Corben - 8 months plus some

So, Corben is 8 months old.  What happened between 6 and 8 months?  Well, I didn't take the usual photo at 7 months.  I like to do it on the exact day.  And that didn't happen.  And in fact it didn't happen on any of the days from the exact day until today, which is the 8 month mark.  Terrible, I know.  But so much has happened in this 7 month of Corben's life that I feel like I might get a pass for month 7.  Colin was upset because he reminded me several times about the photo and was worried that I wouldn't have the photo for the month frame (like Cora has).  Luckily Corben doesn't have a monthly frame.  Anyway, back to what has been happening around here in place of the monthly photo shoot.  I'll sum it up.  We moved.  The last time we moved was 4 years ago and before that I moved to college and then from dorm to dorm to apartment but those don't really count.  When you can move all your stuff yourself - doesn't count.  The last move was a slow move and very organized (or that is how I remember it).  This move - started off organized and methodical and ended up crazy fast chaos.  I'll just give this one example and it should explain everything:  Colin packed most of our bedroom - the morning of the move I went to put on some make up - because that is what I do in the mornings and no make-up bag.  He packed it.  Honest guy mistake.  Took over 1 week to find it.  Located in a box labeled "Books/Misc - Dining Room" Obviously.  So I wore 2 year old Clinique bonus make up for a week and that is why Corben doesn't have 7 month photos - among other reasons.

As our baby approaches his first Thanksgiving and Christmas here is what he is into - EVERYTHING.  He is army crawling - fast - and regular crawling occasionally.  He doesn't need to crawl because army crawling is such good exercise and it takes him where he wants to go.  He started army crawling right when we moved in early October so he followed that skill with pulling up to standing - on anything and everything.  He isn't walking or even really cruising yet - thank goodness but it is going to happen soon.  Corben is sooo funny.  He smiles at everyone and everything but he sure loves his big brother and sister.  He loves to eat and would probably eat all day like his sister but I don't have time to sit and feed him.  Last night he had yummy mac and cheese with vegetables (Gerber style).

Corben talks all the time.  Babbling of course - but all.the.time.  He must know he is going to have to fight for a voice in this family.  Poor baby.  He is so sweet and smiley - he can brighten up my day with just one look.  He has been napping really well twice a day and sleeping at night still.

Cora has not been napping well or smiling well or really doing anything much other than whining and saying "no" all.the.time.  Connor didn't have terrible twos but oh I think I have 2 terrible twos packed into one strong-willed little girl.  She wants to do everything by herself "me do it" and apparently I was the same way - shocking, I know.  Her favorite pastime is looking at photos on my phone and especially identifying Auntie Cait and Uncle Neal on Instagram.  She has finally, finally started singing the ABC song.  She can do it easily now but I'm not sure she can identify any letters other than X and C, O, R, A.  Well, at least we are making some progress.  Apparently some kids in kindergarten are still learning letters so I guess at 2 she is doing fine.  Cora loves tea parties and all things baby.  She took care of the babies in the childcare the other night when we went out for Wine Night.  In the time it has taken me to write this post we have some updates - Cora is now doing well for naps and at night and staying in bed until her light turns green.  Corben has started screaming bloody murder when we put him in bed at night - well not when he gets in the bed but when he watches me leave.  Super upset.  Not sure if it is separation anxiety/ teething or a combination but it is so sad.  Praying the two top teeth get in soon!

Then we had Halloween in our new house and new neighborhood.  Of course it started raining an hour into trick-or-treating but that was ok- we were tired anyway.  Due to the overwhelming popularity of Toy Story in our house.  We had a theme this year - ok, we always have a theme.

First bath with all 3 kiddos.  Successful but not a nightly routine yet.

Connor got to go to his first Auburn game of the season.  My mom stayed at the Lake with Cora and CB and the big kids got to go to the Auburn/Georgia game.  Finally a 2:30pm game that turned out to be a truly amazing event.  We were sitting in the end zone where Louis made the unbelievable catch - call it luck or whatever you want - it was literally unbelievable.

 Victory Visor - Connor is undefeated at home games - he may have secured a spot at the Iron Bowl!

 Connor played soccer this year.  He was pretty uninvolved in the first few games.  Then we suggested that he be aggressive.  He told me he planned to be "progressive".  Ha! So we explained aggressive and he scored 4 goals the next game.  This is a shot of his final goal in his last game.

 Cora loves her baby brother.  He isn't so sure.  She doesn't care.  Devilishly Cute.

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