Road Trip! - Days 2 & 3

Before I move on to day three of our vacation, I have to share three photos  I left out of yesterday's post.  They're some of my favorites of our girl.

Like this one of Cora's hair.  It was windy...

And, here is how we bathed Cora each night.  Apparently, only the rooms with two queens have bathtubs.  We made her bathe in a sink, so we could sleep in a king bed. Priorities.

 

I mentioned snack time.  Well, here is how much Cora loved snack time.

 

So, the third day was our tour day.  We did the Alamo tour, the riverboat tour, and toured the oldest cathedral in the nation.  That cathedral also houses the tomb of our famed Alamo heroes.  Poor Cora had a high fever, which we later learned was from a double ear infection.  I think that's why she's crying in the Alamo picture.  In truth, she was just a bit fussier than normal, and Miles and I thought we had let her get sunburned. 

 

At the Alamo

 

 

 

 

 Guess how deep the river is!  It's only 3-4 feet deep in the man made areas.

 

She fell asleep right after getting into the boat, so I'm glad I snapped this picture early.

 

 Back on dry land.

 

 

San Fernando Cathedral

Back to the hotel for motrin and cuddles.  

 

We slept in the next day and headed home mid-morning.  We had a great time on the road, and can't wait to take another trip soon!



Road Trip! - Days 1 & 2

We took a road trip down to San Antonio over Spring Break, and it was such a good vacation. 

 

We stopped for some BBQ on the way.

 

We got there Saturday afternoon - with just enough time for some Riverwalk exercise and to stumble into a bad Mexican food restaurant (which is ridiculous, considering where we were). 

(As a side note: Miles and I sorely suffer from Youngest Child/Never Makes the Plan Syndrom, and. after the restaurant fiasco, we made a plan and stuck to it the rest of the vacation. We are finally learning how to fend for ourselves, when traveling alone!)

 

This bear thrilled Cora Kaye.  

 

Cora was impressed with the view, when she woke up Sunday morning.



 

Our hotel was on the Riverwalk and close enough to everything to walk.  One of my favorite things was that we didn't get back into the car after arriving until we left again on Tuesday!  So, we set off Sunday morning for The Market.  There were shops and food galore. 

 

 

 Waiting for our table at Mi Tierra. 

 Cora just begged and begged for this doll. 

 

The food and the pastries were amazing at Mi Tierra.

 

 

The Texas Ranger Museum we visited that afternoon was also the oldest saloon in Texas, so you can take drinks through the exhibits.  I don't know why I loved that so much.  The museum was kind of a taxidermy show, as well.  Then, it turned into a sort of a Ripley's Believe it or Not. There was also an interactive Western town/fun house.  It all became a bit overwhelming eventually...

 

Drinks filled and ready to go!

Locked up in the jail.

Playing around in Western town.



The fun house was too much for me after that daquiri.  

 

We thought she liked bears, but for some reason she seemed concerned. 

 

Each day we took time to relax at the hotel for our free breakfast and happy hour, with snacks and drinks.  We also had at least one nap time at the hotel per day - for Cora's sake, of course!  It was relaxing, but with plenty to keep our days busy, as well.  I'll update tomorrow or Friday about the third day on our trip.

A Wild TIme

Back in February, we took Cora to the zoo for the first time.  The Fort Worth Zoo is amazing, and we are lucky to be close to such a wonderful place.  We had an awesome time walking around and exploring.  Here are some pictures of our day.

Saying hi to the zoo.

Checking out the gorillas.

It was a beautiful day, and the animals were out and about.

Making a break for it.

Posing with Daddy.

So this is where Sophie came from?

I'll stay here with the bears.  

The zoo is so big that we didn't even make it around to all of the exhibits before we Cora needed a nap.  I'm hoping to take her much more in the future, though, so I'm sure she will see it all!

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!!