A Very Matching Christmas!

Happy Christmas! My family is amazing and let my sister and I pick out matching pajamas for everyone to wear! I really didn't think everyone would go for it, especially my father-in-law, but everyone agreed! They were such good sports in the fleece Star Wars PJs! I will cherish these photos and memories! 

 I think the boys had a fantastic Christmas in our new house! Santa stopped by with more presents than they could count and they played all morning long! I'm so in love with this family that I get to call mine! Merry Christmas!

Yelp Makers and Bakers Night

The Ginger and I went on a super fun date night recently. I'm a Yelp Elite member and every month Yelp Pittsburgh hosts fun events for it's community. This time we attended a craft night at a cool hotel in East Liberty. Lots of local shops and businesses were there to help us make a few crafts to take home or to give as a gifts. Plus, we got to eat sweet treats the whole time!

We ended up stopping at almost every table, making everything from hand stamped cards with Pop Craft Pittsburgh, to Shrinkydinks with the Make Shop from the Children's Museum. We painted canvas ornaments with Paint Monkey, laser cut gingerbread men from the Tech Shop, and sewed our own cup cozies with Contemporary Craft. It was such a fun night interacting with Pittsburgh businesses and I'm so thankful we have such an active Yelp community in town! You can't beat a free night out just for posting reviews and checking in on the app. There's always free fun to be had if you're willing to look for it and sometimes put a little effort in! 

My Nona's sister, Aunt Sylvia, lives in Evans City. We don't see the family as much as we used to, but with everyone getting older we are trying to make a point to get together every season. My Dad's cousin Kathy organized a giant party for our family and her husband's family. It was a fun day to see everyone and celebrate the holidays. 

I know it means a lot to my Nona to see her sister. I can't imagine not seeing my sister at least once a week. I hope that we can always make time to see each other, no matter how far, busy, or ill we get. 

 
So much can get in the way of family...distance, politics, opinions. I don't want to let those things be a barrier to the love that can exist in a family. I'm not sure everything can be fixed with older generations, but I plan on doing everything I can to keep my generation together. I don't want to look back and regret any decision. I want to know the people that are my blood. I don't want to just make generic small talk, I want to really know the members of my family. This kind of get together really reminds me of that. 

Christmas in the City

The Ginger and I lived right in the center of the city when we were in college. We spent years exploring Market Square, going to Light Up Night and taking in all the sights during the holidays. It's so special that we get to do this with our kids now. It's such a fun progression of life, from college kids to married couple to family.

 We took the boys to the PPG Winter Garden to see the Santa display and the gingerbread houses. Then we stopped by Market Square to see the big guy himself. I hadn't planned on getting photos with him, just a quick stop to get Jack used to seeing him. But to my surprise, Jack went right up to talk to Santa and we got a cute photo! Ezra slept on me the whole time in the carrier so we'll have to do more photos later!

Pittsburgh is such a fun city in the winter. The holiday market in Market Square is such a fun addition. It really helps to get one in the holiday spirit! And to see the kids enjoy this makes the holidays even more fun! 

Santa and My Babies

Merry Christmas from the Cole Boys! 

The boys loved seeing Santa this year! Ezra was a little apprehensive but still hasn't learned the stranger danger fear yet, so we managed without him crying this year. And Jack was thrilled to see Santa and ask him for Mater from Cars for Christmas! It was so sweet watching him talk with Santa and tell him that he was a good boy this year. He even told him that Ezra would like some bath toys, including a rubber duck and some boats! This was such a sweet moment! 

Color Coordinating Is My Favorite

It's so important to me to have photos to document this time in our lives. I want photos of the boys, but I also want to have the Ginger and I in the photos too. I want to remember what we look like in the last year of our twenties, in the throngs of raising two young kids together. So we took our second family of four portraits. A great photographer that we know from college took them, Rachel Tokarski. We drove about an hour outside of Pittsburgh to her family's property where she shot a mini session for us with cute little wintry vignettes. 

