Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Becoming Quite Accomplished

Okay.  Maybe more like 'Becoming Quite Able'.  This little girl is growing like crazy these days.  She amazes me (& I'm the one that's always with her)!  Out of the blue she is picking up words and skills.  I LOVE IT.  It makes my life easier and hers.  Win-win.

Nora is almost 15 1/2 months old.  What, you can't believe it?  I can!  I get to spend every day with her and soak it all up.  It's been a great 15 1/2 months.  I loved teaching, but this is EVEN better!

Her favorites:
-Jewelry (especially long necklaces) real, fake, she doesn't discriminate
-Chairs; any size as long as she can figure out a way up
-Bags/purses; anything she can put on her arm or around her torso
-Playing outside; on her slide/swing or just exploring (ie picking still green tomatoes off the vine) as soon as she hears the door open she RUNS for it
-Shoes; again no discriminating here
-Water; pool, hose, or water table...doesn't matter
-Snacks; cookies, crackers, Cheerios, string cheese, yogurt (Gogurt or drinkable with a straw)
-Baby dolls
-Cupboards/bags; anything she can get stuff out of to make a mess =)


Her Tricks:
-Folding her arms (pray and to sign 'love')
-Sign language--eat, milk, please, thank you, bye, done, more
-New words--ssss suz (shoes), whassat (what's that), tutu (Tutu her g.gma), ouside (outside), oh oh (ut oh), tay tu (thank you), ca cker (cracker or cookie), hi (she used to say hey),  {favorite word is still dad/daddy/dada...calls mommy that too}
-Pointing to things/pictures and asking what it is...all. day. long.
-Chewing some of her food (this girl swallows stuff whole to not slow down)
-Panting like a dog whenever she sees or hears one
-Copying noises--clicking tongue, Daddy's burps, coughing, sneezing, etc
-Copying actions--Mommy rubbing lotion on, washing hands, twirling around, etc
-Copying words--sit down, color words from a toy, etc
-Following simple directions--go get your milk, go find your shoes, go get the ball, etc
-Blowing kisses/giving real kisses (comes automatically with the word bye)
-Rocking, kissing, and hugging baby dolls---especially her cousin, Millie's, that makes noise

-Dressing herself--clothes and shoes (doesn't always work but she really tries)

I got a great deal on a sweet pair of red cowboy boots (think Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse) for Nora.  They are the next size up, for the Fall.  I let her wear them early (she wouldn't stop begging) to a cowboy birthday party.  Now she is obsessed with them.

Here are 2 videos to prove it.  The first is her finding her boots and saying shoes.  The second is her putting them on.  Enjoy!


Nora LOVES her red boots!


She can put them on (with help)!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

A Happy Fourth of July!

This year to celebrate the Fourth of July we had a full day!

It started with breakfast at church, but before we could get there (already late of course) we found this...
Yes, that's my 2nd flat tire in less than a week!



Then, we got ready and went out on the lake with April & Travis.  Nora loved it!  It was a world of difference than the last time she went (when she had a fever and Roseola).  It helped that we got to ride around in the boat instead of just the go/stop of pulling tubers and skiers.

Captain Nora.  When the cat's away... 

Nora & Daddy enjoying the boat.

Nora took a nice long nap!

See the tiny ripples?  That's Aaron trying to ski barefoot.

April & Travis on the boat.

Thanks Aunt Karen for the perfect blue & white swim suit!


After we were finished boating, we came home.  Nora got a nap in while Aaron enjoyed Transformers with my brother, Xan.  Of course that was when the storm hit us.  Luckily, it passed quickly and we voted for pizza instead of grilling out.  Then, we headed to The Dellingers' house for the festivities.  I'd guess there was more than $500 worth of fireworks there between the men.  Don't worry, they all bargain shopped and got good deals!

The men taking over the cul-de-sac for fireworks


Nora enjoyed all of her 4th of July outfits.  1 of them being her last year's dress.  =)  (Pillowcase dresses do fit for a while.)  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of her (any of the 3 times she wore it this weekend!).  Her favorite accessory though, her new red cowboy boots.

Thanks PawPaw & Dee Dee for the outfit!

Sitting down to eat my stolen un-ripe tomato from Mommy's plant.

Jenny's picture captures her perfectly!
Hope everyone else had a great holiday as well!  We are so blessed and grateful for this country we live in!