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It is sweet corn time again in Kansas. My father-in-law has the best garden. Every year we all get together and freeze sweet corn and then he lets us take some home. It is so great to have sweet corn in your freezer in the middle of the winter. Yum.
My in-laws are the hardest working people I know. They had gotten up really early to start and by the time the boys and I arrived they had already picked and husked all the corn.ย 
Levi and I got to work. He stayed outside and helped my sisters-in-law wash the corn. I went inside and helped my mother-in-law cut the corn off the cob. (I think I got the easy job because it was HOT outside….like I said, they are the hard workers!)
Judging by how wet Levi was when they were done, I’m not exactly sure how helpful he was.
But whatever he was doing, he was definitely having fun.
I forgot to take a picture of the piles of corn. There were wheelbarrows full.
After we cut all the corn off the cob we got it ready for freezing. Go here if you want the recipe. The boys and I went home for nap time before all the corn had cooled. I think in the end we ended up with 109 quart bags of sweet corn. I would say my father-in-law had a successful harvest. ๐Ÿ™‚ Ours on the other hand, wasn’t the best. Somehow it always seems to work out that way.
A certain little boy now has a new fave…sweet corn!
He will chew on the cob forever. It makes dinner much more relaxing for all of us.
But watch out if you try to take it away from him. He is very protective.
He doesn’t even give up when he is tired. He just lays his head right on cob and keeps chewing.
Sweet corn really is that good! ๐Ÿ™‚
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  • Heather - Love that final shot of Griffin with his corn cob! Bet it’s great for teething, too!ReplyCancel

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  • Nancy - I love this post! So sweet! HA!
    We are big corn eaters, too. If you squirt lime on them, it will digest easier! I just learned that from my chiropractor. ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Lauri - That is precious!ReplyCancel

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  • Beth Ann - Yum!!! And so cute, Griffin! ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Emily - yum! that corn looks delicious! i love the second to last pic of griffin…it looks like he’s telling the corn a secret! so cute ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Mum2twopreciousgifts - I feel very Blessed that I have been a follower of your blog for a few years now. And that I have seen a few of your yearly Sweet Corn Harvest posts. And each year, it blows me away because living in a City of over one million people, I can’t imagine having space to put anything more than a letterbox. Let alone a food garden.ReplyCancel

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  • jessica - I have been following your blog for awhile now – but rarely comment. But, I have to tell you how excited I am to have your corn recipe. My grandmother – who is now very sick – made corn this same way, but I never had a chance to write it down. Thank you so much for sharing (both the recipe and the pictures of your adorable children!)ReplyCancel

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  • Unknown - Yay! Look at Griffin go! I am so thankful to see your corn. I was so worried about how your crop survived this heat wave. Good news! -SherriReplyCancel

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  • Joie - I don’t comment often (if at all), but the pictures of Levi helping and Griffin chomping just about did me in. So delightful!ReplyCancel

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  • Paige @ Kids and The Good Stuff - That last picture is my favorite! Looks at those cheeks!
    PaigeReplyCancel

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  • Nicole - So sweet!! I am going to have to try giving my son an ear of corn! It looks like Griffin really loved it! ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah Crosby - my husband’s grandparents have a farm in pennsylvania and he goes on and on about how good the sweet corn is. he says they used to eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner while they were visiting.

    i am taking my first trip up there and judging from these pics…. i am in for a real treat!ReplyCancel

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  • Rich and Carolyn Dewey - What a treat – corn from the garden!!! Looks delish – just like a couple of cute little guys!ReplyCancel

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  • Jody - I haven’t been out to it yet, but I heard ours got blown over by the big land hurricane that swept through a couple weeks ago. Guess I’ll have to wait until next year to try out your recipe.ReplyCancel

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  • mymcmlife.com - My daughter (almost 1 now) thought it was brilliant when we gave her corn on the cob for the first time. She loves it! And yes, it keeps her occupied through most of dinner. Until she drops it. She can’t seem to keep it on her high chair tray more than 5 minutes at a time. Here’s the post with the pictures from the first time she had it. Sheer delight: http://mymcmlife.com/2012/06/13/teeth-are-good-for-corn-on-the-cob/

    Sidenote: I usually read your blog in Google Reader so i don’t see the actual blog too often. I think you need to update your photos on the header and sidebar to include GriffinIReplyCancel

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  • Lisa - Oh those pics of your little one eating the corn are too adorable!!ReplyCancel

