Texas Tech Cheerleader

Cora was a Texas Tech Cheerleader for Halloween. This is about the best picture I got - she didn't want her picture taken and this was right before she hit full blown whining.
We didn't mess with trick or treating. We went over to the Stark's Halloween party instead. It was fun, but she was pretty clingy. She wasn't scared of the costumes, but not many were scary. The one that was, she said it was an owl. On Friday we went to the Huber's party and she thought that a man that was dressed as 'swamp thing' was a lion. Whatever keeps her happy (and not frightened)!

Hanging Out

Just playing around the house.
She could be imitating Mommy or Daddy in this one!
Making Mommy supper.

Chilling - watching a movie and eating popcorn!

Potty Time

We are trying so hard to potty train Cora and she is not doing so great. She will sit on the potty about half of the time, but does nothing. She'll hold it in until she gets a diaper on. Very frustrating for us. I have even bribed with M&M's and she won't do it.
I thought she looked cute sitting on her big girl potty reading her book so I snapped some pics and some of the closeup ones turned out pretty good! Just ignore the toilet in the background.

Reverse Draw & A Sick Cora

Dennis and I went to the KC Hall for the Reverse Draw dinner with friends - last year was when we got into the last 5 and Dennis told them to go ahead and spin it again and they pulled his name...so we lost $2000. This year they pulled our name way before I had to worry about it. Out of our group we won $200 though, so that was fun. Here's a couple of us from that night.
Yep, Dennis is actually dancing!

The next morning we were to go to Nana's house to see Aunt Missy and Chase. Well Cora woke up with a fever. It wasn't bad and she was acting fine, so we went ahead and went down there. Well she got worse and I couldn't get her fever down. We finally ended up giving her a cool bath to cool her off. She finally recovered from it, but it was up and down day to day. I finally took her to the doctor and he said she was showing flu like symptoms and she probably had the flu. She was just suffering mostly from the fever. He said she was handling it very well so he wasn't worried. That is the worst she has ever had fever - poor baby.

Silly Face

One evening after her bath I was messing with Cora and taught her some silly faces. We had fun with it!

Happy Birthday Daddy

Daddy went hunting for the weekend, so Cora and I had a girls weekend. She was wonderful. She was in a great mood all weekend and it was gorgeous outside. We went to gymnastics Saturday morning and she was awesome. She did everything correctly and was doing things ahead of the teacher. We then stopped by the Leggios for a quick visit with the girls. We headed home for lunch and a nap and then ran down to the pumpkin patch in LJ. Then back to Pearland for a friend of mine's birthday party. All that and Cora did great. I was telling her all weekend that Sunday was Daddy's birthday. She practiced singing Happy Birthday all day Saturday and Sunday. Sunday morning she wanted to go get him some cupcakes for his birthday, so we did. She was so excited about it. Daddy came home and she got all shy, wouldn't sing or anything! Very disappointing, but luckily Saturday night we called and left Daddy a message on his phone and she sang to him. He really enjoyed that. I am going to try to get her singing on video, but we'll see.

Cora, not singing to Daddy.
She did enjoy the icing on her cupcake though!

She ate most of the icing, but I was able to scrape some of it off. After licking it to death...and to the disgust of both Dennis and I, she was full and didn't want to eat the cake part. But saw the icing on my plate from mine and wanted to eat it. I declined and promptly put it in the trash!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

I took Cora to the LJ Pumpkin Patch over the weekend. It was a quick trip and she did pretty well. I have taken her to this patch every year so far, so I figured I have to keep it up!

I thought this was going to be a cute pose, but she wouldn't smile. I think she was done at this point.

This and That

Cora had her tea party set up and had a place for her baby. It was cute. I think one was for the cat too, but she wouldn't sit still.
Another 'I do it' moment...she ended up needing help.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up Cora and her classroom was in complete chaos. I had been called earlier in the day about her being bitten by her 'friend' right before nap time. I was specifically told that it wasn't the little boy, Conner that normally bites her. Well this is that bite, on her arm.

By the time I picked her up Conner had successfully bitten her (see her leg below)! The classroom was a madhouse and I gave the director and earful the next morning. Conner was moved up to the next class to help with the biting, but it apparently didn't help and he was disenrolled by the end of the week. From what I understand from other Moms and the teachers he moved down the street to Primrose, which is our backup if we ever have a problem - not anymore! I also found out that another little girl left our daycare and went to Primrose because of the bites...well she all of a sudden came back! Hmmm. I couldn't imagine moving to get away from a child only to have him follow us! Ugh.

