The Best

Today is one of those days when I realize just how incredibly lucky and blessed I am. 

We woke up at 8:30 {really 7:30 since time changed last night, but we'll forget about that}. Kurt got N out of bed while I relaxed in bed for a little longer. When I finally rolled out of bed, it was time to get ready to head out of the house. We had planned to meet Josh and Mer at Patachou for breakfast. It was so delicious! 

After breakfast, we headed off to church. When we got home, it was about time for N's nap. Kurt relaxed at home and got a few things done while I ran to the pet and grocery stores to stock up for the week. 

N slept for a couple hours and then was up and ready to go. After a quick lunch, we put our jackets on and headed out for a long walk. Even though it was only 40ish today, the sun was brightly shining all day and the temperature felt warmer than what it probably really was. We stopped for a bit on our walk at the park. N wasn't so sure about it, so we didn't stay for too long.

When we finally got home a couple hours later, no one wanted to go inside yet. We played outside with the dogs until it was time to cook dinner. We decided it was a perfect night to whip up a healthy grilled meal {we haven't been able to use the grill in months}. While Kurt cooked, Norah finally got to ride in her birthday bike outside. She was in heaven! 

We finally came inside to eat dinner...it was delicious! Kurt headed off to hockey while Norah and I played for a while longer. The fresh air and running around outside really tired her out. I couldn't keep her up past 7:15. We read a couple books together and she held my hand as I rocked her to sleep while singing lullabies...perfect.To top it all off, it is still light outside as I sit here and type this up. 

It wasn't too long ago that we couldn't wait for days to turn colder. To bundle up in cute fall sweaters and riding boots. To sit by the fire and cozy up to the ones we love. Now I can't wait to pack up those sweaters and boots. To bring out a box of clothes that has been tucked away for months. To spend countless moments outside playing with my little girl, husband, and doggies {who LOVE to be outside}. To not bundle up while sitting outside on our patio listening to crickets chirp and watching fireflies light-up. Funny how the love for each season fades after we've lived it for some time. There are many things I love about each season, even winter. But for now, I'm looking forward to longer days, shorter nights, warmer weather, and everything else that comes with spring & summer.  

                                   

Letters To Norah {11 Months}

My Sweet Baby Girl, 

"Better late than never" has become my motto far too often lately. But, when there is Christmas, Cabo, and a first birthday to plan {I can't believe it!}, there seems to be no time for blogging! 

I couldn't believe how much you grew, developed {from holding your head, to rolling over, to sitting up and more}, and became more aware each month from when you were born until about 7 or 8 months. From then until now, your looks haven't drastically changed {except your hair is longer and curly} and you haven't grown a ton {you've been in size 3 diapers for a while now}. What continues to change drastically month to month is your communication. 

It's amazing how many things you understand and the ways in which you communicate with us. You recently started waving hello and goodbye. However, you also make a waving {opening and closing/squeezing} your hands when you want something {especially more to eat!}. You also show us that you understand what we are saying to you. Of course, you know the word "no." Whether or not you choose to listen to us is another story! Often times we'll say things like, "Go get your baby" or "Where is Dada?" and you'll look around to find the appropriate thing we've asked you about. 

You are quick. You haven't looked back since the first steps you took on your 9 month birthday. You love the ability to get around so easily, especially that you can carry as many things as possible while you walk around. Your new favorite thing is to spin. You spin in circles as many times as you possibly can until you are too dizzy to stand any longer. Most of the time, you get right up and start spinning again...silly girl! You recently began holding our hands {a finger or two} while you are walking. Oh, how I love when you do this. I hope you will want to walk next to me and hold my hand for a very long time! 

I often sit on the floor while you are playing. Sometimes you want Daddy or me to play with you, but many times you entertain yourself for long stretches of time {you hate it when we leave you in the room and come running after us!}. Along with your spinning, you've been practicing walking backward. Recently, you will back right up to my lap and sit right down. It's so cute to watch and even nicer to have you playing on my lap {while most of the time you don't stay long!}.

