Cora Jo is Two

Cora's Two year old stats:

29 and a half pounds (78 percentile)

and

35.3 inches tall (81 percentile)

and

19.75 head size (97 percentile)

Because I have been a lousy blogger I am going to update the last two months on Cora Jo all in one post.
The beginning of May we welcomed Lucy into our home. Cora has been a fantastic big sister. She is mostly very kind to Lucy and loves to give her hugs and kisses. She surprises me with how motherly instinct she has in helping me take care of Lucy.
Also in May Cora had to second birthday. It was a really good day. She woke up to balloons all over our house and a candle in her french toast. Grandma Bischoff stopped by for a bit after breakfast and gave her a much loved mommy and baby ducks. We then headed to McDonalds Play Place in Smithfield because it was cold and rainy to go play at the park. Her cousins Ava, Madalyn, and Emi joined us there for some play time and Cora's first Happy Meal :)
We then went to Aggie Ice Cream with the Huff family to celebrate Owen's last day of school and Cora's birthday, Cora got Aggie Blue Mint, she loves the color blue. Next stop was home for a birthday nap but when we got there Grandpa Phillips had left some delicious donuts and candles so Cora blew out a few candles and had a bite or two then went to bed.  Once Chad got home we all went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse then went to Grandma Phillips' house for a party with all the cousins, Aunts, and Uncles.
It was a great day, for about a week after Cora woke up and would ask where the balloons were and wanted Candles in all of her food.

x

June was pretty low key I think cause I can't really remember what happened besides lots of playing at parks, playing at grandmas riding her bike and jumping on the trampoline, and going swimming a few time. Cora LOVES to go swimming she often asks to go swimming with her dad "go swim with my dad" She also likes to go down the slide at the Logan Aquatics Center.

You can't really see but it was raining really hard in this picture. It was a good day. We love rain

July a few things happened.

On the 3rd of July we had a cook out at my moms house with all the Phillips crew then headed home to Dee Ave to watch the fireworks from our porch, a good thing about living on the second floor :) We watched them with our neighbors Cami and Dustin who treated us with sparklers before the show began. Cora liked seeing the fireworks but I think was happy that they were far away and that she could go to bed soon after then were over.
Then on the 4th we went down to Brigham City where Chad had his annual Home Run Derby with his long time friends Chet and Ryan while the women and babies stayed at the Bischoff's nice and cool house. After the Derby we had an other cook out then headed home for work the next day. Summer time is the best.

The middle of July we moved in a new house! We now live in Smithfield at Chad's Grandma's house. It is so fantastic to have a back yard and a bit (aka a TON) more room. We love it. 


Since the 24th of July was on a Tuesday and Chad got it off we decided to also take off Friday and Monday and to take a quick road trip down to see our friends Stephen and Kristen Poe in Arizona. We left on Thursday and stayed the night at my brother Christopher's house then got up bright and early Friday and drove the rest of the way to Kingman, AZ. It was a fun trip, really really hot. Much hotter than I expected but it was fun to see our friends and to spend some time with them.  We went to church with them and a quick update on Nursery... Cora has been going for about 5 weeks now and has no problem going! It was great. We just made her cry for the whole two hours one week and ever since then she goes with no crying. Amazing :)
We got back to Logan in time for the North Logan 24th Parade. It is the best parade of the whole year. I love it.

A few things about Cora:
- She loves to sing songs and/or have them sung to her. At bedtime she always asks for more songs
- When we first moved into our house all she wanted to do was play with the hose
- She LOVES Peanut butter. We eat it at least once a day either in oatmeal on bread, on bananas, or just plain.
- She is also potty trained! It wasn't so bad I just decided one day no more diapers and had to clean up a few accidents but over all she does great. side note she still wears pull ups to bed so advise on how to potty train for nights is accepted :)
- She sleeps in a big bed. About a week ago she just decided that she wanted to sleep in the big bed and so today we packed up her crib and is now officially a big girl.
- Cora loves to gallop. Galloping everywhere she goes.
- Cora is very protective and proud of her little sister. She loves to lift up Lucy's car seat cover and show her off to her cousins.
-Cora does not like grapes and is not to fond of watermelon... I think she is crazy.
- Favorite foods include: Peanut Butter, oatmeal, eggs, beans, cheese, milk (anything protein), yogurt, bananas, Popsicles, granola, chips, and candy.
- People always notice her eyes and her hair. She is our Curly Q
- Every time she wakes up in the morning or from her nap she asks "where my dad?"
- She also still has her binky.. no comment

That turned out to be a really long post so we love our Cora Jo  :)

Back in Time to May 2, 2012

On Wednesday, May 2, 2012 we welcomed the newest member of our family into this world. Lucy Bischoff came at 7:17 am health as could be.
On Tuesday night Chad went to church meetings as usual and I went to my Mom's house to let Cora run free hoping/whining that I would just have this baby and that I could be not huge anymore. The night came and went and we were back home still pregnant. I could have been induced the Monday before because Cora was so big but I decided to wait to make sure that the bun was done.
That night after Cora was asleep Chad was in a really good mood and I was really uncomfortable so we just kept watching The Office and putting off sleep. Then at about 12:00 my water broke and we started to get really excited.
My mom came over to stay with Cora and we headed to the hospital. We checked in at 12:30 am and got settled in. Contractions weren't to bad at that time but they started to pick up pretty quick. I lasted until about 4:30 with out medicine but the contractions were getting stronger and I hadn't dilated any more since coming in, I as at at 3 and had had enough pain so I got an epidural.
With the epidural working I was able to rest a little bit and at 6:15 I was at a 5 then at about 6:45 I was at a 9. I didn't think that one could progress that fast but I was feeling ready to push so they checked me and sure enough I was at a 9 and they started to set up for delivery. After only about 4 minutes of pushing Lucy was born at 7:17 am. Weighing in at 9 pounds and 1 ounce.
I guess I got what I wanted as in a baby smaller than Cora but I should have been more specific as in a 7 or even 8 pound baby. :)

