A letter to Cole's teeth

Dear Teeth,

Please, I beg of you, break through the skin today. I don't think I can take the screaming anymore. I need sleep. A few hours a night just doesn't cut it. Have you seen me lately? I look like I have been punched in the face. I look like I have two black eyes. I can't take this anymore. I promise I will take care of you. I promise to brush and floss them a million times a day if you will PLEASE just come in!!! I have laundry piled to the ceiling, floor that need to be scrubbed, and I just need a few minutes to myself. I don't feel like I am being needy, a girl needs her sanity and mine is close to being gone. I don't like to see my baby in pain it breaks my heart. So, PLEASE TEETH, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH I NEED YOU TO COME IN TODAY.

With Love,

Amanda

Cole

We are all moved into our new home and we absolutely love it here. Nothing too exciting has been going on just getting things settled and ready to go back to work on Monday. Cole is growing like a weed. He is the cutest little thing ever. He's rolling over, everywhere. He's trying desperately to sit up on his own. He smiles and laughs at everything his big brother does. He's eating big boy food at dinner and loves every minute of it. I just can't get enough of that little boy. His smiles just melt my heart. He is wearing 6 month clothes and some 6/9 month stuff. He's a lot huskier than Hayden ever was. In just the last week he has figured out how to use his hands more. He can pick things up and get them straight to his mouth. We have a feeling he may become a thumb sucker. Not sure yet but we see him with it in his mouth more and more. Here are some new pictures of our little butter ball!

Lots Going on

Our life is a little crazy right now. I feel like we have a million things going on at once. Our lease is up here in Chapel Hill at the end of October. However, we found a house that we love in Fuquay and it is available now. So, we are packing up and moving a month earlier than expected. Everyone is so excited about the move. We will be living in a nice neighborhood on a culdasac where Hayden will have lots of kids to play with. We are excited to be living within minutes from all of my family. It will be nice to have everyone so close by. And the house is bigger with a bonus room. I start a new job on October 19. One that I am excited about yet nervous about at the same time. I decided not to go back to the daycare center I was working at before Cole was born for many reasons. It turns out the center is closing at the end of October. I was offered a nanny position for two little boys that I taught at Parkway Children's Center. I will be making more money, the hours are better I get to be with my children all day. The downside is that it's going to be a little crazy taking care of 4 little boys.

We feel like this move will be really good for our family. Moving to Chapel Hill two years ago turned out to be not what we wanted. However, we have had some good times here. We just prefer to be closer to our family. Our plan is to move next weekend. Sometime this week I will email everyone with our new telephone number and address. Our GMail email addresses are the ones we will be using. Once we get moved I will post pictures and tell you all about our perfect little boys.

By the way, Cole had his 4 month appt. a little bit ago and he weighs 14.5lbs! He is growing like a weed and is just as cute as can be.

Cole's new trick

Masters Champion 2032

This week has been such a long week for me. I'm not sure why but it has really tried my patience. With the stress of finding a new job, our upcoming move, a sick family member, and just life in general, it's kind of taking a toll on me. Hayden is now at that 3 1/2 year mark and his behaviour and listening skills have been so difficult. Some days it takes all I have just to get through the day. On Wednesday Greg rushed home from work to give Hayden and I a little break from each other and took him golfing. They went and played 9 holes at the golf course in our neighborhood. This was Hayden's first time actually playing on a course and he has proven to be pretty good for a 3 year old beginner. We are both pretty proud of our little golfer. I hope it continues and he loves it as much as Greg does. I'm not too excited about the damage it could do on my bank account if it becomes an all the time thing. Golf is expensive!

I do hope this is a hobby they can always enjoy together!

Lazy Lake Days

We live about 5 minutes from Jordan Lake. During the summer we normally go every weekend. However, this year it's been a little different. We have only been a few times. Both, Cole and Hayden love it. I wish we could go more often but it gets a little too hot out for Cole.

Happy Baby

My little Coley Roley Poly (this is what Greg calls him), is such a happy baby. He started smiling right at 2 months and I just can't get enough of that one dimple smile. It just melts my heart. Greg and I laugh all the time about how much our little boys look alike...except for that one little dimple of Cole's.

Cole is now sleeping in his own room....hooray! He goes to bed at 8pm and sleeps until 4am, I nurse him and he goes back to sleep until 7 or 8. He's kind of a cat napper during the day. But, for the most part he does really well. I am not sure how much he weighs, his next appt. is September 16. I can't believe he will be 4 months. He has outgrown all of his 3 month clothes and is wearing 3-6 month or 6 month stuff. I can't believe how much he has grown.

