Christmas for The Pughs

I know, I know....terrible at updating the blog. I went from Halloween to Christmas with nothing. Cole had a great first Christmas. Of course, he is still too young to really realize what is going on but he enjoyed seeing everyone and playing with new toys as well.

We began our holiday season with pictures with Santa. As you can see below he didn't care too much for Santa Cluas. The night we went was perfect. There was no one in line so we didn't have to wait. Dax, nor I, thought Cole would cry but buddy did he ever. His little lip poked out and he let it go. We couldn't help but laugh a little.

On Christmas Eve we started at The Pollard's house, Dax's grandparents, for lunch with his cousins and then headed to my Granny and Granddaddy's for gifts, Church and dinner. Thank you to all for the great presents we all received. We are very grateful. We had a Christmas Eve service like no other and Cole did amazingly well. He danced to the music and even started a new thing...swaying. Who knows were it came from but he would sway back and forth. Now he continues to do it when he hears music. We left after dinner at Granny's and headed home. Took time for one quick family photo on our first Christmas Eve together and then put Coleman to bed.

Christmas morning...Cole slept later than he has ever slept, 7:30. I got the video camera out and Dax brought him in to the living room where he saw his stack of goodies that Santa had brought. He got some movies, push cars, building blocks, outfits, a bath toy, socks, a new toothbrush and a big boy carseat. You can see how tiny he looks sitting in it. We then got dressed and went to Honey and Mont's house where his Uncle Tyson gave him a riding zebra. Honey and Mont gave him a v-tech smart wheel (he loves it), a big ball (still getting used to it), a swing, and a barnyard friends. He played for a while and then we went next door to Nana and Pops'. They gave him a wagon. He loves for us to leave the door open so he can climb in and out. We waited for our cousins to come and once they did there were people everywhere. It definitely has been an exciting Christmas for The Pugh family. The best part of all was that everyone was together. What a glorious time of year, when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Thank you Father for giving us your Son.

Lions, Tigers and Pumpkins

Cole got to wear his Halloween costume for the first time last night. We had our Fall Festival at church, so I headed home from work, put Coleman in his lion costume snapped a few photos at home and headed to church. The activities building was decorated all fall-like with scarecrows, pumpkins, hay bales and mums. There were kids everywhere; inside playing games, outside jumping and sliding in the big blow up things or petting miniature ponies. It was great! Dax got to enjoy popcorn and cotton candy. We were even able to take a few snap shots of Cole and Nixon together. She was an adorable pumpkin. I told Julia that we were fortunate we had content children because they both didn't seem to mind their costumes at all. Dax and I say all the time that we are blessed to be part of such an amazing church. We have really been blessed with the friends God has provided us. We are proud that our church has a ministry such as this were we can extend to the community and share the Lord's love with them.

Cole was practicing his roar. Do you think Nixon was scared? Not a bit! We can't ever seem to get them to look at us for a picture...they are always fascinated with each other. Cole even tried to give Nixon some sugar during a group photo. He is starting young...what are we going to do with him?

Cole is Growing

I have been meaning to post some pictures of Cole just from the past month. He went last week for his 9 month check-up. Mom took him for me since I couldn't get off work. (Thanks Nana!) He weighed 16 lbs 14 oz and was 28" long. Dr. Wiley said he is definitely growing considering where we started but he is just going to be small - "our little peanut." He is trying to stand on his on but won't do it when you try to get him to. He has five teeth (which get him in trouble). He is putting everything in his mouth; this is where the problem lies...food, toys, Nana's leg, Mrs. Mary's leg at church. I think you get the point that we have a biter!!! I think it is a little to early to say he is doing it on purpose but we still don't want him biting people. He is great at bedtime. He finishes his bottle, we brush his teeth and then lay him down. This has been going on for a couple of weeks now. I will admit I do miss rocking my baby but it is nice to know that he will go to bed on his own.

