The Toothless Grin Chapter Begins

A few weeks ago, after months of anticipation to even get a loose tooth, and several more weeks of having a loose tooth, it finally happened. 

When I picked her up from school that day she pushed it out with her tongue and it was practically perpendicular to the tooth beside it. After going through our typical evening routine, I asked Norah if she wanted me to try to pull it. She was hesitant, but I told her (and myself - gross) that I wouldn't pull it very hard at all. If it was ready it would come. 

Let's just say it was ready. It must have been barely hanging on, as it popped right out. Norah was a bit freaked out at first, I think because there was a tiny bit of blood. Plus it just feels weird to suddenly have a big hole. 

But then she was super excited and finally let me take a picture to send to Daddy who just happened to be working late that night. And of course she requested that I text her cousins and the Moms of two of her friends. 

I didn't really know writing notes to the Tooth Fairy was a thing, but that's what she wanted to do next. 

And this is how she went to bed that night. 

She was super excited to find $5 under her pillow in the morning, but a tad disappointed that the Tooth Fairy didn't write a note back (oops). 

Everybody (I mean EVERYBODY) we have encountered since has been made aware that she lost a tooth. 

Number two is loose now as well, and I think it is a matter of days...

Check and Check

We have hit a few major milestones in this house that are worthy of note and perhaps even minor celebration. 

First, Norah is reading! Her pre-k teacher told us at the beginning of the year that her goal was to have at least 18 of her 23 students reading by the end of the year. At that point Norah seemed sort of far off, but when school started up again in January we started to see significant progress. Several weeks ago everything seemed to click. 

We have always tried to emphasize reading. It is a part of our bedtime routine and books are typically something we stick in an activity bag. Both girls often want books in the car and will spend time sitting around the house "reading." 

Most weeks, as part of her homework, Norah has a book to read and an accompanying book report. The book report consists of five questions for which she is to provide complete-sentence answers. We have several level 1 and 2 readers around the house that she enjoys reading, and she often encourages Macy to choose one of them at bedtime so she can read to her. 

I decided it was time to hit the library again to find more early reader books, and we came home with about 10 (plus three Curious George books picked out by Macy). 

Though admittedly painful at times to listen to her work her way through each page, it is absolutely thrilling to see Norah learn to read. 

As for Macy, the big news is that she is fully potty trained! The last time I posted about this she was only a week in, but she really never looked back. We still ask whether she needs to go before we leave the house and before nap, but otherwise she initiates it on her own. The only exception is nighttime, for which she still wears a diaper or pull-up. 

Norah was potty trained for months, but held out on going number two (she would wait every day until we put her to bed with a diaper then call us back within 5 minutes to tell us she needed a diaper change). Macy hasn't had any problems with this, either, and in fact she makes some really entertaining faces sometimes while sitting on the potty. 

The nice thing is that due to the (ah hem) difference in their body shapes they are wearing the same underwear. What is it about a little toddler bottom in underwear, by the way? Love. 

As a result of Macy's recent developments, the changing pad is out and I also realized that I I haven't been to Target in three weeks. Seth and I are very excited to be done with daytime diapers. 

Quick Macy Update

Less than 24 hours after I wrote Macy's 9 month update and reported that there were no signs of teeth...we found a tooth! I don't know exactly when it popped through, but it's definitely there.

Now I feel REALLY bad - poor little Macy Girl has been dealing with an eye infection, ear infection, and a tooth! Hopefully everything will level out soon and we'll get back on track.

Here are a few pictures I snapped today...

Macy Update: Food, Phonics and Fun

Food
Since day one Macy really has had no eating issues at all. She nursed well just a few minutes after entering this world and she hasn't turned back. It has been a huge relief for me after struggling with Norah.

I haven't been in a big hurry to start solids, but when we were at the lake over New Years we tried some of Mikayla's food on Macy just for fun and she put it right down. She had several bites of a pureed beets and carrots combination and several more of peas mixed with pears. No problem.

About a week ago we tried some rice cereal mixed with breast milk. We (the proud parents) thought she was remarkably proficient for as little as she has eaten with a spoon. This weekend we did rice cereal several times and also some applesauce. Each time she gets significantly better at keeping everything in her mouth. In fact, she now leans into the spoon when she sees it heading toward her mouth. So far she hasn't turned anything down.

