This and That

Cora is growing so fast. I wanted to post some recent pictures- not a special occasion. Sometimes those are the most special times. We were just out in the front yard on one of these beautiful spring mornings. Life is good.
I have no idea what she is doing here.
Good save!

1st Zoo Trip

Yay! We're at the zoo!

We Allens are high society- NC Zoo Society, that is. Cora's Ge (this is my mom's new name- Cora named her) gave her a membership to the NC Zoo Society for her 1st birthday. We've lost count of how many times we've used it at the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores but never at the zoo. Two weekends ago the weather was so beautiful so we thought we'd try it out. Cora loved it! I can remember being a kid and all of the animals seemed so far away. No doubt they were trying to get to the only shade on the far side of the fields. This was different. The weather was perfect and the animals were so close! We had a fantastic time! Thanks Ge!Cora wanted to study before we got to the zoo.

BUS!!!!!
One of Cora's favorite parts- a parking lot full of buses.

Coy dropping my baby down a huge leaf sliding board. The playground there is so neat! It's like you're in a huge garden and you're the size of an ant.

My monkeys in a gourd

Some of the baboons were not very modest... We liked the baby ones the best.

The giraffes were beautiful and SO CLOSE!!!

Huge eggs in the elephant exhibit? Maybe I missed a day or two in biology class... Never mind, Cora enjoyed them.

a loving embrace-
I just happened to snap the picture at the right moment.

Honda- Our Favorite

Come to find out, he was there when I was a kid. He's an old guy.

Wordless Wednesday

Not So Wordless Wednesday

We went to my mom's house last Sunday to celebrate my birthday. All of Cora's grandparents were there and we took quite a few pictures. It was a little too bright in the sunroom for pictures but they are priceless to us.

What's New?

I slayed this dragon. Who's next?


Since this is serving as Cora's Baby Book... Mom of the Year. I wanted to post a few of her newest accomplishments.

Cora is really getting good at 2 word phrases like-

"love you", "fix it", "bless you", "excuse me" (sort of), "help me"

She has also become very stubborn about certain things. One example was the other night when I was going to clear away her dishes and she INSISTED that Coy do it. Some times she won't do something when I ask her to but she will do it when it is her idea. Aunt Emmie saw this at breakfast the other morning. I wanted her to taste something and she would not dare- but when I was not paying attention, she gobbled it up. Funny girl.

Each night we rock for a few minutes and when I put her in her bed she cries for about 5 seconds and then she lays down. NICE!

On the subject of bedtime... A few nights ago I realized that when I hum to her (while we're rocking) she recognizes the songs! It blew my mind when I was humming Row, Row, Row Your Boat and she started singing the "Row, Row" part. When I was humming Jesus Loves Me, she started pointing to herself and me at the "Yes! Jesus loves me" part. Wow.

When it is cold and we're outside, we hug to keep warm. It's so sweet. She says "cold" then "hug".

Cora can spell her name! I spent one day spelling it over and over and over, not really thinking she would catch on. The next morning she was on the changing table and she started doing it herself! I had not even brought it up that day. I have a witness- Coy heard her and could not believe his ears either.

She already had a neat personality but it is really shining through now. She is getting more used to family members and she is much more interactive with her friends. Last weekend we visited with Oh-wo across the street and the two of them laughed and chased each other up and down the hall for the longest time. One would fall and the other would laugh. Then they were off again.

We are so proud of Cora. She has enriched our lives beyond words.

Wordless Wednesday

My first Wordless Wednesday post! I thought I'd give it a try.

Happy Valentine's Day

Coy was in Colorado all week so it was a girls' week at our house. We missed Coy but had a fun time. We had to be at the airport to pick him up on Friday night but we decided to have some pictures taken first! We thought this would be a nice surprise for Valentine's Day. *You may notice that it is only the 13th. I couldn't wait to show him!* We have used private photographers before and will use them again but I thought that Portrait Innovations would be quick and easy. I was right. We got away with spending relatively little money and I love the pictures! We didn't buy all that I am posting but we got a CD with all of the images. These also have not been cropped or edited. It was such a neat cap to our mother/daughter week. Please enjoy our pictures! I got Cora's dress for $3 at Old Navy! It's perfect for a Valentine's picture.

These are sort of "Sears Portrait Studio-ish" but isn't Cora beautiful!?

She thought it was hilarious to keep putting her finger in her nose. I'll show her... in her senior yearbook. :)

AAARRRGGGG! Pirates!

We're VERY into telling secrets these days. Here I am telling Cora to PLEASE take her finger from her mouth.

Where's Mama's nose?

*This may be a last look at my long hair. I think I'm cutting it next week.*

Getting ready for another secret, I'm sure.