Duts!

Norah got to visit the ducks at Alton Baker Park this weekend.  It was a great day in the park, sunny and sixties and even better because it's January!?!  She met geese, mallards and wood ducks along with many other billed buddies.  Norah was saying 'Dut!" by the end of our encounters, adding one more word to her ever expanding vocabulary!

Tag Backs

I was recently tagged by the Fabulous Miss B.  Tagging is to the blogosphere what poking is to Facebook, but with more rules, which I think makes it more interesting.
The rules of this particular tag are as follows:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
3. Name 6 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
4. Nominate 6 Bloggers.
5. Post links to the 6 blogs you nominate.
6. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

So here we go, here are six tid-bits that you may never have wanted to know about my little life.

1.  My new years resolution was to quit frozen pizzas.  There, I said it, now I have to follow through... right?!  
2.  The best part of being a mom is never having a shortage of things that warm your heart and make you smile.  (So cheesy, but totally true!)
3.  I got to watch an open heart surgery; it was fascinating.  I could see myself working in the OR.
4.  I think that everyone I love should move to Oregon.
5.  Euchre is currently my favorite game.
6.  I think that just about any dish is improved by the addition of squash.


Thank you Miss B for this excuse to divulge a few things that have been bottled up inside, mostly the frozen pizza thing, the first step in solving a problem is acknowledging it.  
Now to tag some of my favorite blogs:


with child
Mary Marie White
Scott and Miranda
noah's earwax
Wilson Scott Daby
Life with the Hermansons

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Biker Babe!

Norah got a helmet and a bike attachment for her stroller for her Birthday!

She has been enjoying family bike rides along the Willamette River and lots of ride with Daddy!

Baby Talk

Norah has gotten very good at signing.  She now uses 'Milk', 'All done' and 'More'.  And she is very interested when you use your hands to say something.  Her vocabulary is expanding too.  She says 'at' for cat, 'bebe' for baby, she can say mama (only when she wants something) ,daddy, doggy, bye bye and hi.  It's just so amazing to see her learn how to communicate.  She takes a real sense of pride in being able to speak and sign her mind... and naturally, so do I.



She says 'bebe' in the beginning, it's kinda quiet.  
Also be warned, this video contains nudity!

Norah's Second First Birthday!

Norah's so nice we celebrated her birthday twice!

Norah began her party in the buff... covered in cottage cheese!

Norah grabs a snuggle with Julia while munching on an apple.

Darcy and Norah play with Norah's new remote control.

Norah and Daniel take a little study break.

Daniel with Ellyn, Aaron and Will.

Who is this guy?!

Norah reads a book with Kelsey and Dea, Norah's favorite puppy.

Puppies and babies.... does it get any cuter?!

Dudes and their dogs!

Norah roots for the pack with Tegan.

Norah with her new 'Baby K'

Ladies Night!

Norah and I got to have a slumber party with Lou and Katie.  Norah and Lou danced and played and Katie and I just reveled in being together again at last.  It was so great to watch the girls together.  Lou is very grown up and every time I see her I just can't believe how smart and creative she is.  Katie and I have always dreamed of brining our kids up together, and while we just get to steal a few moments a year, those moments are so totally fantastic that they can tide me over till the next time... which will be this summer!

Norah and Lou

Dance Time.  Lou and John have some killer moves.

This girl!

The Fashionista: Miss Louise!

Goofy Girl Times

One Year Down!

Norah celebrated her first birthday on New Year's Eve with all her favorite Minnesota folks!  She dove into her chocolate cupcake, delicately at first and then unabashedly.  She was very generous and wanted to share her cupcake with everyone.

It's hard to believe that Norah is already a year!  And what a wonderful year it has been.  Having Norah in our lives has made the our days richer and brighter.  She is such an uplifting little spirit to be around, her claps and smiles just daring you to find a gloomy outlook.  It takes a special kind of person and a very special love to saturate each day with so many amazing moments.  No wonder the time just flies!

I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone reading this.  You are a source of light and love in Norah's life and a source of support and sanity for me and Greg.  You too make our lives richer.  I have loved being able to share all of Norah's amazing moments with you through this little blog.  It has been a great way for me to reflect on the beauty and challenge of parenthood while staying connected to those we love the most.  I look forward to many more years of blogging as Norah continues to grow and amaze us more every day!

Thank you all and Happy New Year!

Everybody claps for CAKE!!!

Can I get a little help!?

One for me, one for mama.

I suppose you want a bite of my cupcake too?!

Lou, Dawn, Mama, and Auntie Katie all watch Norah dig into her cupcake!

The 2008 Babies:  Bella, Norah and Tanner

Kicking it on the couch.

Grabbing a quiet moment with her new book.

Brittney, Mark and Tanner, and Scott, Miranda and Bella!

Scott, Bella and Miranda.