Happy Birthday to...

ME!!

Not a huge milestone year in numbers but probably one of the biggest yet. I never thought that at the age of 27 I would be married with 2 children. Scott and I always talked about being done having babies by the time we are 30...but I never thought that would really happen. The average age of first time moms now is 28...so really by national averages I shouldn't even have one child yet, let alone TWO!! But, I would not have it any other way! I HATE surprises, but I think that Ella and Cole, being HUGE surprises, have taught me that there may be a bigger plan somewhere-out-there...(no, I won't break into song!). In my mind, at 27, I would be married, working on or graduating from my masters program obtaining my NP (nurse practitioner), living the life of a "newly-wed couple"...spending time with my friends and husband, traveling, and focusing some time on myself and my new marriage. WOW...how life changes. I think that in reading this it would sound like I am falling short on my dreams, but if you are a mother you would understand. Each day at work I am granted access to many families worst nightmare; cancer diagnosis in their babies, traumatic-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, families spending countless hours at their child's bedside just praying for a flicker of evidence that their once vibrant child is still in there...somewhere. This work gives me a unique perspective, that I believe, is taken for granted. I am unbelievably lucky. I have not one, but two wonderful, beautiful, vibrant, healthy, smart, amazing children. I am more fulfilled inside, in my soul, than I could ever hope for and that is thanks not only to my

children, but also my amazing husband, who happens to be my best-friend, my family and also some of the most amazing women I am lucky enough to call my friends. I may not be a world traveler, nurse practitioner or know the way around the hippest bars and trendiest shops...but I am a mom, wife, nurse; and I gotta tell ya...that's pretty sweet!

For my birthday I asked for a new camera...ask and you shall receive!! Here are some shots from Sunday at the zoo!

I was messing around with photoshop too...some of the finishes I am not a fan of...there is quite a learning curve with that that program!

I am SO PROUD!!!

http://www.amateurbaseballreport.com/PlayerbrProfiles/tabid/67/agentType/View/PropertyID/1602/Default.aspx

This is a link to my brother, Collin's player profile for the team he was just honored to make!!!!

"The 2009 USSSA All-American Games is designed to promote and showcase the finest amateur baseball players in the nation today. Our collective goal is to provide much needed exposure and recognition for these outstanding young athletes at both the collegiate and professional levels. Being named a USSSA All-American will be quite an honor”

*Don DeDonatis, Executive Director and CEO of the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA)

I am in SHOCK right now!! I am SO PROUD of him!!!

I was beyond proud when he was chosen as one of the top 19 players in Florida to even try out for the regional team, then HE MADE THE REGIONAL TEAM! Which meant he was one of the top 15 players in his region which was TN, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS! I mean, come on, how awesone is that!!

Then, I got a call tonight...

HE IS AN USSSA ALL-AMERICAN!! He is one of the top 16u players in the COUNTRY!!!

He now goes on to travel and play internationally??!!

It's a BOY!!!

I'll get better pics tonight, these are from my phone...but

Wyatt Mason Wheeler

7lbs 4oz

21 3/4in

arrived on 8/12 11:53pm

Isn't he ADORABLE!!!!!

Lynn ended up having a c-section after pushing for nearly 2 hours...baby Wyatt was dropping his heart rate!! He was born happy and healthy!!

Mommy and baby are doing GREAT!

Congrats guys on your beautiful baby BOY!!

Biggie 1 YEAR OLD!!

Somehow I never got an official update on Cole's fist year...so here goes!!!

This is the shirt that we put Ella in to tell the McGraths!

7weeks

20 weeks

32 weeks

39 weeks 6 days...the day he was born

It's A BOY!!! Cole James McGrath 7lbs 10oz 20 1/2 inches long

1 day

3 days

2 weeks

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months!!!!

The stats...

Weight: 20lbs 10oz 17th percentile

Height: 29in 23rd percentile
(somehow he shrunk a half inch from his 9 month appt., so we remeasured, and it was true 29 inches!)

Head: 17th percentile

(I know it is hard to believe, but the RN explained it that he just has a broad forehead...that is why it looks SO BIG!)

Cole, Cole James, Cole-e, Colerson, Bigs, CJB-Cole James Bigs/Biggie, CJBJB (Ella's version of CJB)...just a few of the names that he gets called! He is just the sweetest thing and a great addition to our family. He is a momma's boy through and through, at least for now. He is kinda shy at times and buries his head in your shoulder if he is unsure about something, which just melts your heart. He gives open mouth kisses, blows kisses, waves and claps. He is crawling like a champ and cruising around everything. No 1st steps yet...but they aren't too far away! He has become a VERY pickey eater these days! Pretty much no meat unless is is chicken nuggets in his car seat, limited fruit, LOVES yogurt, will not touch potatoes (crazy kid) and forget it with veggies! To tell you the truth, not really sure that I could name one food other than yogurt that he consistently eats well??!! He has 4 teeth, 2 top 2 bottom. He goes to bed around 8 and is up anywhere from 8-9:30! I know, I am super lucky with great sleepers! He still has his bink (pacifier/binkey)..we're working on it!! He LOVES his sister but is starting to learn to hold his own when she takes toys away. He knows a little sign language...more, milk, please and thank you...he doesn't always use them appropriatly, but if you ask him, he knows!