Best Friends, Part 2

Cora is a bit of a drama queen. I hear that a histrionic flair is genetic. She must get it from John. . .
On Thursday, they put all the babies on the bye-bye buggy. Out of nowhere, little missy decided to demonstrate her signature move and turn on those giant crocodile tears. Look how sweet Anna is to her! I am told she held Cora's hand the whole buggy ride. If this is a taste of what is to come, poor Anna is going to need the patience of Job to deal with this friendship!

Playing, Part 2

Penny and Cora like to play together. . .

I did not set this up, and I don't think I could if I tried. I got Cora busy on the floor, and before I knew it, here comes Penny with her bone. She parks herself right there on the blanket with Cora. I'm sure this is not as interesting to the public as it is to me, but I thought it was funny that despite being madly in love with each other, they are almost completely oblivious to their proximity!

Weight Update and Another Tooth

I took Cora back to the doctor today for her second flu shot and her monthly weight check. I am happy to report that since her 6 month appointment, she has gained a pound and a half! She is now up to 12 pounds, 2 ounces. After weighing her, they stuck her with the flu vaccine. The last flu shot did not go over so well. I'm hoping that she handles this one a little better.

Also, little missy has cut her second tooth. Both bottom teeth have broken through the surface! She is thoroughly enjoying chomping down on toys, pacifiers, fingers, Penny's ear - pretty much anything she can get in her mouth. I am greatly relieved that she has been handling the teething well. I can't wait to see her sweet little smile with those teeth glimmering!

A Discriminating Audience

Yesterday, I got Cora all set up on the bed so I could take a shower. I have developed the habit of propping the boppy up with pillows all around it since she prefers to sit up rather than lounge around. I spent about 10 minutes trying to get the dvd player to work for her to watch her favorite Baby Einstein. When it became evident that it was not going to happen, I settled for Wow! Wow! Wubbzy on Nick, Jr. (not my ideal choice, but the only viable option).

When I got out of the shower, she had her arm propped up under her head and was staring quizzically at the tv. Wubbzy must not be her first choice either!

She's a bit of a ham for the camera. If you look really closely in the first picture, you can see where the flash glimmered off of her new tooth. I couldn't resist posting this picture, too. I just think it is so cute!

What's Up With That?!

Today is January 23, 2009. January is allegedly the coldest month here. This is what Cora and I are wearing. (The quality is horrible because I had to take the picture myself - in case you didn't realize that. And, I couldn't use the flash.) The point is that I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Cora is wearing a short little jumper. What's up with that?!

Don't get me wrong; I'm definitely a warm weather kind of girl, but shorts and a t-shirt in the "coldest" part of winter is even stretching my expectations a little. Nevertheless, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to be out in the gorgeous weather. Cora and I took a little stroll down to the supermarket to pick up a few things. Cora found it thoroughly enjoyable and even relaxing enough to take a couple of cat naps.

My only worry is that if it is 82 degrees in January, what will the temperature be in July?!

Big Girl Bath

It occurred to me as I watched my little one use those amazing abs to attempt to sit upright in her bath sling, that she might be ready to sit up in the tub. So, out went the sling, and in went the baby and the rubber ducky. Much bath enjoyment ensued. (She even splashed around a little - I think it was by accident, but it could be because she is just so amazing - probably I am biased. . .)
With strategically placed rubber ducky. . .

Eating strategically placed rubber ducky. . .

A Tooth

Cora has cut her first tooth! I did a double take this morning at church. John was holding her as I happened to glance in her mouth, and there it was just barely peaking out of the gums. I promptly stuck my hand in there to make sure I wasn't seeing things -and we wonder why she is sick!?! Sure enough, I felt a sharp little tooth. I am so relieved that this round of teething has not been bad. I hear the molars are horrible, though! When the tooth is completely in, we'll take a picture to post.

RSV is Scary!

Well, we got the dreaded diagnosis on Friday. Cora started coughing earlier in the week and sounded really congested. So, Dr. Mitchell confirmed what we feared. . .RSV. We did a breathing treatment in the office, and it helped her slightly. (It is actually good that it only helped a little. It confirms that she does not have asthma.) We are now the proud owners of our own nebulizer replete with purple rhino face mask. And, much to Cora's delight, we get to do breathing treatments 3 times a day. Fortunately, her fever is basically gone. She really has not acted differently other than coughing every few minutes. She has also maintained her appetite. She's a pretty tough little tyke. Here is a picture of a breathing treatment.

Before the treatment:

During the torture:

Playing

Here is some video of Cora playing with her toys. When I got up to get the camera to film her, Penny got off the couch to come sit behind her. It looks like to me like Penny is giving me the evil eye for not making sure little missy stays upright. It's nice to know someone will swoop in should I not be able to fulfill my parenting duties!

Someone Feels Neglected

Can you guess who?

Weight Update

More good news . . . Cora now weighs about 12 pounds. She's gained about a pound and a half since her 6 month appointment three weeks ago. She's now half an inch shy of 2 feet tall. So, we are graduating into size 2 diapers and 3 to 6 month clothes. She continues to eat and eat and eat. We added chicken, blueberry puffs, corn, and meat/vegetable medleys to her diet. I have to admit that it is nice to be able to give her snacks to keep her occupied. I'm pretty sure that she doesn't mind either!!