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  • It's just Mommer - Griffin is adorable with his corn.ReplyCancel

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  • CP - Oh my gosh! That last picture is so adorable!ReplyCancel

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    […]always a massive fan of linking to bloggers that I enjoy but do not get a good deal of link really like from[…]…ReplyCancel

Did you notice anything different about Griffin’s quilt in his nine month post? It’s done!! So, his room still isn’t finished, but at least his quilt is. I love how it turned out. My mom did a fabulous job. And she was really patient with me. The pattern had a border around the outside of the quilt, but when she put it on I didn’t really like it. I just liked the circles. So she took off the border and added more circles. That’s why it took so long. Super nice mom, I know.
The front is all circles. And the back is gray polka dot (Ta Dot Stone).
These are the twelve fabrics I chose (plus white for the background):
9. Annela Hoey Sherbet Pips Playdot Red (from local quilt shop)
10. Moda Bella Solids-blue (from local quilt shop)
11. Moda Bella Solids-gray (from local quilt shop)
12. Charcoal polka dot (from Hancock Fabrics)
My mom usedย this patternย for the quilt (minus the border).
Nine months later, Griffin’s quilt is done. Hooray! Now if I could just finish his room. ๐Ÿ™‚
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  • Britta - Jess, I noticed!! It’s gorgeous ๐Ÿ™‚ Your mom did am excellent job. One day his room will be finished. Spending the days with your men is more important than a finished room of a nine-months-old baby boy who doesn’t care about that yet ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Your family is so precious!! I love you even though I haven’t met you once ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Auntie EM - I love love love your quilt. I remember when my son was a baby. I had a quilt (the kind you stitch by hand the old fashioned way) on my quilt frames. I worked on it when I could but finally….my mom finished it when he was about 3 years old. Kinda funny that it took that long. I did have good intentions. It is a darling quilt and yes, you will get the room done someday. Little Griffin won’t care. All he will care about is “when do I eat?” and “when do I play in the water or play with my brother?” Your boys are so cute and they look like they are happy little guys (well, for the most part!! Ha Ha). I think that is because they have parents who have such good hearts and love them so very much. I can tell there is a lot of love in your world and that you have a lot of faith and trust in your life. Your daughter must so proud of her mama and daddy and her baby brothers!!ReplyCancel

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  • Angie @ Creating Our Home - It is beautiful! He is a lucky boy to have a mom and grandma that love him so much! ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • bearie1 - I did notice that it was done. And lovely. Your mom did a great job! ElaineReplyCancel

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  • Sarah - Love it! Such a great keepsake!

    Sarah @ this farm family’s lifeReplyCancel

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  • Jessica - wow…beautiful!ReplyCancel

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  • meg duerksen - love it!!!ReplyCancel

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  • Lyssa at Living Simple in the South - I did notice and I absolutely LOVE IT! Really love it, one lucky momma and baby boy to have a granny that makes quilts ๐Ÿ™‚ I know what you mean about the room! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Levis was worth the wait, I am sure Griffins will be too!ReplyCancel

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  • Linda - Hi, Jessica! I love the quilt. It’s precious and will “grow” with him. My friend who is a “super quilter” has offered to make quilts for my 5 grandchildren. I know, she’s a SUPER friend, too. I wish you were close by to help me with the colors. I do machine embroidery and she quilts so I’m going to embroider some of the squares and she will piece the quilt. I need HELP deciding on all the colors. The children range in age from 14, 13, 10 (only boy), and 2. I want something that will “grow” with them. SO difficult to decide what to do. Any ideas?ReplyCancel

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  • Danielle - LOVE it! Thank you for sharing both the fabric choices and the pattern. This may be next on my to-do list ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Kelly - I love that you posted your fabric sources! I always love your choices and I am getting sick of my local store selection.ReplyCancel

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So, I didn’t forget about the 30 day challenge. Mine ended on July 3rd and with all the craziness of getting ready for our Fourth of July party I didn’t get a post written that day. But I made it. How about you?

I have to be honest with you. The days when my kids slept as planned and I got up before them went great. I love having that time by myself with the Lord to prepare my heart for the day ahead. I need that. ย But the occasional mornings when a certain little boy decided he needed his mama at 6 or 6:30 in the morning and was up for the day…I struggled. I would try to plan to set aside time later but I really struggled to not be distracted later in the day by my to-do list…or the computer…or the phone…or kids who don’t nap…or whatever. But really, how can I have time to check in on my friends through instagram and blogs and not have time to spend with my Lord? So that is what I need to continue to persevere in this summer. Getting up in the mornings for my time with the Lord, but planning and sticking to a “Plan B” if for some reason my kids decide it is a good idea to get up early with me. How do they always know when we are up?

