We've had a busy week at our house, so the following is a long post! I've been adding up in my head all that I wanted to share with you over the course of the week and the list kept getting longer and longer! Yes, this took a long time to write, but the connection I feel to those we love who are far from us more than makes up for the sleep I give up as I stay up late to fill you in! On that note, here's a glimpse of what we've been up to, and to our family and friends who are far...we love and miss you more and more, especially as Cora grows by leaps and bounds each day!
A Place for Cora...
On Sunday night, we played musical rooms! We officially made a place for Cora in her own room! We said goodbye to Cole's beachy nursery and graduated him to his big boy bed next to Ryder, making a place for our little girl in her very own room. She's been a wonderful roommate the past 7 weeks, but John and I have to admit, we won't miss her grunts, groans and sweet little noises that every newborn seems to make in their first weeks...So our little princess moved across the hall to her very own room and I can't tell you how excited I was to FINALLY open the beautiful bedding my grandparents had given us for Cora in December! We still have some finishing touches to add, but the change has been made and we couldn't be more excited! We're so thankful for the space God has given us to spread out a bit more...we don't take it for granted a bit...it truly is a gift to have a roof over our heads in this season of our lives :)
Here's a picture of Cora on the first morning she woke up in her new bed :)
I love this picture of Cole looking in at his baby sister after we returned home from church Sunday morning and she was ready to take a nap...it's as if he's saying, "Hey! Who's that sleeping in my bed?!"
So now for the question I'm sure you're wondering...how is Cole doing in his new bed? He is staying in the bed wonderfully through the night which is the most important part! No falls! Getting him to fall asleep in it like he would in his crib where we'd just put him in, say goodnight and shut the door isn't happening yet. So the first night, John rocked him to sleep and laid him in bed. Not wanting to do this every night, we have been having him fall asleep in the pack 'n play in our room first and then transferring him into the bed once Ryder is asleep. It's working great for now even though he definitely LOVES his new bed and would rather play around in his new room than be put in the pack 'n play :) The cutest part though, is the way he wakes up in the morning (always the first one!) and can now get out of his bed on his own!!! All of the sudden we hear the little pitter patter of footsteps and know he's awake! The first morning he came into out room with the cutest smile on, so proud of himself! This past morning, we heard him running to the door that leads to the garage and a few minutes later I woke up to my sweet boy smiling and handing me his shoes...he was ready to go for the day! He likes to wear his shoes and jacket all the time, even in the house since he loves going places! He even brings each of us our shoes as if to say..."Come on everyone! Let's get moving!"
Here's a picture of Cora on the first morning she woke up in her new bed :)I love this picture of Cole looking in at his baby sister after we returned home from church Sunday morning and she was ready to take a nap...it's as if he's saying, "Hey! Who's that sleeping in my bed?!"So now for the question I'm sure you're wondering...how is Cole doing in his new bed? He is staying in the bed wonderfully through the night which is the most important part! No falls! Getting him to fall asleep in it like he would in his crib where we'd just put him in, say goodnight and shut the door isn't happening yet. So the first night, John rocked him to sleep and laid him in bed. Not wanting to do this every night, we have been having him fall asleep in the pack 'n play in our room first and then transferring him into the bed once Ryder is asleep. It's working great for now even though he definitely LOVES his new bed and would rather play around in his new room than be put in the pack 'n play :) The cutest part though, is the way he wakes up in the morning (always the first one!) and can now get out of his bed on his own!!! All of the sudden we hear the little pitter patter of footsteps and know he's awake! The first morning he came into out room with the cutest smile on, so proud of himself! This past morning, we heard him running to the door that leads to the garage and a few minutes later I woke up to my sweet boy smiling and handing me his shoes...he was ready to go for the day! He likes to wear his shoes and jacket all the time, even in the house since he loves going places! He even brings each of us our shoes as if to say..."Come on everyone! Let's get moving!"
Sunday Best...
Each Sunday, I get excited to look in Cora's closet and picking a new cute outfit for her to wear! She's been loved by so many who wanted to make sure she had enough to keep her warm this winter...I feel so blessed each time I put her in something from someone we love. More than a fashion statement, it is a reminder to me of the community of friends and family God has given us both here in our new town and in California who we miss so much. This Sunday she wore a dress from my friend Jenny (one of my best friends from high school) and boots from Grammie! So cute!!!
A Resting Place...The boys still LOVE giving their sister kisses! If she's sitting anywhere, especially low enough for them to reach her, you can bet she's gettin' some love! I have to be so careful that I protect her from getting smothered! We're so thankful for this chair that my aunt gave Cora...what a blessing to have somewhere to set her down, especially when I have to run to rescue Cole as he climbs to explore every corner of our house!
A day above 30 degrees...
We were so excited to have "warm" weather this past weekend! It was in the 60s so we went to the park for the first time in 2 months! The boys were estatic and so was I! I love being "out" and have felt a little stir crazy being inside so much this winter, so we were so thankful for the break in the snow, wind and cold that allowed us to be outside. I was thinking lately about how I used to take Ryder for a walk everyday when he was little! Oh, how I took the California sun for granted! Here are some pictures of our walk to the park...Cora's first walk in the stroller since it was warm enough!
Edible Playdoh...
On the days we can't go outside, I have to be creative with things to do inside! Both boys love playdoh...We found out Cole especially loves it when his speech therapist would use it in therapy with him and he would play with it the longest of any of the activities she had prepared! Hooray for an increased attention span! Since he's been teething (for the past month!) as four teeth are coming in right now, everything is going into his mouth...including playdoh :) So I found the recipe for edible playdoh that I had heard about and we tried it...the recipe is a half cup of peanut butter, half cup of honey and a whole cup of powdered milk. Yes, it makes for some sticky fun, but Cole loved it when he put it up to his mouth and looked at me, and I smiled instead of moving his hand of playdoh away! You can see how excited he is :) Ryder is not really into making a mess and feeling sticky, (probably partly my influence!) so I had to encourage the "boy" in him out as we played together...by the way...hands were washed before we dove in!
What a MESS!
I have to say, I'm not usually a fan of messy spaghetti pictures...all I can think about is having to clean up after the picture is done, but Cole (in a matter of minutes) devoured his dinner (the part of it you don't see on his tray!) and made a mess of himself...too cute to not add :)
Squeaky Clean...After that, a bath was in order :) Cole's hair is getting so long on top, I put it in a little ponytail on top of his head just to be funny....no fashion statements intended!
What a fun, action packed post! Thanks for letting us be in on your lives.
How fantastic to read your last post and see all those fun, cute and adorable pictures! Thank you for giving up some sleep to fill us in on all the fun! Loved it all! XOXOXOX
THanks for the fun insights. Seems like this week was better than the last. Way to make the most of each opportunity with your kids. Cora is adorable D- I just can't wait to get my hands on her! :)Her room is CUTE!!!