7 months

She pulled herself into her seat and just lounged for a while

Cora's two bottom teeth are slowly but surely coming in! So far she hasn't had any symptoms either! Yea! She gets irritated a little easier but she's still just as happy as can be. She is pulling up on everything

6 Months Cont....

Fake coughing while playing.

Look at me crawling!

Quietly sitting and watching baby einstein.

Four generations!

Cora had her 6 month checkup and she is a healthy little girl. She weighed 15 lbs and was 26 1/2 inches long. I was off work for a week and it was so nice to spend time with Cora. While I was off Cora learned how to sit up on her own and how to get into the crawling position. The following Sunday my mom watched her while Josh and I went to the Gary Allan concert and she said she thought Cora would be crawling by the end of the week. Well Cora started crawling two days later! Now she crawls everywhere. She also loves to just sit and play. I don't think it will be long until she's walking. Her favorite thing to do now is have you hold her hands so she can stand up and walk around. She gets so excited! Josh's mom told him today that she pulled herself up on her diaper bag. It's just amazing to watch her learn new things everyday.

So far no teeth. Foods she's tried lately are green beans and peas. Tonight I gave her two bites of carrots and she gagged and didn't want anything to do with them.

This past weekend we went shopping for our outfits for our Christmas pictures. I can't wait to see how she reacts to the Christmas tree and all her gifts.

Also this weekend my family got together for my grandma's 87th birthday and some members of my family got to meet Cora for the first time. It was really nice to see everybody.

6 Months

Cora as a bunny and her friend Tyler as a monkey.

Happy Halloween!

Sitting up all by herself playing!

Cora continues to be a good eater. She's had bananas, pears, apples, sweet potatoes, avacado and green beans. Avacado was the only food that she made a face on but she likes it now. I took five days off work to use up some vacation time. During my time off with Cora she mastered sitting up and playing on her own and getting into the crawling position. She knows if she wants to get a toy that she needs to get in the crawling position. She hasn't gotten the coordination down yet to actually crawl but I know it will only be a few more days!

Happy days and Happy nights

Last weekend we went to Rader Farms and Cora got to see and pet some of the animals. She loved watching all the people and the other kids. She also got to hang out with her friend Haddie. After the farm we went to Josh's cousin's baby shower and Cora got to spend time with her great great grandma, great grandma, grandma and many other family members.

So Cora has slept through the night for the past two nights! I think my mom was right...Cora was cold. The warm, soft jammies are working!

Tonight I made more homemade baby food for Cora. I love doing it because it's easy and I know exactly what she's eating (no preservatives). Tonight I made pears, sweet potatoes and bananas. Cora had bananas for the first time tonight and she loved them! I'm so glad that so far she is a good little eater.

5 Months Old

Cora playing in her exersaucer at grandma Frink's. She has so much fun in it!

Tryin' out juice in the sippy cup.
She did really well and actually knows to suck on it instead of chew.

New things...

Cora has tried and loves pears and sweet potatoes.

Cora used to sleep through the night but suddenly isn't. She now gets up every 2 -3 hours every night to eat. So tonight I dressed her in warmer jammies, read 3 books, gave her a massage, put her bumpers back in her crib and sprayed lavender on her sheet. For the past two nights I did something I didn't want to do...gave her a bottle with cereal before bed...it didn't work. I'm so glad because I don't want to get her in that habit. So we'll see if she sleeps better tonight. I'm also going to try to not run in and get her when she wakes up. I want her to learn to self sooth herself back to sleep. I'll keep you updated on her progress.

4 1/2 months old

Grandma showing Cora how to get her foot in her mouth

Eating in her high chair

4 months old

First time eating cereal.
Chillin' in the stroller

Cora and Addy

At Cora's 4 month checkup she weighed 13 1/2 lbs and was in the 50th percentile for all her measurements. Her doctor said she is really strong for her age. We started cereal last week and she has done really well with it. I'm so glad! She loves her juice too. Cora also started taking scheduled naps and has no problems with that or with still sleeping at night. I'm so blessed to have such a happy, healthy baby!

3 months old

Cora with grandma and uncle Scott at the Krell reunion. This was the longest trip Cora had ever been on. It was a 2 1/2 hour car ride and she slept the whole way up there.

Playing in her Jumparoo. Her legs aren't long enough so we put a pillow underneath her feet so she can push off.

