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How was your weekend of love? My was fabulous. Chris took me on a romantic getaway to Seattle. And, since we've been in need of some quality family time, we brought our girls along too. I wouldn't have had it any other way (and neither would Cora). We stayed in a hotel in the shadows of the iconic Space Needle (although we didn't actually go there this trip). Ally didn't get a pool as she had requested, but she was really excited about what we compromised for: free parking, breakfast, and a king-sized bed in which we all cuddled.
Saturday we went to the Woodland Park Zoo. And no outdoor activity in Seattle is complete without a little rain, so here we are with our trusty umbrellas. The weather actually wasn't bad for February. We saw lots of animals (duh!) including a hippo out of the water, a baby gorilla playing hide-and-seek, and a roaring lion. It wasn't until we left the zoo and made the sacred pilgrimage to Archie Mcphee that Chris and Cora got attacked by the giant python.
We visited Whidbey Island on Sunday. We took the ferry across instead of trying to turn our car into a boat as Ally had originally planned. Once there, we cautiously walked on and around the WWII-era defensive structures at Fort Casey and Fort Ebey.
I discovered I've become quite used to (and appreciative of) all the safety features found at most tourist locations these days, because I spent a lot of time being nervous and Ally spent all her time holding Daddy's or Mommy's hand. While on the island, we climbed a hill overlooking a beach and saw surfers in the water and giant pieces of driftwood on the shore. We drove out to Oak Harbor in search of a replica Flinstone's car, but only found a giant windmill instead. We also saw the Admiralty Head lighthouse, which wasn't open for tours, but was open for deer-crossing. We finished the day off with a ferry ride back to the mainland and a Valentine's dinner at a Mukilteo Mediterranean restaurant. 
On Monday we went to the famous Pike Place Market. Like most Seattle tourists, we had to see the flying fish. We walked the market, taking in the bright colors of all the fresh produce and flowers. We also came across this random lizard eating a green bean.
Then we walked up to the city center to give Ally an early, in-depth lesson in anatomy and physiology.
Ally did surprisingly well in the exhibit, especially when she saw the giant poster of the digestive system. I pointed, and she named the organs-- thanks to the puzzle Daddy had given her at Christmas. ("That's the stomach! That's the liver! That's the large intestine! That's where all the poop comes out!")
We returned to the market and ate lunch overlooking Puget Sound and the snow-topped mountains of the Olympic Peninsula. And then it was time to head home.
A few weeks ago we watched a program on TLC about the toddler beauty pageant circuit. (Long live the Southern Glitz!) Ally loved it and immediately started practicing her routine. She says she wants to compete, but not until she's turned 4, so I guess that buys us some time to fine-tune things and come up with the $30 grand for hair, makeup, and wardrobe. I've been hoping the desire to be on "Toddlers and Tiaras" would fade (for multiple reasons), and I think it has. Unfortunately, it's being replaced by a new obsession. Can you tell what we've been watching now? 
If a career in the spotlight doesn't pan out for her, Ally can always become a photographer. I had her help me with Cora's 2 month pictures, and here's some of her work.
Ally is a great photographer, but it also helps that she has such a beautiful, laid-back and cooperative model.
Ally's right. Cora can't talk, but she sure is cute when she giggles and coos. Every day, Cora is becoming more and more vocal; a difficult thing to capture on video since Ally has a hard time not being so vocal. Since Ally never stops talking, I told her to tell Cora a joke or two to see if she'd laugh. This is what big sister came up with. By the way, the "Shhh!" is Ally telling Cora to be quiet, not me.
We really haven't been up to much since Cora was born, but we sure have shown her off quite a bit. I figured the easiest way to update this blog is by showing you with whom Cora has visited. (More visitors are welcomed anytime. . .)
Visitor #1 was Jess. She showed up the night before Cora was born and was one of the first to greet her. Cora's favorite activites her first week of life included sleeping, eating, pooping, peeing, shopping at Target, and taking Mommy and Ally to the dentist (I think we were there 3 times that week).