She has pretty much recovered from those bites, but was bitten again this week by the same little girl that bit her last week. I have another biter to deal with!! I am wondering if it will ever end for Cora. I think I need to put her in self defense classes!

Here's some updates and cute things she has done lately:

*She is getting much better at asking for things instead of 'I want' all the time. The other morning she said she wanted something and I asked her what a better way of asking for it was...and she responded with 'Mommy, may I have my milk please'. I was so thrilled it finally sank in to her! I have been making her repeat me over and over again for so long!

*Cora also walked up to me the other night and said 'Mommy will you open this please?' I about fell out of my chair - it was beautiful!

*'eh-go' is there you go.

*She doesn't like to sit at the stop lights and says 'I want to go'. I tell her we can't go until the light turns green so when it does she yells 'green - go'.

*I am usually trying to get her out the door for one thing or another and I have always said 'let's go Joe'. Well she has started saying it - at the red lights!

*She is becoming obsessed with TV and Dora. I am trying to limit her watching when I can.

*Cora is wanting to do EVERYTHING herself. I am in 'I do it' hell at this point. She wants to dress herself, put on her shoes and socks, etc. The only think I get to do is her hair and I am sure she'll try that soon enough!

*She still wants to be carried a lot. I have learned to bargain with her and it is working. If she walks to the kitchen and to the car, I'll carry her into school (which I prefer since there are cars everywhere).

*Cora has to hold my hand when she walks anywhere, even inside the house or to the car. And in the mornings she wants Mommy's hand, not Daddy's hand.

*She is still a Mommy's girl and wants me to do everything, but will throw me for a loop and want Daddy for something every now and then.

*We battled a few temper tantrums the other day. Daddy was home and involved in a couple of them. It was a tough battle and she was spanked for things she was doing during the tantrum (hitting Mommy). Dennis kind of took over on getting her under control as I gave direction (she was crying for me so he had to finish it to the end so she didn't get what she wanted). We all survived and she made her apologies. The funny part was after all of it and the spanking from Daddy, she wanted him to give her a bath! It was cute, but shocking...and again, it worked for Mommy! We are all having our struggle with this age, but then she does something that is so smart it is amazing.

*Cora and I were eating dinner the other night. I usually try to ask her things and make conversation and she does really well. Or we'll look at pictures on the computer of our friends. Well she all of a sudden said 'your eyes are green'. It took me a minute to figure out what she said, then she said 'my eyes are blue'. Makes me realize that I take her for granted and don't really realize how incredibly smart she is.

*When watching Dora she is starting to talk to the TV (when prompted by Dora) or she will tell me where the item is that they are looking for - 'there it is Mommy...see Mommy'.

*She is liking me to sing to her before we put her to bed now. We sing Rock a bye baby, Twinkle, Twinkle, Sunshine, ABC's and now the WonderPets theme song. She sings word for word right along with me and it is awesome. I need to learn some new songs for her though!

*Cora has to have her back rubbed when going to bed. She will cry for a long time if you don't do it.

*Cora is always asking for 'one more kiss'. She does it at bedtime to both of us and to Daddy in the mornings after he puts her in the car.

*Cora no longer wants me to kiss her boo-boo's. She wants ice for them only.

*Cora is getting more and more into pink things. If you give her a choice of things, she wants the pink one now. She picks her washcloth every night and she always gets the pink one.

*She is learning about folding things - washcloths, paper, towels, etc.

*She used to dip her food in Ranch dressing, but has recently started asking for ketchup as her dip instead. This is really gross to me because I don't like ketchup!

Little Helper

We headed up to Canton for the weekend with the OJT group. All the girls shopped and the guys stayed back with the kids that didn't want to shop. Dennis took Cora out for a little while, but it was so crowded he didn't stay very long with her. We had a rough ride home in the rain and traffic, but it was a fun weekend with the gang.

On Monday after all the rain, Dennis was going to get the trailer washed and put away. Well Cora decided she wanted to help him. Worked for Mommy!

She just realized she got soap on her leg...this really bothered her. Never mind the fact that she is soaking wet head to toe on the front side!

She liked to squirt the water more than scrubbing as you can see. She was completely drenched by the time they were done, but she had fun and helped Daddy.

Like Father, Like Daughter...

Just some fun pictures...


She is wiping the baby's nose.

Cora is changing her baby's diaper...she asks for wip-ees. She says 'yucky' when she does it too.

Sitting at the table like a big girl. This only lasted a couple of days...she isn't tall enough just yet, but it works in a pinch.