I was reading through a BSF handout about how we approach our time in the Word. I thought it was so challenging and wanted to share it with you. These questions help us move from our quiet times being a routine check-in-the-box to an intimate time with the Lord guided by the Spirit.

How we approach the Word:

Do you see the Scripture as the voice of God speaking to you? (2 Timothy 3:16)
Do you reflect on God’s Word and understand how you either display or lack what God teaches? (Hebrews 4:12)
Do you commit the outcome of your reflection to prayer? (Ephesians 6:18)
Do you consider how your own personal response to the Word (or lack thereof) impacts the people around you? (Hebrews 12:14-15)

And just one picture of my boys from this morning. My little readers. They both love books. One loves to read them and one loves to eat them. ๐Ÿ™‚ Levi is starting to really love reading his Bible. I love that. I am praying that the boys would not only have a love for reading but also a deep love for the Word of God. But guess what? That starts with me and Joel. Our boys need to see their parents engage deeply with God through His Word. No pressure, right?!

Another BSF handout (can you tell I learn a lot through BSF?) encouraged parents to pray for themselves in this way:

That I will daily remember my own need to be taught by God’s Word and filled with His Spirit so that I reflect the joy of the Lord before my children (Psalm 16:11).

So the challenge continues. The 30 day challenge was just a jump start…because I needed a little kick in the pants. But the reality is that I want to spend a lifetime being taught and changed by God’s Word. Are you looking for a little encouragement in your own time with the Lord? You can read more about the 30 day challenge here:

(Quotes taken from BSF, The Acts of the Apostles, 2011)
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  • TimandCeri - what is BSF?ReplyCancel

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  • onlymehere - We may belong to different religious denominations but you inspire me. We believe in the Bible also so these references are especially key to me. Thank you for the challenge and sharing your experience. You’re doing so much good in spreading the word of the Lord, but especially in your own home. What a blessing you are to your friends and family and even us in Blogland.
    CindyReplyCancel

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  • happy_wife - I loved BSF this years. It was my third year to do the study and I a already getting itchy for Genesis to start. Thank you for your openness and honesty on carving out a little time with Him. I have a 7 week old (and a 3 year old) and have started using the middle of the night feeding to pause and devote to God. It is ONE time I know my 3 year old will not be tugging at me in one way or another. It isn’t always easy, but everyday I begin with Him is without a doubt, easier, my spirit if more giving and loving and I am just a better mom/wife. But I am also guilty of checking Facebook or blogs more often than I check in with God. Why I place this false importance on those things I have no idea. Father God never needs a “break” from being my guardian or parent as I do with my boys and that is yet another example I need to follow.

    Your family is beyond precious!!
    JaneReplyCancel

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  • Lyssa at Living Simple in the South - I havent been doing good at making time…we went out of town and then found out we were moving and Ally hasnt been sleeping and well, I am sure everyone knows how it all that goes. But I am dry and my heart and soul are hungry for some good quiet time so this week I am trying super extra hard to squeeze it in!
    Thanks for encouraging Jes!ReplyCancel

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  • DianeTaylor - Hi Jess – yes, I made it to my 30 days – and I am continuing for sure. I feel better on the days I spend more time in the word. I still cry and get emotional at the strangest things – but this challenge has prompted me to really find the time to devote to God. Early am works best for me, as I have my morning cup of coffee. I so appreciate you doing the challenge – I don’t know how you do it with two little ones.ReplyCancel

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  • Faith - yay, i made it to my 30 days too. i agree there def were some days i struggled, mostly on weekends. some days i would “catch up” but then regretted doing it in a rush feeling like i was just doing it to do it rather than meeting with the Lord.

    some keypoints from my devo:
    loved to the end- 1 timothy 2:3-4
    listening carefully- hebrews 2:1
    letting God choose in times of uncertainty- matthew 26:39
    unguarded strength is a double weakness- proverbs 16:18
    pride and prayerlessness go hand in hand- 1 thessalonians 5:16-18
    what is more important to you than God?-1 john 2:15

    thanks for this challenge/journey beloved sister in Christ!ReplyCancel

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I was looking back through my pictures and had to show you some of my Fourth of July babies.

