Six Blessed Months

Wow. That's about all I can say right now...wow, six months have passed since our lives were changed when we welcomed Cora Isabel into the world. It has been such an amazing journal thus far and it's so true that if you blink, your little one will be all grown up before you know it! I can honestly say that that little phrase makes me sick to my stomach because I'm now witnessing this growth firsthand. I knew this was going to happen and there is nothing I can do about it, but I'm going to hold Cora tighter, giggle with her more and kiss her chubby cheeks 100 times a day before she one day she doesn't think Mommy is cool anymore!

Stats at 6 months:
18lb 2oz (98%, weight of an 8 month old)

27 7/8in (off the charts, height of a 10month old)

head: 90%! (thank you Heeren genes)

Blurry but OH SO CUTE!

Best Buddy, Evan

Christmas Tree Hunting, 2010

She eats oatmeal in the morning and has started eating veggies and a little rice in the afternoon. She is also now only breastfeeding in the evening and formula during the day. She's a happy girl and LOVES her feedings!


Christmas Eve 2010

Great Grandma Stolk

Peek-a-bo0!

She's a stinker though when it comes to rolling. She CAN roll, it's a matter of when she actually WANTS to do it...on her own time. She would rather stand or go from laying on her back to pulling herself up with our help than sitting or rolling. She is one strong willed little girl!

Cora Isabel - you are one amazing little lady and to say that we crazy in love you is an understatement! We are blessed that God has chosen us to be your parents and thank Him every day for YOU!

First Family Pictures!

We were so fortunate to have our great friends Jon and Ash snap a few photos of our little family. I LOVE how they turned out and think the Scholma's should start up their own business :)

Santa Parade

Myself, Cora and my parents ventured out in the COLD weather for the Santa Claus parade on Saturday. We met up with Stacey (my bothers gf) and her friend Mary and tried to enjoy as much as the parade as possible. We left about half way through but looking forward to next year when Cora will really be able to enjoy Santa!

My cute parents!

She really enjoyed it...can you tell?

ARGH Matey!!!!!

I think Cora may have been the cutest little pirate, known to man! I picked up this costume last year when I was 8 weeks pregnant for only $2.5o...I couldn't pass it up, knowing that I had a 50% chance that I was having a girl. Who said little girls can't dress up and make pirates look good!

Since Cora's too young to trick or treat, we stopped at my parents on Saturday night and passed out candy and ate pizza. We also stopped by Jon and Ash's, but unfortunately Cora was already in her PJ's and zonked in her car seat so the visit was short.

I can't wait until next year and possibly take her out, dressed in something a little more girly of course. Who said 16 month olds can't share candy with their parents...

LOVE

Love this little girl to the moon and back!

Life as we know it!

It has been an amazing, hectic, busy but most of all blessed three months. I can't believe Cora's already 3 months old...time really does fly when you are having fun!

The Heeren clan vacationing at Crystal Mountain

Typical Cora!

So big and oh so cute!

Ms. Talker

She's got a lot to say these days!

cora talking and blabbering from Joel Heeren on Vimeo.

Big smiles!

love her to pieces and her smiles!!
(don't mind that I spelled Bumbo wrong...my excuse is that I have a cold and was not thinking straight!)

Cora in bumboo from Joel Heeren on Vimeo.

Wow!

So I was just reading another bloggers post about how you should write down what you are thinking at this exact moment and how thankful you should be that you are experiencing that thought.

It just so happens that my sister received the best news in the world today. She was offered a 4th grade teaching position at Century Park in Grandville. You have no idea how much this makes my heart happy, let alone how happy it makes my sister.

My sister was a teacher in Florida for two years when she decided to move back home, closer to family. After interviewing MULTIPLE times in the Grandville area, she continued to receive the news that she was not the chosen one. I can't even begin to imagine the disappointment, frustration and sadness that my sister had to encounter. My heart broke for her every time the phone rang letting us know that she once again didn't get the job.

The time when the phone rang and saw that it was her, I wasn't sure what to think. I answered it and heard this little whisper "I got the job" and for one second, I think my heart stopped! I teared up as I heard that she FINALLY GOT THE JOB. The power of prayer is amazing. Today, this is what I'm thankful for. My sister, out of all people, deserves this job!

To all the little boys and girls that will now be in Mrs. VandenBerg's classroom...you have the most amazing, creative, thoughtful and loving teacher and I'm so proud that she is my sister.

I love you Kat!

Summer Adventures

First and foremost, our little girl is ONE MONTH ALREADY! (actually she is 6 weeks, I'm a little behind on the post and pictures). Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday we brought Cora home from the hospital and really, we had NO idea what we were doing! So far, Cora seems happy (besides her acid reflux) so we must be doing something right!! We love her to pieces and can't imagine life without her.

Happy 1 month Cora! We love you!

Since I'm returning to work in three weeks, I've been trying to get out and about as much as possible. Cora and I have visited Sandy Pines with Ashley and it was a blast! Cora did have a meltdown and thank goodness for Ash and Kim...they were lifesavers!

Loving laffy taffy already...hehe, or just pretending to like it :)

A great ride with the girls!

We also visited Pentwater when Frank and Mindi were in town. It was so nice to see them...wish they didn't live so far away! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures!

My mom and I also visited Fredrik Meijer Gardens. It was a great outing and since my mom is off of work because of surgery, she was able to join us!

Cora and Evan stopped over the other day! Evan is such a cute little boy and we joke that maybe, just maybe Cora and Evan will date someday! We already took their pictures together just so that we have them for the wedding slide show :) Evan is 3 weeks younger than Cora, but not much smaller! Don't they look perfect for each other?! ok...maybe I'm jumping the gun a little too soon. A mother can dream though.......right?

So Cute!

slacking!

It's bad when you are addicted to checking out other bloggers pages, but won't take the time to update your own. That isn't me at all :)

Cora has been growing by the minute! She's probably around 10lbs by now and she's only a month old! She was diagnosed with acid reflux and is on meds, which has been a lifesaver for Joel and me. Instead of having 3 hour screaming fits every night, we now only have them every once in awhile! It is hard though to hear your baby screaming and you have no idea WHY! Her diapers dry, she's been fed, she's not cold or hot, she just wants to SCREAM! I think that has been the hardest part so far, but we aren't complaining. I know some have it worse than we do, so I'll leave it at that and know that..."this too shall pass"

One month old already!!

GO DUTCH!

Daily Changes

I can't believe how much change you can see on a newborns face on a daily basis! Cora is growing and growing...I'm just trying to keep up and not get too emotional! She is a pretty laid back baby, expect when she's hungry...she definitely has a set of lungs (I'm waiting for our neighbors to ask if we know what we are doing!). When we had her first Pediatrician visit, she had gained 9oz in 5 days! Normally, newborns only gain an ounce a day so Cora has almost doubled the recommendation!! I may overload each post with pictures, but I just can't stop taking pictures of our beautiful little girl!!!

Our first family photo!

Best moment and feeling having your newborn placed on your chest!

Miss smiley!

Leaving as a family of 3!!!

Daddy and his little girl!

Wide awake!

Pure beauty!

Not the best picture, but loving being a mom!

Hello!!

So content and beautiful!