Author Archives: aj

02/16/12

Winter Sports

Well, we Beards think we might have found the formula for us surviving winter in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve had a lot of recommendations for keeping the winter blues at bay: finding sun (lots of trips to Hawaii were proposed), full spectrum happy lights, going out to eat often, exercising despite the weather. However, snowshoeing above the gray and gloomy weather might just do it for us!  Last weekend we tried our first snowshoe at the Summit at Snoqualmie, guided by the US Forest Service Rangers. For a small donation, we were able to borrow snowshoes and be guided on a 60-minute interpretive walk. Snowshoeing is amazing to us because it really felt just like walking and allowed us to get in the places you couldn’t otherwise (12′ off the ground in most places!) in a blanket of beautiful white snow.

Photos courtesy of DyAnne.

 

02/5/12

5 months of Wahoo!

I’m a little ashamed of how quiet I’ve been with the blog these last two months. I’ve got my excuses (which I will for your sake only elaborate upon in my personal blog). Instead I’ll focus on the excitement of Cora’s 5 months on earth. Each day of which we have been so grateful for. I can’t imagine life without her now that she’s in it!

4 months 1 week

Cora started day care full time this week as I returned to work. It was a short week with the New Year holiday observed on Monday by my company and receiving  her 4 month vaccinations that Friday. She took these well (thankfully only one shot), but the aftermath was something else. It’s a good thing we didn’t go volunteer at AGE UP that night or she would have scared a lot of young girls in to never having kids.

4 months 2 weeks

Technically this was my first full week back to work but Cora and I had a girls trip planned to Santa Monica for a Rice Alumni tourney at Lei Out 2012. It was great taking her to the beach, her first ultimate tournament and to introduce her to so many of my old pals from Texas ultimate.

4 months 3 weeks

One of Seattle’s top 10 worst snowstorms  of the decade hit this week. The weather and road conditions trapped us in LA since I didn’t feel like driving home at 1am in snow on icy roads with Cora. We got back to a snowy day and another short work week as we were home Wednesday through Friday, “snowed in”. I know, I know, it wasn’t that much snow or ice, but if you’ve ever visited our place in Bellevue, you’ll know why us Texans didn’t risk landing on the neighbors roof just to drive to the office.

5 Months Old (Feb 4, 2012)

We celebrated Cora’s 5th month with a trip to Leavenworth, Wa. Or it just happened to coincide with our friends wedding at Mountain Springs Lodge. With beautiful weather and a beautiful backdrop to the whole affair, we enjoyed sleigh rides, Bavarian food, and sledding in the snow.

Some milestones this month:

But now for my favorite part, pictures!

01/1/12

Happy New Year Y’all!

So far we’ve learned that children can bring their parents much pride and joy. Until they don’t know when to stop. Well folks, it was bound to happen. Sean and I are just amazed it happened so soon. Cora had a little too much of the festivities this New Year.

We tried to set a good example by observing the New Year based on Eastern Time and heading promptly to bed. However, this was the scene that greeted us in the morning despite our best parenting efforts. Looks like we’re going to have our hands full for the next couple decades…

In the meantime, Cora put on a great show for Christmas with our families and friends in Houston this Christmas. Check out her latest antics in the Christmas 2011 album!

More pictures added today (1/06/12).

12/17/11

I’ll be home for Christmas

Man oh man, I woke up two hours earlier than necessary to get ready for our trip home to Houston, Tx this year for Christmas. Lots of anxious anticipation, not to mention sheer terror at traveling with a 3.5 month old kept me from sleeping too long. Also, we three had the privilege of coming down with colds on Thursday and Friday. Lots of tissue and burp rags will be needed for this trip, no doubt.

We can’t wait to see our families, friends, and favorite restaurants on this trip. We’re spending a decent amount of time in town, so look for us because we’re coming to find you! And we like to eat…

Update:

Thank you my little dear for being such an angel on the plane!

12/6/11

Pictures!