Mom and dad are here today and Macy was a little unsure of dad. Then we sat her in her chair next to him at the table, she took one look at him and busted out crying. When mom picked her up she was fine. Then mom tried to put her back in her chair and she did it all over again.

But then dad started feeding her and everything was okay. He held her off and on for the rest of the afternoon with no problem.

It's pretty fun to sit down at the table with all four of us. We bought a booster for Norah, and Macy is using Norah's old one. Usually Macy is just playing, but as we integrate solid food into her diet over the next several weeks she'll start eating with us more.

Phonics
In Macy's 6-month blog entry I failed to mention that she is becoming more vocal. "Da" is the first sound I think she made (what a horrible second-time parent...I'm sure I have note of when Norah made her first recognizable sound, and exactly what it was), and she also says "Ba" and "Ga." We often here these sounds when she is waking up from a nap, or sometimes at night after I have nursed her and she is going back to sleep.

Fun
Macy has quickly become very good at sitting up. She seems to much prefer it to laying down, and is easily entertained for a long time sitting on the floor with a toy in front of her. A few nights last week Seth came home to find the three of us in Macy's room. Norah was running from one side of the room to the other over and over again while Macy just sat on the floor watching. From the back all I saw was her bald head going back and forth...back and forth.

Fun activities for us this weekend included:

- Mimi taking Norah to the Children's Museum
- Mimi staying overnight
- Several runs in beautiful weather
- Walking to friend Philip's new house in the neighborhood (except when Chilli, who was being walked on the leash by Norah, saw a squirrel, took off running, and pulled Norah face down...dirt in her mouth and everything)
- A visit from Mimi and Papa
- Eating popcorn and watching the football game
- Playing at the park
- Soccer in the backyard with Daddy
- The play dough cake making station

New Norah-isms

Just a quick entry to mention a few new things Norah is doing:

- attempting to sing along with me when I sing "Old McDonald" and "ABCs"

- helping us count by saying, "two" after we say "one"

- putting her shoes and clothes away in the proper drawers

- eating with a spoon and fork

- kissing pictures of friends and family every night before going to bed

- saying more words like night-night, spoon, bowl, shirt...

- crawling onto chairs and her stroller by herself (her legs haven't been long enough before now)

- saying "thank you" regularly

Norah is transferring into a new room at school. We're going to see how this goes before making a final decision about whether to keep her here or move her to another school. At this point we are leaning toward leaving her where she is. Today was her first day. She spent just a few hours there and they said she did great. Tomorrow she will nap there, and I couldn't be happier that she will now be on a 1 nap a day schedule at school as well as home. By Thursday she will spend most of the day in her new room.

She is once again the littlest peanut in her class...

Are We Weaning for Good?

I read somewhere recently that technically the weaning process begins as soon as babies start eating solids. I can see the logic in that, but had never thought of it that way. Of course I didn't truly know what to expect in terms of how long Norah would nurse, although I was aware that she would be done well before her first birthday. But I didn't want her to be.

Since hitting the one-year milestone things have started to changing. First of all, I began slowly backing off of pumping, and have reached the point now that I am not pumping at all. It was getting frustrating to go through the effort and only pump 1 1/2 ounces at a time. And I feel so light and free as I walk into the office without that bag. One day recently I hadn't taken my computer home, and didn't need a lunch that day so I literally walked in with only my purse.

Over the past month I have noticed changes in my body, and I think it is highly likely that it is all related to changing hormones, which is also affecting nursing. One night last week I didn't feel my milk come in as Norah was nursing before bed. That was a first. The next morning I felt it again, but since then the let down feels noticeably lighter and shorter than in the past.

As a result of these changes, this week my mind has often wondered to my nursing experience overall and our current situation. I've had several conversations with my friend Lisa who is in a very similar situation. (Note: this is the Lisa with 14 month old twins who are still nursing.) She made a very good point - we are spending a lot of time feeling sad about the fact that our nursing days may be coming to and end, and as a result are probably not fully appreciating and enjoying the remaining nursing sessions. Duh! Since she pointed that out (and she was right) I have worked to change my focus.