Miss busybody always wants something in her hands. Lately she started needing a blanket, burp rag or bib to hold on to at night to go to sleep.

Tummy time!

She was playing and rolled over and fell asleep like this. She seems to prefer to sleep on her side or stomach. I called her doctor to see if I should be concerned when she does this at night or if there was anything I could do. Her doctor was really surprised she was already rolling all the way over at 11 weeks. She said there wasn't anything to do but make sure there wasn't anything in the crib and definitely don't try to use the sleep positioners.

Rolling Over

Cora is officially rolling over from her back to her tummy. Once she's on her tummy she can get her arms out from under her but she can't quite get in the push up position. I read that it's usually harder to roll from back to stomach than stomach to back and it usually doesn't happen at 11 weeks. We're so proud of her!

When I lay her down at night I lay her on her back but she usually turns on her side. I guess thats the way she prefers to sleep. She just makes me nervous.

How'd She Do That?

I got up at 6 Sunday morning to go let our friends' dog out for them because they were out of town. I didn't look in on Cora before I left because I knew she was waking up and that I would be back in a few minutes anyway. So I took care of the dog and was only gone about ten minutes but when I got home Josh was in Cora's room. He came out and said "did you see our daughter?". I said "No. Why?" Josh said he found Cora laying towards the foot of her crib on her stomach. He said she was still swaddled and her arms were still swaddled (she usually wiggles them free). She does get pretty squirmy but we were so surprised that she turned all the way over! We usually just find her turned a different direction.
During the day on Sunday she was playing on her play mat and I watched her turn over on her side several times. She didn't make it all the way over to her stomach but I have a feeling it won't be long until she masters a complete turn over.
She also has really started "talking". She doesn't have that infant cry anymore, she uses her voice now to let you know she needs something. You can talk and mimic her and she will just talk right back and smile!
I have really noticed in the past few days that she is filling out and getting stronger. She doesn't feel so fragile anymore. My baby girl is growing up so fast!
I'll post some new pics soon....

2 month pictures

Doctor Appointment

Today Josh and I took Cora to the doctor. It was supposed to be her 4 week check up but her doctor had been out on vacation and couldn't get her in until today. Anyway, Cora will be 2 months old this coming Monday so I asked them if they could just do her 2 month check up now. So they did. Cora got her first shots today and she cried really hard. Josh and I felt so bad for her. I fed her in the car though afterwards and that made her go to sleep. She measured 22 1/4 inches long, weighed 10 lbs 4.5 oz and her head measured 15 in. So she's in the 50th percentile for everything. She is growing and developing as she should. We couldn't be happier!

7 weeks old

First time trying out my Bumbo seat with mommy close by.

This helps me strengthen my neck muscles.

Spending quality time with mommy after our first full day apart.

I love playing on my play mat!

Chillin'

6 Weeks Old

Today I went back to work and Cora went to the sitter. This week I'm working 1/2 days and I'll probably go full days next week. I figured it would be better for both of us to ease into it. I was ready to go back to work. I was sick of sitting at home and not being able to get much done. Plus I'm starting a new position at work so I'm training for now. It's kind of a whole new life with a new baby and a new job.

As you can see by the picture, all the kids loved Cora and I'm sure Cora loved all the attention.

This past Saturday was my 10 year high school reunion at Fat Jacks. It was great to see everyone and to get out by myself for a little bit. I found myself mostly talking about Cora though. I guess that's what happens when you're a new mom.

Nothing is sweeter than a sleeping baby

4 Weeks Old

Sleeping with Daddy

Visiting great great grandma Long

Visiting great grandma Horath

Swinging with Aunt Amanda on the deck while grandma, Josh and I plant flowers.

This post is long overdue but I have quickly learned that there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. It has also been an adjustment for me because I am such a scheduler and that goes by the wasteside when you have a newborn. Everyone is doing really great though and I can't believe I have to go back to work in two weeks. Cora is getting so big and changing so much.

Cora got to meet her great great grandma Long two weekends ago and this past weekend she got to meet her great grandma Horath. My sister came home from Arizona so she could see Cora and I think she likes her just a little bit. She's here for a week so it will be nice for the three of us to hang out and catch up.

