Life Update

It’s been way to long since I’ve written an actual post vs. just sending pictures from my phone. So much has happened in the last month and I need to write this out before I forget it all!

Hudson’s 2^nd Birthday!

It’s hard to believe he’s two years old. Not because he’s small, or not talking, or running, or doing everything in his power to be independent… It’s because these last two years have gone WAY too fast. Like scary fast.

Anyways – here’s some updates on Huddy:

·        36” tall and 34 lbs.

·        Head size is 99%

·        Size 6 diapers

·        Running, jumping, climbing, spinning, somersaulting – overall a VERY active guy

·        Loves fruit – I think his new favorites are blackberries and cuties

·        Sings ABCs on repeat in the mornings

·        Goes to bed at 7:30 and sleeps until a little before 7:00 most mornings

·        Still doing a 1-2 hour nap after lunch

·        Mimics everything you say… especially his daddy and Cole

·        LOVES his brother but they are for sure starting to act like brothers – bickering over toys, wrestling, stealing food… ok, maybe that’s just Huddy!

·        Still in his crib but that will have to change soon

·        Is obsessed with Jason – I don’t matter if he’s anywhere in the house

·        Is a motor head – loves cars, trucks, motorcycles. Anything with an engine

·        Is very smart and funny – and he knows it!

·        Still sleeps with his monkey every night but throws him on the floor every morning (not sure why I think that’s so funny)

·        Is still charming all the ladies at school… and everyone else in his life!

House:

About a month ago we found a house on Weaver Lake that both J and I loved. We hadn’t really been looking to move, but kept our eye on the market for anything that might force our hand. This one did! It’s a little bigger than our current house but it’s on the lake with a sandy beach and a big yard. After going back and forth with the owners we realized we needed to get our house on the market in order to get our lake house. We started cleaning, decluttering, fixing up small things… and then put it on the market last Thursday night. On Friday we had an offer (after 13 showings) and Saturday we accepted it! Inspections are tomorrow (4/21) and if all goes well we will be closing a moving on May 25h! We are now accepting applications for friends who want to help us move. Payment will be a one year reserved beach chair anywhere on our property!

Cole:

It’s crazy how much someone can change in 6 months. Around Cole’s 5^th birthday we were struggling with attention and behavior issues at home and at school. He was still a great kid but he was not the agreeable, fun loving, enjoyable boy he had been for the last 4 years. Besides getting him to bed earlier, I can honestly say that we haven’t changed our routine with him too much – I truly think it’s him just maturing – because in the past 6 months he is a totally awesome kid! He listens perfectly at school, and almost perfectly at home. He’s kind and one of the funniest people I know. His teachers comment on it almost weekly and it’s made everyone a lot happier! He’s really into drawing and writing. Kindergarten is going to be a piece of cake for this kid! His mini-mite hockey season ended about a month ago so now he’s playing spring league hockey, taking taekwondo and will start soccer in July. He’s riding his two-wheel bike so fast now that we can’t keep up on foot and is excited to be able to fish every day at our new house. Cole shocks Jason and I every day with how smart and articulate he is. He also has a bursting out laughing with his comedic timing and wit. I’m not biased, this kid is seriously funny [he takes after me]. Cole will start school at Rush Creek in the Fall – fulltime kindergarten and before and after school at Primrose.

That’s all I have time for now – but add in some major work changes for me, Jason being a one-man moving machine, summer plans and a million other things… we’re not short on chaos at the Rogowski house.

‘Til next time!
Brit 

Last weekend

Cole passed his 3rd Snow Plow Sam class - onto Hockey development 

Cole and Ronan at Grandma's house

Mini-college reunion at Betty Dangers

Huddy Buddy at Nana & Pappa's

Cole's April Fools joke

From Jason:
Grandma taught him about April fools day. He came home and said "daddy - you've got a spider on your head". I said "where?" He said "April franks"

Sent from my iPhone

A Letter to Cole

Cole,

Three and a half already. Where did the time go? No seriously, where did it go because it seems like only yesterday you were just barely walking around this place, giving me and your dad mini-heart attacks as you fell down the stairs. Now you're still giving us mini-heart attacks as your bambi legs carry you to pre-school! Yes! Pre-school (summer session).

