Oh what fun! Cora Katherine, you are ONE (plus a few weeks)!

Just as we said with your big sister, we can’t remember life before you — and we sure can’t imagine life without you. You’ve completed our family in so many ways, and we’ve absolutely adored watching you change and grow. What a year this has been!

Height: 30 inches
Weight: 19 pounds, 12.5 ounces

Eating
You’re an awesome eater and some days seem to chow down on more than Claire! We’ve started doing water in your sippy cup, which is a hoot to watch. We think you particularly love being a “big girl.” You’re very curious about utensils and love putting things on a spoon before popping them in your mouth. You enjoy having your food in bowls, too, and you have about a 80% success rate with keeping the yummies in it.

Favorite foods include berries of all kinds, green peas, cheese, macaroni, salmon, green beans and carrots. And when you’re done, you’re done and will “clear your plate” by pushing everything to the ground.

We hit our one-year breastfeeding goal, and even when Mommy was gone on a cruise for a week, you picked right back up when I returned. (Thank you, sweetie!) You got to enjoy cake and ice cream on your birthday (yay!) but still seem to favor fruits and vegetables. (For now!)

Playing
My my, you’re a busy girl. When you’re awake, you’re on the move: crawling, playing, cruising, exploring. You ping pong around the house, playing with Big Sister’s toys, “petting” Pinot, and looking for non-baby-proofed cabinets.

We actually allowed you two big drawers in the kitchen filled with plastic kid dinnerware, bibs, and towels, and you love standing for minutes at a time as you take items in and out, then proudly shut the drawer before starting your routine all over again.

We’ve baby-gated the house as you’ve picked up crawling speed and have started cruising along furniture and walls. You LOVE getting into Claire’s art supplies, and have enjoyed the little bit of “coloring” we’ve let you do. (You also enjoyed the 1/8 of a blue crayon you got to gnaw before you were caught.)

Your favorite game seems to be playing “kitchen” in the play room, where you’ll smack your lips as you “sip” from the tea cup and click your tongue as you “nibble” the cake. You stir the wooden spoon in the pretend blender and will move plastic pots and pans in and out of the oven. It’s adorable.

You still seem super musical as you dance, “sing,” and play the maraca and kazoo. You’re also especially loving, and will give open-mouth kisses to any stuffed animal.

Sleeping
Girlfriend, you’re all over the board, but most nights you still wake up once between 3 and 5 a.m. Thankfully, Mommy is used to it (what’s sleep?) — and I know these wake-ups won’t last forever.

Oddly nap time is becoming our latest struggle. You’re an awesome morning napper, but you and your sister are both starting to fight the treasured afternoon nap. We’ve had a lot going on lately — vacations, sickness, parties, and more — so Mommy and Daddy are hoping that things will settle soon.

 Your big sister…
…was SO excited for your birthday. She loves telling people that Cora is a toddler now — and “no longer zero years old.” Ha! Claire loves giving you BIG hugs, and although you’re pretty tolerant, we’re trying to remind her that you’re still little.

We love watching you two bond. When you wake up earlier from your nap, you insist on crawling across the hallway to Claire’s bedroom door and “knocking.” You’re definitely sweet buddies already.

It’s still hard for Mommy and Daddy to believe that our littlest girl is already one. You were such a good baby, and we already see you’re going to be a great kid. It’s cliché to say, but we feel truly blessed to be your parents. Our little family plays together, prays together, and laughs a lot. What more could we ask for? Happy, happy birthday, beautiful Cora!

Loads of love,
Mommy & Daddy