Tonight I was at a Schottland Scholar event and Bill Finn mentioned to one of the mentors that I am growing my own personal batch of Schottland Scholars. I joked, "Yeah, I'm making the class of 2031!" As soon as I said it my heart dropped. In 2031 Cora will be 21 years old, and our new baby will be a college sophomore. If life goes as it should, Landon and I will be 50-year-old empty nesters! We'll be the people in that car commercial that the college kid is worried about. Yikes!
There are so many cute Cora moments that I do not want to forget. If I write them down here so our friends and family can see it, then it will be written down so I can see it when I am old and gray and she is at College (hopefully) bringing friends to our house for long weekends.
The bad news is, Cora had a stomach bug yesterday and had to stay home from school today. The good news is, Cora had to stay home from school today and it was my turn to spend the day at home with her! Cora and I were playing with a toy on the couch when Pearl walked into the living room and began sniffing at some of her puzzle pieces (in the middle of the living room). Cora quickly scooted off of my lap and (arms flailing) ran towards the dog yelling a sharp, "NO!". The kid knows how to use the word, and I am proud to say, Pearl cowered in response. You go girl! Tell that doggie who is boss!
For a while, I thought that she was saying "NO" inappropriately to us. I worried it was something that I would soon have to address. Over the last couple of days we've realized that when Cora gives the sharp "NO" in response to our sharp "NOs", it isn't directed at us as much as it is her own verbal warning to herself. For example, today she approached the TV console and began looking at the buttons. She turned, looked at me, and said, "No?". When I replied, "Uhuh, do not touch the buttons" she turned around, looked at the TV console, gave a sharp "NO!" then spun and walked back towards me, arms spread and face grinning, ready to be greeted for a hug.
In the bathtub, we like to play a game where we line up the squirty toys, then ask her to find the duck. Admittedly, we started this game with 4 ducks and only 1 other squirty toy, but we've worked up to only 1 duck and several squirty toys. She gets it, and "duck" is now one of her words. Other words: Pearl, ball, Mama, Dada, and (our favorite) good gurl. A good game of chase can entertain her for hours (or 15 minutes, which in Cora terms, is practically hours), and she loves to play the game where we all pass the big bouncy ball back and forth. She laughs especially hard when all 3 of us (Cora, Mommy, & Daddy) come in for a big group hug, and she is starting to give "kisses" by opening her mouth and pressing her lips against our faces (although she consistently avoids daddy's face when he hasn't shaved).
I am not sure what we did with our time before Cora...
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
If Cora doesn't want to share her daddy...
If you watched Modern Family this week, then you'll know that Cam & Mitch are trying to adopt a second baby, and that their older child Lilly is not excited about "Sharing her Daddy". I captured a few Cam & Lilly moments around our house this weekend...
Cora has a love/hate relationship with the vacuum cleaner. She is super curious - but she isn't a super big fan. Landon was using the shop vac on the back porch - Cora wanted to be nearby the whole time, but insisted on a good cuddle, too!
This one takes the cake. That is right - that is my baby sitting on my husband's shoulders while he is working on the computer in the office.
She makes this face a lot, especially when she really likes something she is eating. It is a pirate face, like she is saying, "Aye Aye this is good!".
Landon and I getting ready to go on a rare date for my birthday. Huge surprise for me! We ended up on a patio on Shem Creek where Landon had gathered a bunch of our friends!!! What a great night!
Last weekend we spent the weekend at Landon's Dad's and Stepmom's house. It is our annual "holiday" get together with the Gainesville family for the Florida/Tennessee game. Cora's t-shirt says "Daddy loves me more than football" (a bday present from Cousin Mark in Ohio). It was the perfect shirt for the day... we ended up pulling Landon away from the festivities for our first family trip to the ER. Cora must have had a little infection (she had a low-grade fever), and like she has done before, she crouped in reaction. We spent a lot of Friday night in a steamy shower, but her croupiness was MUCH worse on Saturday night. More in a second on that...
Dressed so cute for the UT game!
That is a set of beads around her neck with a huge Power T charm.
Have I mentioned that I think her bum is adorable in these skinny jeans?
With Jen & Baby Coop at the tailgate.
