Nine Months

Nine months. 
Nine months of my itty-bitty baby. 
Nine months of loving you, and I can't get enough.

It's been such a fabulous month, Cora Kaye!  You have turned on the charm more and more each day - laughing and reacting to everything.  You've become a little silly, I would say.  It's as if someone turned on a humor switch inside you, and now you know when things are jokes or meant to be funny.  You'll look at us for a reaction, asking "Isn't what I just did, funny?"  You love for the wind to pick up your hair, or for us to blow on it.  You suck in your breath and open your eyes wide, giving the sweetest exclamation of joy.  You scoot with pleasure at games, your swing, and songs. You ball up your fists and pump them up and down in pure excitement. 

I was able to spend two weeks with you this month, when I was off of work for the break.  I loved being with you all day, every day.  It brought back memories of your first few months, where you were my little buddy throughout the day.  Oh, during our time together, you were cuddly with me - hugging, patting, laying your head on me.   I just soaked it all up.  I did not want to have to go back to work.  You're just that fun to be around! On the other hand, you've gone back to day care and your grandmothers' homes with the aforementioned excitement and smiles - sharing your preciousness with all the people you know and love.

You've also started to really want to hang out with other kids.  You watched Ava and Lucy's every move, when we visited them in Houston for Lucy's second birthday.  They were free entertainment!  Campbell and you have been enjoying staring at and reaching for one another.  You also think it's wonderful to take one another's toys (oh no, it's starting!).  You think other children are the best.  I think you're already a people person. 

Obviously, you had your first holiday season this past month.  You got to celebrate your first Hanukkah and Christmas with so much family and love.  You made it the most special holiday season your daddy and I've ever experienced. 

In fact, these have been the most special nine months of our lives. 
We think everything about you is special.

This Month's Stats
Weight: *doctor's appointment on Monday, so will update at that time
Height:  *doctor's appointment on Monday, so will update at that time
Diapers:  size 3
Clothes:  9 months & 12 months

All About You:

Hair: more and more every day - blond? :)
Eyes: Blue

-Your sleeping pattern has not changed from last month's.  You go to sleep by 7:30pm most nights, and you will sleep until 7:30am, when allowed.  Most days I have to get you up to eat and get dressed before work.  I love the mornings that you wake up early on a Saturday, but you'll go right back to sleep in bed with us.  Those are the best cuddle sessions ever.  You still take great naps, an hour in the morning and an hour or two in the afternoon.  There is one new thing, that I'm hoping is not really a thing.  For the past few nights, you have had to have a crying it out session to go to sleep.  No matter if we pick you up and rock you, pat you and shoosh you, pop binky back in and book it - you will not actually go to sleep until you've cried for a short time.  I think you're possibly just that much more aware that you're being left alone, but it kills me.  Daddy definitely has to deal with bedtime at that point each night, as it tugs a bit too hard on my heart strings.   

-You eat 6-7 ounces four or five times a day (depending on wake up time).  You eat three meals a day.  Your solids list goes on and on.  But, this month you did start eating some "real" food!  I know I won't keep up with this list, but for posterity's sake I'd like to record a few of your first foods: Mexican rice, blueberries, bananas, black eyed peas, cheese, and chicken. 

-Oh, you still wish you could crawl forward.  I say forward, because you have got crawling backwards down!  You are so cute, when you get mad that you're getting further away from what you want.  Jackson is usually our most effective tool to get you to give it your all (more on that in the "likes" section).  You are scooting around in excitement, almost like a little dance.  You pinch and pat me all of the time -  I think it's out of love, although the pinching leaves me questioning that sometimes.  All in all, you've just become a wiggle worm.  You want to move, you want me to hold you, you want to stand, sit, lean - one right after the other.  You want to do it all!

In the vocal department, there are no words, just lots of noises.  You are much more likely to mimic your dad than me.  You are babbling, screaming, and laughing a lot.  You have a new laugh this month that I call your fake laugh.  You laugh/cough - just a one syllable giggle - at something we do.  We appreciate your fake laughs at our attempts to be funny. 

-The dislikes you have are similar to last month's.  You don't like to be sat down, when you're tired or hungry.  You don't like to have your nose wiped, and you especially don't like to have something you want taken away from you. 

Some new joys in your life are that you started swinging in your outdoor swing (and loving it).  You didn't want to be sat down the other day (tired), so you lost it, as I sat you in the swing.  Once I gave it a gentle push, voila, smiles all the way!  You enjoy commercial jingles, as Cappy discovered.  But, Jackson is probably your ultimate delight.  He loves you, too.  You laugh and squirm every time he walks by, comes into the room, lays by you, anything.  We just have to work on that hair pulling...

