Making Applesauce

 
Nora helped me puree the applesauce this afternoon. Believe it or not, apples are all over the place here!

WOW Mommy! I made applesauce!

 

The "S" word

As Nora's language skills develop, April and I find ourselves increasingly watchful of what we say when we are around her. We've become a lot more self-conscious lately because Nora is repeating everything she hears. She is even picking up lyrics to songs on the radio and singing them back to us in the car.

So far, she has managed to avoid repeating anything truly profane, but has picked up on other expressions. Lately, she's obsessed with pointing out our use of the word "stupid," which we have been trying to tell her is not a nice thing to say. It's amazing to see how many times in any given day she catches one of us saying it.

Take a Look at Nora

Here is a video that Nana and Papa took of Little Nora singing her heart out. She now also knows just about all the lyrics to the new Indigo Girls CD. She calls them the Magic Girls and asks to listen to Amy and Emily all the time!

http://the-tortoise-and-the-hare.blogspot.com/2007/10/you-are-my-sunshine.html

Taking care of the baby

Getting ready for baby brother

Tonight we visited the "Family Maternity Center" at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, where Nora's little brother will be born. Walking through the hallways, I saw the relieved faces of new mothers and furrowed brows of nervous fathers holding their day-old infants. The anxious families in the lounge feigning interest in some inane TV sitcom, the gowns, the nurses' stations, the shrink-wrapped club sandwiches, all of it brought back memories of the nine long days we spent in the hospital when Nora was born. April and I are both hoping that our hospital stay this time will be much shorter and less dramatic.

In true Seattle fashion, fathers are encouraged to come equipped with sleeping bags. They say it's because they don't provide linens on the guest beds, but I'm sure it's really just an excuse for the dads to add some outdoor adventure flavor to their childbirth experience.

The big day is not far off. Nora has been helping us set up the little man's room. She has graciously agreed to share some of the toys and books that she has outgrown. She was even able to feel him kick tonight while April was reading her bedtime story. Nana and Papa gave her a doll for her birthday that she has been dutifully taking care of and putting to bed at night. Unlike Nora, the doll is able to consistently sleep through the night in her own bed.

Nora is also grappling with understanding family relationships. She thought it was pretty funny when we told her that Auntie Pea was mommy's sister, and Uncle Eric was daddy's brother. But when Nana and Papa came to visit, and she found out that Nana was daddy's mommy, things got a bit confusing.

3 year old stats

30 pounds
3 feet 1 inch
Not sleeping through the night
Going to the bathroom ALONE!
Can hold a full conversation...if you are able to follow her logic

Rarrrr!

 

Last Birthday Present

 
Brian and I gave Nora a Lion Suit for her birthday. She will wear it for Halloween, but is mainly for dress up purposes.

I can't resist!

 
Some of these pictures just turned out amazing and I can't leave any out!

Will she play the flute?

 

Sneaking a Photo

 
Nana and Papa had the pleasure of taking Nora to her ballet class yesterday. While there, Papa snuck a few photos through the window. Parents/adults are not allowed in the class. This is supposed to help foster independence and so the big people don't get in the way!

My New Dolly PEES!

 

Nora Loves Her New 'Pretties'

 

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

 

I love scissors!

 

Yummy

 

Look How Excited She Is!

 

The Birthday Cake

 

Enjoying the Train

 

On the Train

 
Nora, Brian, Nana, Papa, and Auntie Pea rode the Northwest Railroad this weekend. Mommy stayed at home to rest and fight off a cold. There were some amazing views of the Snoqualmie Falls from the train!

Sitting next to Auntie Pea

 

Birthday Cake

 
Nora chose a gumdrop birthday cake from my cookbooks for her cake this year. We had a really good time making it together. Oh how things have changed in one short year!

Birthday Present

 
Here's Nora in her BIG birthday present: a Love Sac. We knew we needed to move the rocking chair into the Little Man's room but wanted to find something for Nora that we could sit in with her to read books to her. Nora's nanny and her family have a 5 person Love Sac that Nora is IN LOVE with. We decided this would be the best option for her and us. She took her nap in the Love Sac this afternoon!

We're Going on the Santa Train!

http://www.trainmuseum.org/SantaTrain.asp

I just bought tickets for the famous Santa Train on December 15th. It is a twenty minute train ride on the ancient Snoqualmie Valley Railroad with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate followed by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus at the North Bend Depot.

Nora is going to love this and the little man is going to have his first Christmas outing!

Changes

Nora is doing very well with the change of having a new nanny and pre-school. Yesterday was her first day with the nanny and Baby Georgia and she was an excellent helper. Georgia is only 4 months old, so it seems that this will be great practice and 'break her in' before her brother arrives in a few months.

I also got a good report on her performance in pre-school this morning. I even got an email from the director of the pre-school that said she had a great day!

Smiles, smiles, all around!

Nora and Mommy in Seattle

 

Cool sculpture

 

Posing in Queen Anne

 

3 and a three-quarter Remfreys

 

Kerry Park

Jay, Jessica and baby Joseph came from Milwaukee to visit us this weekend. We spent most of the day on Saturday visiting different places in Seattle. This picture was taken in Kerry Park, a beautiful spot on Queen Anne hill that has one of the best views of the Seattle skyline.