Fookie Cookie?

Sometimes you just don't feel like correcting them.

I Love Our Neighborhood!

There are some things about Elgin that we could do without, but many more we love, namely our neighbors.  The people that live on our block are fantastic. Previously on the blog I posted about our neighbor directly across the street and his association with the Fire Museum. He drives all the old fire trucks in parades or other fundraising ventures. A couple weeks back "Big Bob" had one of the trucks out for the firemen's Fill-a-Boot campaign. We went outside to check out the truck when he parked it on the street and he came out and asked if Bob and Reed wanted to ride along with him to return it to the Fire Museum. What red-blooded boy could say no to that?! Perhaps I should have said no because Reed rode on Bob's lap instead of in a car seat, but you try to say no to such an excited boy.

Siblinghood

This photo is so indicative of Reed and Cora's relationship right now. You look at it and wonder, is he hugging her or chocking her? Probably both.

You separate the two of them and they cry for each other. Oh I miss Cora. Oh I miss Reed. Last weekend I took the girls to Greenville for the weekend so I could attend a baby shower for my high school friend, Amy. Reed stayed home and had a fun boys' weekend with his Daddy. I was talking to Reed on the phone and he asked me to put Cora on the line. They talked and she giggled. When I got back on the phone with Bob, he asked what Cora was telling Reed because he had been laughing loud and uncontrollably. While I was sitting there the whole time, nothing stood out in what she was saying. I think they were speaking their own sibling language. I remember having it as a kid with my sister and brother and it's a priceless and remarkable thing.

As soon as they saw each other, they hugged each other and it turned into a tackle, laughing changed to crying. Ah, siblinghood.

4 Months!

Kate is 4 months old. I always kind of felt like this age was the turning point where my baby's started to "come alive" and also get a little easier. Kate's been rolling from her back to her stomach for about 3 weeks now. She is becoming increasingly expressive in her facial expressions. She can give a good belly laugh when something strikes her as funny. She's taking a lot more notice of her big brother and sister. She needs to discover who these curious creatures are. Her sleeping was improving, so we moved her to her crib several weeks ago and it has continued (mostly) to improve. She's a great baby.

I took her to the pediatrician last week for her four month checkup. Here are the stats:

Kate: Height: 26", Weight: 13 lbs, 11 oz, Head circum.: 15 5/8" 
Cora: Height:  25.5",  Weight: 14 lbs, 4 oz
Reed: Height: 26.75", Weight: 14 lbs, 12 oz.

In typical Mihelich child fashion, she's on the low end of weight and high end of height. She is getting some rolls on her arms and legs so I'm certainly not concerned, nor was the doctor. After close evaluation, she was deemed "perfect."  She also handled the vaccinations like a champ. Hooray Kate.

Disclaimer: There may not be any photos for a while. We have a little double whammy right now. I can't access the photos that I have downloaded to the computer. The computer was acting up so it is now residing in St. Louis with my brother while he fixes it for us. Thanks Nathan! Also, the camera is dead and I can't find the battery charger. Thanks Cora! That girl has sticky fingers. The hunt continues.

Our Magic Princess

Cora, Oh Cora, our strong-willed young lady. Lately she is trying to prove that she controls the world. It hasn't exactly been going her way. We've had a lot of temper tantrums, time-outs, and pouting around here lately, but that's okay, this too will pass.

Two weeks before school started for Reed, Cora started daycare with Reed, because she was going to take over his spot of two mornings a week. I thought she'd cry for me, but nothing really happened. She had seen Reed going there and loved it, so there wasn't really a problem. Yesterday, (Reed's 3rd day of preschool and her 2nd day alone at daycare) was a rough one for her. We dropped Reed off first, the girls and I. Kate was in the sling and Cora was walking. When we got to Reed's classroom, Cora didn't want to leave. She threw a big fit, wailing, "I want Reedy!" repeatedly. She wouldn't budge. Normally, I would throw her over my shoulder (metaphorically) and get out of there as quickly as possible. I was wearing Kate and she would be smashed by a kicking and flailing big sister if I tried this. I was pretty embarrassed, feeling like the weak mother who couldn't control her toddler. After coaxing her outside the school and eventually to the car, we then headed to daycare.

We sat in the car for a bit while she cried for Reed, but when she calmed down we headed inside. She immediately clung to me saying, "I want you!" Sue, the provider, said she'll cry for a few seconds after you go and then she'll be fine. So I left. I got a text from a friend who was there dropping her child off shortly thereafter that she did in fact calm down quickly.

When Reed and I went to pick her up at noon, she ran to me and said, "I missed you!" and quickly gave Reed the biggest hug ever and said, "Reedy, I missed you!" and clung to him lovingly. It was sweet to see how much he means to her. I hope, however, that she quickly will see that it is fun to play at daycare and she can have her own special play time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Cora's strange new face she likes to make 

She found this tutu in a costume bin and declared herself a magic princess. 

I guess even magic princess pout. 

Cora's favorite place to pout...the closet.