-Toys are your pleasure, your discovery, your life outside of cuddles and observations.  You are into anything within your reach.  Some days you want the musical, light up, sensory-overload toys, and some days you just want a tupperware bowl.  Most days you want both.  You love books, songs, and stories.  You have a passion for things your can chew on.  You got a ball for Christmas, and went from not knowing what to do with it to being able to roll it back and forth with me.  You're so smart and inquisitive! 

I've been learning, these nine months, what it means when people use the phrase, "your heart walking around outside of you."  Even though you don't walk, you are my heart, and it aches with love for you all of the time.  We love everything about you, Cora Kaye!

Christmas 2012

The holiday season has come and gone, and it's now 2013.  What can I say?  I am a little behind and have to post all about Cora's first Christmas.    So, if you're over seeing every one's Christmas memories, this post is not for you!  I did manage to minimize the length of this post by creating some collages of all of our pictures.

First up, Christmas Eve...

We were attempting a little family photo, but Ben totally stole the show.  Too funny!

Santa was caught on his way to a neighbor's house, Cora was caught under a hat, Scarlett was caught by her Jama and Poppy, and my mom and Scarlett were caught baking treats.

Everyone enjoyed some "minute to win it" games that night.  The puzzle was not completed, as the table turned out to be too small.  Poor Cora was busy with her nebulizer and too tuckered out for games.

Christmas morning arrived - and Santa had stopped by, while we were sleeping...

Cora asked for an activity cube, and that was just what she found waiting for her.  She didn't waste any time jumping on in for some play time.  

Miles got a new camera, with a quick snap speed and lots of cool features.  I was surprised with a beautiful necklace that has mine and Cora's birthstones.

After our morning at home, we went to Miles' family's Christmas...

Cora and Campbell were the center of our attention all day.  With a few stops for family pictures and time to enjoy the fresh snowflakes.

Some lap time with Cappy and Ruesy was all the rage.  As was the awesome train exhibit with Daddy and floor time with Brett and Matt!

Here come the gifts!  It was so special and fun to open gifts with Campbell and Cora on their first Christmas.  Too bad they didn't get anything ;).  

We had an amazing Christmas with our families.  Cora was a trooper, as she wasn't feeling that great during these few days.  It was such an awesome experience to wake up with our baby Christmas morning and celebrate her first Christmas, though.   Living close to our parents is amazing for many reasons, but getting to be with everyone and have our own little family time is just an example of how we truly have it all. 

I can't thank our families enough for spoiling our sweet girl.  We loved being together with everyone and feel so lucky to have such love surrounding us during the holidays and throughout the whole year.  

And, Esparza family - we missed y'all this year!

Merry Christmas 2012!!

Thanksgiving 2012

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It was a Thanksgiving that we truly had so much to be thankful for.  Topping the list: sweet, adorable baby girl, good health, loving family, and awesome friends - of course!  Each year, we alternate which of our family's we spend Thanksgiving with to keep things light on the tummy and heavy on the quality time. 

This year was my family's year.  My parents hosted a wonderful day for us.  Let me list the highlights - I'm sure they're similar to your day...

-amazing food (duh)
-dad sleeping in the living room (duh)
-hugs and kisses each time I caught a kiddo
-getting great advice, as usual, from my sister
-trying to take a family picture, in which each person has an opinion about lighting, planes, and configurations of said family (a Brier family tradition, with film footage as proof)
-playing a card game in which you try to beat one another in speed and strategy
-football (duh)
-checking on my baby, while she slept in the closet
-going for a golf cart ride with my brother
-watching my mom spoil my daughter with her first matching "girl cousins' gift" (adorable boots)
-going to the Parade of Lights in Fort Worth

I really enjoyed pausing this season to think about everything I have to be thankful for.  I would not be able to make a list that was all encompassing because I am just too blessed.  I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving, almost two months ago, too!  Here are some pictures of the family.

Adorable, growing up so fast, Ben.

Ava, who always looks at Cora so sweetly!

Little Lucy.

I love this picture!

Mom and Dad.

Poppy and Jama.

Jan and Barry.

My blue-eyed girl.

The cute eyebrow.

Our first Thanksgiving as a family of three.

Eight Months of Cora

I started this post before the holidays, just after Cora turned 8 months old.  Needless to say, I am just posting it, but it might read like it was written earlier than now - because it was!  A little side note - Cora is actually eight months and three weeks old, or thirty-seven weeks old, now.  That is how long I was pregnant, and I can't believe how quickly this time with her has gone!  

