Corben John

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Corben John. He arrived February 28, 2013 at 3:02 pm. He was 7 lbs 8 oz (same as Connor) and 20 inches long (same as Cora). He has a head full of dark hair (which explains my heartburn and investment in Tums as well as his name). We chose 2 names for this kiddo - and broke the tie based on his hair color. Connor had no hair and Cora was born with dark hair so we figured it as 50/50 chance for either name. Corben means dark-haired, raven. The spelling is a little nod to my brother, Ben, who is also an end of February baby. And this baby currently has dark hair. His eyebrows suggest that he will "change his hair to blonde" but for the time being. He is our little raven. The Ravens did win the Superbowl this year - so the name seems to fit him. John is the given name of Colin's maternal grandfather and great-grandfather. Connor and Cora came to visit a few hours after he was born. I made sure to be up, dressed and walking since Connor was really, really unhappy 19 months ago when he came to meet his little sister and I was sitting up in bed. "mommy you get out of that bed!" may have been ordered countless times since that day. So, up and out of bed I was. Connor seemed pleased and was beaming about his new baby brother. Cora was happy that she saw a new "baby" who she undoubtedly thinks is to be played with like a doll. Connor and Cora were sick immediately following (and probably preceding) Corben's arrival. My parents graciously (under strict orders from the pediatrician) kept Connor and Cora with them until Tuesday night. Although I certainly missed the big kids, it was like having your first kid without all the stress and chaos for a few days. I soaked up my last minutes alone with Corben which partly involved phototherapy for his jaundice. Luckily, after one day on the light he was pronounced "better". Can you believe that the phototherapy folks brought the light bed to our house, set it up and then came back the next day to take Corben's vitals, and then came back to pick up the bed?? And, other than the deductible, I think insurance covered it all! That is better than drive-thru service! We are adjusting to our new life with 3 kids. Luckily, Connor went back to school on Friday and so on some days (like today) I only have 2 kids for a few hours. They are both still sleeping and it is after 8! (Ha, I put Corben in his bed at 6:45am so I'm not sure it really counts as amazing yet - but to have a few minutes to sit and drink my new shipment of HalfCaf Coffee . . . nearly priceless). It has certainly been the week of birth days. Corben last Thursday, Austin Matthew (my cousin's newest addition) on Monday, and Lillian Landyn ("Lillie") Colin's cousin's new baby girl on Friday. Oh and Caitlin turned one year older yesterday. Happy Birthday Babies! Some photos from the past week and a half. . .

 
C&C off to spend nearly a week with JoJo and Big Daddy






Snowing on Departure Day




Fell asleep while getting blood drawn (ha!)

Phototherapy (thought he would hate it but he actually didn't mind)

Sort of like the Zoo?
 
Who is the baby?

One Week Old

 

Proud Big Brother

Family of 5 - Wow, that seems crazy still!

80's Remix

Saturday morning started off with a fun lunch with the Hams. We met at Chuy's and devoured some delicious mexican food. Trying to get these monkeys all in one photo was impossible. But I managed to snap this one of Abby, Connor, Jack and Luke. Cora is out of the shot trying to climb up. By Saturday afternoon, Connor had a distinct cough that wasn't getting any better. I wasn't too worried - I figured it was because Colin forgot to turn on the Frog (Humidifier) the night before. We dropped the kids off at my parent's house and went on about our evening. Colin and I had to go to a black tie (notice a theme in my final days of being pregnant) function followed by an 80's gala at Connor's school. Colin suggested a quick wardrobe change before the 80's gala but there was no way I was bothering to change outfits. Seriously? So we went all dressed up to the school gym (a very nice school gym - but a gym nonetheless). Some people thought we dressed up as James Bond or 80's prom. Ha. Here is a photo from the event at 38 weeks 6 days pregnant (who is counting?). By Sunday morning, Connor was really having trouble breathing - so off to the doctor he went. He has been home all week (which has been nice in a way since there is only so much time left as a family of 4). He is actually a very pleasant patient (compared to most men). I let him choose a movie to watch and he is content. He still doesn't look 100% but is starting to feel better as of today. Let's hope he is all better by the time the new baby arrives! Cora doesn't quite grasp the concept of "quiet". Connor fell asleep on the couch (NEVER happens unless he is sick or it is past his bedtime). Cora decided to play music right next to his head and then turn around and "sshh" him. As if he was even making ANY noise. This should be interesting to say the least with a new baby around. PS She has no pants because her new thing is taking off her pants. GREAT She is talking up a storm, repeating (or trying to) everything we say - so if I forget to post about Cora at 19 months - she may not know her ABC's like Connor did at 19 months but her language is picking up and she is a smart and super sweet little girl - soon to be big sister.

