Cora's Room

Carrots vs. Ice cream...I'll show you what's better Mommy

Icecream vs. Carrots. Cora decides... from Jen Leo on Vimeo.

San Francisco: Cora & friends on the merry-go-round at Golden Gate Park

Make sure you turn your sound down low - or off. There is an annoying mother talking through this video of these three adorable little girls riding the merry-go-round in Golden Gate Park. The carousel is located at Koret's Children's Quarter, the oldest children's playground in the nation.

Dan, Jen & Allegra

Bob & Audrey

Oscar, Mary & Cip

Molly, Philip & Ella

...all came out for our toddler playdate in the park. It was a real treat to spend time with long time friends as parents. I think Dan even commented about us having kids while we were on the merry-go-round. I've known Dan since we were in 7th grade. Molly too. Oscar since college at USC and even though I've known Bob (and his wife Jenn) the least amount of time - it's still almost ten years.

Life is good. Sunny weekends in the park are important - make time for more of them.

Dear Cora, in case we never make you a baby book...

Dear Cora,

There is a strong chance I might never make you a baby book. Your Nana might, and some years from now my mind might get fuzzy and I might accidentally tell you that I made the book, unless she used a font I didn't like, in which case I definitely won't take the credit.

Nonetheless, this blog might be all you ever get.

That's why I'm posting this overly grainy iPhone pic I took tonight. We had just finished your bath— you love taking baths and when I ask you if you want a bath, you pound your fists horizontally together, the sign for more—and I told you that we were going to tell Daddy you're all clean now.

We always do this after you're done with a bath, but usually he's in the house. Tonight, we held up the iPhone to take the pic and instead of grabbing for it like you always do, you started jabbering away, as if you were talking to him. And you smiled, willingly and quickly, as if you knew he might be on the other end of the phone - 5,477 miles away.

You're beautiful, Cora.

And you had a good day today, which you usually do. 9.5 times out of 10.

I love you,

Mommy the mush ball.

Cora likes to jiggle.

Cora Loves to Jiggle from Jen Leo on Vimeo.

This video of Cora is a few months old, but still a fun one to watch.

Cora's 2010 New Year's Resolutions

Mommy said I have to make a New Year's Resolution. I thought she said Elmo Solution - a way for me to skip ahead to Elmo's World when watching Sesame Street, but she told me to try again.

So, for my New Year's Resolution I'm going to eat more ice cream. This was only the third time I'd ever had it, but I already know this is the best food EVER.

Cora is one year old today

It's hard to believe it's already been a year - but time flies when you're having fun. Cora Lyn Caldwell is one year old today. Here's an iPhone pic of her eating pancakes this morning.

So - what is Cora like and what does she like right now?

Personality & Language

• Cora is equal parts sweet and silly.
• She loves flying birds and other little kids.
• Cora is enthralled with books her own size. She does look like she's reading them (nearly always right side up) and enjoys turning the pages. And she's partial to pop up books or pictures of other babies and animals.
• She is crawling, cruising around furniture and walking fast if holding onto your hands but hasn't taken any first steps yet.
• Her favorite TV shows are Yo Gabba Gabba and Sesame Street (particularly Elmo's World)
• On the silly side - Cora likes pillow fights, slapstick humor and silly sounds and faces, and crawling under things - especially her Auntie Val and Uncle Jon's kitchen table.
• She smiles a lot, is generally happy and mellow, but can get a little mad if you hold her back from doing what she wants.
• Her favorite shirt is from her Auntie Katie and is covered with little penguins. She likes it because we sing a penguino song and poke all the penguins on her belly.

• Cora can make the sounds of a dog, elephant and cow.
• Cora understands and can react to several words in Spanish that her Nanny Martha taught her including Baile (dance), Aplaudid (clap), Tope (an affectionate touching of foreheads), uno, tos (cough), brinca  (jump) - and probably some more. She also knows sign language for "all done," her bottle, and pick me up.
• She high fives, waves and has just started blowing kisses. But mostly she'll cock her head to one side and give you the love eyes if she wants to give you some love.

Food & sleep

• Cora loves strawberries, zuccini, and chicken and rice that Martha makes her. She'll eat sweet potatoes, loves bread, prunes, apple sauce, bananas, avocado and pears. She'll eat other fruits like grapes and apples, but it's watermelon and strawberries that make her the happiest.
• She's also a cheerio fanatic.
• Does she sleep through the night? She has for many months until we took her to Charleston a few weeks ago. Now she prefers our bed, especially at 3am. She'll sleep 9 hours at night and 2-3 hours over two naps during the day.
• We'll have to update with her weight and height later.

Travel

       Here are all the cities she's been to:

• San Francisco (at 6 weeks old)
• New York & Charleston (4 months)
• San Francisco & London (6 months)
• Various trips to Vegas & Los Angeles throughout the year
• Atlanta & Charleston (11 months)

    We want to thank everyone who has followed along on the blog over Cora's first year.  We're really happy we can give her a 'picture book' that she can look back on for years to come.

We love you Cora.

Mommy & Daddy

Cora sings Old McDonald Had a Farm

#Cora sings Old McDonald from Jen Leo on Vimeo.

E-I-E-I-ooooooh how cute! Mommy was singing to Cora and Cora immediately wanted to help. We nabbed her on video while she still wanted to sing Old McDonald Had a Farm. 11 months.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daddy's Birthday Song from Cora from Jen Leo on Vimeo.

It's Daddy's birthday today. Mommy tells me it's hard to give Daddy presents. I don't even know what a birthday is because I haven't had one yet. But Mommy said that even though Daddy doesn't particularly love it when Mommy sings, he'd like this song because I was helping. Happy Birthday Daddy! Bye.

Now Look Here. I'm in Charge Around Here - Any Questions?

I've got a straw in my mouth, and I'm prepared to use it.  You don't want any of this - trust me.

Oh, It's On!

So, my friend Sophia shows up, and she's a...ladybug!!  No way!  I'm filing a grievance with the WHC (World Halloween Council).  Here's Sophia in her costume.

Now here's a picture of me in my ladybug outfit.  This is the second I saw Sophia.  Note the look on my face.

I'll let you know what verdict the WHC returns.  bye.