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!

Christmas is Coming

If you want to send a package for Christmas you should have done it last week. Post Office prices are absurd. Luckily I sent all but 1 package last week - albeit in 4 separate trips to the post office. Christmas is coming and we are trying to get ready. We have had a few fun events planned and more this week! I've been trying to get some photos up but I haven't been able to stop watching the news on the horrible CT school massacre. Just a reminder to be thankful of everything this time of year - even the lines and prices at the post office. Connor and Cora went to see Santa last week. A little impromptu because I realized it was now or never. No line - score! Cora was fine until I placed her in Santa's lap. Then she cried. Then we tried to amuse her. She didn't smile but she stopped crying. A fairly decent photo overall.

Connor and Cora on the other side of the tree

Last night Connor had a sleepover at my mom's house. They made a Gingerbread house and went for a ride on the Polar Express. Spoiled rotten and he loved every minute.

Santa's Baby!

Connor's First Game

Connor had his very first basketball game this past Saturday. He was very concerned about whether it was practice or a game. Telling him that it was a practice game was not helpful. "So it is both?" Yes. Of course, Colin and I were more worried about him having fun, dribbling the ball, etc. This is a 3-4 year old league (with a few young 5 year olds) at the local YMCA. We had a difficult time finding a place that had 3-4 year old teams. Now, I know why. Introducing a sport is hard. Dribbling is hard. Soccer seemed easier. But Connor is really enjoying it so far and we all know how much Colin LOVES basketball - squeaky shoes and all. So, as part of the rules of the league, the other kids can't take the ball out of your hands - they can "steal" it if you are dribbling (I think) but can't just walk up and take the ball away. So, watch the video below. This is the very first possession of the very first game (albeit practice game). Connor's team got the ball first. I missed the actual incident but apparently the referee asked Connor to guess the number of fingers he had behind his back (1 or 2). Connor tried to look behind his back. smart kid. He guessed the number correctly. Blue team ball. So, watch below. Connor is in the bright neon green shirt. Connor's First Game Video Connor played the entire first half (they only had 7 kids show up)

He sat on the bench the first 3 minutes after the half and then played the rest of the game. He was a good sport even on the bench.

Connor was 2 for 3 on the day. When he tried/ remembered to play defense he did a great job. We need to work on remembering to play defense and watch the ball - actually not just watch the ball go by, go after the ball. Next game!

16 Months

Cora is 16 months old! She is in 18 month clothes and a size 3 diaper. Next box of diapers will be a size 4 though. She still adores her big brother and wants to try everything he does, and more. She is a climber. Climbs on the couch, ottomans, coffee table, our bed. She is completely unaware of danger. She has a few new double words this month: beep beep (copied from her brother), Jo Jo (her name for my mom pronounced with a french accent). Lights is by far her new favorite word closely followed by "all done", shoes and socks. As evidenced by "beep beep" she is also starting to repeat words she hears. We are working on recognizing body parts. So far she knows nose, feet and belly and will point to it. I don't think I ever posted her stats from her last doctor's visit at 15 months. She was 31 inches (which I am positive was not correct - since as soon as she laid on the table she started screaming - memories of the flu shot??) and 24 pounds 7 ounces. Since Connor and Cora usually love each other - they have gotten into what I will call wrestling (but it is more like bear hugging/ dragging/ squashing each other). It is so sweet and cute but I am really afraid Cora is going to get seriously injured. I spend most of my afternoons requesting that they be gentle and careful. It is hard to be mad when they are so sweet but Connor acts like she is a doll. I keep reminding him that she is real and breakable. Cora is our mini puma

Thanksgiving 2012/ 91st Birthday

As is our usual tradition, we spent Thanksgiving in Birmingham. My mom just does such a great job cooking it is hard to imagine being anywhere else. We had 14 people this year. Not too big, not too small.

Colin sort of looks like a giant because of the way the photo was staged but we had to hurry - little ones were melting fast!

Nina's 91st Birthday party. I zoomed so this photo is blurry - arrggh.

Connor helping blow out the candle

Cora showing off her wave and party dress - I am in love with this dress. We need more parties to attend so she can wear it some more!

Piano Pretty

Warrior Run

This year Connor's school hosted another Fun Run for the kids. If you remember last year, Connor ran his little legs off, barely stopping for a drink of water. This year there were more kids (3,4 &5 year olds) and it was definitely more chaotic. Connor ran and ran some more -- only stopping to get his laps marked off on his shirt and occasionally for a sip of water or to dance to LMFAO music. Since my mom had Cora, I brought some Starbucks deliciousness (decaf for me of course) and took some 143 photos. I won't bore you with all of them because most of them are just flashes of white shirts. A few memorable photos though:

Bunny Hop Lap - Look at that Hair!!