At the tailgate with Uncle Mike & Aunt Anna.
Playing with Uncle Mike. Not long after this, we put Cora to bed and her croup flared up again. It was to the ER for us! The next day she was all better, and quickly on her way to recovery.
Every kid needs a good nap in the armchair with their Bopper.
Yes, Great Grandma Lois! I would love to play with your baby dolls!
This weekend we spent some time trying to choose a new up-do for Aunt Bum's wedding. Aunt Bum, what do you think about these styles?
Jill-Bob and Eyla sent the CUTEST new toy for Cora. She looked so big playing with it today.
We say it all the time - she is growing up too fast! For a while, she has been crawling herself up the stairs. We always hold on to her, and she seems fine with that. But today, for the first time, she tried to break-free to do it herself. Little Miss Independent has stolen our hearts!
Cora has a love/hate relationship with the vacuum cleaner. She is super curious - but she isn't a super big fan. Landon was using the shop vac on the back porch - Cora wanted to be nearby the whole time, but insisted on a good cuddle, too!
This one is from a few weeks ago when Aunt Heather was here. Did I mention that she LOVES Aunt Heather's homemade blueberry pancakes?
Last weekend we spent the weekend at Landon's Dad's and Stepmom's house. It is our annual "holiday" get together with the Gainesville family for the Florida/Tennessee game. Cora's t-shirt says "Daddy loves me more than football" (a bday present from Cousin Mark in Ohio). It was the perfect shirt for the day... we ended up pulling Landon away from the festivities for our first family trip to the ER. Cora must have had a little infection (she had a low-grade fever), and like she has done before, she crouped in reaction. We spent a lot of Friday night in a steamy shower, but her croupiness was MUCH worse on Saturday night. More in a second on that...
That is a set of beads around her neck with a huge Power T charm.
At the tailgate with Uncle Mike & Aunt Anna.
Playing with Uncle Mike. Not long after this, we put Cora to bed and her croup flared up again. It was to the ER for us! The next day she was all better, and quickly on her way to recovery.
This weekend we spent some time trying to choose a new up-do for Aunt Bum's wedding. Aunt Bum, what do you think about these styles?
Friday, September 9, 2011
Binky Hoarder
We've let Cora develop some bad habits, and we vowed to start working on these after she turned one.
This week, we are switching from formula to milk, and reducing her consumption of dairy to 20 oz a day.
After her bottle sleeves run out, I do not plan to purchase more. Goodbye bottles. Hello sippy cups.
Next, we'll take away the binky.
Although she still gets the binky at naptime and bedtime (and at the dr's office this past Wednesday), we've really been working on not letting her run around with the binky in her mouth. I think that she recognizes what is happening, because she seems to value her binky even more than she did before. This morning, when I went to get her out of her crib, she was sitting up grinning when I walked into her room. I leaned over and we coo'd to each other for a couple of minutes, then I reached down and plucked the binky out of her mouth, saying "We don't need this ole' thing all day!". Cora's response? She had another binky ready in her hand, and she immediately plugged it into her mouth.
My little binky hoarder.
Aunt Heather is still in town, so we were treated to made-from-scratch fruit-filled pancakes this morning.
I ate one.
Cora ate two.
This week, we are switching from formula to milk, and reducing her consumption of dairy to 20 oz a day.
After her bottle sleeves run out, I do not plan to purchase more. Goodbye bottles. Hello sippy cups.
Next, we'll take away the binky.
Although she still gets the binky at naptime and bedtime (and at the dr's office this past Wednesday), we've really been working on not letting her run around with the binky in her mouth. I think that she recognizes what is happening, because she seems to value her binky even more than she did before. This morning, when I went to get her out of her crib, she was sitting up grinning when I walked into her room. I leaned over and we coo'd to each other for a couple of minutes, then I reached down and plucked the binky out of her mouth, saying "We don't need this ole' thing all day!". Cora's response? She had another binky ready in her hand, and she immediately plugged it into her mouth.
My little binky hoarder.
Aunt Heather is still in town, so we were treated to made-from-scratch fruit-filled pancakes this morning.
I ate one.
Cora ate two.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
We barely dodged the "N-O" bullett
In several recent posts, I've talked about Cora's first consistent word, "Good Girl".
