Long Weekend

This was a very productive weekend. On Saturday morning, we were able to take all of Nora's "baby" stuff to our storage space: the cradle, preemie and 0-3 month clothes, and all nursing related paraphernalia. We spent Saturday afternoon cleaning up after a dead person (I'll explain to those interested) and then had some great pizza in the neighborhood we hope to move to in the next year or so. On Sunday Nora helped us paint the bathroom and Grandpa and Grandma arrived.

We had a great dinner on Sunday night. We got to sit outside and eat everything fried and I had a pleasure of having a beer dumped on my lap by our sweety. Grandpa and I drove home quickly to change and made it back just it time for our greasy madness. Delish!

This morning we headed over to Nana and Papa's house for a great day of food and laying around. Nora went on a walk with Nana while Brian and I cleaned our respective vehicles. It was the first time I've hand washed and waxed my car! I've only had it for two and a half years ;-)

Hope you enjoy the pictures of our exicting day!

"Bye bye Grandma! We had a great time seeing you last night and today!"

Spit bubbles at 7:30 in the morning?

Waking up on Memorial Day

Grandma made sure Nora didn't face-plant on the blanket

Nora had a blast!

It was such an exciting afternoon that Nora fell asleep right in the middle of all of it!

So Grandma and I decided to join her

"Oh my Nana! I didn't get any in my mouth yet!"

What's up Grandpa?

"Charlie, I think this is a little too big for me!" Nora had a great time on her first boat ride on Lake Michigan. Our good friend Charlie enjoyed watching Nora giggle everytime he hit the throttle!

"Mom, did you have to rub my food into my face just for this picture?"

It was a beautiful day in Madison and we enjoyed a long walk on the east side.

Nora's most recent trip to Madison involved riding the doggie and visiting with her godparents. "Yummy Nora, you are tasty!"

Nora and neighbor Grace enjoyed some time together on the floor

"Ana, I just want to hold your hand!"

Big Day

Today was momentous for four reasons: It is Grandpa's birthday, Nora held her bottle by herself for 30-40 seconds, Nora had her first daycare experience, and her bottom left tooth broke through the skin.

Nora held her bottle out of sheer desperation today because I watched Amy's daughter, Ana for a couple of hours while Amy got her hair cut. I was trying to feed both babies and was very unsuccessful. Nora got the raw end of the deal and decided that she wasn't going to miss out on any milk time while I fed Ana. Necessity breads ingenuity. Isn't that the saying?

Nora experienced Bally's childcare for the first time today. I found out that members get 2 hours of free daycare each day for children over 6 months. Needless to say, I was there immediately. Nora had a blast watching the other children run around. She was the youngest there by 8-10 months. I had a blast working out and having an hour to myself.

Her tooth officially made its presence known today. Nora is still very sensitive about having anyone get too long of a look at the tooth, but I can feel it. We'll see if any of its partners decided to join in the near future. It looks like there may be two teeth there very soon.

Ouch

Nora's front left tooth is right below the surface of her gum. She is extremely uncomfortable in the evenings when she is trying to go to sleep. Hopefully it will come out soon and make way for the next painful teeth!

Nora's Auntie Pea left today for New York. They had such a great time together and I was able to have a lot of freedoms that I don't usually have. I think I would enjoy having a live-in nanny ;-)

Nora is sitting up on her own for about 20-25 seconds on a regular basis. I think she would have greater success if she didn't get so excited about everything around her! The littlest pile on the rug will make her dive for the potential of holding it in her hand. Sitting doesn't seem to be a priority when there is something that needs to be in her hand.

Last night, when we were out for dinner, a passer by made the most prolific comment since Nora was born: "That is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen. Good job. Make more." So there it is, we must make more. But you know what they say, practice makes perfect.

Nora's first swimming pool experience was a success!

Grandpa holding Nora at his last big concert before retirement. What a great day!