Nora is constantly talking now. Her new found words include, but are not limited to: apple, dog, milk, blanket, bath (this was new tonight), shoe, and Elmo (what is with kids and this little red creature?). More has morphed into Ma Ma but still includes the sign.
It is quite amazing how much she is able to communicate verbally. It sure makes our lives easier knowing exactly what she wants when she is standing next to the fridge saying, "Milk? Milk?"
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Visitors!
This afternoon we had some special visitors arrive from "back east". Nana and Auntie Vanessa will be spending the week out here with us. Nora loving all the attention...I haven't seen her this wound up in weeks.
The highlight of their visit is coming up this weekend, when we venture out to the Quinault Rainforest! Stay tuned!
The highlight of their visit is coming up this weekend, when we venture out to the Quinault Rainforest! Stay tuned!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Nora and Daddy at Gas Works Park
Here we are, checking out the view of the Seattle skyline and the sailboats from Gas Works Park. 
Nora in the City
Today we hit some of the not-so-well-known tourist spots in Seattle. We spent the rainy morning exploring the northern neighborhoods of Ballard and Fremont. This sculpture is the Fremont Troll
. He protects the north end of the Aurora Bridge and even has a street named after him. Nora really liked his big nose, and made sure to point it out to us in case we did not notice.
. He protects the north end of the Aurora Bridge and even has a street named after him. Nora really liked his big nose, and made sure to point it out to us in case we did not notice.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Nora visits Bainbridge Island
We spent the day today exploring the west side of Puget Sound. The trip was around 120 miles of great scenery, including the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, lunch in the Norwegian immigrant town of Poulsbo, a two-hour hike through the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, and finally a ferry ride across Elliot Bay back to Seattle.
Normally we would post lots of photos...but the battery in the camera decided to die as soon as we left home this morning. @(#&$@#!
The Bloedel Reserve is a nature preserve--formerly a private estate--that is now open to the public. The trees and gardens there were incredibly beautiful, even moreso because we got our first good dose of sunshine today for the first time in several weeks. The moss garden and the Japanese zen garden were really fun to explore. Nora had a good time riding in the carrier on my back and touching the tree branches while we walked.
The highlight for Nora was seeing the swans and ducks in the pond. It didn't take her long before she started saying her favorite new word: duc-k (she hasn't quite been able to reduce it down to one syllable yet). This joins boo-k and gac-k (sock) as her new vocabulary for the week.
Normally we would post lots of photos...but the battery in the camera decided to die as soon as we left home this morning. @(#&$@#!
The Bloedel Reserve is a nature preserve--formerly a private estate--that is now open to the public. The trees and gardens there were incredibly beautiful, even moreso because we got our first good dose of sunshine today for the first time in several weeks. The moss garden and the Japanese zen garden were really fun to explore. Nora had a good time riding in the carrier on my back and touching the tree branches while we walked.
The highlight for Nora was seeing the swans and ducks in the pond. It didn't take her long before she started saying her favorite new word: duc-k (she hasn't quite been able to reduce it down to one syllable yet). This joins boo-k and gac-k (sock) as her new vocabulary for the week.
New Words
This weekend has blessed Nora with an expanded vocabulary. She has begun saying book, sock (gock) and bike all the time!
Friday, January 20, 2006
It's in the Ears
Welp, we've found the emergency room! Nora has another double ear infection. We had to go last night around 5:30 when her fever started to spike and I thought she was getting a kidney infection. Luckily there was nothing wrong with her urine, but her ears looked like hell. After two hours of pacing the waiting room and waiting for the doctors, we were on our way home with a HUGE dose of antibiotics and a prescription for more.
This little girl has one crazy pain tolerance because she never once made a dig at her ears. Wednesday night was horrible and that should have been our first indication. She was up at 3:00 AM and only took cat naps until 5:30 when Brian got up so I could try to sleep an hour before work. She was thrashing around and nothing would make her feel better. After a long tired day, it all came to a head (or should we say ear?)
Thankfully, Nora is on the mend and starting to act more like herself. At the moment, she is occupying herself with putting CDs into and out of a wicker basket. My guess is that she has been doing that for about 15 minutes. I'm not sure what the appeal is, but in a 15 month old brain, it must be amazing!