You are so silly these days and the teachers at school tell us your the class clown. Can't say I'm surprised because you make your dad and me laugh all day and night long. You even mumble in your sleep - talking about Paw Patrol and castles. You have the best timing with jokes, and even your facial expressions have us rolling.

You are also scary smart. You have your dad's memory already and I can't believe everything that you know. We've been practicing rhyming words, counting, letters... I swear there's nothing you can't learn or memorize instantly... well, except pooping on the potty, but you're trying.

You're so sweet and compassionate. You are always worrying about others and have the sweetest hugs. You're not shy about making friends or telling people you love them. You're so great with Hudson, and I can't wait to watch you teach him everything that you know.

You have me wrapped around your little finger. You've figured out how to give me these little looks, and a "I love you mama" and I'm done. My favorite is when you bring over two fruit snack bags, one for you and one for me. Don't think I don't know what you're up to, but I take it every time!

You are going to do such amazing things. Some days I think you'll be a pilot, others a engineer... but I know you'll be happy no matter what. Because you're a happy kid. Always.

You're getting so big but you still like to crawl in my lap for cuddles... though you're not fitting like you used to since you're already almost four feet tall!

You're all boy with scrapped knees, bruises and a love for all things with a motor. Superman and spiderman dominate your wardrobe, and I think you would wear a cape and mask everyday if we let you. Ok, most days we let you!



You are perfect and your dad and I love you more than you can ever know. I'm scared for the day that I don't get your sweet hugs and cuddles in public because you'll be "too cool"/ surrounded by all your friends... I know you'll have thousands. And no more hitting on the ladies at the park. You're already a smooth talker with your promise of ice cream and iPad games. Plenty of time for that when you're 30! For now, just stay my baby and run to me for kisses when you fall down!

Love you lots and lots,
Your mama

Swim lessons

We started another round of swim lessons today- switched to Foss- and it's going great! It's just Cole and one other girl with the teacher. Apparently he was quite the show off.

Potty Training Update

It's been a few weeks since I over-shared the details of Cole's bowel movements... so I thought it was time for an update!

For the past two weeks (maybe three), Cole has been a rockstar when it comes to peeing in the potty. We stopped doing nighttime diapers about three days in when every morning he woke up with dry pants. We have yet, knock on wood, to have any accidents! Same with days. Dry underwear everyday! He also goes when he needs to. Sometimes I still remind him, but I probably don't need to (I guess I'm a micro-manager at home). 

Now as for pooping... well, that's another story. Unfortunately we haven't had as much success. Lots of days of "holding it in" and then accidents. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears. 

Poor kid hasn't had his nerf gun (his reward for when we thought he nailed all aspects of potty training) all week... 

[When he doesn't poop in the potty the nerf gun get's put away until he does use the potty]

Painting "Baby Brothers" room

Finally starting to work on the nursery. Since I'm not supposed to paint (though it won't totally stop me), Cole stepped in to help.

Potty Training

I’ve debated writing this post for the past few days. I don’t want to jinx anything. BUT, I can’t help it.

Cole is well on his way to becoming a potty-trained member of society. No more relieving himself in diapers… it’s all toilets from here on out!

I feel like we’ve been in a constant state of “training” for like 3 months. No kidding. He’s been doing great at school. Rocking his pull-ups. Using the potty about 80% of the time. Not at home though. Seriously. It’s like there was something wrong with the THREE different potty options we had.

Then last week we realized he was batting near 1,000 at school. Add to that the fact that I had to change a poop-filled diaper at the hockey rink and the kid didn’t fit on the changing table, we knew it was time. Bring on the under-roos.

This week:

• Monday: Rocked pull-ups this day… not sure why.  
• Tuesday: One accident at around 4:30 when he was moving into a new classroom for the evening. One accident when we got home. Success before bed! We decided to rock nighttime diapers for the week…
• Wednesday: Dry diaper in the morning and a morning potty-pee! There may have been jelly-beans consumed before 8am! No accidents (anywhere). Evening was a huge success with 3x uses!  
• Thursday: Again, dry morning diaper and successful morning. NO accidents AND used the restroom at our fav Mexican restaurant.
• Friday: Dry again (think we might ditch the nighttime diaper after tomorrow morning) and fingers crossed for the day.
• As you’ll notice, that there hasn’t been any bowel movements outlined above. Yep, that’s a problem. Poor kid is holding it in. I’m hoping the prune juice I pumped him full last night (and the pound of refried beans he ate) will get that poop a flowing today!

