apple orchard

A friend of mine and I took our kids to the apple orchard this week. This was actually a "first" for both girls!

Olivia had fun dragging the wagon...


While Cora was intent on carrying both buckets...

(And they really were so serious about their jobs!)

They also liked riding in the wagon:






We did pick some apples. (Here the girls are watching.)


And tried to take pictures on some of the fall arrangements that were set up.



(The girls just weren't feeling it. Can you tell?)

But it was something different for us to do. I think the girls had fun when I wasn't bugging them with the camera, and they were definitely thrilled to get treats to take home. And they're big fans of cider, now, too.

6 months

Six months ago today we met and held our little girl for the first time. A half year has passed so quickly! Boy, has she come a long way since that first day.

then:


3 months later:


now:



She seems happy. Although she still does her fair share of pouting.


She's grown taller. (The outfit now fits.)


Her hair is longer (even after a cute little cut!)


She can laugh. (She couldn't when we first got her. Really.) She loves her daddy. (She wouldn't go near him for a good month.) She loves balloons and bubbles and books and water and showers. And food.






And dancing and singing and coloring, too.




It's funny to think of the things she has picked up in just a few months, like "yup" and "hold you" (hold me) and "dit down" as she pats on the closest seat. She's a pretty bright, little girl, don't you think?

And yes, we will be celebrating tonight with a little buttercream frosting (and cupcakes) after a trip to the park. Happy 6 months, Cora!

an "episode"

Cora has a heart defect. Aside from visiting a cardiologist a couple times a year, we barely think about it. She shows no physical signs of one, other than her heart beats a little bit differently than others. Until today.

I have told this story so many times today. I thought I'd post it here and hope friends/family catch it.

We started getting ready for the day early, since I had Bible study to get to. Olivia and Cora were running around, chasing each other from room to room, screaming and having fun. Once they took a break, I grabbed Cora to get her dressed. She started fussing. We weren't sure why (especially since she does whine quite a bit) so at first we assumed it was some kind of "toddler thing." But something seemed a bit "off" this morning, so I picked her up and held her. She kept screaming, "Mommy!" and then started to act like she might throw up. (sorry - yucky) I sat down with her and noticed her lips were gray. Almost white. And then she started to pass out on us. Fortunately, we were able to get her to drink water and her color started to return. (Yes - I keep saying "we" because Brendan was still home - thank goodness!)

We went to the pediatrician and had her checked out. By then, her heart rate and saturation levels were normal. We also consulted with her cardiologist and he felt that this was consistent with a vsd. So we are keeping an eye on her and will report back to her doctors if we have any more problems. We are scheduled to see the cardiologist again in November. And hoping and praying we have no more episodes before (or even after, for that matter) then.

water babies

We took the girls to Lake Michigan over the holiday weekend. (It's not the ocean, but it comes close. And there are no sharks!) It was a chilly day, so we just played a bit in the waves. The girls had SO much fun!



















Until it came time to stop playing in the water.




But then they discovered playing in the sand.






And chasing after the birds.






And talking on their cell phones, aka rocks they found on the beach.


And we had a great time with them!

birthday girl

And she's now two!


Which means I now have two two-year olds...








Two cute two-year olds









We celebrated on Saturday with friends and family, a party complete with a cake (all her own) and presents (probably the first she's ever opened!) Correction - she did get a present or two once we first got home. ;) But she was pretty clueless about what to do with them, at that time, too!



And since today was her actual birthday, we needed to do something special, too. We planned a fun day with friends, the zoo and a birthday dinner at our local Chinese restaurant. (I forgot my camera in the car, so no pictures of the zoo.) We had a great time checking out the animals and taking advantage of half-price rides. The girls loved the carousel and the choo-choo train! (I like the log ride - it's like a lazy river. Although actually, it would have been lazier if I weren't trying to keep two two-year olds from jumping out of the boat.)





Dinner was yummy, but late since Daddy has to work late all this week. It was dark when we left and time for bed. The birthday girl didn't even get to open her presents. (I'm sure she won't mind in the morning.) I am a little afraid to give her anything new, though. Ever since opening presents on Saturday, she has since determined that all toys are her toys. Two-year olds... (Two of them.)



I think she enjoyed her first special day. (Well, the first time her special day was probably celebrated.) Although I'm sure she had no idea what all the celebrating was for.


Happy Birthday, little girl!