In the beginning I thought and everyone else thought that he looks just like Greg. However, the older he gets the more he looks like me. Looking at Hayden videos and pictures from when he was a baby is kind of freaky...they look so much a like. I can't wait to see his little personality blossom, but I'm not ready for him to grow up.

Brotherly Love

I just can't believe how much these two love each other. It brings so much joy to my heart. Here area a compilation of pictures of Hayden & Cole loving each other.

Hayden was trying so hard to make him stop crying.

Cole's favorite thing is to be as close to Hayden as he possibly can and watch his every move.


Man, I LOVE THESE BOYS!

Texas 09

I know this post is long overdue. I am sorry.

We took a quick trip to Texas back in July to introduce our newest little monkey to everyone. the boys did amazing on the plane ride there. I was very impressed. Nana, Aunt Donna, Grandma Blair, and Aunt Jeni were all so excited to see the boys. Greg and I were able to spend some alone time too, we don't get much of that. We went and saw two movies and went out to dinner a few times. While we were there we celebrated out 2nd wedding anniversary and 7 years of being together. Seems crazy. I can't imagine my life with my 3 men. I'm a lucky girl.

Hayden lived in the water while we were in Texas. The Cinco Ranch area that the family has moved to is a nice area. Greg even mentioned maybe moving there one day. Don't get your hopes up though, if it ever happens it will be a while from now. All in all we had a great time and we miss them so much when we come back to NC.

In the area they live in there is something like 15 pools that you have access to as long as you live in the Cinco Ranch area and are a member. Some of the pools have water slides and splash pads. Hayden was in heaven he had such a good time. He still talks about it to this day and refers to everything as "that's like Texas".

Aunt Jeni was able to spend a lot of time with the kids. They just love her to pieces. She even got to experience lots of dirty diapers.

These pictures were taken at the park just behind their new house.

Hayden and Aunt Jeni in the Kayak

Greg and Hayden goofing off. They had so much fun together.

We can't wait to go back again!

Cole Bryson

Cole is almost 2 months old and I just can't believe how fast it has gone by. Although he looks quite a bit like Hayden his personality is sooooo different. I thought I knew how to deal with a newborn but this little guy sure has put me in my place. He is so different than Hayden was. At his last appointment he weighed 9lbs 5oz! I can't believe how much he has grown. He is such a little piglet! He has started smiling lately but we aren't sure whether or not they are real smiles or just gas. It is so hard to tell. He loves to be held, he actually insists on it. He doesn't really like the swing, but prefers the vibrating bouncy seat. He enjoys tummy time(so did his brother)and likes his new play mat we bought him. At 5 weeks he rolled over from him tummy to his back (same as Hayden). He loves to watch his big brother play! I can't wait until the day they can actually interact with one another. He takes his first flight to Texas in just a couple weeks, I know everyone is excited to meet him. Here are some pictures of our newest member of the family from the last 2 months.

Daddy always puts me to sleep.

Am I cute or what?

Out like a light.

Probably wondering what my brother is doing.

Going on a walk in the bjorn, I love it!

Hayden James

Oh my, this little man has kept me on my toes lately. Since, he has been so use to a tight schedule with school, he has been quite bored at home. We have had to stay in doors most of the summer since it has been so hot and Cole is so young. Unfortunately that means Hayden is stuck inside with us as well. I've been making several trips to Nikki's house in an effort to keep him busy. However, that doesn't make the new transition any easier on him. I must say though, he is quite the trooper. He hugs and kisses his baby brother constantly and always wants to know where he is and what he is doing. He has had some behaviour issues but we knew that would happen and are trying to deal with them one by one. I am positive he will overcome them especially since we go back to work/school in only 5 more weeks...wow! I'm not sure I am ready but I know he is. We leave for Texas in a couple weeks so hopefully that will keep him busy. He sure is excited about it. Here are a few (lots actually) pictures of our big guy!

helping mom make cupcakes

hanging out with my best bud Landon


Being a good big brother

Mom finally gave me a hair cut!

Soooo Sweet!

Long Overdue

It's been awhile since I last posted, things have been kind of crazy around here. I'm trying to update the blog a bit and I will do two seperate posts on both boys to catch everyone up. So, stay tuned I am working on them now.

He is Here!

