tiny toes and more...

Hanging out with my new buddy

I've had a pretty good week with lots of visitors to keep me entertained. Oma left last Friday and Grandma Carol came Saturday as well as Uncle Jesse & Aunt Terry. Everyone must really like me to visit so much....or maybe they want to spend time with little Beckett. Speaking of my new buddy Beckett, he's doing really well. He's eating pretty well and Emma says she thinks he's gone through a growth spurt this past week! He's starting to focus on our faces- especially mine when I give him kisses! Cole has been sick the last few days. Poor guy! Since he doesn't feel good, I've been letting him chase me around the house whenever he wants.

So I'm a lazy dog...

Emma told me this morning that I'm lazy because I haven't been doing a good job at updating the blog. (Hey-I've had a hectic week!!) It's naptime for Colton and Beckett, so I thought I'd write a little about what they've been doing this week. Colton is getting well adjusted to being a big brother. He has been wanting to hold Beckett and it's very cute. Beckett is eating really well the last few days and is starting to stay awake for longer than 5 minutes at a time. Emma's mom ("Oma") has been staying with us and she has been getting up in the morning to play with Colton and me. We've had a fun time together.

The newest Joersz...

You would think that I've had all the time in the world to blog about things lately- as my family has been at the hospital and busy with other things this past week...but honestly, I just haven't made the time to come up and update you on the newest member of my family. So I'd like to tell you about little baby Beckett right now. First of all, I'd like to share that I've been a really good dog with the new baby. I remember Cole coming home and I was a little unsure about him, but I think I know what to do now with this little one! Beckett is doing really well. He's really cute and likes to sleep...A LOT! I think he probably sleeps more than I do. Emma says that he's eating pretty good, but that she's a little tired from feeding him at night. He went to the doctor this morning and has gained an ounce since coming home. Pretty much we've been hanging around and just looking at the new baby. Cole is doing really well having a new brother around. At first he didn't really look at the baby and now he is really interested and likes to touch Beckett's fingers, nose and other body parts. Check out the picture below to compare Beckett and Colton at 1 week old. Do you think they look alike?

Meet Beckett Anderson Joersz!

Mommy's shoes

Cole thought it would be fun to try on mommy's shoes this evening...but as it's 3 o'clock in the morning and she and Jon are on the way to the hospital, I'm not sure mommy's shoes are the best place to be right now....

stuck.

One day this week I had a very stressful afternoon. Jon is building a storage shed for the back yard and has built the platform already. Anyways, one afternoon I decided to climb underneath it. (Many of you who know me well are aware that I love getting under small spaces-my ottoman is my absolute favorite place to sleep!) So I climbed under it and it was a lot skinnier of a space than my ottoman and a whole lot heavier. I couldn't get out! Emma couldn't lift the platform and so I had to wait for Jon to get home to save me from that tiny space. I promise I won't get under there again!

This story makes me think about the poor baby and how hard of a time he's going to have in the next few days. Yikes! Every time Emma leaves I wonder what she'll come back with. The whole family is getting really anxious. Emma has been taking me on lots of walks (which I love!) and bouncing on the exercise ball. Cole loves it when Emma bounces on the exercise ball and wants to do the same. That's what he's doing in the picture with his daddy! Any other helpful hints to get the baby to come soon are encouraged, Emma tells me. She's at 3 cm now, whatever that means. Hopefully my next blog will bring some exciting news of a baby!

Things to make you...."Smile!"

Cole's favorite new word (besides "no!") is "smile!" Apparently this little kid gets his picture taken all the time and that's what his mommy says every time the camera comes out. So that's what he does now as well. It's cute. Jon and Emma have been looking at cameras at Best Buy this week Cole kept saying smile the whole time they were there.

The next thing to make you smile is this funny pic of Cole and his buddy Cameron. Cameron came over to play yesterday and the two of them had a really fun time. They went on a walk (Without me- I was very upset...) and played with lots of Cole's toys. In our house we think it's funny to put things on our head. So to make us laugh, Cole was putting a lego block on Cameron's head. Funny kid!

