Then and Now

It's about 8:40 p.m. on the night of February 16 and Crystal and I were just talking about how it was exactly one year ago that Cole was born. He was born at 8:20 p.m. last year, and I just thought I would post a picture of him in the hospital, and one taken this past weekend for comparison.

First, just after he was born a year ago:



And then, just this past weekend:

With all the talk lately about, "Change you can believe in", this is change that for me is hard to grasp. And I love it.

They Say It's Your Birthday

Tomorrow Cole officially becomes a one year old, but we celebrated his birthday a couple of days early, and had a party for him on Saturday. Cole wanted to invite all of his friends and family and many of them were able to come. Here are some of the highlights.

Cole & Friends (from left to right): Lyla, Philip, Harrison, Cousin Riley, Cousin Sawyer, and Cole


Cole & Friends, Take 2 (from left to right): Philip, Lyla (being blocked by [Ben] her Dad's head), Cousin Riley, Cole, Cousin Sawyer, and Gracelyn

Cole was so happy that his friends could come to his party to help him celebrate turning one. He was disappointed that his friend Ellie couldn't make it, but her Dad, Scott, came and let Cole know that Ellie just didn't want to get him and all of his other friends sick, as she was feeling under the weather.

Cole was also so excited that his Grandma and Grandpa Cripe from Nappannee, (Crazy) Uncle Clint and Aunt Kristy, Uncle Trey (Cousin Riley's Dad), Aunt Danielle and Uncle Jim (Cousin Sawyer's parents) from Pennsylvania, and the Tierney family (especially Cousin Bradley) from Wakarusa came in too.

Cole received lots of very nice gifts, all of which he is thankful for. He is a little boy, so of course he loved getting presents.

Cole and his Mom, opening up a box of Legos (with the eager help of Cousin Riley)

And of course, what is a birthday party without cake? Cole told his Mom that he would rather have cupcakes than a big cake because he hasn't learned to use silverware yet, and you can eat cupcakes with your hands.

At first, Cole wasn't sure what to think about his cupcake, but it sure didn't take him long to warm up to the idea...

After cake, all of the kids were a little wired. The ones who could walk (read: run) were running all over the house, and the crawlers were doing everything they could to keep up. Let's just say that our dog, Allie, got a lot of exercise.

(From the top, clockwise): Cole, Philip, Cousin Riley, and Cousin Sawyer

So, after all the friends, all the presents, all the cake and all of the playing, I'm sure you can imagine how much fun Cole was having.

Uncle Brian, my Mommy and Daddy sure do know how to throw a party! I'm having SO MUCH FUN!!!

All in all, Cole seemed to enjoy the evening. It was a good way to end his first year, which to us, has been a year filled with joy. We can't believe how much he's grown. Thanks to you all for being part of our lives.

The Sheward family, happy and blessed.

Off to the Races!

I spent this past weekend in New Orleans with my firm, so Crystal and Cole got a break from me for a couple of days. As it turns out, Cole decided to make the best of my time away. As my plane landed at the Memphis airport from New Orleans, my phone buzzed, letting me know that I had a voicemail. While I was in the air, Crystal called to tell me that Cole had taken his first steps.

I got home Sunday night at about 10:00 p.m., so Cole was already in bed when I got home, and I didn't get to see his new trick. Before I left for work, I asked him if he'd take a stroll for me, and he put on his walking boots. I didn't have time to video tape it all before I went into the office, so Crystal and I decided that we would record the milestone for you all this evening.

So, now that I've built up your anticipation, here he is, in all his walking glory. I have a feeling our lives are about to get a lot more...active.