Stay tuned for more updates. I know how you all LOVE getting a detailed outline of Cole’s bathroom antics.

And yes, I will print and hand this blog post out at his High School grad party. J

A Year of Cole: 2013

Cole's 3rd Birthday

Friday was Cole's 3rd birthday! Although I wasn't there for the morning, Jason woke Cole up with an ice cream sandwich with a candle!

Sunday, we celebrated with a couple of friends in a VERY super way. Below are some pictures from Cole's Superhero Birthday... no cape. no cake.

Super Rogos!  

Super Nana and Super Papa  

Making masks  

Uncle Ross (aka Batman)  

Destroying the city  

Lining up the cars to race 

 pretty cute superheroes

silly boys  

Miss Nora 

Pinterest would be proud of me!  

Super Sam 

Random Photos

Here are some photos that I forgot to post...

 Pizza making with Nora and Leighton

 The boys

Before our first swim lesson

This face is priceless

Decorating the tree

It’s been so long since I’ve actually written anything on here… and since I’m sure you’re all dying to hear about life…

First: Cole

Whoever coined the term “terrible twos” is a liar. There was nothing terrible about Cole at two. Sure, we had a few moments, but it really was not bad.

Now the three’s… we technically haven’t even hit them yet but YIKES! Talk about testing boundaries and throwing shit-fits. I love that kid to death, but when Jason was gone hunting last weekend… I swear I almost sold him on Craig’s List.

Other stuff about Cole. He’s doing really well at his new school. He LOVES to sing and has a really good ear for beats/rhythm. I think we might have a musician on our hands. He still loves sports (hockey, golf, football and basketball – all in the house) and is very exciting to go skiing in Montana over Christmas. He’s also been talking about learning to skate so I think hockey will be happening next Winter. We just finished his first round of swim lessons… again, he loved it, so we’ll be investigating the next set of classes once the Holidays are over.

Cole’s vocabulary continues to amaze me as well as his ability to transfer concepts to like situations. He’s definitely a smart kid… well beyond where he should be… and I’m hoping that continues more than anything!

Last, he’s excited to have a baby brother and somewhat gets the concept. I think he’ll get it even more as my stomach gets bigger and as we get closer to d-day.

Next week will be Cole’s third birthday! I can’t believe he’s so old… but I more can’t get over how big he is. I’ll have to update this with actual stats once we get them, but our home estimates put him at 42” tall, 40 lbs, wearing size 5T clothes and size 10 shoes. My future front hallway will be filled with giant clown shoes…

Second: Baby Boy Rogowski #2

This pregnancy has been a lot like the first. No morning sickness, food aversions or cravings, no weird allergies or anything else to report. I was dreadfully tired, way more than with Cole, for the first 4 months or so… but luckily that’s ended.

I’m also gaining weight like I did with the first… so that’s not the greatest… but oh well! Things could be worse!

We just had my 20 week appointment and everything is looking good. The babe is measuring about a week bigger (Cole was the same) but everything they checked has been perfect.

My doctor continues to harp on me about gaining weight… and wearing heels. Note to self: Do not wear 6” heels to the next appointment unless you want to get yelled at about personal safety!

Nothing else much to report – this pregnancy is going by faster in some aspects but a little slower in others. I’ll be happy to have a new lil’ man around the house, but I’ve COMPLETELY blocked out what it’s like to have a newborn, so I think we’re in for a rude remembrance come mid-April.

Last: J and I

Work for both of us has been busy. Lots of travel so we’ve been VERY fortunate to have grandparents around to hang out with Cole. We’re getting excited to head out to Montana next week for Christmas with J’s family… But before that we’ll be celebrating sis-mas with my family, I’ll be heading to Vermont for work, then Cole’s superhero birthday party… so just a few things to get to before vacation! 

Once we get back, we'll be wishing Nana and Papa Pugh a farewell as they head to FL for three months! I have no comment as I gaze outside to the -7 degree weather.  

