Time Flies, We Forget

Unless I have it in writing to revisit, I often cannot recall the specific dates something occurred or the way I felt when we went through this or that.  I'm sure you can relate.  

Therefore, I have no choice but to turn the long list of milestones Cora has  reached into a blog post!  Upon reviewing the list in my phone of things she has accomplished or isn't doing/using anymore, I already had moments where I thought, "What!? That was still going on so recently?"  I turned her monthly posts into a printed baby book of her first year, and I am so glad I did, since we tend to forget things once they pass.  

So, in the longest way possible, I am trying to tell you that this post is for me.  I want to be able to go back and reminisce about the stages of Cora's life, and this is the best way for me to do so.  If you do read, hopefully you will enjoy it too :).

In April and May, Cora...

-began pointing 

-moved to drinking only milk, no more formula (4.29.13)

-started truly liking TV shows, specifically The Pajanimals (still her favorite today)

-became attached to her blanche

-loves to swim

-is a cuddle bug

-cut her fourth bottom tooth (5.25.13)

In June, Cora...

-began pulling up (6.1.13)

-began pushing her walker everywhere, all the time

-rakes the food off her high chair tray at turbo speed 

-contracted a yeast diaper rash that lasted an entire month

-contracted a contact rash on her face from the binky (Dr. said to live with the rash or without the pacifier.  Um, the rash, thanks.)

-stopped having a bottle of milk before bed...aka NO BOTTLES! (6.8.13)

-cut her top left molar (6.11.13)

-started wanting to know words for anything and everything

-cut her top right molar (6.25.13)

-showed her true colors as an adrenaline junky

-is interested in utensils and likes to use her own for yogurt, carrots, and certain foods

-developed an obsession with bees (which are surprisingly in almost every children's book)

In July, Cora...

-found success with her peg board puzzle, rings, shape sorter box

-cut her bottom right molar (7.3.13)

-stood for a few seconds on her own (7.4.13)

-swam in the lake for the first time

-went on a trip to California

-began climbing

-purposefully lets go of walker or hands she is holding to balance and stand on her own

-tried out Chuck E Cheese for the first time (liked to sit in rides without them actually moving)

In August, Cora...

-took her first steps with Mommy and Daddy both present (8.3.13)

-started dancing 

-got a new forward facing car seat

-uses the word No

-began hitting :(

-will make the S sound

-learned the moves to "Happy and You Know It"

-takes three to five steps at her own provocation about every other day (will NOT do it on demand)

-stood on her own from the floor, without pulling up on anything/anyone (8.20.13)

-wants to sit beside you on the couch or in a chair just like yours (instead of the lap)

There is a long list of words Cora has said, but only says some regularly.  I am going to list the ones I remember off the top of my head that she has said, clearly, and at least once:

Dada (says a lot)

Mama (says more every day)

Jackson

Dog (says a lot)

No (says all of the time, and will actually respond no if you ask her things like, "Can we go change your diaper?")

Yes

Yeah

Cora

Cow

Tree

Nose

Right There (this one is identifiable by the inflection more than the words)

Cat

That

There

This

Eyes

I know it's my child - so I am inclined to be this way - but I am impressed all of the time with the connections Cora makes between things, the skills she learns, the way she mimics us, her sense of humor, her ability to adapt, her lack of patience, her yearning to discover, etc.  

This is a fascinating age, and I am learning so much as a mom, who is repeatedly slapped in the face by my child throughout the day :).  

I love her to pieces.

Here We Are

Hello there!  I apologize for my extended absence, but this has been a crazy busy summer.  I am going to also go ahead and throw out that I had mono and was too tired during any of my downtime to get anything put up on the blog.  Is that a good excuse!?  It's going to have to do.

In my last post, I spoke about having spring fever and wanting to get out the lake.  Well, we did that and so much more, too, this summer!  I want to catch up on the blog and make sure I capture it all on here, but I almost don't know where to start...

How about a random family picture from the Fourth of July?  Yes?

Ok!

I do not think this is news to any of my loyal blog readers (hi!), but just in case, you should know that I am staying home with Cora this year.  What a huge change for our little family.  I am very thankful to Miles for supporting me in this decision.  The timing was right, and it feels just that - sooo right!  Cora is a sponge, soaking in every little thing.  I am so excited to be with her each day during this precious time in her life.  

Important lessons happening here.

Let me now back up to Memorial Day - the first lake trip of many this summer.  There are a lot of pictures, so I will just let those do the talking.

Let us out already!

Handsome Campbell Benjamin

Miles can't believe his monster fish.

Cora with her Cappy and Daddy

Accessories make an outfit.

This picture of the kids on the boat is hilarious.

Campbell having a blast with his Mommy.

 Reading with Ruesy

Driving with Daddy

Look, a boat!

Cora went cruising on the wave runner.

Pretty girl

The babes with their look-alike daddies.

Daddy, I don't want to leave!

Mommy was there, too.

Stay tuned for a lot more updates from our fun, busy summer!

Spring Fever

It's official.

We definitely have spring fever in the Schneider household!

Miles has just been itching to get out to Possum Kingdom, I'm counting down my school days, and Cora is obsessed with being outside.  We're all anxious for some fun in the sun. 

So, we got a head start on things by getting Cora a plastic pool for the backyard.  She loves water.  To be in water and outside was a huge hit, as you can imagine.  She probably would have stayed in there all day.  Good thing Cora has a ton of cute swimsuits to wear.  Between the water table and backyard pool, her grandparents' pools, and her time at the lake this summer - she will need them!