I often spend WAY too much time perusing Instagram, admiring outfits and family moments. I think all that scrolling paid off, because we had the best outfits for this shoot! I don't think I'll ever be able to pull off better color coordinating again! Haha, I loved it. Most of the boys clothes came from Target, except for Ezra's cute little hat that was once Jack's. That came from a shop on Etsy. And my poncho is from an awesome local Pittsburgh shop, Number Fourteen. I know not everything is picture perfect all the time, but it sure is nice to have a few polished moments that we can look back on later! 

I can't believe we'll be sending out our first Christmas cards as a family of four. This little family feels so complete and I love it. Looking at these photos I just know that we are in it. You know, in those moments that we'll look back on when we're 50 and the kids are in college. We're in some of the best times of our life and I'm happy that we could document it. 

A 3rd Birthday Adventure

For Jack's 3rd birthday we took a trip to see his favorite trains, Thomas and Percy! We drove about 4 hours east of Pittsburgh to the Strasburg Railroad. We were so excited to find out that the railroad hosts a Day Out with Thomas & Friends about 4 times a year. What luck it was to have the November dates fall on Jack's actual birthday! As obsessed as I am with party planning, I think this trip was better than any Thomas party I could have thrown!

My parents and sister, plus the Ginger's dad traveled with us for the adventure! We stayed at the Fulton Steamboat Inn in Lancaster for the night and it certainly added to the experience! The hotel was laid out just like an old-fashioned steamboat, with Victorian touches! It was great fun and we even snuck a late night swim in!

              

But the real fun started the next day when we arrived at the railroad. As soon as we got there we had to stop at a railroad crossing and we saw Percy riding down the tracks! Jack was beyond thrilled! I knew then that this was going to be the best day! From there we got to ride on Thomas and have our photo taken with him. Then we rode on Percy, shopped in the many stores at the station and drank hot chocolate to keep warm. Our final ride was a on the real Strasburg train, but after a very full day it was one train too many. Everyone ended up falling asleep on the ride! We finished the day at a Pennsylvania Dutch family-style restaurant and then headed home.

It was so special to be able to plan something like this for Jack. I hope to always be able to provide little adventures for the boys that really show that I understand their interests and passions. I am so glad we got to experience this together! It's not every day you get to ride on your favorite toy in real life!

A real shock was how much I loved Lancaster! There seemed to be so much to do with outlet shopping, amusement parks, learning about the Amish and much more! I hope we will return since it's not a far drive from Pittsburgh!

THIS MOMENT

I never want to forget these perfectly imperfect moments. With Ezra's slippers on his hand, big brother Jack gives Ezra a little kiss without warning while I try to take a staged photo in matching outfits on Ben's late Grandmother's blue chair that we somehow ripped in our many moves. It's these moments I want to remember when I'm ninety.

Champions!

Despite growing up in Pittsburgh, sports were never a big thing in my family. I can remember watching a Steeler game only one time in my entire childhood, the Superbowl against the Cowboys. My mom screamed like a lunatic, probably the only reason for the memory! So when I started to work in sports it was a big shock for everyone, including me! 

In high school I took a communication class and knew that I wanted to work in TV, which led me to major in broadcast journalism in college. In my sophomore year of college I was recommended for a small part time job at a local TV station to work on a sports call in show and that same year I started freelancing, starting with high school football. That was all in 2007 and now almost 10 years later I'm still working in sports broadcasting! One of my favorite freelance jobs is working for the Pittsburgh Penguins. I run graphics for the jumbotron and it's truly a blessing! I learn more and more about sports every job, every year. And I almost think that not getting caught up in the emotion of a game helps me perform better! So instead of blaming my parents constantly (which I often do) I guess I should thank them for my lack of interest in sports! 

So last year I worked the whole Penguins season until playoffs when I was in the hospital off and on with preeclampsia! Actually, every time there was a game when I was in the hospital the Pens won! I like to think my consistency has a little to do with the wins, superstitions and all! Anyways a couple weeks ago we got to see the Stanley Cup in person! I was thrilled to bring my boys to my work place (PPG Paints Arena) and show them it! And putting Ezra in the cup was icing on the cake! It was perfect! I'll never forget it and I hope that the boys will be just as excited when they're older to see photos of them with the legendary cup! 