I had the opportunity to learn the new online substitute request system for my district so I could stay home with her. You better believe that I will be taking naps right along with her today.
This little girl has one crazy pain tolerance because she never once made a dig at her ears. Wednesday night was horrible and that should have been our first indication. She was up at 3:00 AM and only took cat naps until 5:30 when Brian got up so I could try to sleep an hour before work. She was thrashing around and nothing would make her feel better. After a long tired day, it all came to a head (or should we say ear?)
Thankfully, Nora is on the mend and starting to act more like herself. At the moment, she is occupying herself with putting CDs into and out of a wicker basket. My guess is that she has been doing that for about 15 minutes. I'm not sure what the appeal is, but in a 15 month old brain, it must be amazing!
I had the opportunity to learn the new online substitute request system for my district so I could stay home with her. You better believe that I will be taking naps right along with her today.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Getting Big
Nora is officially a toddler and doing everything according to her new status. She is still pretty skinny (20.5 lbs) but already 32 inches long. This makes it quite difficult to find pants that are long enough but aren't loose at the waist. Her vocabulary is increasing by the minute. She can now say 'more' (she throws the sign in there every once in a while when her words are getting the point across), apple, hat, hot, mama, dada, nana, papa, up, down, done and a few others that slip out of her mouth on accident during her babbling. She is also able to point to her nose, mouth, eyes, ears, and head pretty consistently. Belly button is also something that she can point to, although it seems just on the changing table.
Her favorite toy at the moment is the purple horsey that Auntie Dar gave her. She loves getting off and on the horse and singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat. She is still in love with all her books. Taking toys on outings seems to be futile because she always prefers the books.
Thankfully, the tantrums that visited us for our first few days in Seattle have left. Nora is now just doing the stop, drop and flop for a few seconds before getting over what ever it was that upset her. These tantrums may have been exacerbated by the no-more-bottle rule that Mommy put into place. Bottles only come out in dire circumstances (like Mommy and Daddy are so tired they can't see straight and Nora is still awake). There are only two bottles left in the cabinet. Fortunately, Nora's new pediatrician (who did her residency at Children's in Milwaukee!) confirmed that eliminating bottles wasn't so much for the sucking issue, but just to ensure that babies over the age of one don't drink more than 16 to 18 oz. of milk per day. This can mess up the iron levels in the blood. Nora's were checked last week and they are right where they should be.
All is well in the Remfrey household. The empty boxes are being picked up so both cars can be parked in the garage. We have a two car garage!!! What a change from having one indoor space that was shared with about 50 other people;-) Things are finding their rightful place and order has been restore...almost.
Her favorite toy at the moment is the purple horsey that Auntie Dar gave her. She loves getting off and on the horse and singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat. She is still in love with all her books. Taking toys on outings seems to be futile because she always prefers the books.
Thankfully, the tantrums that visited us for our first few days in Seattle have left. Nora is now just doing the stop, drop and flop for a few seconds before getting over what ever it was that upset her. These tantrums may have been exacerbated by the no-more-bottle rule that Mommy put into place. Bottles only come out in dire circumstances (like Mommy and Daddy are so tired they can't see straight and Nora is still awake). There are only two bottles left in the cabinet. Fortunately, Nora's new pediatrician (who did her residency at Children's in Milwaukee!) confirmed that eliminating bottles wasn't so much for the sucking issue, but just to ensure that babies over the age of one don't drink more than 16 to 18 oz. of milk per day. This can mess up the iron levels in the blood. Nora's were checked last week and they are right where they should be.
All is well in the Remfrey household. The empty boxes are being picked up so both cars can be parked in the garage. We have a two car garage!!! What a change from having one indoor space that was shared with about 50 other people;-) Things are finding their rightful place and order has been restore...almost.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Monster seafood
This picture doesn't really have much Nora-related content, but I couldn't resist posting it to show the folks back home the monster-sized seafood for sale at the market.
This is where we got the gigantic scallops and shrimp for our New Years Eve dinner. Last night we ended up getting a couple of crabs which were really delicious...although we still haven't learned the trick of opening up the legs with any sort of skill. There were little bits of crab shmag all over the table and floor by the time we were done.
This is where we got the gigantic scallops and shrimp for our New Years Eve dinner. Last night we ended up getting a couple of crabs which were really delicious...although we still haven't learned the trick of opening up the legs with any sort of skill. There were little bits of crab shmag all over the table and floor by the time we were done.