The thought of possibly being done nursing does still make me sad. But I feel very differently than I have in the past when I feared our nursing days were over. I can sense the freedom that will come along with being done. And while a bit of that may be selfish they are feelings I can't deny. I may be wrong but I think Norah will adjust okay. She is already easily distracted and seems to be getting frustrated at times with how long it takes for my milk to let down. So far she isn't interested in whole milk, but I'm not too concerned. She gets plenty of dairy and we will continue to make sure that happens whether it is through milk or other means.

Obviously nursing has to end sometime, and as we get closer to that time it also means that Norah is continuing to grow and develop. I have been thoroughly enjoying watching that happen lately (when is that not the case?). This morning I asked her how the cow goes and for the first time she went, "mmmmmmm" before I even did it. (I know that isn't quite how a cow goes, but that is how she has been imitating my "mooooo.")

So while I continue to have mixed feelings I am more okay with the thought of being done than I ever have been in the past. And I really don't even know that this is the end. I have just felt enough change recently to have the thought cross my mind.

Nursing has hands down been one of the greatest parenting experiences so far for me and while it has not been easy (actually difficult and painful at times) I am so happy I made the effort. It has all been worth it.

Little Tidbits

So in the midst of...well, everything, I guess... I have failed to note a few events.

The first, is a visit from my cousin Andrea, her husband Jon and daughter Allysen who recently moved to College Station, TX. Allysen is 6 and was very interested in her first cousin once removed, Norah. They had fun.

We're happy they live so close now and look forward to seeing them more. For much of our childhood Andrea and her sister Renetta lived just a block away, so we spent a lot of time together. Andrea was also one of our babysitters. We always looked forward to her babysitting because we knew we were going to bake a chocolate something (usually a cake, but you never knew what would be thrown in).

Anyway, it will be fun to be able to see them so much more often now (considering before it was a very rare occurence). We were all at the lake together (with Li, Scott and the boys) over Labor Day, which was really fun too...although I have no pictures.

Last weekend we met friends Lisa and Dave for lunch at Rudy's BBQ. They recently had sweet little Tyce, so with the two little ones our social time together has changed. Back in the pre-kid days we would do The Woodlands one get together, and "downtown" the next. The evenings typically involved an appetizer at the house (brought by the visitors), dinner and dessert out. Once Seth and I had Norah, Dave and Lisa came our way more frequently and we often cooked or got carryout. Now...well, we're playing it by ear, but we're definitely finding ways to still get together, and will continue to do so.

ANYWAY, here is a picture of Lisa and I with the kiddos. Isn't Tyce's little face just precious? He's not always that serious, even at his young age.

The last thing I thought I would throw in tonight is a photo of Norah's tooth. It's not a very attractive photo of Norah (some may call me a brave mama for including it anyway), but it is the first clear shot of her tooth. I've even cropped it so you can see the tooth. (Note, she is fussing because I told to stop eating the mulch.)

Anyway, she was a bit out of sorts yesterday, meaning not napping well and a little fussier than usual. Actually, "out of sorts" also means frequently performing her new "tantrum" act, which consists of dramatically throwing her head onto the floor. I noticed today that she is cutting her second tooth, so we're assuming that is why. Today she was back to normal, had 2 great naps (both about 1 1/2 hours) and only one or two "tantrums."

So, it's Sunday night and we've spent most of the day around the house getting things in order for another week. Here we go!

Baby Steps

At work our department's mantra is "baby steps." I guess we have learned that our company can't handle major change or new ways of doing things in large doses. So we usually take baby steps. I will forever think of my current boss when I hear the phrase.

These days, however, the words "baby steps" take on a different meaning for us at home. Norah is, quite literally, taking baby steps (video coming soon, I promise). Tonight she took a few steps toward me--all on her own--several times. And she is loving it, let me tell you.

Norah has changed so much just in the past few weeks. She is babbling a lot now - not just repeating "ma ma ma" or "da da da," but "talking" in sentences with varying intonation. It feels like she is really having a conversation with us. We laugh every time. We're working on catching this on video as well.

We have seen her more than usual this week because she has pink eye. After her eye was red on Monday and Tuesday, we noticed a small white bump on her eyeball (the part that was red) on Tuesday evening. Seth took her in to the doctor on Wednesday since I had a meeting I needed to attend. We were pretty concerned about the bump, but it turns out it was just a symptom of pink eye (just not one that appears to be mentioned anywhere through a basic google search).