Spooky Toddler Craft

You guys...I made that...with my kids!! I feel so ridiculously impressed that I was able to manage getting a two year old, a five month old, and paint together without it ending up all over the house! #ParentingWin for sure! I found this idea on Pinterest but there was no blog or original creator attached to it. So thanks to someone out there for thinking of this adorable, easy toddler craft! 

Both boys used their hands for little creepy spiders, 

Jack's feet are a pair of ghosts, while Ezra's feet are tiny Frankenstein's monsters!

 I bought two 2-packs of plain white canvases at Target, painted them, let them dry, then I painted the boys' hands and feet to press on the canvases. I let those dry for about 20 minutes, then I went in and added the decorations with paint pens. I stapled ribbon to the backs of the canvases so they all hang as one! I spent about $30 to make this, but I have the paint pens and the paint to use for other projects! My plan is to hang this every year until the end of time to remind me just how tiny those hands and feet really were! 

#GilmoreGirls

It's official. I'm over the moon excited for the Gilmore Girls return on Netflix! I know that I have hit peak obsession because on a chilly Wednesday morning, I woke up, showered, dressed and got the boys dressed all before 6am just to stand in line for a free cup of coffee with a Luke's coffee sleeve on it...and I don't even like coffee! 

On October 5th, Netflix celebrated the Gilmore Girls birthday by hosting pop up Luke's Diners all over the country! Pittsburgh was lucky enough to have two locations! I'm definitely not the only obsessed one! 

My sister, Mom, the boys and I all waited in line with a flurry of millennials decked out in flannels and backward caps! It was such a fun atmosphere and so worth the early wake up call for a brief trip to Stars Hollow...and an Instagram-worthy photo, of course!  

THIS MOMENT

Ezra is rocking at tummy time! I am so in awe of this strong baby boy. I really think he is going to be the happiest boy when he can start moving around on his own. This is definitely the first step to getting there! 

Hip Mama: Ice Cream Parlour

In early September my mom group has an annual tradition to go to Klavon's Ice Cream in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. The ice cream parlour has so much history, opening originally in 1923! The place has so much character and it's a real treat for kids and adults alike. 

I was thrilled to see my photos from last year compared to this year. For one, we added another baby! I love that Ezra is joining in on our traditions and adventures. I can't wait until he is a little bigger and can fully enjoy them himself! Second, Jack is so much bigger! He's not a toddler anymore, he's really a kid now! He's takes in the experience so much more. He loves his strawberry ice cream and can order it himself. He picked where he wanted to sit...multiple times as we table hopped. I take such joy in seeing this boy grow up. For most of the Hip Mama kids, this is a back to school treat. That's what this will be for Jack when we come next year since he'll be starting preschool. As the years go by I hope it's a trip he looks forward to and will be a great little celebration to start to his school year! 

Birth Story: Ezra Thomas Cole

This beautiful baby boy was born on April 22, 2016 at 6:04am. He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 20 inches long. And he officially has one of the craziest birth stories out there!

In the weeks leading up to his birth I was just not feeling right. I was so swollen, tired and just not feeling well. So after lots of talking with the midwives, one of them finally understood that these weren't just normal complaints. I developed preeclampsia again, as I did with Jack, and had to be closely monitored. I spent a few nights in the hospital without the doctors deciding to induce me. On April 21st I went in for my usual Non-Stress-Test and was supposed to meet with the high risk doctors to discuss when I would be induced. That morning I really felt awful and was throwing up, so Mom decided she would come with me and Hope said she would watch Jack, which all turned out to be completely necessary. After checking my blood pressure, I was immediately sent upstairs to triage to be induced. My cervix was actually soft and I was slightly dilated.

Ben rushed to the hospital and was by my side to care for me and the baby. Dad, Hope and Ron also came to the hospital, while Jody and Lizzy watched Jack. I am so thankful that I had such a strong supportive family with me!