Ok this isn’t the best post, especially since we made it to the mystical and wondrous 3 months for Cora. The end of the “4th” trimester as they call it. She’s done all she was supposed to do in that time, grow grow grow, make us fall in love with her, and charm friends near and far.

For a quick snapshot of pictures of her 3rd month on the outside, visit her album.

11/19/11

Have you seen this Owl?

Last seen at the Beard Household in Bellevue, WA. Being cared for by Cora until we can thank its original owner.

 

Hooo are you?

If you were kind enough to send this to us, do tell, we amazon.com did not see fit to include a packing slip!

11/3/11

2 Months Wiser

Hey Cora! It’s your two month birthday today and what do we have in store? That’s right, more trauma! First round of vaccinations were on the agenda. We’ve really got to get the hang of celebrating these milestones in ways that don’t HURT. But give your parents a little time, we’ll get the hang of it.

STATS

  • Length: 23″
  • Weight: 11lb 6oz
  • Head circumference: 39 cm (that’s double since birth!)
  • Sleep: averaging 5.5 hours at night.
  • Dirty Diapers: PLENTY
    • (case in point – she managed to sneak one by her diaper onto my pants while at the Doctor’s office today. Lucky you, I didn’t take a picture.)
  • Cuteness: I’ll let you be the judge…

Check out the photo album of moments from Cora’s second month.

10/30/11

Happy Halloween!

Cora would like to thank the Art Institute of Seattle* for allowing her to model in this year’s hottest sculpture art* for All Hallow’s Eve.

She has been training for two months for this opportunity and is honored to support the artist with her beauty.

Happy Halloween!

 

* no one went to the art academy and pumpkin carving can only loosely be called sculpture art in some circles.

 

 

Additional Halloween fun was had with Cora’s birth month buddy, Orion. They make a cute couple don’t they?

10/19/11

Tiger – 1, Cora – 0

Well that title is only partly true… While having a newborn at home is really a full time job, on occasion, it affords mama and baby the opportunity to take to nature. And on occasion the sun actually comes out in the Pacific Northwest. Not wanting to waste it as we headed in to a nasty fall and winter, Cora and I took off to Tiger Mountain. A mere 20 minutes away from home, we selected (perhaps foolishly) West Tiger #3 to try and reach the summit to see the beautiful day.


We made it about 45 minutes up the trail. It was a little steeper than I would have liked carrying a baby but it wasn’t too difficult. At our second stop for a break, I decided to pull Cora out of the Moby to cool off and change things up a bit. To my surprise (not really a surprise, just wishful thinking) she had made a larger than expected deposit that had snuck out of her diaper, onto her clothes and the Moby wrap. As this was our first trip out, I wasn’t feeling brave enough to change her on the trail AND risk another blowout along the rest of the hike due to further excitement. So we headed back to the trailhead to try again another day.

10/4/11

One Month Old!

Happy Birthday, Cora Marie!

You’re over 9 pounds and getting longer and more muscle control. You’re more alert when awake and sleeping longer stretches (especially at night, thanks sweetie!). There isn’t a day that goes by that we aren’t amazed at your existence and the wonder with which you discover things each day. Like your hair and how strong your little arms are. Or that your daddy really likes to blow strawberries on your belly, and you know NOT to justify his efforts with a response.

Unfortunately, as a birthday present, your parents decided to get your frenulum cut. Thankfully it was very quick and only slightly painful (akin to biting your tongue or cheek for those of us with teeth). It heals very quickly and will hopefully improve our experience together breastfeeding. It should also improve your ability to use your tongue in speech, wiping food from your teeth and ensure you are able to continue to breastfeed as you get older and need more milk.

This procedure was recommended to us by lactation consultants and a breastfeeding specialist. Largely because I was keen to reduce pain when nursing. I’m really hoping I wasn’t being too selfish, but we were assured the long term benefits far outweigh the risks.

In addition to these events, here are some pictures to commemorate her first month!

Cora’s First Month – Web Album

1 week old


2 Weeks Old


3 Weeks Old


4 Weeks Old