Cora and I have spent a few days outside in the yard and on the wonderful swing Josh bought me for Mother's Day. I love it and Cora enjoys being outside. We've also been on a few walks.

Josh and I got away together for a little bit last night. My mom and sister watched her while Josh and I went for a ride on the Harley to Bloomington so we could get something to eat. So Cora got to have her second bottle ever and she sucked it down with no problems.

Grandpa Frink has been getting their pool ready so I can't wait to get Cora in there. She loves taking baths so I hope she likes swimming just as well.

1 Week Old

Today Cora and I took our first trip out of the house and into town for her first doctors appointment. Josh went back to work this week so he met us there. Her doctor looked really young and I know she's a new doctor which I like because that means she's fresh and up-to-date on things. I really liked her. Cora's head measured 13 1/2 in., she is now 20 in. long and she weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz. So even though she only eats for about 5 minutes each time, she's getting enough to eat because she's putting on weight. She was 7 lbs. 4 oz the day we went home from the hospital.

Cora has a hematoma (bruise) on her head from when she was in the birth canal and pushed up against my pelvic bone. The doctor said it's soft now but could become calcified and harder but it will go away within a few months. Cora also woke up this morning with yellow goo in her right eye so the doctor took a swab to make sure it's not an infection. She said that babies are born without tear ducts so until they are developed, she may have this problem. She gave us a prescription for some eye ointment. She verified my suspicion that Cora has a small umbilical hernia but she said that it will go away and it's nothing to worry about.

So Cora is in great health and she'll go back when she's 1 month old.

Hanging out with Daddy

Lookin around.

Cash checkin in on her while she sleeps.

First bath.

Cora Mae Frink

Josh and I go to his parent's house every Sunday to eat breakfast. After breakfast I felt the need to go to the bathroom. I came out and told Josh stuff was coming out and he sarcastically thanked me for informing him. Then I felt the need to go to the bathroom again. I came out and then I got the gush and told Josh "uh we need to go home NOW". I said I think my water broke and we need to get home before I make a puddle. I don't think he was getting it because I had to tell him several times. This was at about 10:25am.

When we got home I called the doctor and he suggested I go ahead and go to the hospital because I said the baby wasn't very active. So we got our stuff together, called our parents and headed to the hospital. We got to the ER at about 11:20. The waiting room was full and of course I got another big gush running down my legs as I was checking in.

We got into our room and the nurse did some paper test to make sure my water had broke. She said the strip wasn't turning blue like it was supposed to so I started to wonder what was going on then if it wasn't my water. She came back after a while and tested it again and it turned blue.

By 4:00pm I still hadn't had any contractions. Since I wanted to do the water birth, the nurse said I couldn't have Pitocin to induce labor. So they brought me a breast pump to help induce labor. I did get a few minor contractions but they went away. I also learned that since I had had MRSA two years ago I probably couldn't do a water birth. It would have been nice to know this a long time ago. I had to take a test to see if I was a MRSA carrier. Make a long frustrating story short it came back negative so they said I could get in the tub if I wanted. The nurses also had never called my midwife, they only called Dr. Gratkins. Finally the new night nurse called my midwife. The midwife was actually sick with the flu so she most likely wouldn't deliver me anyway. So so far nothing was going they way I hoped it would. My midwife did say I could take Pitocin up until I got in the tub.

At 9:30pm I started the Pitocin and finally started feeling contractions. I was very tired by this point and the contractions were coming hard and fast. I was only dilated to 4cm. At 12:45am I received an epidural and went to sleep finally. Obviously I decided not to go ahead with the water birth.

At 3:00am I woke up because I could feel pressure on the right side of my body. I called the nurse to help me turn to my right side. She said she was going to check me too. She said "oh there's the head and you're 10 cm". I woke Josh up and told him it was time.

Cora Mae was born at 3:32 a.m. on 5/4/09. She was 7 lbs 8 oz, 18 1/2 inches long and healthy. She latched on and took to feeding right away. The nurses were really surprised.

We got home at about 8:30 pm yesterday, 5/5. I could've stayed in the hospital today too but I was ready to get home and be comfortable. Our first night home went really well. We all slept good and my milk had come in so Cora ate well and stayed happy.

Cash and Willie (the cats) still don't know what to think. They know there's a new addition but haven't really investigated her. They are both scared so far.

Proud daddy!

She has alot of dark hair!