Februrary 7-12th - CHD Awareness

This is Cora. She was born 6/3/11 and was diagnosed at 2.5 months of age with a Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect, or AVSD. Cora was to be repaired at 4.5 months, but became critically ill around the same time. She needed to undergo a cardiac catheterization procedure before repair, but this couldn't happen until her general health improved. Cora's echos seemed to show an unbalanced defect and the surgeon was unclear what repair would be best. Cora was finally repaired on 12/9/11 and is now home with us, catching up on her developmental milestones and learning to eat again.

February is Heart Month. February 7-12th is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Cora is 1 in every 100. She is a Heart Warrior.

Visit: The Faces of CHD   http://pinterest.com/ruth_h/the-faces-of-chd-congenital-heart-awareness-week-f/

Fall

I've been waiting for the wind to die down for two weekends now. No such luck. So I dressed the girls us and braved the wind for a little fall and Halloween photo shoot. In true fashion, I always wish I would have done something differently to get better shots and it was hard to get true smiles out of Maren, but that's our life!

 Cupcake Cora

 Pinkalicious and Cupcake Cora

 Taking a bite.

 Cora braves the sun and wind with open eyes.

 Pinkalicious wanted to pick flowers instead.

 Daddy and Cora

Mommy and the sweeties.

4 Months

You are 4 months old. Boy, did that sneak up on me! You can be very alert and search for new voices and sounds around you. Your sister still captivates your attention. When you dad jiggles your legs, you laugh! Your eyes are gorgeous and I love how you focus on me. Oh, that hair!  I'm so blessed to be your mommy!

Bumbo and Tea Parties

 Maren got to go to a birthday tea party today. She chose to wear her best petti skirt a found accessories to wear at the party!

 In the midst of all going on, we hadn't even gotten the bumbo out. So Cora gave it a try today and seemed to really like it!

She gets uncomfortable sitting for too long, but had a good time, none the less. (Thanks to Ms. P for the polkaspots outfit. :) )

Sweet Cora is 3 months old......

Cora is already 3 months and I have returned to work. It has been an adjustment, that's for sure. I think I will still be adjusting when next June comes, bringing summer break. I have Ms. Peggy to thank for these photos. She gives so freely to others and ran over on very short notice when I asked her to do an emergency shoot a little early for Sweet Cora. Cora wasn't too smiley of a subject that afternoon. At least, not to the camera. She loves an unobscured face to look at and doesn't know what to make of a talking black box.

 Maren spells "Cora" with blocks.

 Sweet Maren and her fabulous hair.



 Sleepy smiles were about all she was giving the camera that afternoon.

 {Love}

Wordless..... :)

Mini-vaca

Maren loved the rides at Arnold's Park this year! The Kiddie Coaster and Log Ride were her favorite (and the carousel, and the spinning apples, and the fish, and the train...)

Getting ready to go out on the boat. She loved riding fast in the front and stopping to play at a beach. Swimming in the middle of a bay with mommy - not so much. Maybe next year. 

Here's what hot, sleepy babies do on vacation...

Parks

 The weather has been awesome this week! No more 90 or 100+. The girls and I went to Old MacDonald's Farm on Tuesday to see the animals and meet friends for a picnic at the playground. Maren had fun getting out and trying her turn at driving this "tractor." 

 All of my photos from the day involve her back. That girl doesn't like to pose for the camera.

 Jumping off a stump....one of many, many times.

 On Thursday we met Daddy at another park for a lunch date. Maren wanted to play in the sandbox there, but didn't have any tools - she improvised with sticks.

Cora did a lot of this - but sometimes changed it up by sleeping in the front carrier. She is changing a lot - look at how her hair is growing! All her natural brown and red highlights are really showing now. So lucky!