8 weeks and counting...

So, we have been counting down to Nora's 8 week birthday since, well, her 7th...
Momma Karrie was off of work on Friday, so we all spent the day together shopping. Nora was so good the whole time and was just very happy all day. It was wonderful!
On Saturday morning, we all woke up with Nora for her morning bottle and headed off to Moline for a visit with Papa Bob and Grandma Dottie. Nora got to meet her cousin Chloe for the first time too! Both of the girls were so excited about meeting each other. Chloe was such a good helper with Nora too. For her sake, I wish we would've been there even longer. Chloe really enjoyed holding Nora and probably would've liked more time with her. While in Moline, we also had a baby shower thrown at the church that Momma Erin grew up in. It was a fun "event" that allowed us to introduce her to so many people. It was a great time! After the shower, we hung out with Papa Bob, Grandma Dottie, Great Grandma Viv and Great Grandpa Harley, and Chloe too. We came back home to Des Moines after dinner. Nora was so great in the car and slept the entire time we were traveling.
On Sunday, we got ourselves to church and then went for a walk at Gray's Lake. It was such a beautiful day outside we couldn't help but get outside for some fresh air.
Monday was Momma Erin's last day off of work. Nora was so good all day and even helped Momma Erin with laundry.
Tuesday meant back to work for Momma Erin. It was hard, but we all knew that it would happen. The afternoon was a lot easier than the morning, but it was great to see Momma Karrie and Nora at the end of the day.


Chloe and Nora


Nora thinks Papa Bob looks funny with no hair...guess she's never seen her own reflection...


Momma Erin, Chloe, and Nora


Enjoying the beautiful weather out at Gray's Lake


Posing in her stroller while outside

What the...what?

Nora loves an adventure. Well, she loves movement anyway. When she's fussy, there's always some type of different movement that she wants. This week, we discovered that she enjoys her swing! She liked it on Tuesday when she was unhappy, but Wednesday she didn't like it. In fact, she didn't like anything. But, we're thankful when it does work. She is just so darn cute...even when she cries.

Wednesday Nora woke up in a great mood! We even had an impromptu "photo shoot" after she got dressed for the day. She participated so well, Momma Erin couldn't believe it!

On Thursday, she woke up in such a good mood! She even enjoyed her bath. She slept in her swing on and off until...well, until she didn't. Once she was buckled in her car seat, she fell asleep. Momma Erin ended up taking her for a ride to make sure she was asleep. It's always fun to get out and get some fresh air! (She's still currently sleeping in her car seat...thank goodness!)


Tuesday afternoon nap...Nora's arms were swaddled to help keep her asleep, but she wiggled her feet out.


All of us enjoying Nora's swing!


Happy girl


More happy girl...couldn't decide between any of these pics, so just putting them all up!






Thursday morning happy face

Eyelashes and Outings

Over the past week we have really noticed that Nora's eyelashes are getting longer and thicker. It seems like they are longer every day!
Last Tuesday, Aunt Kathy (Follett) got to play with Nora while her momma's went to a movie. It was a fun outing for the momma's, and it sounds like both Nora and Kathy enjoyed themselves as well.
On Wednesday Scott and Julie visited and brought Nora a beautiful purple blanket with her name on it! Nora just loves it!
Thursday evening was an interview with a childcare provider. Nora was a little fussy during the interview, but Cassie (provider) got her quieted right down. It was great! Ultimately we decided that we were both comfortable with Cassie and it turns out that she liked us too!
The weekend was pretty lazy since it was cold and rainy. We did some shopping, napping, and cleaning. It was nice.
Today we made another visit to Momma Karrie's work for a baby shower. It was fun to see all of the people that Momma Karrie works with again. Nora was so awake and alert, and generally in a great mood the entire time.
On top of it all, it is Momma Erin's last week off of work...not really looking forward to leaving her, but we all knew it was coming sooner or later.


All snuggled up


Nora's eyelashes...

Another Fair!!!

This past weekend was the opening of the 2010 Clay County Fair and guess who just had to be there...Nora and her Momma's! We didn't take any pictures (too busy seeing everything). But, Nora was wearing her Iowa State onesie in support of Momma Karrie's team. You all know the outcome of the game by now, so we won't relive those terrible memories.
Nora also made her first visit to the Cooper Farm in Clear Lake...again, no pictures. But, she enjoyed the farm almost as much as she enjoyed the fair.
Today was another big photo shoot for Nora. She was in a good mood and the light was coming in just right, so we couldn't miss the opportunity.
On a side note, Goo (Nora's pet frog) came back the night after we first saw him, but he hasn't been back since. We had to tell Nora that he went on vacation...poor thing has been heart broken over it!
We also got to call Papa Bob today to wish him a Happy Birthday! Nora was excited to talk to him while she was enjoying her morning bottle.


Are these pants too big?


Really Mom? More pictures?


Nora's first pedicure...don't look too close, she wiggled a little!


Uh, Mom...I don't think this is a good angle for my chin...


Looks like a beautiful day outside

Nora's new pet

Not a whole lot has happened since the last update. Nora now has an Iowa State onesie ready to wear on Saturday at the Clay County Fair. The only problem is that her stroller is Hawkeye colors. So, Momma Karrie is thinking that we need some flags or ribbons or something to show everyone who we are cheering for. We'll see what happens.
As the title of the post suggests, Nora has a new pet. We got him last night. Let me start over...we were walking in the door from the store and saw a small tree frog crawling on the outside of our porch windows. We didn't catch him, but decided to let her keep him as a pet as long as she promised to let him live outside in the yard. She agreed.


Supervised "tummy time" nap on the couch


Nora's new pet. I'm pretty sure she named him "Goo"


Nora's current nap and the reason that I have time to update this blog right now...

Another big week...

Another week flew by! We just can't believe how big our little Nora is getting! She is officially 1 month old now, but to make it seem that she's still pretty small, we still measure in weeks!
Nora and Momma Erin went for walks in two of the three malls this week. Nora loves her stroller! We also visited Momma Erin's work, and Momma Karrie's work again! She was having a "fussy day" that day and nearly got us kicked out! But, it was nice to show her off again.
This week was a big week for our family...the adoption is finished and we are all legally bound now! It's frustrating that we even had to go thru it, but we're so thrilled and relieved now that its all done! Nora was such a pretty girl that day! And, she was thrilled to have the family and friends there that could make it!
We also had our first "road trip" with Nora this holiday weekend. We went to Belmond to see Grandma Rita and Papa Ron. Nora slept the entire way there! She was such a good girl! She also got to take a trip to Fonda to see her Great Grandma Myrt! Again, she was thrilled to meet her!
It was another great week, and an even better holiday weekend!


What the what?


Found her thumb...


Can't wait to get out of the house and go see Momma Karrie at work!


Momma Karrie and Nora discussing what was about to happen in that courtroom


Papa Ron is finally all better and this is the first time he got to hold Nora


Nora was so excited to meet Great Grandma Myrt


Little Miss Half a Smile during her photo shoot