2 Months of James Murphy.

Oh James. I love you.

This month we have battled the reflux even more, but it seems to be working out thanks to the second medicine. Now we are seeing your true personality and it is dreamy.

I love how you are a smiley, happy baby. I was worried that your reflux was you becoming a high-needs baby, but so far I am so wrong.

You love your big sister, and she loves you too. She's still learning to be gentle, but luckily she has only tried to use your head to stabilize herself as she sits down once.

Your grumpy/squinty face is hilarious. You do this when the sun is in your eyes, or when you've just woken up.

I love your cute body. This was taken shortly after you turned one month old, so by now you are much bigger. But you are SO SOFT. And I love it!

 I love how well you sleep. Right now, I'm listening to you falling asleep on your own in our room. That isn't the norm, but it is SO NICE and better than Cora could do. I put you in your own bed when nothing else works and you are just restless. And you've even slept through the night twice! I know better than to expect it. But I love it. 

I love how snuggly you are. You love being held (except for these periods in the evening lately, where you hate everything so I let you fall asleep in your own bed). When I hold you and talk to you, I get the cutest noises out of you.

 You are just the best. Being a second child, you've needed to learn to be on your own much sooner than your big sister. But you roll with it for the most part. And I am trying my best to be as attentive as a mom as when I just had one!

Uncle Austin comes to town.

Austin came to town last weekend for James' baby blessing. It was awesome!

James was a little unsure of him at first...

 

Just kidding. However, CORA was a little unsure of him. Apparently Austin's loud voice was very scary, and he scared her a few times.

 We took him up to Kings Canyon National Park, to see the big trees obviously.

 Teasing just like an uncle should.

 The new thing we did at the park this time was visit Hume Lake. It is beautiful, and Cora loved feeding the ducks goldfish (and sticks, as per Austin's suggestion).

 James was a good trooper, but he was done by the end. So sad.

 Helping brush Cora's hair.

 It was great to have him here for James' blessing to represent the rest of the family. I'll post more on that later!

 Selfies.

 We got to watch the eclipse... this was as cool as it got for us.

 After we brought Brandon to work, Austin said he wanted to bring Cora swimming one more time and go to the zoo before his flight.

 He has the pictures of feeding the giraffe with Cora on his phone, but we did go see the elephants before we had to leave! Cora loved it... obviously.

 As soon as we left, Cora said "Austin go back to Utah?" Like she hadn't been avoiding him all weekend. Oh brother.

Austin's only the second sibling to come see Visalia, so it was fun to have him around!

James' Blessing.

We had the sweet opportunity to bless James on our sixth wedding anniversary.

That morning, Cora fell against the pillar on our patio and scraped up her chin really good. I was getting out of the shower and heard screaming, so I knew it was going to be good.

Brandon gave a really sweet blessing to James. He blessed him to know how loved he was, and to look for those people who need a friend. Just like Brandon.

 

 

 

 And some pictures of the star of the show. 

 

 

 We were also glad our friends Matt and Amanda came to support our family. James appreciated it, even though he had a funny way of showing it!

 

  Steve, Brandon, James. 

 We also had 3 friends from our ward and the other ward help in the blessing.

 

 

Unfortunately, that was it for the cute tux. James was hot and unhappy.

We had everyone over for dinner after church, and then played some games. James got a couple outfit changes (surprise surprise), and we loved his dino feet.

Overall, one of my favorite ways to celebrate our anniversary. Here's to 6 years down and many more!