 

I have to slip in a few other updates because Cora is just a blast and so adorable lately.  Here are few sweet moments.

She will intently watch about 10-15 minutes of her favorite shows on rare occasions.  Friday, I sat her in her chair to watch, and she looked like such a big girl!  Yesterday, she chose to snuggle her Daddy.

Cora likes to stop and sit, while crawling, and will do this in such a funny way.  She prefers to have something against her back - like the television speaker, the wall, a table.  On this day, she was all about the bench on the deck.  Looks comfortable!  Silly little lady. 

This one is hilarious in person.  So, Cora has to wear shoes at day care now, and on the way there, she attempts taking them off by kicking both feet up and out into a huge V (of course, I didn't snap this pic at the perfect time, but you get the gist).  She doesn't realize that all she needs to do is bend her knees.  Provides some entertainment for our car rides.

A new favorite activity at bath time is to throw the toys out and look at them, get them back in, and repeat.  (She did this in the pool for an hour or so, too.)

Be on the look out for some more updates soon.  Maybe I'll take pictures of someone besides Cora.  But, probably not!

Five Things I Want

I have been really itching to buy all sorts of cute stuff I keep seeing.  Instead of spending our savings, I thought I'd just post some of it - so we can all revel in the cuteness.  So, here's what I'd buy, if I didn't care what my husband thought about my spending habits (I do, though, Miles.  Don't worry!).

Big Buddha 'Baker' Crossbody Bag
This seems like a good size, and I love that it's a crossbody style.  That is especially convenient with a baby and carrying a diaper bag.   The white is fresh for summer, too.

Demin Vest

This could easily transition into the Fall, and to be honest I've wanted one for a while.  But, I picture it over maxi-dresses this summer.  Some dresses and tanks are made of such thin material now-a-days that this could help a look feel instantly more complete. 

 



 

Girl on Fire Blouse

This is such a great top.  It would be adorable with some white shorts.

 

Cora Cocktail Ring

I absolutely love the name of this ring! (hehe)  I think it's beautiful in coral, but I would actually prefer it in cobalt. 





J. Crew Chambray Espadrilles

I just really like the color of these.  Even though they're blue, this blue is gray enough to go with everything, acting as a neutral. 





 







Sad

Just to clarify, I am not particularly sad.  I am all good.  There are just a few things on my mind that are a bit sad from the week that I thought I'd share.  Lucky you, huh!?

1.  Yesterday at school the power went out during a passing period.  Kids being kids...screaming ensued.  Running and chaos happened.  The sad part is that many of them were not thinking about the storm outside (because they're oblivious middle-schoolers), but they did think there was going to be a shooting.  A sad sign of the times, if you ask me.

2.  It is beyond joyous that Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight have been found.   I just find it sad that society wants, actually expects, to be granted access to all of the gory details of those young women's lives the past ten years.  The media should focus on how to prevent future incidents or things civilians can do to help in outstanding cases instead.  If they would shift their focus, society would as well.

3. The last thing on my mind is a bit more personal.  Let me start on a positive note, though.  Summer break is almost here.  I NEED summer break to be here.  Throughout this school year I made an effort to focus on the positive sides of leaving Cora each day - she's getting irreplaceable bonding time with her grandparents, she is becoming independent and socialized at day care...  But the truth is that at this point I am over it. 

I am sad for her and for me that we don't have the time I believe is important together.

Lately, it overwhelms me to put her in the car first thing each morning, pick her up and drive her home each afternoon - only to then make her eat and put her to bed.  I know many days we have time to play a bit, but she's done at that time of day.  She's given everything she had in her to whoever was with her all day.  It makes me sad that we don't have the balance (playing, learning, cuddling, even disciplining) that I think we need. 



Today is Friday.  And, that is not sad :). 

Catch Up in Reverse

Every weekend in April has been full of activity and super busy.  We've done so much - I thought I'd share a bit of what we've been up  to...

Cora had a Teddy Bear Picnic birthday party this past weekend.  It was perfect weather, and everyone seemd to have a good time.  All of Cora's cousins were there, and it was just too fun.  Since Ava and Lucy were in town, we all went for a train ride that day, too.  There are a lot of cute pictures, but I'll share most of them in their own post. 

I took off on Cora's birthday and got to spend some special one on one time with my girl.  She loved sleeping in, playing at home, and riding the train.

Miles got to go Texas Motor Speedway for the Nascar race on the 13th.  He and Matt had a great time and got to escape from the normal Saturday business for the weekend.  Sarina and I also got to spend girl time with one another and the kiddos - which was a good change from our normal Saturday, too!

We also recently went to Campbell Benjamin's, 1st birthday!  We loved celebrating the big boy at his Texas Rangers themed party.  He seemed to enjoy the attention at his party, and we loved being able to be with him.

Miles and I stole away one Friday night to celebrate our third wedding anniversary.  It was a much needed date night, and we enjoyed each other's company without the distraction of a baby yelling for our attention.  We tried out the new food truck park on the Trinity River.  It was so fun and ultra-cool.  It's totally family friendly, and I definitely want to go back again.  There is a picture of this somewhere, so maybe I'll add it later.

Cora's first Easter was a special day.  She got to spend the night with her cousin, Campbell, and play all morning.  After a failed attempt at sitting through the church service with these two mobile ones, we decided to hang out in the nursery instead.  That afternoon, we went home and had my family over to hunt for eggs and play outside.  The day turned out sunny and warm, so we had a blast hanging out.

 

Here are some adorable pictures of the other random things Cora's been doing around home this past month:

clapping

 

 eating

pulling up on furniture

reading