Summer

Motherhood of 2....So, if there is any indication from the lack of posts that might just start to describe it. On the other hand though, there is nothing better! Before Rylan was born, everyone said that having 2 children didn't just double the amount of work, but increased it exponentially. And I have to agree. While Addy gives us some sort of challenge everyday since she turned 2, plus the care of a newborn, it really all comes down to not having enough hands. I have gotten good at holding both of them at the same time though when they both seem to need some cuddling.

As much hard work at it is, the rewards are great too. I look at my Addy who is no longer a baby, but turning into a self-sufficient, independent little girl. Two years ago she was as old as Rylan and wow a lot can happen and change in that time. I look at Rylan, my sweet sweet little guy who loves to cuddle and is ultimately a very happy baby. His little smile and recently laugh just melt your heart away. And then when I see the two of them together, the feeling is indescribable! Addy gives Rylan a little kiss, wants to hold him all the time and attempt to rock him. We are still working on being gentle and minimizing moments of jealously, but overall we are doing good and adjusting.

With all that said, where did summer go? Could it really be September already? What happened to all my plans for summer, the beach (haven't gone 1 time), disneyland (never made it either), the park (got in a few times), playing in Addy's pool in the backyard (a handful of times), projects around the house (as if there is anytime for that), and visits to friends (minimally achieved). Although I can say we have achieved trips to Big Bear for a family reunion, Santa Barbara for the day, San Luis Obispo to get a whole lot of work done in a short amount of time, and the river (could it have been any hotter at 115 degrees?). In addition, Addy has taken swim lessons where she is excelling tremendously and just last week started her first day of preschool, K has continued with a special duty, making him work a whole lot, and I continuing to take my BCBA classes. There has not been much down time here for the Corcorans.

With all of theses adventures, I plan to share in more detail with pictures in the near future.

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Rylan Connor Corcoran

Rylan Connor Corcoran born July 2, 2011 at 9:07pm, 7lbs, 14ozs, 19.5 inches long. We are so blessed!

Addy's New Room

In the midst of everything going on, Addy got a new big girl bed and room. She started out loving her big girl bed and still does, but it didn't take her long to figure out how to get out, and come out of her room. We have had a few nights of her standing at the edge of our bed at 3am, and I now get morning cuddle sessions in my bed about 6:30/7:00.  This is just another step in growing up into a big girl.

Waiting for Baby Boy

We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new little baby boy. The room is ready and we are more ready then can be. Addy is excited to meet her new baby brother and loves to point to and kiss my tummy and say baby. When in baby boy's room, Addy likes to point out all the things waiting for his arrival....the bouncer, crib and clothes. We are very excited to meet him and can't wait for Addy to take on her role as big sister. I anticipate that she is going to be a big helper. She loves to take her own baby doll for walks, rock her to sleep and feed her. I am past my due date and looks like I have another stubborn one on my hands. He must just be too comfortable inside. Here are all the wonderful things that he has waiting for him.

Addy Turns TWO!!

Our little girl turned 2 on June 9th! Wow, how can 2 years go by so quickly? We celebrated with a birthday party luau style. Addy loved having all her friends and family here and the fun was not lacking. Happy Birthday to our sweet little angel!

Updates...May and June!

So yes, I am way behind on updates. Wow, where have the last 2 months gone? The Corcorans are still here, yet life just seems to get busier and busier. K started a new detail assignment for work in May, which puts him working 4 10 hour days, as opposed to his 24 hour shifts. This schedule sounds great in theory, but we now don't have him home during the day. There is only so much you can do in a couple of hours in the evening time. I finished up work in May to start maternity leave, adding lots of mommy and Addy time. All day with a 2 year old, what fun!!

Addy continues to grow and amaze us everyday. Her personality is beyond her years. She has a sense of humor that can make you laugh in everything that she does. Whether it is imitating a funny noise or action that daddy did, or standing on the arm of the couch free falling, there is never a dull moment. Here are some pictures of our growing girl from the last couple of months.

I love you Grandma!

On March 19th, my beloved grandmother went to heaven. It happened unexpectedly and I still feel as though it is not real and I can pick up the phone and give her a call. She will be missed greatly and always loved so much. She has the biggest giver of love I know. I have also included the eulogy that I read at her funeral, which isn't even a start about how great she was, but shows a small piece of the influence she had on me.

Here is the eulogy I read at my grandma's funeral:

It is hard to even start to put into words your thoughts and feelings about some body's life. Especially when that someone is your grandmother. My grandma was one of a kind, unique in many ways. Growing up, I can remember visiting her and my grandfather on Starr street, now Adventure City where they lived. She would take me over to hobby city and we would ride the train around the track. We would then visit the doll museum and my favorite place, the cabbage patch doll store and hospital. She would tell me stories from the past and as a young child I was eager to always learn more.

Growing older, we would enjoy shopping trips together, she would pick me up and we would go all sorts of different places. She always made sure that I had that one thing that was special and I can still remember her asking "would you like grandma to get that for you?" and of course in my mind I was thinking, yes, but would respond, well, if you really want to, or oh you don't have to do that. She would always end up buying whatever it was.