She was put on oxygen for a few minutes after she was born but other than that she was healthy as could be. We stayed in the hospital for one night then decided to come home to get some rest.
Cora came to visit us the day she born and didn't know what to think at first. She wouldn't come to me on the bed and kept her distance from Lucy. Until they took Lucy to test her blood sugar and she came back with a bow in her hair... Cora also had a bow in her hair and because of that fact they were friends from then on.
Cora has been a fantastic big sister and has been a huge help. She gives Lucy lots of loves and has only mauled her once or twice.

We are so blessed to have such great family and friends to help and support us with this change in our lives. We love having a new baby at our house and are grateful for such a healthy happy baby.

Lucy is now 2 weeks old and doing great. We have only had 2 nights that were lacking in sleep but other than that she is a good baby. She sleeps lots and is growing big.
So we left the hospital with her weighing 8 lbs 11 oz and at her first doctors appointment at 5 days old she was already 9 pounds 7 ounces.
And at two weeks she weighs in at 10 pounds 2 ounces (95 percentile) and is 22 inches long (95 percentile). I think every nurse and doctor we have talked to ask what I feed my babies and how I get them so big... I guess my answer is    Go Big or Go Home :)

Now for the pictures update.... I don't have a lot of pictures because I am terrible at taking pictures but my sister have a lot more that I may post someday :)

Me right before we went to the hospital... hindsight shouldn't have stood in front of a dark door with a dark shirt. Just so you know I was huge :)

So this is a picture of the monitors tracking Lucy's heartbeat and my contractions. The blue bottom line are my contractions, I didn't have much rest in between each one. They were coming about every 2-3 minutes and when they got hard I didn't last to long with out an epidural.

Here is the sweetheart just seconds old.

Proof that she is big :)

First picture with my baby Lucy

A picture in her going home outfit.

My mom brought Cora home later that day when we got home. She was pretty excited to have her baby sister and mom and dad home. She also needed to have a bow in her hair to match with baby Lucy.

Cora likes to read books to baby Lucy and her babies too :)

Sisters

Cora being silly. Some sad news.... Lucy doesn't like binkies, a huge difference from Cora who should be getting rid of hers soon. But we don't like to talk about it :)

This was on Mothers Day. I can't think of a better was to spend it than snuggling a new baby.

Getting some loves

Our April

We have been keeping busy at our house this month with lots of fun, but of course I don't have any pictures of most of the things we do. 
I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and excited for our baby girl to come... soon. :)  I have been having lots of contractions and continue to get bigger and bigger each day. But I have to remind myself that she will come when she is ready I just hope that she doesn't think that ten pounds is ready.

Cora has figured out that there is a baby in my belly and likes to touch it and feel her move. If she puts her hands on my belly and doesn't feel baby sister move she says that the baby is sleeping and says "baby coming".
Cora loves playing with her daddy and loves to tease him even more. Here are a few random shots from the other night, a rare occasion that I pulled out the camera.

 Chads work had a great baby shower for us. They are all so nice to bring treats and gifts both for Cora and the new baby. The above picture is a fantastic diaper cake that someone made for us. It was incredible. Each layer is rolled up diapers surrounded by blankets and topped with socks made into flowers, binkys, soap, lotion, toys, and a cute stroller with a baby doll for Cora on the very top. It was amazing.
Below is Cora at the shower enjoying a cake pop. 

 

 Just Cora enjoying the tub.

 I know that we have a tiny apartment and that we are going to adding a whole new person into it soon which will make it even tighter but I couldn't pass up an great find at the DI this month. A new elliptical! Chad has been using my mom's or staying late to go to the gym at USU so when I saw this gem for only $25 I couldn't resist.
After Chad exercises he often does push ups and sit ups Cora has learned by example how to do them both. Her push ups are awesome but I missed getting a picture of them. :)

 These last pictures are of how long and curly Cora's hair is getting. The longer it is the more curtly it becomes. I love it. Based on the last few days this summer is going to give us some awesome hair days. It seems that Cora may sweat a bit more then a normal child especially on her head. And when she sweats her hair gets really curly :)

Ornery day

Cora started the day off about 2 hours earlier than she normally does. I know I can't complain because she only woke up at 7 but she woke up very ornery. I am saying it is teeth again but if these k-9 teeth don't start popping out like daises I don't know what is up.
It was a rough morning but at about 11:30 I had the sweet pay off of Cora falling asleep next to me. Proof that ornery days and big bellies aren't always bad :)

 Sorry for the bad quality pictures but I didn't want to move to much in case she woke up and there was a really bright window behind us. Another great thing about today, who knew Logan could have such beautiful days in March? We love it.