2nd Child

Well, that was quick. My second child, my BABY, is almost one. Yikes. I am emotional in a different way than I was when Jack was turning one. If I'm being honest I am feeling a lot of guilt. Because here is the thing. When Jack was a baby I basically stared at him for 12 months. That was where we were in life, that was all I was doing. This year hasn't played out that way. Obviously because Jack is still in the picture. But it was more than that. We moved and I feel like taking on a house and yard was almost as time consuming as taking on another child was. Parker not only switched jobs but at one time was working three at once. Our lives were constantly evolving this year and we were doing our best to evolve right along with it.  

So Cora June, I feel guilty because I didn't spend as much time staring at you. Also last night I laid awake feeling bad that you've never been on a pony ride. I'm learning that there is no formula to motherhood. I can't do everything the same way that I did the first time around. Because life moves forward and circumstances are different. I can guarantee a couple of things though. The first is that I love you just as much.Always have always will. I may not have had as much time to sit and hold you and stare at you... but I think that made me appreciate our quiet moments together that much more. I promise I will make you a birthday cake, just like I did for your brother, and I will go full paparazzi, taking a million photos as you smash it all over your cute face.  I can also guarantee that you will get things that Jack did not. Starting with you have big brother. A friend. You weren't ever stuck at home with just me. 

And you have really enjoyed having a built in best bud.... most of the time. 

Aggies All The Way

We spent Thursday up in Logan as a family. We had tickets to the football game but headed up early to beat the traffic and take the kids to some of our favorite Logan spots. We played mini golf at the coolest little place ever. Parker used to take me on dates there because they go all out on halloween decorations. It was a little surreal watching both our kids play there, but so much fun.  Then we hurried over to the game! 

Cora's first Aggie game! We had the best seats for small kids and Cora was in heaven. Jack was a little tired because we tried to fit so much in. But he still had a lot of fun, especially when Davante Mays scored a touch down RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. So awesome.

This fall we are celebrating 7 years as kicking it as best friends. Can't believe how much our lives have changed... and for the better! But we always have the best time going back to where it all started. Here's to hoping that these two cute kids are Aggies someday! 

Almost 1 and Almost 3

The Zoo with Gama and Papa

Best Zoo day today with my parents. We lucked out and were able to see every animal right up close! Jack got licked by a giraffe and was not a fan. Cora passed out and missed half of the visit. But they both had a blast. Also, there was a Star Wars themed birthday party for one of the elephants with a Death Star piñata filled with peanuts. Not joking.

Super Dad

Father's Day was kind of a bust this year. Park didn't feel great and Jack got the world's bloodiest nose in the middle of church and the day just sort of blurred by. Which is a real shame. Because we have the best dad around. Want to hear just how cool he is?
Most of the time, he is the first one awake and the last one asleep. He throws himself into work during the day, always finding time to send texts checking in on us here. After a full work day he walks in the door and immediately takes Cora. He'll play legos and airplanes with Jack before he even gives himself time to change clothes. On days when I am overwhelmed he shows up after work with pizza in hand. I don't even have to ask. Parker can load a dishwasher one handed while holding a baby on his shoulder and mow the lawn with a baby on his back. He can navigate the grocery store with two kids in the cart better than I can. He can quote the movie Cars from start to finish. He is the one who helps Jack kneel by his bed and say his prayers before bed. He gives the goodnight kisses and knows which blankets are the favorite. He knows how to get baby tights over wiggly chubby baby thighs. Master of snapping up footsie pajamas. He buckles car seats, pushes strollers, changes diapers, gives hugs, wipes tears, plays dinosaurs, reads books, and everything else. No matter what we do, the best part of everyday is when dad gets home. He keeps us laughing, keeps us going, keeps us safe.
We are pretty dang lucky to have him.
I guess since Father's Day didn't play out the way we planned we will just have to celebrate this guy all year long. Works for me.

Jack + Cora

Jack currently loves pirates, dinosaurs, Lightning McQueen and chocolate milk. Still a picky eater and a pretty good sleeper. This summer he has become quite the swimmer. With his Puddle Jummper floats on he can swim the length of the pool. He loves jumping off the side into the water. Most of all he loves the big water slide. He is all grown up all of the sudden with friends that come knock on the door and ask if he can play and has become too cool to hold my hand. He likes to do things all by himself. His Jackanese is slowly turning into something closer to English. He loves church and all of his friends in nursery. He cries when we pick him up to go home. He is so adventurous and imaginative. I love when he tells me he'll "Be right back" and when he says "Cowa baby!" He still pretends to be a dog for at least part of the day, everyday. He can sing his ABC's and count to 13 without any help. At bedtime he always has a sudden need for something. A drink, a snack, a movie, a trip to the dinosaur museum. But most days he wakes up so happy. I get a big hug and a quite "Hiiiiiiiiii" when I get him out of his room Pretty great way to start the day. 

Cora is the best. She is turning into such an amazing little girl. Her personality is growing daily. Thanks to having to survive her older brother, she is basically the toughest girl I know.  She does not let Jack push her around or steal her stuff anymore. When she thinks something is entertaining but not worth summoning her big belly laugh she uses this little half laugh that sort of sounds like "eh-heh". I call it her pity laugh and it is one of my favorite things about her.  Yesterday she stuck a bar of soap in her mouth and didn't even gag. Just went back for more. Pretty sure if I wouldn't have intervened she would have eaten in like a popsicle.  A few days ago without much warning she decided to follow Jack upstairs. Climbed up no problem, with me standing behind her worried she was going to fall back at any moment. She's busy and active but still loves to snuggle. When Parker gets home from work she expects him to pick her up for a big hug, very first thing. If he doesn't, she gives him a big angry scream and then pouts. She's kind of dramatic and prefers to sleep in one of our arms which is a problem but the crib is slowly growing on her. Still sucking her thumb, I have a feeling its going to be a hard habit to break. I can't believe she is 9 months old and at the same time I don't know how we ever survived without her pity laughs and slobber kisses. 

Everyday Awesome