More of swimming Cora

Brad and Cora went swimming tonight, Peter and I watched. I was able to get some better video clips of her having fun in the water. She has learned so much during swimming lessons this year and she is having a blast. We're always amazed at how comfortable she is in the water. One thing that we've been reminded of is the value of having teachers. There are things she will do for her teacher that she won't do for us! For example, yesterday during her lessons she jumped off the diving board (with a life jacket) for her teacher but she wouldn't do it with Brad today. The teacher helped them off the board by basically lowering the kids into the water and another teacher was in the water ready to help the kids get to the side if they needed it. When it was Cora's turn she told them "I can do it all by myself" and she did! She jumped in and swam to the side by herself.

Tonight, even though she didn't want to do the diving board, she started diving into the water from the side of the pool! Little stinker! She jumped into the pool 100 times tonight and at the end of the night she started holding her hands together out in front of her as she jumped. After a few jumps like that she started going into the water head first, like a dive! On purpose...! Brad had to stop her because of the "no diving" rule in the shallow end. Safety first. I didn't get any of those little "dives" on video, but I hope you enjoy watching her jump and swim. We are just getting a kick out of this and want to share it with you, too.

Video: Peter at 7 months

Near the beginning of the video Brad walked into the room. He was hiding behind me and popping out from the side or above. You can see how Peter is entranced by his daddy!

Da da da, squeal

Video of Cora at swimming lessons

href="">Video of Cora bobbing for a ring during swimming lessons

7 months Old: Little Drummer Boy

Hi everyone, I turned 7 months old this week.
Weight: 17.5 lbs (40th %)
Height: 29 inches (90th %)
Clothes: 6-9 months and 12 months
Food: Mama's milk; pureed carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, peas, applesauce, pears, blackberries, baby rice and oatmeal. I like it all!
Milestones: I cut a third tooth last week. I was really fussy all week and mama didn't know if it was from my immunizations, a new phase/stage, if someone traded me out with another baby, or it a tooth was coming though. Well, it was mostly the tooth, but I am also growing up and I'm learning how to control other people. If I scream, people react! When I smile, people smile. When I laugh, they gush. I also melt my mama's heart when she comes to pick me up because I raise my hands up in the air for her before she gets me! I can also sit up all by myself now. It's to be able to sit and watch the world around me and play with toys. I can bend ALL the way over to the ground to reach for a toy in front of me and sit back up straight without loosing balance.
Sounds: I am now a squealing little boy. I screech a high, loud pitch while playing. I just figured out how to say "da da da". My mom loves it. I guess I'm pretty cute!
Schedule: I know my mom would be so happy if I would do the same thing from week to week, but variety is the spice of life (at least that what she always say, except for in this case!) Anyway, I still take about 2 to 3 naps a day. I don't like to take that third nap, so if my first two were "good" (which, according to my mom, is more than one hour) and I'm not too cranky I don't have to take the third nap. I nurse about 4 or 5 times a day and get solid foods 3-4 times a day. Life is good.
Other: My daddy is the most intriguing person I've ever met. I watch his every move when he's in the same room as me. He really knows how to make me laugh, too. Sometimes he wears strange things on his head or face, and I have to look at him really intently to try to figure out why he looks so different. I'm still a pretty happy little guy, but like I said earlier I've discovered that I have a way to express what I don't want or don't like. Most commonly if I'm a little tired, hungry or uncomfortable I will cry pretty loud if you set me down before taking care of my need. I guess the problem is that I seem completely fine until Mama sets me down. Then when I cry she realizes I need something...It's a system that works for us for now. She's trying to teach me sign language and my big sister, Cora, is in on it, too. Cora likes to show me the signs for "more" and "all finished" when I'm eating. My mom feeds me too slowly sometimes, or she doesn't make enough food, so I keep having to ask for more. They show me how to ask with my hands, but for now I just make a loud, irritated, impatient sound to let her know I'm still hungry! She gets the point.
Little drummer: I love to rhythmically bang my hand or a spoon or toy on hard surfaces, so they call me a drummer. Bam, bam, bam!

Out with the old; in with the newer

"One man's trash is another man's treasure." We live by this motto :)
The old:

The newer:

YAY!
These are the joys of having friends who upgrade their kitchen and we are humble enough to want their "unwanteds".

Inaguaral Spring Float

Brad and Josh (a college student and leader in the youth ministries at NLC) floated a portion of the Colorado River through Horsethief and Ruby Canyons, together last week in a canoe. They went 30 miles and spent the night camping at an area called "Black Rocks". They came back with reports of mild "rapids" (not enough to thrill even the faint of heart, they say), river otters, deer, rock art, loki (stairs carved in the rock walls by the Freemont Indians) and a good time.

Easter Egg Hunt

I know this is a couple weeks late but thought I'd post it quick anyway. We participated in Cora's first easter egg hunt with some other MOMS Club moms and kids. Cora enjoyed the thrill of seeking, finding and consuming! Peter enjoyed showing off his new independent sitting skills. He did some seek-find-consume on his own, but didn't enjoy it as much!