11 Months Old Already

Oh my goodness.  I cannot believe I am writing about you being eleven months old, Cora Kaye.  Time has flown by, and it is crazy that next month you will be a full year old.  I won't get all sappy and say how sad I am that you're getting big so quickly because I know it's just the beginning of a lifetime of that feeling.  I'll just move on to tell about this past month with you...

We have been having so much fun with you!  You keep everything in perspective for your daddy and me.  You make everything - mundane or exciting - so much better.  You are just our ultimate joy and favorite person in the world.  I cannot describe how true that is or how those words can't begin to capture the reality of the feelings you give us. 

This month you have gotten quite a bit taller.  I have no measurements to prove that, but I can see it.  Your hair is longer every single day.  Your movements are more and more advanced.  You have no trouble grabbing a specific tiny piece of food, and no trouble pulling a tiny hair or thread off the couch or your clothes.  It's pretty impressive.  Your teeth haven't grown in number, but having come further in each week.  You're beginning to have that toothy toddler grin.

We went on a vacation last week, our little family of three.  You were such an amazing traveler.  Even with a double ear infection and a viral infection that onset while we were out of town, you slept so well, ate well, laughed, and played.  You enjoyed checking the San Antonio scenes out and didn't mind being away from home at all.  That's not to say you weren't excited to get home - because you were.  You were visibly happy to be back in your room with all of your stuff.  It was cute to see.  We also took you to the zoo for the first time this past month, and you thought it was a lot of fun.  You really thought the train ride was cool!

You have a great sense of humor, are still very laid back, very contemplative, super cuddly and sweet, and all around just a happy child.  We are definitely beginning to see more and more opinions from you - about your food, about your activities, about where you're sitting, and whether or not we are playing with you - but I think that's completely normal and expected.  I think you're just learning about who you are and what you want.                    

This Month's Stats
Weight: 20lbs
Height:  unknown
Clothes: 12 months and 12-18mos
Diapers: size 3 (size 4 in Goodnites)

All About You
Hair: dark blond
Eyes: bright blue

-You sleep so well.  I am thankful for that - for my sake, yes, but mainly so that you are rested and happy.  You sleep through the night, from 7 or7:30pm to 7 or 7:30am.  You take a one hour nap and a two hour nap each day (give or take 30mins here or there) in the morning and afternoon.  You mix up the order of those.  This past month you've gone down to sleep very easily, straight from your bottle.  You talk to yourself sometimes before dozing off, but you usually don't cry once we leave you.  Sometimes you are so tired you are pushing me away, so you can stretch out in the comfort of your crib. 

-You eat really well, too.  I dropped one of your bottles this past month.  So, you have three bottles (morning, 3pm, and evening).  They are still about 7 ounces.  You are eating a ton of solids -three meals and at least one snack a day.  You've become very picky about your vegetables, but you love meat.  Of course you love cheese and fruit, too.  If there is something on your tray you don't want, you take care of it.  You just throw it on the floor!  You are drinking more and more water.  However, you will not hold your own sippy cups, bottles, or utensils.  You like to be served (or you want it yourself to throw on the floor). 

-Still no crawling here.  I really don't think you will.  You are completely capable, but do not want to.  That's okay!  You've started scooting (a foot or two at a time, not across the room), if you really must reach for something you desire.  You still prefer to stand and will maneuver around a table on your own.  You started clapping this month, which is just adorable.  You also started sucking/biting your thumb, if you cannot get your binky.  You shake your head back and forth, smiling and laughing like it's the best movement ever.  You really love to share - reaching out your food, toys, or any object you have to hear a, "thank you!" as it's taken.  You've also gotten where you can purposefully (on command) put things inside something else.  This month you stood on your own (no hands or table) three different times, for a few seconds each time.  You are learning how to do so many new things!

You haven't said any new words, but we love your sweet voice.  You are glad to go on rants here and there about who knows what.  It's the best sound in the world!!

-You still dislike having your nose wiped and, at most times, having your diaper changed.  You like most everything else, though.  Being outside is probably in a tie for first with reading books.  You've started to really enjoy stuffed animals, checking out there faces and cuddling with them.  They always bring a smile to your face.  

-Your toys are becoming more of a pleasure again (I think learning to scoot has helped).  You love the activity table, the pop up toy, and your drum most of all.  It's precious to see you play and learn with excitement.  I can't wait to see your imagination bloom in the next eleven months. 

I'm looking forward to so much with you.  I can't wait for this and that, yet I am truly trying to capture and cherish you in the now each month.  You are the sweetest bundle of joy.  We think you are perfect, smart, and beautiful.  I hope you always know that and know how much we love you!

Cora is 10 Months Old

My precious Cora Kaye,

This month can probably be best described as a growing month for you.  You have been getting bigger each day, you are moving rapidly toward toddler hood in the way you act and the things you understand, you are talking up a storm, and you also grew four teeth during this past month (two on 1/25 and two on 2/14)!  Needless to say, you've been busy.  You also are keeping us busy, and it's been a blast.  We are loving it.

