happy first birthday, nora!

dear nora,

well the time has come for me to write your 12 month/1st birthday letter.  actually, i've been putting it off for a few weeks not only because we've been super busy, but because i think i'm still kinda in shock that you're really one!  i can say all the cliche things like "where did the time go?" or "i can't believe my baby is one", but seriously.... it's all true.  our lives are so much greater because of you.  our days are so much happier and joyful because of your constant giggles and baby talk.  you are everything we ever wanted, and more.  it's hard to imagine life before you, baby girl.  your dad and i had a great time reminiscing about one year ago and all the anticipation we had leading up to your birth day.  we love looking back at little teeny you in the hospital and thinking about all the emotions and feelings we had that day.  i truly believe that you made our love for each other even stronger, if that is even possible.  

well baby girl, here's the latest on you! 

you currently weigh 20 pounds (what?!?!) and are 27.75 inches long (seriously?!).  you  had a great "one year" doctors appointment.  she was quite pleased with your growth and development.  you're still wearing a lot of 6-12mo dresses and shorts, but your chubby legs fit best in 12-18mo leggings.  all your new birthday clothes are 12-18 or 18-24 and i am SO excited for you to wear your new threads!

you have 8 teeth, but just this past week you cut your first molar.  talk about a painful experience...for us all.  i think i see 2 more growing in there, too.  

just before you turned one, we made the transition to whole milk and you took it like a champ. now to only get rid of those darn bottles... you're reading breakfast, lunch, and dinner (minus veggies...you're on a veggie strike these days) with a few bottles in between.  your favorite foods these days are carbs & cheese.  no really... waffles, grilled cheese, PB & toast, turkey, yogurt, grapes, bananas... NOT carrots or zucchini :(

well, i guess the biggest change this month is that YOU ARE WALKING! we actually have a walking baby toddler these days.  (Ugh, i hate that i have to call you a toddler after 1.  you'll always be a baby to me) you have been taking steps and cruising for quite some time now and just before you turned one you became more confident taking steps...up to 15, 20 at a time.  then the day after your birthday party, BAM... you decided "okay mom, i'm just gonna walk everywhere now".  just like that.  it's so cute to watch you wobble and keep your arms out for balance.  you get so excited that you are almost running!  we are so proud of you :) 

you are also starting to transition to one nap. we did the one nap thing quite a bit the few weeks before i went back to work and it was working really well.  occasionally you'll take 2, but 1 seems to be the best for you.  i actually kind of like this because we can do something fun in the morning and then come home for a nice, long nap in the afternoon!  

you are talking and babbling so much more (wait, you always were a talker!) these days.  you say "mama", "dada", "doggie" (without the /g/ sound), "uhoh", "woof woof" (yes, we taught you to bark like a dog) and are pointing at everything!!! you will kind of sign "more" and "all done", but we need to work on that some more.  your giggles are hilarious and make everyone laugh along with you!  you find everything oh so funny!  your favorite game these days is to blow bubbles and make raspberries, but make us do it along with you.  you still LOVE to dance and will shake your groove thang ANYTIME  you hear ANY sort of music... ANYwhere you are.  panera, the grocery store, the car, or at home.  i guess we'll have to sign you up for a music class or dance lessons pretty soon (wonder if you'll get your moves from your mom or dad?! glowsticks, anyone?!)

we had your first birthday party last weekend, too.  i'll write you another letter about that because it was just SO much fun!! 

we love you to the moon and back, pookie.  thanks for making us the most proud, happy parents!

xoxo,

mama & dada

happy 12 months! 

reading birthday books

crazy

sometimes you still look like a baby :)

at your 1 year photo session

happy 1st birthday!!!

milking a pretend cow

seeing a real cow up close!

hmm....

happy 1 year old at the farm!

happy birthday to my favorite little lady! 

end of summer

nora,

today is my last "stay at home" day with you.  i go back to school tomorrow and i am having all sorts of bittersweet feelings.  i love my teaching job and feel so fortunate to spend all day with the greatest group of 3rd graders, but it breaks my mama-heart to leave you every morning.  i know you'll be in good hands, as your dad is staying home for the next two weeks to be with you!  he missed you so much this summer while he was working so many long days, he couldn't wait to get some daddy-daughter time.  

here are some fun pictures from the past few days at the end of our summer! 

love you for always, 

mama

nora-mommy selfie (get used to them, baby girl!) 

our crazy fam

my two most favorite people

yoga in the park with aunt kristen 

trying PB Toast for the first time 

our impromptu cake-smash rainy day photo shoot

you were not a huge fan of the frosting or cake 

drinkin' green smoothies & watching wild kratts 

your first lick of ice cream on our "National Ice Cream Day" 

hangin' around the house baking, eating cookies & reading books 

out for a ride on your new "bike" :) 

mini getaway

nora,

your grandma & i took you to aunt cindy's beach house for a few days this week.  i still could not fathom that you did not like the beach, so we needed a do-over beach trip.  sure enough, after spending 2 days at the beach, your fingers & toes were in the sand with no tears! 

we left early wednesday morning and spent the day at the beach.  you napped well at the beach house so grandma and i could get some quality reading time in.  wednesday night we went out for dinner in town and walked along the harbor.  you loved seeing all the birds flying about.  i love how happy animals make you.  not sure where you got that from :) 

thursday we were up early to hit the beach and get the most out of our day.  it was a little chilly in the morning, which was probably for the best.  you felt more comfortable walking and playing in the sand without the hot sun.  after a full day at the beach, we headed for dinner in town.  i win mother of the year award because all they had was fried food... i tried my best to pick off the fried breading on the chicken fingers, but grandma and i still felt so bad feeding it to you!  thankfully, i had a veggie pouch in the diaper bag!  we thought we planned the drive home perfectly with your evening sleep... boy, were we wrong! you were one unhappy camper until i hopped in the back with you.  that's okay, you're still so sweet & cute :) 

it was the prefect way to end our summer break together.  i can't get all sappy now, but these past 3 summer months have been the greatest, sweetest, most trying, and most touching time i could ask for.  if i could spend all day, every day with you, i would.  you truly are my little bestie and i love you with my whole heart (well, most of it... there's room for your dad in there, too!) 

thank you nora, for being you. 

xoxo,

mama 

finally, a happy beach baby!

playing in the sand... 

baby chair, mama chair, & daddy chair.... miss you, dad!

eating sand-filled-cheerios at the beach

beach town = fried fish, nice job looking at the camera, nora :)

3 generations of beach babes

grandma & nora

nora & mommy selfie

don't let this smile fool you! 

the beach

well nora, 

i took you to the beach for the first time the other week and to say you are not a fan is an understatement.  we went again today and you have mixed feelings about the sand.  you don't mind being on the blanket, but the minute you touch sand the tears come out! 

the first time we went, we were there for about 30 minutes and it started to rain.  

today when we went, we stayed for about 2 hours... you were quite the trooper!  uncle kyle is home for about 2 days before he moves to indianapolis for his new job.  so he and grandma joined us on our adventure this morning! 

next week we are going on a mini beach vacay to cindy's cottage.  i really hope you start to like the beach!  it is one of my favorite places to be!  

here are some pictures from our beach adventures... 

your first time seeing the beach & sand! 

you smiled & giggled at the pigeons

not so sure about sitting in the sand... 

ehh... 

trying not to touch it...

get me outta this sand!!!

don't put my feet in the sand!!!

oh nora... i hope one day you'll look back at these pictures and laugh :) you are just too funny, little lady! 

xoxo,

mama

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.