We have juggled schedules around since then, and are thankful that we can both work from home for added flexibility. We were both home today, but it was my day to take the lead with Norah, and tomorrow we'll switch. It has been tough to keep up at work, but I have to admit I love any extra time I can get with Norah. The pink eye doesn't seem to bother her at all, so we've been having a lot of fun!

P.S. Big purchase this weekend - we've decided to get a Mac!

A Tooth!

It's true - our bald, toothless 10 1/2 month old is no longer toothless. One of Norah's bottom front teeth has popped through. We wouldn't have known except I happen to randomly decide to feel her gums this morning. Otherwise we had no other signs - no fussiness, fever, drooling, etc. Let's hope that continues!

I have to admit, the appearance of the tooth makes me feel a little sad. Cliché, I know, but she is growing up right before our eyes. It is exciting at the same time, however, to see her continued development. I'll treat it as a good reminder to cherish every moment.

Speaking of, Seth is finishing up her bath so I think I'll join them for a few minutes of play time before Norah goes to bed.

On Another Note...

Seth watched Norah climb all the way up our stairs last night! She paused twice for a little dancing, but otherwise he said she would have been up in a matter of seconds. Yikes...

Walking Video

Over the past several days Norah has become brave enough to walk while only holding on to one of our hands.

Also, note the wave as she approaches the camera. Several months ago she started doing that when we sang. Recently she has also started waving "bye bye," so when she randomly did it we were never really sure if she was waving or requesting to hear our melodic voices. Now, she also seems to do it when she wants something or is excited. We haven't really figured out what it always means, but nonetheless the wave is definitley characteristic of Norah.

A New Trick

This is probably one of those things that is exciting only to the parents, but I'll write about it anyway. Norah is officially rolling over! She has gone both ways. Her teachers told me on Friday that she was laying on her back and all of a sudden they looked over and she was on her stomach. I guess I believed it, but I figured it was an accident. Plus, I've decided that if we both have to work full time and put her in daycare, I'm going to make the rule that a milestone isn't truly a milestone until it happens at home with the parents.

We had noticed lately that Norah digs her heels into the floor and arches her back. And she has also discovered her feet (with her hands when laying on her back), which often puts her off balance and makes her fall to the side. We figured these were all steps towards rolling over - we just didn't think it would happen so quickly. But this weekend several times she has worked her way from front to back or back to front.

As Seth said, "I guess it's time to stop leaving her unattended on the changing table!" I'm finding it hard to believe that she is going to be 6 months soon. It feels like just yesterday that I was pregnant...

Giggle Giggle

Norah gave us her first laugh tonight! For the past several days we have felt as though it would come anytime because she occasionally made a gasping sound when she smiled really big. Tonight Norah and I were watching Seth make meat for spaghetti sauce. He was chopping up the meat in the pan with a spatula and Norah was watching him very intently...when all of a sudden she laughed. Never in a million years would I have predicted THAT is what would make her laugh for the first time. But after she stopped Seth started chopping and she laughed again.

I wish I could share a video, but as hard as it has been for us to catch even just a smile on camera, who knows when we'll catch a laugh. Until then you'll just have to trust me - it would definitely put a smile on your face.

Look How Big I Am

Norah's latest trick is holding her head up during tummy time. We can tell she has to work at it, but she does it for quite a while. Little by little it gets too heavy and falls closer and closer to the floor until she just can't hold it up anymore.

She also stands like a big girl on her legs. From very early on we were surprised at how much weight she put on her legs, but now we can hold her just by her hands and she completely supports herself. We like to say she is working on her soccer legs...

I Have No Words

I have no words for the way it feels to appear over Norah's cradle, see her lock eyes with me and give me this smile. We have been enjoying it for several weeks now, and to our delight she seems to flash it more and more everyday.

We have been working our behinds off this weekend, trying to get some things done before I go back to work. We rearranged some furniture in our house to actually create a room for Norah. Until now she has been sleeping in her cradle in our room. This means we basically lost our office/guest bedroom (but you are all still welcome anytime - we'll make room!). Mom and dad came down yesterday, which helped a ton. They took turns with Norah duty while the other worked to help us get stuff done in one way or another - mom usually in the kitchen, and dad moving furniture or taking down Christmas decorations. We are still going at it today.