You still love giving kisses, especially to the dogs. Sometimes, you'll walk right up to Daddy or me and plant big, slobbery kisses on us. We love it, slobber and all. Most of the time we are begging for kisses. Sometimes you'll oblige, while others you'll let us know that you've given too many kisses and need to get back to playing! Most any time we say "Give Cooper/Olive a kiss" you turn around to find the dogs and plant one on them! You've also started to pet them. Oh, how you love your doggies!

I absolutely can't believe the next time I'll write you will be for your first birthday. My quiet, snuggly baby has turned into a independent, strong-willed, and curious {almost} toddler. I miss that baby stage because you grew out of it far too quickly. But, I can't help to smile and laugh each and every time you come running towards me {when I say, "I'm gonna get you!!"} with your mouth wide open as you laugh. I love the little girl you are becoming, but I wish time wouldn't fly by us so quickly. This year has been my best one yet because of you. And what's crazy to think...I know the best is yet to come! 

Never forget, I love you to the moon and back. 

Mommy

P.S.- The day after we got home from Cabo, we had a HUGE snowstorm. It kept us inside for 3 days straight. While it was far to cold to take you out for long {and we didn't have snow clothes for you}, we had to take you out for a minute to see just how much snow we got. You were amazed! 

Letters To Norah {7 Months}

Baby Girl,

While you will forever be my 'Baby Girl', these days you aren't looking like a baby anymore. Every day I look at you and am amazed. You stop me in my tracks. Take my breath away. And, make me a bit sad. I continue to wonder how you got so big so quickly. How your little brain can learn so many new things each and every day. How Daddy and I are so blessed to be your parents. 

A month ago, I felt like you had reached a milestone. 6 months, half a year! This month, I feel like it sounds so old. How did we get to 7 months already? For some odd reason, 7 sounds so much more than 6 did. 

You are growing and changing faster than we can keep up. I'm not sure why I ever worried about you going to day-care. You hands-down, 100%, without-a-doubt love it! When we get to Lynda's, you wiggle out of our arms so that you can get on the floor and play with your new friends. And play is all you do. You aren't a sit-back-and-observe-what's-going-on girl. You are right along side the big kids playing and learning. I swear, every day we bring you home from Lynda's, you've learned something new. And boy are you tired every day! 

My transition to being a working mama has been interesting and pretty smooth. You loving day-care has helped tremendously. We know leaving you at Lynda's is so good for you. You're having more fun there than being stuck at home every day. Not getting to see you for more than a couple hours has been the toughest part. All I want to do when I get home from work is love on you. But, you're not much of a snuggler anymore. 

You continue to love to eat. You aren't picky and eat everything we give you, except rice cereal. You are eating around three meals of solid food now. You love eating mashed up bananas and love trying the foods we're eating. You have started to work on feeding yourself. You end up wearing more of the food, but you are proud of yourself for getting some things in your mouth. You have mastered using a sippy cup on your own and love drinking water throughout the day. 

You continue to talk up a storm. Your newest 'word' is "BA." You like to go on and on with your "BA's" and follow it up with a funny noise you make with your lips. Your laugh is one of my favorite noises. I love to hear your chuckles when you think something is funny...especially when you crack yourself up!

You still haven't quite mastered your crawling yet. However, you get around quite quickly. You continue to scoot more than crawl. I wonder if you'll ever crawl or if you'll go just to walking. It's better for you to crawl first, so I hope you do it for at least a short time. You have started pulling up on anything and everything you can get your hands on. You love to be standing and moving around. 

You still only have two teeth, but Daddy and I can tell you're getting another one. Our guess is that it's coming in up top. We'll just have to wait and see! 

It's still hard to believe that only 7 months ago, we were just getting to know each other. Now I feel like I know you better than any other person I know. I love watching you grow and develop each day. I often tell your Daddy that I still can't believe you're ours. I can't imagine life without you, but it continues to amaze me that you are mine. Forever. 

I love you to the moon and back,
Mommy

P.S.- Sorry the pictures weren't great this month. Attempting to get you to stay still is quite challenging! 

