November 2011

Mae playing in the leaves

Nicholas loves to hold Cora. This particular time, he had been holding her for quite awhile and we looked over at him and he had decided to read while holding her. So sweet.

Ella and Mae wearing pretty dresses from Mimi and Papa Don. November 20, 2011--ready for church.

Cora approved of her Uncle Tim!! Tim met her for the first time on Thanksgiving at our house.

Mae holding Cora on Thanksgiving

It wasn't "all work and no play" while we were decorating for Christmas today!

Mae and her baby posing if front of our tree

My beautiful family in front of our Christmas tree. Mae keeps saying "Pretty!" when she looks at the tree. She also held her baby up in front of the tree and showed her the ornaments. The big kids were a huge help in decorating the tree. It was really priceless hearing Nicholas explain the true meaning of Christmas to Ella.

More Fun with Cora

Here are a few more pictures of our family getting to know Cora. We're enjoying her and it's fun to share her with everybody.

Mae meeting Cora for the first time. She's going to be lots of "help" as Cora grows up!

Mae can't get enough of her new sister!

Nicholas and Ella checking on Cora. They love her already and will be great big siblings!

Mimi and Papa Don came up to meet Cora on Friday. It was a great visit. Mimi just loves Cora's full head of hair!

Mimi got to feed Cora a bottle...both of them enjoyed this time together.

Papa Don holding Cora for the first time.

Papa Carl and Cora spending some quality time together.

Ella & Mae Meet Cora for the First Time

Our big girls were both so excited to meet their new sister! They both continue to really be drawn to Cora and Valerie is certainly going to have lots of help once we get home. We look forward to these three growing up together!

Welcome to the World Cora Jeanne

Cora Jeanne Detwiler came into the world at 8:13 a.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2011. She weighed 8 pounds and 10 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. She and her mommy both came through the c-section just fine. Cora is pink and perfect!

Cora Jeanne Detwiler

A smushy mama with her new baby girl!

Valerie's first glimpse of Cora.

The "Big 3" came for a visit after Cora's birth. Nicholas has a lot of responsibility being the big brother for three little sisters! He didn't want his mommy to have to go to the hospital to have the baby, so he was sure happy to see her doing well.

Ella and Mae meeting Cora for the first time. They were both enthralled with all of Cora's baby bits. Mommy's going to have lots of help, I'm sure!

GAG Night 2011

Nicholas--Skeleton, Ella--Dragon, Mae--Giraffe

Friday night was GAG night at our church. The kids had a great time and looked really cute. Their costumes were compliments of the costume exchange hosted by Lenn's work.......we swapped our old costumes and ended up with some really original costumes for this year!

Waterman's Fall Festival 2011

It was a beautiful day here on Columbus Day, October 10, and Lenn had the day off so we spent the morning at the Waterman's Fall Festival. We had a really great time. The kids loved playing on the slide, in the bounce house, on the straw bale mound, etc. The petting zoo was a big hit also. Mae wasn't really sure how she felt about the huge mechanical pumpkin-eating dinosaur but she's been talking about it ever since!

Mae is 2 years old!!

Mae Mae ready for her birthday party........she's showing that she's 2 (except she's holding up 4 fingers......but you get the idea!!)

Yummy......birthday cupcakes!!!

Mae with her friend Caleb at her birthday party. Caleb gave her the purple ball and Jillian (Caleb's sister) gave her the Hello Kitty toy

Mae turned 2 on September 21. She is every bit the 2-year-old. She is sweet as pie one minute and pulling Ella's hair the next. She is into everything......climbing the stairs, getting into the pantry, taking off her clothes and diaper........she is busy!! And she's quite unpredictable these days.......she like to hit her siblings or yell "No!" really loudly while pointing her finger at you. I have no idea where she's getting this new side of spiciness........

We love her dearly and can't believe that she's already 2. She will soon be a big sister.......wow!