Big Boy!

I had to take Colton to the doctor this morning because he has been coughing alot during the past weekend. Dr. Buenter said that he looked okay but gave us some medicine to take to help with the coughing. Colton feels fine and he hasn't had a temperature but I just wanted to make sure that he was okay. While we were there they weighed him again and he is 19.2 lbs!!! Only a few weeks ago he weighed 17.3 lbs. I'm anxious to see what he will weigh next time that we go. He sure is getting to be such a big boy!

5 Months Old

Colton at 5 months

Nicknames: Coal Train, Bugger, Brother

Here are some highlights from the past month:

• He is now rolling over all the time. Whenever he is laid on his back he rolls over immediately to his stomach.
• Loves bright colors and musical toys.
• Loves to play in his Baby Einstein Jumper.
• Still loves his paci!!
• He is now eating cereal with fruit for breakfast and at night before bedtime.
• He is eating bananas, applesauce, pears and peaches.
• The last month he has started rubbing his eyes when he gets sleepy. It’s precious!
• He likes to suck his thumb sometimes, but we try to give him his paci most of the time.
• Screams and loves to talk to the TV.
• Still loves cartoons in the morning time.
• Loves his bottle!!! And is very demanding when it comes to feeding time.
• Loves to play on his tummy!
• Colton has recently started wanting to be rocked during the day. I guess grandma is spoiling him a little bit, but that’s okay!
• Smiles and Laughs all the time!!!
• Loves grabbing toys and chewing on them.
• Colton is so cheerful in the morning time. It is definitely my favorite time of the day!
• Loves the water and bath time!!
• Can sit up a little bit. Still wobbles but is doing better each and every day.
• He has found his feet and is simply amazed by them!! He finally put them in his mouth last night.
• Can hold his bottle by himself. He is very independent.
• Sleeps with his arms straight above his head or straight out.
• Definitely knows hot to throw a fit when he wants to get his way!!!
• Starting to drool all the time!!
• Can pout like you wouldn’t believe!
• Loves riding in the car.
• He wears size 3 diapers and is in 3-6 month clothing.
• Takes 38 ounces of formula a day.
• Loves apple juice!
• Will not be still when I am changing his diapers and his clothes.
• He has started singing and humming himself to sleep for his naps during the day.
• Has started teething, but has no teeth as of now.
• Knows his name.

Alabama Boy!

One Cool Dude!!

Colton is finally getting some hair and mommy decided to spike it up in the middle. You can't see it that well, but it sure was cute!!

There's that pout!!

Colton was watching TV with Heath and he didn't like what was going on.

Millie and Colton -- Best Buddies

This has to be one of my favorite pictures of Colton and Millie.

Pictures from September (4 months old)

He still loves his fingers!

Laying down after playing with some toys!

His feet fascinate him so much!

Oh no! Diaper is hanging out from all of his tugging at his feet.

Yum Yum!! Fingers are so good! He is definitely teething!

Look at how big he has gotten!

Playing with his toys!

Sweet Baby Boy!

Nap Time is his crib!

Sitting Up!

Over the past few days Colton is sitting up better and better each day. He still wobbles a little bit but that's expected. For a while he was doing the tripod sit (arms holding him up in front) but here within the past day or so he has been sitting up like a big boy. I can't believe it! I already miss those newborn stages.

His favorite toy!!

Colton loves his Baby Einstein Jumper that Aunt Janice and Aunt Melinda bought for him. Here are a few pictures of him playing in it.

Sleepy Bama Baby!

Here are a few pictures from a few weeks ago. Colton fell sound asleep on the way to the Quad. Since we didn't make it to the Quad, we dropped daddy off and we went to watch the game at Aunt Janice and Uncle Dwayne's house.

Colton and his big cousin Connor.

Colton and his big cousin Collin.

Please Pray for Baby Gabe

Please visit the following site to learn about a friend's baby that needs prayers. Baby Gabe is 3 months old and is such a strong fighter. Please contiue to pray for him and his family.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gabesims

N'Harmony

Check out Chris' new southern gospel group: http://www.myspace.com/nharmonyquartet.

Colton's Favorite Toys

Bright Starts Sunshine Carrier Toy Bar

Colton loves this toy!! It will keep him busy for hours in the car or while we are at restaurants. He loves that the little frog lights up and he loves the music. He is constantly hitting it trying to make the frog light up or to turn the music back on. This is a lifesaver in the car!!

Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper

Colton loves this jumper!! He loves all the bright colors!!

Fisher Price Papasan Swing

Colton will swing in this swing for hours and he loves it! Most of the time he is staring up at the mobile at the mirror and the little bears and is laughing! He loves swinging and tends to fall asleep most of the time that he is in it. This is a MUST for new moms!