Boy were we lucky! One more week and her first consistent word would have been the big "N-O"!
For about 2 weeks, we heard her little voice almost constantly sing-songing "Good Girl" as she went about her business.
Towards the end of last week, there was a transition. When she approached an object that she knew she wasn't supposed to approach, she would get close then declare "NO", then walk away sing-songing "Good Girl".
This week, she just goes straight to "NO" and sticks with "NO".
Take the binky out of her mouth: "NO"
Put her in or take her out of her high chair: "NO"
Move her away from an open cabinet or fridge: "NO"
Pass her off to another person: "NO"
Say that something isn't a mouth toy: "NO"
Take her out of the bath tub: "NO"
Sometimes it's appropriate, other times it isn't. This past weekend Grandma M let me know that she had been greeted with a strong "NO". What can I say? This month we are teaching her the word "NO". Maybe next month we'll work on when it is appropriate to use it...
Today, we started something new. When she says an adamant "NO" we all respond in an adamant "YES!!" So far, she just looks confused...
Boy were we lucky! One more week and her first consistent word would have been the big "N-O"!
For about 2 weeks, we heard her little voice almost constantly sing-songing "Good Girl" as she went about her business.
Towards the end of last week, there was a transition. When she approached an object that she knew she wasn't supposed to approach, she would get close then declare "NO", then walk away sing-songing "Good Girl".
This week, she just goes straight to "NO" and sticks with "NO".
Take the binky out of her mouth: "NO"
Put her in or take her out of her high chair: "NO"
Move her away from an open cabinet or fridge: "NO"
Pass her off to another person: "NO"
Say that something isn't a mouth toy: "NO"
Take her out of the bath tub: "NO"
Sometimes it's appropriate, other times it isn't. This past weekend Grandma M let me know that she had been greeted with a strong "NO". What can I say? This month we are teaching her the word "NO". Maybe next month we'll work on when it is appropriate to use it...
Today, we started something new. When she says an adamant "NO" we all respond in an adamant "YES!!" So far, she just looks confused...
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Big One
On Sunday morning, September 4th, 2011 at 5:48 AM I was already lying awake in bed when I heard Cora starting to fuss upstairs. I rolled over and whispered to Landon, "Do you hear that noise? We were hearing it for the first time 1 year ago right now (almost to the minute!)". And we've enjoyed every single minute since.
Landon, Cora, and I felt so loved this weekend. Our family descended on us for the Big 1. Mia, Poops, Grandma M, Bopper, Grammie, Grandma Iris, Grandma & Grandpa L, Aunt Feather, Aunt Julie & Uncle RT with Ellie, Brian, Lisa, Jake & Max, Tim & Jenny were all here for the celebration, along with a whole gaggle of local friends, too. For us it was an awesome weekend and I hope that they all had a great time, too! From our little pook's demeanor on Saturday and Sunday, I suspect that she was loving all of the attention.
Some pics...
Grandma M & Aunt Feather gave Cora a special present: they passed down the baby doll crib. Grandma M played with it when she was a little girl, and then Heather spent "hours upon hours" playing with it. For this birthday, Aunt Feather handmade some new bedding for it. We thought Cora was too little (and I am sure that it won't be long before Cora will try to put Baby Cora to bed in the crib) but for this weekend, she seemed to get the concept. Her babydoll went into the crib and out of the crib (even if it ended up on its head)...
Jamie Blair Burnett (from Oil Springs) made this pillowcase dress for Cora. We love it!!! We love having Jamie and Bo in town even if we don't get to see them as often as we might like.
Balloons = huge hit. We didn't do a great job of capturing it on film, but Cora walked around all afternoon tangled up in this group of balloons. Most of the time she was like the Pied Piper with a group of equally toddling toddlers chasing after her trying to get one, and my dad adopted the role of heading up the stairs to retrieve the ones that drifted up to the balcony.
Cora's bday banner. Landon captured this cheesy picture of me hanging it. Aunt Feather sketched the letters for me; I just did the cutting :)
Cora came down in her outfit when all of the grandparents and greatgrandparents were already here. I do not believe in reincarnation, but if I did, I might suspect that Cora had a paparazzi following her in a past life. She strutted her stuff while they all chased her with cameras.
