No rhyme or reason...

...to my blog posts lately. Or my life. But that's okay. It is what it is. You have to do what you have to do (as Chase told me the other day). Speaking of my second child, he fell asleep in the car the other day. I carried him inside and sat him down on the stairs while I went to get something from the car, hoping that would wake him up. He awoke for a moment, but when I came back in was fast asleep. On the stairs. When he got into a deeper sleep he sort of fell a bit and stayed asleep. Apparently this boy really needs a nap sometimes.

 Here's my newly redecorated kitchen (above the cabinets). Thanks Mom!

 She also helped me brighten up my living room. Although I love the brown and blue combo I've had for the last couple of years, it was getting a little drab.

 My little Miss turned 3 months today!! We busted out the bumbo a few days ago! She's getting too big!

 These boys love love love their sister!

 Some photos from this evening--

Here's what's been going on with my little lady in the last month:

- She sleeps from around 9:30-10:00pm to around 8:00am! I am seriously one lucky woman!
- Not only does she contine to spit up at unprecedented rates, we've also added some serious drool to the mix. I need to get this girls some more bibs, and I'm praying that this drool does not indicate TEETH! I'm not a fan of nursing babies with teeth.
- She's discovered her hands and loves to suck on them!
- This girl is seriously happy and easy going. It seems that some days she lives in her car seat because we're running around town, but she never seems to mind. I've gotten some good giggles out of her as of late, she goo's and makes noises, and I love how expressive she is.
- Her eyes are still BLUE!
- She rolls onto her side.
- Still loves her bink, still can't keep it in her mouth for more than a few seconds.
- Sleeps best when swaddled (which helps with keeping her binky in her mouth!)
- Is wearing 6-9 month pajamas! This girl is looonnngggg!

We love our Cora and can't imagine life without her!

Granny Shanny

Want to know how you can get your mother to come visit you twice in a two month period? Have a baby! Not just any baby, but a baby GIRL. And not just any baby girl, but a baby girl that looks a lot like your mother! We all love it when Granny Shanny comes to town! Nick drew this picture after she arrived. She's in the attic (he asked her if it was okay if he drew her there), below her is me, then Chase, then Nick, and laying on the ground is Cora. Brad's school is to the left and our garage (which we don't have but talk of and dream about often) is on the right.

 My mom made valentine sugar cookies with my kids, which means I don't have to do it with them next week for Valentines day, right??? :)

 This scenario is becoming all too familiar -- Chase gets really tired around 5:00pm and if I don't watch closely he puts himself to bed on the couch. The problem? He's up until midnight or later, even if he only sleeps for 10 minutes! He sure is cute, though...

 My dad joined us at the tail end of my mom's 8 day trip, and I think he held Cora for 72 hours straight (lucky girl!), only taking breaks to wrestle with my boys!

 Cora loved all the attention from Grandpa and Granny!

 How do I get my kids to smile in pictures, you ask? Simple: BRIBERY! :) Having my mom here was incredibly refreshing. I needed some help with some decorating around my house (one of her many talents) and it was so wonderful to shop with her and then come home and let her work her magic. We talk and laugh and watch HGTV and I am constantly overwhelmed at how blessed I am to have her and incredibly grateful for the love she shows me and my kids. It never gets any easier to say good-bye when my parents leave -- I cry everytime. They simply are the best.

 My mom helped me complete a project I've been wanting to do forever -- hand and foot prints on canvas to be hung in the toyroom.

 Chase thought this tickled!

 The finished product -- something I know I'll cherish forver!

 I have to admit that I kind of love when my boys sneak the camera away and take their own pictures! This is one I discovered that Chase took of his cute feet.

 This Nicky boy has grown up so much the past 6 months. He can ride a bike sans training wheels, loves school, begs to go to gymnastics, and has recently started piano lessons. We went to a kindergarten fair on Saturday and he got this "class of 2024 shirt." I am NOT ready for him to go to all day kindergarten next year. I thought I might be more ready after Cora was born, but I'm not. I hate the thought of him spending the majority of his wakeful hours with people I don't know. He's VERY ready, though, and I know he'll love it, even though I'll miss him!