It might also make you smile to know that Emma thinks the baby will be born soon! She went to the doctor this last week and is 2 cm and just really feels that things are starting to happen. We'll keep you all posted!

A roaring lion!

Every year I get so excited for all the little trick or treaters to come and visit me at my house. This year Cole was a lion and I have to say he looked pretty cute. He went to visit a few neighbors and brought home some candy. His favorite thing about tonight was that Emma and Jon let him have a lollipop. He made quite a mess with it! Jon and Emma taught him to roar like a lion and he thought it was pretty fun. Maybe next year I can dress up and go around the neighborhood with him.

Thanks to everyone who voted on my poll. It's just about over and I got quite a few votes in. Emma was really excited to see that 15 people have voted so far! Thanks for checking out our blog! I will say that my vote was for the October baby and obviously I'm wrong (unless this baby comes in the next hour and a half...) Emma wishes to thank everyone for the "early" votes. We shall see! But he's definitely going to be born in November at this point- sort of exciting. I'm a little anxious for them to bring him home so I can meet him!

A fun weekend...

This last weekend was Jon's birthday. He's 28-the same age as me (in dog years of course!) His family came into town and we had a nice visit over the weekend. I had a fun time roughhousing with Al's toes! On Saturday I was banned to the backyard because of a baby shower for the new baby but I didn't mind because the weather was nice. Emma's friends Tara and Kristie threw the shower and they did such a good job. It was a lot of fun! Emma keeps telling me how good the food was but won't let me have any of the leftovers (though she has quite a bit in the fridge!!!)

Kiss the Baby Cole!

Here's a picture of that belly for you, Chelle! Cole is always lifting up Emma's shirt and kissing and patting her belly. Sometimes he tries to do it in public though, and it's hard for him to understand why sometimes he's not allowed to do it! He definitely knows that it's "the baby" but what does that mean to him I wonder....

Running off in the Rain...

Today I was very naughty. Emma and Cole took me out for a quick car ride and when we got home, Emma opened the van door for me, and I ran off and didn't go inside like she wanted me to. I feel sort of bad, but I had a fun time running around in the rain. I think that's why Emma didn't allow me to come ride in the car when they went to visit her college roommate Amber this afternoon. They said they had a fun time visiting and catching up though. Cole liked Amber and showed her his cool dance moves and his belly button. Amber gave Cole some cool bath toys- he asked me to say THANKS for him and that he enjoyed meeting her. I think I get to go on another car ride tomorrow morning to go to the vet. I promise I won't run off again!

Haircut

This week Cole and I both got haircuts. I had a lot of matted hair and it was yucky, so I'm glad Jon and Emma finally did something about it. Enough about my hair though, it doesn't look much different, but Cole's haircut is actually quite new and different! Emma used the clippers because Cole has been very difficult with scissors lately. When she got the scissors out, he covered his head and wouldn't let her near him- it was sort of funny. He actually didn't mind the clippers and the haircut went quite well! So his hair is pretty short and it looks so cute- it makes him look even more like a little boy. He keeps rubbing his head- I think he likes it!

Another Trip...

Cole and Emma went off and left me again this last friday. They went up to Greensboro to the children's museum there and met the Keigleys and the Lesters for a day of fun. Cole's buddy Cameron came along with his mommy Mandy. Cole told me about all the fun things he did at the museum. There was a fun section to climb all over things, a section with lots of blocks (one of Cole's favorite things), an airplane with fun buttons and a slide, a cool sandbox, a bubble room and lots more! Of all the things at the museum, Cole really liked riding in the Little Tykes car. He didn't move very far, but he had fun sitting in it!

playtime with the boys!