By Sunday's party, Cora had entirely abandoned crawling for walking. She occasionally drops to a bear crawl, but it is usually just to get out of a stick situation (when stuck under the kitchen table, for example). She is still pretty shaky on those feet, but when she falls she pops right back up and takes off again.
She is officially walking.
"I love you Grandma Iris, but put me down! I have a house full of guests to entertain!!!"
"Bopper! Why do you have orange shoestrings in these blue shoes??? Silly".
With three of the five living great grandparents: Grandpa & Grandma Lechleitner and Grandma Iris
And with all 5 Grandparents: Bopper, Grammie, Mia, Poops, & Grandma M. It was all laughs trying to get them all seated on the couch. I started to do a series of action shots... but they would have had my tail for that!
Speaking of people's tails... That's a birthday cake, although you can't see the yellow candle at the top of the cake.
Our new family member: Giggles. The Gardner's were in Costco when they saw this big bear coming down the aisle with Ellie's arms wrapped around it (yes, the bear is bigger than Ellie). Ellie's declaration: she was buying this bear, and she would buy it with her own money if she had to! Cora's face says it all. Ellie christened the baby "Giggles", so "Giggles" it is!
"Oh Giggles! What big paws you have!"
I love this picture. I tried to capture it, but really didn't do it justice. Ellie was in the floor with Giggles, and Cora kept looking over at her with a very gracious face, as if to say, "Oh Ellie I just love it!". Ellie is our only niece and we feel so fortunate to have her in our lives! She is 10 now, and seems so old.
I put sweet Keegan into the fun.
With the other birthday girl! Susie and Cora share a birthday.
And then the birthday hat started getting passed around.
Cora's cake: Carla Walker's Grandma's recipe strawberry with cream cheese icing. Carla, is this recipe a secret? Everyone is asking for it!
Max was crazy about baby Cora, and followed her around most of the party. I didn't get a picture of Jake all weekend :( I am sure that my parents did.
With Tom & Joann Kent
She would look at the hat, but was not interested in having it on her head.
And then the main event...
I love that she is licking her little lips here!
She went straight for the strawberry! This mother was so proud of her fruit & veggie loving baby!
But don't worry --- she ate plenty of cake!
With our neighbor Danielle and her sweet 2-year-old Zoe. Zoe hands us her hand-me-downs. I've said it before and I'll say it again: We are so fortunate to have so many great neighbors.
With Max.
In Aunt Paula style, Cora received a gift bag with a series of numbered presents inside. The first: This adorable birthday girl shirt. The second: a little skirt to match (mommy failure, Aunt Paula. I never got the skirt on her). The third: A t-shirt specifically from Marc that read, "Daddy loves me more than football". Yes he does! But if you know Landon, that says a lot ;)
New Cougar gear from the Kent's.
Doesn't it look like Cora is reading a book to Giggles? I suspect Giggles is going to be a big part of our lives in the coming years (I guess he cannot help but be!).
Cora and Keegan testing her new See n' Say.
Art for Cora's room from our artsy neighbor Danielle. It matches perfectly!
Bopper, I'll Bop that nose!!!
Little Miss Personality.
If I didn't know Ellie, I might think that Big E and Ellie were about to square dance. But I know Ellie, so I know that Ellie was about to use her Karate (Ta Kwon Do?) skills on Big E. Big E, watch out!
Monday morning, Cora enjoyed her bottle with Giggles.
By the end of the night she was so exhausted, but she still walked around with one foot tangled through the group of balloons and her little hand gripping the upper strings with all of her energy. She had cake in her hair (and a little in her ears), and some hot dog grease on her t-shirt. Our little social butterfly. If you ask me, all signs of a great party.
Did I mention what Landon and I gave Cora for her birthday? From us, she got a Melissa & Doug shopping buggy, with some odds and ends wrapped up in boxes inside the buggy. One of the presents: Skinny Levi jeans. Another present: a princess wand that lights up and twirls (our neighbor Max gave her a boy version and she LOVES it).
But anyhoo. A third present: A book titled, "I'm a Big Sister!". That's right! We are expecting a new addition sometime around March 13.
