She's 3 Months Old!

That's right, Cora is 3 months old now! Where has the time gone????? I know, I say that every time, but I mean it! Where HAS the time gone? In any case, Cora IS 3 months old, whether I want her to be or not. She is so adorable. She seems to get cuter every day. She is so alert!!! She's starting to coo, make noises that I think will turn into laughter, she blows bubbles, has discovered she has a tongue and is starting to realize her hands can do things! She enjoys grabbing at anything--my hair, earrings, daddy's chest hair, her blanket, her clothes. We have been able to find a formula that works for her and has given us a very delightful child. She has to have Alimentum made by Similac. There is apparently no generic for this and it's quite expensive! However, God is providing and we're thankful! 

I have started back to work and well, it's been hard. It has become obvious to me that God gave men and women different gifts. I know, this shouldn't be a shock, but I believe God gave woman the desire to be at home with her children and gave man the desire to be out working, not vice versa. It's been a challenge for David and I as our roles are reversed right now. But, we're managing. I do hate leaving my baby girl, though. I don't want her doing anything exciting while I'm gone!

I love you Miss Cora!

Riley Monroe Russell

I had wanted to add photos of my Grandpa in my last post but wasn't able to. So, I thought I would share some of the ones I have now.

At Cora's baby dedication in May

With his 4th great grandchild, Cora

Most of the family on 4th of July one year

One his wedding day, marrying Hanna

His first great grandchild, Sophia

Christmas 2007

With Sophia and Riley

Dear Grandpa...

My mom just called not too long ago that my Grandpa died this morning around 8:00 a.m. Though it wasn't a shock (he had a huge brain aneurism) it's still shocking when someone you love dies, stops breathing, leaves this earth and your life forever.

My grandfather, Riley Monroe Russell, was probably the most Godly man I knew. He prioritized life with God first, family next, everyone else and with himself no where on the list. If you knew, or even met my grandfather, you knew he fought in WWII, loved his country, loved his Father, loved his wife and loved his family very, very much. He worked hard to provide for his family and when he retired he never stopped doing everything he could to help his children and grandchildren. As grandchildren we had our college books paid for us, we knew that if we were in a bind financially Grandpa would be more than willing to help. He was always willing to help his family in any way he could--financially, with his time, words of love and wisdom, etc. When you told him "thank you" he would simply say, "I'll write it in my book." :) We know he didn't have an actual book, but it was always his response. He didn't expect to be thanked but rather just wanted to help. The neighborhood children knew they could always count on Mr. Russell to give money to whatever they were collecting for, buy candy, or do what he could to help a child in school. He gave out the most and best candy at Halloween and the kids knew it! My grandfather gave of himself without expecting anything in return. He cared for my grandma for their whole married life. He loved her fiercly and didn't love her less as her disease disfigured her body. He remarried after Grandma died and loved Hannah just as fiercly. He didn't love her any less as cancer took over her body and called her home before they had had much time together. It wasn't easy watching Grandpa suffer as he did in his last months of life. This man who had given everything he had without expecting anything in return had to endure his own sickness. Thankfully, our Father took Grandpa home without any pain and let him enter heaven in his sleep.

We will miss you Grandpa. We miss you already. I'm so glad Cora was able to know you even if just a little. She will grow up knowing what a wonderful man you were. I don't know what our family will look like after today. You seemed to always be the glue which held us all together. But, you instilled in us a love for each other, the importance of family, and I know we'll continue on. If there was one word I could use to describe you, Grandpa, it would be LOVE. Love flowed from you like I've never seen it flow from anyone else. You're in heaven now. Not suffering, no longer in pain and with your Saviour. Tell Grandma hi for me. I miss her so much too. I'm glad you can be together again.

For Riley Monroe Russell: a man who loved his God, his family and his country. A man full of life, laughter and love. A man who will be missed my countless people. We love you!

Chipmunks in the road...

On my way to work today I about ran over a chipmunk two differint times! What's with the migrating chipmunks, and why are they choosing the road to do their migrating? :) I know they're destructive little buggers, but they sure are cute!