I Survived

As much as I thought it was impossible for me, I did survive my first day working since Norah was born, and a new job! I did feel like I was back in college during syllabus week -- getting a lot of information thrown at me. I did have a few moments of tears this morning and I'm sure will continue to have more as the days and weeks go on. But, life will go on. 

As my wonderful friend, Lauren, told me last night, "You will be the first person she sees when she wakes up in the morning and the last person she sees when she goes to sleep." So very true, Laur. Those words are so comforting to me and will be each and every day. 

Only three more work days until our weekend begins! ;)

Letters To Norah {6 Months}

Norah,

Happy {belated} half-birthday! I absolutely cannot believe that you are half a year old. How can time fly by so quickly? And, how can one little baby change so very much in such a short amount of time? In just 6 months, you've gone from the teeniest, snuggly infant to a strong, curious, on-the-go little girl. 

As promised, so much has happened in our lives this past month. And, of course, you've been a happy camper {most of the time!} while you enjoyed the ride with us. On July 3, we moved into a new house. The house you are going to grow up in and remember forever. We're going to make so many memories together in this house. It was crazy moving in the day before a holiday. We wanted to work on getting the house organized, but also wanted to celebrate your first 4th of July!

{Watching the fireworks downtown Indianapolis.}

We went to the lake for the weekend after the fourth. You went on your first boat ride. You enjoyed the ride, but HATED your lifejacket! I can't blame you. After the lake, we had one week at home before we packed our bags again and went to Michigan with Nana, Papa, Aunt Quinn, Uncle Andy, and your 3 cousins. You loved the beach, but were very stubborn when it came to taking naps. There was too much going on that you didn't want to miss out on! That week you were also much fussier than you typically are. We figured out why about half-way through the week...teeth! Not one, two, at the very same time! 

We were home from Michigan for four days before we packed yet again to head out to California. We spent a day in Southern California so daddy could go to a work meeting. Then we flew up to San Francisco to spend time with Auntie Lauren and Uncle Jared. We had so much fun with them! You loved being in the city, looking at all the people and taking in all the sights and sounds. We left the city for a couple days and drove to their house in Tahoe. The drive was much longer than we anticipated, but you didn't fuss too much that we were in the car for such a long time! You spent your 6 month birthday on the beach at Lake Tahoe. What a fantastic way to spend the day! 

We're all glad that we are home now and don't have any travel plans in the near future. All of our trips wore you out so much, you slept from 9:30pm to 11:30am the night we got home! You are such a good traveler and we know we're going to spend so many fun times traveling all over the place together. By the time you're one, you'll have two passport stamps!

Last time I wrote you, you were just about to be able to sit up all on your own. You quickly mastered that skill, and have moved on to many new things. You are pretty much crawling now. You use your feet to push and hands to pull you in the direction of where you want to go. I'm guessing within the next couple weeks, you'll have figured out to use your knees to go even faster. 

You are quite the wiggle-worm. It's getting more and more difficult to hold you or try to have you sit on our laps. You know what you want and are determined to get things once you set your eyes on them. You are a talker. You are starting to make all kinds of new sounds using your lips and tongue. It's fun to hear all the different sounds you come up with. Sometimes you surprise yourself after you make a funny sound! 

Your newest thing is your "scrunchy face." You scrunch up your nose and eyes and give us a little bit of sass {imagine that}! Of course, I have yet to be able to take a picture of your new, cute expression. The amount of personality that shines through each and every day is amazing. I see a lot of your daddy in you! 

Just before we left for California, I started you on baby food. You like it SO much better than rice cereal. You are not a picky eater! So far you've had peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, and peaches. You love all of them! You are starting to eat more at a time, especially around dinner time. I just bought you a couple new sippy cups for you to start practicing with. You love drinking water out of them! 

Wow, you've changed so much this past month! You are growing so quickly and not looking like a little baby anymore. You are a quick-learner and absolutely love learning about the world around you. Tomorrow I start my new job at Papa's office. I can't believe that 6 months has past us by this quickly. It seems like just a few weeks ago that we were meeting you for the first time. I'm really sad that I have to go to work and leave you during the day. I'm going to miss you more than you'll ever know! You are going to have so much fun at daycare and will have a blast with the other kids. You don't know how much fun I've had with you these past 6 months. I feel so lucky to be your mom and to have spent so much time with you each and every day. Just remember, I'll always be thinking about you during the day while I'm at work. Promise. 