ย {Cora :: 2008)
ย {Levi :: 2010}
ย {Levi :: 2011}
I wish he still could give “the look”…he doesn’t do that anymore. Maybe that is a good thing though. ๐Ÿ˜‰
{Griffin :: 2012}
Only Griffin this year. Levi was too busy playing to get his picture taken.
We had another Fourth of July party this year. I am so thankful we have such great friends. I love hosting parties at our house. This year I used the same decorations as last year. And we actually only ended putting out half of them because it was so hot and windy when the party started. I didn’t want all my pretty pinwheels to blow away! Not the best weather but we still had fun.

Hope you had a great Fourth!
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  • Cathy - LOVE the pictures!! I like hosting too, but always seem to stress myself out about a lot of it. Thanks for the cuteness ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Heather - Didn’t realize how much Griffin favors Cora, what a sweet blessing!ReplyCancel

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  • Melissa Joy - These are so beautiful! I wish I could come to one of your parties.
    And I just have to say, every time I see a picture of Cora, my eyes fill with tears. Her sweet smile and her legacy both have me totally reeled in.ReplyCancel

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  • laney - …my heart is always full after visiting you…your children are blessed…hugs laneyReplyCancel

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  • HilaryFarris - Wonderful pictures! Thank you for sharing!!ReplyCancel

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  • Rich and Carolyn Dewey - Your babies are certainly all from the same “Mac mold”. Precious!ReplyCancel

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  • Holli Taylor - good to know I wasn’t the only one making sure I had my boys in red, white and blue…btw, had two different backup outfits incase we dirtied the preferred outfit!ReplyCancel

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  • Mindy Harris - what a sweet post. love all the baby pics! eeee!ReplyCancel

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  • Doctor Zhivago - Wow, Griffin could be Cora’s twin. ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - You guys are beautiful! Your babies are all so lovely! hugs to you.ReplyCancel

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  • DianeTaylor - Beautiful pics Jess!!! We had a very quiet one compared to you – just my husband and I and our dog at our “shore” home (aka a trailer on the water). We lit up a bunch of maybe-not-so-legal fireworks over the water and dedicated them all to Jonathan. It was a hard day for us as Jonathan was ALWAYS with us that day. He and my husband loved setting up the fireworks together. I hope he saw ours from heaven.

    Your parties always look so warm and inviting. And the food looks yummy too.

    xo – dtReplyCancel

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  • Kelly - Your blog always warms my heart. I can’t believe how much G favors Cora. They are all so precious and so are you!!ReplyCancel

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  • Creole Wisdom - oh that photo of Cora– darling!

    your party looks perfect ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Lori - I love your parties too! Wish we could have been there! It wasn’t quite the same being here!ReplyCancel

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  • Faith - great pictures jess! as always. i remember that post with levi and “the look” from last year. your boys are so precious! happy friday and belated happy 4th.ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - That picture of Levi in 2011 is my fav! Adorable. Made me laugh!! Thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

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  • Lara H. - I just LOVE your blog. And your kids are adorable! Happy 4th of July!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - There is a picture of the crowd at your picnic and someone looks pregnant on the far left! Who is that???

    Is a congratulations in order?ReplyCancel

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  • The Mershawn's - Lol…my baby boy has that same outfit from gap. And I wore that same shirt on the fourth;). Great minds…your boys are adorable!ReplyCancel

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Griffin @ 9 months

We snuck outside early one morning before your brother woke up for your nine month pictures. But even without him around you still managed to be completely distracted.
And all those pictures above were taken in between lots of this. You just couldn’t leave that flash card alone.
Things you love…
Food.
You never stop eating. You eat baby food and table food now. And you eat lots of both.
Your brother.
He can make you laugh so hard. And usually you are laughing at him being naughty. You should really not do that and help your mama out.
Water.
Bath time is your favorite. You are so happy in the bath and just splash and splash. You are loving the pool this summer too.
Your walker.
You cruise all over the house now and you are fast. You are constantly running into my legs as you chase me around the house. You can even reach the piano keys when you are in your walker and love to play along with your brother.
Putting things in your mouth.
Not only food but anything you can get your hands on goes in your mouth. Your brother is having to learn how to keep his little toys out of your reach and I am having to vacuum more often. ๐Ÿ™‚
Sleep.
You are turning into an awesome sleeper. Praise the Lord! You are consistently sleeping through the night and you even slept longer than your brother one morning…first time ever. You take two good naps. Thank you for finally sleeping, sweet boy.

