What's New With Nora

Nora is now 9 months old, and although she isn't crawling yet and is, frankly, nowhere close to walking, she has been quite busy this past month mastering several new "tricks." Here's what Nora has been up to lately as well as our plans for the coming weeks.

-When something is dropped or if there is a loud noise, Nora will say, "Uh Oh" right on cue. Oftentimes, she will continue to say it over and over again.
-She loves to stick her tongue out over and over again very quickly. She looks like a lizard. So cute!
-She can "spin." Nora's not a crawler yet, and I think that may be because she loves to be on her back so much. For months now we have been trying to encourage her to spend time on her tummy, but the second (seriously) we put on her belly, she rolls to her back. She has mastered spinning, however, which means she takes her feet and plants them on the ground and then swings the rest of her body to where her feet are. She basically just makes circles. She's not getting anywhere, but that doesn't seem to bother her. It helps her get a toy or see what someone else is doing.
-I will say, "Nora, where is your nose?" And she will point to her nose.
-I will say, "How big is Nora?" And as I say, "So big!" She raises both hands up high.
-She loves to play pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo. This will literally go on for an hour...she will just go back and forth between both games.
-One of Nora's latest tricks is dancing. When one of her toys plays a song, she will bounce. It's the cutest thing to watch and I've been trying to catch it on video, but naturally she get's camera shy when I do.
-She and her Daddy have a special game of growling back and forth.
-Nora will do the baby sign for "all done" on occasion when she is finished eating.

Jonathan's parents have been in town for the past week and they will stay in for another week or so. We've had such a wonderful time visiting with them, and it is so obvious that Nora loves her Granna and Granddaddy. They love her so much! I love watching them interact with each other.

Nora and I will be heading to New Orleans in a little over a week. I haven't been home for 6 months, so I am quite excited to see my parents and sisters and other family members, as well as catch up with some girlfriends.

We are also planning to take a family trip down to Florida to visit our best friends, the Sevdys, who are getting ready to move to Turkey in a few months. When Nora and I return from NOLA, we are heading down to the beach! That should be so much fun with lots of memories. Can't wait!

Sugar Bear

My Girl

4 Years of Wedded Bliss

Four years ago today, I woke up in my bed in my parent's house with butterflies in my stomach.
Four years ago today, I was spending precious time over breakfast with my parents and sisters as a single woman.
Four years ago today, I was packing my suitcase with last-minute items.
Four years ago today, I was surrounded by my closest friends in the hair salon.
Four years ago today, I was driving through Starbucks in jeans, a button down shirt, and a wedding veil.
Four years ago today, I wore the heaviest and most expensive piece of clothing I have ever owned.
Four years ago today, I laughed and cried more in one day than I had in my entire life.
For years ago today, I began the most challenging, but most amazing adventure.
Four years ago today, my life changed forever.
Four years ago today, I married my best friend.

I cannot BELIEVE how quickly the past four years have gone by. They have been filled with so much fun, so much love, so much laughter, and so much change. Jonathan, I love you so much and am so honored to by your wife. You are a wonderful husband and father! I love you bigger than space!

Missy Mo

9 Months Old

Little Miss Nora is now 9 months old. Wow! I don't know what it is about this age, but it seems like a milestone. She's not a little peanut any more. Our girl is getting big! At her doctor's appointment today, Nora weighed in at 16 lbs., 13 oz. (15th percentile) and was 27 inches long (35th percentile). (I can never remember what her head circumference is). No shots today, thankfully, but Nora got a bit of stranger anxiety when the doctor was checking her out. After several weeks of battling a runny nose, a sinus infection, and fluid in her ears, Nora checked out well and seems fully healthy. Thank you, Lord!

Pat A Cake

Nora's First Bathing Suit

The Speziales

Last week, our friends from New Orleans, Brad and Heather Speziale, stopped in Knoxville when on their way to Gatlinburg for their family vacation. They came by our house for lunch and to visit for a few hours. Also, last Friday they invited us up to their chalet for dinner in the mountains. We had a such a great visit with them and were so excited to see them and catch up on all that's been happening with them this past year. Heather cooked a delicious crawfish pasta as a special treat since we rarely have crawfish up here in Knoxville. Brad and Heather have two sons: Ben (age 9) and Joey (age 11 months). This was their first time to meet Nora! They are such precious friends and I had no idea how MUCH I missed them.

Lunch Out with Daddy

This past Tuesday, Jonathan had an extra long lunch break, so Nora and I were able to meet him out for a special lunch. We met up at Long's Pharmacy and Soda Fountain for some delicious hamburgers and yummy milkshakes. Nora had her usual rice cereal and vegetables. Yum, Yum! This was a nice treat, and hopefully, we can do this more often in the future!

Still Sick

Well, Nora is still feeling under the weather. We visited the doctor yesterday and Nora has a sinus infection. She has such a sad cough and a runny nose for most of the week. The only good news is that because she hasn't been feeling well, she has been so snuggly and wants her Momma to cuddle with.