I love you, sweetheart. 

Mommy

July Preview

I don't think I'll be blogging much during July because we have a C.R.A.Z.Y month ahead of us. All very exciting things, but I know it's going to fly by. I have mixed emotions about it all because it's my last full month at home with Norah before I head back to work in mid-August. I'm planning to soak up every last moment with her before that. Here's a preview of our crazy life to come:

*Today {July 1}, we officially got possession of our new house! We showed my parents, Andy, Julia, and Lauren the house yesterday, but we could officially begin moving things in today. 

*Tomorrow Kurt and I plan to move as much as possible on our own to the new house. We're hoping to not have to keep the movers for as much time as they've quoted us. The less time, the cheaper for us! 

*Wednesday the movers come! It will be our first night in the new place! 

*Thursday is the 4th {already?!?}. This will be the first time in years we'll be celebrating in Indy. We'll probably go check out the fireworks downtown after working on the house all day.

*Friday we're going to head to the lake for the weekend to try and relax a little bit.

*Monday {8th} - Friday {12th} we are going to be working on the house as much as we possibly can. I'll make sure to take before and after pictures as much!

*Saturday {13th - Julia's 7th Birthday!!} my mom, Norah, and I are heading up to Michigan to meet Andy, Quinn, and the girls. Kurt and my dad are heading up after golf on Sunday. We'll be spending the week there with everyone. 

*Friday {19th} we are planning to leave Michigan and stop at the lake on the way home. We'll spend the evening with Kurt's family and pick up the dogs from his parents. 

*Saturday {20th} we are leaving the lake to come home, unpack, and do any last minute things on our old house. 

*Monday {22nd} if everything goes as planned {fingers crossed!!!!!}, we close on our old house!

*Tuesday {23rd) we are heading out to Newport Beach, CA for a business meeting that Kurt has.

*Wednesday {24th} Kurt, Norah, and I will be flying up to San Francisco to stay with Lauren and Jared!! :) Either Thursday or Friday that week, we are going to drive to their house in Tahoe and stay there until Sunday. 

*Monday {29th} we fly home! 

Hopefully, by the end of this month, we'll be vacationed out {is that really possible?!?}, ready to do some major work on our new place, and only own one home. It's going to be a crazy month, but so much fun. I know we'll come out of July feeling tired, but I can't wait to make so many memories! 

Letters To Norah {Five Months}

Norah,

I say it each and every time, but truly this month has gone by in a blink of an eye. With buying and selling houses and completely packing our current house, things have been incredibly crazy around here. You've kept up with us and not complained when we've been on the go for far too many hours than I can count. What a flexible baby you are! 

You continue to get cuter and cuter {if that's even possible!} and more and more fun. Your giggles make me smile and laugh and your open mouth smiles are the very best. The way you move your body when you are excited or having fun is so cute. I love how we can tell when you are having fun by the smiles on your face and the way you flail your arms and legs.

You are THIS CLOSE to sitting up all on your own. You can do it, you just need someone to make sure you don't fall to the side. You are super good at staying up when you have something in front of you to keep you focused {like Coop}. 

I know daddy and I will have our hands full because you are going to be crawling before we know it. You scoot everywhere. One minute you'll be on your play mat and the next you'll be way over on the carpet trying to pet your doggies or find a new toy. You get up on all fours, downward dog style, and get from one place to another, especially when you are in your crib. 

You tried cereal for the first time this past month. Sometimes you're really into it and others, not so much. Probably a reason why you aren't loving it all the time is because I haven't been very consistent about giving it to you. With things being so crazy around here, that's one thing that hasn't always happened. Your doctor told me that you could start baby food in a couple weeks once you've been on cereal for awhile, but I think I'll wait until the beginning of August. July is going to be such a crazy month and there is no way we are going to be able to give you cereal/food on a consistent basis. Why rush, right?!? 

I'm sorry this month's note is so short. We are going to make so many memories this next month. I can't wait to tell you all about them! 