Before I end this lengthy update, have to say a huge congrats to all the expecting parents, new parents and newly engaged couples out there!!! The past few months have been filled with exciting life-updates and we’re hoping for a few more over the next couple of months…

Thanks for reading and hope you all are having/will have some very happy Holidays!

Brit 

Reasons My Son is Crying

I love to follow Reasons My Son is Crying on twitter and online (click here). Not sure why, but it makes Cole seem all the more "normal" when he has melt downs for NO APPARENT REASON!

So with that said, I had to share the pic / story below:



Reason Cole is crying: He was hitting me with a shoe when I told him he couldn't have candy. I told him only nice boys can have candy. This is him crying as he swears he's a good boy... while continuing to hit me with his shoe. 

Jumping in the Leaves

Instagram Videos

I've gotten a few very sweet videos on Cole recently - hopefully these links work to view them!







if this doesn't work - you can view all of them here: http://instagram.com/brityr

Slow Down....

So - this post is pretty heavy. Ok, not heavy but more serious than normal.

I found this article and I had to share it out. To be honest, I pretty much started crying reading it"

The overall theme - slow down and enjoy your kids.

After reading it I sat there thinking about all the times I've thrown on the TV or giving Cole my iPad so I can do 5 minutes of work... why? I'm not curing cancer or saving cute, small animals from a certain death... and I'm pretty sure Taylor Swift won't pull her album from Target if I don't forward the revised details of our social plan within the hour...

Take-away: It can wait. Go play with Cole.

Or after dinner last night... Cole wanted to sit in the parking lot and watch the ants. Sure, parking lots aren't the coolest places to hangout, but so what. Did we need to get home within the next 20 minutes or face a horrible fate!? Nope! But I didn't slow down my day enough to realize it... so I got a unhappy camper in the backseat all the way home... We had fun the rest of the night, but maybe those ants would have been the highlight of his night. Maybe he'd had gone to school the next day and told all his pals about watching the ants outside of Noodles & Co. MAYBE he would have someday cured cancer based on the migration patterns of ants that he learned that day...

Take-away: Sit your ass on the sidewalk and watch the ants.

Anyways - I guess I wanted to share the article and personal story in hope that whoever is reading this will stop... and slow down.

Brit

Fitting Better

This past weekend, Cole got to try on Brian's new pair of ski goggles. Looks like a better fit then the last time he tried them on.

December, 2010 vs. June, 2013

Cole, why are you so mad?!?!

Cole is back to throwing tantrums... it's lovely. Really.

To help me deal with living with a walking time-bomb, I've turned to humor.

Below is a post from Jason Good - It's so spot on that I couldn't help but share.

46 Reasons My Three Year Old Might be Freaking Out

• His sock is on wrong.
• His lip tastes salty.
• His shirt has a tag on it.
• The car seat is weird.
• He’s hungry, but can’t remember the word “hungry.”
• Someone touched his knee.
• He’s not allowed in the oven.
• I picked out the wrong pants.
• His brother looked at him.
• His brother didn’t look at him.
• His hair is heavy.
• We don’t understand what he said.
• He doesn’t want to get out of the car.
• He wants to get out of the car by himself.
• The iPad has a password.
• His sleeve is touching his thumb.
• He doesn’t understand how popsicles are made.
• The inside of his nose stinks.
• Chicken is gross.
• A balloon he got six months ago is missing.
• A puzzle piece won’t fit in upside down.
• I gave him the wrong blue crayon.
• The gummi vitamin is too firm.
• Netflix is slow.
• He jumped off the sofa and we weren’t watching.
• He’s not allowed to touch fire.
• Everything is wrong with his coat.
• There’s a dog within a 70 mile radius.
• A shoe should fit either foot.
• I asked him a question.
• His brother is talking.
• He can’t lift a pumpkin.
• He can’t have my keys.
• The cat is in his way.
• The cat won’t let him touch its eyeball.
• The inside of his cheek feels rough.
• Things take too long to cook.
• He has too much food in his mouth.
• He sneezed.
• He doesn’t know how to type.
• The DustBuster is going to eat him.
• His mom is taking a shower.
• Someone knocked over his tower.
• He got powdered sugar on his pants.
• The yogurt won’t stay on his spoon.
• EVERYTHING IS TOO HOT.

Superman Sunday

This kid is so much fun!

"I'm superman. I'm flying! Watch me fly mama, watch me!"