Jesse Coulter

Tee: c/o MamaCase Prints
Shorts: Kohl's
Shoes: Converse

My baby is turning in to a little boy : ( . He is at such a fun stage as he learns new words everyday, and they sound so extremely cute when I hear them for the first time. Here's a quick update.

- Sleeps from 7pm to 7am. This amazing sleep is one reason holding me back from having another baby.  I enjoy a full night's sleep way too much, because I know what it's like to not have it. He still sleeps with a pacifier and white noise sound machine.

- Favorite words: See, Hi, Juice, Dada/Daddy, Bike, Car, Please, Bite, Crackoo (mix between cracker & cookie). He just learned the word no, and will repeat it after I tell him no.  And so it begins ; )

- Favorite Foods: Fruit, cheese, macaroni.  We try not to give him sweets, but every once in a while we'll give him a bite of a cookie or ice cream. I've never seen a temper tantrum so bad than when I take away his sweets.

- Activities: Enjoys hanging out with Dad in the garage, walks to the park in his stroller, blowing bubbles, anything involving water

- Random Facts:

• Loves sticks and rocks.  He will find a stick wherever he goes, and screams bloody murder when I make him leave it outside when it's time to come inside.
• Dislikes getting dressed and having his diaper changed
• Loves playing with his cousins and next door neighbors
• Favorite song to dance to: Soprano's intro music. Is that wrong?

Tee/Swim Trunks: Baby Gap. Shoes: MiniToes

It's been a while since I've given you an update on Turner, so here it goes!

Weight:

• Around 21 pounds (this has helped me to get lots of use out of his baby clothes)

Sleep:

• Bedtime: 6:30-7pm  Rise & Shine: Around 6:30am
• His bedtime routine is eat, play, poop, read.  I turn the lights off, hold him for a few seconds, say goodnight and lay him down.
• He sleeps with a pacifier, a small blanket and a teddy bear
• The sound of the ocean serenades him through the night thanks to our sound machine
• He takes 1 nap at school for about 2 hours (12:30-2:30). When he's at home with us on the weekends he will take two naps for about an hour to two a piece, but it depends on our activities.

• Loves his carbs. What can I say, he follows after his mama.  He's starting to get more picky about the meals he eats, but it's hit or miss. One day he loves grapes, the next day he doesn't want to touch them.  Weird. T has also perfected the art of drinking out of a straw, so anytime we're eating out, he wants what I'm drinking.
• Every morning around 7am, Turner and I eat breakfast together.  I'll make him a waffle and serve it with fruit, or sometimes he'll just eat fruit with cheerios.  Then 2 hours later, he eats his second round of breakfast at school. His teachers laugh at how much he eats, always getting seconds and sometimes thirds.

We've had a rough week due to teething, but hopefully he'll start to feel better soon.  I can't wait for the warm weather, so we can be outside all day!

Last Friday Austin had a terrible snow storm aka there was sleet and a layer of ice on the roads, therefore all schools were cancelled and work was delayed.  Thanks to this, Alex and I were able to spend the morning with Turner.  We busted out T's newest pair of shoes, and were surprised at how much he loved them. He's used to wearing soft leather shoes, so he looked like a puppy walking for the first time.  I'm so glad we were able to catch this moment on camera.  These are the moments I never want to forget.

Cardigan: Ross
Top: Urban Outfitters (Men's basic tee)
Jeans: Fossil
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Purse: Bought @ a small boutique in Abilene

I often wonder what kind of Mom I'll be when Turner is at the age where he is defiant, strong headed and wants to go adventures that I might be too scared to let him go on.  Growing up I never realized how trusting and patient my parents were of me.  From an early age I was very independent and by the time I was 16 I knew I wanted to study abroad for a year.  Thankfully, they gave me the freedom to dream, and to pursue my passion of learning about other cultures.  I can't imagine the fear my parents had when I told them about my cross country trips across Poland in trains by myself in the middle of the night.  I'm scared to death the day Turner wants to visit another country w/out our supervision, actually I'm scared the day he wants to do anything without our supervision.  But that is where my faith comes in, and I have to rest in God's peace that no matter what he is in control.