Cole Bryson Hartz

was born at 5:35 am on Sunday, May 17

6lbs 6oz

20 inches

Last Wednesday at routine doctors appointment my blood pressure was elevated. The doctors decided that it was time for me to quit working. I agreed and called and told them that I needed to start my maternity leave. I had a doctors appt. scheduled for Friday to check my blood pressure and do some blood work. I decided that Hayden didn't need to go with me and had Greg take him to my sisters. At my appt. the doctors decided that I needed to go to the hospital for an evaluation. I proceeded to tell them that I could not physically or emotionally go through what I went through with Hayden and that if Cole was okay I'd like to deliver. They said they would see how the evaluation went. Greg and I arrived at the hospital at noon on Friday the 15th. They ran tests and we had an ultrasound to do a biophysical profile on Cole. At that ultrasound Cole received a 10 out of 10. In other words he would do perfectly fine if born then. After consulting with my doctors we all decided that it would be best if we just went ahead with the induction. So they started the process at 9pm on Friday night. They gave me a medicine to soften my cervix and in the morning they started pitocin. I was dilating very slowly and my cervix was not softening. At 3pm they broke my water and we thought things would speed up, but they didn't. I held out as long as I possibly could and finally had an epidural at 11pm Saturday night. After a long long labor, Cole Bryson was born Sunday morning at 5:35. He is perfect! We are now home and adjusting as a new family of 4.

He's Almost Here!

I cannot believe we only have a few short weeks left until our precious baby boy arrives. It's been a little strange for me to be able to live my life while being pregnant. I'm still working full time and haven't slowed down a bit. My ultimate goal is to work right up until I have the little guy. If I will be able to do that, I'm not so sure. But, I am going to try. We are so excited to see his little face and for him to meet his big brother. I just know that Hayden will be fantastic with him and I can't wait to watch them grow up together. We are pretty much ready for him with a few minor things to get done. My bags have been packed for weeks and the car seat is in the car. I'm just so excited/nervous for labor. I have a horrible feeling my water will break at work! Being pregnant this time around has been like being pregnant for the first time for me. I have experienced things I never did when I was pregnant with Hayden. Being on bed rest and being an active pregnant lady are completely different! Hayden was also a pretty small little guy weighing in at only 5lbs when he was born. Cole will be a different story, I'm sure of it! Greg predicts that he will be 7lbs 11oz. I have absolutely no clue! Enough rambling from me. We can't wait for everyone to meet him!

Hayden's got talent!

We are still trying to figure out where he learned how to do this.

Let's Go Tarheels!!

Hayden spent Thursday and Friday at home with Greg while I worked. One of those rare occasions where the two of them get to spend some quality time together. I believe they watched basketball all day both days and made videos. This is one of those videos. My boys are too funny!

If you notice in the video Hayden's hair is a little long. That is Greg's doing, he doesn't want him to cut it. I am outnumbered and often don't win many battles. Greg is refusing to cut his hair too. I'm hoping they will both give in shortly and get hair cuts. We will see.

Let's Go Heels!

Saturday Morning Thoughts

It is currently 8:30 am on Saturday morning, it's cold and raining! Greg is asleep next to me and Hayden is still sleeping!!! I don't remember the last time I had a few moments to myself like this. It really is a beautiful thing. So much has been happening in our lives lately it's kind of a crazy mess. We've chosen to sit back and just let things take it's course. We can't stress about things anymore.

We found out about 2 weeks ago that the house we are currently living in (we rent) is in foreclosure. The ginormous amount of money that we pay our lousy landlord every month has not been paying his mortgage. After talking to many lawyers we've found out that there is nothing much that we can do, except sit and wait and see what happens. Our landlord has insured us that everything will be taken care of and we have nothing to worry about. We aren't exactly sure we believe him. The foreclosure hearing is on April 4, we should know something more by then. The house is supposed to be sold on April twenty something. We could have no where to live. But, since we are in a binding contract with our landlord we can't do anything until the house is bought by the bank. Keep in mind, Baby Cole is due to make his grand entrance June 8, could be earlier! But, I'm not worrying about it.

Speaking of Baby Cole, I'm 28 weeks already! Seriously?!? Where did the time go? I go to the doctor again on March 26, for my 30 week appt. It just doesn't seem possible to me. I can't believe that he will be here soon. Hayden is so excited and asks about him constantly. Of course he calls him "Lightening McQueen", but you have to admit, it's kind of cute! He says he want two baby brothers but I told him to wait and decide after this one gets here, he may change his mind. I'm still feeling great and plan on working as long as I possibly can. I will confess that I'm having a hard time getting up and down off the floor every five minutes! It's good for me though. I'm starting to get a little uncomfortable especially when Cole is in my rib cage, I have such a hard time breathing. I don't remember much of Hayden's pregnancy besides being in the hospital but this one has been so much easier. Thank Goodness!

Last weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday at the Cheesecake Factory. And then we came home to watch UNC beat Duke!!!!! Today hopefully we will watch them beat FSU! Here are a few pictures from mom's birthday. Sorry mom but I've got to post some pictures of you so everyone knows you were there. At least it's not on facebook, right?

We all had a great time! Look forward to doing it again next year!