Finally Friday Frames

A few years ago right after we moved to Birmingham, I bought a cool frame at a local art show. It took awhile to fill it but with my moms help I found the perfect photos.


Top - The Moorhouse Brothers (Scott and Bryan)

Middle - Connor

Bottom- The Davis Brothers (Alan and Jim)

So when we found out we were expecting a girl I was so excited but I had already been thinking about a Connor and brother photo replacing the middle picture one day.

Then during a visit to Birmingham, Colin's aunt Jan suggested a girls frame. It was truly a "how did I not think of that?" moment. I have these moments all.the.time. Especially after a fun filled Friday night watching Shark Tank. Anyway, a year later, and for half the price of the first frame


Top- the Getz sisters (Jan & Pat)

Middle - Cora

Bottom- the Teal sisters (Cathy & Jo)



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Claire on the Clarinet

Last Saturday, my mom and dad took Connor on an adventure.  It started at Cafe Iz, where Connor sampled Chicken Salad, Egg Salad and Pimento Cheese (if you know me you understand how this is right up there with corn dogs on my list of do.not.eat.ever).  He loved all of them, but expressed a particular fondness for the chicken salad with apples in it.  I guess I would rather he eat everything than be super picky.  After lunch, Connor got to visit with Nina and play in JoJo's basement (which has more toys than our house).  In the afternoon, Connor got a very special treat.  He went to see the Alabama Youth Symphony.  Our cousin Claire was performing and Connor loves Claire and the symphony!  Claire is moving to Chicago later this summer.  We will miss her!

Connor and Claire

 Connor and the tall, tall statue

Love the hand in the pocket

The adventure concluded at MugShots (delicious burgers - even veggie ones!).  Spoiled!  He loved every minute of it.

The Graduate

On May 15th Connor graduated from his 3 year old kindergarten class. We have loved his school, his teachers and his class. Nina even got to attend!

 The Church

 Connor walking in

 I seriously cannot believe this picture is blurry.  The kids walked so slowly it was adorable but slow, very slow.  Again, how is this blurry?  Also, Connor is carrying a few roses from my Mother's Day bouquet.  I totally forgot he needed to carry flowers.  He requested the pink ones.

 Singing a song.  Connor was super into the songs (we have been listening to them for a few weeks).  The video is hilarious.

Press Play.  It is 4 minutes long

 Connor and Kate thanking Jesus for the teachers and school

 Cora, practicing her clapping for Connor

 Connor receiving his diploma

Artwork done by students for the Thank you Jesus 

 Connor's artwork.  I framed this and put it above his new bookshelf.  I got him a Library Cart Bookshelf as a graduation gift (sort of . . . I was honestly tired of his old bookshelf because it didn't hold enough books . . . so the old bookshelf is now an art shelf for coloring books etc)

via Land of Nod

Connor and his teacher, Mrs. West

 Connor and Mrs. Smotherman, the teacher's helper

Connor and Nina 

 Connor and Evelyn

 Chapel, Connor and Evelyn

Connor's cookie cake from Cathy and Chuck

Monitored Moments

I recently recommended the book Twelve Hours Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old by Suzy Giordano to an over-tired mom.  The next morning I caught Cora doing exactly what Suzy said she would do.  Play alone in her crib.  Amazing!

Slightly more amazing is that these pictures were taken about 6:45 am, but Cora doesn't get up until 8 am. After she played, she went back to sleep until 8.  Truly 12 hours.  We must credit Caitlin for sending this book when Cora was 8 weeks old.  Thank you for our sanity and sleep!


Later this week, I caught Connor (who negotiated listening to his iPod) doing this during nap time.

 Insert LMFAO - Party Anthem (one of his favorites)

These moments are made possible by Summer Infant Baby Touch Monitor.  Love it!

9.5 . . .

Cora is roughly 9 1/2 months old and today was her 9 month check-up.  She weighs 16 pounds 3 ounces and is 28 inches long.  I tried to find Connor's 9 month appointment to compare but I couldn't find it.  I went back to his 6 month visit.  He was 28 1/4 long and 18 pounds 4 ounces at 6 months.  So little Cora, is well, still little.  She is 10-20% for weight and 50-75% for height.  She has 5 teeth (4 on bottom) and one up top.  She has learned to say "Uh-Oh".  My grandmother taught her this past week.  It is hilarious and sweet (since she also taught Connor to say it).  Cora still loves to eat.  Chicken is her new favorite.

We enjoyed a Mother's Day Brunch at The Club.  The Club is so beautiful.  My bestie Caitlin had her reception there.  The highchairs were definitely constructed before I was born though.  I had to take a picture of this.  If there were a jail for babies, I think this would be the standard issue furniture.

It is mostly covered up by the high-chair cover but you can see the "footrest" looks so baby-friendly and there was also no strap of any kind or a separator to prevent her from sliding right down into that soft landing footrest.  I mean, really?  We have been to eat there before (in another section) and the highchair was totally normal.  Anyway, she obviously didn't mind nearly as much as her mama.

We took a quick Mother's Day (4 Generation Photo).  Connor isn't looking but he was in the others when no one else was - so I chose the one where the ladies look the best (control is wonderful).

While I am blogging and kids are napping I will share a little about our lake weekend.  We drove down Thursday after Connor got out of school (his last day).  It took FOREVER but we made it safely.  I cooked dinner for me and the kids and got them in bed just when Colin walked in the door (convenient).  He and our friend Jamie played in the Member-Guest tournament Friday and Saturday.  They didn't win (but we all had a good time).  

Cora enjoyed the swing

Connor pretended to drive the "boat" to Atlantic City.  (Colin went a few weeks ago for a Bachelor party)

Catherine showered the kids with gifts and cute clothes

Colin actually played against my neighbor growing up.  So random and fun to get back in touch with old friends.  (Thanks to Uncle Ben for "baby watching" Friday night).  Saturday's weather wasn't that great so we missed out on a boat ride and swimming.  I am dying to get Cora in a swimsuit!  Next time!  

Sweet Dreams

Dreaming of Chips and Salsa!!

May Day (Fun Day)

Connor's school is almost over for the year.  He has 3 more class days and then graduation (from 3K).  Tuesday was May Day and Fun Day for his class.  The moms set up booths for the kids to play games.  Since I had Cora, I couldn't work a booth (rules) but Cora and I showed up to help set-up.  A few of the booths:

 Candy Walk

 Football Toss (Connor's favorite)

 Fishing Booth

 Ring Toss

 Dress Up Booth (Photo Shoot) - This was my idea for the Fun Day.   One of the moms had this dress up "closet"  I need one of these.  I wanted to get as many photos of the kiddos as possible for the moms and teachers - and dress up is always a winner for getting kids to pose.   I wish I had been there to take the photos (since I would have more to share right now).  But I think I was right about the posing.  Check out Connor

 Darth Connor

Hilarious!

 Mani/Pedi Booth

 Bean Bag Toss

 Shaving (Connor apparently took this very seriously) and loved it.

 Tables (for Lunch I picked up Chick-fil-a) - Yum (well, if you like chicken)

Decorating Cookie Booth for dessert.  

There was also a bounce house (but it was upstairs so I have no pictures).  When I came back with lunch, Connor's hair was soaking wet so he must have jumped his little butt off.  I can't believe he is graduating in less than 2 weeks!