A Gift for Baby Moriah...

I love to crochet or do anything creative with my hands!

 I have not been blessed with children yet, therefore the only opportunity that I have to make cute little things for children is either to sell (which I do and love) or for my brothers and sisters/nieces and nephews (which I must say I love even more!). I do my best to refrain from flooding their houses with things from the well meaning Aunt/Sister Clair. I try to choose practical things to make, but when there are children involved the fun possibilities are endless! 

Before Moriah was born and we still did not know whether she was a boy or girl I had a project all picked out for the perfect gift! A baby sleep sack or 'cocoon', as I prefer to call them. They are simply adorable and seem so useful! You never have to worry about those cute little toes getting cold!

 I considered crocheting one with neutral colors that would work for a boy or girl, but decided to wait until the baby was born. The day Moriah was born I bought some lovely pink and contrasting sage green yarn. I couldn't wait to begin making the cocoon! I chose a lovely basket weave pattern with a matching hat and set to work!

It has now been done for quite some time, awaiting the next opportunity that we had to see Moriah.

Yesterday evening Ryan, Amanda, Justus and Moriah made a quick trip down to see us all!

We enjoyed spending time together as a family. We couldn't believe how Miss Moriah had grown and changed so much already! She is now two weeks and two days old!

Without the hat,


And

With the hat!

What a big yawn!

We hope her cozy little cocoon keeps her warm throughout the coming Winter months!

Welcome to the World...

Welcome to the world ...
Moriah Kay Cox!

Moriah was born on October 31, 2012 at 2:48 p.m.
She was a perfect 7 lb. 3 oz. and 19 1/2 in. long.

We went to meet here two days after she was born!

M
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Moriah

Our sister Rachel admiring baby Moriah

Such precious little feet! We all just had to check them out!
(I know what you're thinking..., but your feet would be dry too if you'd been in water for as long as Moriah had!)

The proud Mama...

We think she is perfect!!!

Home Canned Salsa and Diced Tomatoes...

Last Friday, while Trey was tuning pianos near Ryan and Amanda, I was able to spend a little time helping the nesting mother. We accomplished a lot and had a wonderful visit! Justus was a joy to spend time with, (although, he was very disturbed upon seeing me put the baby gate up in preparation to mop the kitchen floor.:0) He very seriously went and told mamma all about it. After explaining to him that the floor was dirty and we where going to make it all clean, he contentedly waited nearby. Upon seeing the freshly mopped floor, he declared, "All clean!"

Justus loves to have books read to him and has several memorized. I was quite surprised when he sat through all of Green Eggs and Ham. Amanda said it was the first time he had made it through the book without having large pieces omitted.

What a fun time we had all together!

Amanda blessed me with the excess of her garden, by giving me two nice sized boxes of tomatoes! Upon seeing them Trey's eyes lit up and he said, "Oh, do you think we could make salsa out of them?" He LOVES homemade salsa! 

A few days passed before I had a chance to process them, but soon all those plump tomatoes became salsa and diced tomatoes! There were 10 pints of salsa and 7 pints of diced tomatoes. Trey was like a kid on Christmas day!

Thank you Amanda!

Awaiting the Arrival of our new Nephew/Niece!

Our dear sister Amanda is due to deliver her second child any day now! We are all so excited to meet the newest member of the Cox family!

Last Sunday afternoon we had the opportunity to visit with Ryan, Amanda and Justus for a few hours. I took what may have been my last chance to snap a few pictures of her.

 What a beautiful mother she is! There seems to always be an air of elegance surrounding her. (Even when she was swinging a baseball bat last weekend at our family baseball game! Oh, to have had my camera with me then!)

 We pray that she will have a safe delivery and a healthy baby!

Nephews...

We have the privilege of having 7 nephews, 2 nieces, 1 baby on the way and everyone is just getting started! Oh, Yeah!!! I'll say God's been BLESSING!

I can't wait until Trey and I have a little one of our own! But that is a story for another day...

Nephews...they're crazy, wonderful, lovable, sweet, sincere, hilarious...I could go on! The sad thing is, we don't get to see them nearly often enough, seeing as how the closest lives 2 hours away and the others are 6 hours away. =0( We make the best of the times we do have together, though. 

Recently Becky, my sister ''in-love' posted on Facebook such a funny conversation with her boys that I just had to share it!

We're eating dinner and Levi says "Bub (Josh) loves Meghan."

Becky- "Meghan? Who is Meghan?" 

Bubby- "At Connie's house mom! You know her!" 

Becky- "Ohhh, that Meghan! You love her, Bub?" 

Bubby- "Yeah, we're getting married. We went to her party and she had on a pretty dress. I like her!" 

Becky- "Don't you think she's a little old for you?" 

Bubby- "Nah, I'm getting ready to grow up."

I can't help but laugh, at some of the things they say! Children are such Blessings!!!

Enjoying a Peaceful Autumn Day...

Ahhh.... Autumn is here! I enjoy every season, but since moving to Southern Illinois I have come to appreciate Autumn so much more!

 While visiting in Ohio this summer, my Mamaw presented Trey and I with these two lovely crochet afghans! One is a beautiful sage green and the other is the color of goldenrod.

From the moment I received them I have been itching to curl up in one on a cozy afternoon. Cooler days have arrived and now...

Ahhh...So Cozy!

Thank you Mamaw!

"Trim Healthy Mama!" Has arrived!!!

Several weeks ago a package arrived in the mail, brought in from the mailbox by my Trey.

What could it possibly be???

Trey's mischievous smile gave away the fact that he already knew what it was.

With great anticipation, I tore open the packages to reveal:

How To Encourage Your Husband and How to Encourage Your Children from Above Rubies

Breastfeeding and Fertility from Above Rubies

and

The Fly Lady's Calendar and Sticker Kit which can be found here ~ http://shop.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_calendar.asp

What a Surprise!!! I have a wonderful, wonderful, Husband, as you can see!

With disappointment in his eyes Trey informed me that there was one more item, which hadn't been shipped.

"Trim, Healthy Mama!" from Above Rubies, the book I had soooo wanted!!!

I was instantly jumping around the room and I have been waiting patiently until today. It has finally arrived!!!

I Devoured "Breastfeeding and Fertility",  learning so much about breastfeeding and mothering! I Highly recommend it to anyone who is married, has children, hopes to have children, or simply interested in learning something new! 

"How To Encourage Your Husband" is a book full of great ideas to encourage your man! After you've read it you will find yourself constantly thinking of ways to encourage and bless your husband. I actually copied down some of my favorite ideas from the book, adding my own as well. It makes a handy reference, when my creative idea well runs dry!

I have not finished "How To Encourage Your Children", but it looks very good.

(Trey accidentally got me the student version of the calendar, so it came with stickers like, "Upcoming Test!", hee, hee! But, you know what? It doesn't really matter, it is the thought that counts!)

~Clair M.