Christmas Smiles...

It's our year to go to Utah for Christmas. Perhaps I should have thought of that when I planned a November baby. We're staying here this year, making it 4 years since I've been in UT for Christmas. I heard "I'll Be Home for Christmas" on the radio yesterday and had to change the channel because it made me all teary. It doesn't help that Tim and Katie's baby girl will be born soon and I won't get to meet her until she's months old. It's a good thing OH isn't too far of a drive and that I love Brad's family, or I might be teary from now until the spring when I get to go home again. Had enough of my pity party? Okay, I'll move on...

My mom made gingerbread cookies with Nick before she left, a tradition we always did growing up.

 Nick has had as much fun with the boxes that my parents gifts came in as he has with the gifts themselves. He made these two into a sled

 Then the next night it was a boat (he's wearing shorts, I promise).

 My amazing friend Jessica made gingerbread houses and invited the boys and I over to decorate them--

And here's Cora. I can't believe she's a month old! The first month of life goes by so much faster than the last month of pregnancy! Here are some things I want to remember:
-She's starting to smile more and more and I've been killing myself trying to catch it on camera!
- She weighs 9 lbs 15 oz and is 23 inches long
- She's already too long for her 0-3 month pjs! I had to break out the 3-6 month clothes already!
-She's starting to sleep a bit better (5 hours straight last night, but as luck would have it, Chase was up sick while she slept!)
-She still loves to be swaddled
-She loves her binky but can't keep it in her mouth for more than 30 seconds
-She hates her swing (soooo glad I borrowed instead of bought one)
-She has a sensitive tummy just like her brothers did and spits up a lot (list of foods I can't eat includes garlic, onion, cucumbers, and chocolate)
-When her tummy doesn't hurt she's very happy
-She goes down for her naps easily, onlly fussing for a minute or two if at all

Here are some photos of the last 2 days--

I love this little lady. All I want to do is hold her all day long, and let's be honest, I do! My house is a mess and I'm not often dressed before noon, but it seems I've finally realized how fast this newborn stage goes, and I don't want to miss a second of it. Happy first month of life, Cora girl!