Back to what we know - 9 weeks 2 days

Joe's first smile caught on camera. And his first Mountaineer outfit that he will probably outgrow before the first game. Good thing Uncle Rob and Aunt Matia got him one that is a bigger size-He's going to need it!

Joe just turned 9 weeks and 2 days old on Sunday. Although not significant to most, this is an important day to us. The reason? Libby came home when she was 9 weeks and 2 days old. So now Joe is at an age that we understand - sorta. He is still very different from Libby. For one, Joe loves to eat (if you can't tell from the chub cheeks). Libby hated eating until she got real food. Joe is fussy throughout the day and sometimes has trouble drifting off to sleep. Libby slept ALL the time, and she only cried when trying to feed her. Joe already sleeps from 10ish to 4 in the morning. Libby didn't give up that 12 a.m. feeding until she was 9 months old.

Libby and Joe enjoying "Yo Gabba Gabba" together. I think Joe is unimpressed.

But they have a few things in common. They are both sweet and light up a room with their smiles. They both have the same chin and mouth. And they are both our awesome babies!

Joe has found his hand and is constantly sucking on it.

I was tagged

Here are the tagging rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post
4. If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag

1. I love coffee. I'm not a coffee snob, but I love to drink it anytime of day. I've been drinking it since I was 16-thanks to Ashley Iliff who bought me my first cup from Burger King on our way to a breakfast picnic at Cooper's Rock. In high school I would drink a cup before school and then take a thermos with me to drink in first period. I am back to my 2 cup a day habit now that I'm not pregnant.

2. I have journaled since I was 13. I have probably 20 some journals with my thoughts, devotions, prayers etc dating back to when I became a Christian. I was really dedicated in high school/college and try to keep it up now. I've gone back through and read them and it is eat to see how much I have changed (and not in some ways).

3. I watch silly teen movies when they are on TV. When Corey is working, I watch the silliest movies, but I love them. The most recent one was Picture Perfect - and guess what the girl got the guy and they lived happily ever after.

4. I don't like cheesecake-despite the fact that I am a dessert queen. It's too heavy even for me.

5. I say "O Gosh" a lot more than I should. I found this out when it became one of Libby's first phrases.

6. I've read Pride and Prejudice at least 6 times. Again I think it's refreshing when a book or movie ends the way it is supposed to. I love Jane Austen and could probably quote most of the passages out of this book

I'm calling out:

Scott and Danie - you two are quirky to say the least and have way more than 6 random things to share I'm sure

Casey V- you are my sis and I love you and want to know what YOU think is random about yourself... I could name several

Jules Mercer- Are you ever going to post again?? Let this be a catalyst

Beth Chase- Having slightly older children gives you a unique perspective

Rachel Yoder- I haven't linked your blog to mine yet, but you are my most random friend for sure! (She was my nurse when I had Libby and we hit it off right away-b/c we both love Jesus!)

Summer Shelton- my only roommate other than Corey and one of my best friends.. I need to link yor blog too!

Big Plans

Well we have had a busy weekend. On Friday the whole fam headed to Pittsburgh for Libby's orthopedic appointment. Corey and I were determined to get some answers and a plan in place for her and we did. Libby will have an MRI on September 12 and then we will schedule knee surgery for the upcoming months. Our doc was very pleased with her progress and the steps that she has started taking, but he said that she will never be fully straight without surgery (a fact we knew). So we are shooting for this winter when there are less fun things to do (she will be in casts for at least 4 weeks after).Libby playing dress up with her cousin Aubree. They are learning to play nicely together-even sharing Pappy!

After Pittsburgh we went straight down to Webster County to visit Corey's Mamaw, Aunt Debbie and Uncle John. Although a long trip (6.5 hours in the car on Friday), it was a great visit. The Webster Springs faction of the family hadn't met Joe yet, so that was really special. Mamaw got to hold the beast (he's getting so big) and enjoy Libby's sweetness. Saturday morning Libby went with Debbie to wake Mamaw up and she crawled in bed to snuggle. She really is one of the sweetest children I've ever known. (Just moments ago she walked into the office and said "Go to bed. Please. " She wanted to go to bed and she asked so sweetly!)Libby at Deep Creek couple weeks ago

Overall, we are doing well. Joe is sleeping a little longer (sometimes 4 hour stretches.) I tried out the Once a Month cooking thing today (I probably only cooked enough for 2 weeks but it was SUPER fun). Corey and Libby had another Daddy-daughter errand date today which is too cute. She loves her Daddy!

Time spent with family

We spend an awful lot of time with our families-especially now that the kids are in the works. This post is a thank you to all of you. You watch our kids, bathe our kids, play with our kids and love our kids with a love that can only come from a grandparent! And we appreciate it! This is Corey's mom-MeMe. She is an awesome grandma. She is retired and thus willing to watch our kids almost any day of the week that she has free. She is a great teacher. She taught Libby how to clap back in the day and is now working on her alphabet. So far she has taught Joe how to giggle-he giggled at her first!This is Corey's dad-Pappy. He is the silly one. He plays hard-to the point of hurting himself. This picture is of him and Libby in their "hats". Pappy loves to play outside with Libby-in the hammock, on the swing or just "ringing the birdie" (which is a wind-chime). He loves the baby too - holding him is a nice rest after playing so hard. This is my mom-Gramma. She has 3 grandchildren under 25 months, but it doesn't slow her down any-(okay so it slows her down some!) She is a fun playmate and resident chef to Libby. Whenever she walks in the door Libby is hungry. And Gramma is always sure to have food that Libby likes around-pudding, ice cream, cookies (some healthy things too). She is also my Joe-reliever. She will rock, hold, walk whatever it takes to calm him down. I love this picture of her with her little grandkids (she has a whole set of older grandkids too). They are quite a handful. This is my dad-Pawpaw. He gets a real kick out of watching Libby play and Joe grow. He is the only grandparent that received his name from Libby - to all the other grandkids he is "Grandpa". Pawpaw takes Libby out on the tractor sometimes and he plays games with her. He's a great cheerleader when Libby decides to walk around and he's anxiously awaiting playing ball with Joe (the first grandson in 16 years).

These are our parents-they did a good job with us, and I am enjoying watching them love and SPOIL their grandkids.

Everyday occurences

I often blog about special things, but this is a week where not a whole lot happened. Joe is getting older-6 weeks today; Libby is learning so fast; Corey and I are functioning on very little sleep but have high hopes that this month Joe will sleep longer! So included today are photos of things we do a lot-that make all this lack of sleep worthwhile!
Here Libby wanted to wear these boots from Aunt Kerri. She loves the boots but cannot walk in them and thus was getting very frustrated. She eventually gave up.
This was Libby and Joe's first bath together and Joe's first bath without screaming. I think he likes it now. Libby is giving him a kiss on the head-this occurs about 100 times a day. She loves her "bruder".

MeMe and Pappy came for a visit last week-they have been quarantined with bronchitis and back pain and missed their grandkids. I don't blame them, they are pretty cute! Joe looks a lot like his Pappy!

Yesterday after Libby's nap, the three of us had a picnic on the carpet. Libby served us all cereal and pretend "foffee"-even Joe was allowed to participate. Libby is really starting to play games that last longer then 3 seconds-much more fun for mommy!

Mornings are probably my favorite part of our everyday. Joe typically sleeps and Libby and I both have energy (as opposed to afternoons when only Libby has energy). This morning Libby wanted to wear her French Toast as a hat-she kept holding it there saying "hat" until I acknowledged her and said how pretty she looked. Now her hair is slightly syrupy but oh well. This picture is just cute and shows how big Joe is getting already!