Pool Party at the Gullickson Dallas House

My parent just closed last week on a house in Dallas!! Hooray!!!! They are not selling their home in Kansas City, but they are planning to spend more time in Dallas starting in the spring. Best news ever!

My Dad is having surgery on both knees this fall so until my parents come here more permanently (fingers crossed), my sister and her husband and their two dogs will be staying at the house and taking care of it and fixing it up. The house has a pool so last Thursday we celebrated the house closing with a little pool party. We all enjoyed the cool water, except Colton who enjoyed a nap on a lawn chair.

Athens, GA Trip: Sept. 18-22

We realize we are a bit crazy to travel with 2 littles and 1 infant, but Grant needed to take business trip to Atlanta, GA so the kids and I decided to tag along and visit my sister and her family in Athens, GA. Considering that my sister is 4 months pregnant and we had 4 kids to take care of, the trip went great. We all had a wonderful time at their beautiful home and my kids were in love with their huge basement. We also went on a family dinner outing to a great pizza place, one afternoon we took the kids to a small local zoo and park for a picnic, we had a date night with the adults (and Colton came along too), my sister and I went to brunch together and we all made it to church on Sunday. You should be impressed.

The time flew by but it felt like we were really able to connect. Bethany had picked us all up in Atlanta and then Grant stayed to work. Grant joined us in Athens on Thursday afternoon and was able to attend Nathan's class on Friday. After a fun-filled weekend, Grant and I and the kids loaded up on Sunday after church and headed back to Atlanta. We had just about an hour and half to swing by 6 Flags over Georgia before we caught a late flight back to DFW. Cadie got hives on Sunday so we were glad to get home and by Tuesday she was recovered. It was a great trip and I can't wait to go back!

Little Colton took a snooze during his very first flight.

The cousins were so excited to see each other at the airport.

Dinner at this great little pizza place that had live music, outdoor seating and a sand pit for the kids. It really doesn't get any better than that!

Outing to the local zoo and park.

Don't eat us!!!

Cadie the baby bear.

At brunch with my sister. LOVE YOU!

Samuel really wanted to help with his new cousin. Especially since he is about to be a big brother.

Grant, of course, did lots of projects including installing new can lighting, kitchen faucet, dimmers, etc.

Cadie was happy to assist.

Aunt B holding Colton in his favorite position.

Cousins

One of our goals during our trip to Athens, GA was a cousins picture. This is a more lofty goal that you can imagine. While we didn't get any cousins pics with everyone in clothes, we managed to get some pretty cute jammie pics. We were generally in our jammies so at least these are a true representation of the cousins time together.

These cousins LOVE each other and they had the best time playing in the basement, making up games, playing with cars and trains and also bothering each other. We can't wait for the gang of four to be a gang of five! My sister Bethany is having a boy in February. Whoo Hoo!!

We can't wait for another boy cousin to join our CRAZINESS!

These two are just 8 months apart and are great friends.

Brothers

So far, the biggest threat to Colton's health and well-being is his brother's love.

One Month

Colton had his one-month doctor checkup with Dr. Denison on Sept. 24. Nina was in town and she went with us. He didn't have to get any shots or vaccinations so there were no tears at this checkup. Our chill little man just takes it all in stride.

Stats:
- Weight: 11 lbs. 10 oz. = 95%
- Length: 23 1/4 inches = 95%
- Head: 15 1/2 inches = 75%
- Dr. Notes: "Looks great - thriving young man!"

He eats ALL the time and it is showing! Nanny Sarah tried to put him in a newborn outfit and his little baby belly wouldn't fit! So adorable. Here are some pictures she took of him in the too-small newborn outfit in our backyard.

A few more shots of the sweet man during our trip to GA to visit the Chapman crew.

How many chines and/or wrinkles can you count?

Sip & See

On Sept. 7 DD hosted a lovely Sip & See for family and a few friends to meet Colton. I was so happy my Mom was still in town and we stayed and chatted with DD and Big John for hours even after the Sip & See ended. It was so fun to show off our new little family member and to get to catch up with a lovely group of women. Thank you DD!

Cousin Camryn, Aunt Becky and Cousin Courtney.

Cousin Courtney

Cousin Camryn

I love the beautiful DD!

Aunt Susan

Cousin Lisa

My friend Emmy made the mostly amazing diaper cake that was baked with so much love!

One of my oldest friends, Laura, and her daughter McLaine. Laura and I started 1st grade together in Kansas.

Dalene O'Donnell (Laura's mom), Laura, McLaine, me, Cadence and my Mom. I love these ladies! PS - Cadie did wear a pretty dress to the party, which lasted about 10 minutes before she changed into a variety of costumes and jammies.

Sweet friend Billi

DD finally getting to hold Colton at the end of the party.

Aunt CJ didn't get to come to the party because she had to work, but she caught up with Colton later at our house.

Month-one Activities

Grant wants me to go to a movie with him this afternoon because our nanny, Sarah, is here, JR is with DD, Cadie is at school and Grant has a light workload today. I told him I have too much to do!! He asked me what I have to do and everything I told him did fall a little flat - start packing for our trip to Georgia, mail a package to my sister, update my blog, etc. He said, "Updating your blog should take just a minute. Colton, eats, sleeps, poops and is getting chubby. Done." Hmmm - I was hoping to add a bit more detail, but since I will most likely be persuaded to go to the movies, here is a quick update about Colton's month-one activities.

Dates of note:
- Aug. 18: Born!
- Aug. 20: Home from hospital
- Sept 1: First spend the night with DD and Big John
- Sept. 2: Umbilical cord fell off
- Sept. 3: First shower with Dad
- Sept. 6: 2 week doctor appointment. Weight = 9 lbs. 13 oz.; Length = 22.5 inches
- Aug. 24 - Sept. 11: Nina is here

Brother love!

Jack Ranger does not enjoy the sound of Colton crying. Really, none of us do.

Cadie is SO sweet and nurturing with Colton. The other day I told her how much I appreciated her helpfulness and she clarified for me, "Mom, I love helping with Colton, but when it comes to his poo, you are in charge." No diaper changing yet for her.

Snuggling with Big John.

Like his siblings before him, Colton enjoys his swing.

First bath

First shower - he loved it.

2-week doctor appointment. He grew a whole pound and was 9 lbs. 13 oz.

Colton and Nina are in love. She stayed with us for over two weeks and just left last Wednesday. We miss her!!