Little C is Two!

Hard to believe Corinne is 2! She was sporting a fever yesterday and today, but seemed to gain momentum for the birthday party! And really, Corinne had most of her favorite people in one place-- so how could she not have a fabulous time?!! She especially loved when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her, but was a bit freaked out by the candles. Cinderella even made a special appearance on the cake! More birthday pictures to come...

Christmas

Celebrating Christmas is even more wonderful with children! The awe, wonder, and joy is magnified for all of us, I think. And Corinne was an angel sitting through all of the Christmas Eve service (on Aunt Marcey's lap, of course)! She caught on quickly to presents--more specifically that there might be toys inside the packages, and thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of Christmas with family spread out over several days. We did talk a lot about Baby Jesus's birthday, and even sang "Happy Birthday" to him twice on Christmas (also partially in preparation for Corinne's birthday I'll admit). Several themes emerged during our various celebrations, namely Cinderella. You'll notice a book, an outfit and a doll that have now overtaken Corinne's old favorite of Snow White.

Downtown with Daddy

These pictures don't really show much (any?) of the sights we saw downtown on Monday, but then again--it was more about celebrating Brett being home with us than anything. However, we did venture downtown to see the trains at the Duke Energy Building, the very tall Christmas Tree display in the Westin Hotel, and the ice skaters on Fountain Square. We also ended up stopping by Brett's office for a few short minutes--and yes, he was in casual clothes and, no, he did not do any work that day. We ended our time with lunch at a little known, no-frills lunch spot in the Carew Tower that we like to frequent. We are so thankful for the time we've had together again as a family in the last week or so! Our time apart has made all of us more appreciative of one another, and each moment that much sweeter. Just in time for all the many blessings that come with the holidays! And someone's second birthday to celebrate:)

Passing the Time

We were fortunate while Brett was out of town to have many visits from family and friends to pass the time! Corinne got lots of time with each of her grandparents, and it was a huge help to have company, an extra set of hands, and -- quite simply-- new scenery and entertainment (for both of us)! Thanks to all who made themselves available over the long three weeks apart! But we are SO thankful to have Brett home!
A little catalog shopping with Pop-Pop...smart girl! She knows what's coming up.

Gratitude

The truth is, I know that I have SO much to be thankful for! And, most of the time, I feel like I do a good job of not taking those people and things for granted. But with Brett away for so many weeks, I'll be honest and tell you that my attitude needs an adjustment at times. So right after he left I decided to keep a Gratitude Journal to help me stay positive and to intentionally reflect each and every day on the blessings, victories, and encouragements that God gives me through a variety of means. It's been a blessing in and of itself, and I look forward to writing in it each night before bed. It helps me to remember, for instance, those precious moments (and quotes) with Corinne that otherwise might be forgotten during the course of the day, and helps me to keep a 'bigger picture' mentality. Not to mention it does its job--it helps me to see how much I have to be greatful for in each day that I'm given. So I would highly recommend that anyone try it, even if you're not going through a tough time. It's an easy process and takes only a few minutes. My rules are: 1) You have to do it every night before bed so you can think back over the day 2) You must list at least 5 things from that specific day you are thankful for (that made you smile, that encouraged or pleasantly surprised you) 3) You can't repeat the same gratitudes 4) You have to make them positive--even if it's as basic and simple as " I didn't have to cook dinner tonight" or "the sun was out today" for those really tough days! And I'll share that it is fun to read back through, too.

Thanksgiving Day Race

A common interest that my sisters and I share is running. Several month ago, as soon as my sisters were both sure they were coming to town for Thanksgiving, we decided that we would run together in Cincinnati's Thanksgiving Day Race, the Turkey Trot! Here we are trying to stay warm before our 10k race in downtown Cincinnati. We had a good time and hope to do it again sometime! (Preferably when I am not 4 months pregnant:)

Quotes

With our Christmas decorations already up for display, Corinne has taken a very keen interest in the Nativity set we have on our buffet in the dining room. She knows the names of all the figures (Mary, Joseph, wisemen, shepherd, angel, etc.) and likes to set them up in her own arrangements--especially straight lines all facing the same direction. But Little C. especially loves Baby Jesus, who lies in his manger but can be taken out and moved around. Corinne frequently carries Baby Jesus around the house, takes him to play with her toys, and rocks him in her arms while singing "Rock-a-Bye-Baby". She talks about him when we're upstairs and greets him each morning on her way to breakfast. It's very sweet! But recently Baby Jesus has become a bit of a scapegoat...Let me explain. The other day Corinne had finished her snack of teddy grahams and asked for more. When I told her that she'd had enough, she held up Baby Jesus and said, "Baby Jesus--wants more teddy grahams". What? Where did she come up with that?! I held back my laugh and instead told her that Baby Jesus doesn't like teddy grahams! Ah. Out of the mouths of babes come the funniest things!
Notice the straight line. Perhaps they are following the star? And also noteworthy is that at one point after this picture was taken, I watched her move her cup into line as well. I guess she likes things to be orderly...

