Ready to Party!

The snowstorm is on its way, yet we're still gearing up for our Christmas celebrations! The presents are wrapped, the stockings are hung, and our little Nora is getting so excited (she told me so herself!).

Anyway, this will be a short post with only 1 recent picture of Nora in her "fishin' hole"...

We're so very excited about the season and ready to spread even more Christmas cheer!!


Having fun in the "fishin hole"

Poppin' Thru

Nora got to visit her cousin Chloe again in Moline this past weekend. She really likes Chloe! She also got to see Papa Bob and Grandma Dottie. It was a whirlwind of a trip, but glad we could go to see Chloe get confirmed.
We also found this weekend that Nora has 2 teeth poppin' thru. It's the two front teeth on the bottom. They aren't out very far, but they're pretty cute when she lets you see them. Hopefully she'll let us get a picture soon.
We were invited over to a neighbor's house last night for some Christmas Cheer. We had a great time meeting some people from around the neighborhood. Nora was a good girl until it was time for her evening nap. She got a little cranky, but ended up sleeping for about 30 minutes or so. She even wore her snowsuit for the first time so we could walk over there. She was pretty darn cute in it!
Today she has her 4 month check up with shots. I'm sure she'll handle it like a champ! She always does!


Nora wearing her shirt from Grandma Rita


Nora and Chloe


Nora in her snowsuit


Having fun before school today

Shop 'til You Drop Weekend

Nora's first Thanksgiving is a bit of a blur...
We left Des Moines on Wednesday afternoon to get to Belmond. Travel was not advised on I-35 north, but we decided to try it anyway...I mean really...how bad could it be?
The interstate didn't get "bad" until north of Highway 20. We usually take the exit just past the Boondocks to get to Belmond. However, when we tried to get off of the interstate and onto the exit ramp, we slid right by. We decided that the next ramp would work just fine. All I can say is that we did manage to take that ramp, but it was tricky. Highway 69 was in a lot better shape than the interstate, so I'm glad we got there when we did. We all made it to Belmond in one piece and Nora slept the entire way. She's such a good girl!
On Thursday morning, Momma Erin woke up early and brought in the papers. Even though she had seen the ads before (leaked online), she spent all day pouring thru them. That evening, we went to Clear Lake to prepare for the midnight deals at Walmart in Mason City. We all separated (with the exception of Karrie and Rita because they just couldn't bring themselves to fight on their own). We ended up with a few good deals and only had a few battle wounds to show for it. Momma Karrie did end up with a scratch on her forehead. After that, we headed back to Aunt Kellie's to pick up Ashlin and Nora for the next outing. There weren't really any good stories from the 2nd round, but we did get some good deals.
Over the weekend, Nora's cousins wore her out! She slept all the way home last night and didn't wake up until the van was unloaded and some new items were already assembled. She was really only awake long enough for a bottle and a bath. She did get to see some Christmas tree decorating and then she fell apart. She slept until Momma Karrie woke her up this morning at 6:30! Then, back to school for her! I know she was excited to get back into her routine, but she sure did have a fun weekend!


Without giving too much away, this is a preview to her Christmas card picture


Another preview...we just thought it was funny that she was "pointing" to her belly


Nora's new "do"


Another photo shoot...Nora was posing as "Baby Jesus"


This is Nora with all of her ornaments for her first Christmas!

Buzz...

Nora's been absent from blogging for the past couple of weeks, but that just means that she has been a busy little bee! She ran her first 5k at the fairgrounds on November 7th, and she was super tired after the race. We were just glad that it was beautiful weather for her to get out and enjoy. Over the course of last week, she enjoyed going to school everyday and then coming home to play with her toys. This past weekend was Momma Karrie's birthday, so we shopped and shopped on Saturday. Momma Erin got sick on Sunday, so everyone just stayed in that day. On Monday it was back to work for Momma Karrie and Nora while Momma Erin stayed home.
So, as the title reads, "buzzzz..."...yeah, that's Nora's new thing. She likes to buzz her lips together constantly and spit. Its actually really cute and we are fortunate that we have some cute bibs.


Nora has gotten very good at finding her thumb (despite our best efforts) and she is really enjoying it here


Nora loves her ducky pj's from Norm!


Big girl in her pretty dress


Ready for winter, Momma's?


Nora was just trying this on at the store, but she ended up buying it later.


Big girl bath time!


Nora is working hard at this huge bottle!


Fell asleep while playing after school


Is this my good side?

