Lisa: Love, