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

The sunset last night was beautiful.

 

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!

 

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

Tubes are in!

At the hospital
Originally uploaded by diddlediddledee.

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.

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.
 

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 ;-)

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.

Nice hair!

 

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)

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!

Oh Happy Day

 

Beautiful!

 

Lack of Interest

Welp, Nora has officially put a ban on peeing on the pottie. She would much rather play with the toilet than go in it. She loves to lift the lid and put her hands in the water. She also has been exploring ever aspect of a toilet. She understands the handle, the two separate and moving parts on the seat and has even found the bolts that hold it to the floor. It is a huge motivator to keep the toilet clean!

The Remfrey's wanted to wish a quick Happy 30th to Andi! Thanks for being the first one to do it ;-)

Daisies at Gasworks

Daisies at Gasworks
Originally uploaded by diddlediddledee.

Here's a great picture Tracy took of Dar and Nora playing on top of the hill at Gasworks Park.

Apple!

Apple!
Originally uploaded by diddlediddledee.

It's one of Nora's favorite words, and she enjoyed the challenge of trying to bite into one!

Goofing around in the park

Goofing around in the park
Originally uploaded by diddlediddledee.

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day so we decided to have a picnic. Tracy and Dar picked out some yummy cheese and we had a great lunch. Nora and I had lots of fun chasing each other around the park and watching some people fly kites.

Those Damn Ears!

Today was Nora's 18 month check up. She is 21 lbs. 15 oz. and 32 1/4" long. She is growing just as expected. I was a little worried about her weight not going up that much, but the doctor said that weight gain is expected to slow down around this time. She is around the 20th percentile for her weight and 70th for her height. The doctor's comment: "Well, she'll just have to deal with being a tall and thin woman." Bummer for her. I think I started out like that too ;-)

The doctor was very please with her large vocabulary (they only expect 3-5 words for a normal 18 month's development!) and her ability to name and point to many body parts: head, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, ears, fingers, hands, arms, tummy, belly button, knees, feet, toes, and legs. Chime in here Brian if I'm leaving any out.

The bad part is that she saw another double ear infection! Nora has shown no signs during this one and it doesn't seem to be bothering her at all. We have not been in for a doctor's appointment with her since we've moved here without them telling us she has an infection in one or both of her ears. I think she is getting very used to the pain. It must not be bad right now because she has been in wonderful moods and a joy to be around.

SO...we are off to the ENT next week Thursday to start the tubes-in-the-ears process. Her hearing is just not something I'm willing to compromise. The pediatrician said the ENT would probably have to first puncture her ear drums to drain all the puss before he'd be able to insert the tubes. Joy. He obviously can't do anything with an infection already there. Thank goodness Nana and Papa will be here during all that so she will have a wonderful distraction to keep her in good spirits.

16 and 4:30

These two numbers have been a big pain in our rumps the last few nights. Nora has been getting her 15th and 16th teeth which have made her wake up at 4:30 am for the past four nights. The teeth finally cut through today.

Let's hope she is able to sleep through the night...maybe that dose of Motrin helped as well!

Gas Works Park

Today we spent the afternoon giving Jay and Jessica a tour of the less-known Seattle sights. Here's a family portrait taken with a view of the city behind us. Nora loved watching the kites on the hill nearby...something that we will have to try once the weather warms up a bit ;)

 

NO & MINE

Oh the wonders of learning to talk. Nora's new favorite word is 'no.' She has gotten quite good at expressing her opinion. Don't have a clue where she got that ;-)

When I walked into Nono's daycare room on Thursday afternoon, I saw her grab a toy away from another child and say "mine" while shaking her head 'no'. The beginning of the terrible twos?

Peeing at the Fred Meyer

On a grocery trip to the Fred Meyer this afternoon, Nora accompanied me to the restroom. After watching me pee, she decided she wanted a go. As soon as I put her on the pot, she started to pee!

My first peeing experience with Nora...how exciting!

Potty trained!?!?

Nora had her first successful attempt at using the toilet today! Thanks to Grandma's quick reflexes and an impressive understanding of Nora's body language, she made it to the loo without a moment to spare.

Dress-Up

One of Nora's favorite things to do is to play dress-up. This was taken during one of her sick days this week. We got her dressed up in some of Auntie Vanessa's old clothes.

 

Drawing pictures with Grandpa

Nora was more interested in eating the Crayons than drawing with them. 

Checking out the port

Mommy and Nora checking out the waterfront last Sunday.

 

Playing the piano with Grandma

 

ENOUGH already!

Nora has once again come down with a bug. She was feverish last night and woke up around 4:00 this morning shivering with a terrible fever. She threw up, and then it was off to the ER again!

After an examination, it sounds like Nora has come down with a virus. The stomach flu is going around, so it looks like we will have a couple more days of Sick Nora to contend with. We can't wait for her to be healthy again!

Nora playing "row, row, row your boat" at Juanita Beach Park

We took a walk with Grandma down to Juanita Beach and had lots of fun playing on the swings and the whale!

Nora on Alki Beach

Nora on Alki Beach
Originally uploaded by binmke.

Look at the mountains Mommy!

Nora and Mommy on Alki Beach

Nora and Mommy on Alki Beach
Originally uploaded by binmke.

Nora had lots of fun scooping up handfuls of sand and running away from the waves!

Riding the Pig - Pike Place Market

Riding the Pig - Pike Place Market
Originally uploaded by binmke.

Grandma and Nora checking out the big pig outside the Pike Place Market.

Nora at Pike Place Market

Nora at Pike Place Market
Originally uploaded by binmke.

Grandma and Grandpa are visiting us this week, and for their first full day in Seattle we decided to give them a tour of the city...Pike Place Market, Alki Beach, and the Uwajimaya Market/International District.

Here's Nora and Daddy checking out the fruit stands at the Pike Place Market. We ended up getting some excellent halibut steaks to put on the grill tonight!

Otitis Media...it's an ear infection by any other name

Nora is back on antibiotics for the fourth ear infection of the year. We will have her checked again in April to see if this one will do the trick, if not it looks like she's going to have tubes put in.

Between the kidney incident last September and the ear infections now, we have amassed an impressive array of antibiotics...a shelf in the kitchen, a couple in the refrigerator next to the butter, and a whole container full of those little plastic syringes from Walgreens.

Fortunately Nora has been very good about taking her medicine, and the pediatricians here have been top-notch. We got a call from the pediatricians office at 7 PM on a Friday evening asking which pharmacy they should call to register her new prescription...I was pleasantly surprised!

Although her ear is bothering her, Nora is still maintaining her composure. She was very good for the babysitter last night (Mommy and Daddy needed a night off!) and we had lots of fun swimming at the Pro Club this morning.

The Cascades on the way home

Here is the view from the car on the way home from the Children's Museum, heading east on Hwy. 520 toward Lake Washington. It was a beautiful day, you could see the mountains on all sides. This is the Cascade range which runs to the east and south of Seattle. 

Painting pictures with Mommy

Inside the Children's Museum, there is an art room where kids can work on different projects. This week the special was painting and "recycled art" - building sculpture out of leftover things.  

I found you, salamander!

The Seattle Children's Museum also has a mountain and forest exhibit, with little creatures hidden under rocks. This one has a salamander in it. 

Mommy, help! I'm inside a whale!

On Saturday afternoon we took Nora back to the Seattle Childrens Museum to play around. This is by far one of her favorite places to go.