Corman Christmas

My "almost brother" Kurt came home yesterday for a visit from the East Coast where he's been stationed in the Army the past year.  We have all missed him (although my parents have gotten to visit him at least).  We decided to celebrate Christmas last night and celebrate his return.  It was so much fun!  My Mom cooked an amazing turkey feast, we opened presents, played my Mom's crazy games (some involved money...Eli won $10), the kids jumped on the trampoline, and we laughed a lot, which was much needed!  I love my family so much.  We're not perfect, but we love each other and help each other in any way we can.  I thank God every day for this bunch of crazies :-)!  

Holiday Spirit

We decided to use this weekend to have our own little family Christmas before we celebrate with both of our families.  We made coffee, picked up some donuts, played Christmas music, had Uncle Will come watch the Polar Express with us with some yummy hot chocolate, made cinnamon applesauce ornaments, and opened some presents.  Lately, Cora likes to play that she is a baby (insert  baby voice here and footie pajamas) and last night she decided that she is baby Jesus and I am Mary ha ha.  We are whipping up some Christmas spirit around here! 

Eli

A few weeks ago we had parent/teacher conferences with Eli's preschool teacher.  School has been going wonderfully, but I am always nervous to hear what is really going on.  We couldn't have been more proud.  He is doing great!  He has friends (Maddox is his best friend and he also likes playing with Garrett) and loves to play with them on the playground after school for a few minutes before we go home.  He is SO much more social this year (probably because his speech has improved so much that he can be understood by his peers).  His teacher said she's never had any behavior problems with him and the only time he has any issue at all is during circle time when all the boys have a hard time sitting still.  It was a big relief to me to hear he is doing so well.  We really worked on social skills and speech all Summer, and I can see that it is paying off.

Last week was Eli's Christmas program at school.  I downloaded the songs and we've been singing and learning the words for awhile now.  Cora loved them as much as Eli did!  The program was hilarious, especially because Eli was quite the character.  He sang his heart out at the top of his lungs with a very serious expression, just like I do when I sing.  He was adorable and I was so proud of him!  He also glanced over the rock wall next to him several times during one of the songs.  At the end, the entire school went up on stage and all sang a song together.  Eli was in fine form.  As they were walking on, he sang a little diddy in a microphone that was sitting there before a teacher snagged him.  The song had actions and his hand bumped a kid's buzzed head in front of him.  The rest of the song every minute he was rubbing that kid's head and snickering.  The boy was not amused, but it sure brought us some laughs.  Life with Eli is a constant adventure and I am sure glad I'm along for the ride!  The kids got to see Santa afterwards and this is the first year Cora wasn't scared and didn't cry.  She asked for a doll and Eli asked for a wallet.  Asher was our first kid not to cry at the sight of Santa, which was fun.  I am really looking forward to celebrating Christmas with our families.  It just gets better and better as the kids get older.   

Asher 6 Months

My little happy dude is six months old.  Hard to believe!  He is at my favorite age...ready to take on the world around him every second of the day.  He is named very appropriately.  Asher means "happy" or "blessed" and Graham means "home".  Everywhere we go people comment on how happy he is.  He smiles at everyone he sees and flirts.  He definitely has added so much joy to our lives and I can't imagine life without him in it.  At six months Asher is:
1.  Rolling both ways.  If he's doing tummy time on the floor it isn't long before he's bonked his head on the hard wood floor rolling over. He always looks startled, then smiles.
2.  Standing and holding onto things for a few seconds, especially the little play kitchen
3.  Is loving solid food now that his cold is gone.  I make all his baby food from organic produce and have so much fun doing it.  He is currently eating:  peas, pears, apples, acorn squash, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal cereal.  Because of Eli's wheat allergy we will wait until after 9 months to introduce anything with wheat.
4.  Sitting in a reversed convertible car seat in the car now.  The baby seat was just getting too heavy for my to carry anymore.  I love it and am so glad we switched.
5.  Reaching or lunging for me if someone else is holding him and he sees me walk by. He also makes this certain noise when he wants to come to me or wants something.
6.  Loving when Daddy comes home!  He gets so excited.
7.  Starting to scoot!  The funny part is he can only go in reverse.  He can turn in circles or go backwards but never forward.
8.  Still pulling hair like crazy.
9.  Loving his baths with Dad or showers with Mom.  He starts kicking the second we say "bath" or "shower" and loves every second of it.
10.  Loving to lean his head back and see the world upside down.
11.  Becoming more vocal.  Makes new squacking sounds and can get pretty loud in church and other places.
12.  Staying for a short period each week in the church nursery, long enough for me to drink a cup of coffee and enjoy worship.

13.  Weighing 16 lbs 11 oz (30%) and is 24 1/4 inches tall (less than 3% ha ha).  He is a rolly polly just like Cora was, and it makes him SO snuggly.  I could cuddle him all day!