Now you can…
Flash a toothy grin.
You’ve had your teeth for awhile now but they are a lot more noticeable now. Just two teeth still. I love your two teeth grin.
Wave and reach.
You stretch your arm way out and hold your little hand up to wave. You wave just like your sissy did. And you are starting to reach for us when you want to be picked up. You especially like to reach for your mama.
Throw a fit like the best of them.
You do not like things taken away from you. Especially food. It is a sure way to produce instant tears.
Almost crawl.
You are getting so close. You can scoot yourself around pretty good but you are just starting to try to get up on your knees. I am guessing this might be the month for crawling. You’ve been so much slower than your brother but I’m okay with that.

Almost get a haircut.
Your hair has grown so much this month. Your dad thinks you are about ready for a haircut. I’m going to hold out on the haircut thing as long as I can.

Griffers,
ย You are still as sweet as ever. Your smiles and snuggles are the best. You continue to remind me of your sissy in so many ways. I think you could have been twins. Yet, your own personality is shining through as we have gotten to know you the past nine months. I am so thankful for YOU. Oh ya, and I love that you already have a farmer’s tan. ๐Ÿ™‚ Love you, sweet boy!
Love, Mama
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  • Anonymous - It really is amazing how much he resembles Cora. He is a cutie and sounds like he is doing great!ReplyCancel

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  • Mama in the City - I agree with the above poster, he really looks like the photos I have seen of baby Cora. He is at my favourite baby age. Totally a full on baby right now. Love that he has a head of hair, unlike my sweet baldy baby ๐Ÿ˜‰ReplyCancel

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  • Mum2twopreciousgifts - Beautiful post Jess. And a big big hooray from here for sleep for all of you!

    Michelle xReplyCancel

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  • Valerie - He’s such a sweet boy. I’m sure it must be bittersweet how much he resembles sweet Cora.ReplyCancel

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  • Keith and Margaret - He is so sweet! And the brotherly love seen in other posts is precious. I can see how this makes you miss Cora even more, I am in tears and I do not even know you personally. Hugs to you and your family, what a blessing that you know you will see Cora again in heaven.ReplyCancel

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  • Amy - It’s amazing how much he looks like his big sister! So glad he is sleeping all night now! Yay Griffin! (and all the cool guys have farmer’s tans, right?!) ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

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  • Andrea {kerubo mama} - He could not get any cuter if he tried!! I love this age! My son just turned 1 (sob!) and I already miss the baby stage ๐Ÿ™‚
    Oh, and that farmer’s tan is perfect. xoxoReplyCancel

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  • The Sweet Life - that last picture of him he looks like Levi! I love that age too! It’s such a cute time! Enjoy it and keep posting such cute pics!ReplyCancel

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  • Auntie EM - Just completely adorable. He is just the sweetest thing. I can only imagine the adventures he and his big brother will have in the future. Keep smiling little Levi!!ReplyCancel

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  • Taylor - I have been reading your blog from some time now. It is amazing how much Griffin looks like Cora!!!ReplyCancel

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  • Faith - Happy 9 months Griffin. I agree with everyone. It’s amazing how much he reminds me of Cora!ReplyCancel

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  • Tara - Love the farmer’s tan! So cute!ReplyCancel

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  • Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Oh he is growing so quickly! Great pictures, Jess. Thank you for sharing with us!ReplyCancel

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  • lifewiththebs - Look at those legs! So cute!ReplyCancel

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  • Zoe - What a cutie! 9 months is such a fun age. And I love his quilt! After I admired the cute baby, I scrolled through again to admire the quilt! Are the circle edges zigzagged? Just lovely!ReplyCancel

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  • Auntie EM - I meant keep smiling little Griffin but Levi can too!! I am sure they will have plenty of fun to make them smile a lot!!ReplyCancel

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  • The Schilling's from Cimarron - What a dolly!:)
    love all of the photos! Yes what a fun age!:) love that he brings out so much of sweet Cora! Hope your all doing great and can’t wait to see how the boys loved the 4th of July! Take care always! Miss you!ReplyCancel

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  • Deborah - Beautiful baby….and the quilt is finished! Love seeing your pictures.
    DeborahReplyCancel

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  • Lexie Loo, Lily Boo, and Dylan Too! - He is so cute! He really looks a lot like Cora. Happy 9 months!ReplyCancel

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