Quotables

My kids say so many things that I should write down or video and I never do.  Before I forget, this weeks quotes:

Connor in the car yesterday: "I know, Mommy, you are in charge of my WHOLE life".  I asked him if that was a good thing.  He said he wasn't sure but it was definitely true.  Ha!

Cora at the table eating crackers and noticing I snagged one of them: "OPEN your MOUTH!"

I am determined to get a video of Cora's best phrase - "Oh! Please" which is said in an exasperated voice similar to "Give me a break" but more polite??

Dancing with Twos

So, I decided Cora needed an "activity" this year with Connor taking piano, soccer and golf.  I talked to our friends down the street and decided that we would enroll Cora in dance class at Childrens Dance Foundation.  The same CDF where I took dance 100 years ago.  The class is only once a week and is 50 minutes long - which seems long for 2 year olds but Cora seems happy so far.  Fingers crossed!  Our friend Mary is in the class as well as Reem, the daughter of one of my friends from Advent - who is newly back in town!  So fun!  I sort of thought that the girls might have a problem leaving their mamas outside the studio.  We have a one way (or 2 way?) mirror so we can see them, and they see, well, themselves.  Anyway, I told Cora, no crying and you can have candy after dance.  Every other child, except Reem, was screaming bloody murder, like they were being stabbed, repeatedly.  They were feeding off each other and the crying never seemed to stop.  Cora just stood there looking at the teacher, listening but not copying the dance "moves"  just a zombie amongst terrorized kids in leotards and ballet slippers.  I quickly realized she had to "zone out" just to avoid crying along with the rest of the kids.  But, she was a champ, even if not a dancer.  The second week was marginally better for some of the girls and Cora knew "no crying - candy"  and there was no crying from Cora, and maybe a little "dancing".  By this week Cora was dancing and only one little girl was crying.  I think we have turned a corner!  And we have a good little dancer too!

Pretty in Pink

Unfortunately I think Cora may have picked up a stomach bug from dance - damn germs!  She was puking for my mom yesterday and she slept well but today I am on puke patrol - you know where you just sit around and watch and wait for your kid to puke - good times!

Cora Goes To the Dentist

I waited to take Connor to the Dentist until he was 3.  But, they recommend you take kids to the dentist at like 6 months or something completely ridiculous.  I mean, Corben has 2 teeth, barely.  I was taking Connor anyway and I figure we have a family dental plan so why not take Cora and at least appear that we are listening to advice.  Ha.

So, Monday Cora and Connor went to the dentist.  The office is pretty fun for kids.  Tons of toys.  Cora didn't want to leave . . . the toy part.  She did NOT love the hygienist brushing her teeth - which is a little odd considering how much she loves brushing teeth - maybe it was the laying down, brushing that she didn't like?  But after a few princess stickers and watching brave brother Connor, she calmed down and took this sweet photo with the dentist and let her look at her teeth without any problems.  Whew.

Cora's Minnie Bubbles and Bow Bow Party

I've been slacking on the blog.  I know.  My aunt, Cathy keeps reminding me - as if I have forgotten about my precious baby's 2nd birthday.  I didn't forget.  She had a party.  And, maybe, if the kids nap simultaneously for 15 minutes I can share the details. . . First up, Cora's birthday lunch at McDonalds - she let Connor choose but apparently enjoyed every last bite.

So, Cora turned 2 back at the beginning of August.  I knew I had to have a big birthday bash for Connor just a week later since he turned 5, and lets face it, 5 is a bigger milestone than 2 - well, at least I think it is.  And since Connor's party was going to be big and take up a majority of my time I decided all "mutual" friends would be invited to Connor's party and Cora would invite 2 friends.  She is 2 (and last time I checked 2 at 2 is the "Rule" although I've never met anyone that followed that rule).  So, I decided Cora would have a super small party but it would be fun.  Cora was really into Minnie Mouse during the summer (now she still loves Minnie but has moved onto Cinderella).  I found a Minnie Mouse Bubble Bowtique and had to have it.  Theme of the party decided"  Minnie Bubbles and Bow Bows.

