My baby is how old?

   I can't believe Baby Girl is 9 months old. This milestone age always throws me for a loop, realizing they've been outside of me longer than they were inside. I wish time would slow down a bit!

It's been a huge month for Cora. A few days after turning 8 months she finally figured out how to crawl forward. She's now zooming around everywhere and I can tell she's very happy with her newfound independence. She's also started clapping, waving, pulling herself up on everything, and sprouted 3 teeth (the 4th is so close!). She loves patty-cake and peek-a-boo. And she's not a big fan of baby food unless she's starving. She would much rather eat "real food" and has done really well with the few things we've let her try. She is still very much a Mommy's girl and is happy affectionate and just plain adorable.

On the flip side, my good little sleeper is no more! I feel like I have a newborn again, trying to function in a constant state of exhaustion. I'm hoping when this teething phase is over and our summer travels are done she'll go back to sleeping through the night instead of waking up every two hours and/or staying awake for an hour or more in the middle of the night.

I plan to make a come-back to the blogging world this fall when we're back in our routine and life has calmed down a bit. This is a big year for us, with Brad finishing up his dissertation and going on the job market. Lots to look forward to. Until then, here are some pictures of my girl from this past month!

The Big 8

8 years ago today I awoke at the crack of dawn, got ready, went to the temple and became a MRS. And boy do I sure like my MR.

On our 1st anniversary, whilst living in Denver, Brad took me to the Melting Pot and we fell in love with the food and the whole fondue experience. It's become our anniversary tradition. We can only afford it once a year and we look forward to it all year long! Because we don't have one very close to us in State College, we improvise a bit and go when we can. We've been to Melting Pots in Denver, Salt Lake, Cinncinnati, and Philadelphia. This year, while in SL, we discovered that my beautiful and wonderful cousin Chelsea and her hilarious hubby Marvin celebrated their anniversary 6 days before ours so we invited them along on our date. Chels and I are only a few months apart and have always been close. She's an amazing woman and mother and I love being with her!

 It was great to leave the kids for a bit, laugh our way through a delicious dinner, and celebrate being US. The past 8 years have brought a lot of changes and adventures, and I wouldn't trade one second of them. I fall in love with this thoughtful husband, loving father, and wonderful man more and more each day.

 Happy Anniversary to us!

I'm a guest blogger on Rachel, Write Here today.

You can check it out here.

And here's a photo...just because I can't possibly post without one.

Nick, in the digger part of some sort of construction truck at this year's 'Touch-A-Truck.'

I write blog posts in my head at least 3 times a week. Some are about my kids, some aren't. I actually have independent thoughts that don't revolve around motherhood. Amazing, I know. But as I'm trying to prioritize my life and give my kids a killer fun summer, I find that blogging is falling by the wayside, and when I actually sit down to do it, all I can muster is a boring update. But they're important to me, as this is the only place they're being recorded right now, so if I must, I must!

I missed blogging at Cora's 7 month mark. Here are some photos of her at 7 months:

 In her 7th month of life, Cora started sitting independently, mastered the plank position as well as downward facing dog, and became an expert at rolling half way under the couch and getting stuck. We tried her in the jumper seat (seeing as how it entertained Chase for hours on end when he was her age), but she could take it or leave it (so we left it -- no room!).

And here's my baby girl at 8 months, in the outfit Granny Shanny bought her before she even knew I was having a girl!

At 8 months, Cora is:
- Crawling and scooting backwards, much to her dismay! My boys didn't crawl until they were 10 months old, so even this backwards business is earlier than I was expecting!
- LOVES, well, ME! And I must admit that I love that she's a mama's girl. She wants me to hold her, cries if I walk out of the room, and showers me with cuddles and open mouth sucking kisses.
- Babbles, ba ba ba ba, all day long, and pats pats pats everything she touches.
- Is getting more and more of an opinion each day and lets me know when she does or does not like something.
- Refuses to be held any way but facing out. Loves to see the action going on around her.
- Has selective stranger anxiety, especially when she's tired.
- Entertains herself incredibly well, still loves her brothers and daddy, and has a sweet and happy disposition.
Can't believe my baby is 8 months old! I wish I could freeze her as she is right now!

Our little town claims to be the birth place of Memorial Day. Turns out that another dozen or so towns claim the same thing, but that doesn't stop us from celebrating. Every year there is a parade, craft festival, and carnival. This year Brad's parents came to see us and join in the festivities.

Nick has a very special bond with Grandpa Jeff. I think it's because he loves all the same things Grandpa Jeff loves, and Grandpa Jeff is always happy to include him in his activities. I caught them watching a nature show over the weekend and had to capture the moment. Nick is not what I would call naturally affectionate, which made this moment all the more special.

 Grandma Debbie was so helpful with Cora, and Cora loved her and all the undivided attention!

 My sweet Chase

 Brad is the only person in the world that Nick loves more than Grandpa Jeff! *Side note: Brad 'made' me cut the boys hair a couple of weeks ago, claiming that Nick looked too much like Justin Beiber. :)

 We've officially entered the "fake smile phase" with Chase. Oh, the joys.

 My happy happy girl...

Hope your Memorial Day was enjoyable and that you enjoyed some feet for dessert as well!

Nick's 1st piano recital

Nick's been taking piano lessons for a few months (he's had 9 lessons, to be exact) and had his first recital on Saturday. To ease his nerves we played a duet together. Those of you that know my sweet boy know what a break through it is that he actually performed, in front of real live people! We are so proud of him, not only for performing but for practicing the piano every day and for sticking with it even when he gets frustrated. Here's to many more years of lessons and for instilling a love of music (that's the goal, anyway!)!

Nick's teacher gave him an award for progressing so quickly and for doing beautiful arpeggio's...

 Love this boy!

6 months

There is a reason that the place I live is so beautifully green. It rains here. A.L.O.T. But yesterday it finally stopped, for the first time all week. There was yard work to be done, so I put Cora's sun hat on her and we spent some lovely time outside.

Cora...6 months...5/11/2011

18 lbs, 2 oz (75%)
28 and 3/4 inches long (off the charts)


*Rolls around everywhere, from tummy to back and back to tummy
*Almost sitting up unsupported
*Loves baby toys and binkies and her feet, and everything goes directly in her mouth
*Giggles and laughs, especially at her brothers
*Happy happy happy disposition
*Sleeps okay...waking up once to eat
*Currently dining on breastmilk (supplemented with formula because my body isn't producing enough), green beans, peas, carrots, and brown rice cereal
*Loves books, especially ones with pictures of other babies
*Loves to be sung to, especially "We are a happy family"
*Rarely spits up anymore (hurray!), and the drool has slowed down as well
*I hate to say it, but I think those eyes are not going to stay blue like I had hoped! They're currently a dark blue/gray-ish color
*Is beautiful and wonderful and makes us all so happy! We love this girly to pieces!