Nora had her first post-op checkup on Thursday and we were relieved to hear that her ears are now completely clear for the first time in months. The tubes did the trick.
Tonight we had dinner at a Thai place in downtown Kirkland. It was a beautiful sunny evening so we sat outside. Nora hasn't been eating very well this week, but she tore into the pad thai without any hesitation tonight. When the waiter brought it to our table, she got excited and said "noodle! noodle!"
She was also sure to say "hiiiiiii" to every single person that walked past us on the sidewalk. She could run for mayor if she keeps this up!
Friday, April 28, 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Asleep in the back seat
After a hard day of wandering around the mountains, Nora got a long nap in this afternoon.
Mount Rainier
Here is Mount Rainier as seen from the Paradise Visitor's center...to get an idea of the scale of the snowbanks, check out the people standing on top of the one to the bottom right.
Back on the road...Mount Rainier
In the four months since we've been here, we have covered three of the cardinal directions...West (to the Quinault rainforest and the Olympic Peninsula), North (to the Skagit Valley for the tulip festival), and East (to Ellensburg, where Auntie Pea will move this fall). Today was the day for us to tackle the South...Mount Rainier.
Today was an auspicious day for this, mainly because it was the first day since last November that we have not had a single cloud in the sky. The temperature was in the high 60's-low 70's today, which made it the perfect day to make a run for the mountain (errr...volcano).
We packed a cooler full of goodies and headed down I-5. All of us had a great time checking out the magnificent sights of the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier National Park (the second national park we have visited in a week!) Within 2 hours we were up in the mountains, twisting and turning around the switchbacks and narrow two-lane roads inside the park.
Despite spring's official arrival in the Puget Sound area several weeks ago, the snow in the park was impressive...banks rose 10-15 feet on either side of the road. Once we reached the visitor center (at an altitude of 5000 feet, and aptly named "Paradise") we stumbled out of the car, our heads dizzy from the thin mountain air.
We had a nice picnic lunch at the visitor's center and drove as far as we could until roadblocks stopped us...many of the roads here are only open during the summer months (July-October).
Nora kept us all entertained and helped point out all of the things that she was seeing..."mountain," "water," "pretty". She also seems to have established quite a fondness for Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia" which she demanded we play over, and over, and over, and over again on the way home.
The next few posts are some highlights from the trip...enjoy!
Today was an auspicious day for this, mainly because it was the first day since last November that we have not had a single cloud in the sky. The temperature was in the high 60's-low 70's today, which made it the perfect day to make a run for the mountain (errr...volcano).
We packed a cooler full of goodies and headed down I-5. All of us had a great time checking out the magnificent sights of the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier National Park (the second national park we have visited in a week!) Within 2 hours we were up in the mountains, twisting and turning around the switchbacks and narrow two-lane roads inside the park.
Despite spring's official arrival in the Puget Sound area several weeks ago, the snow in the park was impressive...banks rose 10-15 feet on either side of the road. Once we reached the visitor center (at an altitude of 5000 feet, and aptly named "Paradise") we stumbled out of the car, our heads dizzy from the thin mountain air.
We had a nice picnic lunch at the visitor's center and drove as far as we could until roadblocks stopped us...many of the roads here are only open during the summer months (July-October).
Nora kept us all entertained and helped point out all of the things that she was seeing..."mountain," "water," "pretty". She also seems to have established quite a fondness for Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia" which she demanded we play over, and over, and over, and over again on the way home.
The next few posts are some highlights from the trip...enjoy!
Taking Grandma to Snoqualmie Falls
The weather was absolutely beautiful on Saturday, so we decided to take a short jaunt into the Cascades so that Grandma could see Snoqualmie Falls (and Daddy would have a good excuse to get out the motorcycle!)
When we asked Nora what she thought about the view, she replied "wada! wada!"
When we asked Nora what she thought about the view, she replied "wada! wada!"
Saturday, April 22, 2006
C is for...Chocolate!
Grandma arrived a few minutes ago, and already the gifts have been opened. Nora especially enjoyed this cookie!
Dim Sum for Nora
This morning we stopped at China Gate in the International District for some dim sum. Nora dug into the sticky rice with reckless abandon. Witness here Mommy's precision with the chopsticks...moving with such speed and agility that the camera was not even able to focus on her hands.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Nana and Papa take Nora to the zoo!
Today Nana and Papa took Nora to the zoo, where she got to check out all kinds of cool animals.
Feeding the Ducks
Yesterday we went out to eat in Kirkland with Nana and Papa. The restaurant was only a few yards away from Lake Washington, and to keep Nora occupied April and I took turns introducing her to the ducks. She threw little bits of bread into the water, and became quite popular with the ducks!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Reading? Memorizing?
Nora's newest trick is reading a book along with us. One of her favorite bedtime books Opposites was given to her by her Great Aunt Peggy and Great Uncle Pat. On each page there is a set of opposites with corresponding pictures.
Nora is able to complete the following opposites:
Big...she'll say small
Long...she'll say short
Night...she'll say day
Front...she'll say back
She is able to say both of the following opposites:
Happy...Sad
Up...Down
Hot...Cold
Nora is able to complete the following opposites:
Big...she'll say small
Long...she'll say short
Night...she'll say day
Front...she'll say back
She is able to say both of the following opposites:
Happy...Sad
Up...Down
Hot...Cold
Monday, April 17, 2006
Tubes are in!
