A Sunday Share

I've been following a blog (New Mom...New Cancer) for a couple of weeks now, ever since I heard about the story of this incredible family on CNN.  The mother was diagnosed with cancer in January.  And then their sweet baby daughter, named Saoirse, was diagnosed with cancer as well in April.  Last night I was shocked to learn that after a brave and heartbreaking struggle, Saoirse died last week.

She was born on June 1, 2010, the day before Cole was born.  She was only 18 months old.

I feel so many emotions.  I am so overwhelmed with thankfulness that my own sweet baby is so healthy and strong.  But I am so, so heartbroken at this family's unimaginable loss.  I am so angry that such a beautiful and promising life was cut short.  I am furious that this child ever had to know pain and hopelessness.  I am livid that this little girl's parents are left behind to pick up the broken pieces of their lives and try to make sense of a senseless tragedy.

I cannot, cannot imagine what these parents are feeling, nor can I imagine how I, a complete stranger, could in any way help ease their pain.  But I feel an overwhelming desire to do SOMETHING, to help, to show my thankfulness at my child's health and my sadness that not everyone is so healthy.

We could make the choice to give a child some toys, or clothes, or books for Christmas.  Instead, I think I want to donate to a foundation that raises money with a single purpose: build research that will eventually eradicate childhood cancer. 

So would you join me?  Would you make a donation this year to help? Go here to make a donation online or by mail.  I simply cannot sit by and do nothing while these parents are mourning.

Mamas, hug your babies a little tighter this morning.  I know I will.

My little old man

Sometimes Cole has these adorable mannerisms that are just like an old man!  Like lately, he's been standing and walking around with his hands clasped behind his back:

And of course, his buddy Chloe is by his side!

Genius proof

Further proof, in case you needed it, that my child is indeed, a genius:

PS. He may or may not have been able to resist the new presents that are under the tree...

The meanest parents, part two

So, do you guys remember how we deserved the meanest parents ever award for Cole's first birthday party?


Yup, we're doing it again. No presents for Christmas.


Ok, we're not that bad.  Cole's getting a few presents for Christmas (mostly books).  But truly?  This kid seriously plays with candles and potatoes most of the day - and I love it that way. 

So instead of a lot of little presents that Cole doesn't play with and usually just turn to clutter, we're taking a different route.

1. We're saving up for something big.  Like REALLY big:

   I know he's way too small for this right now, plus we are living in a rental at the moment, but in a couple years a play set like this is going to be AWESOME.  Like so awesome I'm not sure who's going to play on it more, Cole or Chris.  Instead of spending a lot of little money on small toys that don't last long, we think it's a better investment to purchase something like this that Cole (and future kids) will get to play with for years.

2. We're going for experiences, not STUFF.

   The first year Chris and I were married, our parents each ended up giving us plane tickets for a family vacation with each side for Christmas - to Disney World with Chris' parents and to North Carolina for a family reunion with my parents.  Truly, it was the best gift ever - fun, quality time with our families.  Why not pass that tradition along to Cole?  Instead of more possessions, let's work on focusing on family time - a trip to the zoo with grandparents, or a membership to a children's museum.  Experiences are far more meaningful and special than toys that aren't needed, plus have an added bonus of curbing those greedy gimmie habits that can creep up on kids during the holiday season.

What do you think?  How do you choose your child's gifts for Christmas?

Victorian Christmas

Today we joined our friends Kadance, Sean, and Declan (who is Cole's BFF) in Jacksonville for their Victorian Christmas celebration.  Jacksonville is an awesome historic little town (fun to visit even when they aren't having their famous city-wide yard sale!). The whole downtown is decorated to the nines with festiveness:

 Christmas carolers!

 A giant Christmas tree and a horse-drawn carriage ride - Cole really liked the carriage ride!

 Although, he wasn't too sure about the horses...they were pretty big:

 He also wasn't too sure about Santa - this is the second Santa we've visited, and while Cole loves Santa in books, he DOES NOT want to sit on Santa's lap in real life.  But sweet baby Declan was just fine with it:

 Taking a coffee shop break:

It's so much fun getting out and doing new traditions!

Wine glass talent

So you know the part in "Miss Congeniality" where Sandra Bullock plays wine glasses for her talent?

Apparently there are people (or at least one person) out there who seriously do that.  I am dying to know how long it took for this guy to learn how to play wine glasses. 

Here's a little Christmas wine glass music to get you in the holiday spirit!

Cole + Candles

You know, most kids have some sort of "security" blanket.  It might be a lovey, a blanky, a special toy...

my son has candles.

No, not lit candles, what kind of a mother do you think I am?

For some crazy reason, Cole has an extreme love affair with candles.  Big ones, small ones, unscented ones, colored ones, white ones, candles in a jar, floating candles... you get the picture.

The other day I could not get him to nap until I let him fall asleep with a candle nestled in his crib next to him. (What? You don't fall asleep with your head on a hard, cold, glass candle? Maybe YOU'RE the strange one...)

Most days he refuses to leave the house without holding onto a candle, in his stroller or carseat.  Cole will grab a candle to hold while I'm reading him a story or changing his diaper. If we are in a store and he spies a candle, he'll sniff loudly and enthusiastically until I wheel the cart over to let him smell it...or a whole aisle full.  He spends at least an hour a day smelling his collection of candles, or stacking and moving them around.

I know.  My child is so strange.  But he loves candles and they make him happy...and that makes me happy!