The Amazing Baby

The amazing baby that we call Nora slept for 11 hours last night. Pretty great for being 16 weeks old on Saturday. She was fast asleep when she was supposed to take her final feeding of the night, so we decided to just put her down. When I awoke at 6:45, I was shocked to realize that she hadn't even begun to wake up. I had to talk her into waking up at 7:00 to eat because I couldn't stand it anymore ;-) Hopefully this will last!

Nora with her Papa

Goofing around with Daddy

Nora strikes a pose

Hunger Strike

I have been spoiling Nora by not giving her the bottle for the last few months. This backfired this past Sunday when she went on a hunger strike while being babysat by Nana and Papa. She was pretty smart about the whole thing. She ate just enough to get by until I got back six hours later. Needless to say, I'm trying to use the bottle more often to avoid this problem in the future.

Nora continues to become more aware of her surroundings. She noticed Sydney the Cat for the first time yesterday. She may have just been seeing the movement, but she watched her cross the living room floor. She is also enthralled with the toy that Betty and Melissa gave her. She lays under a little arch that has three moving and singing animals. She loves this activity and stays focused on it for nearly 20 minutes. She must have gotten that ability from her Daddy!

LAUGHING!

Nora laughed for the first time tonight! Brian was changing her diaper and started tickling her neck. I thought it sounded like she was going to start crying and asked what was wrong. She then made the same sound again and I realized it wasn't a cry but a laugh! She laughed about three or four times before she got bored with the tickling. She is so beautiful when she laughs! Of course, the crying ensued as I realized the momentous occasion that just occurred. My baby laughed for the first time on January 12th during a thunderstorm!

The proud Godparents

Tracy and Nora hanging out

Pics from Nora's baptism

The Johnsons

Alone Again

I dropped Drew off at the airport today after a short visit. He was here for the baptism and to meet Nora for the first time. Nora has had a difficult time decompressing from all the attention this weekend, but seems to be back on track.

Nora is really coming into her laugh. She will be giggling very soon. During tummy time today she was able to hold her head up for an extended period of time.

The baptism was confirmation that we picked the best possible godparents for Nora. T and M are very loving toward Nora and were invaluable to us on Sunday. It is really exciting to see them become Nora's 'other Mommies.'

Baptism

Another big day for Nora! On Sunday, January 9th she was baptized at St. Mark's in Waukesha by Pastor Wilch. There were quite a few members of the family that made the trip to celebrate with us, some of whom met Nora for the first time. Especially notable was the visit of Nora's second cousins Ethan and Logan, who were born just a few weeks ago, and Nora's uncle Drew who flew up from Phoenix to join us.

Nora's gown was originally worn by her great-grandpa Maxwell at his baptism in 1912. She was very quiet throughout the service and didn't seem to mind getting her head wet! She had a great time hanging out with her new godparents, Tracy and Marjorie, after the service.

It was very special to see so many of our friends and family come out to join us in the celebration.

Decisions

Well, I've decided to not go back to school this semester. I'm not ready to give up being a full-time mommy nor pay for classes. Fellowships and assistantships begin in the fall, so the plan is to go back when someone else will be footing the bill. I had also planned on starting to wean Nora beginning at three months. I'm not ready for that either. She is doing so well and growing like a weed that I don't want to jeopardize her development.

Back to normal

Things have finally calmed down around here. The holidays were wonderful, but it is nice to have some normalcy in our lives again. Nora is back to her comfortable schedule of taking nice long naps. Last night we had a minor set back with sleeping through the night, but I'm sure we'll be back on track tonight. Sleeping from 10:00 to 7:00 is really nice for all of us!

This weekend Uncle Drew is coming to town for Nora's baptism. All of the nearby family will be joining us. Pastor Wilch, who baptized Brian, Uncle Eric, and Aunt Vanessa, will be doing the honors. Nora will be wearing Great-Grandpa Maxwell's christening dress from 1912. I'm so excited to show him pictures of her in it.

Yesterday Nora had her first of three or four RSV shots. RSV is a lower respiratory tract infection that preemies are at a very high risk for contracting. Thankfully insurance is paying for the shots because we wouldn't have been able to afford the $1500 a shot that it costs. Nora weighed in at 10 lb. 11 oz. It is still shocking to me that some babies come out that big! OUCH!

Auntie Pea was here this past weekend and we had a great time with her during the New Year's celebration. She and Jessica were the only ones that would dance with me! We also went to Chicago to visit Cousin Renee and her boyfriend Matt who will be leaving February 15th for Zambia. It was wonderful to see them and meet the infamous boyfriend that we've been hearing so much about. He seemed just wonderful and they make a really cute couple. Nora even liked him!

Touchdown! Hanging out with auntie Pea

Nora chatting with her great grandpa

Joking around with Grandma and Great-Grandpa in Plainfield...four generations of the family.

Getting ready for Christmas...How do you like my bathrobe?

Christmas with the Remfreys...Nora with her aunt Vanessa

Christmas - On the Road

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! What an incredible couple of weeks. Nora has put on many miles with us during the holidays as we bounced from Wisconsin to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and back home again!

Nora was a great traveler, and spent most of the time sleeping in the car. She loved all the attention she got from her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins...not to mention all the great presents! She will be the best-dressed baby around!

The next few posts are some of our favorite pictures from the last week.