What a month it’s been! Cole is a precious, and precocious, 2 year old. Alex is a sociable, lovable 4 months now.

Highlights of the summer have included:

– trip to Oregon coast with Roger and Millie: Cole LOVED the water and surf, even though it was freezing cold!

– Daddy took his 1-month paternity leave so spent tons of time with the family

– trip to Victoria BC with Allan and Di

As for the kids:

– Cole is obsessed with puzzles. He does them all on his own and is now putting together puzzles of the US states, and world map puzzles (50+ pieces). He even knows many states and continents!

– Cole’s favorite word = NO! We knew this day would come, but sheesh- it gets really old. He is snuggly and lovey most of the time though.

– Cole loves looking at pictures and videos on the camera or phone. He watches his favorite ones repeatedly – repeating (mimicry) the people in them until he has them memorized

– Cole’s favorite foods at the moment: applesauce, greek yogurt, peanut butter, pears, macaroni and cheese.

– Cole’s favorite activities = watching VeggieTales (only on long car trips), puzzles, making cookies, climbing up (anything), jumping off (anything), bouncing on Trampoline (at GreatPlay), reading anything with The Cat in the Hat, STARBUCKS (which he yells at the top of his lungs whenever he sees a store), kicking the soccer ball.

– Cole LOVES his brother Alex. He hugs and kisses him all day long. As soon as they are in their car seats, Cole reaches over to hold Alex’s hand. When Alex cries, Cole calls “Mamma – Alex Milk!”

ALEX

– just found his toes!

– doesn’t sleep well at night: 2 hours max

– talks and talks and talks and talks!

– at 4 months old is wearing 9 month clothes

– LOVES his big brother Cole. Alex watches Cole, laughs at him, smiles and talks to him. When Cole is somewhere else in the house and Alex gets fussy – the cure is to bring him right up by Cole. Then he’s happy!