11 months old!

I can't believe Cora is 11 months old today! One month till she's a whole year old. It's amazing to think back a year ago and remember all that was going on, and how unprepared I was for the incredible, intense joy that was about to enter our lives at Cora's birth! I'm continually in awe at the deep love and frequent laughs that touch my heart each day with Cora.

Today, in celebration of her 11 month birthday, Cora stood on her own and by her own initiative for about 20 seconds! And I just happened to be video taping her at the time. Unfortunately it's on our actual video recorder and I haven't figured out how to post those videos, yet. But it was so cute to see her stand there effortlessly, steady as can be, and then realize that she was standing on her own and carefully reach her hand out to safeguard against the wobbles. She's so amazing!

Cora suffered her first bout with a stomach bug this week. Monday early-evening she was acting tired - normally doesn't take a nap then - but I put her down for a nap and she fell right asleep. Brad went in to get her when we heard her wake up and he found her vomiting in her crib. It is so sad to see such a little girl vomiting! Well, after lots more of that, and some of the other, it only seemed to last for 24 hours. However, it seemed to wear her out for another 2 days! She slept so much it almost worried me! And she was so subdued and mellow. Normally she's expressive, squealing as high as she can, giving us tons of BIG smiles and constantly exploring around the house. Instead, she would play for a few minutes and then lay her head down on the ground and just lay there for a few minutes. It was very strange to see. She seems to be back to her happy self today! Her appetite isn't quite the same yet; hopefully it will return to normal. She is generally at very good eater, accepting anything we offer her and eating heartily until she's full. Today she was very picky, even gagging and spitting food out of her mouth which she's almost never done before! It was kind of funny, and yet absolutely disgusting at the same time. Hopefully that goes back to normal, and soon!

As for the bug, she wasn't the only one to suffer from it. I got it Wednesday morning, and now Brad has had it today! All day Wednesday I kept thinking "this is what Cora was feeling? Oh I feel so bad for her!" Today, while he was sick, Brad said to me "Why didn't you tell me it was this bad?" I just laughed, and brought him some more saltine crackers. He should be feeling better tomorrow!