More fun pictures of Cora.

Sweet baby blues!

She was posing for me and following instructions - a rare occurrence, but I got some cute pictures.

She is just about to outgrow this dress and has outgrown the shoes, but I shoved her feet in them anyway!

Just like her Daddy does it...

Cora woke up early one morning and snuggled with Daddy while I got ready for work. When I tried to wake her up she crossed her legs...well Dennis does that in his sleep. Yikes! How do kids do this???

Well, while I am at it...here are some updates on Miss Cora Vallee:

*She moved up to the next class at school a few weeks ago. She is struggling in the mornings, but I think during the day she is fine. So far so good on the biting, but she has been scratched a couple of times this week.

*Cora is overly clingy to Mommy since our trip. I am working on it, but it is hard.

*She doesn't just say 'Mommy' it is 'My Mommy' and 'My Daddy'. Our friend's little girl climbed up in Dennis's lap the other day and Cora screamed 'My Daddy'. She didn't want in his lap, but she didn't want Baby Bella in his lap either. Very cute.

*She has started to say 'can't' in place of 'don't'. She'll say 'can't want it'.

*We are really working on Yes Ma'am/Yes Sir. She doesn't say it on her own yet, but she will say it if you tell her.

*She is getting better at using 'please' and has 'thank you' pretty much down.

*When she says a something that isn't a full sentence or says 'I want...', I teach her how she should ask for it nicely. Amazingly she is catching on pretty quickly. She is getting better and better each day, but still has her demanding moments.

*We went to the dr last week to check on her ears since she was so cranky. They were clear, but we concluded she probably had a sinus infection. She got her flu shot that day too. I distracted her while she read her book and the nurse gave her the shot. Wow - she was pissed! Poor baby. She is still hovering around 31-32 pounds. Last month or so I held a yard stick up to her and she was almost taller than it! She definitely had a growth spurt recently, but only shot straight up!

*She loves to play tea party. She will bring you tea, ask if you want 'more' or ask if you are 'done'.

*If you ask her if you can have something she is eating, she'll ask if you want 'more'. Or she'll ask if you are 'full'. And when she is eating dinner and doesn't really like what she is eating, she'll offer you some.

Galveston Weekend w/OJT

We invited the OJT gang to come hang out in Galveston for the weekend. Out of the 8 families, 5 made it for all or part of the weekend. It was a nice relaxing time for all of us. It was also nice not having to pack up a trailer at the end of the weekend!

Kayla and Alyssa hanging out.
Cora, Baby Bella and Brynna hanging out.

Daddy put on Bella's headband because Cora said 'Daddy do it'.

Cora wasn't feeling very well and didn't sleep much Friday night. She had her flu shot on Friday and was suffering from a virus or sinus infection. I decided Saturday afternoon after numerous meltdowns that it was a Sinus infection and she was getting worse. I filled a prescription the dr wrote me on Friday and she was already noticeably different on Saturday night! She still had her 'Mommy' moments, but she was getting better.

Cora found Bella L's socks on the floor and insisted on putting them on her feet. She got them on by herself...and they were inside out! She then proceeded to put her sandals on over them. Nice fashion statement for a two year old!

Another "I want Mommy" moment.

She wasn't cooperating with my picture taking...

Kayla, Bella, Abby, Ashley and Brynna

Baby Bella playing in the water.

The girls playing in the sand and water.

Cora finally getting her feet wet.

Bella, Monique, Cora and Abby

I was trying to get some good pics of Cora on the beach...they didn't turn out as good as I would have liked, but here they are anyway.

I did get a plane and boat in the background of this one though...

Chillin on the beach.

Daddy and Cora walking in from the water.

Miss Monique and Cora reaching for the seagulls.

Miss Alicia caught a huge dragonfly and brought it inside to show the kids. Cora got a big kick out of it, but wouldn't touch it!

Abby and Baby Bella checking out the dragonfly with Alicia.

Sunday morning chilaxin on the couch.

Bella and Cora

The guys watching the Texans game. Brian said the Texans needed them to concentrate on the game and keep mentally focused for the team. It didn't work too well...the Texans lost.

Cora couldn't do a back bend, so she crawled under all of them....Baby Bella was creative too.

The girls trying to teach Cora how to do a back bend.

She couldn't hold it on her own, but she'll be able to as soon as she gets better arm strength!

Sweet girls!

I love this picture...Cora is finally becoming one of the girls!Bella, Brynna and Cora singing Lollipop, Lollipop.

We were waiting on the guys to come back upstairs and the girls were being cute...