11 months

dear pookie,

i cannot even believe that you are 11 months! 

you have changed so much over the past month.  in fact, i think every day you are changing and growing.  

this past month you sprouted another tooth.  another one on the top left.  the right one is coming in soon, i believe.  that makes a total of 6 chompers so far!  

your hair is growing so fast, too.  i swear it blows in the wind and it is the cutest thing i've ever seen! we ( I ) put bows in your hair every day and it's a constant battle having you keep that bow in.  you tear it out the second you realize it's on your head.  get used to it, girl.  

i put you on the scale the other morning and with your diaper and pj's on, you weighed 19 pounds.  i wonder how close that will be when we go in for your one year appointment (sob). you have totally chunky thighs and they are fabulous! you have gotten really tan this summer and you  have little tan lines in your thigh chunk.... quite the funny sight!

you are still crawling, cruising, and moving along.  you've taken up to 4 steps so far, but seem very cautious about walking without holding on to anything.  you'll race up and down the hallway with your walker, but are a little too afraid to do it alone just yet.  you are also crawling like lightning speed up the stairs.  the sweetest thing happened the other day-- we were upstairs playing and you saw a basket of your clean laundry that had your blankie in it.  we came downstairs to play and a few moments later, i look over and you're crawling up the stairs on your own.  i watch you as you do this and you go straight for your blankie... as if you knew EXACTLY what you wanted and how to get it.  then you crawled into your room to grab your paci out of your crib.  i guess you were telling me it was nap time. 

this past month was the first time i left you for any extended period of time.  my mom (your grandma) and i went to new york city for 3 days.  your dad and GiGi took care of you.  they did such an excellent job playing with you, feeding you yummy meals, and making you oh so happy.  i can tell you loved your time with gigi and dad!  it made me rest easy knowing you were in the loving hands of them.  

your favorite things still include Lucy, this little tiny dog I bought for you in NYC, your blankie, and anything that makes noise.  you also recently discovered stuffed animals and love to give them kisses and hugs.  any time you hear music, you start to shake your booty and dance.  no matter where we are... the grocery store, a restaurant, or in the car. 

Eloise's dog, Weenie the Pug... you are in love with this little pup 

i've started planning your first birthday and i can't believe that it's almost here!  it seems like just yesterday i was swimming in the pool and lounging at the beach with you in by belly.  this summer has been very different than summers past, but i wouldn't change it for the world!  there's nothing i love hearing more than your sweet, sweet giggles and chatter.  you light up my world like no body else (well, maybe your dad :)  ) 

love you to the moon and back, pookie!

xoxo,

mama

(lots of pictures... i just couldn't pick.. there are too many good ones!)

your new fav game... pulling TP 

happy girl out for lunch

playing at the little gym

ready for our morning workout 

could your smile be any cuter?!

love. 

our summer days

nora marie,

we've been having quite the summer!  this is what our days look like...

7am wake up call... daddy gets you up and feeds you a bottle then morning play time! 

8am breakfast... you've been having pancakes, muffins, bananas, blueberries, yogurt, or oatmeal for breakfast

more playtime or a morning walk with the dog :) 

lucy has to catch your crumbs

9am-11am morning nap.  this is your best nap and gives me time to clean, shower, and get our bags packed for the day

11am-1pm adventure #1... storytime at the library, park play dates, starbucks walks, splashpad adventures, water table splashing, and lunchtime

playing at the library

playing with emmie & reese

1pm afternoon nap...usually lasts anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours.  usually 30 minutes. 

then it's off to the pool with our friends! we stay until dinner time. and you are soo tired by this time!

5pm dinner... veggies, chicken, meatballs, pasta, chickpea patties, beans, cheese, fruit... the list goes on.  you are such a good eater! but of course, you love your carbs and cheese (just like mama!) 

when you want cheese instead of cheerios....

evening play time... this is usually your fussy time, so we'll keep VERY active... backyard playing, bike rides, walks, dance parties... 

riding in your new burley!

6:30 bath & bottle (sometimes even before this if you are super tired!)

7pm...lights out, goodnight kisses, sweet dreams.  

i love the way you sleep

i miss you when you sleep at night, but i am ready for bed myself by 7pm!  dad & i will make dinner, read or watch tv and head to bed ourselves as our tomorrow is just as busy and active! 

here are some pictures from our summer adventures... this is the best summer so far, thanks to you! 

eatin cheerios outside of david's tea

mom & dad date night!

playing with nathan

so excited over the music!

you move too fast for me

oh, hey mom...you're taking my picture? again? 

4th of july

dear pookie,

as your aunt kristen pointed out to me this week, this is your last "first" holiday! yikes! where has the time gone?! last year on this day your dad and i went to see the fireworks and you were kicking like CRAZY during the show!  this year, we decided to forgo the show and put you to bed so we can enjoy some fireworks, cocktails, and a nice fire in the backyard.  

we spend the day hanging out, visiting grandma & grandpa, and then dinner at dana & tim's.  you love playing with kate and tyler and Dana is always so sweet to have the "baby" toys out for you! 

you had quite a few 4th of july outfits, so we wore them the last few days leading up to the holiday.  here are some pictures from our photo shoots this week :) you just love these photo shoots... let me tell you! (can you sense the sarcasm?!) 

Hi Mom! Rocking your sparkly outfit from GiGi! 

Our little fam :)

Your adorable headband from aunt Kristen! 

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!