*It Won't Be Like This for Long*

I'm fully aware that this blog post is totally out of order- but oh well! Who is ever really caught up? I certainly am not!

The other day I heard this song on the radio- It Won't Be Like This For Long by Darius Rucker and I just sat and listened to the words and realized- wow how true this is!! On one hand I thought- thank heavens it won't be like this for long! I don't know how many more days/months I can take of sleep deprivation or how many more times I have to wonder if I know what the heck I'm doing. But on the other hand, it made me realize how quickly time does go by and how much we can miss if we aren't living in the moment. I already miss my little newborn. I know, I know, Kole is only 4 1/2 months old, but it seems like a lifetime ago that I was pregnant and anxiously waiting his arrival. His delivery seems a lifetime ago as well. (perhaps the lack of sleep does that to you?) As we go through each stage with Kole I need to remind myself that it really won't be like this for long- they change so fast! And before I know it- he will be 18!

I have really been trying to simply cherish each day and each moment I have with my little boy. I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of this mom thing and can enjoy it a little more than I did at first. He is SO dang cute and so much fun. I LOVE this stage he is in. He is so smiley and interactive and I'm really enjoying my time with him. The best part? He still likes to snuggle with his mama :) I want to remember every little moment- so I try to take as many pictures as possible and just soak it all in.

Being a mom is by far the hardest thing I have EVER done. The range of emotions that I have felt from the moment I found out I was pregnant till now is incredible. I have had moments when I was so frustrated and wondered how in the world was I going to make it through this. But then I have had countless moments of pure happiness and joy. When I see Kole I can't help but smile and all I want to do is hold my baby and smother him with a million kisses. I know being a mom is hard- but it can't be THAT bad- after all most women do have more than one child :)

*This phase is gonna fly by- if we can just hold on! It won't be like this for long!*

2 Months

I can't believe how fast he is growing. You always hear people say this but you never really realize it till you have your own kids. They grow up SO fast! Kole had his 2 month check-up on Sept 2nd- so technically he was 9 weeks and a few days old :)

Here are his stats:

*Weight: 11 pounds 5 ounces (50th percentile) - this is almost 4 pounds since he was born- he is not having any problems putting on weight :)

*Length- 23 inches (60th percentile) he is skinny but long!

Kole is still in newborn clothes but mostly because he is so skinny. If he had to wear long pants I'm sure we would be in a bigger size but for now he mostly sports onesies cuz its so hot outside.

He also had to get his shots while we were there- one oral medicine and 3 shots. It wasn't as bad as I thought- though he started screaming when she did the first one and didn't breathe until they were done. He was not happy! He did okay until later that night and then he got a fever and was super cranky. He did not want his legs touched and he just wanted to be held.

*He got camo band aids- Daddy loved them!*

After a LONG night and long day of holding him pretty much all day- his fever finally broke the next night and he was a much happier baby!

He is changing so fast and I can't wait for the stages to come.

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is one of my favorite places to go- look how pretty it is!! Our extended family has been going to Bear Lake since my mom was little - and I LOVE that we still carry on the tradition. This year was fun because Russell was able to join us for a few days and we were able to take Kole for his first time. Thank heavens we weren't camping- can you imagine?!

We enjoyed 5 beautiful days at Bear Lake where we enjoyed the nice (but cold!) water, fabulous food (of course!) and great company. We took Kole down to the lake one day but let's just say- he wasn't a fan! The kid does NOT like to be unwrapped- let alone half-naked so he just cried the whole time while we took pictures. (it's all about the photo opp!)

After this torture he happily spent the rest of his time at the beach like this:

Much better!

We were able to spend time with our extended family and the neices especially loved holding the babies.

He tried to catch as much shut-eye as possible- even with all the noise!

When he wasn't sleeping, he was hanging out in his swing. We had 4 babies all under the age of 1 up there this year- and they each had their own swing to keep them happy!

*Kate*Daxton*Kole*

*I love my swing!*

What a fun vacation!

Visit from Grandma & Grandpa

When Kole was almost 3 weeks old, Russell's parents came from Washington to visit their newest grandson. We were excited to have them there and they just spoiled Kole to death. Grandma Cramer had already sent a few boxes of cute clothes, so we were surprised when she pulled out even more stuff! Lots of cute clothes and a darling blanket- and some other gifts from friends and family in Washington. Everyone has been so kind and generous!