Norah has been sleeping since 1:00 in her new crib (it is now 2:50). Just when I start to lose confidence that things are going well in terms of eating and/or sleeping habits, she'll do something like this to make me feel good again. I think the schedule will come somewhat naturally when I go back to work, and I haven't done a lot to put one in place yet knowing it will change at that point anyway. Right now I am just trying to learn to read her cues and make note of any patterns I can.

I won't lie, though - I think about it all the time, wondering whether I am doing the right thing, and it stresses me out quite a bit (just ask Seth). I think I am a very relaxed mom in many ways, but I often doubt myself when it comes to sleeping and eating . Part of the challenge is that as soon as I think I have something figured out, it changes. Seth thinks I frequently overanalyze, and I'm sure he is right, but sometimes it's tough not to.

Time to get back to the "To Do" list...

8 Weeks Old - An Update

Norah is 8 weeks old today. I really cannot believe that much time has gone by already. There were so many things I thought I would do that I haven't. And I thought 12 weeks sounded like such a long time, but it really isn't.

My return to work (which will probably be January 7th) is on my mind a lot. It's not that I am dreading going back, but I am feeling very anxious about the transition. I feel like I am going to be rushing around every morning, making sure all of my many bags are packed with proper supplies. And I am certainly not looking forward to pumping at work, but I am determined to figure out a way to make it work. I have a friend who works at Texas Instruments and they have a Mothers room equipped with a hospital grade pump for their working mothers. How nice. Not that that makes the process simple for her by any means, but it would be nice to have a place to go and a good pump provided. (It should be noted that she has added factor of needing to pump enough to feed twins.)

I'll be carrying my pump in, pumping in my office, and cleaning my supplies in the community kitchen. I know, I know - it's all relative. I have read about women who make it work in cubicles, and others who pump in the bathroom stall (yuck). At least I don't have to do either of those. Plus, I know I am doing what is right for Norah and that makes it all seem more doable.

LET ALONE the thought of dropping Norah off at daycare. I am tearing up now just thinking about it (although I'm sure some of that is the lack of sleep, too). Seth keeps reminding me to live in the present, and he is totally right. Sometimes it is just easier said than done. Okay, let's move on...

Norah smiled at us (intentionally) for the first time! And she has repeated the performance several times. It is so fun to see that smile on her sweet little face. Before that, she had started mimicking us sticking out our tongue. The funniest part of that trick is probably seeing all of us sticking out our tongues to try to make her do it. Should have caught THAT on camera.

The other news is that we are excitedly anticipating the arrival of our dear friend Willemijn (Willie) from the Netherlands. Most of you know she was an exchange student with us in high school and since that time our families have become great friends. We have vacationed with them several times in Europe, including most recently in Portugal in the spring of 2006. Willie has two kids, but is coming solo. She comes this Friday afternoon and will stay for 8 days. We can't wait!

What a Difference a Day Can Make

If you read my entry from Monday you know how my day began. After a visit from a friend over lunch my afternoon was pretty much a repeat of the morning. By the end of the day I hadn't left the house and was a bit frustrated with how little I had accomplished. I do realize that we will have days like that, but I had several things on my To Do list and didn't get the satisfaction of crossing anything off.

Yesterday, on the other hand was completely different. My mom and sister came down for the day, which allowed me to get a ton of stuff done. In between feedings I made a much needed Target run, went to the bank, picked up a sling I puchased from a woman off of Craig's list, got groceries, and picked up dry cleaning. Throughout the day I was also able to do 4 loads of laundry. I felt like a new woman.

And in between all of that productivity we had a nice, relaxing day together (my nephew TJ was here as well). Norah was awake much of the day and very content with her Mimi (my mom) and Aunt Li. She also confirmed that her first trick is to imitate us when we stick out our tongue. I thought maybe she had done it a few times previously, but wasn't sure whether it was just a coincidence.

Today was another great day. While Norah is awake a bit more overall these days, she slept quite a bit in the morning, which allowed me to get more stuff done. We also went to the library and picked up some books to read during feedings. (We figured it was time to improve the selection since when Seth reads to her I can say the lines before he does.)

Seth is now off until Tuesday since his parents come in tomorrow. We are very excited for them to meet Norah!