There you are!!

Wondering where the heck we've been?

Why on a 2 week trip to Tennessee, 

Kentucky, Missouri and back to Kentucky.

Oh, and someone had her first plane ride!

Pics and stories to come!

3 years ago today...

3 years ago today I was holding a bouquet,

And now I hold my sweet baby girl.

Thanks Dr. D for 3 years of wedded bliss.

Can't wait to spend the rest of my days with you!

Sweet Moments

Showering Rachel!

On Saturday we celebrated the upcoming arrival of 

Baby Madelyn! We're so excited for her parents 

Brandon and Rachel and Cora can't wait to meet her new friend! 

Speaking of Miss Cora, she slept the entire time!

Friday Funny

My bestie Katye sent me a YouTube video
done by her friend Kelley. You mom's out
there with appreciate it -- and even if you
aren't a mom, you'll appreciate this gal's
rapping ability, amazing!

Happy Mother's Day!

I feel so fortunate to be Cora's mommy
and am so happy we get to spend the
day with m wonderful mom!!!

(nearly) Wordless Wednesday

 Going bald!

1 Month!

Our precious baby girl is a month old!

What a month it has been!

We met the love of our life, Cora.

A month ago she was introduced to

this world, family, and friends...

 introduced to the swaddle...

 the car seat... (and stroller)

 the bath...

 sunning thanks to jaundice
(notice how she propped her feet up)...

outings like the Dallas Arboretum...

 the bouncy chair and swing...

 new friends (sweet baby Dodson)...

and of course bows and annoying 

poses thanks to momma...

My mom gets here tonight and

we're sooooo excited!!!

Run for the Roses

We had a nice relaxing weekend. Momma got to enjoy her first post-baby glass of vino while celebrating the Kentucky Derby/Cinco de Mayo. FYI, wine works in a pinch as a julep/margarita sub! Cora wasn't too into watching the ponies run but I have a feeling she'll be begging daddy for a pony in a few years. At least she looked the part in her fascinator thanks to grandma Nannie!

Momentary eye opening

Easy recipe for a tired momma

Looking for an easy recipe?
Of course you are!

With the new addition, crockpot meals are
about all I can mangage these days. I made
this last night and it was a hit, and so simple!

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
2 large chicken breasts
1 medium onion, diced
2 large carrots, chopped
1 cup mushrooms (optional, I had them on hand)
8 ounces chicken broth
2 cans cream of chicken soup
parsley, salt, pepper to taste
can refrigerated bisuits or crescent rolls (like Pilsbury)

Directions: Add everything except bisuits to crockpot, cook for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken (I use 2 forks). 30-45 minutes prior to serving, cut up biscuits or rolls (about 1 inch sqaures) and add to crockpot.

Wordless Wednesday

Play time!

Our first solo trip!

We had our first solo outing yesterday! I made sure Cora had a clean diaper and was nice and full before we headed about a mile down the road to the grocery. I put her in the Moby wrap and after a few wide-eyed minutes she fell sound asleep. It was only about a 30 minute trip, but success!

Here she is tuckered out in the carseat post-outing:

 Baby and momma:

In love

Sweet moments like this make me forget
about the sleepless nights, spit-up wearing,
no make up and greasy hair-ness that is my
life right now. We could not be more in love
with this baby girl. She is so much more
alert this second week of life! And eating
like a champ -- Cora is up 6 ounces from
her birth weight, weighing in at 6# 8 oz.
Thanks to you friends and family out there
for your love, support and blog comments!

Grandma Kathy left this Monday and we
miss her a bunch! It was so nice having
D's parents here. My Mom comes the
first weekend of May and we can't wait!!
And soon thereafter we'll be going to
Kentucky followed by a visit from my
dear besties Meg  and Katye! 

Splish Splash

She wasn't too sure what to think at first

but after we got started Cora didn't

 mind getting her first little sponge bath.

The worst part was getting undressed!

Followed by a long nap in Grandpa John's arms!

Wordless Wednesday

Strollin'

We had a well check today and Cora

has gained 5 ounces since Thursday!!

She left the hospital at 5# 13 oz,

weighed 5 14 oz Thursday,

and 6# 3 oz today!

Here we are on our first walk:

 Our first stroller ride went really well!

Cora snoozed the whole time.

And someone found her fingers to suck on.

Welcome to the World! A Birth Story

Baby Cora,

You came into this world on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, changing our lives forever. Mommy, Daddy, Nannie, Grandpa and Meg got to the hospital at 7 am. We were all settled into the hospital room by 8 and Mommy got changed into her gown. Dr. J broke Mommy's water and our sweet nurse Katherine got the Pitocin started. Nannie, Grandpa and Meg went to mass around 9 and Mommy and Daddy watched the hospital monitors, listened to your strong heartbeat and waited for the show to start.

The contractions weren't too bad at first but by noon Mommy was ready for the epidural. Nannie and Meg were back by then, never leaving Mommy's side except for Meg to take a nervous Grandpa home to relax for a while. Your other Grandpa and Grandma made it in from Kentucky around 2 pm. By then Mommy was about 3.5 cm dilated. Another check and Mommy was 4 cm and we feared it would be a long night.

Daddy sat next to Mommy holding her hand. By 5:45 pm he was pretty hungry and went to get something to eat. Everyone was in the cafeteria downstairs except for Meg, who sat next to Mommy. Over the course of about 15 minutes, Mommy started feeling a lot of pressure and the urgency to push. The nurse called the doctor to come check and believe it or not -- 10 cm, fully effaced and ready to push!!! You were ready to come out!

Meg called Daddy and the rest of the family. At 6:30 Mommy began pushing with Daddy by her side. At 6:53 pm you were born!!! You are absolutely perfect and healthy and an answer to our prayers. So many people love you so much, Cora Virginia!

You are named after Mommy's paternal great-grandmother Corinne and Mommy's beloved Mammaw Virginia.