G'ma and G'pa Cramer loved holding and cuddling Kole. He loved having a pair of arms to fall asleep in!

We spent our days mostly just hanging out around the house, but we did get out for a few activities. We took Kole to his first meal at Texas Roadhouse (too bad he slept through it!), we visited Daddy at work, and we went shopping at the Outlets in Park City.

Russell's parents also brought US a fabulous gift. I keep meaning to take a picture of it but haven't so this will have to do:

They brought us a beautiful piano! Our "new" piano was actually Russell's grandmothers piano. It is beautiful! (its more of a cherry color than black) I am SO excited to not only have a piano, but to have one that has been passed down. Russell's grandma, Marion, played the piano a lot and was very good at it. She had quite the collection of church music that we also got some of. It's so neat to have this! I was never able to meet her but I am grateful to have a little piece of her memory in our home.

After a 10 day visit it was time to say good-bye! Thanks for coming to visit Grandpa & Grandma Cramer!

Smiles!

Could he be any cuter? He is getting into such a fun stage - smiling and cooing- it's awesome! He is fascinated by the camera and my phone so catching his smile on camera is hard- but here are a few we managed to get!

I have about 3 other posts that need to be finished- oh where does the time go? So keep posted for a Bear Lake post, a 2month check-up post, and Kole's blessing day.

Sleep- It's highly overrated!

Dear Child of Mine:

You look so cute in your pajamas- and we would LOVE it if you would SLEEP when you have them on! Your father and I would love to know (or somewhat know) how many hours of sleep they were going to get a night- if any at all. Some nights you surprise us and sleep 6 hours, eat, and then go right back down for 4 more. Other nights- we aren't so lucky. I sure wish I knew what we were doing right on those good nights. If you only want to sleep 4 hours- that's fine (well not really) but at least my poor body would know what to expect. In fact, I think I'm more tired the more sleep I get. (and this is coming from the lady who NEEDS 8 hours a night)

So if you could please fall into some sort of schedule that maybe looks something like this:

8 pm to 8 am- SLEeP, SlEeP, SLEEP!

I would love it.

Love, Your consistently tired mother (and father!)

My first official photo shoot

My dear friend (and AWESOME photographer) Celeste took pictures of Kole when he was just a few weeks old. He didn't like being naked so we had to leave the diaper on for most of them and he refused to close his eyes- unless he was on his tummy. The pictures turned out super cute- I LOVE them!

This one is my favorite!

Thanks again Celeste!

**you can check out her stuff at celestegrove.com**

A bunch of firsts

I'm terrible at blogging lately! All the free time I thought I would have- doesn't exist! We have been having such a fun time with Kole and watching him grow and try out new things. Here are some of his firsts.

First time wearing socks- and they went all the way to his knees- they were fab

First bath in the bathtub- he loves it!

First time going to church- doesn't he look handsome?! The cute sandals didn't last long

First trip to Cabela's- as Daddy would say- the first of many!!

First trip to Bear Lake, first time in his swimming suit and in the lake- he wasn't a fan!

First bath at home- he LOVES his bath time

First (and last!) time under the lights to help his jaundice- he hated it!

First time sunbathing- to help his jaundice of course :)

First car ride home- doesn't he look comfy!?

I Never Knew....

I could love someone so much

or that I would love to snuggle with him so much

or that he would want to eat ALL the time!

OR how sleepy we all would be

I never knew how much I would love my little boy and how much he would add to our family. I love you Kole!

Our new little one

Here are some more pictures of Kole- we just can't get enough of him

*Lexi and Pennie with Kole*


*Krystal and Kole*


*Aunt Missy and Kole*

*Grandpa Ray and Kole*

*Sleeping soundly*

Kole Russell Cramer

Introducing Kole Russell Cramer

June 29, 2010 6:07 p.m.

7 lbs. 9 oz.

20 1/2 inches long

Check out that curly hair!

After his first bath

My first bath- love that face!

Kole with his new cousin Claire- she was born 2 1/2 hours after Kole in the room next door!

Claire and Kole- getting ready to go home!