We took Nora to the hospital early this morning to have the ear tubes put in. The surgery went very quickly (the entire procedure only lasts 15 minutes), and Nora is now at home recovering with Mommy. She should be completely back to normal by tomorrow.
After having this done, her ears should feel better than they have in months. The doctors drained fluid from behind both eardrums today, and now with the tubes in place Nora will finally have a good defense against the ear infections.
After having this done, her ears should feel better than they have in months. The doctors drained fluid from behind both eardrums today, and now with the tubes in place Nora will finally have a good defense against the ear infections.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
On the Road
Nora has put on quite a few miles in her 18+ months. This weekend was no exception. She kept Nana and Papa entertained during the trip to and from the rainforest, accompanied by some cool new toys (the My Little Pony courtesy of Auntie Vanessa, of course!)
Nana and Nora at Lake Quinault
Here are Nora and Nana on the shores of Lake Quinault, just outside our cabin.
Driving on the Beach
After we left Quinault this morning, we headed west to check out the Pacific. Much to our surprise, there were several cars driving up and down the beach near Ocean Shores. We decided to give it a shot too! Nora is in the back seat, checking out the scene.
Back to the Rainforest!
We spent this weekend with Nana and Papa in the Quinault Rainforest, which is about three hours west of us on the Olympic Peninsula. We spent most of a rainy Saturday morning hiking on the trail just outside our cabin. Nora was a trooper and did very well despite the rain and cold.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Tubes on Monday
Nora is having tubes put in on Monday morning. We saw the ENT today and he was shocked at how terrible her ears look right now even though she has been on antibiotics for a week. His theory is that she never really got rid of the first infection from December. It just fluctuated from not too bad to horrible.
So, she can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight on Sunday and we'll probably have to arrive at the surgery center (5 minutes from home) at 6:30 am. Nora will be given a gas and only be out for 10 minutes. They'll clear her whole middle ear and then put in a tube that is in the shape of a T. The T part of the tube goes behind the drum and the end sticks out toward the opening of her ear. This will make sure that it stays in place for the next two years. The doctor told us that she won't have any problems swimming either! He told us that most kids are feeling back to normal after one hour. Most kids feel wonderful because it is the first time their ears have been clear in months. I just want to get it over with.
I'm going to stay home with her the whole day on Monday just to make sure she is doing well. We are starting our state testing on Tuesday and I have to be there. I'm the one that is coordinating all the special ed kids that have to be given the test in small groups and/or have things written for them. Interesting fact: Did you know that in the state of Washington, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and then loose your teaching license for life if you incorrectly proctor the test or try to cheat? Holy Cow! Good thing that wasn't the case in Wisconsin for the sake of those teachers at Palmer in Milwaukee ;-)
So, she can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight on Sunday and we'll probably have to arrive at the surgery center (5 minutes from home) at 6:30 am. Nora will be given a gas and only be out for 10 minutes. They'll clear her whole middle ear and then put in a tube that is in the shape of a T. The T part of the tube goes behind the drum and the end sticks out toward the opening of her ear. This will make sure that it stays in place for the next two years. The doctor told us that she won't have any problems swimming either! He told us that most kids are feeling back to normal after one hour. Most kids feel wonderful because it is the first time their ears have been clear in months. I just want to get it over with.
I'm going to stay home with her the whole day on Monday just to make sure she is doing well. We are starting our state testing on Tuesday and I have to be there. I'm the one that is coordinating all the special ed kids that have to be given the test in small groups and/or have things written for them. Interesting fact: Did you know that in the state of Washington, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and then loose your teaching license for life if you incorrectly proctor the test or try to cheat? Holy Cow! Good thing that wasn't the case in Wisconsin for the sake of those teachers at Palmer in Milwaukee ;-)
Two Words
Nora is officially putting two and three words together now. She did it very randomly before, but now it is happening all the time.
Examples:
Bye Bye Barbie (one of the daycare teachers)
Hi Sydney!
More Please Mommy
Up Mommy
Mommy please juice (Daddy had lemonade and she wanted some - didn't like it!)
I'm sure she is already speaking in complete sentences, but we don't fully understand the language she has developed at this point ;-) We'll work on it, but there doesn't seem to be a translation book on baby phrases. She keeps saying something that sounds like peter, but we haven't figured out what it is yet.
We'll keep you updated.
Examples:
Bye Bye Barbie (one of the daycare teachers)
Hi Sydney!
More Please Mommy
Up Mommy
Mommy please juice (Daddy had lemonade and she wanted some - didn't like it!)
I'm sure she is already speaking in complete sentences, but we don't fully understand the language she has developed at this point ;-) We'll work on it, but there doesn't seem to be a translation book on baby phrases. She keeps saying something that sounds like peter, but we haven't figured out what it is yet.
We'll keep you updated.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Playing on the swings
Here's a video I shot with my new cell phone of Nora and I playing on the swings. She thought it was pretty entertaining to knock Daddy down, I don't think I have ever heard her laugh so hard!
(You may have to double click on the video to get it to work)
(You may have to double click on the video to get it to work)
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Amazing Colors of the Tulip Fields
The area we visited today harvests more tulips than all of Holland!
Tulip Festival
Today we went to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in La Conner, about 60 miles north of Seattle. It was beautiful, but a bit rainy. It was amazing to see acres and acres of tulips and daffodils of all shapes and colors.
For lunch, we went to a Kiwanis sponsored salmon barbecue. Much to our surprise, Nora really liked it!
For lunch, we went to a Kiwanis sponsored salmon barbecue. Much to our surprise, Nora really liked it!
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