These are a couple of pictures of Cole enjoying his bath time. We think he is so cute.

This is of Cole and his Dad enjoying a little TV before Cole's bed time.

Cole decided he would help me unload the dishwasher one Saturday morning before he went outside to help his dad with Georgia and Deuce. He has a toboggin on because it was actually windy and cold that morning.

Homecoming weekend for Troy

We spent this past weekend celebrating Troy University's Homecoming. I have been going to the parade on Saturday morning for as long as I can remember. This year Cole made his first appearance. I am sure it will become his tradition as well. Cole did great. He didn't seem to be bothered with the loud sirens or drums at all. Below is a picture of Nixon and Cole at the parade.

We then headed over to tailgate and enjoy lunch before kick-off. Dad cooked this year for the State Farm tent as he does every year. We had a great time other than it turning out a little warm. Troy had a great game and are still undefeated in their conference. Go Trojans!

You can see in the picture above all the water on his outfit. That would be from his Pops letting him drink from a water bottle.

"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"

Well I am back from Las Vegas and it was great! Allison, Amanda and I flew out Thursday to meet Paige in Las Vegas for the weekend. Katie drove down from Wyoming so we could have a reunion weekend with the group from high school. It was long overdue.

We relaxed Thursday night and spent our time catching up with each other and their lives. Paige is married and living in Las Vegas at least for 4 years while her husband, Danny is in Med School. They are enjoying it. Amanda is engaged to Paul and planning to get married in April; Allison and I got to meet him for the first time at the airport. Katie is living in Jackson Hole working...well, she was working but the place shut down for the winter so she has an interview tomorrow for Director of a Spa! We are so excited and looking for a discounted "girls weekend." Allison is dating Allen and we think he is the one. She is finishing her masters in dietetics and living in Birmingham.

Friday we had pancakes for Paige's birthday and headed down to the strip to see "Las Vegas." We went in to a couple of the casinos and did a little shopping. It was so windy. There was actually a wind advisory for Friday and Saturday. We returned home to rest and get ready for dinner. We went to New York New York and ate at one of the restaurants there. We hung out there for a while and then went to a Piano Bar that was in the hotel. We had great time celebrating Paige being 25.

Saturday we took it easy. Allison, Amanda, Katie and I got tickets to see Le Reve produced by the same people that put on Cirque du Soleil's "O". It was amazing. The show was mainly in the water but people came from the ceiling and everything. They were so talented. We all said it was our favorite thing about Las Vegas.

Sunday we said our good-byes and headed for home. I had a great time but missed Dax and Cole tremendously. When I left Thursday Cole was feeling well and we had gotten about 1.5 hours of sleep Wednesday night. Dax did great though. He is the best Dad!!

The five of us out for Paige's 25th

Elvis made an appearance...In fact 6 Elvis made an appearance

Ready to go to see Le Reve

Jessica and Eli say "I do"

Dax and Me at the Rehearsal Dinner

Me and Dax at the Jack Daniel's Distillery

Melissa, Me and Candace

The beautiful bride

This past weekend Dax and I left Cole with Honey and Mont (Dax's Parents) and ventured to Fayetteville, Tennessee. We had a weekend full of wedding bliss in celebration of Jessica and Eli. We were invited to a barbecue on Friday night for the rehearsal dinner where we were greeted with mint julips. Tables were decorated with sunflowers and peanuts while hay bails stacked on top of each other created the perfect serving area for drinks. It couldn't have felt more like fall. It was great! We attended a coffee Saturday morning to begin the wedding day festivities. We left from there and headed to Lynchburg, Tennesee, home of Jack Daniel's Distillery. We toured the facility learning how the famous, number one selling whiskey was made. One neat fact, no matter where you buy Jack Daniels it is created from water running through a cove right there in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We left there to go back to the hotel, nap and get ready for the wedding. The ceremony and reception where both outside. It was absolutely beautiful. The processional was played by a bagpiper. After Eli and Jessica said "I do" we headed to the front yard to enjoy drinks and h'orsdevors(sp?) After dancing the night away, Jessica and Eli headed to Nashville to catch a flight to Antigua. We ended the weekend with a breakfast at one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. It sat on a hilltop over looking the mountains. It was such a great weekend. It was especially great to see everyone. Although Dax and I had a great weekend we were ready to return home to Cole. We sure did miss him. I have attached some pictures from this weekend for you to enjoy.

