Play time!

Nan and Pop put together this toy for Cora when they were over when Cora was tiny. She was about three weeks old in this shot. I got nostalgic and hunted it down in the computer, because yesterday I changed the play mat into its next incarnation, since Cora is getting so big.
Here she is in her "new" cave/crawl-through tent/whatever you want to call it. And click on the video to see live-action play.

Seven months

Yes, it's been a few days since we've checked in here. Sorry about that! I have an excuse though. On Sunday we went to Magic Mountain for Stacey's annual work picnic, and we also "celebrated" Cora's seven-month birthday. Stace enjoyed showing off the baby, and the baby enjoyed her first ride on the merry-go-round and first time in a petting zoo. She liked the goats. Sadly we forgot our camera, so I used the opportunity to get to know my new camera phone better. I thought it would be relatively simple to get the photos onto our computer and then onto the blog. I was wrong. We have to go to Rite-Aid and save them to a disk, and that just hasn't happened yet.

Instead of those photos, you are looking at Cora enjoying grated apple today. On Tuesday night we went to the grocery store and we bought some special baby cereal for Cora, and some puffed cereal that she can pick up and eat. Today she had a bit of apple as a snack and at dinner, while Stace and I had steak and zucchini (courgette) grilled on our new barbecue, Cora had a bit of cereal. The second photo is from the Classic Car show we went to Saturday night. We had a good time, but it was a long evening following some late afternoon pool time and church. Thus Cora missed a nap or two, and then didn't sleep well Saturday night. That meant Mommy didn't sleep much either. I'm not used to that any more! I am so spoiled. And speaking of sleeping, here is the sleeping beauty.

Crowning Achievement

First, a photo of how Cora entertained herself while her Daddy was working hard in our bedroom. Still no teeth, and the signs I spotted last weekend have seemed to die down again. (Speaking of teeth, Cora's friend Kelsie, who is three weeks older, has EIGHT!)
And here is the moulding. Stace did a wonderful job, as he always does. He even kept his temper! Please ignore the little pieces of blue tape. I think this could be the last project we do here, we'll see.
Since our bedroom is now so clean after we cleaned it up, I decided it was time to take Cora's bassinet apart to store it at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Up into the attic also will go her newborn stuff, including the pacifiers. Cora found one of them and this time thought it seemed really interesting to mouth.
Today is our fourth wedding anniversary, so Stace and I will enjoy a dinner out without the baby. Should be fun!

Daddy's loud!

Here's Cora's reaction to Stace hammering in the nails into the moulding. (Yes, that's Stace hitting his thumb at the end of the clip.)

Back to front!

Cora is now turning over! She started turning from her back to her front a couple of weeks ago, but in the last few days she's really started doing it deliberately. This is how I found her when I came in to get her after a nap on Saturday - on her tummy, pushing up. This means we now should have the crib bar up all the way, instead of half down as we've had it so far. The last few naps and nights, she's been sleeping either on her tummy or side, or still on her back. You never know how you'll find her. She has also been chewing on her hands and thumb a lot, so perhaps we'll be spotting a tooth soon.
With the insane heat, we decided to go to Ventura on Friday after Stace got off work. It was glorious to experience temps in the 70s again! Cora even got a bit more use out of her little denim coat. We watched the surfers in the sea and then walked around downtown and had dinner. The restaurant was perfect, VERY kid friendly. As soon as we got Cora situated in her high chair, the waitress brought a stacking toy for Cora to chew on and assured us that they sanitize the toys in the dishwasher after every use. The different wooden rings kept Cora entertained as she chewed them, banged them on the table, talked to them and threw them on the floor. Stace and I, meanwhile, enjoyed a fun game called "picking up wooden rings."
We've spent our long Labor Day weekend at work in the house - might as well as it's too hot to do much outside. Stace is finishing up the crown moulding in our bedroom. Photos coming soon, of course!

Future England Star

A few things I've learned I shouldn't do: wear earrings, have my breakfast cereal within kicking distance, and let Cora help me bring in the clean, dry clothes.
The earrings have been off a couple of weeks, since Cora started giving me her hugs and kisses. When she grabbed my face, one earring went flying. Thankfully Stace watched it happen and he picked it up right away.
As for the cereal, I normally have my breakfast while Cora has hers, and we're both in front of the computer. I try to be careful to keep my food away from her, since she s so grabby nowadays. But earlier this week, her flying foot found a good target and my cereal, milk and spoon went flying. A good amount landed in the keyboard. At least it's an old keyboard and one we've been planning to replace.
And with it being so hot, I've been drying a lot of our clothes outside. I just can't bear to have the dryer on, heating up the bathroom. Cora was in a great mood the other morning so I held her as I piled clean clothes on my arm. Anyone who knows Cora knows what happened next - she spit up all over! In general, I'd say she's spitting up less these days than she had been, but she got the clothes good.
The photos show that Stace already has Cora playing with the England football. She also really likes her singing elephant, and knows how to activate the singing.
The last pic shows Cora with her new best friend. She has come to really love Somer, and smiles whenever she hears the cat meow. Today the three of us sat on Cora's floor and had a nice time together. I had to bring Somer over of course, but I was surprised and pleased when she stayed put without my having to force her down. I helped Cora pet the cat, and all went well.

