Day Care, Rolling Over and Valentine's Day!

Cora had her first official week at the "Grandpooba and Buddy Day Care Center" and had a GREAT time, while I had my first week back at work and had a much harder time. The transition has been really tough. I miss my little midget so much when I'm at work and the logistics and planning of it all (especially trying to get out of the house by 7:30 a.m. with everything for the day) is a bit tricky. Luckily though, I have such a great set-up and am able to work from home Thursday and Friday so I know it will get better once we all get used to the transition. 

At day care, Cora plays on her jungle mat, eats, listens to music, gabbers (or squeals!) away and plays with her grandma and grandpa all day long.  Everyone has a really great time!

On Friday, Cora weighed in at 9 lbs and 7 ounces!  We love that she is getting bigger and I'm excited that she has finally graduated from Newborn diapers at 14 weeks! Plus, now she is fitting into some of her adorable 3-month-old outfits. Also, she is rolling over from her front onto her back! She's a strong little thing. Hopefully I'll capture a video of her roll in the next week.

Nat's birthday also happens to be on Valentine's Day so we did a lot of celebrating this past week. Cora did her best to dress for the occasion!

Here are a few more photos and videos from the past week!

"And the days go by ..."

My idealistic and career focused 20-year-old self would have been in disbelief knowing that at thirty-one I would be living in a tiny town in Idaho, married, and have the most beautiful little girl in the entire world. My life focus has drastically changed since I was 20, when my concerns revolved around finding the perfect major to help launch me into a successful high-paying career, traveling abroad to experience and digest all the world has to offer, and of course, figuring out what bars had free cover and best "ladies night" specials.  When I would think about my future back then, I probably figured I would be traveling the world as a photojournalist or running a non-profit in a third world country. I'm sure I would have sprinkled an amazing husband and a kid or two into the picture, but it just seemed so far away and intangible.

Well, yesterday, I turned thirty-one and today little Cora turned 3-months old. Although my only trips in these last three months consisted of driving to Boise and Twin Falls (oh and numerous trips to Alberstson's), and although I am not traveling the world as a fancy journalist or non-profit executive, I have had some of the happiest days of my life as a mom and a wife these last few months.

I have to return to work on Monday, and have mixed emotions. While I've NEVER before wanted to be a stay at home mother, the idea now sounds like heaven. These precious days revolving solely around feeding, pumping, changing and playing with little Cora have been indescribably amazing and I am so sad they are melting away so quickly. I also feel like I'm FINALLY not constantly worried that she isn't eating enough, or that her machine will siren because she stops breathing and it's so nice to just relax and play with her and enjoy her now. I also feel more comfortable about dealing with her cleft palate issues which is great. Of course, all of this is finally happening when it's time to go back to work ...
 

Thank goodness though- Nat's parents will be watching her for a while and I will only be in the office three days a week to start, which I know is the most ideal situation I could possibly ask for. I feel so lucky and fortunate, but I know it will still be a little tough. But I do really enjoy my job and love the people I work with, and, if I didn't go back, I know I would be letting my 20-year-old "I can conquer anything" self down.  So, I better suck it up and go back to work. Hopefully I won't be a total wreck next week ....

On a happier note- here are some fun photos from this week!

Cute Explosion

Name: Cora Azalea

Age: 12 Weeks

Weight: 8 lbs 10 ounces

Occupation: Being Adorable

New Tricks: Blowing Bubbles

Prepare yourself for a serious cute explosion .....

 

 

All this hard work being cute deserves a good drink with dad....

Tiny Dancer

Girl's Week!

While Cora is nestled in my left arm and I slowly peck away at this key board, I am treasuring every single moment of these magical days of being a stay-at-home mom. 

Little Miss Cora and I are spending some major quality time together this week while dad is away for work. We really miss dad, but the days fly by and revolve around feeding wee little Cora. In hopes to pack on the ounces, Cora continues to eat, eat, eat all day (and some of the night) long! At weighing in at 8 pounds and 4 ounces this week, all the pumping, feedings and bottle cleanings seem to be paying off.  When we aren't eating or sleeping, we play for hours on Cora's play mat, go on walks in the baby Bjorn (now that its finally back in the 20s!) and Cora loves to spend time in her swing (which thankfully gives me a break to get a few things done!).

Cora has been grabbing her toys, tracking objects (she especially loves to watch Tanner!) and loves to kick and dance while laying on her back. 

Cora's also been continuing to work on her smiles! Good thing no one is home, because I spend countless hours doing silly things to make her smile.  She really loves the itsy-bitsy spider :)

Cora and I have had a lot of visitors this past week. Below is a photo of Cora and her boyfriend Henry who was born a day before Cora! He's trying to put his arm around her and she is having nothing of it :)

Here are a few more photos of us Coraing around this week.

Smiley Little One

7 pounds, 14 ounces today! Yippee!

This miniature heavy weight was been busy this week hanging out with friends and had a surprise visit from her aunt Sarah and uncle Garrett from Colorado :) Despite freezing temperatures, Cora had so much fun hanging out and entertaining her new friends.

Cora's now incredibly smiley and no matter how tired mom and dad are, the minute she wakes up (which is still at all times of the night or day) she has the cutest little smile on her face.  She is such a happy baby and loves trying to figure out how exactly her hands are related to her body and squeaks and squeals in delight when she realizes she is in control of her long little fingers.  Cora is also tracking her toys (and Tanner too!) and is getting incredibly strong- so strong in fact, that she can dance (with assistance) and can hold her head and her chest up.  She is also trying so darn hard to get her body off the ground.  We think she'll be crawling before we know it!!     

Everyday Cora gets bigger and stronger and mom and dad fall more and more in love with her by the minute.  

Little Mini

Happy Two Months Cora!

At 21 inches long and 7lbs 9oz, Cora falls into the 25th percentile in length and only the first percentile in weight. She's such a tiny little thing but is growing steadily so we will just keep working away at trying to fatten her up. She might just be a little mini for quite a while. 

Cora's really strong though, she's holding her head and neck up well and wants to scoot and roll over so much!  She's also beginning to track objects and is smiling away!  

Cora was very brave today because she had to get her 2 month shots. I think it was harder for mom to see her cry! We sure hope she sleeps well and isn't too fussy tonight!

A Whole New Year

Happy 2013!  

The holidays were extra special this year with Cora in the world.  

Grandma and Grandpa Beahm were able to make it up to Idaho to share Cora's first Christmas! (We missed Marisa though!) It was a great week with many awesome gifts and lots of quality family time.  Cora spent many hours doing her favorite thing in the world- snuggling on grandma and grandpa while being rocked in her favorite chair.  

 

Cora's also becoming much more alert, and although she didn't really understand Christmas yet, she loved checking out the wrapping paper and lights on the Christmas tree. Cora also was able to meet Grandpa Beahm for the first time and she loves him so much! What a wonderful Christmas! 

Cora spent New Years Eve cuddled up with mom.  It was super cold outside so we didn't want to brave the cold and rang in the new year at home with dad.  What an amazing year it has been, and we are all so excited for what is in store!!