Cora also loves bows.  This is funny to me because there was one point where Cora refused to wear anything in her hair - and now she wakes up asking for a "bow bow".  Probably because she can't see through her mop of blonde hair without a bow . . . but anyway it is pretty cute that she asks for bows.  I decided to be crafty and make "bows" for the guests.  Luckily for me I only invited 2 kids and Connor doesn't wear a bow.  So, I didn't have to make very many - which was also a good thing because although the bows looked ok - I do not have a future career on etsy.  I did splurge and buy a Minnie Mouse Wall Cling (and then let another friend borrow for her daughter's party too).  Cora thought Minnie Mouse was actually at her party.  It was so worth every penny spent on Amazon.

The Birthday Girl and her Minnies

 Gifts from Aunt Cathy - she went a little crazy with the Minnie Mouse theme

 The Cake - courtesy of Publix - I got the delicious Raspberry Elegance cake that Selene and Kelly got me hooked on years ago.  Yum!

 Birthday Banner similar to one I saw on Pinterest but even better and made with love from Aunt Cathy

 The real Minnie Mouse

 More Decor

 I pretty much used all the pink and Minnie stuff I had to decorate

 I got these feather hearts years ago at Brombergs (a great local jeweler) and they are really random, I know, even for me - but I have used them sooo many times.  One of those, what would I have done without these? purchases.  Still love them!  And I made the Mouse ears from yarn and those knitting loops?  Anyway, It didn't look great up close but from far away it did the trick!

 The gifts.  Dollar Tree has so much Minnie Mouse - even wrapping paper!!

 My Pin the Bow Bow on Minnie Game

 The party favors (Minnie Mouse Explosion from Dollar Trees - yes, plural I went to 3 in one day) and my Bow Holder, handmade with my handmade bows - they aren't as great as they look! But the bow holder was just an inexpensive picture frame and I screwed hooks in the bottom to hold headbands, etc.

 The food.  Costco has Minnie Mouse (all white meat) Chicken Nuggets - perfect, right?  Along with Minnie Mouse Pudding and  . . . .

 Minnie Bow Bow Strawberries and Blueberries (in the shape of Bows - for those of you who don't get it, ahem . . . Colin)

 The Minnie Bubble Tea Party

 Dance Party with Minnie

 Happy Birthday Cora!

 The Bow Bows

 Yum!!

Connor, Mary, Cora and Evelyn 

Evelyn and Connor (and Mary)

Corben's Baptism

I am finally taking a little time to write about Corben's Baptism - which happened way back in May, early May.  In fairness, I haven't written about our amazing trip to France either - and that may take all year to do.  So, first the celebration.  Before Corben was born, we discussed names, all the time.  Well, I had discussions with myself all the time.  Colin occasionally let me talk names.  I tossed around ideas with some friends (which I am generally very hush hush about names, but this time I had a few ideas and wanted to hear some feedback) - at least I thought I did.  Anyway, I was really loving the name Cohen but had serious reservations about it and as I often (well, maybe more often than not) do, I drove myself crazy researching names until I was just about to give up.  And then I had an idea.  Corbin - but spell it Corben.  Hmmm.  Well, it was definitely on my short list.  Now, to find out the meaning.  Well, it means Raven - it also means dark-haired - which is really raven - so Raven.  Colin was sure to love this.  While I considered how to best "throw out" the name to receive a favorable response.  I got this text from Amy (and of course auto correct changed "on board" to "in board" but you get the idea . . .

And from that point on I was pretty sure the baby was going to be a Corben and although I did flip flop a little towards the end - our dark hair (at least at birth) Corben arrived.  As soon as Corben made his debut I knew who I wanted to be the godmother.  Amy, of course!  She basically named him.  Amy has a Ben so the spelling I knew would be a hit too.  Settled.  Now, for the godfather.  As a good southern Baptist I am no authority on godparents.  My view (and again this is simply my made up idea about what I think a godparent is) is that your aunts and uncles and immediate family are sort of "required" to be there for you in life - and I feel like with godparents, you have the opportunity to add an additional set of cheerleaders to your child's life.  Another support group - besides the ones he is stuck with (i.e. you and your family).  So, all of our kids have godparents that are good Catholics and not of immediate relation.  And, up until Corben they also weren't related to each other.  This time we selected Bob, Amy's husband and Colin's best friend to be the godfather.  I honestly love each and every godparent to our kids and happen to know that we are sooo lucky to have all of them in our kids lives because they are each a perfect match with our kids.

