My new shoes, Fire Engine Ride On, Encounter with Animals!

My new shoes, hopefully they can make a difference and keep me running so I can get to 14 miles!

Thank you to Uncle Dan, Aunt Erin, Crystal and Nolan+Annie Walton for providing the Fire Truck Ride-On! Colin loves pushing the buttons, pushing it around, and riding the fire engine! In addition to becoming more independent and curious about the way his toys work, Colin now has a very quick to come and quick to leave temper. As soon as he figures how things work if he can't make it do what he wants right away, or it won't function properly he begins to whine and cry in frustration. Eric and I are shocked at how fast he gets upset, but glad to see it go away just as quickly as it came. We have also noticed that Colin is not a happy camper if he doesn't get enough zzzzz's! We still love him though!

As you can see Eric caught a lot of perch, yellow, white, and blue! The fish were in the red bucket flopping around and Colin got really scared and began to cry. Eric was really sad that his little boy is afraid of the fish. While cleaning the fish he found a lot of eggs and several fish had itty bitty baby crabs in their intestines, weird!

At first Colin was super scared of the cats, but he warmed up after he was able to pet them and see that they were similar to Rufus. Thankfully Crystal's cats were extremely interested in just getting pet by any human.

5k finish!

Today I ran a 5k at East Potomac Park. I did a good job even though there were ridiculous winds that made us work even harder for it! (white caps on the water) Afterwords Nicole and my new friends ate at IHOP and went shopping at Target where we found some balance bikes for, drumroll please...$7.85! What a great deal! Then Nicole and I went to the National Harbor for some girl time. We went to the Relache Spa and spent 2 relaxing hours relaxing. Then we headed to Public House for a snack and a beer! I took Nicole to Godiva for some free chocolate, yummy! We decided to head back to our guys and babies, and we vowed to make time for each other again, without kids. A big thanks to Mike and Eric for taking care of the kiddie, they were great-no phone calls for help. (the guys went kayaking and fishing together all day Friday). Here's to great husbands and great dads!
Love ya, Amanda

colin year one

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Slideshow of Colin

Colin's List of Accomplishments

Walk
Wave-Hi and Bye
Say: Dada, Momma, light, Rufus
Sounds: Driving Car Sounds, clicking his tongue
Pets the dog nicely/gently
Favorite Songs-If you're Happy and you know it (does the actions to clap your hands and stomp your feet), You are My Sunshine, ABC
Dances a bit to songs, commericals, toys, mommy singing
Reads books (turns the pages, points at pages)
Deadlifts any heavy object around-bottles, cans, soda pop boxes, shoes
Has 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom
He has begun to transition to the Pre-Toddler Room
Signs All Done/Finished(when he wants to), More (when he wants to)
Makes baskets
Stirs his cooking pot
Stacks items on top of each other
Knows how to work all of his toys
Answers the phone
Talks on the phone

Colin's 1 Year Old!

Colin turned 1 on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011. It was a very hectic day, we journeyed to the doctor's office where we found out he had an ear infection. The 1 year shots were delayed and we began his medication. That afternoon, when I was taking Colin to daycare we swerved to miss a cat that ran out in front of us, and we skid into the median and took out a wrong way sign. Ending the trip to daycare. Baby was fine, Mommy was fine, the car is going to be in the shop for about 2 weeks now. GEICO did a great job of taking care of the details-towing, rental, shop. That same day Mommy wasn't feeling to good either, considered making a doctor appointment for herself, but didn't. Ended up going Friday and the doctor told Colin and Mommy that she had Strep Throat. Boo, hoo. Both of us are on Amoxicillin and are on the mend. Grandpa Chase, Grandma (Ju Ju) Chase, Aunt Erin and Uncle Dan drove out from Indy on Friday. When they arrived the baby was sleeping so we all hung out for a bit then turned in to get some sleep for Saturday. We had planned on some cupcakes and snacks. A couple of friends showed up to wish Colin a Happy Birthday! He was very thankful that people dropped by and he is interested in opening the toys! Colin loved the cupcake, the candle threw him off a bit. The whole family just hung out the rest of the day and we ordered California Tortilla for dinner. After an interesting Team Trivial Pursuit we turned in again. Mommy was in need of some rest. Sunday after waking early, making some yummy Apple Streusel Archer Farms Pancakes Colin and I took a nap. When we woke up Uncle Dan wanted to visit the Air and Space Museum. We all packed into the cars and drove downtown. It was a nice time in that museum and before we headed home we jumped over to the Native American Museum, only looked through the top floor so I am intrigued to go back and see some more. The family ordered pizza while we watched the Super Bowl. It was a short visit but it was great to see my family.
To my little boy, who is so grown up now, I love you and I am so excited to be on your life journey with you! I can't wait to see what you will learn next!
Love to all! Amanda
p.s. I will post some photos later, grad school is kinda getting in the way!