Unusual Days For These Parts

Cocoa
Saber
Picnic
Drawers
Rain

Wednesday - Details

Fetch
Boy, Maggie loves to fetch!
That is all.

Slumber

Up-cycle
Caleb has been attending Camp Invention this week.
He's been creating new things from miscellaneous recyclables and office supplies.
He's taken apart a VCR to explore the components and later build something new.
He's been learning about atoms.
He's been in little boy heaven.
(Not that girls can't participate; there's about a 50/50 split between boys and girls attending.)

Normal

Hearing the Wii Fit tell me "That's overweight," is less than desirable.

Rude is more like it.

Today, victory was mine!

That condescending little voice said, "That's normal."

Organic
I usually pass up on organic produce.
It's not that I don't see the value.
It's just that my priorities place cost above quality in some cases.
I took a double take at the store today when I was looking for strawberries.
Of course, I noticed the 300% price difference between organic and non-organic.
But the starkest difference was in the color and smell of organic versus non-organic strawberries.
Organic wins hands down!

Saturday Schmaturday - Details

Narcolepsy

Golden
We took a little trip out to Fuzzy Friends today.Jadie fell in love with a red colored Golden Retriever named Mackey.She is about 5 years old, great with the kids, house trained, and sweet as can be.We filled out an adoption application, so we'll see what happens!

Root Beer

If you know me well, you know that I love a bargain.

We cashed in on a B1G1 coupon for BJ's Brewery this afternoon.

BJ's is famous for their in house brewed root beer.  Yum!

Bonus: They got Jadie's order wrong, so they comped us a free dessert to boot!

Frustration

I'm not one for putting on a false front.

Let's be real here.

Potty issues with preschoolers is messy.

A stubborn child makes things worse.

Just when I think things are sailing along smoothly, we have another setback.

Noooooo!!!

City Limits

Sometimes we wish we lived in the boonies.

At least we have friends who do.

We headed outside the city limits last night to light up our fireworks, two days after the 4th.

Have you ever had an entire batch of fireworks turn out to be duds?

What a bummer.

We also enjoyed some more pool time.

For the 3rd day in a row.

And a 3rd location at that.

Don't you just love friends (and family) with pools?

Full Friday - Details

Naked

We started off the morning with Norah trying to take her clothes off. 

This is not a new thing.

I'm sure she's getting mixed messages:  We tell her no while we laugh hysterically.

Temple

We drove to Temple today to have lunch with the hubby.

We used to do this often, but today was the first time in a year or so.

Chick-fil-A.

Target.

Michael's.

Ridiculous stop and go traffic on the way home.

Art

We found a few great deals on Crayola products at Michael's in Temple.

These Pip Squeaks marker sets with stickers and sketch pads were only $5 each.

I'm not sure about this face...

 But this girl got right to work.

We also found Crayola washable paints in the large bottles.  They were only $1 per bottle.

I see some painting in our future!

Bittersweet

I teared up something fierce while driving home.

This song came on K-LOVE that struck a chord with me.

I thought, "I'd like this played at my funeral."

Weird, I know.

Picnic

Sarah patiently waited for Norah to wake from her nap so she could serve us a picnic lunch.

She didn't want Caleb to help her.

He was supposed to sit and enjoy.

This was my spread.  Yummy.

She thought it was hilarious when we gobbled up our food!

She enojoyed some tasty watermelon.

Lastly, she served dessert.

Independence Day - Details

Handprints

Family
We spent the better part of the afternoon with Jadie's mom and sister at Grandma's house.

Pool
Jadie's mom recently bought an above ground pool, so we were water-logged by the end of the day.
Norah is our little fish.
With a pair of arm floaties, she is fearless!

Face-plant
It was bound to happen.
She had been going up and down the 3 steps from the house to the patio all afternoon.
And she finally face-planted.
It still looks pretty sad this morning.
Poor baby!

Fireworks
It was a last minute decision, so I don't have any spectacular photos.
We parked near the golf course to catch a glimpse of the fireworks show over the lake.
As fireworks always are, they were spectacular!

Independence Day

Handprints
Family
Pool
Face-plant
Fireworks

So, I'm thinking about starting up the blog again.  My idea is to post 5 words at the end of the day that will intrigue you, while giving myself a little something to remember when I try to elaborate my 5 words in the morning.

Yes, this sounds like it will require some discipline, so we'll see how it goes!

Soups On

Just a normal day, but full of blessings nonetheless!

The kids are learning to eat more veggies...I added plenty of carrots, celery, and onions to tonight's Chicken Noodle Soup!

Norah Walks

Norah took her first steps alone today!  She's been cruising along furniture and such.  She's been pushing around her walk-behind toy.  But today we helped her balance and she was off!

Of course, she'll need lots more practice, but it cool to see still.

First you will see just her feet, then the whole shebang.  The last part isn't rotated properly...sorry about that!

Baylor Baseball Game

We've been talking about going to a Baylor Baseball game for a while now.  Earlier this week we realized that their final regular season game was this week.  So, we loaded up the kids and headed out to the ballpark last night.

The Bears had already secured the Big 12 title, so they were giving away t-shirts to pretty much everyone who came last night.  I'm kind of tired of the obnoxious neon yellow (Jadie got a basketball version earlier this year), but it'll be fun to wear it anyway.  We actually got one for Caleb and Sarah, too, and I plan to restyle them to fit the two of them.

Yes, those are beavers on the t-shirt.  You can read about that HERE.  Feed the Beaver!

