Chili Cook Off

Danny and Erin had a chili cook-off down at their house.  It was a beautiful weekend to go eat chili on their porch in Brown County.  We benefited from the naps on the ride down, getting to spend time with mom, and getting out of the house with Cora.  There were about 9 chilis I think and they were good.  Nathan and Hillary's won.

Danny had little boxes hidden around for the kids to go find. 

Lillian with her box 

You tell it was a good time from just looking at this picture :)

Hillary holding Cora (6 days old) 

They just found out they are having a baby boy.

She literally was going around and eating any candy she could find. 

All the kids playing on the "hill"

 Josiah was scared of the hill last year

Lillian wanted to be a baby too.  Cora is on my chest wrapped up in her moby.  The moby wrap has been wonderful with her.

Danny with Eddie... Cora and I
Danny and I were born 1 month apart and the kids are 3 months.

Lillian's 1st Haircut

So I finally did it!  I held off as long as I could.  Lillian had her very fist haircut.  She was squirmy and loved making silly faces at herself.  It made her look like a big girl.  Of course I had to fix it in a couple of days to even it out.  She was just too busy during the cut.  She looks so cute and everyone has said how old she looks.  I sure do miss her cute pigtails though.  I'll put them back in soon, but for now it has been kind of nice not having to mess with "The Scraggle."

We've been getting this looks a lot lately.  It's her scary dinosaur.

It's actually shorter than this now and it flips under.

I didn't realize just how tired I looked until I saw these pics.

Josiah went missing during the haircut.  I found him in the bathroom located in the middle of the salon, door wide opened, wiping his bum.

Happy Halloween

We had a great halloween this year.  It actually felt like real trick or treating.  Josiah picked out his spiderman costume.  We couldn't decide on what to dress Lillian up as until we saw it and it was perfect... a callerina or caterina... a kitty/ ballerina.  Two of her favorite things combined, score! Anyway, they loved getting dressed up and getting candy.  Who doesn't?

 Cora with her little kitty nose and somewhat whiskers.  

 Trunk or treating at mom and dad's church

 the tail was too cute

 throwing webs

 trick or treating on Christine's street.  We did about 4 or 5 houses before Jojo said he was done.

TT opening the door for them.

Cora LeeAnn Kissel

We are so happy to show you our newest blessing.  Cora was born on  October 18th at 8:41am.  It's so exciting to have our family completed with another little girl.  I was surprised to have another girl, even though I would've been just as surprised if she would've been a boy.  She is so cute and looks like her big sister.  So far she is a little... high maintenance.    We've been there before with her brother and I can now finally understand that it is only for a short while.  I know with Jojo it drove me crazy when good hearted people said that.  Anyway, God has been so good to us and we definitely are blessed.

 I woke up with Lillian at 2am and realized labor had started.  We arrived at the hospital around 4am.  I was still extremely comfortable and surprised when the nurse said I was 6cm.  I continued to walk with the doula and was hoping that I would make it until 7 am when my Dr. was back on call.  

 Dr. T came in around 8 and checked me and I had only progressed to almost an 8. So she went ahead and broke my water.  I was determined to get the show on the road.  I was getting frustrated for still not having any labor pains, but only pressure.  So I started lunging on a chair and stuff of that sort.  Then the baby dropped. I had about 3 contractions I had to breathe and concentrate through then I let them know I was ready to push.  I got up on the table and then with 1 or 2 contractions our beautiful little girl was here.  I'm still trying to wrap my mind around not having pain with labor.  It was a very weird feeling, but I should be very grateful.  When ever some one new would come in the room I would tell them to "come join the party" and they would look at me like I was crazy.

 Getting to hold Cora for the first few seconds.  The took her to her table fast and had to get the fluid out of her lungs.

 Starting on the nursing already.  

Another great thing is I've literally had zero recovery.  My hips were sore for a few hours after, but other than that I got up and took a shower as soon as possible.  It was wonderful that I was able to make breakfast for the kids the first morning home and take care of them as always without being in discomfort. Of course, by the second day home I was ready to get out. So GG and I went shopping for some essentials.  

 Proud daddy as always

 Getting her hair washed before visitors arrive.

 They were both soooo excited to meet Cora.

 First family photo

 The second day the kids were there for about 4 hours and they were so cute just chillin.

 Cora finishing up her sleep with Daddy while I showered.

 Getting ready to head on home.

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes.  I can't wait until everyone gets the chance to meet her.  I'll try to update as often as possible.  Golly though, this one took me a whole week to get the chance to sit down and actually work on one post.