Just Pics

I begged her to put down the juice box... You see where that got me.

Although I am not posting quite as much, I am still snapping pictures like I'm the paparazi. Here are a few of my favorites. These show everything from Cora playing in the yard to showing off her pigtails. She is growing so fast. The other day I was admiring the picture that I carry around with me all of the time. It was taken in front of our fireplace at our other house. I realized that it was taken nearly a year ago. We pass this "pig" on the way to and from Cora's school every day. One afternoon I decided to pull in and snap a few pictures. I think it was a hit. :) We'll pretend that she didn't almost pull piggie's nose off.

Speaking of piggies... Look at those cute ones on Cora's head! This was our first atempt at wearing real ribbons. Surprise! They lasted all day! Ms. Mary said that one came untied in the afternoon but other than that they held!
This was taken on the morning of Cora's last day with the one year old class. *sniff, sniff*

Cora loves to build "houses" using a quilt between our chair and ottoman.

One of our favorite places to eat... McCall's Barbecue and Seafood in Goldsboro. Great buffet- this is where we first learned that Cora likes crowder peas, who knew?! We stop every time we are going to or from the beach. It is almost exactly half way between Atlantic Beach and home.

T-shirt + belt = t-shirt dress, right?

Those beads and the way she is holding that pocketbook reminds me of my grandmother! Too funny!

Our girl showing off her pink nails and eating a "pezel". She is not too skilled with the consonant blends just yet.

2 Years Old

Happy 2nd Birthday! Cora's 1st Birthday

When Cora was 2 weeks old I decided to take regular pictures of her in the rocking chair. For the first year, it was once a month (on the 11th). After her first birthday, the pictures were to be taken on her birthday each year. I know that this picture is not posted on her birthday but it was taken on that day. It had been a long day of cupcakes and other rich goodies and all Cora wanted was a cup of Ge's cucumber slices. So that explains why she has a mouth full of cucumber in this picture. Look how big she is!!!! I just looked at her rocking chair pics from her first year and it really is amazing how much she has changed. But at the same time, she still has the same beautiful smile and bubbly personality. We love this girl so much!!!!! What an amazing gift we have.



Stats!

Weight: 29 lbs. 2 oz. (80%)

Length: drum roll please, 37 inches tall! (off of the charts) Dr. Ferrari said that she is the height of an average 3 year old.

Cora Lou is 2!

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

I am so late posting these pictures from Cora's 2nd birthday. The party was actually on July 11th, her actual birthday. School started for me the next day. I've had no time for blogging! But I'm back!

The theme for Cora's party was BUGS! She loves bugs so it was only natural. All of the newest generation of cousins were there: Jackson, Carson, Will, Tannar, Laurel-Ann, John Marshall, Morgan and Caroline. In addition to the cousins, there were some special friends in attendance like Owen, Elliot and Baby Evan. There were grown ups there too- including grandparents and more cousins. It was very hot outside but the children were able to cool off in the water slide that Daniel and Misty brought. We all had an amazing time. It reallly is hard to believe that our girl is already 2 years old. Wow. Cora enjoyed helping Ge with the Bug Cupcakes.
Worms in Mud Cups

Bugs in the Grass

Cora and Laurel-Ann in Cora's newest wheels. Fast forward 14 years...

Everyone is ready to watch the birthday girl blow out the candles.

That one, Irv. The annual family birthday shot. Cora was a little worn out by this point in the day.

The birthday elves, John Marshall and Tannar, delivered some of the gifts.

Before they called it a night, the girls needed a bubble bath.

Sleepy babies after their baths

Happy Birthday, Cora.

We love you so much!

Diving Diva

Well, maybe that's a stretch. She was the walk-out-to-the-end-of-the-diving-board-so-Daddy-can-drop-me-diva (totally voluntary, people). She loved it and did it several times. Each time she would come back and say, "again! again!".

We're expecting our friend, David Myers to start intensive training with Cora in the off-season :)

These pictures were taken at Laurel-Ann's birthday party. Everyone had a fabulous time!

one, two, three... JUMP!Another shot from Laurel-Ann's birthday party. I think our little tadpole was a touch over accessorized.

Jen Jen's Garden

My mother-in-law has the most beautiful flower garden I have ever seen. And I've been to Versailles, folks. It is amazing. It does not matter where you are: front yard, side yard or backyard it all looks terrific. I love to take pictures in her yard. Enjoy these lovely pictures.

*If you go back to the Aug. 11, 2009 post, you can see Cora in the garden about a year ago. Changes, changes, changes!

School "Party"

I decided to take watermelon to Cora's school friends for her birthday. They loved it. We first visited her 1 year old friends and then on to the 2 year olds. Our little birthday girl got to have watermelon with both groups. She certainly didn't object. She is a watermelon eating machine. I expect to get her ready for bed one night and realize that she has green stripes! * Watermelon Side Story-- Mother of the Year left a hot Pyrex dish on the table one night recently. Cora was already seated when I walked away from the table for a minute. She reached across and touched the glass with her wrist. (I know that it hurt. But the red mark was completely gone within minutes. She has made a complete recovery. Please don't send DSS.) She was inconsolable. She didn't want ice, water, a kiss, nothing. Not until she spied the watermelon on the counter. Between deep sobs, she would call out for the watermelon. We asked if it would help and she said that it would. She first took a bite and then applied said melon to her burn. I can't make this stuff up. Thank you watermelon for saving the day.
This is one of Cora's friends. This child is a hoot! "Happy Happy Happy" does not begin to describe her. I call her the mayor because at the ripe ol' age of 2 she knows everyone and everything. She loves everyone. I guess that is why Cora loves her so much!

Cora and another one of her best buddies enjoying a piece of cool summer goodness! We hear this child's name from the time she wakes up until she goes to sleep at night!

Moldy Breakfast

The photos were too gross not to share. I thought it would be fun to have blue french toast. Cora wanted it to be green. Well, I went with it. I don't think I could have chosen a more disgusting color! It looks just like really moldy bread. But... YUMMY!