Bright Starts Teething Rings

Colton loves these teething rings. He especially loves the orange oval one because he can hold onto it the best. Most of the time if he is fussy you can give him one of these and it tends to occupy him for a while.

Bright Starts Twisty Bug

This toy is great! It lights up and even makes cooing nosies and multiple different sayings. It's one of the cutest toys that I've ever seen. Baby Einstein Octoplush

Colton loves this toy because the Octopus makes music. It's soft and colorful which also is a thumbs up!

One Year Ago

It's hard to believe that it's been exactly one year since I found out that I was expecting. The time goes by so fast!!! I found out last September 13th, while Chris was gone to the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. I didn't want to tell him over the phone, so I kept it a secret for 3 days until he got home. When he arrived home that Sunday night I had a huge poster saying "Congrats!!" with blue and pink balloons and a mug saying "World's Best Dad" that I had painted at All Fired Up. I remember hearing Chris scream when he came home that night at 2am in the morning. We later celebrated the next night going to eat dinner and then we told our parents, family and friends the next week after our first doctors appointment. It was one of the happiest moments in our lives and I will never forget the feeling that I had when I took that pregnancy test. God blessed us so much that week and he continues to bless us more and more each day.

100 Things You Didn't Know About Me (Tara)

1. My husband is almost 4 years older than me.
2. I love Chinese food.
3. I love a bargain!
4. Colton’s laugh is the sweetest sound in the world to me.
5. My husband is a great singer!!
6. I have a really hard time telling people no.
7. I still think my daddy can do anything.
8. I hate to fly.
9. I am definitely a crier.
10. I loved being pregnant.
11. Feeling Colton kick while I was pregnant was one of the best feelings in the world.
12. I worry way too much!
13. I’ve never broken a bone.
14. I love to watch Colton sleep.
15. Laying on the couch watching TV is one of my favorite things to do.
16. I’ve had multiple surgeries on my right ear due to a busted eardrum.
17. I love to give gifts. I wish I could do it more often.
18. I love ebay.
19. Taco Casa is one of my favorite restaurants.
20. Chris and I would love to adopt a child from another country.
21. I love reality TV.
22. I start shopping for Christmas in July.
23. I love sweet tea and fried food.
24. I cook Mexican food at home at least once a week.
25. I cheered in Junior High, High School and in College.
26. I started taking gymnastics at the age of 2.
27. I love to go grocery shopping
28. I hate the smell of coins
29. Being a wife and a mom is the best job I’ve ever had
30. I can only hear 10% in my right ear.
31. My new favorite thing to do is to blog about my life with Chris and Colton.
32. One of my role models is my younger cousin Jessica. She has the biggest heart for God.
33. I’ve always wished that I could sing.
34. I know a few things in sign language.
35. My favorite thing to do to relax is to take a long hot bubble bath.
36. I am addicted to IN Touch Weekly Magazine.
37. I love crossword puzzles, but never have been able to finish one.
38. I like to be on a budget.
39. I hate expensive clothing.
40. I’m not a big fan of sunglasses, never have been.
41. I love breakfast food for dinner.
42. My grandparents were some of the greatest people I ever knew.
43. I once drove a moped into the lake while taking my little cousin for a ride.
44. On my dads side of the family there are 9 grandchildren, 2 girls and 7 boys, all of which (besides Jessica and Garrett) have either first or middle names that start with a “C”.
45. My middle name is Cheri’.
46. I had to exercise so much in High School & College for cheerleading that I hate exercising now.
47. I wished I enjoyed running.
48. Chris and I lived in an apartment our first year after getting married. It was such a great decision and I would advise anyone getting married to do the same.
49. I would love to have 2 more kids.
50. I love being organized!
51. I look forward to wrapping presents for Christmas
52. Football season is one of my favorite times of the year.
53. I like Root Beer.
54. Ordering pizza, watching a movie and relaxing on the couch is my ideal date.
55. I hate spending money on food. I have never understood why someone would spend a lot of money on food.
56. Chris and I enjoy acting silly in the car. Those are our best times.
57. Chris and I got in a water fight the other night while I was washing dishes.
58. I’ll go on the opposite side of town to get either Milo’s Sweet Tea or a Krispy Kreme Donut.
59. Scrapbooking is my favorite hobby.
60. My little boy brings out the best in me.
61. I’ve never smoked or drank. Never really had the desire to.
62. I feel God’s presence in my life everyday.
63. I love dry cereal.
64. Recovery after giving birth to Colton was worst than the actual delivery.
65. I never once got sick while pregnant with Colton. I was extremely blessed.
66. It takes me forever to clean the house.
67. I love wearing Chris’ old pajama pants to sleep in. They are the most comfortable pants ever!!
68. I love reading Nicholas Sparks Novels
69. My favorite places to shop would be TJ Max and Ross.
70. I love chicken and dumplings.
71. My grandmother made the best chicken and dressing. I still crave her dressing and her gravy every Thanksgiving.
72. I am so in love with my husband.
73. I had jaw surgery in 2001 and couldn’t eat solid foods for 3 months.
74. I gained 35 pounds while I was pregnant with Colton.
75. When I was little, I was on the poison control commercial. My mom never could keep me out of the cleaning cabinet.
76. I was in chorus in Junior High all 3 years, but never sang one single word.
77. I had six best friends in high school. All of which now are married and either have children or have children on the way.
78. Chris was the first boy I ever kissed. It was on September 4, 1999. My Senior Year of High School.
79. Chris was the only boy I ever loved.
80. I had a blind date to my Senior Prom. LONG STORY!!!
81. I competed in Alabama’s National Teenager Pageant and was 2nd runner up.
82. Sometimes I cry for no particular reason.
83. My dog is completely spoiled rotten.
84. I have a pink warm blanket that goes everywhere with me.
85. I always take my own pillow with me when traveling. I hate laying my head down on hotel pillows!
86. No matter how hot I am at night, I still want to be covered up. I hate sleeping with nothing over me.
87. I thought about going to school to be a graphic designer.
88. Chris proposed to me on Christmas Day 2003 in front of my mom, dad, brother and Valerie.
89. I don’t mind getting shots or having my blood taken.
90. I love chewing on ice and this drives my husband crazy!!!
91. If we had a girl her name was either going to be Allie Grace, Presley Cheri’ or Aubrey Cheri’.
92. I love the beach!!
93. I love wearing flip flops.
94. My favorite color is blue.
95. I hate when people don’t thank you when you let them cross the street.
96. I still have clothes from high school that I think I’m going to wear some day. I just have a hard time getting rid of them. Haha!
97. Chris and I went snow skiing on our honeymoon.
98. I can do a 360°on the knee board.
99. I’ve never had a speeding ticket.
100. I love Jesus because he saved me.
     

