Ballerina in Training

I never took dance lessons as a child, and although I can "busta move" when it's truly necessary, I really know nothing about the fine art of ballet. I think, though, that it would be awfully sweet to see Cora perform a dance number in a little tutu.

Well, she's not dancing yet, but check out the adorable leotard/tutu combo she has!

At first she wasn't really sure this dancing thing was her style.


I have to do what?!?

Maybe I'll just smile and that will make everyone go crazy and forget ballet.



This is one of the positions, right?

It may be a little early for ballet lessons, but Cora has shown us that she's ready to sit at at the table with us. She has really started to master the head control thing, so we gave her Bumbo seat a try. Well, now she hangs with us while we eat and she sits and drools in her seat.

Papa has been teaching her "You are My Sunshine" and she has started singing along.


Last night she asked her daddy for a bite of his steak... :)

Williamsburg Revisited

In late July, Mom and I decided to introduce Cora to two of our favorite things - Williamsburg and shopping. Little did we know that the day wouldn't be the success that we had so excitedly imagined. Let me take a brief moment to tell you that a few days after this unfortunate trip at Cora's one month visit the doctor told us that she was right in the middle of her fussiest weeks. Had we only known that in advance...

The day started to go awry about halfway through the drive down when the fussing began. Admist the screams, we managed to finally arrive at Megan's condo where Cora got a clean diaper and a snack. Then, with a calm Cora in tow, we thought we were ready to go find Mommy some new cute mommy clothes. Oh, how much we were mistaken. She cried in Ann Taylor Loft and finally had another snack in the dressing room while I tried on numerous skirts, shorts, and shirts and even bought a few items. She slept briefly following her feeding, but woke up before I could check out and was once again on the fussy side. Mom, Megan and I had glorious plans of Target, Trader Joe's, and other fun adventures, but after the long morning we opted for Chick-Fil-A which Megan and I scarfed down while we drove around the parking lot and Mom ran into Hallmark. By the time Mom had secured her Christmas ornaments Cora had almost drifted off again. Could it be? Were we going to get over to the outlets and get to try on a few clothes before Cora's next awake time? Hahahaha.

On the ride to the outlets a couple of things happened. First, Cora fell asleep. Then, a huge storm came up and when we parked right in front of Banana Republic, the skies opened. Megan and I had to laugh at the way the day was going just to get through it. We finally decided to run for it. Megan had been driving my hybrid vehicle and when we parked, accidentally turned it off without realizing it. She and I rushed into the store where we loaded up and headed back to the dressing rooms. While I was checking out, Megan got a frantic call from Mom that sent us rushing back outside. When we got to the car, Mom was holding Cora in the front seat. It was a scene I'll never forget (and that still makes me laugh out loud). Their hair was frizzed out to unbelievable lengths, Cora was crying, and Mom had texted both Megan and me the following, "Awaakee skreeamin" and "Hort oen oere." Apparently the car had started to really steam up, Cora had awakened because of the heat, and Mom had been trying to let us know that things were not going well. After making sure everyone was okay, Cora had another snack and then we had a relatively successful run through J. Crew. Cora must like that store.

Finally it was time to head home. We had all had about enough. After such a big day, Cora slept the longest that night that she had yet - 5 hours in a row!

Surprisingly, earlier this week I decided maybe it was time to revisit the Williamsburg idea and I packed Cora up all by myself to go meet the rest of my family for the day. You can see how this trip went on Mom's blog at www.cindypackett.blogspot.com. After Tuesday, we may even go back again sometime!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

I'm not sure if it's because Dustin sings this song to her often, but Cora really adores Sunday mornings. Truthfully I think it's because every Sunday she gets to wear a beautiful new dress that everyone at church will ooh and aah over. I mean, wouldn't you love days like that? This month has been my month to teach our Bible study class and I just wish there were a few extra hours on Sunday mornings. Getting Cora ready, myself ready, feeding her so that she won't need to eat again at church or thawing some expressed milk and fixing a bottle, getting to church, getting her settled in the nursery, getting myself settled after running all morning to teach (this series is about relationships) - ah! And thankfully most Sundays I have Dustin's hands to help out. How did my mom ever do it with three little girls, especially when my dad was a police officer and rarely off on Sundays? I have so much (newly earned) respect for my parents.