Cora, you are a whole eight months old and perfect.  This month,  you continue to be so fun, sweet, and adorable.  Heading into this holiday season is extra exciting, knowing you are intrigued by everything around you. One of the biggest changes in you this past month is your awareness.  You know who is around you, who is holding you, if someone leaves the room, etc.  It is so cute to see you reaching for people, especially if it's me :).  You also went through the cuddliest of stages this and last month, preferring to be rocked fully to sleep.  However, you've recently reverted to the newborn you - where you can be rocked fully to sleep but always wake up and go through your own going-to-sleep process.  I enjoyed you being super cuddly at the beginning of this month.

I'm sure this next statement will make me laugh upon later reflection, but all of the sudden you are into everything!  If it's in your reach, it's to be yours.  You are learning about everything and just so curious.  You are content to sit and play for long periods of time.  You will actual get angry and throw a "fit," if something you're playing with is taken away from you (the remote, for example).  Toys are your discovery tools, and we truly enjoy watching you and playing with you, too.  It was hilarious this month, when I watched you go down your first slide.  It was a huge inflatable slide at your cousin Scarlett's fifth birthday party.  You didn't know what to think.  You did start to enjoy a little fake dropping and other adrenaline pumping activities, though.  I hope you love those types of fun things in the future.

Again this month we've watched as you've become more and more you, and I mean it, when I say you're perfect.  Seeing you grow and change this month has reminded me of the innocence of children.  You are unaware of anything negative in the world, of any modesty/self consciousness that comes with age.  And, I love, love, love seeing that in you.  I have such an important and amazing job in being your mother and helping you to keep that innocence in all of the right ways.  You make being a mother so special.

This Month's Stats

Weight: 17lbs 11oz at a doctor's visit just past the eight month mark
Height:  unknown
Diapers: size 3 
Clothes: 9 months

All About You:

Hair: more and more everyday - blond? :)
Eyes: Blue

-Your sleeping pattern is still the similar to last month's.  You go to sleep between 7 and 8 each night.  On weekends, when you can sleep as late as you please, you sleep until 7:30 now!  You've had a ridiculous amount of congestion and coughing that definitely interferes with your "sleeping through the night" sometimes.  I'm not going to lie, though, holding you upright so you can sleep, on those rare occasions, is a pleasure not a pain.  You take good naps, an hour in the morning and around two hours in the afternoon.  

-It's official - you eat solids regularly.  You are a little eating monster, who must have her solids or gets too hungry to function properly.  It's usually a yogurt or flavored oatmeal for breakfast and a vegetable and fruit mixed with rice cereal for lunch and dinner.  You also still have 6-7ounce bottles five times a day.

-Oh, you wish you could crawl.  It's not so much that you actually want to do the moving yourself, but you want to be able to get to anything you desire.  You don't rock back and forth, yet, but you move from sitting to your stomach to reach things.  I bet I will have more to say on this topic next month.  Otherwise, your movement changes this month has been that you sit up completely on your own, no pillows necessary.  You can hang on for a minute, if I stand you up to hold on to the couch or table.  You also are really reaching your arms toward people to hold you more than ever.

Sounds are pretty similar to the past months - with lots of laughing, squealing, talking, and crying.  You are louder every day!

-Some dislikes you have would include having your nose wiped, being in a room alone (sometimes), having things taken away from you, gross tasting medicine, getting woken up abruptly, and you even sometimes get mad when someone you don't know walks by or looks at you.  You enjoy so much, but a few likes worth mentioning are your daddy's belly blows, when we pretend to eat your hands, your dog, your grandmothers, kisses, and songs.

-Toys, as I mentioned above, are your ultimate pleasure and mode of discovery right now.  You are beginning to do all sorts of things with toys on your own.  Turning pages in books, opening and closing little doors, clacking things together to make delightful noises that please you very much, and all sorts of things.  It is so sweet to read to you.  You really love books!  I hope that continues.  You are into music.  You recognize when we sing songs over and over to you, and you give the cutest smiles.

We love everything about you Cora Kaye!!

Seven Lucky Months

Cora, this past Friday you turned seven months old.  For seven months you've been growing and changing, and all of that changing seemed to start happening so much quicker this month.   Each week it is something new - something new and oh so adorable, of course!

Guess what you started doing right after last month's post?  You will give kisses.  Usually this is a dramatic grab of the face, open-mouthed wet one you plant on the receiver's cheek or mouth.  It's the best!  I am constantly saying, "Cora, give Mama a kiss," and, if you aren't too into something else at the time, you will oblige.  A few times this month, when I picked you up from day care, you did this immediately without any provoking.  Melt my heart.  You also learned something from Daddy - something a lot of people call blowing raspberries (making the phwphw sound with your lips and spitting at the same time).  Oh, this was a favorite activity of yours instead of sleeping, while you were teething.  I guess you just had a lot of drool to play with!  Speaking of teething, on October 24th you popped both of your middle bottom teeth at the same time.  We were duly impressed.