Have I mentioned that when the baby comes, Cora won't be able to do any of the "big sister" tasks that the book talked about (brush her own hair; dress herself; pee pee in the potty)? Let the fun begin :)
Landon, Cora, and I felt so loved this weekend. Our family descended on us for the Big 1. Mia, Poops, Grandma M, Bopper, Grammie, Grandma Iris, Grandma & Grandpa L, Aunt Feather, Aunt Julie & Uncle RT with Ellie, Brian, Lisa, Jake & Max, Tim & Jenny were all here for the celebration, along with a whole gaggle of local friends, too. For us it was an awesome weekend and I hope that they all had a great time, too! From our little pook's demeanor on Saturday and Sunday, I suspect that she was loving all of the attention.
Some pics...
Grandma M & Aunt Feather gave Cora a special present: they passed down the baby doll crib. Grandma M played with it when she was a little girl, and then Heather spent "hours upon hours" playing with it. For this birthday, Aunt Feather handmade some new bedding for it. We thought Cora was too little (and I am sure that it won't be long before Cora will try to put Baby Cora to bed in the crib) but for this weekend, she seemed to get the concept. Her babydoll went into the crib and out of the crib (even if it ended up on its head)...
Balloons = huge hit. We didn't do a great job of capturing it on film, but Cora walked around all afternoon tangled up in this group of balloons. Most of the time she was like the Pied Piper with a group of equally toddling toddlers chasing after her trying to get one, and my dad adopted the role of heading up the stairs to retrieve the ones that drifted up to the balcony.
Cora's bday banner. Landon captured this cheesy picture of me hanging it. Aunt Feather sketched the letters for me; I just did the cutting :)
Cora came down in her outfit when all of the grandparents and greatgrandparents were already here. I do not believe in reincarnation, but if I did, I might suspect that Cora had a paparazzi following her in a past life. She strutted her stuff while they all chased her with cameras.
By Sunday's party, Cora had entirely abandoned crawling for walking. She occasionally drops to a bear crawl, but it is usually just to get out of a stick situation (when stuck under the kitchen table, for example). She is still pretty shaky on those feet, but when she falls she pops right back up and takes off again.
She is officially walking.
"I love you Grandma Iris, but put me down! I have a house full of guests to entertain!!!"
"Bopper! Why do you have orange shoestrings in these blue shoes??? Silly".
With three of the five living great grandparents: Grandpa & Grandma Lechleitner and Grandma Iris
And with all 5 Grandparents: Bopper, Grammie, Mia, Poops, & Grandma M. It was all laughs trying to get them all seated on the couch. I started to do a series of action shots... but they would have had my tail for that!
Speaking of people's tails... That's a birthday cake, although you can't see the yellow candle at the top of the cake.
I put sweet Keegan into the fun.
With the other birthday girl! Susie and Cora share a birthday.
And then the birthday hat started getting passed around.
Cora's cake: Carla Walker's Grandma's recipe strawberry with cream cheese icing. Carla, is this recipe a secret? Everyone is asking for it!
Max was crazy about baby Cora, and followed her around most of the party. I didn't get a picture of Jake all weekend :( I am sure that my parents did.
With Tom & Joann Kent
Little Miss Personality.
By the end of the night she was so exhausted, but she still walked around with one foot tangled through the group of balloons and her little hand gripping the upper strings with all of her energy. She had cake in her hair (and a little in her ears), and some hot dog grease on her t-shirt. Our little social butterfly. If you ask me, all signs of a great party.
Did I mention what Landon and I gave Cora for her birthday? From us, she got a Melissa & Doug shopping buggy, with some odds and ends wrapped up in boxes inside the buggy. One of the presents: Skinny Levi jeans. Another present: a princess wand that lights up and twirls (our neighbor Max gave her a boy version and she LOVES it).
But anyhoo. A third present: A book titled, "I'm a Big Sister!". That's right! We are expecting a new addition sometime around March 13.
Have I mentioned that when the baby comes, Cora won't be able to do any of the "big sister" tasks that the book talked about (brush her own hair; dress herself; pee pee in the potty)? Let the fun begin :)
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