. We  had plenty of lake time but Cole loves his pool.

Happy Birthday to me!

 It was hot as hell but really fun! And the Cards won.

 First fish on my new fly rod! Drew sent me a present which arrived a couple of weeks early but he made me wait until my birthday. I opened it on Skype with him when I woke up. Really cute!

 Uncle Petey and Cole relaxing at the farm.

 This has been and continues to be the summer of the inflatable pool. He can't get enough!

Wagon ride in his new shirt (it has a high chair which says training for a tree stand) while I was at the open house.

 Getting better at keeping his hat on too.

Love being so close to family and friends but you know what I have to say...can't wait until Drew is home and our little family is complete!!