My Rotary Youth Exchange blazer.  It brings back so many amazing memories of a  year full of travels and new experiences.

I've already taken small steps in letting go of wanting to be in control. Letting Alex cut Turner's baby curls, allowing Turner to dive in to Indian food (which later bit us in the butt when Turner woke up every hour that night with indigestion...poor baby)...baby steps.


What kind of Mom are you? Or one that you hope you will be? Are you scared to death of the day your baby wants to go out with their friends to a party....movie...drive as a teenager in their car by them self!  Good luck moms, it's going to be a tough but fulfilling road ahead.

Mr. T

- Weighs 18 lbs 13 oz (12th percentile), and is in the 45th percentile for height and head circumfrence

- Loves to be outside.  He was gifted a swing and radio flyer wagon for his birthday, and he is obsessed.  With this beautiful fall weather, I've enjoyed taking Turner for walks every night before dinner.  

- Pats Alex's back when Alex picks him up out of his crib.  He also lays his head on Alex's shoulder at the same time, and I think it is the cutest thing.

- Is a walking fool.  This past week he has been walking everywhere, smacking his little baby feet around with his arms raised high.

- Miraculously sleeps through the night.  He wakes up crying about an hour before he wakes for the day around 6:30am, but I think it's because he can hear my phone alarm going off in my room.

- Enjoys music. What baby doesn't?  I like to watch Austin City Limits with Turner, because he seems to really enjoy the live performances.  He hasn't been much of a dancer, which honestly kind of surprises me since he is my flesh and blood.  Right now I think he's having more fun laughing at me while I try to dance.

- Loves when I read to him, but he tries to eat the book about 2 minutes in to the story.

- Is Alex's favorite wood working buddy.  When I need a break from T, Alex will strap him in the baby Bjorn and take him to the garage while Alex organizes his tools and does "man" things.

- When it comes to vocabulary, he can say two words; Mama and Dada.  We haven't been doing a good job of using sign language, so he hasn't been signing to us at all.

- Does a great job eating.  His school teacher says he ALWAYS finishes his meals, and of course he has to be the first one to be fed.  There are times when he shakes his head "no" to certain foods (peas, banana yogurt), but other than that he'll pretty much eat anything.







Find out more about Turner's development this past year through the posts below!

Birth Story

One Month (Didn't write an official post, but here was my post after he was born)
Two Months
Three Months
Four Months
Five Months
Six Months
Seven Months
Eight Months
Nine Months
Ten Months
Eleven Months

Enough with the gifts and on to this awesome balloon that can entertain me for hours. - T

• Grape Jelly Meatballs (these are addicting and the easiest thing to cook)
• Homemade Pimento Cheese & Chicken Salad Sandwiches (thanks to my bro & sis-in-law)
• Spinach Dip w/Pretzel chips
• 7 layer bean dip w/Tortilla chips
• Fruit
• Chocolate & Vanilla Cupcakes w/cream cheese icing
• Beer, Sodas, Water
• Smash cake for Turner

I was beyond proud of myself for making Turner's ombre smash cake.  I don't know why, but I felt like it was my mom duty to make it for him.  I baked 3 layers of funfetti cake on Friday, and Saturday morning I successfully iced them.  It wasn't a perfect cake, but I was excited it didn't fall over or crumble.  It actually tasted quite delicious.

• Fabric Garland 
• (see the tutorial here)
• Happy Birthday Banner 
• (c/o Tucker Reece - Check out these super cute handmade garlands on Etsy)
• ONE letters - DIY 
• Paper mache letters from JoAnn Fabrics
• Silver Metallic Spray Paint
• Frame w/photos - DIY
• Thrifted frame spray painted w/silver metallic spray paint
• Hemp cord
• Clothespins spray painted w/silver metallic spray paint
• Photos c/o Prinstagram
• Balloons 
• Royal Blue & Sky Blue - Target
• Neon Flower Bouquet- Sam's

Now that Alex and I have successfully thrown our first birthday party, I can only imagine how much more intricate they get from here.

Have you thrown a children's birthday party? If so, what are your tips and tricks?