You have such a sweet disposition - always ready to give hugs and kisses, almost always happy.  You revel in having one's utmost attention, and you do not like to be ignored.  You take things in so intently, really weighing the situation before diving in.  You laugh, talk, scream, and play with such gusto.  You know what you want, and you know how to get it!  You prefer people to toys this month (or, preferably, people with toys).  You want to mimic and watch others all of the time.  You know where your favorite books, food, and toys are kept, and you keep an eye out so you won't miss your chance with them.  It's amazing seeing you becoming more and more you.

We've been spending a lot more time outside, and it's definitely a pleasure for you.  You get excited each time the back or front door is opened, because you love being out there.  You just bounce up and down in our arms, excited with the anticipation of getting to play.  You aren't the kind of baby who naps in her stroller because you want to take it all in.  You are a maniac in the bath tab, splashing and screaming.  We can't even let you have toys because you get so mad that your play is interrupted to be washed.  You actually throw literal fits at moments like that.  So, that's something new to mention, too - fits.  I don't know who taught you such a thing, but they taught you well.  You will throw a fit at almost every diaper change now, and in any other instance in which you don't get what you want.  It's a shock to us, since you've been so go with the flow for so long.

Ten months old and just too big, is how I would describe you at this moment.  You are too much fun, too precious, and too loveable.  I can't get enough!!

This Month's Stats
Weight: unknown
Height: unknown
Diapers: size 3
Clothes: 9mo still fit, but 12mo fit better

All About You
Hair: blond
Eyes: blue

-You still sleep so well nowadays.  You are asleep by 7:15 most nights, and you will sleep until 7-7:30, when you don't have school.  You take two great naps a day, an hour in the morning and two in the afternoon (give or take a few).  You are the type of sleeper who can be transferred from car to bed, if you haven't been asleep for too long, yet.  That's definitely helpful at times!  You are still a belly sleeper, rolling over as soon as your good and asleep.  Up until this past month, you never were "fed to sleep," which was a great thing according to all of the books.  But, I have totally given in to giving you a bottle in your room with the lights off and music on before bed - that's how I miraculously fixed the "crying to sleep" I mentioned last month.  I don't know what I'll do, when we have to drop that bottle!

-You eat four 6-7oz bottles a day, at 6 or 7am, 11am, 4pm, and 7pm.  You eat solids three times a day, at 9am and 1pm.  You love food.  Some funny, extreme dislikes on your first try lately were cottage cheese and scrambled eggs.  The faces you make are hilarious.  Usually, you are just a hoot while you eat - talking and banging, telling me all about it.

-Crawling has not been your thing.  You don't like it, you won't go forward, and you don't understand that you could actually get where you wanted to go backwards, either.  I don't know what to think about that, but I think you're perfect the way you are.  So, moving on to your best movement, one I'm seeing develop more and more each day - standing!  You love to stand and play at your activity cube or table.  You will even move around it to get to what you want.  You aren't completely stable, but are getting there.  You also are trying to pull up on everything.  The only thing is, you haven't figured out how to put your feet beneath you.  I know you'll get it soon.  When you're already in the standing position, you will pull so hard, too, that your feet will come off the ground.  You do this on the bathtub, while we watch it fill up and on your activity table.  It's hilarious.

You talk nonstop lately.  You are saying "dada," not only in context but for everything.  You attempt to say dog, too.  You babble all of the time, though, and it is the sweetest sound, that voice of yours!

-Your likes and dislikes haven't changed much, just more of what I've mentioned above.  You are very into playing outside (the swing is still a hit), you love your activity table, you are sort of obsessed with a few of your books, and you mainly like being given undivided attention and being played with constantly.  As long as that's the case, you are happy!  Oh, I haven't mentioned binky in a while, but you still love your binky, too.

You are not as happy to sit and play in the exersaucer anymore.  You don't like getting your diaper changed or having your face cleaned.

-Toys have become second fiddle to a person, to trying to move.  I think once you're moving on your own, they'll become your passion once again.  You're still the sweetest about music, books, and games like peek a boo.  You are so fun to play with.

I think everything about you is fun, even the fits.  I think that you are getting so big, and I have to say that no matter how fast you're growing you'll always, always be my itty bitty baby.

We love everything about you, so so much, Cora!!

A Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a girl.

She met a boy, in a likely scenario - through her brother.  The boy wore a bow tie and rode a bicycle backwards to impress the girl.  The girl was just impressive (all on her own without the theatrics).

The boy and girl began to rack up the phone bill with long distance calls and take thirty dollar round trip flights to visit one another.  The boy finished vet school, while the girl moved nearby and worked at a bank.  The girl and the boy fell in love.

The boy asked the girl to marry him.  The girl said yes.  The family all gathered for the wedding.  The girl and the boy said, "I do," and the boy kissed the girl. There was cake and punch to celebrate afterwards.

The girl and the boy had three babies.  The girl and the boy showed the babies what it meant to work hard, play hard, and love hard.  The boy and the girl made it look easy.  You see, the boy and the girl had each other, and the boy and the girl knew they were lucky.

The girl and the boy are still in love.  The boy still does tricks to show off for the girl, and the girl is still impressive (all on her own without the theatrics).  The girl and the boy take care of one another.

The girl and the boy are an example of a real life fairy tale done right - that is why the girl and the boy are celebrating their thirty-eighth anniversary tonight!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!Ps. We know you're really only still together for the dogs' sake.  

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!!