Daddy's girl

Stacey and Cora are getting along well these days. There were a few months early on where Stace wanted to play with Cora, but she only had eyes for me. Now, though, she smiles at her daddy and has given him the same sort of hugs and kisses that she gives me. He makes her giggle with his funny voices, and they enjoyed the pool together tonight. We're in another heat wave, and it was 88 degrees when we went to the pool at 8 o'clock. The high today in SClarita was 109.
Cora is getting old enough to play some classic baby games. Peekaboo is a favorite already, and the other day I entertained her by hiding her little stuffed ladybug under a burp rag. Also, while I did the dishes, I gave her a wooden spoon and pot. I showed her how to bang them, and she liked that. She also liked mouthing the spoon - everything goes into her mouth these days. Speaking of her mouth, she has started making some new noises the last few days. She now says, "mmmm mmmm mmmmm" in addition to the "aaaaaaaaaaa" we so often hear.
Lastly, I am showing off my new haircut. The last time I got my hair cut, I kept it the same style I've had and got a basic trim. Stace gave me a hard time, saying it didn't look like I'd had anything done for the money. This time, I requested 2 inches off and layers. I was very pleased with the result. My husband, despite my dropping hints a couple of times that I had had my hair cut in the afternoon, said not a word about the change. He later apologized and said he liked it, but that no, he wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't said anything. (sigh)

Fun with water

Doctor visit pics

Cora liked playing with the crinkly paper this time - her last visit she hated it and cried!

Here's Cora with Dr. Kathy Brockett, my pediatrician when I was younger.

Giving mom a hug

After the shots - see the bandaid - and not sure whether to continue crying or to start smiling.

The best snack. See how her hair is getting lighter? She gets that from her daddy!

The joy of bathing

Obviously, Daddy gave her this bath.

Rubber ducky, you're the one, you make bathtime so much yum...

Ready, set...

Cora had her 6-month checkup on Wednesday. The doctor was pleased with her progress, and validated how I am doing with feeding her, giving her whatever table food I'm having that seems appropriate for Cora. For the numbers: Cora is 15 pounds, 10 ounces (35.8 percentile); 26 3/4 inches long (77th percentile) and her head is 17.3 inches around (84th percentile) so very similar to all of her other visits as far as where she is on the growth charts. Healthy, and more of a long and lean body than plump. She had one oral vaccine and two shots - so two less than last time. She cried during the shots of course, but settled quickly. We then went to the pet shop, where she laughed when the birds made their whistling noises.
Cora and I survived our first overnight at home without Daddy. Stace had to go on a quick business trip, but he's home safely now.

Food, Glorious Food!

Cora has entered a whole new world.
You can see her here LOVING the banana, and in the video in the entry below.
Cora now wants to try whatever it is we are having. On Sunday morning we went out to breakfast with John and Linda and their girls, and Cora entertained herself with a bit of pancake and a bite of breakfast potato. In the evening, Stace and I went to another restaurant and she was eagerly watching me fill my chips with salsa and guacamole - she really wanted some too! We found some hunks of avocado in the guac and cleaned them off, and she enjoyed that, along with a bit of whole wheat sandwich bun. This morning, I was holding her while I spread peanut butter on my morning toast. A couple of weeks ago, this would have been an easy task, but now, it was a balancing act tring to keep her little fingers clear of the bread and peanut butter. When we sat down, I compromised by giving her a corner of crust without peanut butter (which can be a major allergen). She happily munched on that and ate it all.

More please!

Made in the shade

We went back to Torrance to visit Linda and John and enjoy the water again. On Saturday we went to the pool with them, and on Sunday the three of us went back to the beach. This time we had a proper sun shade tent for Cora.
On Saturday and Sunday, since we were out and about at fun places, Cora fought long and hard against taking naps. She got overtired and a bit cranky, and both days finally crashed - hard. See her sleeping on Stace's chest as he walked around with her, and she even stayed sleeping when he put her down in the tent. Normally she sleeps lightly enough to wake up when moved, or when, say, we unclick her car seat straps.
The weather looks cloudy, and the clouds did roll in for a short while, but they were a relief because it was quite warm.
As the photos show, Cora still loves playing with her tongue. She still chews on it on the side of her mouth, though now and then she'll also find her thumb and chew on that.
She also has gotten into giving me hugs and kisses, you could say. When I hold her near my face, she'll grab my head/hair and pull close to me, and it feels like she's trying to eat me. She pulls her face into my face with her mouth open, giving a kiss, I guess. It feels weird but is very sweet - I think!

Here is Cora with her friend Thomas, the son of my friend Sarah from Stroller Strides.
Believe it or not, Thomas is about 2 1/2 months younger than Cora. He is one big boy!