Yesterday was a wonderful day. Cora was pretty in pink and was a lot of fun for the women in the nursery. After her church performance, she was exhausted and slept for a long while in her carrier even after we got home. Dustin and I actually watched a whole movie while she napped!

Once she woke up, I had to get some pictures before she got a little more comfortable. At first, Cora just wanted tos how off her dress.



Then she started to get silly!


Cora, put down your dress!

"Mommy, you're so funny!"

Shhh...don't tell Daddy.

Then we went for a little stroll to check out Dustin's food plot for attracting deer. Cora loves trees and you'll notice that she's looking up at them even though she's screaming.


The church's youth group came down to the beach for their end of summer picnic so we stopped to chat during our evening golf cart ride. Cora really enjoyed watching the kids play and splash. She even did some splashing of her own.



With Sundays like that, you can't even be mad about Mondays! :)

2 Months Old!

My precious baby Cora, you are two months old already! I can't believe how the time has flown - or how quickly you have grown into a fun, personable, and completely adorable baby. Sometimes you look so much older than your two months. We have loved every day with you. You have discovered so many new things recently - television, your canine brothers Kota and Jaxon, and that your hands will fit in your mouth. Your awake time is full of smiles and you talking to anything and everything. You have a beautiful little voice and I can't wait to sing fun songs with you. Our scales at home weighed you at 11 lbs 5 oz.
Here's a look at how you've grown:




One of the things your Daddy and I love is how much you enjoy being outside. Just walking outdoors when you feel like fussing will almost always settle you down. You love trees and it won't be long before we're teaching you all about the environment and conservation so you can be our little biologist! You've also fallen in love with the golf cart. We dread cold weather because taking you riding is our never-fail-anti-fuss-solution. You close your eyes as the breeze blows across your face. We just think your post-riding on the golf cart hair is gorgeous.


I love you baby girl!

Putting on my party dress

Cora and Mommy went to a baby shower on Saturday for one of mommy's friends. Cora is very excited that she has a new friend on the way! It was Cora's first party so we made sure to dress up in our best party outfits.
Honestly, have you ever seen anything this adorable?

Mommy thinks she's the sweetest ever!

Papa and Aunt Jennie thought she looked so precious they also wanted pictures with her.

In my mind I'm gone to Carolina...

BEWARE: This post contains LOADS of pictures!
Thursday a week ago, we packed our bags to take Cora for her first visit to her Daddy's favorite state! It was also Cora's first trip longer than about an hour...all in all it went pretty well. The trip down was a little rough and we stopped three times in the last 90 miles. Coming home, though, went much smoother - Cora woke up once to eat and otherwise slept for most of the 5 hour drive!
While we were in NC, we got to see our friends and family and introduce them all to little Miss Cora. When we rolled in the first night we went straight to Grandmommy and Granddaddy's for her to meet her great-grandparents. Cora gave Grandmommy love then had a serious discussion with Granddaddy.


Neither of them would tell us what they talked about!

The next day, Dustin's friend Jason came over with his two little ones and Cora met her Sweet friends! We can't wait til the next time we see them because Cora will be hanging right with them!

That night Nana's side of the family came over for amazingly delicious brownies. Unfortunately we don't have photographic evidence - mostly because Cora cried for most of it. I wouldn't give her any brownies. We really enjoyed seeing everyone and Cora was glad to meet her cousins Luke, Savannah, Jake, Alex and Gracie!

On Saturday Cora met her great-grandmother Martin and on Sunday she met some of the rest of the Martin clan! She showed them her scooting tricks, babbled up a storm, and gave a little love to everyone.

Cora asked, "Who is that precious baby on your refrigerator??"


Cora smiled for Beth...

...and already looks up to her cousin Jaxon!

She showed Aunt Kathy her sweet moves...

and gave her Grandpa some coos.

MeeMaw and Jaxon serenaded her!

Cora said, "I'm very comfortable right here with Aunt Judy, thank you very much!"


And when Cora got sleepy, she drifted off in Aunt Paula's arms.

We also got to see cousin Gracie again and steal some sweet kisses from her. And Cora couldn't pass up an opportunity to cuddle with Grandmommy.


"What - we have to leave already??"

Don't worry, sweet girl, we'll go back soon!