Kora Smiles

Kora is 6 weeks old and is starting to smile and gurgle and coo at us. She recognizes all of us now and reacts to each of us. Not just crying because she is hungry or needs changed. She makes eye contact and watches us as we move about. She loves watching Tucker as he plays and he loves knowing that she is paying attention to him. She especially likes laying on the changing table and we carry on many a conversation while we are there. Tucker likes sitting up there with her too. You can't really tell from this picture but it is a laugh.

YEAH POOP!

OK, it's a fact. Only a mother celebrates poop. Don't get me wrong. Growing up there was a lot of talk about poop. We grew up on a ranch with lots of livestock so wading ankle deep in it and washing it off our boots was pretty regular event. Even the occasional horse apple fight was no surprise. And talking about it at the dinner table was a regular occurance as well. Of course that was mainly to get a rise out of Mom. And now, in my profession, talking about poop is a necessary topic. But, looking back, prior to motherhood, I cannot think of a single circumstance when I was so excited about poop. The Pediatrician once told us that it is actually very hard for a baby to figure out how to poop. It's a tough combination of straining and relaxing muscles at the same time. Who would have thought. Just last night I caught myself cheering on Kora as she cried and wiggled trying to get things going. "You can do it" and then "Yeah, stinky pants!!" And now we are talking A LOT about poop with Tucker as we are trying to get him potty trained. We even have a book called Everyone Poops that we read a lot. "Elephants have BIG poop and mice have little poop" He has started announcing when he poops and we have to encourage and reward him. Isn't it just amazing how things change once you become a parent?

A Day Of Firsts

Last Monday was a day of firsts for Kora and Tucker. It was Kora's first day of shopping. She and I went to Lafayette and hit the mall and Once Upon A Child (I love that store!) and Michaels. She did so good but we had to hit the dressing room in every major store for a little snack time.

When we got home we got the call that Tucker's bed was in and after dinner TJ went to pick it up. We had it set up and Tucker was so excited about having his big boy bed. Of course he had to do the jumping test and it passed with flying colors. I then had to raid all the other hedrooms for blankets and a comforter. He looks so little in sucha big bed but now all of his stuffed animals fit well.

I also got Tucker some big boy skivvies. I was opening the package to put them in the dirty clothes hamper and he was adamant that he wear them now. We put them over his diaper and he was so proud. We later learned from the sitter that that is a BAD idea. We won't do that again. We are obviously starting to talk more about potty training. He is luke warm about the idea but we are making progress.

And I Helped

Tucker has become such a big helper these days. He is so good with Kora but is helping out elsewhere around the house too. Here you can see he helped with decorating the tree. This is the wand from his bubble bottle. He also hung a pair of Kora's new shoes at one point. This was Christmas morning and he helped pass out gifts.

And here you can see he is helping with the laundry. TJ will never find his skivvies hanging in the closet. :) I just love my little helper!

KORA

Kora is growing like a weed. When she was born she weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and she is now at 9 lbs. I was worried that she was not getting enough to eat but now there are no worries on that front. Here are a series of pictures of her. She is now sleeping for 6- hours a night which is much nicer than the 2 hours stretches of her first 2 weeks. Then we spent many nights just sleeping in the recliner. She is starting to coo and smile now and she likes lying on her changing table or the floor and just kicking her feet. We say she is training for a marathon. I cannot believe she is already 5 weeks old. It goes so fast. I am loving my time off with her and we are starting to get into more of a routine. We are now able to consistently get Tuck to daycare by 9. Kora and I usually go run some errands around town afterwards and then we head home for some lunch and a nap (usually for both of us) and then I get some chores done. It's working out well for all of us and it's just so natural to have her as part of our family.

Dec 20, 2009, 2 weeks old, Napping with her new blankie Dec 28,2009, 2 weeks old, Snuggling with PapawDec 29,2009, 2 weeks old, Tummy time Jan 13,2010, 5 weeks old, Bath Time

Grape Popsicles

You just gotta love a grape popsicle before bed.

Christmas Jammies

All the boys got to wear their Christmas Jammies on CHristmas eve. Here they are dancing to holiday music after opening all of their presents. Aren't they just the cutest little polar bear boys?

Set 'Em Up Joe

The boys had a good time at the Clubhouse acting like big boys bellied up to the bar. No worries, there were no alcoholic beverages served.

YeeHaw!!

I may not have mentioned yet but Tucker has an insatiable fetish with horses these days. And at Christmas everyone seemed to target it. Grandma C got him a stick horse and cowboy hat and he has hardly taken it off. He runs around the house hollering "neigh, neigh" and then he randomly, purposely, falls down getting bucked off. He LOVES this horse.

Lipstick kisses

Tucker has started experimenting with makeup. On Christmas eve his step cousin, Samantha, got him started. She got a makeup set and was showing Tuck how to apply the lipstick. You can see he was not real effective with getting it on his lips.And later he practiced a bit more at home. I did not know that Crayola Crayons were so diverse a medium. You can see that he was experimenting with lots of colors.

Santa

Tucker and Kora got to see Santa twice this year. He stopped by to visit the kids at the Golf Course and the Hole family Christmas on Christmas Eve. Tuck was not too sure of him. He wouldn't sit on his lap but did end up giving him high fives.Kora, of course, slept thru all of the excitement.Last night was Tucker's rescheduled Christmas Program for his Daycare. Santa arrived at this event so all the kids got to thank him for their gifts. Tuck waited his turn very patiently, he put his hand on Santa's knee as he waited and then sat very well on his knee. I don't know that he spoke to him but he nodded a lot.

And this time Kora was wide awake.

Holidays with Family

My sister's were home from Idaho to visit for the holidays. It was so good to have everyone home. Here are all of us siter's with our grandma Nanny and all of our kids. It was so cold while everyone was home so we spent a lot of time just hanging around at the house. We had 4 different Christmas's here at the house. We just loaded the Christmas tree with more gifts each time. The kids had a ball together. Dash and Tuck were inseperable, literally. I think Tuck was only about 6 inches away from Dash at any moment. If Dash sneazed then Tuck fake sneezed with him. At one point Dash gave Tuck a big hug and told him "you are my best friend"

This picture is one of my favorites of Nana and her boys. Oh what a cute lot.