First of all let me mention that Emma is up at 4 o'clock writing this blog- it's not me- I'm happily asleep under the ottoman. (Crazy prego girl!) So Cole had some friends over this week and had so much fun playing with them that we thought it deserved some mentioning here in the blog. Jaxson and Cash came to play Tuesday morning and they had a blast. Cole and Cash copied absolutely everything each other did (from high pitched squeals, hitting heads on pillows and then running back and forth across the room and diving into the floor...very fun to watch!) It was funny to see Cole share...or not share toys too. Emma and the boys...I think I'll be able to handle it!

Pumpkin Fun

Last week Cole and Emma went to a pumpkin patch with a bunch of friends and Cole got to pick out his first pumpkin! He brought it home to show me and I think he did a pretty good job at picking a perfect pumpkin. While he was there, he got to see lots of animals like sheep and goats and chickens. I would have had a blast chasing all those animals! He also got to go on another hayride and said it was quite fun.

Brother and Sister....sort of!

I haven't let Cole sit on me in a while, but today I was feeling generous and didn't mind. (plus Emma found an old chew bone in the closet and I was pretty occupied with it at the time) Emma says that Cole and I have been like siblings lately. One minute we're playing and the next we're fighting. He's not the only one who knows how to bring it though...I know how to push his buttons too! First Cole chases me around the kitchen with that crazy loud lawnmower and then I'll get in his face and squeak my bunny rabbit until he screams. Really, I'm just trying to prepare Cole to be a big brother! Due date...5 weeks and hopefully sooner!

Daddy's Tools

"And here's how to use the stud finder..." Cole says to me like I know what he's talking about! I don't really know what all that beeping was about, but Cole sure was having fun with that silly contraption that Jon showed him how to use. Other favorites are the tape measure and screwdriver. Jon and Emma are doing lots of projects around the house lately and Cole is always wanting to help!

Big Boy Bed!

There's a fun new spot for me to nap in the house and I'm pretty excited about it. Ever since Jon and Emma banned me from their bedroom, I've been downstairs most of the time. (It's better for me they say because I'm not tempted to taste the socks, etc. left out for me) But for the past few weeks, I've been able to come up when Emma and Cole are playing in his room during the day and catch a quick nap under his cool new bed. Cole's pretty happy with his new sleeping arrangements as well. After napping in his bed for less than a week, he climbed up in his bed one night and has been sleeping in it ever since. Emma says that he's being so good at just staying in bed until she comes in to get him. He has some toys that he plays with and loves laying on his pillows! (PS- I wish I had some nice pillows like Cole!)

Apple Pickin' Fun

Cole and Emma are having a lot of fun going to farms lately. This week, they went to Windy Hill Apple Orchard in York, SC with a bunch of friends. As part of the tour, they got to hear about Johnny Appleseed, went on a hayride, saw some pigs, chickens & goats, had apple donuts and cider, played in the hay while other kids made a scarecrow and got to pick apples to bring home. What a fun time! They even had a picnic lunch afterwards. Cole's favorite part of the trip was riding in the van with the McGlinchey kids. He liked handing toys back and forth with Emmy and having some interaction in the backseat. I think he's looking forward to having a buddy to ride with in the van!

Aw Shucks!

We had an exciting day this past weekend. The Keigleys came to visit and my house with SIX kids was quite lively. Needless to say, I was glad to stay outside while they were here.

Cole had fun with them around and got to have his first real sleepover Friday night when he and Bergen slept in the same room! Saturday, they all went to a Corn Maze Farm, had a picnic, went on a hayride and played in the hay. Cole's buddy Maddie came along for the fun as well!

The Wedding Day...

Luke and Jessica had a beautiful wedding day. It was so much fun and we are so excited to welcome Jessica into our family! Cole now has TWO aunt Jessicas and an uncle Jesse- so we all need to discuss what everyone wants to be called. The reception was great. A highlight of the week for Cole was playing with all the kids. Cole's cousin Morgann was in town from New Hampshire and the Keigley kids are always fun to watch and learn. The picture above shows Cole's mad dancing skills as he and London enjoyed the dance floor.

Rehearsal Dinner...

