Chomper

Cora has finally broke through her third tooth. Her top right one is just poking through. I have to admit, this time was so much easier with teething. She has been having fits at night while she sleeps, but it really hasn't been too bad. I wonder if tooth #4 is going to be in soon. With her bottom teeth, the first one popped through and less than a week later the second one was coming.

Do you see it?

How about now?

There it is!

One more close up for good measure.

I guess Lee's Indian name "Two Tooth" isn't going to work much longer. :)

2/3 of her way to ONE whole year!

Yep. Cora turned 8 months old on Sunday. I can't believe it. Well, yes I can. The last 8 months with our daughter has been a very short yet very fulfilling ride. She just tickles me pink every single day. It is amazing what she is learning. I know I will be blown away 8 months from today with what she will be able to do.

Let's see what the little bug has been up to.

• No new teeth. She still only has the bottom two.
• She eats everything! Well, everything I put in front of her. I have introduced way too many things to list here. The latest is turkey, chicken, egg yolks, and tomatoes.
• She is army crawling/inch worming. She can push up onto her arms and knees into the proper crawling stance, but she hasn't quite figured out how to get all of her limbs working simultaneously. She gets around pretty good using her technique of "Army Worming".
• She loves standing!
• She is starting to wave at the correct times such as hi and bye.
• She constantly makes all kinds of crazy, new, interesting sounds. Her most funny one right now is a high pitched squeak while inhaling. The sweet little coos are back, too.
• She growls. No joke. I die inside when I hear it. It is so hard to hold back the giggles in order to growl back at her. I am sure people think Lee and I have lost it when they see us in public with her.
• She loves the great outdoors.
  

That is about all I can think of. I have posted about thirty of the same, well slightly different, picture below. Yes, I cannot choose pictures in order to tell a story. So, enjoy every variation of Cora's smile. :)
















Crawling video


Standing video

Rocky Mountain High

Last weekend we headed to Jasper, Alberta to meet up for a quick visit with Aunt Carol and Uncle Larry. This was Cora and Great Uncle Larry's first meeting. I have to say, I think he was pretty smitten with her. Cora was still mesmerized by Great Aunt Carol. We all had a grand time. They were on holiday traveling through the Canadian Rockies and into Montana. We had an absolutely wonderful and relaxing time. We rode the gondola up Whistler Mtn, checked out Athabasca Falls, sat in the sunshine on the banks of Lac Beauvert, ate wonderful home cooked food, drank fabulous wine by the fireplace, and had wonderful conversation. What more could someone want in a weekend? Here are a zillion and a half more pictures for everyone to enjoy.

Cora taking a ride on my shoulders. She thinks this is great fun.

Enjoying the view from the Gondola.

The whole gang on the Gondola.

Lee, Cora, and myself high on a mountain top. The town of Jasper is in the distance.

My little family at Athabasca Falls.

She loves being outside.

Daddy showing Cora moss for the first time.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

I wish this picture was on video instead. She was squealing in delight and kicking her feet.

Lee, Cora, Larry, and Carol checking out the Falls from above.

Daddy and Cora with Athabasca Falls behind them. I love this place!

Great photo!

We're in Canada now, eh?

Cora with a Mountie. Lee and I were just discussing how we were going to celebrate Cora's nationality when we leave Canada. This picture will always be a good memory!

Cora and Mommy having a good time!

Walking back from the island at Pyramid Lake

The fam with Pyramid Mtn in the background.

Cora, Great Aunt Carol, and Great Uncle Larry.

Cora and Carol having fun in the wind at Pyramid Lake.

I LOVE this picture!

Playing in the glass door with Cora Bear.

We had so much fun. Thank you Carol and Larry for the good memories! We hope you had a great rest of your trip.

Folk Festing!

WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD!

This year, my Dad came up to attend the 30th Annual Edmonton Folk Music Festival. I have gone for small portions of this festival since I arrived in Edmonton. This year, we bit the bullet and bought tickets for all 4...I mean 5 DAYS! Normally the folk fest is a 4 day event with folk music from all corners of the world. This year was special. There was an additional night added to the festival featuring TRACY CHAPMAN and SARAH McLACHLAN! The additional concert was a fundraiser for the Folk Fest Endowment Fund which is in place to help struggling folk fest so our children and children's children can enjoy fantastic music for years to come.

The other great part of this week was having my Dad here for just over a week. We had a great time, but I think Cora had the best time. Cora definitely has herself a new bud. They ate cereal together every morning, which is something I will always remember doing with my dad. Grandpa Bill also taught Cora all kinds of fantastic new tricks. We definitely have a louder child since he has left. Thanks, Dad. :) She sings, but it comes out as a very strained yell. She does her own indian yell with her hand. She waves ALL the time. She used to hold her hand to her forehead and wave. Now she waves properly. She gets all sorts of excited about balls and balloons. Grandpa, the sap, was letting her have anything she wanted at the grocery. We came home with yet another mylar balloon. I think we will have some spoiled grandchildren here in the future. We went on walks and took advantage of the few nice days. It rained a bunch, but the weather was splendid for the music.

Here are pictures of the folk fest and plenty of photos of Cora playing with Grandpa Bill.

Grandpa putting Cora down for a nap. Eyes wide open!

A "kiss" from Cora

She loved bouncing on her ball.

She's almost pulling herself up in her crib. Time to lower the mattress.

The city skyline from a park by our house.

My turn for kisses. Yes, I am pulling away. She is all slobber and tongue!

First night of the folk fest

Brr. It was a bit cold.

But, Cora slept anyways.

And then it rained. We stuck it out and Cora kept sleeping.

Tracy Chapman!!

The crowd at night. There were 20K people attending the folk fest each day. 2K could fit in the beer gardens and there was always a wait to get in. :)

Toughing out the weather. It wasn't too bad. Just chilly!

Sarah McLachlan!!!!

First time she held her bottle.

My Dad.

There is food all over her face!

Checking out the view.

Another view of the mainstage with the city in the background.

Mortal Coil. These chicks rocked! The danced the weekend away on those massive stilts.

Cathy and Cora

Playing with her homemade rattle.

Showing everyone how she can pose for the camera. She really does!

Distant view of the folk fest.

Taking a nap in the shade. It did eventually warm up.

Cutie pie with Grandpa Bill's hat.

Here are just some quick snippets of videos from the first night. These are for you, Michelle. She has loved Sarah McLaclan since she was little. I took three quick videos of her just to rub it in your face. :)