Thank goodness...

...that my brother is asleep so I can get Mommy's full and undivided attention for a while!

Yes, Cora is such a cooperative baby that most of the time that she tends to fly under the radar a bit. Although I must admit that she gets so much attention when we are out in public and she is riding in her sling. Typically when I go to the store that's what she rides in and I can't hardly make it through a trip without someone stopping me to say how cute she looks in it. It's like she's in my little kangaroo pouch. Sometimes she naps and sometimes she checks out what's going on, but either way she likes to be close to her momma...which I love, of course.


She is getting much stronger and much more expressive with each passing day. Here are a couple shots of her in her favorite positions.

Laying is for babies. I like to sit (assisted, for now)

Tummy time...no problem (most of the time)

Standing...hey, I like to look out the window!

Cora is laughing a lot now and finding her voice. A few days ago she was happy as could be but just yelling. She would smile and just try to make her voice louder and louder. The girl has good pipes.

I can't believe that she will be 4 months old soon. While she has moved up to her 3-6 month clothes, I still occasionally stuff her in some of the 0-3 month clothes. It's always "just one more time." You can't blame a Mom for wanting to hang onto her little tiny baby.

Fire House!

For those of you that saw the previous post of Reed and the fire truck, you may remember that our neighbor, Bob, is affiliated with the Elgin Fire Barn Museum. A few weeks back he tipped us off that there would be an open house at the museum. It is in a cool old fire house that is no longer in use. They have two cool old fire trucks and some older models that were pulled by horses.

We met a couple of Reed's buddies, Benjamin and Leo, and their parents there. The boys had a blast. It was a rainy morning and there wasn't a big turnout so they had the run of the place for a while. What more could a 2 year old boy ask for?!

Benjamin sporting a helmet that nearly toppled him over. Wow it really was heavy!

Leo ringing the bell on the fire engine.

They sounded the alarm that signaled there was a fire. We warned the boys that the ringing would be loud. This was the result.

Our neighbor Bob helped Reed spray the fire hose.

Checking out all the parts on the fire engine.

After the rain stopped, the boys decided to take the fun outside and run around for a bit.

It was a great Saturday morning activity. I think there might just be three little boys begging to be firefighters this Halloween.

6 YEARS

Feels like yesterday that we said our vows, pledged our lives to one another, and then celebrated with the best party we could have imagined with all our fabulous friends and family. Six years and two kids later I couldn't ask for much more. All the laughter, all the tears, and there's no one I'd rather travel this road of life with besides my trusty companion and husband. I love you Bob!

Silly Sunday

Bob started back to school teaching this past week and it feels like summer is starting to wind down. It was nice to have a calm week to enjoy around the house with the family. We did some barbecuing--especially enjoying grilling up all the fresh summer veggies. We mostly relaxed and enjoyed some family time. Here are a few highlights...

Reed refuses to be outdone by Cora. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Here they are sharing a little Boppy time.

To you this may look like a plastic block container, but to Reed it is a space helmet. He also said that his sippy cup was a rocket that he was going to ride to space. Do we have an astronaut in the making?

Cora showing off some smiles. Earlier she was crying and Reed popped a pacifier in her mouth and she calmed down and even started laughing a bit. I thought for a second that maybe Cora was a pacifier kid after all. I think it is more of a fun game for her.

This is how my babies react to pacifiers...

Fire truck!

Oh, Reed was a happy boy tonight. He got to take a ride in an old fire truck!!! Our neighbor directly across the street is affiliated with the Elgin Fire Barn Museum and is essentially the go-to guy when it comes to all the public relations stuff. Basically he is the guy that drives the big old antique fire truck in parades or takes it to festivals, fundraisers, etc. The upside of this is that a couple times a year there is a cool fire truck parked right in front of our house. Last time it was on our street, however, was a little bit before Reed's interest was really piqued in trucks of every sort.

Our neighbor, Bob, came over today and told Bob that he would have the truck out today for the Fill a Boot for Jerry's Kids fundraiser and wondered if Reed would like to ride the truck home from the event. Awesome!

If I could only reach the peddles...

Firefighter in training

Off we go!

The truck was only a few blocks from the house, but Bob and Reed had a great time on the ride home. Reed has also been promised a longer ride in the future. He can't wait!

Caught in the act

Apparently Reed really liked the ham from the post-baptism lunch. Bob discovered him sneaking bits of leftover ham before the ham made it back into the refrigerator. I guess it is better than stealing sweet treats. He quickly diverted the subject to his brand new big boy undies gifted by Granny and P-pa over the weekend. Let's hope the superheros provide enough motivation to begin the potty training experience.

God Bless Cora Maria

Today Cora was baptized! Her sins have been washed away and she has been welcomed into the Catholic faith. We had a great ceremony and enjoyed a nice lunch with the family afterward at our home.

Cora with proud parents, godparents (Uncle Brian and Aunt Bekki) and Father DeBlock

No cries--the water must have been warm.

The happy family

The beautiful and delicious cake!