Instagram

So even though I am still holding out on Facebook, I love Instagram. It is so easy and fast and fun! I realized I have been posting my photos there instead of on the blog - so, here is our 2013 via Instagram so far. . .

Mary Casen came over for a playday and she took Connor and Cora on a picnic

Cora loves all things baby doll. Look how sweet she is playing by herself.

After we played with all the upstairs toys, we headed downstairs and discovered dress-up superheroes.

Trouble #1 - She thinks this is hilarious - I'm okay with her doing this downstairs (on carpet) but recently she tried it upstairs on hardwood - luckily she is smart enough to realize mid-way that it wasn't going to work out.

Trouble #2 - This game came from Aunt Heather - (she is really a cousin but Aunt just seems easier). Connor is obsessed with this game. And, after playing nearly every day, he is actually really good at it - all this despite the fact that he still chooses his color based on which color won the prior game.

Trouble #3 - Well, he looks like he is up to trouble but really it was just a Community Helper Assembly at his school and he got to "drive".

We finally stopped over at Babies R Us and purchased a crib for the new arrival. We did take it out of the box but we have not yet assembled it. Mainly because we are giving the new baby our room and moving our stuff downstairs (but not before a closet remodel and possible laundry room reno (fingers crossed it is affordable and we can have the laundry room actually inside the house!) So, the crib is still in pieces until we can swap rooms. Of course the crib purchase took longer than expected since they actually had the crib in stock - we were able to pick it up right then, but we weren't prepared for that and had to do some car swapping and car seat uninstalling in order to get it home. Whew, just made it in time for the Ravens' game.

Cora is so funny these days. I forgot her favorite new word at 17 months. Trash. That's right. Trash. She actually creates trash (by tearing up kleenex) to be able to say "Trash?" and then march over to the trash can and deposit it once I have confirmed that it is indeed trash. Purse is another word that she knows - such a girl. She also tries to carry almost anything with a strap like a purse. When she sees pictures of kids in a crib she says "Night Night" and although she is usually only taking one morning nap a day - she continues to be a good sleeper. Fingers crossed this continues when the new baby arrives. Her shoes are getting too small so a shoe shopping trip with JoJo is on the books for tomorrow. I noticed her shoes were too small when she fell 6 times in 2 minutes. Oops. I got Cora this really cute Nautica dress for Christmas. It is so precious with the polo top and chambray skirt - but this is the best picture of her I could take. Sad.

Colin put Cora to bed one night - I usually do but he does sometimes . . . I walked in the next morning to find the light on in her closet (which has slatted doors so it looked really creepy) and her bed covered in wipes. This girl reached over to the dresser/ cubby tower next to her crib, got the new (unopened) package of wipes, took it and somehow managed to open it (although I have trouble removing the super strong sticker most days) and then "played" for an hour I guess removing nearly half of the wipes! Trouble!

Cora has been turned around in her car seat for a couple of months. I know the recommendation is 2 years but she is tall and was getting car sick rear-facing. She is so much happier and seems so old now. Here she is (again with babies) happy girl in the car - makes me happy too!

Today - a snowy day in Alabama! Just as quickly as it started - the snow was gone. But the kids enjoyed watching it from inside.

What else to do on a cold snowy day - play in Daddy's closet.

Happy New Year

We welcomed 2013 with a rainy day here. The dishwasher is on its 3rd load of the day at it isn't even noon. Today marks 17 months for Cora. She is talking a little more each day. She continues to understand nearly everything we say. She is pretty good at listening and following directions (which is nice when Connor doesn't love to follow directions anymore). She has some new words. Milk (she pronounces "Gilk"), Spoon (she pronounces "Poon"), Pop Pop, Cheese, Book (pronounced "Gook"). There are more maybe I'll think of them while typing. She now knows "Ears" and can identify them on herself and others (including her new babies). She loves for Connor to chase her around the upstairs (not my favorite activity) and also enjoys playing with every toy we own. And after Christmas, we own way too many. I actually don't think we will need any new toys for the baby, ever. She is still about 24 pounds and although her appetite has slowed down a bit, she is still a great eater. Her favorite food this month was Mexican Sweet Potatoes. These are super delicious and I made them without the skins, more like mashed potatoes. Another love is Spaghetti Bread. Also from Pinterest. I can assure you this is super easy to make, all the ingredients but the cheese are freezer or pantry items so this is a great - What can I fix without going to the store meal. I've been busy with Christmas, decorating, shopping, wrapping, and more wrapping and packing and shipping. I haven't posted many pictures. Here are some photos from Christmas that I missed posting.

My Christmas Cards . . . I LOVE this frame that hangs in our "foyer" and displays Christmas Cards (we got even more after I took this pic) and in the off season holds invitations, artwork and photos.

We went to The Club this year for the Santa Dinner. We got a family photo with Santa (not pictured because I don't have the digital file) and the kids danced the night away with JoJo.

Santa Connor - he is into what he calls superhero poses. hmmm.

Connor dressed up (along with the rest of the boys in his class) as Joseph. This was their Christmas luncheon/ Happy Birthday Jesus party.

Christmas Eve morning at the Doctor's office. Turns out the Pre-Christmas Puke the night before was just a quick bug that left Cora a little drowsy & feverish but overall didn't dampen her spirits too much - other than this photo.

Our Angel and Shepard (part of the Christmas Eve service at my parent's church. We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's house enjoying our annual Mexican dinner. So delicious! I don't have any photos because I was worried that Cora might still be sickly. You know, sitting around waiting for her to puke kind of night. Luckily she didn't get sick again.

Christmas morning. Connor slept in a little. Cora slept in a lot. So Connor got up and opened his stocking and his gifts from family and friends. I videoed this, so no still photos. Cora eventually woke up and we had breakfast and then did Santa gifts (at our other fireplace downstairs). Santa brought this Escalade and Planet mobile for Connor and Tea party/art table for Cora.

Cora enjoyed "jumping" (more like marching in place) on the new trampoline from Kevin and Leslie while holding her new picnic basket from Cousin Maddie.

Baby Doll Madness!

Christmas Night - Cora climbing up and down all night in her chair

Chuck, Connor and Cathy

Putting together his new puzzle and measuring himself against Jake. I think we may have to retire these pjs. Starting to be capris.

Cora lounging on the couch - just like her mommy does - such a mimic

New Easel - so fun! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!