Bob and Amy haven't been to Birmingham since our wedding.

 We were thrilled they could make the Baptism and also visit, kid-free, for a few days.  The Baptism was on Cinco de Mayo and we were really hoping Corben's uncle Neal and his alter ego Carne Cabeza could make and appearance.  I mean what is a Cinco de Mayo Baptism with a Mexican wrestler?  Unfortunately, Carne was booked.  We still had a good crowd and special celebration for our little prince.

 The decor

 the Petit Fours

 Mini muffins

 The Baptism - Connor really wanted to be up there with us

 This is a good pic but everyone is looking at a different camera

 Cora is thrilled

 So special that Nina got to come!  

 Aunt E and the boys

 Bob and Amy and Baby Corben

 Aunt NJ and Corben (as a side note, she is having surgery tomorrow on her arm, prayers for quick and easy recovery)

 Aunt Cathy and Corbie

 Grandma Cathy and Pop Pop

 Grandad Bob and Mom Mom Pat

 Photoshoot the next day with the special baptism bonnet from Uncle Neal and Jess

 Special Baptism blanket from Miss Lesley and Beth

and Corben's special cross from his godparents

Halfway There . . .

Corben is 6 months old today -so he is halfway to 1.  Happy Half Birthday (ok, I do NOT celebrate half birthdays but Corben's half birthday is on my actual birthday -- and as another side note, Connor's half birthday is on Neal's birthday - weirdness) so Happy Birthday to me, I guess it is Happy Halfway to 70.  Yikes that sounds terrible.

So, to celebrate we went to the doctor.  Party animals.  Corben had his 6 month appointment and weighed in at 17 pounds 8 ounces and was 27 inches long - so 50% for weight and 75% for height.  Cora had her appointment as well - because who likes going to the doctor everyday?  Not me.  Cora's 2 year stats are 3 feet tall (90%) and 29.8 lbs (75%).  After the doctor we went to Target - again, just partying it up all day - and got a few items and then back home for lunch and naps.  And now, it is time to leave for carpool.  Did I mention that I am OVER carpool (week 3, people).

Ok, so back to Corben.  Corben is rolling over and back all the time.  He can turn all different directions and travel in his crib.  He is a mover - just hope he can learn to sit before he crawls!  He is in a size 3 diaper and 6 month clothes.  He tried avocado as his first food and was just squealing with delight.  I'm not sure he ate very much of it but Cora ate the rest and then some more - and Connor even enjoyed an afternoon avocado snack.  Corben is a smiler.  He loves people and smiles at everyone (so don't feel special if he smiles at you :).  Connor can make him laugh and laugh and laugh.  Both Connor and Cora are very good with him - unless of course it is a dance party with ninja moves kind of day (um, pretty much every day) - then I have to rescue poor Corben from the floor.  He is still sleeping well.  Maybe every few weeks he will have a night that he wakes up but so far he is easy to take a paci and get back to sleeping.  One bottom tooth is starting to creep through - so lets hope sleeping continues when the teeth arrive.  He can pick up most items and transfer them immediately.

Corben is talking up a storm but obviously not using real words.  Just Corben babble.  He gets pretty loud so he must know he needs to compete for attention already.  Poor guy.  He is napping two times a day if we are home all day.  If not, he cat naps in the car and is usually content but car riding is not his favorite activity.  Sweet baby - can't believe your first birthday at Disneyworld (what? 3rd babies get some love too!) is in 6 months!

This tongue cracks me up.  He is trying to sit up and pulled himself to sitting from a full reclined position yesterday but he needs more practice.  We got the Stand, Cruise and Crawl toy that Heather gave us many years ago for Connor out of "staging storage" and he is loving it.  And the Jumpy made another appearance too.  Amazing when you have more than a rug on the floor to play.