For the past two months -

I have been so overwhelmed with how far behind I've gotten on this blog, so I've sort of been avoiding it. However, it has started to make me feel guilty, so I figured I just better bite the bullet and get writing!

Since my last post, Cora has experienced her first Christmas and New Years, she has had her first plane ride and visit to Illinois, and she's turned six months old. We celebrated Christmas with Eric's family on the 23rd. It was fun to see her experience the gift opening. Believe it or not, she actually helped tear open a few packages, although her intention was really to eat the paper. We then headed to Illinois on Christmas morning. This was truly the most special Christmas for our family. Not only did we enjoy it more because we knew it was a whole new experience for Cora, but we also cherished the time we had with my family in Illinois. Now that my siblings and I are spread out around the world, it is so much more special when we do get together. We had EVERYONE together on Christmas day. What an amazing time together! Christmas day was also very special, as it was the first meeting between Cora and her Uncle Jeremy & Aunt Pia. Our week in Illinois was filled with extended family to see and old friends to catch up with. Here are a few pictures from Christmas and our week in Illinois.

Cora with Santa 

Gifts from Mommy and Daddy - a display for all of her books and some fun bath toys!

Cora with Daddy on her first plane ride. She did a super job! No problems there or back!

Enjoying the view out the window. :)

Merry Christmas, Grandpa!

Big girl sitting on Grandma Ginny & Grandpa's couch

First time seeing Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Pia! What a great Christmas gift!!

Goofing around with Uncle Jeremy

Aunt Pia & Uncle Jeremy opening a present from Cora...a calendar full of pictures of her!

Meeting Aunt Julie and Isabel

Happy to be back in Grandma's arms!

Aunt Glenda is thrilled to finally get her hands on Cora!

And so is Amy!

My favorite girls - Cora with her cousins Alivia, Paige, and Emma

Hanging out with Aunt Pia

All bundled up in her snowsuit!



Talking with Grandma Ginny

 

Meeting Mommy's former student, Taylor

We even stopped into Sylvan to see Sylvia!

"The Kids"

Great Grandma Green with Cora

Getting in some lovin' with Grandma

TIME TO SAY GOOD-BYE:

Uncle Casey & Aunt Melody

Uncle Jeremy & Aunt Pia

Family Picture!

With Grandma 

And now with Grandma Ginny & Grandpa

Cora has started on solid foods. She started off with rice cereal, which was not a big hit at first. She also did not enjoy her first taste of squash. But now she loves both. She is currently eating oatmeal, butternut sqash, acorn squash, pumpkin, and her favorite, sweet potatoes. Tonight's adventure will be with zucchini.

First taste of rice cereal

And now we love it! "Give me more, please."

Mommy has fun at feeding time, too. :)

First taste of squash. I think she's saying, "Please don't make me eat any more of that."

Also in the past couple of months she has become very mobile. While she hasn't started crawling yet, she is VERY good at getting around by rolling and scooting. She actively plays on her own now, which is a nice break for us to be able to get some things done around the house. She "talks" a lot these days. She has a lot to tell us, especially at diaper changing time. She will babble a "mama" in there sometimes, but she has no idea what she's actually saying. We are working on that! :) She has starting nodding her head when she talks, too, which is SUPER adorable. The best is when she babbles while sticking her tongue out with her pacifier in her mouth. :) I have tried and tried to get video and pictures of this, but I have been unsuccessful so far.

Just to clarify, she started out on the blanket.

Rolling & playing

Mommy's little talker

Burrito baby! She grabbed ahold of the edge of the blanket the proceeded to roll and roll and roll. This was the result.

 She definitely has a lot on her mind that she wants to share. :) 

Talkin', talkin', talkin'

At the beginning of February, she started sitting up on her own. She is still pretty wobbly, but most of the time she can hold herself up. It seems unreal to me that she is old enough to be doing these things. Time has flown by for us. On the 6th of this month, Cora turned six months old...unbelievable. She has recently started reaching for me, which I have to admit, I completely love. She also had her 6th month checkup. She weighed in at 15 lbs. 13.5 oz. and measured 26 inches long. Overall, everything looked great! She had her last round of immunizations and also got her flu shot. Here are a couple of shots of her sitting up.

Well, I think that about sums up what's been happening in our world! Enjoy some pictures from the past two months.