I love you to the moon and back,

Mommy 

Melt My Heart

Best Friends...

P.S.- I'm late writing Norah's 5 month post. We're in the middle of moving to a new house... I took the pictures, just need to find some time to write to her!

Birthday Present

Last year, the day after my birthday, I received the best birthday present ever. We got our first peek at Norah. She was 6 weeks old a year ago today. I'll never remember that day when we first got to see her. This year, I was able to spend my birthday celebrating with her. Life is good.

Letters To Norah {Four Months}

Lovie,

Wow, what a busy month it has been! There has been a lot going on around our house and you've been so flexible while we've been on the go. You've grown and changed so very much this past month and I've loved watching every minute of it. You have quite the personality and love chatting and screaming! 

This month you started rolling over. You've been a mover and a shaker from the beginning, but now you are really all over the place! Once you are on your tummy, you scoot everywhere until you've gotten yourself stuck. :) Now, you sleep on your belly and love it. 

You love to play. You have a few favorite toys that you love to grab and put in your mouth. You always have to have something in your mouth these days! You are so alert and are always looking around the room to see what is going on. You also recently started enjoying listening to books being read to you and love looking at the pictures!

Your giggles. Oh, your giggles. They make me smile and laugh each and every time I hear them. 

We went to the doctor today for your 4 month check up. Your doctor is incredibly pleased with you, how strong and alert you are, how much you've grown, and how much you're sleeping and eating. I couldn't agree with her more! You weighed in at a whopping 14 lbs. 2 oz today! You are in the 90th percentile for height and 75th for weight. Out of the doctors mouth, "She's tall and thin!" :) You had to get four shots today and you weren't happy about it. However, you took them like a champ and are rallying this evening. 

You have gotten yourself on quite the schedule and it's really helpful because I can plan our days and know why you are crying when/if you do. You eat an 8oz bottle first thing in the morning and last thing at night. You eat two 6oz bottles during the day. You always eat about four hours apart. You typically take three 2ish hour naps during the day and continue to sleep 11-12 hours at night. 

This month has been absolutely crazy. We spent quite a bit of time getting our house ready to sell. We did most of the work during the day while you napped. We also bought a new house. Trying to make sure we got the new house has been so crazy and a bit stressful! I'll be sad when we move out of this house, but can't wait to watch you grow up in our new one. So many memories will be made there. 

This month, you've accompanied me to pilates once each week. You've been doing some of your own pilates with Anne while I work out! We had another playdate with Henry and got to meet sweet baby Kennedy. You had your first overnight with Grandma and will have your second one with Nana and Papa this weekend! You visited Orchard with me another time and traveled to the lake for the very first time. {Thank goodness we got to go to the lake because we all needed a mini-vacation together!}

Each day I can't help but think about how little time I have left to spend with you before I return to work in August. I decided this month to stop teaching and go work at Papa's office. This will allow me to stay at home with you more. I know I'll miss teaching, but spending time with you is the most important thing to me! 

You are such a good baby and I love you for that. I love how you make me smile and laugh every day. You are absolutely perfect. 

Love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

One Year

A year ago today, my world changed. I went to work, had an appointment after school, worked out with my mom, and then went to dinner with my parents at Bazbeaux. Kurt was already up at the lake with OG and Josh getting ready for a fun Memorial Day weekend away. Because we were planning on drinking that weekend, I decided it was a good idea to stop by CVS on my way home to buy more pregnancy tests just to triple check that I wasn't pregnant. {I had already taken some in the weeks prior but they were all negative. I was pretty sure I wasn't pregnant, but thought I should really make sure.}

When I got home, I went straight to the downstairs bathroom and took a stick with me. Immediately it showed pregnant. I looked at myself in the mirror and said aloud, "Holy Shit!" As I was shaking, I cleaned up in the bathroom and went outside to call Kurt. 

As I was sitting on our back step, Kurt answered his phone. It was clear that the guys had already started drinking, but I told Kurt he needed to walk away from the guys. He was hesitant at first and didn't really want to, but did as I persisted. When I could tell that he was away from them, all I could get out was, "I'm pregnant!" 

