What's New With Nora

Nora turned 8 months last Monday! This past month has flown by....seriously, where did it go? Here are a few things that we've been up to and a few notes on what's new with Nora:

- We have had a sick household the past few weeks. Nora has had her first and second runny nose and has had her first ear infection. With the exception of a few days, she was a pretty good trooper and wasn't too cranky! I kept trying to convince myself that my "allergies" were severe being that this is our first spring in Tennessee, but after a week of severe congestion, I went to the doctor and found out that I had a double ear infection and sinusitis. Jonathan got a mild version of a sinus infection as well. Thankfully, however, JB and I are doing much better and Nora has just finished up with a bit of a runny nose.

- Nora officially has 2 teeth! Her bottom two broke out one after the other at the beginning of April. She looks pretty cute, and the teeth add a whole new dynamic to her appearance.

- Nora has mastered peek-a-boo. She can now cover her eyes with her hands and will play with you if you catch at the right time. In the beginning, she didn't quite get the covering your eyes thing and would just bring both of her hands up beside her head and then pull them back down. But she's got the hang of it now.

- Nora is now a clapper! We're having lots of fun playing "Pat-A-Cake" and "If You're Happy and You Know It." She just has to hear the first line of "Pat-A-Cake, Pat-A-Cake" and she instantly breaks out with a smile and begins clapping.

- Nora continues to be a chatty girl. She just babbles and babbles....it's the funniest thing!

- I went to a women's conference the first weekend of April and left Nora for the first time. Jonathan kept Nora overnight, and they both did great! I don't even think Nora missed me a bit.

- Now that Nora has mastered sitting up, I have been waiting for her to get mobile, but she is still happy as can be to stay in one place. I am noticing that she's getting more frustrated when she can't reach an object that she wants, so hopefully she will muster the motivation to get going....just a little bit, anyway. ;)

Well, that's the most of the lastest in our household. We'll keep you posted with the newest in the future.

Cutie Pie

8 months old

Is there another Dr. Bradshaw in our future?

Now, Daddy, say "AHH!"

Fruit Salsa

Here is a recipe that I am sure you will love! I sort of hate to give it away because it is my go-to recipe for Baby Showers, Wedding Showers, Cookouts....but, MAN! It is SOOOO good and I know you will love it and want to share it with friends and family. This is such a yummy and refreshing appetizer or dessert. So here it goes:

1 carton of fresh strawberries
2 Granny Smith apples
2 kiwi
2 tablespoons of apple jelly
2 tablespoons of brown sugar

Puree cleaned and trimmed strawberries, apples (leave the skin on for the pretty green color), and kiwi in a food processor (or, if you don't have one, chop the fruit into tiny pieces). Combine the fruit and add the jelly and sugar. If time allows, refrigerate the salsa for a while and the consistency will thicken up nicely.

Serve with cinnamon-raisin bagel or pita chips. Or,if you're interested, you can make homemade cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips. (A messy, but yummy, project!)

This recipe is doubled very easily and keeps great in the refrigerator for a few days. It is so refreshing! Also, feel free to substitute or add other fruits to the concoction. My friend Amy couldn't use the kiwi because her niece is deathly allergic, so she substituted pineapple and said it was delicious. I think I might add that to mine next time I make it.

I hope you and yours enjoy. Let me know if you come up with any killer fruit combinations.

Nora and Layla=BFF

Here are a few pics of Nora and one of her dearest friends, Layla Grace Townsend. These girls are only six weeks apart, and they absolutely love each other. Layla's parents, Robert and Amy, are some of our closest friends here in Knoxville. It's so much fun to hang out with them and to watch Nora and Layla interact. Layla is crawling now, so I am hoping that she will inspire Nora to get on the move. However, Nora just grunts as Layla moves around as if she is trying to boss her around. "Come here." "Go there." "Get back over here by me." Believe me, I am not trying to rush Nora into being mobile! It'll be so much fun to watch these girls grow up together!

Daddy and Daughter Weekend

This afternoon, I am off to our church's women's retreat in Chattanooga, TN. We leave this afternoon and will return sometime tomorrow around suppertime. This is my first time to leave Nora overnight! I am having some serious mixed emotions today as I prepare to go, but I TOTALLY trust that Jonathan will do a fabulous job of taking care of Nora. Thanks babe for giving me the freedom to go and for watching our girlie while I am gone. Y'all don't have too much fun without me.

Sunblock???

Quick Question for any and all moms who may read this blog:

What type of sunscreen would you recommend for little ones? Now that the weather is warming up some, we've been trying to make it outside when we can. Nora's skin is so pale...ahem, porcelain....that I don't want her to burn!

Any suggestions?

Also, for those who've asked, our new camera is a Canon EOS 40D. We are really enjoying it and love the wonderful pictures we're able to snap of our little girlie.
Enjoy this beautiful day!