Crafty

We've begun to explore with the glue stick around here! Corinne LOVES using a glue stick and I am thankful to find this fun past-time while Brett is away for so long. Now we just need to broaden our crafty horizons to add some more glue stick worthy items to our repertoire. So far we've done googly eyes and feathers. I'm thinking buttons might work? Magazine cut outs and shapes would be good, too. Any other ideas? We'll also have to work on conquering the scissors. I'm so not crafty...it's hard with a(n almost) 2 year old. So much of what I think of is way beyond her. But it's so fun to see her little mind go to work and concentrate so intensely. Hard at work

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Turkey, With Feathers (and no, Corinne did not make the turkey...she only feathered it) My favorite is the lone orange feather "growing" on the turkey's foot.

The Best Part of Thanksgiving...

was being together with my sisters, especially for Little C! She adores them and we had been anticipating their arrival for several weeks.

Thanksgiving Prep

Thanksgiving dinner was at our house this year, and primarily prepared by Laura (master chef). We had just a few last minute things to pick up the day before, so Corinne gladly pushed the cart while we shopped.

M's Belated Birthday

Marcey kind of missed her birthday...she really did! She was en route to Israel with my mom on her big day, but somehow it passed her by in the air when she crossed time zones. So, we celebrated with an ice cream oreo cake at our house while she was in town. A little belated, but a good excuse to celebrate!

Chuck E. Cheese

Brett has been dying to take Corinne to Chuck E. Cheese for quite some time now, so we decided that Thanksgiving would be the perfect occasion with Aunt L and Aunt M in town! It was crazy, loud, and probably very germy...but actually cleaner than I thought:) We played games, had lunch, and generally had a fantastic time. Everyone was a great sport about it, and Corinne even came home with some "prizes": a slimy frog, some plastic rings, a bracelet, and her favorite, a sucker. What great memories...perhaps it might even become a tradition?

Go Cats!

Have you heard that the UC Bearcats football team is 10-0 this season, and currently ranked #5 in the country?! Corinne made her daddy, uncles, and Grandpa Schatz proud by wearing Brett's UC hat one day. One of these days she might even make it to a game...? But for now, our season tickets are taken by the die hard fans in the family!

Alligators

Last weekend was, quite possibly, our last trip to the zoo before we head back in the dead of winter for the Festival of Lights. It was again gorgeous and presented the perfect opportunity to be outside together as a family. So I thought I would present a contrast for you in our experience with the alligators at the zoo. The top picture is Corinne -- quite leisurely -- sitting on an artificial alligator, while the bottom picture is Little C. taking in the sight of a real alligator swimming in the water. Quite different! Can you blame her?!

Traveling Companion

"Baby" has been going everywhere with us lately. (Too bad Corinne doesn't like to keep baby's clothes on her.) Corinne generally has baby do all of the things she does herself--and some of the things she'd rather not do herself. For instance, if Corinne isn't so sure about saying hello to someone new then she'll make baby wave to the new face instead. Pretty clever, eh? She came up with that on her own. Little C. also loves to tell us how baby is feeling--lately she tells us when baby is sad or happy. And she loves to pat, hug, kiss, rock, and console baby all the time. Corinne also has two other baby dolls, which she loves to also take on our many adventures. The other two have hats (that don't stay on their heads) but clothes that are (thankfully) sewn on. All three sleep with Corinne at night and in the morning Corinne will tell us "One baby is missing" when actually one is just hiding under her blanket. Ah. Corinne is just so funny!

Fall

We have endless leaves...and it's just the beginning! Over the weekend the weather was gorgeous and unseasonably warm, so we headed outside to do a quick, very haphazard raking job (I mean, what's the point when we'll just have to do it over again?)! Corinne hasn't really taken to carelessly jumping into a pile of leaves, but she'll sit and play in them. She'll even take a taste, or give a bite or two to her animal friends. But perhaps her favorite thing is to hide behind trees, darting from one to another, only to pop out and say "peek-a-boo". She's a riot lately, and talking in sentences all the time. We love that we can have conversations with her--even if they are about the silliest things! Another sign of her exploding language development: she will break out into a verse of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "Jesus Loves Me" or bits and pieces of the "ABC's". Oh, and Corinne can count to 6 on her own, unsolicited. She knows 8,9, 10 also, and says those numbers together frequently, too. We're not sure why she doesn't like 7--I thought it was a lucky number!?

Sweet Treats

Corinne and I made cupcakes for a dear friend -- she helped by stirring the batter, pouring some ingredients, and then slapping (literally) some globs of icing on the cupcakes for me to spread. Then I let Little C. try some of the finished product. My little taste-tester thoroughly enjoyed it! It all started with just a lick...and she was hooked.