Since we took all 3 kids with us to the game, I really can't tell you much about the game itself.  I know that Baylor scored 3 runs in the 1st inning and 1 more in the 2nd inning.  I don't know anything beyond that.  We left after the 5th inning, just after the sun finally moved behind the scoreboard and stopped blinding us.  At that point, it was already 8:15pm and time to get the kids ready for bed.  Next season, we'll be working on finding a babysitter so we can actually pay attention to the game.

In case you're wondering where exactly our seats were...we sat on the grassy hill on the 1st base side.  It was awfully tempting for our kiddos to slide down the hill or to run around and play.  I think that made things even tougher on the parenting front.  We'll know for next time!

Up And At 'Em

Look what Norah did this afternoon.

And last week.

Proof that they don't stay little for long.

Major Milestones

All three of our kiddos are reaching milestones lately.

Caleb, 6 years old

He is reading!  It's been a process over the course of his kindergarten year.  Each week, he learned about a letter of the alphabet and a sight word.  Those sight words have given him so much confidence.  Now he's able to sound out words, even the longer ones.  So far, he's read two books for us at bedtime.  We couldn't be more proud!

Sarah, 2 years old

She is potty training!  I sent her home with Granana on Sunday and she brought her back potty trained on Wednesday.  Mom did say that Tuesday was a disaster, with accidents galore, but Wednesday did the trick.  She managed to stay dry all day, including the two hour drive home.  Way to go, girl!

Norah, 7 months old

She is crawling!  She has her first tooth!  She can (but doesn't always) sleep through the night!   Crawling is a loose term, but she can get from point A to point B rather quickly.  That qualifies in my book!  Her first tooth is the bottom left, and it's well on its way.  No difficulties breastfeeding with the tooth...yet.  As far as sleeping through the night, I find that she does better when she gets in a good dinner of veggies and cereal and a solid nursing session.  I also discovered last night that she may not be waking up in the middle of the night to nurse.  All I had to do was go n and turn her from her tummy to her back when she was crying at two this morning.  Who knew?

Norah Beth- {6 months}

Weight: 14 lbs, 4 oz

Height: 25 inches

Head Circumference: 16 1/2 inches

I think these are right...the doctor used the write them down for me, but now I guess I'm supposed to do that myself.  And I don't...considering I'm undressing her, holding her, comforting her from her vaccinations, and redressing her.  Geez.  So, these stats are at least in the ballpark.

Baby Changes

Praise the Lord for these two changes in the past 2 weeks!

Norah's found her thumb.  I personally prefer the pacifier since you can take that away at some point, but, hey, I'll take what I can get.  Sucking her thumb means she's self-soothing and that's a good thing!

Norah's gone about 5 days without an inexplicable bout of fussiness.  That is the biggest victory we've had so far!

Norah Beth- {3 months}

She's such a strong little baby!  She can:

Hold her head at 90 degrees when on her tummy.

Scoot herself upward when on her back (by arching her back and pushing with her legs).

Sit in the Bumbo (even though it says not to use it until she can sit alone).

Smile.

Laugh.

Babble with "oooohs" and "aaaahs."

Sleep at least 6 hours at night.

Put herself to sleep.

Chew on her fingers.

She's still snorting and she still won't take a pacifier...or a bottle for that matter.

Norah's 2 months!

Norah Elizabeth

2 months old

9 pounds, 9 ounces

21 inches long

Thankful 2011

Although my body has endured the birth of 3 children, I'm thankful for a husband who says I'm beautiful.

Although I try to control how she "parents" my children, I'm thankful for a mom who always looks forward to visiting me and my family.

Although I don't see her as often as I'd like, I'm thankful for a sister who always makes it seem like we haven't missed a beat.

Although we're only in their home a few times a year, I'm thankful for grandparents who always make us feel at home.

Although I'm overly critical of him and downright bossy sometimes, I'm thankful for my firstborn, my Caleb.  I'm very proud of your sweet spirit and your eagerness to learn.

Although I get tired of her frequent whining and her shrill screams, I'm thankful for my spirited and very verbal middle child, my sweet Sarah.

Although she can't seem to sleep for more than 4 hours during the night, I'm thankful for my healthy, growing baby girl, my Norah Beth.

Norah's Thang

As some of you know, Sarah had a bit of a thing going when she was a wee little one (actually about 6 months to 18 months or so).

She was a hand twirler.

Oh, I wish I could remember all the things people said she'd be when she grows up (things relating to the hands)!  Someone said she'd be an orchestra conductor.  Someone said an air traffic controller.  Someone said dancer.  Someone said hand model.

Who really knows?  Besides, her "thang" isn't really her thing anymore.  We only see it make an appearance occasionally these days.

Anyway, about Norah.

I've noticed that she has a funny little snort going.  Yes,  a snort.

It's part of her regular fussing routine.  She starts out with quick, deep breathing: in-and-out, in-and-out.  Then she add the snort...in-snort, out-snort, in-snort, out-snort.  So cute.   At least for now :-)

Norah's 3 Weeks Already!

Oops!  I forgot to post her 2 week stats.

Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz.
Length: 18 1/2 inches*
Head Circumference: 13 inches

*her length is less because the doctor's office takes a more relaxed measurement instead of stretching infants as far as possible :-)

She can already:
Stay awake for 3-4 hours a day (following feedings).
Turn your head from one side to the other when laying on her tummy.
Make brief eye contact.

Adjusting to Life On the Outside

Norah's First 24 Hours