Basketball and Giggling

Nora went to her first Women's college basketball game this past Monday night. She didn't squawk or wiggle at all. She just watched everything as it happened...her eyes kept following the players on the court. She was so exhausted when we got home that she slept all night. I think that she'll be going to more games if that's going to be the result. :)
This past weekend was also the first time that Nora giggled when we tickeled her. She had never reacted before, but this giggle was definitely different and caused by the tickling. It was so cute. Once she does it consistently, I'll post a video...right now it's pretty sporadic.
We're looking forward for a visit from Papa Bob and Grandma Dottie tonight. They're coming to spend the day with us on Saturday! Should be a fun time!


Susan, Mindi, Momma Erin, and Nora having fun at the game


Just watchin'...


Nora's first time meeting Spike

Nora's First Halloween!!!

We had some problems agreeing on a costume for Nora, but at the last minute we settled on a cute little witch. We threw the outfit together and we think it turned out really well. Towards the end of the evening, Nora didn't like her hat anymore, and it wasn't really that warm, so she had a costume change and was officially a zebra! We had so much fun showing her off to the neighbors! They all seemed to really enjoy her! :)

Daily Pictures...

Nora gets her picture taken every day with our cell phones...here are some of the "gems" that we have














(no matter what I tried, this picture just won't turn on the blog...sorry)

Nervous Laughter and "Cow"

Nora went to her first coffee house show this past week. She joined the Momma's to see Ellis. She really enjoyed the first few songs and then decided that she would rather just be outside. So, she got her way, of course. :)
Other than that, we haven't really done anything too exciting. Nora did say her first word yesterday. She clearly said "cow" at least 4 times while she was getting dressed and ready for school. She is just so advanced!
A few of our neighbors came over last night to meet Nora too. It was fun to get to know them a little better!
This weekend we're going to have more fun at the farm in Clear Lake! Hopefully Nora will enjoy all of the fun!


Nora with Ellis at her first music show


Picture day in the park


Ready for her run in the sun


Nora gets her picture taken every morning with a camera phone...here's one of the many


Another daily picture

Visits, Naps, and School

Nora had another big week! Momma Karrie was off of work last week with Nora, and both of them really enjoyed spending time with each other. We continued our outings at the fairgrounds. Nora sleeps thru all of them of course!
On Saturday night, Aunt Kellie and the red heads came for a visit on Saturday night. We woke up on Sunday morning for "Pancakes in the Park". Nora slept thru a lot of it while the cousins all played and had their pictures taken. It was a super fun time.
Today, Tuesday (Nora's 10 week birthday) was the day Nora started "school". It was rough on us Momma's, but Nora was full of smiles when we dropped her off. She really seemed to like Cassie. When we picked her up in the afternoon, we got a good report! We're so very happy that we found Cassie and that Nora seems to like her so much.


What a willing participant in having her nails trimmed...


Nora with her cousins


Having so much fun at Pancakes in the Park


Not enjoying the elephant ride...


Exhausted after her first day at school

What...a whirlwind!

So, its been a week since we have taken the time to give everyone an update on our little Nora! What in the world have we been doing? Well, if you keep reading, that's what I'll tell you...
So, a week ago today Momma Erin went back to work. It was very difficult to do and she had a few tears the first couple of days. But, thanks to Momma Karrie bringing Nora in and a few good friends at work, so far things are ok. Next week will be the big challenge when Nora starts "school". Anyway...we aren't thinking about that right now...
Momma Karrie and Momma Erin have officially registered to participate in the Iowa State Fairgrounds 5k on November 7th. We are currently in training and have found that run/walking at the fairgrounds is the best training. Nora loves riding around the fairgrounds in her stroller so much that she actually sleeps the entire time.
On Saturday, Nora made her first trip to Momma Erin's college alma mater. It was Graceland University's homecoming in Lamoni, so we made the trip down south. It was a very nice day out, other than the wind! Nora spent much of the time in her stroller wrapped in a blanket, but she did get to meet a few of both Momma's old friends. We were surprised that there weren't many people on campus...at least not as many as we thought there would be.
Momma Karrie had to work today (Tuesday), so Momma Erin had to stay home with Nora. She was very happy to do so! We brought Momma Karrie to work, then bundled up and went to the fairgrounds for today's training session. Nora must've been warm enough because she didn't make a sound the entire time, she just flinched a little when we hit the bigger bumps. After that, we headed home and got ready for the day. Momma Erin thought that Nora was ready to have another "photo shoot", but Nora didn't participate too well. We haven't reviewed the pictures, but there has to be a few "keepers"...


All bundled up for the crisp air at the fairgrounds

The following pictures are all from today's "photo shoot"...Nora wasn't too involved and even got sick of it by the last picture.