Induction started and I was very awake and active for it. I was put on magnesium which immediately felt like I was put inside an oven. But other than that while we waited for the pitocin to kick in and start labor, I was feeling pretty good. I was able to joke around and talk with everyone. The turning point was when the midwives tried to insert a foley balloon. Hope stayed in the room because we thought it would be no big deal, but the midwives had trouble with it. I ended up in so much pain that I started throwing up. Hope may be scarred for life and not want to ever have a baby, haha! I did get an epidural. I always wanted a natural birth but the magnesium kept me confined to the bed and it was just impossible for me to cope with the pain on my own without being able to move.

After all night with pitocen I finally became dilated and ready to give birth. Everyone was sleeping in the lobby, except for Ben who was in my room. He was so great, getting me drinks, keeping me calm and I know he was so tired. He slept for a bit but I had to wake him up because I knew it was time. He got my mom and the midwives and we started. After a few pushes we were getting there, and that's when the real craziness started.

I remember looking at Ben and locking eyes and just smiling at each other. Then everyone turned to look at the monitor for the contraction and I heard everyone start shouting. Ben passed out. He just fell right down, hitting his head off of the linoleum floor. A midwife turned to me and said, "Don't be scared but there are going to be a lot of people in here". I had to stop pushing and the room was rushed with nurses and doctors asking me if Ben was prone to seizures. I was so overwhelmed and scared. He finally woke up after a few minutes and was so upset. He didn't want to leave the room, but he had to be taken to the emergency room. He wouldn't get up so a nurse had to get his dad to help him and convince him to go. It was so sweet that he didn't want to leave me. He left and I yelled to him that everything would be alright.

Two pushes later and I pushed out our baby. Ben just missed it by two pushes. The contractions were so painful, but that last push was incredible. I felt so proud of my body for doing this and it was an experience I'll never forget. I didn't even tear, so no stitches for later (HALLELUJAH!). The pediatric doctors were brought in because I had gestational diabetes so they had to check the baby immediately. As the midwives pulled the baby out and set him on my stomach to cut the cord, one of the pediatric nurses walked by and said "What a beautiful baby boy" and my mom, the midwives and I all said in unison, "No, it's a girl!" as the midwife was cutting the cord. I think that shocked her and she jerked her hand, causing the cord to spray cord blood all over my nurse, who was holding the baby. She was covered in blood and said "Just keep going" while they finished up with the baby. She had to go to the emergency room because blood got in her eye! So that's two people from my birth room to go to the emergency room! Then I had a moment to fully realize I had a BOY! I was in total shock, but complete joy that this little baby was mine! They checked him out and then brought him to me. I got to hold him on my chest and then breast feed him right away. Even though Ezra is not who I was expecting, I fell instantly in love and connected to this surprise boy!

We got to spend several hours together as everyone settled down. But Ben was still in the emergency room and was having a hard time. He lost his memory of most of the previous day. He was so confused that we had a boy and kept asking if this was his first. In fact, Ron didn't even believe it when he heard it was a boy. He thought my dad was joking and had to remind him that Ben was really confused and not to joke around! My dad had to tell them repeatedly that it really was a boy! By about 3pm we were able to go down to the emergency room so that Ben could meet his new son. Because I was on magnesium I couldn't get out of bed, so I was wheeled down, with Ezra being wheeled down in a bassinet! Finally Ben got to hold his boy and we confirmed that he was our Ezra Thomas. I didn't want to say the name until I knew that we both were sure it was perfect!

After our visit, Ben was released to a room so we were all wheeled in our beds to our respective rooms! It was so funny, a train of Coles! Later that night, Jack came to visit and got to meet his new brother. It was one of the sweetest moments. He was so excited and thrilled to see the baby. He was afraid to get on my hospital bed, but kept going to see the baby. Over the next few days, it was clear that Jack was meant to be a brother. It was so natural to him and he had such an instant connection to Ezra. I'm so thankful for my boys and their obvious love for each other!

We ended up being the talk of the hospital with that wild birth! As crazy as it was, we were all safe and mostly healthy ( a concussion for Ben). My heart was so full and I couldn't stop smiling the whole hospital stay. I honestly felt guilty about smiling because of poor Ben's condition, but adding Ezra to our family was just too exciting to not smile!