Playing at Nana's and Big Daddy's

Big Daddy bought Colton a jumper and activity set for their house and Colton just loved it. They really do spoil him way to much!!!

Carter and Colton

Here are a few pictures of cousin Carter with Colton. He came over to Nana and Big Daddy's the other night while we were visiting. He simply adores Colton.

Watching TV with Carter

I love this picture of the two of them.

Carter and Colton

Rolling Boy

Colton is rolling all over the place now. It's amazing how much he can change in only a few days. He just learned how to roll over from his back to his stomach just last week and now whenever you lay him on his back he starts rolling over. He has also found his feet but they still haven't made it to his mouth, but it probably won't be much longer.

This past weekend Colton and I spent the day together while daddy went tailgating with some friends from church to the Alabama game. We were on our way out there as a family but Colton fell sound asleep in the car, so I decided just to drop Chris off at the Quad. I hated Colton missed going to the Quad but hopefully we can make it out there for another game this year. Since we didn't go to the game, Colton and I went to Aunt Janice's house that night to visit with the boys, Uncle Dwayne, Aunt Donna, Aunt Janice and Nana. We all had a good time watching the game while enjoying each others company.

Big cousin Connor also surprised Colton with his first Alabama Jersey. Thanks Connor for the gift!!! Colton can't wait to wear it.

Painting Big AL

Mom, Valerie and I went to Sips and Strokes back in August to paint Big Al. We had a great time and we were pleasantly surprised by the outcome in all of our pictures.

After 2.5 hours we were finished painting Big Al.

Colton's First Alabama Game

We went last weekend to Heath and LeAnn's house to watch the Alabama vs. Clemson game. Colton wore his crimson clothes and his new hat that daddy bought him and he was ready to watch the game. However, all the screaming and yelling during the first part of the game scared Colton so bad that mommy and LeAnn had to take him inside to play. Poor Baby!

Daddy and Colton all ready for his first game

Big Boy!

"What happened to the ball game?"

Nap Time Before the Ball Game

Laughing at LeAnn

Mommy and Colton Before the Game

Daddy's Photo Shoot

Daddy had a little too much fun while mommy was cooking supper one night. Here our a few pictures from his photo shoot with Colton.

Bananas, Applesauce and Cereal

Colton loves eating bananas, applesauce and cereal. Here are a few pictures of his first feeding. Enjoy!