Fruit stand
April and Amber stopped to pick up some fruit while Nora and I took pictures.
Shortly after this picture was taken, Nora saw the banannas and started pointing wildly. She scarfed down a whole bananna even after having a big lunch with us at the Russian cafe.
Shortly after this picture was taken, Nora saw the banannas and started pointing wildly. She scarfed down a whole bananna even after having a big lunch with us at the Russian cafe.
Nora's first Russian meal
Sunday afternoon we decided to take a break from the unpacking and headed out to Pike Place Market with Auntie Pea. We stopped for lunch at Cafe Yarmarka, where Nora got her first taste of Russian food.
She tried golubtsy (cabbage rolls), potato and cheese piroshky (the stuffed calzone-type things), and Daddy's favorite, borshcht (beet soup). She devoured everything with an enthusiastic "MMMMMMMMMMM" and did not show any aversion to the beets...much to our relief.
Tak vkusno! So yummy!
She tried golubtsy (cabbage rolls), potato and cheese piroshky (the stuffed calzone-type things), and Daddy's favorite, borshcht (beet soup). She devoured everything with an enthusiastic "MMMMMMMMMMM" and did not show any aversion to the beets...much to our relief.
Tak vkusno! So yummy!
Boxes, boxes everywhere
The truck came with our stuff on Saturday. Here's a glimpse into the chaos that ensued.
Half of our garage is stacked floor-to-ceiling with empty boxes and packing material. Nora had a great time playing with the big balls of paper and leftover packing tape!
It was good for Nora to be able to sleep in her own crib again. She has the coolest bedroom ever...we'll post some pictures once the mess has been cleaned up!
Half of our garage is stacked floor-to-ceiling with empty boxes and packing material. Nora had a great time playing with the big balls of paper and leftover packing tape!
It was good for Nora to be able to sleep in her own crib again. She has the coolest bedroom ever...we'll post some pictures once the mess has been cleaned up!
Monday, January 02, 2006
Lazy day
After our busy morning at the Seattle Children's Museum, we came home and relaxed for a while. Here are Nora and Mommy taking a snooze while watching...you guessed it...a Little Einstein video. Again.
Our new house
Yes...we now have a two car garage!!! The kitchen window is on the left and Nora's bedroom is on the right
Computer games for young'uns
While spending the weekend at Nana and Papa's house, Nora discovered a series of computer games that are made for babies. No skill is required, all you do is touch any key on the keyboard to make little cartoon people pop out and say "Peek-a-boo!".
I thought that the novelty of that kind of game would wear off in a week or two...but Nora is still fascinated with it.
We have found quite a few good sites for toddlers...check these out!
I thought that the novelty of that kind of game would wear off in a week or two...but Nora is still fascinated with it.
We have found quite a few good sites for toddlers...check these out!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Nora - Live from our living room!
Nora has had lots of fun over the past two days watching Grandma and Grandpa on the computer screen as they use their webcam. They were treated to an action-packed session of watching Nora eat hotdogs.
Look for us on MSN Messenger if you want to chat!
Look for us on MSN Messenger if you want to chat!
Road Trip!
One would think that after having moved all the way across the country only two days ago, we would be sick of moving around. NO WAY!! Today we took a short road trip on I-90 through the Cascade Range to Ellensburg. Ellensburg is the home of Central Washington University, where Auntie Pea will be auditioning next week.
The 90-minute drive was incredibly beautiful. We climbed from the Seattle area (sea level) to Snoqualmie Pass, which is at an elevation of 3,022 feet. The trees were enormous and covered with snow, which was several feet thick in some places.
Nora is going through a temper tantrum stage now and throws a screaming fit every once in a while. We were treated to another one on the way home this afternoon. I think this will improve once we settle into a routine over the next few days.
The 90-minute drive was incredibly beautiful. We climbed from the Seattle area (sea level) to Snoqualmie Pass, which is at an elevation of 3,022 feet. The trees were enormous and covered with snow, which was several feet thick in some places.
Nora is going through a temper tantrum stage now and throws a screaming fit every once in a while. We were treated to another one on the way home this afternoon. I think this will improve once we settle into a routine over the next few days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)