The next few blogs really aren't about me. (are any of them really though?) Emma's brother Luke got married this past week (September 22nd!) and so Emma, Cole and I headed up to the Farm in Virginia to help get ready the Tuesday beforehand. I got to play and run around with my aunts Maisey and Molly. Whenever lots of people were coming over, we had to stay in the barn, which was no fun...but still I'm glad I was able to go! So anyways- this blog is about the Rehearsal Dinner the day before the wedding. The dinner was really good and all the kids got to sit at their own kiddie table. Cole felt really cool sitting at a table with only kids. He sat with Morgann, London & Mosely. Everyone at the rehearsal dinner got neat party favors with toys and candy. After dinner, the kids chased each other around the tables and had a blast. Cole kept running around with his new slinky and was quite adorable.

Cole's First Chore

I am particularly fond of Cole's first chore-mainly because it involves me! Every morning and every evening Cole helps Emma and Jon feed me. He's just started being able to carry the scoop over to my bowl but sometimes if Jon and Emma are in a hurry, he just picks up the pieces that they accidentally drop. After my food is poured, part of Cole's job is to put away the scoop in my food bin. He's doing a really good job!

A Trip to Sunny Florida

This past week I went on another adventure- this time to Florida. Oma, Emma, Cole & I hopped in the car and drove down Wednesday afternoon and got back on Sunday. Without my Aunts Maisey & Molly there, it was a little lonely and the pool made me very nervous! Eventually after Uncle Stin and Cole went for a swim, I calmed down and realized everything was okay. It looked like Cole had a blast in the pool. He got to spend a lot of fun time with Oma & Papa Wick. Uncle Stin kept him pretty entertained and he also got to visit with one of his favorite friends, Denise and her boyfriend Barry. The trip home from Florida was an interesting one and you'll have to ask Emma about her analogies about the new navigation system in Oma's Yukon. Something about following the navigation system and following God...I'm not sure, I slept the whole way.

A Visit from New England

Last Wednesday we shared a quick visit with Emma's cousins Abbey & Rich and their daughter Morgann. They visited on their way down to Spartanburg for the week. I wasn't able to spend much time inside during this visit because I kept getting too excited about little Morgann and got a little too close. Emma said that I scared her, but I don't know what they're talking about- I was just being friendly! So from outside the sliding door, I could see Cole and Morgann playing and they had a lot of fun together. They picked "blueberries" and visited Sam, my dog friend next door, that needed to be fed and let out. We all left to go on our trips at the same time, so we ate lunch together with Aunt Mary and Uncle Wayne, and went our seperate ways.

Happy Birthday Baby Piper!!!

This last week was one of my favorites. I always love going on trips, but I especially love trips to the farm in Virginia. Emma, Cole and I went up Tuesday to meet the Keigley's newest addition, Piper. Cole had a lot of fun playing with the Keigley kids and Piper was just so cute and tiny!

Hanging Out

Cole and I love to lay on pillows and blankets anytime they're on the floor. Yesterday was Virginia Tech's first football game and so we all relaxed and watched the game- Cole wore Emma's Hokies hat. The Hokies won, by the way, if you haven't heard. I actually ended up sleeping through most of the game because I'm pretty tired from my trip up to Virginia.

On a Walk....in the house?

Yesterday Cole thought it would be fun to try to take me on a walk. He went and got the leash and brought it to me when I was laying by the front door (that's one of my favorite places to sleep because I can keep an ear out for anyone passing by my house). Obviously he wasn't able to attach my leash, so Jon helped him and he walked me all around the house. I would have rather gone outside but I think Jon and Emma were concerned that I would drag Cole down the street. It was sort of funny walking from the kitchen to the living room back and forth, so eventually I got tired and started playing tug of war with him and he got upset. Maybe someday Jon and Emma will let Cole take me on walks.

Just Peachy!

