Counting sheep

Oh my Cora, 

             I am listening to you cry in the other room, while I am eating my breakfast because I am starving and you have woken up early... again. I keep going in to resettle you, but you are a fighter and won't give it up. We are leaving for a family trip in 2 days and you have decided to change around your sleeping schedule to waking up in the middle of the night at least once, if not twice, and you have also decided to wake up very early from your morning nap and not go back to sleep. All of this results in producing a cranky, tired baby mom. Do you think we could work on getting back to how things use to be? You would sleep from 9pm to 7am and take two really good long naps during the day. That was awesome.

Thanks and I love you lots,

Mom

Father's Day and a Birthday

June is a very full month for Howard now that he is a Father. On the 16th he  celebrated his first Father's Day: 

 Howard is an amazing Dad. I knew he loved kids and was really cute with them, but seeing him with his own baby opens my eyes to a whole new side of him that I am loving getting to know. He is such a caring, sweet Father. 

 I am so grateful for the good Fathers in my life! I was raised by an incredible, hard-working, kind Dad and when I got married I discovered I had a funny, thoughtful Father-in-law. I couldn't ask for better Grandpas for Miss Cora. We are lucky gals to have so many awesome men around :] 

On the 21st of this month Howard celebrated his 29th Birthday: 

 After a looong day at work, Howard came home to a party! Ok... just a house filled with tacky decor and table-cloth wrapped gifts :] BUT Cora and I were so excited to have him home to start the birthday celebration! 

After unwrapping his grill, pop-up canopy, and plastic playing cards (Cora's idea) we took off to join our family at Joe's Bar-B-Que. All of Howard's siblings and their spouses (minus Nick and Brad/ Whit) came along with Nana and Papa. It was a lot of fun to have everybody out on the town. 

End note: 

Cora is very wiggly 

My 6mth old

Cora is usually a really good nap taker. This week, however, not so much. I couldn't figure it out! Then, this morning as she woke up an hour early from her nap I was rocking her and the thought came to me,"Check her bottom gums". Sure enough my little 6mth old was cutting her first tooth! I was so excited I picked her up and danced around the room; which caused her to start crying b/c she was still tired. haha :]  I am so happy to see this tiny tooth head peeking out. It is pretty neat AND it explains the crankiness. Relief. 

Other Cora updates: 

- She mimics singing with her baby babble (so cute!). 

- Rolls across the room. 

- Inches forwards and backwards to reach her toys or mom/dad. 

- Eats pureed chicken, squash, banana, and apple.

- Loves to be tickled. 

- Enjoys being outside and playing in the pool. 

- Sits in tripod position for about 30 secs then keels over. 

- Flirts with everyone in sight if being held by mom/dad. 

- Cries when left alone with new people... dang. 

Last week events:

BIG SURF!

 I got a session pass to Big Surf... best idea for an Arizona summer!

Howard and I got dressed up for church and arrived early this week!! This never happens. 

We celebrated our 4yr Anniversary!

 

Love this crazy guy.

Memorial memories. Redundant?

We took a trip up North

Cora got lots of cousin time.

Amelia turned 13 this weekend!! She is a spunky, thoughtful, young lady ;)

Howard copied Jackie's idea to sun tan. 

A trip home: Part 2

Springtime in Bend

Going downtown was one of my favorite things to do this trip. The weather was perfect so we could enjoyed sitting on blanket in the park all afternoon. 

Bend Burger has THE jusiest, most delicious burgers in the Northwest :)I love Cora's expression. Serious business.

View from Pilot Butte of Bend.Lunch date with my Dad! We went to his work afterwards and he had a great time showing off his newest granddaughter. 

I got to visit my good friends, Jane and David Ray. They had just welcomed a sweet, baby boy into their home. 

Ryan and my Dad went on a roadtrip to Utah to get Ryan set-up in a new apartment, so Ryan could start school!! Wahoo :] Go Ryan! 

While the boys were gone, the ladies went for a soak. 

It was so beautiful and compeletly relaxing, until some old guys came in and started doing yoga in the pool...

Cora fell in love with her Aunt Haylee. They have been buddies from the womb... Well, that is what Haylee claims. She did spend a  lot of time talking to my belly. 

Looking at her cute Aunt. In love!

Seriously, who wouldn't adore this face?

 

End note: Cora figured out how to hold onto her toes this trip!! I have been waiting for her to do this since she was born ;) I think it is really cute!