Birthday Number 3 and Walking Take 2

It's official! Cora Sophia is three years old!  And I think she'll be 20 on her next birthday.  I think she feels that way about it, anyway.  We celebrated this past Saturday at the local park.  Beautiful weather, beautiful birthday girl!  Close friends and family were able to come party with us.  Tons of presents were opened, or I should say unwrapped.  Cora got a kitchen from us for her birthday, so most other guests gave her something to go along with it, which means lots and lots of tiny play food and dishes to lose.  We opened all that kind of stuff at home.  And so far, everyone, she's loved playing with ALL her gifts!  She is quite the little 'chef"!  And Cora is not the only one who is enjoying the new toys.  Baby brother is having a hay day with the electronic kitchen gadgets as well.  

I should add that Baby Brother is now WALKING!!!  So, he'll be really into Cora's toys and everything else now.  Not climbing yet, well, climbing stairs, but we don't have those to worry about in our house.  Cohen took his first steps (THAT I GOT TO SEE) tonight at home.  Apparently, he's already taken some at day care that Geron told me about tonight.  It's killing me, people!  Moms are only supposed to know about the first steps WE get to see.  Any taken before that moment are null and void.  

So, anyway, there are probably some birthday pics to see around this blog somewhere, so please enjoy our three year old's special day pics.  By the way, when asked what her favorite thing about the party was, it wasn't the toys or playing with her buddies William and Matthew---whom she wanted to play with instead of open presents. What kind of girl is she???  (Well, they are pretty cute boys, though!)  Her favorite thing was the cake!

Ode to 'old' people texts and facebook comments

Sitting up at 4:47a.m.

Awakened by a wet diaper, but baby slept as I changed him.  Cohen did, too.  (HA!)

Couldn't get back to sleep because I had something on my mind.

Looked up Titus 2 on internet.  It DOES say in the Bible, that older women should teach younger women how to be good homemakers.  How did I miss this?  I am convicted and pray I'll have the energy to start this MAJOR change.  (half-laughing half scared to death)

Going back to bed.  Another early day with new kindergarten students tomorrow.

Other: Love the new texting commercial where teens are lecturing their parents about facebook and texting.  "Sitting-on-the-patio..."  If you know what I'm talking about pretend you think it is as funny as I do.  

It is 4:52a.m.

Recorded for Posterity

Tonight, something monumental occured in our home. Cora watched her
first Star Wars movie with her Daddy. Talk about a bonding moment!
In the beginning, she was just as into it, if not more so, as Geron.

Earlier today we got a catalog with Halloween costumes in it. I think
she may be interested in being Padme Amidala now, "Keen (queen)
Amidala" as she'd say.

We have talked about doing Cohen's room in Star Wars decor after he
graduates from his crib. I'm afraid my girly-girl may want one, too,
after tonight.

birthday boy

Yesterday was Cohen's first birthday. It's hard to believe that he is growing up so fast. Granny, PawPaw & Yaya were all able to be there for his little party. He didn't quite know what to think of the cake because he was very sleepy by that point. He got lots of fun toys and stuff. Cora had a little difficulty with Cohen getting all of the attention, but we reminded her that her day is coming in just a few weeks.

Here is a link to all of the pictures.

Sometimes You Pray for Your Kids to Be Quiet

How many parents wish they had just a few moments of peace and quiet?  How many have thought "if you'd just be quiet for a day, it would be so nice..." ?  The past few months, Cora has gotten in a habit of talking CONSTANTLY and I've sometimes thought  "wouldn't it be nice to have a remote that I could mute her with?"  But this weekend has changed my thinking on that a little bit.

Cora is sick.  She has 'stomatitis', a virus that has caused about 50 blisters to develop in her mouth.  She has barely talked for the past three days. Most of her communication has consisted of grunting with her mouth closed.  She has refused to eat or drink or take medicine.  We have offered every favorite food imaginable to her:  Ice cream, popsicles, jello, pudding, milk shakes, slushies, candy---you name it---and she has refused it.  That's one way you know she's really sick.  She has snuggled with anyone who would hold her, that's the other way  you know she's sick.  NOT a snuggler, that one.  

Being a virus, there is no medication to stop this, it just has to run its course.  So, we are praying hard for strength and fast healing.  The blisters can last up to two weeks, though.  

Today, Cora has eaten a green bean, a few licks of ice cream, and drank about 4 ounces of thawed popsicle.  She's actually spoken a bit, too.  But she is no where near being the upbeat little girl we all love so much.  Oh, we still love her--that didn't sound right.  She's just not at all herself.  Please pray for her quick healing and pray for us as we do our best to nurture in this time.  

Fun with Mr.Potato Head

Cora and I got pretty creative with Mr. Potato Head the other day.
Notice the pierced tongue and nose. Little Miss has longed to have
her ears pierced, so I put Mrs. P's earrings on her and I think that
nipped it in the rear for awhile. (Those things really pinch!)

Anyway, this morning, Cora waltzed into the living room, hands behind
her back and said "See my butt?" I just laughed and finished packing
the diaper bag. So, she said it again "See my butt?" To entertain
her, I said "Yes, I see it." (Didn't because she was wearing a dress
and she was holding her hands over hiney anyway.) Then, insistent as
she is, she turned her hind side toward me and smiled that huge grin
and said it again. "See my BUTT?" She was holding Mr. Potato Head's
backdoor flap on her bottom!

She cracks me up!

Big Girl Bed

This was the morning after Cora's first night in her big girl bed.