Birthdays and Easter

Well, the boys are another year older. Ian is the big 6 tomorrow, and Tucker turned 1 on Friday. I can't believe they're that big already. Their party was a combo deal, so I had to come up with two totally different themes that still could work together. (Those of you with kids who have birthdays close together, I totally recommend a combo party! It kept my family members from being tied up on multiple Saturdays, and the stress on me as a parent wasn't any worse.) Back to the post: I decided on Yoshi for Ian, because of his addiction to Super Mario Brothers games and with some of his Christmas money from family, he bought all Mario Bros. Collectables. So that decision ws pretty easy. Tucker's, on the other hand, was a little challenging. I wanted something cute, and memorable, but nothing to compete with Ian's. I settled on a stacked cake, decorated as a present. I didn't want the same loop bow that you usually see on cakes, so we tried something a little different. Overall, the party went great, we had lots of fun, and it was awesome having distant family visiting. I want to thank all the parents who came and brought the kiddos!
While the whole family was up, we decided it would be a great time to celebrate Easter, because some of our family can't come up on Easter weekend. After the birthday party, we all jumped in the kitchen, done a LOT of chopping, and cooked Chinese food. Yes, Chinese on Easter. It's not your typical Easter meal, but by the time Easter rolls around, we're all tired of ham, turkey, and your usual vegetable sides. I had a ball in the kitchen with the family cooking. It's not often that this happens for us, so I definitely want to do it again soon. We all over-stuffed ourselves and went to the yard for hiding and hunting the eggs. I think we hid 60 eggs, and only found 50-something. They were all plastic, so I guess Granddaddy will find them with the lawn mower when spring rolls around. We had a ball this weekend, and crammed as much as we could in one weekend. Anyway, here's a few pics from the occasions, (and I kinda mixed them up a little):

Brotherly Understanding

I don't have any cute pictures to post this time, but I do have a cute little story I'd like to share with all of you. My youngest has definitely started developing his temper. He gets so mad over the least things. I had hoped he would be my calm one, but it seems he's not going to be. Anyway, to my story: We were riding home, and Tucker fell asleep about 10 minutes from the driveway. Apparently, 10 minutes is just enough to make him ILL!!! Ian was so sweet. He gave Tucker every toy in the toy bin, and Tucker would have nothing to do with any of them, and was doing that constant cry/whine (emphasis on the whine) that we all love so much. Ian didn't give up, and finally satisfied him with a Hot Wheels from his own overflowing collection of cars. This seemed to work for about 5 minutes, until Tucker lets out a spine-chilling scream, and chunks the car as hard as he can. Instead of Ian getting mad, he gently pats Tucker on the back and says, "I know how you feel, Tucker. sometimes I just have to throw stuff, too."

Christmas Pictures 2009

Okay, so I've been promising Christmas pictures for a while, so although they're a little late, here they are. I know some people gripe about people having blogs and using them as an album, but it's my blog and I'm gonna show off all the babies in my life. If you don't like it, you might not want to read this post.

My newest neice, Zoe Jane

Cory and Ian playing Mario on wii. Look how Ian's leaning on Cory and the space on the ottoman.

Tucker playing at Mom's with one of the three penguins he got for Christmas.

Katie Beth pushing little sis, Kendall on the pony we got her at Grandma's and Granddaddy's.

Ian at Mom and Dad's

Tucker relaxing at Grandma and Granddaddy's with his Taco.

Ian's putting out cookies for Santa. He had to pick the best ones from the batch and even gave Santa a few extra M&M's for the trip.

Tucker's first Christmas at home, and his first ever stocking.

He couldn't wait to tear into those presents.

Of course he had to help Tucker open his presents, too. That's what big brothers are for.

Ian with his Granddad.

Tucker with Granddad.

Tucker and his Daddy. Such a Daddy's boy.

Ian and Nonna. He loves it when she gets to come "camp out" at his house.

Christmas from Nonna and Poppy.

He was so tired after everything was said and done. We all had a great Christmas. Again, my favorite holiday.

I didn't get any good pictures of Carly or Carson, and I didn't get any at all of any adults. I didn't even notice it until I started posting these pictures. I'll be better prepared next year. I'll try to do better next Christmas with getting pictures on here sooner. I can't make any promises, but I'll try.

He's Mobile!!

As you can tell, I haven't posted anything in a while. That's partly to blame on my procrastination, and partly on my day. Tucker is mobile now (crawling), and definitely into everything. He has figured out a way to get into something in every room, so we have shut doors all down the hallway, and he still gets into something. He's been crawling for a couple weeks, and he's getting faster every day. We do love it, though. His personality is the best, and he's doing something new every time we turn around. I think that has something to do with having a big brother teaching him to growl, clap, and scream. Those clowns both love to make each other laugh.

Ears, Again?