Cora enjoyed some sweet potato tonight, and again, liked it better when she was holding the spoon. She likes to play with her toys now, talking to them and banging them on the ground or the chair she is sitting on.

random bits

Cora has now rolled from her back to her tummy! Twice in the past couple of days, I've put her on her back on a blanket on the floor and come back to find her on her stomach. Tonight, Stace did the same, and watched her turn over.
She is so social. This morning, after Stroller Strides, she was smiling and chatting to her friend Thomas, and reaching out to touch his hand and face. Later in the day, she was loving being around my friend Elisabeth's 3 1/2-year-old, Anna, and was giggling at everything Anna was saying.
We had a busy day today (Wednesday). First we had Stroller Strides, where Cora played with Thomas and Harvey (sons of my new friends Sarah and Elissa) and did a good amount of sitting up on the blanket on the grass when we were finished walking. There we had lunch with my work friends, as it was my friend Marissa's last day at the paper. She is heading off to Korea to teach English. I'll miss her! Cora did OK during lunch, and liked having all the attention on her. She requires a good amount of attention now, as she likes to be entertained with toys, or she starts grabbing for what's in front of her, whether it's good for her to have or not.
Then we went to visit Elisabeth, who also is getting ready for a big move. Her husband has accepted a position as children's ministry pastor with a church in Texas, so they will be moving in a couple of weeks. It was great to see my friends today but sad knowing they will both be gone so soon.
Cora and I then picked Stace up from work, as he has been riding his bike to work, but it's too hot to ride home. We're having one of those summer weeks where it's over 100 every day. (Time to go to the beach this weekend! The water should be warmed up nicely.) We then stopped on the way home to do some shopping for bike trailers, the type you use to tow your little ones behind you on your bike. Now that we know how much they go for, it's time to start scouring the Internet for a good deal.
In other news, I got my invitation to my 10-year high school reunion in the mail. Don't guess we'll be going - it's $100 per person!!! I'm a bit disappointed, because that makes the decision for us and I would have liked to be able to consider going a bit more. $200 for the two of us, for "dinner, music and dancing" with a cash bar. Crazy.

Trying it out

Now that Cora is six months and is showing an interest in food, we're letting her try a few new taste sensations.
In these photos, Cora is trying out applesauce for the first time. Yes, despite her sour expression, that is applesauce, not lemon juice. She made the funniest faces as she tasted it, but she continued to open her mouth for more, so I guess she liked it.
As you can see, she then became interested in feeding herself.
On Saturday, the three of us went to the Egg Plantation (one of our favorite local places) for lunch, and Cora chewed on a crust of toast she could hold in her fist. On Sunday, I had a very ripe banana I let her gnaw on - she looked surprised, and made another funny face, when she realized she had bit off a bit and it was in her mouth. Today, I gave her some more applesauce. More funny faces, but she is definitely happy and eager to try things out. She also likes to have sips of water from water bottles, and reaches out for the bottle when it's in my hand. In addition, I'm trying again with pumping milk. This time I'm giving it to her in a sippy cup, which seems to work, but is a bit messy. I'm of the philosophy that breastmilk will be her main nutrition for her first year, with solid food a supplement and a way to expand her horizons with new tastes and textures. I'd rather her go from nursing to chopped table food than spend lots of time making/buying baby food as an in-between step.

Also, over the weekend we went to our first summer Concert in the Park. Santa Clarita puts on some good ones, and Saturday night was a lot of fun. Cora liked the 80s music and kicked and waved her arms.

Cora, can you read more quietly, please? (click white box)

Dedicated to the Lord

Cora is six months old today!
She is quite social and eager to see people and smile and giggle, and she likes using her hands and kicking; she is still not very mobile however.
Over the weekend Stace and I dedicated her to Jesus at church, kind of a baptism/christening without the water. Many thanks to the family and friends who support us in this decision! Cora is such a blessing and we are so thankful for her.
Cora did very well, and didn't raise a fuss. In the middle photo we are getting her in her pretty white dress.

Teaching her early

Cora went to her third Dodgers game Wednesday night, and it was a very exciting one, with the Dodgers beating the hated Giants 6-4 with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, including a big home run to put them ahead for good. The atmoshphere was awesome, because the Giants' Barry Bonds is in town and he's two home runs shy of beating the all-time career home run record. We Dodger fans hate Barry, and love booing him, because he's a jerk and because he under a LOT of suspicion of taking steroids over the years (see the guy's shirt next to us). Still, despite our despising Bonds, the flashbulbs were flickering throughout the sell-out crowd for every single pitch to him, since that could be THE pitch he hits out for his record-tying homer. Though it would have been cool to watch that history made, we were very glad to see him go 0 for 3 (with only one walk).
The game was our Father's Day gift to Grandpa, who celebrated by getting Cora a new friend. We had to remove the bear's tag quickly, since Cora was all about eating it. EVERYthing goes into her mouth right now, and we have to watch her when she manages to get napkins or other paper products - they dissolve a lot faster than you'd think!

Here she is eating my hand - plus you can see her eye color, still an interesting murky brown/green, with blue outlining the iris. She did very well during the game, only screaming a few times. I let her eat as much as she wanted, as that was a very good way to keep her quiet. Plus, when we got home at 11:30, I didn't have to feed her before putting her down, a big bonus for a tired mom. "Uncle" Keith also came with us, and he had a nice time entertaining Cora as well.