Speaking of the dentist . . . I'll have to admit it: my 2-year-old has already had a cavity or 2 (or 3). Fortunately Ally has always loved going to the dentist. She comes to my appointments and sits on my lap instead of playing at a friend's house 'cause she loves being at the dentist that much. I figured she'd do just fine while they worked on her 2 front teeth (just in time for Christmas), and I was right. She laid there with the headphones on, watching TV and contentedly kicking her feet up and down. Her only issue came when the dentist was all done.
Ally sat up in the chair. I told her I was proud of her and then asked her for a hug. She got a concerned look on her face, melted into my arms, and started to whimper. When I asked Ally what was wrong she said, "I want my lip back." What? Oh! She thought the dentist had stolen her lip! Have you ever tried convincing a 2-year-old their body part is still there even though they can't feel it? Ally calmed down a bit when I showed her in the mirror that her face was intact, but she still looked confused and had her doubts. Thankfully the lidocaine wore off after a few hours. Then she told me her lip came back and would repeatedly (and happily) tell the story, "Remember when the dentist took my lip off. . ."
Grandma and Grandpa Winters arrived when Cora was almost 2 weeks old. Their stockings were placed by our fireplace with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there, so they had to stay for Christmas. They were also here for our icy New Years and for Cora's blessing at church. Cora didn't make a peep during the blessing, 
and apparently was wide-eyed and happy the entire time. Hands down, Cora's favorite activity was snuggling with my Dad. She also continued to enjoy the basics of eating, sleeping, and pooping. And Ally's favorite activities? Loving on her sister, running around the house, and trying to boss Grandma around.
My sister Amy showed up for a few days around New Years. We're glad she choose to spend time with us while the factory was closed for the holidays. We think she should leave the lasagna-making to someone else and move in with us.
We've also traveled up to Spokane to visit our relatives there. Ally has loved running around with my cousin's son Ethan. He needs to come down here and play sometime. Cora's favorite activity in Spokane is taking naps with my Grandma. They are so cute together. Can you believe there are 95 years between the two of them?
And a final 2 pictures. . .
Ally looks so big when we compare her to Cora. But then she looks so tiny when we put her in the comically over-sized swing. Cora, of course, looks even tinier when in the hands of my cousin Rob.
Our two little angels fell fast asleep in each others' arms last night.Can you tell they had a good Christmas?
Saturday we went to the Woodland Park Zoo. And no outdoor activity in Seattle is complete without a little rain, so here we are with our trusty umbrellas. The weather actually wasn't bad for February. We saw lots of animals (duh!) including a hippo out of the water, a baby gorilla playing hide-and-seek, and a roaring lion. It wasn't until we left the zoo and made the sacred pilgrimage to Archie Mcphee that Chris and Cora got attacked by the giant python.
We visited Whidbey Island on Sunday. We took the ferry across instead of trying to turn our car into a boat as Ally had originally planned. Once there, we cautiously walked on and around the WWII-era defensive structures at Fort Casey and Fort Ebey.
I discovered I've become quite used to (and appreciative of) all the safety features found at most tourist locations these days, because I spent a lot of time being nervous and Ally spent all her time holding Daddy's or Mommy's hand. While on the island, we climbed a hill overlooking a beach and saw surfers in the water and giant pieces of driftwood on the shore. We drove out to Oak Harbor in search of a replica Flinstone's car, but only found a giant windmill instead. We also saw the Admiralty Head lighthouse, which wasn't open for tours, but was open for deer-crossing. We finished the day off with a ferry ride back to the mainland and a Valentine's dinner at a Mukilteo Mediterranean restaurant. 
On Monday we went to the famous Pike Place Market. Like most Seattle tourists, we had to see the flying fish. We walked the market, taking in the bright colors of all the fresh produce and flowers. We also came across this random lizard eating a green bean. 
Then we walked up to the city center to give Ally an early, in-depth lesson in anatomy and physiology. 