That's right, Tucker has another ear infection. I pity the families that have suffered with this (Shawn/Misty and Shelley/Clay). We were back in the pediatrician's office the Monday before Christmas with Tucker. This time, it was just a fever and not sleeping well. I say "just" a fever, because last time, he had a terrible cold and lots of congestion and the poor baby couldn't breathe when he laid down, so we spent three days in the reclined position. So luckily, no cold or congestion this time. The doctor was shocked that he wasn't crying constantly with pain, but he actually has done better with this infection compared to the last. The pediatrician said he had a large, puss-filled blister on his left eardrum (which experience tells him is usually more painful), and a severe ear infection. (Let me remind you, we were just in there the week before and got a clean bill of health from the doctor. That's how fast this came on him.) Doc started him on a lot stronger anitbiotic twice a day for 10 days, and a probiotic once a day for the side effects of the anitbiotic. That's awful to take medicine because of another medicine, but had he not prescribed it, poor Tuck would be a lot worse. The blister is supposed to have either bursted or dried up. No fluid has come out of his ears, so "dried up" I guess is what happened. The antibiotic has made a frequent SHOUT user of me. Changing table, numerous clothes of Tucker's, a few shirts for me and Jared, and let's not forget the carpet. Yes, the carpet. Where else can "it" go, when there's over 21 lbs. of baby on top of it? Out the legs and up the back. He has had "it" from his wrist to his ankle. Poor baby has had so many baths in one day, his skin is drying out. Anyway, I've wanted to replace the carpet in the living room for a little while, now, but not because of poo! (By the way, Chlorox wipes work great on removing stains from carpet, and there's no bleach in them, so no discolored spots!) Tucker only has one more dose of that awful, white, so thick it won't drip, medicine. Thank you Lord! Please let my baby be done with ear infections.

Another Wonderful Christmas

Did I mention, Christmas is the BEST holiday of all? Well, CHRISTMAS IS THE BEST HOLIDAY OF ALL!!! Another wonderful Christmas goes down as a complete success in the book of memories for the Cordes family. We woke up early, convinced Ian that we needed at least more than 2 hours of sleep, and caught another hour or two of "shut-eye."  Finally, we started the day. A relaxing day at home with my wonderful family. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do but stuff our "pie holes" as Granddad calls it, and play with the kids and toys. Gifts, gifts, and more gifts. That seems to be the theme this Christmas. We are so blessed. We saw almost all our close family over the course of two weeks, and everyone is doing great. I can't ask for anything more. The END. (pictures to come later)

One Proud Momma

I'm a little late with this post. I try not to brag too much about my boys, at least not out loud, but I have to document this somewhere. I am so very proud of my big kindergartener. Jared and I both are amazed. This little boy who, before school began, had no interest whatsoever in reading or writing anything other than his own name, has become very interested in both. He was one of twenty chosen by his principal out of the entire elementary school to participate in a rewarding day out. They were treated to a movie (A Christmas Carol in 3D), a Coke, popcorn, and a Happy Meal. To top it off, it was all paid for by hard work and dedication in school. Ian was chosen for "Highest Acedemics." As if that wasn't enough to make a momma cry, he was also chosen by his teacher to receive a red necklace with a green star charm that had a picture of a book and the word "READER" on it. He said it stands for "Highest Reader." I am so proud of my big boy. One of the two things that had me worried about him starting school was his attachment to his momma. The other: his uninterest in reading and writing. He has surprised Jared and me and made us the proudest parents in the world. We've got two wonderful boys. All the thanks and glory be to God!!!

Multiple Entries

Trip to see Zoe Jane:

This post will contain a lot of little entries. I think I'll start with my recent trip to see my newest niece, Zoe Jane. She is so adorable, and so tiny. She's bigger than Ian was when he was an infant, but it's hard to remember exactly how little they were as infants when they're almost six years old. Zoe is a very good baby. She hardly cried all weekend. Seriously, maybe once or twice, that's it. It was nice to hear the little grunts of a newborn again. They loose that so fast. It was a very good trip, once we got there (more about that later!).

Zoe Jane Phillips

Ian's First "Date":

Ian has been on his first date with another girl, besides his Mommy. Earlier this year, Ian took me out on a "date" as a way to show him how to treat girls before he ventured out into school. I wasn't too worried, because playdates with boys was few and far between, since until this past August, all of his immediate cousins were girls. Jared and I have tried to teach him the difference between playing with boys and girls. On our "date" I showed him how to open the door for girls, order his own food, and I even let him pay for our food and dessert. He was so excited. I didn't know his first "date" would be so soon. Some friends of ours, that we've come to know since school started came over for a playdate on Friday. Kindergarten Cutie, Two-year-old Sweetie, and Mom of Two (that's what they'll be called on this blog) came over for a while to play and since both our husbands work a similar shift, we wanted to eat supper at a local restaurant. Since we ate a little late (about 8:20 p.m.), we were the only people in the place. Our little kindergarteners wanted to sit by themselves, so we mom's thought they were wanting a little independence, so we let them sit at the booth across from us. When the waitress brought our menus, the little grown-ups informed her they were in fact on a "DATE!" We laughed and played along. I didn't know I'd actually get to witness his first little "date." I have to say, I am very proud of him. They both looked at their menus, ordered their own drinks and food, sat beside each other in the booth, and ate very well. They were so cute when they were carrying on their own conversations like big people as their feet swung under the table. They took it so serious. Kindergarten Cutie wouldn't let Two-year-old Sweetie sit with them at first, because let's be honest, who wants their siblings on their first "date?" Ian did very well. I'm a very proud Mommy!

Ian's Christmas Tree Decorations:

This is Ian's Christmas tree in his room. I think it's 2  or 2 1/2 feet tall. We decorated it together last year with the typical popcorn and candy, but this year I wanted him to use his own imagination. This is what he came up with: Hot Wheels, four wheelers, and mini cars. He had so much fun. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next year!

Cute Picture:

This is just a little picture I took on Saturday. I loved it. They're both chillin' on their CARS couch. I thought their Nonny would love this picture.