10 months!

dear nora,

happy 10 month birthday! i can't believe that you are in the double-digit-months now.  it is only a matter of time before my little teeny baby is a one year old.  i can't even think about that... it makes me sad, but at the same time...i've been busy planning your party! this past month has been nothing short of fun!  i love being home with you and spending our days together.  you have become quite the little mama's girl.  you shy away from anyone that isn't me..even your dad, grandparents, & uncles.  you are constantly clinging onto my legs and resist being held by anyone but me.  eventually you warm up to others and are oh so much fun!  

you grew another little chomper--#3 on the bottom.  you've been eating ALL real food now...no more purees.  if we try and give you a pureed food, you will take it out of your mouth and try to feed it to yourself. gross.  or swat the spoon out of our hands.  gross.  

you are on.  the.  movie.  you crawl everywhere and always want to be moving.  you will walk with your walker and cruise along the couches or tables.  i feel like it's only a matter of time before you start walking, but i really think you can wait awhile for that--i'm not ready :) 

you are SUCH a talker... so much to say, but no "real" words yet other than mama and dada. sometimes you'll say "baba" when you see your bottle.  i thought i heard you repeat "byebye" when we were waving to dad one morning, but you haven't said it again.  the screeching continues, along with screaming and constant babbles.  i wonder what you would say if you could talk... 

your favorite things still remain the dog,  your blankie, and any toy that makes really loud obnoxious music.  you will dance to this music any time you hear it and it is the cutest thing i've ever seen!  you will even dance if i sing to you or you hear music on the radio.  one day we were at the pool having our snack during adult break and you heard country music on the speakers and started dancing.  the other kids around us thought it was funny, too :) 

we went to the doctor this month and you weigh 17lbs 13oz (35th%ile) and are 27 and 1/4 inches tall.  no shots this time around, thank goodness.  you are growing into this little lady and it is so neat to watch it happen every day.  each morning i look at you and see you getting bigger and bigger.  you look older to me, too.  your hair has grown and we wear bows every day.  it is so blonde and you have these beautiful blue eyes still.  everyone always comments how blue they are!  

i saw this tshirt the other day that says "mama's bestie" on it... i think i need to buy that for you.  will you always stay my little bestie?! love you, pookie.

xoxo,

mama

(your hair looks kinda strawberry blonde in these photos, but it is sooo blonde in real life...)

look at that toothy grin :)

always on the move...

 and what it's really like trying to take your picture... 

life lately

nora boo,

well, summer is off to a good start!  it's been one week since i've been finished with school and here is what we've been up to lately... 

i love when you fall asleep on me! first night of summer break

breakfast @ egg harbor.  you finally can wear bows!

mama & me

happiest baby on the block with your new activity table

eating black beans for the first time... a huge hit! 

oh, just hangin' outside on a nice summer day!

dining al fresco 

and just because... almost 2 years ago we said "i do" :) 

what a great start to the summer it's been!  i am looking forward to spending my days with you, little love bug! 

xoxo,

mama 

9 months

dear nora,

it's hard to imagine that you've been part of our family for 9 months already! while the time has flown by, we can't imagine life without you.  everyone says that 9 months is their favorite baby age, and so far... i have to agree!! you are such a sweet, happy, giggly baby that brings so much joy to our lives.  you light up the room with your huge baby smile! 

speaking of smiles, you now have FOUR teeth! two top and two bottom!  you use these little chompers to gum new foods... we've been giving you banana pieces, avocado, cheerios, puffs, pasta, broccoli, peaches, and watermelon.  you're starting to get used to eating "real" food.  you like to feed yourself, but you get frustrated that it's not as much as quick.  you don't mind the purees too much.  you started doing this funny thing where i'll feed you a spoonful of puree and you'll take it out of your mouth with your fingers, then put it back in.  just so you can "feed" yourself. 

you have SUCH the personality these days, little lady!  you started screeching (pretty loud!) when you want something.  you are funny, sassy, determined, and oh so curious.  you don't like to be held for too long because you are constantly on the move. you crawl everywhere, climb stairs, pull up on EVERYTHING, and even will stand for a few seconds unsupported.  we're still going to PT every other week for your torticollis, although it's looking MUCH better.  sarah, our PT, says you are reaching every milestone quickly and may be an early walker.  yikes... i'm really in for it, aren't i?! you are waving and sometimes it looks like this "raise the roof" wave.. quite funny!  other times you'll do a little queen-like wave.  you started clapping and will clap especially when lucy, the dog comes around.  you are getting really good at imitating something that dad or i will do.  if we blow raspberries, you will blow raspberries.  if we stick our tongue out, you will stick your tongue out.  it's so sweet and you are thoroughly entertained by this game!  

we went to the pool the other day and you LOVE the water!  this is going to be such a fun summer swimming at the pool.  you'll put your face in and try to blow bubbles.  it's so cute :) 

you're still sleeping 7pm until 7am and napping twice a day.  you're wearing some 6-9mo, 9mo, and some 6-12mo clothes.  this is the first time you've worn clothes that are the same age as you! you're finally growing, you little peanut :)  you're legs have these awesome rolls on them and i LOVE it! you finally have enough hair for a little baby clip, too.  i clip the bow onto about 4 hairs and you will leave it in for a decent amount of time! 

this past month we switched you into your "big girl" carseat and you could not be happier!  you love the extra space it gives you and it seems SO much more comfortable.  you aren't a fan of being confined, so as soon as you can get out you are happy.  you will make faces at yourself in the mirror in the car and it's so funny! you just started doing this little fishy face and you make yourself laugh so hard when you do it.  

i am so excited to spend the summer with you!  the next 3 (or so) months are going to be the best!  there's nothing i would rather do, than be at home with you! 

we love you, pookie! 

xoxo,

mama & daddy

no more pictures, mama!

okay, daddy....come home, please!