21 Months

Just when I think Cora can't get any cuter, she goes and outdoes herself! She is just a happy and funny little girl. I couldn't be more grateful for her. She reminds me every day to smile and find joy in the little things. At 21 months:

1. She is putting sentences together. Even yesterday, I counted out an 8 word sentence she had just said. It blows our mind! She calls us "honey" all the time and it cracks me up. She'll be like, "No no honey!" She also calls Brandon "babe" a lot. She talks about herself using her name. It is adorable and I love how she says, "Cora" with her little voice.

2. She still is obsessed with outside. She does the slide by herself and we now do a lot of following Eli riding his bike, while Cora is in the stroller. She LOVES dirt. She gets into my plant dirt (ugh) and will lay on the ground and just dig up the dirt. I have all these little holes in my garden. She still loves doing chalk, sandbox, and bike trailer.

3. Her favorite book is The Big Pink Book of Everything.

4. Her biggest accomplishment of the month is that all of a sudden she can count to 12 or sometimes past. She knows all her colors, shapes, and we've been working on letters. If you ask her to spell her name she says "B-0-b". We have no idea where she got this idea, but it is hilarious. Eli will always correct her and say, "No, Cora is spelled C-o-r-a!"

5. She still loves praying with her adorable little double jointed hands folded. She prayers for everyone and everything (even Barney).

6. She loves Elmo and Barney.

7. She is super friendly everywhere we go. She tells everyone she sees "hi" or "bye" and will talk to them. A lady at the grocery store asked her if she talks a lot at home and she said, "Yes. I talk and I sleep!"

8. She is VERY happy to see Brandon when he gets home and the kids come up with ways to surprise him, whether it's hiding in the closet and jumping out at him or hiding under a blanket. Throughout the day she'll remind me, "Mommy, Daddy be home from work later!"

9. She loves to use my pregnancy pillow as a "nest" and the kids play on our bed a lot.

10. She is obsessed with "baby Asher". Every doll is named "Asher" and she is CONSTANTLY asking me to lift my shirt up so she can touch and talk to my belly. She will play doctor and put the stethescope on my belly to check on Asher and declare him "healthy".

Thankful

I am VERY thankful for health in our family. I complain when my kids are sick, but it is really nothing compared to what a lot of people are going through with their kids...cancer, diseases, autism etc. It is so hard to understand what God's plan is, but I do trust Him! Suffering is only temporary and will not compare to eternal joy.

Bike-a-Thon

Eli took part in a bike/trike-a-thon at preschool benefiting St. Jude Hospital. Brandon was able to take his lunch break and surprise Eli at the event since I was stuck home with a grouchy girl with a cold. Eli had so much fun and rode his bike prouder than ever! He has gotten a lot better at riding his bike lately. It is perfect timing because the double stroller is getting pretty darn heavy for me with both kids in it and I need to free up some space for Asher pretty soon! I told Eli that from now on he can ride his bike when we go on walks, while I push Cora in the umbrella stroller. He was so excited! We gave it a whirl the other day and he loved it! He likes to pretend that the driveways are railroad crossings, so we do a lot of stopping :-). He is growing like a weed!

Hair

Cora finally has HAIR! I can put her little mullet in the back into the most adorable pigtails :-) She does not like me fixing her hair, but is very happy to look so pretty afterwards. Eli is so cute about it and will continuously tell her "Cora, your ponytails look so pretty!" Just another fun aspect of having a girl!

Warm Winter

I have to say...this Winter has been great. It's been exceptionally warm, which has enabled us to get outside more than ever before during these months. Whether it's trips to the park, walks, rides in the bike trailer, Eli practicing riding his bike, the sandbox, t-ball in the backyard, playing with the rabbit, etc. all of it is saving sanity! Kids were meant to be raised outdoors...of this I am sure! Shame on video games and TV for making us lazy parents and turning out lazy kids. I am itching for Spring and Summer and even more opportunities to soak up the sun and have some fun!

It's a BOY!

We had a great time on Monday at my 20 week sonogram! Both our parents were there and the kids, so it was a joyous and fun time. Eli was amazed at the baby moving on the screen, and when we saw it was a boy he said, "It's a BOY! I will share my trains with him!" My mom had a blue onsie, balloons, and blue ring pops for everyone. Knowing it was my last time to do this made it very special. Asher Graham Judson is our name of choice. Asher is a bible name that means "happy or blessed" and Graham means "abode". Graham is a family name on Brandon's side. I felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders after seeing a healthy baby on the screen. The test showed no defects or problems besides him being breech presentation (which was exactly how Eli was but doesn't really matter since I'm having a c-section). The kids have been kissing my stomach and saying "Night night Asher!" Eli is determined to call him "Leaf" in some way. He sometimes calls him "Asher Leaf". It's hilarious! He declared yesterday, "I REALLY REALLY wanted a BOY!" (When in reality all along he has said "girl"). I have begun the fun process of going through all of Eli's old clothes and the baby gear. I am sorting through all of Cora's clothes and putting aside the ones I want to keep, sell, and give to friends. I am really excited to be in the last half of my pregnancy!

Happy New Year...Welcome 2012!

We spent our New Years at home sick...but we made the best of it! Eli helped me make cupcakes and we celebrated with a nice meal and sparkling juice. Eli kept saying, "This is Happy New Year's day!" Although we experienced a lot of loss in our family this past year, it really has been the best year for me as far as parenting goes. Eli's been gluten free for a year and healthier than ever in that regard, he started talking, started preschool, and moved out of the terrible two's. Cora became a toddler, stopped nursing, started sleeping through the night, started walking and was fully able to play with Eli and take part in his adventures. Last summer was amazing! I loved having two older kids who could play outside, travel easier, and take part in all of the fun summer activities. I really loved 2011! I know 2012 is going to bring a lot of changes to our family, but I'm ready to take them head on! I know God will provide strength and the guidance we need to become a family of five. Happy New Year!