Cora the Explorer...

Our friend Stephanie nicknamed our little adventurer, Cora the Explorer, and I think the name suits her well. So, when we spent the weekend with her grandma, grandpa, aunt Maddie and all of her great grandparents on my side, Cora was more than happy to show off her mobile skills and then some. Cora always seems to amuse everyone....even my parents new puppy! Unfortunately, Sophie (the puppy) seemed to think Cora was a puppy too...she tried to play tug of war with her, but usually Cora would get knocked over or just stare at Sophie like she was a crazy lady. Lily, our lab, is so great with Cora...letting her stand on her and chase her in the walker, but Sophie still has some baby lessons to learn - it was very cute though :). Cora was quite the mover and shaker this weekend...she even climbed a few steps twice! Maddie seemed to think it was awesome that she was "finally getting it", but I wasn't too keen on having a mountain climber so soon. At least Cora doesn't need lots of toys to entertain her...there is always the dishwasher, exercise ball, cabinets, laundry room, stairs, dogs and the list goes on. Her great grandma Cora did by her some great spanish/english/musical maracas that she now carries with her everywhere, making wonderful music as she crawls and bangs them on the floor...uno, bang, dos, bang, tres, bang....just like Dora.

Cora and Sophie

I'll just sit right here....

So determined while shaking

I got this mom...

See...I told you.

Helping with the dishes
hmmm...can I make it across?
I like to help!

Maybe I have a little exerciser in the future...or maybe the big ball is just really cool

What happened to crawling?

Cora has only been crawling (true crawling not army style) for 2 weeks now, but apparently she has decided to move on to bigger and better things. Last week she started trying to pull herself to the standing position on a regular basis, but it was always a half stance and was met immediately with a fall to her bum. Not anymore! Yesterday she pulled herself completely up on the side of the chair...and actually stayed there for awhile! Well, it only takes one time...now that is all she wants to do! Sure, she still crawls to get her toys, chase Lily or follow me around the house. However, crawling is now the means to get to her end (her spot to practice standing)...i.e. the entertainment center, shelving, fireplace, chair, sofa, daddy...well you get the idea. Any dibs on how soon she will be walking...?

Need I explain any of these photos....

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our fourth anniversary! Wow! Time really does fly when you are having fun :). I am so grateful to be married to such a wonderful man and father. Each day I thank God for putting Jason in my life and giving me such beautiful, smart and talented children. Jason is everything that I could have ever asked for in a husband. He is intelligent, kind, generous, funny, honest and a great cook. I am honored to be his wife and thankful that he works so hard...which allows me to stay home with Miss Cora. I just can't believe it has already been 4 years! Here are some photos from our wedding...


so young, yet still dapper

Cora says....

Get Out And Vote!!!!

Cora got up at 5am to vote today....so, no excuses :) (she even has her voter sticker on)

Trouble never looked so cute

Well....Cora is officially mobile! She has been army crawling for quite some time now, but she finally decided to crawl for real last Thursday. Now all she wants to do is see how fast she can get to the areas of the house I have made off limits. The little stinker has actually turned and smiled at me when she goes to touch something on the fireplace or bookshelf. Needless to say, we spent Saturday Cora proofing :). We still have a lot of work to do, but I think she is out of harms way (at least for another week or so). Cora is going to keep me busy though....I spent the entire weekend pulling her away from everything that she shouldn't be climbing on, but 2 seconds later she was back in the same spot trying again to explore her surroundings. I think I am going to need a daily nap now that she is on the move ;).

Crawling around the chair just to get to the only spot of the fireplace that was unprotected

Caught red handed :)

This took 20 seconds to achieve

Second time going to get her off the fireplace

Hey...lemme outta here Such a ham
Please mom...I promise I won't try to climb the stairs... Working on pulling herself up

Cora's First Halloween

Our very first Halloween with Miss Cora couldn't have been more perfect. We were so busy that I didn't get to take a ton of pictures, but enough to capture my sweet baby in her costume and trick or treating. Jason had an appointment with Cora's grandma at Rothman, so we had to take grumpy bear and show her off to all of my old coworkers. Cora had her serious teddy bear role down pat and everyone loved her costume. I had originally bought her costume thinking the weather would be cold and rainy (as it is every Halloween in St. Louis), but it was sunny and 75 degrees! Poor thing was so hot in her costume, but she was still a good sport and didn't even try to pull it off. After Cora finished showing off for everyone, we headed home for some trick or treating with our neighbors and their son Charlie. Unfortunately, Cora is a little too young for the candy, but I certainly enjoyed taking her around to show off my grumpy teddy bear...oh, but she did get a toy! Once we had exhausted ourselves after 2 blocks of trick or treating, we headed home to share some yummy chili, cornbread and oatmeal cookies with grandma (gamma) Vicky, grandpa Mike, great-grandma Gwen & great-grandpa Vito. Thank you great-grandparents for the wonderful Halloween pumpkin flashlight and jammies! Cora will love using the flashlight in years to come :). Of course Cora had to show everyone how she has perfected her crawling, and was persistent at pulling herself up on great-grandpa's pants :). We are so blessed to have shared Cora's first Halloween our family and friends! Until next year....

Not so grumpy :)

Cora and Charlie...they look so happy in their costumes ;)

Mode of transportation...Cora couldn't really figure out why I was making her sit in the wagon

Mom, can I get out now?

I love this little bear....