In that moment, I was incredibly excited and in disbelief that it truly did happen. I wanted nothing more than to share that moment with Kurt next to me, not on the phone. 

In the next couple hours, I went ahead and took the other two tests to triple check that I was in fact carrying our baby. Of course, they all came back positive right away. 

I'm pretty sure I didn't sleep much that night. 

So much has changed in a year and I wouldn't want things any differently. It's amazing to think that we were just discovering my pregnancy a year ago and now I sit admiring our sweet baby girl. 

A year ago, I sat on our back step excitedly telling my husband the news on the phone. Tonight, I sit by the lake with a drink in my hand and my husband at my side while my baby girl sits on my lap. Life is really good.

Cheers to wonderful husbands, beautiful babies, warm summer evenings, and of course, a cold drink in hand!  

Rockin' and Rollin'

Norah had her first overnight this weekend so Kurt and I could go to a wedding. When we went to pick her up from his parents' yesterday, his mom told us that she never saw Norah roll over but every time she went to get N from her crib, she was on her tummy....! We knew she was getting close to rolling over, but I didn't think it would happen this quickly! She literally went from getting to her side to rolling all over the floor in like a couple days. {Stop growing up so quickly!} 

This is how I found her this morning --

--and now she refuses to sleep unless she's on her tummy! 

{I rolled up blankets and put them on both sides of her to try to keep her from rolling over. That clearly didn't work!}

Although I'll always be Norah's biggest cheerleader, I was content with her not quite rolling over yet. Now it's all eyes on her while she's awake!! My little baby is now mobile. 

Letters To Norah {Three Months}

Norah,

Three months? How can that possibly be? You are just as shocked as the rest of us...!!!

This past month, you've changed so much! You are so much fun to spend each and every day with. I'm so thankful that I'm not going back to work right now and getting to spend all this time with you. I know you aren't going to remember it, but know that I'm never going to forget this special time with you!

Your smiles. Oh, how I love your sweet, gummy smiles, especially first thing in the morning when I go to get you out of your crib. That's the most amazing way to start each day {especially since you sleep all night and I'm well-rested}!! 

You have been quite a talker for awhile, but now you scream. Full-on, overjoyed, little screams. Daddy and I laugh out loud many times a day when we hear your crazy noises. We love them. I often wonder what you are thinking about when you are talking to us. 

You are so strong. You love playing on your mat on the floor and will spend quite a bit of time admiring your hanging animals. Recently, you've realized that you can use your hands to grab those funny animals. You love grabbing them and pulling them to your mouth. Just the other day, you started rolling from side to side. You almost rolled over, but you got stuck on your arm. You enjoy being on your tummy more now because your neck and back are so strong, you can look around the room when you're on your tummy. You love sitting up and standing with our help. The different perspective is perfect for your curious little eyes. We often pop you in your Bumbo seat for a few minutes so you can look around and watch what we are doing around the house. 

A few weeks ago, we took a trip to Mexico. Not surprisingly, you were a wonderful traveler. You loved the warm weather and breeze. You took naps by the pool every day and loved swimming. We have so many memories we'll cherish forever from your very first trip! Daddy and I hope that we can take you on many trips. We love traveling and know you will too. 

The first morning we were in Mexico after you woke up, I began thinking. That night was the very first night your whole life that you slept in the same room with daddy and me. We didn't get to do that with you in the hospital because you were in the NICU. We don't regret our decision of having you sleep in your own room, but I felt special getting to share a room with you for a week. I loved waking up in the middle of the night to your little coos. But, I'm glad that you sleep in your own crib at home or we'd never get any sleep! :) 

Just before we left for Mexico, I stopped nursing you and we began giving you formula. Immediately, your belly felt better and you don't have any bloody diapers! I'm so glad you're feeling better, but I do miss those snuggly times when you would nurse. I'm thankful that I was able to nurse you for almost three months. Hopefully, you'll grow out of your milk allergy when you get older so you can enjoy dairy just like we do! 

