Sunday, February 24, 2013

Happy birthday, Momma!

There is nothing like being surrounded by love on your birthday.  Today, I celebrated my 32nd birthday with some of my favorite people in the world. Thank you to my mom and dad, and Josh and Cora, for giving me such a great birthday weekend.  Every time I'm with any of our parents, I'm reminded of how extraordinarily lucky we are to come from such loving homes.  We can only hope we'll be able to "pay it forward" to Cora someday.

Here are a few photos from our fun weekend, and here are the outtakes!



Pretty girls




Note the balloons and streamers; a callback to my childhood :)



Josh and I enjoyed a nice Italian dinner while Nanna, Grandpa, and Cora played at home.


Delicious!  My parents woke up early to make a birthday feast.  Meanwhile, Josh made an amazing vegan cheesecake.


Heuston Woods hike.


Cora is photo-bombing because she wants Nanna and Grandpa to pick her up :)


Splish splash

Cora has been loving bath time, thanks in part to the bath animals from Uncle Darren and Aunt Kirsten, and the numbers and letters from her Nonnos!





Friday, February 15, 2013

We have steps!

Today, Cora had what we consider to be her first bonafide steps.  Here are the outtakes.  Go Cora, go!




Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day 2012 was really the first holiday we spent with Cora (if you want to count V day as a holiday!).  It is amazing to witness the differences between the two years.



Saturday, February 9, 2013

Laugh Attack

Cora goes from grumpy to a laugh attack...


and laughs some more...


Saturday, February 2, 2013

Cora's First Birthday!

What a wonderful first birthday!  Cora was a lucky girl, with many people celebrating in Oxford for her big day.  As well, Cora received all kinds of long-distance love from family and friends across the country.  Thank you, everyone!  Cliche though it may be, it really does take a village to raise a child.  We are so fortunate to have you in our lives.


Here are a few videos capturing the big day.  

Getting ready to open gifts.  


Happy birthday! (notice Nonno Mark and Rich in the background, Facetiming in from the West Coast).  


After Skyping with Uncle Patrick and Aunt Jennifer.  


Flying Cora!  





Laughing Cora

Mommy and Daddy making Cora laugh before bedtime (earlier in January)...