In the past month, you spent your second full night without us, when we attended my high school reunion.  You were perfect, as usual.  You also had your longest stint without me, when I had to go to San Marcus for a school event.  I minded, but you didn't.  You had a grand ole' time with your dad.  You also got sick, again.  This time it was a cold that you handled with barely a fuss.  Your congestion hung on and led to your first ear infection and fever, just this past week.  I guess you just wanted to go out of your sixth month of life with a bang.

You continue to be the sweetest baby.  You are smiley and happy, cuddly and cute.  You have really begun to be into everything - everything we're holding, everything you're seeing, hearing, eating, etc.  You are super observant and curious.

I love everything about you, Cora Kaye...

This Month's Stats

Weight: 15lbs 11oz at a doctor's visit towards the end of the month
Height: unknown
Diapers: size 3 (still trying to get rid of some size 2 diapers, though)
Clothes: 6-9 months

All About You:

Hair: Thickening fuzz, still think it looks blond, light brown, or even strawberry blond in different light
Eyes: Blue

-Your sleeping pattern is very similar to last month's.  You go to sleep between 7:00-8pm.  You wake up between 5-6:30am to eat and usually go back to sleep (until we leave on a weekday morning or until you naturally wake up on the weekends).  You take two good naps a day, and sometimes you snooze in the car no matter what!  You still sleep on your belly or side most nights.  Sometimes you cry for your binky once a night, but most of the time you sleep all night long.  The cough you had really troubled you at night and you were up a bit more than normal on those nights.  But, don't worry, we aren't counting that!

-Your feeding pattern is to eat about five times a day, starting with that early morning feeding.  You have been taking six to seven ounces in your bottles.  We are regularly feeding you solids in the evening, and I'm trying to get better about making it three meals a day.  You are loving food lately!  Your current favorite flavor is pear.  If there is pear in there, I have to have plenty or you get angry.  You are good about eating your vegetables, as long as I don't give you the fruit until afterwards.  You really dislike this one mixed vegetable I've bought you, with potatoes, cucumber, and green beans in it.  That doesn't sound good to me, either.  It has been a fun little adventure starting you on solids.  You make priceless faces, when you like or dislike a food.  

-You are changing so quickly, that it is hard to recount your sound and movement changes this month.  You are sitting up on your own, but you will still fall over unexpectedly.  You are really good at leaning back on a pillow and moving yourself into the sitting position, though.  You also will move from sitting onto your belly to better maneuver towards a toy.  You reach out for us more often than you used to.  When we are holding you, you will just dive toward whatever you want.  We have to be careful!  

Your laugh is still the most precious sound in the world.  You do this screaming thing leading into a laugh, too.  It's hilarious.  You had a week this month, when you first realized you could scream, where you screamed all of the time.  You discovered you could bang your toys on the table or high chair and make a loud noise, so you do that all of the time, too.  Anything new you learn, you love to do over and over again.  We love to hear and see it over and over again, so that works out.  

-Toys are so exciting for you.  They're how your play and learn.  It's been really exciting for us to realize what a genius you are, too!  You are into any toy, really.  You still love the one's that are electronic.  You are getting way more into books than you used to be.  I've been reading to you all along, but you weren't too interested.  Now, you really study the pictures and listen well.  You had a favorite book this month, Peek a Who.  If you could see that book, you wanted it over anything else.  

Cora, I cannot imagine how much you will have changed by the next monthly update.  How amazing it is to be your mommy and be the one getting to nurture that growth.  You have made this a very lucky seven months.  We love you so very much baby girl!

Happy (belated) Halloween 2012

Cora's first Halloween can't go unmarked, so, better late than never, I am sharing some pictures of my little doll.  Enjoy!

It's time for trick-or-treatin', 

there's candy to be eaten,

at night we'll all be meetin'.

Come on, it's Halloween!

It's going to be scary,

like dollies very hairy,

 look out, they're everywhere-y!

Come on, it's Halloween!

Class of 2002

This past October was my ten year high school reunion.  My friends, in charge of planning, did an amazing job putting things together.  Spending time with my best friends was definitely the best part.

We met up for lunch on Saturday.  Kelly met Cora for the first time.  It means a lot that my friends love my baby girl, too.  They all wanted me to bring her - which was nice of them. :)

Saturday night was the big shindig.  It was in downtown Fort Worth, so we got all dolled up and went out. 

One really cool feature at the reunion was the Flipbook booth.  My friends can testify that I was immediately OBSESSED.  You would stand in front of a screen and do your thing with props and your peeps (yes, this was such a hip thing that I feel the need to say "peeps"), while it films you for seven seconds.  Then, they cut up all of the images captured and make a flipbook for you.

After the reunion we went to the Flying Saucer, which is at a new and improved venue (old 8.0s location).  So fun to be together.  We have to make it happen more often.