A Very Merry Christmas

Joy, peace, love and gratitude are the 4 words that filled my heart this Christmas. Life is so much more complete with a child in our home and her love in our hearts. We are so thankful for our wonderful family and friends, and their generosity this holiday season. Cora did well as we toted her from house to house and she ate a ton of food! Our house is definitely full of toys now...most of which make lots of noise. Cora couldn't be happier as she crawls from toy to toy and turns them all on! :) Happy Holidays to everyone and a safe New Year!

We spent Christmas Eve with grandma Bettie (my dad's side) and Cora was overwhelmed with kisses from her cousin Henry (6.5 months) - she looks so thrilled :)

Hurry...Run from the kisses :)

Unwrapping her new activity table...so intense

Forget the present; paper is much tastier!

Trying out the new activity table
Her new wave drum (no batteries required - yes!)

Checking out her stocking goodies!

Petting her new pony (thanks grandma & grandpa) :)

Telling us how much she loves the pony!

Riding her pony...yay!

We headed to my parents house for Christmas Day fun, food and family! (and enough presents for Cora to fill our car!)

Cora checking out the loot at grandma & grandpa's

So cute...and check out her load of toys - sheesh!

So excited :)

Apparently the best part about Christmas - the boxes!

She loves her new walk n ride bike!

Let me open one present....please!

Jason decided it would be fun to put a few wrapped presents under the tree to see how Cora would react. Well, up until today Cora had very little interest in the tree, lights and pretty much anything having to do with Christmas. Ha!...not anymore :). She spent a good portion of the afternoon sitting under the tree...trying to unplug it, pull off the lights (which she successfully accomplished one time), roll in the skirt and unwrap the presents. I was too busy preventing her from eating the light bulbs and playing with the extension cords to get great photos, but I did manage to get some cute shots of her working so hard to open the presents. She was concentrating so hard...nothing would break her intense determination to open one of the packages. I think we won't be putting any more presents under the tree until Christmas Eve... ;)

Playing with the lights

Playing with the present

Trying hard to unwrap the present

Still trying...but, realized she was caught

Such a mischievous grin!

Whatcha doin?

Well...I haven't been a very loyal blogger lately. My apologies to all those who love to look at pics of sweet Cora. I promise I will get better, but things have been so crazy with the holidays, travel, appointments and sickness, that by the time I sit down to blog I can't think of anything to write. I know, soooo unlike me not to talk...ha! Since I didn't blog about Cora turning 8 months, I figured I would do it a week later. ;)

Cora turned 8 months on December 11th....time is flying! Here is what the little monkey has been up to (or should I say in to) :)

She is cruising like crazy, climbing the stairs and climbing Lily (poor Lily)

Peek a boo has become one of her favorite games - she crouches down on the other side of the cocktail so you can just see her fingers (although I don't think she realizes I can see her fingers :)) and when you say "where's Cora" she pops up and smacks the table with her hands and does her little huffing through the nose bit.

Dadadada is about the only thing she is babbling, but that is nonstop

She loves to give zerberts! Whether it is your cheek, arm, belly or shoulder...she is hysterical if she can create that noise

Food isn't going very well...she only likes mashed potatoes, avocado, sweet potatoes (not baby food) and applesauce. She shakes her head and refuses to open her mouth with just about everything else

She is persistent and bossy! We are working on "no touch", but she just smiles and tries again. When I move her she lays on the floor and throws a nice screaming fit (mommy has to figure that one out still!)

She loves to make noise. Banging toys on toys, pots, spoons, maracas....well you name it, if noise can be made she is game.

Separation and stranger anxiety are in full swing right now.

She gets all flustered when the cold air hits her face (which I personally love - not to pick on her, but it is so darn cute)

she is working on at least 3 teeth right now - and her cheeks turn the color of cherries when she teethes...so cute

When she gets frustrated she hums through her raspberries...so it kinda sounds like a whistling motorboat

She loves to lay on the fireplace and suck on the edge protectors

Okay...I am done. She is so cute I could go on forever and ever, but I will stop...until 9 months :)

Finally!

I finally feel like blogging now that all 3 of us are over the nasty stomach flu! I don't even know where to begin...I will have to play catch up with all that has been going on! I will keep some of it short, as I know everyone is more anxious to see pics of ladybug.

Thanksgiving week was absolutely wonderful! We flew out to Denver to spend some time with Jason's family, most of whom had never met Cora in person. Tuesday we spent the day with Cora's great grandmother in Eads, a very small (maybe 500 people), but fantastic town 2 hours south of Denver. Her house was filled with everything that a curious baby would love...porcelain figurines, vintage records, unprotected outlets and so much more, but oh how Cora enjoyed herself :). She loved her great grandma smokey and I am pretty sure grandma was smitten with her too! Wednesday we picked up the boys and enjoyed some bummin time around Denver and relaxation at the hotel before turkey day. Thanksgiving was fantastic! We had a nice breakfast and headed into the foothills of the mountains to take our Christmas picture. Afterward, we headed to aunt Renee's for a wealth of yummy food, some football and genuinely wonderful family time. Cora had sweet potatoes, but that is about all the wiggle worm would sit still for without a high chair. Friday we loaded up 2 kids, 2 nephews, a niece, Jason and myself and headed into the mountains for some skiing. Jason and I took turns watching Cora so we could both ski a little bit. Cora is such a mover and shaker that I think I was more worn out from carrying her in my ski boots than actually skiing :). She really enjoyed the snow, but pulling the games out of the cabinet in our condo was a much more entertaining game...trouble to the max! All in all it was a fantastic trip (aside from the plane..ha!) and we can't wait to go back!

Riding the tram at the airport

Big bubba Tyler

Cora and her mommySnow bunny

So cute in her ski bibs :)

Getting into the game cabinet

She will be skiing soon enough!

Help!

4 generations

Cora and Great Grandma

A little holiday football

Hmmm....where can I get into trouble....

Cousin Paige

Aunt Gina, cousin Becca, cousin Page & Cora

Cora & Daddy

Loungin before dinner

My fave photo!

Don't Worry....

I haven't forgotten to blog :)....
I am so backed up from such a wonderful holiday with family, skiing and Cora's first experience with snow, that it will probably be another day before I can get the blog updated. Check back soon!

Hamming it up in the hotel :)