The Blessings of Life

Recently, I have been keeping check on Conor, Boothe, Sellers and Copeland Farley through my sister's friend's blog. I can't help but think..."What if that was me?" "Lord, would I be as faithful?" It is truly heart breaking to sit and read their blog. They update frequently with good days and bad days. They poor out their hearts with complete honesty which leaves me encouraged by their family and their faithfullness to the Lord. So often, I complain about my day or the situation that I am in and then I read something as touching as this and think to myself...these problems that I have are not even close to being problems. It gives me a new perspective to what I consider, trials in my life. I can't help but feel so selfish when I think back to my day to day, minute to minute thoughts and prayers. I find that after reading about sweet baby Copeland I need to be on my knees thanking God for my wonderful family, my healthy son, the time I get to spend with him. You know, God speaks in amazing ways and he is using Boothe and Conor to touch others lives. I write this post to ask you to pray...to lift up their family for what they call specifics. Boothe asks for us to pray that Copeland "blue spells" will lessen. If you want to know more specifically about trisomy 18 and how to pray for the Farleys, visit their blog at http://www.conorbootheandgirls.blogspot.com/

And Now We Are 5

Georgia and I have become out-numbered. Everyone...meet Deuce, our new addition to the family. I made a comment a couple of weeks ago that I would like to have a German Shorthaired Pointer whenever we decided to get another dog. Well, low and behold, Dax surprised us last night with this adorable puppy. Deuce is 12 weeks old. He comes to us from Union Springs. His previous owner, bred his male and female and had intended to keep Deuce. Because of his school and extra curricular activities he didn't feel he had time to take care of him, so we got him!! I wish that all of you could have seen how excited Cole was to see a friend. Dax brought him to us and Cole squealed. He loved Deuce being on the floor with him. He loves his new brother!

Go Trojans...Beat the Cowboys

This past weekend Dax and I had a wedding in Georgia to attend so Cole stayed with my parents (Nana & Pops). They cheered on the Troy Trojans at its first home game of the season. Troy beat Oaklahoma State 41-23. Coleman hung in there for the whole game. Nana said he was so good and was completely amazed by it all. He is preparing for the time when he hits the feild running. Our friend Julia made this adorable outfit for Cole to wear. I have attached some pictures for you to see. This is her little girl, Nixon. She and Cole are only a month apart so they enjoy being together. Thanks Julia for the outfit!!

How much is that puppy in the window? The one that is wagging its' tail?

Georgia is our 4 year old, yellow lab. She was a birthday/ graduation gift to Dax in 2003. She is so well-mannered and has the most loving spirit. She just gave birth to eleven puppies and has been the best little mama. They are two weeks old now and are the fatest things you have ever seen. We are giving them away...so if you are interested, please feel free to contact me.

1 tooth, 2 teeth, 3 teeth, 4

Cole is now 8 months old. He is crawling, pulling up, and in to everything. He loves looking at himself in the mirror and thinks that baby he sees is the cutest thing ever. He just laughs and talks to him. It is hilarious to watch. He is learning new things daily and it never ceases to amaze us. For instance, over the weekend we heard him grinding his teeth.? Up until now he has only had his two bottom teeth. We thought there is no way he has top teeth yet since we hadn't noticed them...to our surprise he has both top teeth coming in. Our little boy doesn't seem so little anymore. He is growing so fast. We are trying to savor every moment we have while he is still our baby.