Grandma time!

Grandma Quillen came to visit us the other week. It was so fun to have her. Of course, she didn't come to see us, but to see Korrali. Ok, she came to see us too. But it was so fun to see how much Korrali already loves her grandma. Here are some pictures at Katie's house when Mom was talking to Korrali, and Korali was just smiling away, laughing with Grandma. This photo is when grandma got Korrali to laugh, just as grandma was throwing her head back to laugh as well (and cry).  We got one pretty adorable girl.

More July 4th fun

So we had a fun 4th of July weekend. First off, I went fishing with a new friend Jason. I caught two fish, the first one named Gus and the second one named Bill (pictured). 

I also caught a bass, however as I was pulling him up out of the water, he thrashed and broke the fishing line swam away. I also happened to be fishing 10 feet away from a poisonous snake. But that's just how I roll. I'm so adventurous. 

After that, we had a lazy day. We went to watch fireworks later that night , and of course we brought Korrali. Lianna was afraid how she would handle the fireworks, but I knew that she would be just fine. It turns out that she absolutely love them. She was attended the whole time. After that, we went home. The fireworks that we saw were quite spectacular. I'm so grateful for this wonderful country. And I'm so glad that I don't speak with a British accent.

Happy 4th of July

And Thank You, to all the men and women who still stand and fight for freedom from tyranny and trust in God.

Two Months and...

She is still alive so we must be doing something right.

I don't know how you other amazing moms manage to do everything... but I know these markers seem to fly right by us. And, while I do record things on our calendar, I've been so grateful for JD's keeping somewhat more up on the picture posting here. At any rate, Korrali was two months old a couple weeks ago .. and I DO want to do a record here. So get ready for an eyeful.

Let's back up first:

One Month: 

At around one month she slept in her crib

See? Proof.

Hardly ever cried

Wasn't scheduled with feeding yet - solely breast feeding at that age meant feeding on demand even if that demand was shortly after the previous demand.

Slept through the night (around 9 to 6 every night with possibly one feeding around 1 but mostly not)

Loved her cousins, especially Ali, who also loved her.

Weight: 8 lb 12 oz (three days after she weighed 8 lb 4 oz)

Height: 21 1/4 in

She also got thrush and overcame it, and became exceedingly adept at spitting things out.

And, sometime between then and now, she began to really really love cuddling...

Family. Isn't it about.. (nap)time?

Now, she changes on a daily basis. It seems that as soon as I answer one question, for example "How is she sleeping?" She will change to the opposite behavior. 

She had her two month check up a week late, but her massive growth spurt (around her one month check up she was gaining close to a pound a week) has ended.

Two Months:

She no longer sleeps in her crib for any length of time, so we use the swing

She has been known, on occasion to sleep from 10 to 5 then again from 5 to 7. She has also been known, on other occasions, to decide 3 am is a good time to sleep, but 5 am is still mealtime.

She is a little colicky and is bothered by acid reflux

Is starting to eat at more scheduled times 2-2 1/2 hours apart.

She learned to enjoy books, and learning ASL

Her eyes ARE open, they are just looking at the pictures.

Her wonderful Aunt Betsy and Uncle Andrew visited and helped teach her (and me) some simple signs

She still loves her cousins, especially Ali, upon whose lap she can lie very contentedly, and she will complain when someone else tries to move her away. She has also learned to LOVE her Grandma Quillen, and when she was here visiting would choose stay up late nights just to spend time with her. (Seriously, the nights Grandma was here to watch her, she would choose to stay happily awake. The nights she wasn't, she went right to bed.)

I think Grandma Quillen enjoyed her too.

At her checkup, her numbers came to:

Weight: 10lb 9oz

Height: 22 1/2 in

Plus, she got her shots. She did great, really, maybe a little sleepier from the Tylenol, but otherwise fine. Which was a relief, because the previous Thursday and Friday she screamed and screamed for hours.. that is, until Daddy came home and she got to be a nudist baby. 

Seriously, all Daddy has to do is nudify her and talk to her for smiles? Not fair.

There are a million things she does that I wish I could get on camera, but they are too fleeting. That and she has learned not to like the camera flash, OR video so she stops her cute things and scowls unless I sneak up on her. Little (adorable) stinker.

This is why I don't get any work done. ..

Would you be able to concentrate on work with a cute girl looming at you like this?

Sweet smiling Korrali.

Our family blog asked us about things that makeis smile no matter what.  This is one of mine.  Korrali sure has cute smile.

One week, by the barenaked ladies

Fair warning: this post contains details that may be tmi, and may include allusions to clotheslessness.

When I was in highschool I loved this Canadian band for their creative rhymes and clean lyrics... And catchy tunes. I also enjoy putting my own lyrics to songs. These last three weeks have been tough, as any first time mother can attest, just when you think you have something figured out, something new comes up. Sometimes they come before you have it figured too. Just when I felt confident in nursing (we were overcoming some issues) and just when she was getting to be a pro latcher, whammo, mastitis. Then, the inevitable thrush, and naturally, yeast for me. It's been a while since I felt like breaking into spontaneous song, but with recovery going on and K mewing in her sleep beside me I feel like music....
This song seemed appropriate


It's been two weeks since I looked at me
Bowed my head to my chest and prayed
'Soon, yeast free'
 Five days since we nursed again
I worried your skills you'd forgotten
One day since you latched with ease
But it'll still be a while til you're thrush-free

Clickity-clink the ACs blowin
Outside the window the mowers mowin
The dog is whining
The sun is shining

And it's seven in the morning

Think I might scream
But use the cream
Though three seems
Like more hassle than its worthwhile 

Ignore the pain,
The milk stains,
Cuz the main
Thing is to keep on believing 


How can I help but hold you close to me?
Your smiles and sighs are so cute, so comforting
I guess soon enough this will be over with
Then we'll get to see what trial is next


It's been one week since I stopped the pump
Dealt with clogged ducts and hoped
It'd finish up
Four days since I ditched my shirt
Grabbed a towel and just mopped it all up
Six hours since I soaked a sheet
But it'll still be a while til your mouth is thrush-free

Ringring ringring my alarm is buzzing
It's one am and my eyesight's fuzzing
I hate to wake you
But I take you
To the kitchen for our medicine 

 You hate the tAste
And in my haste
You eject
It all over both of us


How can I help but hold you close to me?
Your grunts and coos are so sweet, so charming
I guess soon enough this will be done with 
Then we will get to see what trial is next


It's been one week since your projectile vomit
The stuff was all over a friend
and your outfit
Three days since you've been quite adamant
Carseat sleeping or our arms only will do the trick
Two nights where you slept all night
But it'll still be a while til your mouth is thrush-free
still be a while til your mouth is thrush-free

Thanks for humoring me!