The Bump Debut at 37 weeks

So I'm just not one for taking much less posting belly pics throughout pregnancy. I think it is fun to see other people catalogue their bump journey but I just haven't done it - why start now? I made it 34 years as a Southerner without being invited to a Debutante Ball. 34 years! And, yet, somehow at 36 weeks 5 days pregnant I found myself not only invited, but actually attending my first Debutante Ball in Birmingham. Of course, as a formal occasion I needed a dress (who has random formal maternity dresses lying around?) Well, I do, now. So, in order to truly celebrate I'll let the nearly 37 week bump make it's debut on the blog too. Apparently at least some people are interested since I had 2 of my aunts stop by this weekend to "see me pregnant".

The above photos were taken by our $5 babysitter and then doctored by Instagram to make them slightly better but we sort of look like ghosts.

The ball

There were clowns - which was a little odd at a formal event

The debutante. I must say that their curtseys didn't compete with Donna Martin and her Debutante Ball on 90210.

Stats

So, Cora got her last vaccine until age 4!  Yippee.  She weighed in at 27.5 pounds (90%) and is about 35.5 inches long (95%) but I actually think she is more 90% for both weight and height.  Last time I felt like the nurse measured her short and this time I think maybe a little long.  Hard to tell when she was squirming around so much because she thought she was getting a shot. The boys are back from the Super Bowl - Obviously they had an amazing time.  Can't wait for the equivalent Girls trip later this year.  Not sure where or when but it will happen. The kids and I watched the game together at home - no party this year - but it was actually relaxing (other than the 2nd half of the game) and Connor and Cora both enjoyed cheering on the Ravens. Cora giving her High 5 after the Ravens 1st Touchdown

Connor and Cora all ready for the game - Pizza time.

The Moorhouse brothers - it wasn't just about the Harbaughs

The Super Bowl Crew (Carne, Greg, Colin, Mike, Joey)

My newest Pinterest purchase. Top loading ticket box. Love this!

And today I got a new pedicure and a no-chip manicure (is there any other kind with 2 - almost 3 kids?). I have waited forever because I had Ravens purple toes and was a little superstitious about removing it while the streak was alive.

18 Months

Cora is 18 months old today. And if she is 18 months that means about 30 days until her baby brother arrives. Wow. We are in the midst of a small remodel in our lower level to get ready for baby C. We are expanding the bedroom closet (to accommodate more of our clothes) and enclosing our laundry room as part of our house (instead of part of the garage). I have been saying all week that this is "My Superbowl" and it is. I cannot wait for the finished product! Ok, so back to Miss Cora. She is quite the little personality. Mimic is the best word to describe her at this age. She can play follow the leader and loves to copy everything. She can understand fairly complex commands and is happy to complete most requests. She is talking much more (although sometimes it sounds more like a foreign language. She is speaking clearly, just clearly not English). She is starting to make sentences: Push Me. Sit Here. I want that. More Milk, etc. Most days I will find her in her eat seat at 5:30 saying "Eat, Eat". Well, ok, but we usually don't eat at 5:30. Her really consistent habit (that I thought she would grow out of) is that she kicks the wall through her crib while she lies in her bed. I'm not sure why. She doesn't do it because she is mad. It is just something she does I guess to settle herself but she is always happy while kicking. It sounds like the wall is coming down though. Strong legs. 18 month appointment is Monday so I'll have her stats then.

Cool in the Shade (Cora now loves sunglasses and especially putting them on her head - wonder who she is copying?)

Cora on the Left - I'm on the Right.

Sweet Siblings (sorry to say that despite their love for Flap Books - this sweetness only lasted a little bit longer than it took me to take the photo) So I said before that the remodel was My Super Bowl. That means Colin's Super Bowl is the real thing. I may have said that if he didn't go back to Baltimore for a playoff game this year that he could go to the Super Bowl if the Ravens got that far. Guess Who Cashed In? I'm happy he is getting to go and although I would love to be there I'm glad I'm at home because 1. New Orleans is really fun (unless you are 8 months pregnant) 2. He can drive there making the trip travel less of an event and 3. who knows with 3 kids when this opportunity will ever happen again. So, to save money the "Baltimorons" flew in last night and today to travel in the minivan to NOLA. I'm happy to report that they arrived safely. The hotel is slightly better than expected and they are already out in the French Quarter. Colin said they saw Suggs. Probably not a good thing to see players on Bourbon Street?

The guys before they left. I thought they would be rolling their eyes at my photo request but to my surprise they made me wait so they could get the flag out to hold. They were totally into it!

Connor in his Purple Friday gear with his Uncle Neal and Uncle Mike.

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!