Cora Grace is 2! You are a joy to us. Somehow you get cuter ever day with a new smile or added quirk. The dress and hair accessory you are wearing in this picture we also sent to your birthday twin cousin Juliet (posted at end). As with Evan we always ask you to perform; "All cute babies raise your hand", high fives, 'shake your curls', anything to hear you say 'thank you' aka 'dah doo' and etc. You have a love unmatched for your rain boots and it makes us smile so don't stop. You are growing way too fast but also getting smarter so it evens out. You are finally attempting to talk which is great. We'll have to see what words you decided to say first. Haven't had your check up yet but we know you are sooo tall and although slimming out, you're still heavy! Speaking of slimming out, you do not want to eat anymore. You will "ask" (point and grunt plus some crude sign language) for something then refuse it. grrrr. For the most part you still love bananas but you've layed off pretzels after a
3+ month long all day obsession. You are so rambuncious that you are starting rival Evan with all your scrapes, bumps and bruises! Biting bugs love you cause you are so sweet and you come and tell me "uh oh" while you scratch it. poor thing. The fact that you can reach and turn door knobs, open the refrigerator and flush toilets is beyond us. a less desirable attribute you have started to exhibit is your tantrums and 'new scream'. oi vey! You are a little wild monkey most of the time but you are funny and sweet too. You sure love your momma but daddy's been finally getting some sugar too which he loves. You love to swing and run and play. You love to be with Evan to chase him and be chased. You are called Cora Bora by your day care teacher Amra cause they all love you and your cuteness. We are grateful you are in our family. You bring so much JOY and happiness and we couldn't be without you. Happy Birthday beautiful baby girl. We love you.
Mommy, Daddy, Evan and Smokey
{Here's Juliet in California. We miss you Jules!}
Last but not least, here is an excerpt from an email I recieved from your birth mommy Cyndee on your birthday:
"We wanted to wish Cora Gracy a Happy 2nd Birthday, Give her a big kiss and hug from her birth family in California. We miss her and cant wait to see her agine.
Lila I want to thank you for everything, you have been so thoughtfull thru and thru, you truly are a blessing. Happy Late Mothers Day, Cora and are Evan blessed to have you as their mom. My family talks about how wonderful you are and how we could not have asked for a better mom for Cora. The joy you show of being a mom and the love you and Michael share for eachother and for your children. thank you so much,.."
Cyndee is very private so we are thankful she reached out to you on your birthday. She said a lot of kind things to us too and we are happy and honestly relieved she feels this way about us. She is a good woman and her life is being blessed for the choice she made to place you for adoption. She was not in a position to raise a little baby when you were born and now is able to focus on her health and mending family relationships. As you see, she loves you very much and is happy she was able to let us be your parents. We are honored. Happy Birthday!