Why Cora Will Never Sleep in Our Bed

One day I'm going to take a picture of her position about every five minutes. This child sleeps all over the place! I thought this was particularly funny because it looks as if she has attempted to escape, but the effort wore her out!

First Trip to the Park

The other day we took a walk to the park a few blocks away. It was the first time Cora got to use her new upright "big girl" stroller. She has graduated from the car seat to a stroller where she can sit up and observe the world around her. She is much happier in that stroller. The park that we were headed for has a nice toddler play area, and Cora wanted to try out the swings.

She kind of enjoyed swinging a bit, but she's still a little small for the swing. It was a little jostly so to speak. We tried the slide, but that did not go over too well. We'll try again when she's a little older.

Baby-Sitter

(I threw that title in for John. I know he'll appreciate the pun!)

We have achieved sitting. Cora is now able to hold herself up for at least a few minutes at a time. I am amazed (and only momentarily regretting having all wood floors in the house)! For the meantime until she is a little more stable, I will be building little pillow forts around her. But it is so cute to watch her play with her toys all by herself on the floor. (Thank you Natalie for the blanket!!)

I have some video to upload of her sitting, but I have to get John to compress it. Here are some pictures of her latest achievement.

Carino's, YUM!

The other night, John took me out to one of my favorite restaurants, Carino's. This was the first time I'd had it since before Cora was born, so naturally, I was really excited. We packed up Cora's cereal and pears and some snacks and were on our way. Needless to say, she polished off the cereal and pears rather quickly. So, I thought I'd let her try a little bread. She loved it! She fussed at me when she didn't have any in her mouth. She ended up eating the better part of a half a loaf of bread. When we got up to leave, her little stomach was rock hard from all the carbs; but, she had the most blissful look on her face. That night she slept like a rock. It was wonderful! I mean, who doesn't love a carb coma!

Here is a recap of what Cora eats:
Barley Cereal
Apples
Pears
Bananas
Prunes
Peaches
Carrots
Sweet Potatoes
Squash
Green Beans
Cheese
King's Hawaiian Rolls
Sister Shubert Rolls
Bread Crust
Johnny Carino's bread
Sweet Potato Puffs
Banana Puffs
Biter Biscuits
Cheerios
Turkey
and sometimes, peas

I have determined she has the metabolism of a teenage boy. . .is it wrong to be jealous?!

Growing

Today was our first day back at school since the holidays. We had much confirmation from her teachers and friends that she was growing. In fact, Mrs. Judy said that this was the first time her arm got tired from holding her. YEA!! Cora went through a real "textbook" growth spurt right around Christmas. She slept a lot, and ate even more. She's still a little skinny-minnie, but she's definitely gotten longer. Her three month onesies are really snug, and the six month ones are starting to look good. We go back to the doctor on the 27th for a weight check and another flu shot (YEESH!). I'm excited to see the new number on the scale. I'll keep you posted.

The Return of Tiny-Might

After little missy ripped the tray off of her bumbo and shoved it in her mouth, I realized that it is not a good idea to turn my back on her while she is in the chair. Point proven today. As I mashed up some sweet potatoes (Yea, me for making my own baby food!), Tiny-Might launched herself out of the bumbo. I am probably a terrible mom for not stopping her, but I found myself incredibly curious to see if she could actually get out of it. The answer is yes, she most definitely can. She landed in a pile of bibs on the counter. She was quite pleased until she realized that she could not change her position from the face plant. At that point she squealed for help. (I assure you that had she been in any danger of hurting herself, I would have jumped in to stop her.) Her size is actually becoming quite problematic for me as she is able to do much more than she should be able to! Her philosophy is "why sit when it is just as easy to stand!" And, "why stand idly by when I can attempt to walk!" Aye, chihuahua! Did we completely pass over the happily sitting and playing with toys phase?! Thankfully, the bumbo issue has been solved by shoving a blanket in the seat behind her. But, I feel certain that it will not be long before that solution becomes one more notch in her tiny belt!

Christmas with Yia Yia and Dado

For our first Christmas as a family of three, we got to celebrate at our house. Yia Yia and Dado came down on Christmas Eve after spending the days prior in Tennessee with Uncle Josh, Aunt Amy and little Dawson. As I was playing hostess, I was in charge of the meal. I'll admit it; I took the easy way out! No turkey this year. Instead, we ate yummy spiral sliced ham and some easy side dishes. Maybe next time I'll be brave enough to attempt a turkey.

Christmas Eve(ning) was a lot of fun. Dado discovered that Cora loves her some bluegrass music. He is quite convinced that she will be very musical. (Many thanks to Uncle Josh and Aunt Amy for the drum! She loves it!) Then, she got all decked out in her Christmas jammies. She looks like she belongs in The Night Before Christmas. How very appropriate!

Cora had fun opening her presents. She was really happy about the toys and books, but was most enthralled with the shiny wrapping paper and bows.

We were excited when Cora showed interest in the books. I mean, she is highly advanced! Here she is trying to cram all that knowledge into her head.

Overall, a very nice Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Happy Half-Birthday!

Happy Half-Birthday, baby girl! I can't believe you have been in the world out here with us for six months. You amaze me at how you grow and change every day. I love you dearly!!


P.S. I'm really sorry you have to get your six month shots on Christmas Eve!