My favorite spot to be at dinner time is right under Cole's seat. I get lots of yummy snacks that Jon and Emma don't let me have when I sit there. Anytime I hear that chair sliding out, I come running for a stake out at my favorite spot. Tonight Cole had his first experience with a whole fruit....it was a peach and he didn't share any with me. He really enjoyed the peach- it was really juicy and messy! I think it made him feel like a big boy.

a pretty fun day

This last Saturday was one of Cole's best days. (That's what Jon and Emma have told me- they were out most of the day and left me at home- boo!) The day started with Emma and her mom taking Colton to the Farmer's Market in Waxhaw. They left early to beat the heat and walked around Waxhaw, got some fresh produce and flowers and then came home. Cole really liked walking around and seeing lots of people, especially the bread lady with the big floppy hat. Soon after they got home, they left again. They visited Lowe's to get some paint for Cole's big boy room and then headed to Babies R Us. They wanted to look at strollers and then leave, but ended up spending over an hour just looking around at clothes and toys. Cole had a blast playing with everything. All afternoon, he was so pleasant and loving that Jon and Emma came downstairs after they put him to bed and told me how much they loved him! There was nothing special or different really about today, but I guess there are days that you think about how blessed you are and are thankful!

Daddy's Shoes

I don't know what the big deal is about these things called "SHOES, " but Cole really likes them. One of his favorite things to do is to go outside and play (it's one of my favorite things too). He always has to find and put on his shoes before he goes outside. This Sunday while Jon was gone, he tried on his shoes. I don't think they fit him, but it looks like he had a fun time. Speaking of shoes, I'd like to mention my recent incident with socks. Just as much as Cole likes shoes, I LIKE SOCKS. I don't know what my fascination is with them, but if I see any laying around, I just can't help but chew and sometimes....eat them. Jon and Emma think it's disgusting and quite a waste and that someday I'll learn my lesson. What I might have learned is that eating 2 pairs of socks in one day is not the best idea, as I've felt sick for the past few days. (Too much of a good thing...?)

Jenga & Cole

I would say that Cole and I are best friends. Everyday he chases me around with his lawnmower or crazy popper toy and I just run around the kitchen until we both get tired. I usually get tired first so I'll go and hide under the ottoman so he knows to stop. (I'm getting old! In dog years, I'm 28!) We fight sometimes when he hits me or pulls on my tail, but Emma usually breaks up the fight and gets us to be nice to each other. Sometimes I get in trouble though and have to go outside. This morning Cole and Emma brushed me really good because I'm shedding so much- I liked it. Cole likes to lay on me and will never pass up the opportunity to give me a hug or kiss. Sometimes Jon and Emma are jealous because he'll give kisses to me more than them. Last night it was really cute though...As Jon was going upstairs to brush Cole's teeth and put him to bed, he gave Emma a kiss through the stair spindles to say goodnight. He really looks forward to bedtime lately. Even though we're best friends, I'm glad to spend some time without him in the evening with Jon and Emma.

Playtime with Friends

Cole gets to go lots of places and have fun. A couple weeks ago, he went to his friend Maddie's house and they apparently had a blast playing with her sand & water table and then with the caterpillar crawling tube. (I think I would have had a lot of fun playing in that caterpillar too!) Just last week, He and Emma got to go to his buddy Cash's house and play with friends. It took him a while to warm up to the idea of leaving his mommy's side, but after he got comfortable, he ran around with all his friends!

Summer Heat!

Boy is it HOT outside lately! We haven't gone on many walks, but Cole and Emma get to go to the pool and cool off. Cole really likes the pool and tells me all about it when he gets home. (I'm not allowed to go...) His favorite thing is to splash the water.

Meet my Family!

Well here's my first blog entry. This is my family. I used to be the baby of the house and then this little guy Colton came along. This picture was taken in December. Cole, as I like to call him, is 17 months old now! I'm not quite sure, but something strange is going on and I think there might be another baby coming along soon. I've been trying to protect the house a little better to prepare for this. (i.e. Barking during naptime at anything that passes by our house) My mom and dad seem pretty excited about the new little one coming along. They keep talking about boy names and cribs and strollers. That's all I hear about these days!