Read this book.

Seriously. Do it. Heaven is for Real is an easy read book. I read the book in its entirety in two 45 minute settings. I am not generally one to read 'religious' books however this book was passed to my mom and then to me. There are a few things note worthy here.

1.) While I don't know this family specifically it references Ulysses, KS several times and that's my home town.
2.) Other Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado towns are ones I have been to or know of.
3.) It is written in a way that seems conversational. It feels like a story about people I know.

I feel like these three things paint such a clear image of Heaven. I also feel like this combined with the experiences I have had in the last 10 months I identify with heaven in such new way.

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0849946158&title=Heaven_is_for_Real&authors=Todd_Burpo_Sonja_Burpo_Colton_Burpo_and_Lynn_Vincent%20&%20

Birthday!

The old man turned 27 and I helped him celebrate! I was super pumped because he got baby cupcakes! I figure that this would mean I would get one for sure. Baby cupcakes...Baby Corah...it seems obvious to me. But can you believe I didn't get one tiny taste? How rude!

Corah

Lessons I've learned.

• Babies grow ridiculously fast. 
• One can function with less than 12 hours of sleep. I actually love waking up with my baby anytime of the day or night. I still enjoy a nap when the babe sleeps in the afternoon. BUT! I can live without it. WHO KNEW?
• Summer Swaddle Blankets rock! Its a combination between a baby straight jacket and a sleeping bag. All  I know is that Corah falls asleep with in minutes of being in this! Seriously, if you are an expectant mommy or new mommy this is my Baby MUST HAVE.

• People have intense feelings about babies wearing headbands.  I don't care. I put one on Corks in the morning and she wears it until I take it off as I put her to bed. (They are not all as obnoxious as this one.

• There is no point in planning anything. About the point that you make a plan you spend a week in the hospital with a Pulmonary Embolism. Or less dramatically baby has a diaper blow out.
• In respect the the PE...If you literally feel like you are about to die go to the Hospital. Sleeping it out isn't going to fix anything. 
• Also in respect to the PE...Mommies (specifically mine) can fix anything.
• Taking a baby out in Public will give any new mommy an ego about how a-freakng-dorable her baby is.  I am just saying. People tend to complement Corah on her perfectly shaped head. I have no clue what this means. 
• Babies don't break as easily as new mommies think. 
• I could totally be a SAHM.  While this isn't an option for us now.  I love spending every second possible with my babe and will be soaking up my LOA like its nobodies business. 

Tonya

Corah @ 1 month!

Holy moley my baby is a whole month old! I can't hardly believe its been an entire month since the best day of my life. I also can't believe that I haven't posted her birth story, or pictures of the day. I also haven't don't her birth announcements or the newspaper announcements. I also need to send thank you notes and about a million other things! In all fairness I am a bit preoccupied by hospital stays and a princess (and not just the Royal Wedding!) The moral of this windy tale is to look for some big updates soon!

Holding on.

Corah has learned a new trick. She grabs on to things and holds on. I don't think she's actually reaching for something she sees. Just when something grazes her had she grips on with all her might. She started with my hair Sunday and has since been holding on to shirts, blankets, hair, fingers, and her hair bows.

Today is also her four week birthday. Even more insane is that Friday she is officially a month old. I can't believe she is getting so big.

This picture is from Orange Leaf today and is proof that her grip is firm.

Tonya

What I'm up to...

Gamma told mommy that I need to work on being content. Mommy fought today would be a good time to practice. I thought differently. I have to make sure mommy remembers why she calls me Boss Lady! It should be noted she kept telling me I had to try it for five minutes...she picked me up in two. (Can you say pushhhhh overrrrrr.) Mommy doesn't mind me being bossy so much. She says she knows it means I take after her. She says crying builds up lung power so I can be a stellar runner or debater or something!

She did trick me later though...that darn swaddle blanket! I have a weakness for being all warm and cozy. It makes me forget I'm supposed to be in charge!

Corah Lyn
AKA...Boss Lady

Baby Wearing....

Is Awesome! The moby wrap is Corah's end. She falls instantly asleep when snuggled inside! Baby is supposed to be 8lbs to be in a wrap carrier. While Corah isn't quite there yet, we've been experimenting. So far...its love.

I know I have some big updates...like her birth story ect. However, I do have some picture posts to update. I have thus far been successful at taking a picture of Corks every day since her birth. (Most days more than one!) I just need to figure out how to retrodate a post and post with a baby in my arms.

April 24, 2011

EASTER!  This is Corah's very first Holiday and I insisted that she needed an Easter dress.  I am sure that Matthew thought I was insane. However, as soon as I knew that Corah would be here before Easter we went shopping. Matt actually picked it out.

Our first family picture...ignore my pastey whiteness!

April 20, 2011

Still in the hospital...Still hanging out!

Daddy snuggles Corah.

Corah sleeps.

April 23, 2011

Today was busy.  My parents went home after lunch.  I think Mom needs to have Sunday to recuperate. After we went to my best friend/college roommate's wedding. Tanille was one of my bridesmaids and I was soooooooooooooo happy to see her and Ben (finally) tie the knot!

Tanille was soooo gorgeous!

I love these two!

(Ignore my pastey whiteness.  I look rough.)

 Corah slept through the whole darn thing!

One last snuggle with Gramma!