Yesterday was my first day back to work. It was a hard day. I kept a smile plastered on my face while at home and while I left, but as soon as I got to the car I started to cry. Oh, I miss that little lady of mine! I don't want to miss a second of her growing up, but that's not to be right now. The only thing helping me get through this is knowing it's temporary. I will have to say, though, kudos to my husband!!! We are currently reversing our roles, and I know this is so hard for him. However, he's a trooper and doing a fabulous job!! We're thankful I had a job to go back to as our savings were just about gone.

Oh the ways the Lord has provided for us these last 12 weeks and really these past 6 months! We had help purchasing a much-needed van; friends of ours have given us money on a regular basis, just because; our parents have helped with buying diapers, formula and clothes for Cora and things for David and I; we have a warm, dry home to live in for cheap rent and we've yet to see a utility bill; we had money saved up and have been able to live off of that while I was on maternity leave; we've done a lot of traveling and visiting with family, which has helped with our grocery bill; we quickly met our insurance deductible and were blessed with assistance to help pay those medical bills until it was met; our pediatrician ordered us a case of the VERY expensive formula Cora is on and just GAVE it to us. The Lord has granted us health during this time, for me, David and Cora, even Molly our dog has not been sick! He has provided us with friends and family who love us and have been keeping us in their prayers and who have been huge encouragements to us. Has this season been easy to live? No. Has it been without trial? No. Have we always had the best attitude? No. But! One thing we do know is that God has been, and continues to be, with us and has provided for us in ways we never imagined. For this we can be thankful. For this we can have hope.

Dancing Queen

Our niece, Sophia, is a very energetic, 4 1/2 year old! Though she is full of energy, she has a very tender heart. She has the ability to sense when someone is upset, is eager to comfort her little brother, or little cousin, if they're upset. She is a sweetheart. She's always been, and always will be, very special to me. I was there the second she entered this world. It was such a special thing for me to be a part of that! My sister and brother-in-law thought it might be beneficial for Sophia to have an outlet, something special for her to do, and so ballet was chosen. She has been going to practice and showing us her moves for months, working up to the big recital that happened on Saturday. Originally, David and I were not going to be able to make it, but due to my Grandpa not doing well we decided to head down to Akron again and were able to attend the recital! I'm so glad we were able to be there. Sophia was adorable! The whole program was a hoot and it was so much fun seeing her proudly dance her ballet she has been working so hard on. I thought I'd share some photos with you! Enjoy! 

The Dancing Queen

The Abrusci's

Sophia with Grandma Susie and Papa Abrusci

Riley is quite the "paci snatcher." After he successfully took Cora's paci he waved it triumphantly in the air! It was so hilarious!

The Italian Stallion

The Beautiful Ballerina

I love this girl!

Sophia with Grammy and Grampy Reynolds

A Ballerina Princess

Cora might do ballet too, just don't ask her to wear a tiara. This clearly upsets her! :) 

Home again, home again...

We're back, again, after another visit with family. We spent this past weekend in Akron with my family. We stayed with Grammy and Grampy (my parents) and were able to see other family and friends while there, as well as introduce Cora to our church family at Grace Summit. I took a lot of photos, but due to our Internet being cantankerous I'm only loading one (this is my 4th attempt to post this blog)...Here's Cora with her cousins--aren't they cute?

Sophia (4 1/2 yrs), Riley (9 mos) & Cora (10 wks)

My mom got the girls matching dresses...

Getting Better?

After about 3 days of many meltdowns for Cora David and I decided to find another pediatrician to get a 2ND opinion in regards to the colic. We weren't completely convinced she has colic and just wanted to hear another opinion. We figured if she did, then she did and we'll have to deal with it, but we were also concerned there could be something else going on. I asked a friend of mine where she takes her little girl and made an appointment with their pediatrician. We had a very good visit with the new doctor and came away feeling much better about things. This doctor is not convinced either that it's colic but rather wonders if Cora isn't getting enough to eat AGAIN! We were following the instructions of the other Dr and well, apparently that wasn't working. This new Dr also suggested we try a different formula just in case. We have been using the new formula and feeding Cora more for about 24 hours now, and we have a new baby. She hasn't had ONE meltdown, has fallen asleep on her own and is just happy and smiling! Wow...We don't know if it's the formula or her getting more to eat, but whatever it is we're very happy! And, more importantly, so is Cora! Maybe she'll be sleeping through the night soon???