At Christmas time, our special event was going to see the Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral. I would get all dressed up, she would take me to dinner and then we would go and watch the performance. There were actual live animals in the performance and as a small child, I thought this was really cool. Then there were the angels, that would be suspended by a wire that would fly over and sing beautiful songs. I thought that was the greatest part. An angel flying and watching above, what could be more magical than that for a little girl. Just like those magical angels, I believe that my grandma is now in heaven among the angels flying high and free.

As I have now gotten older, been away to college, gotten married and started a family of my own, my grandma has taught and always shown me how precious and sacred life can be. She would always find the good in people, no matter what. She always had positive thoughts and if anyone would say anything negative, instantly it would be turned around into a positive. And speaking of people, she knew a lot of people. Everyone was connected in one way or another. I would call her up and as a result would get an entire run down of everybody else's life. She always had some new updated information, whether it be about her friends, family or the lady she had met at the store, who had a son that knew somebody that knew somebody else that she knew. This is what made her so wonderful. She would always find a connection somewhere.

Upon coming her today, I had been looking for some inspiration on what to speak about. You always think this day may come when your grandma goes to heaven, but never even imagine it would happen this soon or at this time. Last night after coming to my grandmother's viewing, I discovered a picture frame that I had created upon graduating college that I had given to my grandmother labeled "grandma's hearts". The premise of the frame was a thank you gift for all that my grandmother had done to support me through college along with a silver bracelet made of interconnecting hearts. Within the picture frame were the following words:

Grandma's Hearts:

Caring

Supportive

Listening

Comforting

Giving

and

Loving

These were the words that I had used to describe my grandmother. In a small way, one could say that she did not just have one heart, but many hearts. Many hearts that have touched so many people's lives.

Her Caring Heart and nature to always be worried about what was going on with everyone that was around her. One example that exemplifies this caring nature is that she would watch the news and anytime she would hear a story about a firefighter, she would call me up and make sure that my husband, a firefighter was alright.

Her supportive heart always was there with any decision anyone would make. My dad has always loved to ride motorcycles, and while she might not have liked it and worried so much for his safety, for Christmas she still bought him all the racing gear he could ever want. She would support any decision that was made no matter what.

Her listening heart, was always there to listen. I could talk to her and share just about anything. If I had something that no one else would listen to me talk about, she was there to listen.

With that listening heart came her comforting heart. There was always comfort in her voice and reassurance that things would turn out good. She was the comfort that you knew was always there.

My grandma's giving heart was bursting at the steams. She is the biggest giver I know. Not only of herself, but of everything around her. Christmas was one of her favorite time of year with her family. She could not wait to give her always abundance of gifts with everyone. She found such joy in giving to everyone around her. The biggest thing though that she gave was her love. Her love for everyone.

By looking at all that are here today, one can attest for the love that she had for others. All of my grandmother's great qualities will always be remembered and cherished As I am sure each one of you holds on to some great memories, may you cherish them as much as I do and . As I hope to continue, to pass on the greatness of my grandmother's hearts to my own children and those around me.

In the last couple of days, someone wrote to me:

Ardell was one of those blessings one meets along life's path. And that is what she truly was and always will be, a blessing!

Montana

This March, we had the opportunity to go and visit cousins, Bob and Linda in Hamilton, Montana. What a beautiful place to visit and a slower laid back way of life. As luck would have it, Addy came down with a horrible cold the day before we left and remained sick the entire time we were there. Needless to say, she was no where near herself.My hope is that Bob and Linda get another opportunity to spend time with her and realize that she really doesn't whine and cry all the time. She has out of her element and sick, creating a bad combination. A day into the trip, K came down with the same cold. I knew at that point I was destined and got sick the day before we left, just in time to get on an airplane and end up with a double ear inflection (which I am still battling a week and half later)

Well enough about the negative, we very much enjoyed the time we got to spend with Bob and Linda at their beautiful home. What a great host and hostess they were too. The meals that Linda prepared where out of this world, from homemade parsnip soup, fresh duck, lamb and salmon burgers all to homemade pecan pie and tapioca pudding we were spoiled. We also go to enjoy riding horses (Addy attempted), K got to fish, visit the famous brewery and even visit the wonderful ski resort less than an hour away. Thank you to Bob and Linda for your wonderful hospitality and sharing Montana and your home with us. We hope that we can come experience it again real soon!

Addy on the horse, happy for a few seconds.

"Look mom what I found!"

Helping brush the horses.

Posing for a picture with Griz

Bob and Addy

Cowgirl

Hanging with daddy

At the brewery

The beautiful home

Boys putting in the bird feeder

pond

at the snow

Hanging upstairs

Linda and me riding horses

stuck at the airport, gotta love those chapped cheeks

Hanging out the airport.

Did I also mention that out flight home was delayed for 3 hours? Good thing the Missoula airport was not too crowded with a little Addison running around like crazy.