Good Morning

This is how I get to start my day :) Cora loves her new chair. She comes downstairs every morning, and piles her babies, moo cow and bunny in the chair with her to watch a few minutes of sprout while mommy makes her coffee. I am constantly amazed at how fast she is turning into a "big" girl, as the baby traits fade away. Seriously, I know I am her mom, but how could you resist this face :)

Happy Birthday Cora Bean! (I know, I am way behind!)

I can't believe a whole year has gone by! April 11, 2008 enriched my life beyond words the moment the doctor announced we had a little girl. Cora Genevieve, Cora Gen, Cora Bean, sassy pants or peanutty - whatever you would like to call her, has rocked my world for the past year, and I look forward to watching her grow into a young lady. Yes, I know that between her daddy and big brothers she will have lots of rambunctious moments, but I can tell in the way she loves her babies and daintily picks up her food, she will be a sweet little girl. I had high hopes of doing all kinds of first birthday blogging, but our week was beyond crazy. So, I am nixing all the birth story and sentimental posts, and jumping right into the big day. Cora's party was absolutely fantastic! We are so grateful for such wonderful family and friends - near and far. She was blessed with so many thoughtful gifts, and will have plenty to keep her entertained for a very long time. I was shocked she did so well! No nap from 7a until 4p usually makes for a cranky Cora, but she must have known it was her day and turned the charm on the moment people walked in the door. Thank you to everyone who shared in Cora's special day, whether in person or spirit, we are grateful to have you in our life.

sans the tutu - such a bean pole

checking out Clive
sharing grass

Cora with Dani, Aunt Maddie & Natalie

Cowgirl Cow Print Cake

Cora hugging Miss Lily

Taylor showing ladybug a new present

Cora was more interested in her baby than presents

Ah...the stroller - we take the stroller everywhere

Had to have the baby in the high chair for cake

mmm...and yes, baby enjoyed icing too

Mommy & the birthday girl

Cora and great grandma Cora

Baby and Moo Cow - her new favorites

A new ball! (she loves to throw balls)

Easter 2009

I am still working on the birthday post, so I thought I would share a few Easter photos while you wait. Easter weekend was huge this year with Jason's Baptism, Cora's birthday and the actual Easter holiday. Since Jason was baptized at the Easter Vigil, we decided to have a very laid back Easter morning, followed by brunch at Cora's great aunt Laurie's and a late lunch at great grandma Bettie's house. My grandmother (whom Cora is named after) made me several smocked dresses when I was a baby, and we were so excited that sassy pants fit perfectly in my toddler Easter dress that she had made. Cora loved her Easter basket, which was pretty basic after all the spoiling on Saturday, and she lugs her new bunny everywhere. She even got to hunt for goldfish filled eggs at Laurie's house. All in all the Lord blessed us with a wonderful weekend with family and friends!

Checking out the loot

Very happy with her new presents

Her favorite new activity - piling all of her stuff her the new chair

Sweet Easter dress....have to keep the toothbrush in hand (good habit I guess)

terrorizing Maggie

shake shake shake

sweet face

hiding with a few eggs :)

mmmm....I like this surprise!

no more goldfish :(
All eyes on Cora

Countdown To One!

I can't believe we are inside the 7 day countdown to Cora's 1st birthday! This week has been crazy busy preparing for the big O-N-E, Jason's Baptism and Easter... all with a walker -working on molars. I have so much to post about Cora's first year, but it is going to be slow since I can only blog when she is asleep. Here are some photos from the past 12 months to keep you entertained while I put the posts together.

5 minutes after birth

1 Day Old

3 Months

6 Months

9 Months

5 Days after turning 9 Months she stood for the first time on her own

11 Months 2 Weeks