I can't believe what a fun little baby you are turning into. I am so proud to be your mama. I love watching you change and grow. Each day, it's amazing to watch you do new things, make new noises, smile a little bigger, and laugh a little more. Keep being you, because I love every single ounce of you. 

I love you to the moon and back,

Mommy 

P.S.- You love watching Coop and Olive during the day. Of course, Coop wanted in on your monthly photo shoot! Looks like we'll have to get one with you and him every month! :)

Letters To Norah {Two Months}

Dear Norah,

I know you'll hear me say this all too often, but wow, time flies. I want life to slow down. I want to bottle up every single moment I spend with you. I continue to have a long list of projects to complete -- I don't get much done because all I want to do is spend time with you! Just the other day, I packed up all of your newborn clothes. I got a little teary-eyed putting everything away wondering how in the world you already outgrew so many things!  

Your second month has been packed full. You are quite a flexible baby and enjoy being on the go! The weather continues to be cold, so we haven't been able to get outside as much as I had hoped. When we do, you love the fresh air! This month, you watched your fair share of IU basketball games {oh, how you LOVE watching basketball on TV}, had your first play date {with Henry!}, went to your first brewery {shhhh, don't tell!}, went shopping far too many times, went to your own "Meet Norah" party, met your new dog-cousin, Ellie, celebrated your first St. Patrick's Day and Nana's birthday, smiled at mommy and daddy for the first time, and much more! 

{Trying to hide your cute smile...you NEVER do it when I have the camera out...} 

You look so much like daddy, it's crazy. However, you do have my chubby "Roe" cheeks. I love those cute cheeks of yours! You are growing so much! You have almost doubled in size since you were born. You went to the doctor today for your two month check-up and you weighed 11 pounds 1 ounce and are 23 inches long! I think you may be tall, like daddy. Oh, how I love chubby babies. I can't get over how cute your little legs are...

You continue to be a good sleeper {we can't thank you enough}! A couple weeks ago, we started making your last feeding a 4oz bottle and then putting you in bed. You have been sleeping 7-8 hours every night! We are all so well-rested in the morning and all in good moods! Even though you are a good night time sleeper, you aren't the best napper. We're going to work on you napping in your crib on a more consistent schedule. As long as you continue sleeping so long at night, I don't really mind you being up more during the day! 

You LOVE playing and looking around at your toys. You talk the most when you are laying on your back when you can kick your legs. The coos you make are the cutest noises I've ever heard. Of course, you make it difficult for me to capture your talking on camera! You so want to be on the go -- you don't stop moving. You are so strong and have really good head control. You love sitting up because you can see more. Sometimes you like to stand while we hold you up. 

{Look at you holding your head up!}

You have a new thing that kinda drives me nuts -- you love rubbing your face around on our chests while we hold you. I'm not sure if it feels good or what. Often you end up moving your head back and forth so quickly that you hit your head into our face and it doesn't feel great! :) You are quite dramatic. The drama is clear in your sneezes. You don't often sneeze just one time, most of the time you have multiple sneezes at once. 

{Sneezing - Bless You!}

It's amazing how alert you are now. You love looking at our faces and listening to us make different sounds. I can tell you are trying to figure out how you can make those sounds. You've already started smacking your lips. You've recently discovered your hands and you love sucking on them! Please don't become a thumb-sucker -- let's keep with the binky! You've started drooling quite a bit now and we often see you blowing bubbles! 

For one month, I've been eating dairy free. Your belly is starting to feel a little better. I feel so badly when it hurts you though. Thank goodness for gas medicine! :) Unfortunately, you are probably going to need that for the rest of your life...sorry! Really, the only time you fuss is when your belly hurts or when you are hungry. When you are upset, Cooper and Olive run right to you and try to help out. They love covering you in kisses and cannot wait for you to start playing with them.

I know this next month is going to be full of new experiences for you. I can't wait to see how many new things you learn and start doing in the upcoming weeks. It's amazing how quickly you are growing and changing. We are going to have so much fun together now that the weather is getting nicer and we're going to get to spend more time outside. {Plus, I can't wait to get you in your new spring/summer clothes -- they are the cutest!} 

I love you to the moon and back!

Mommy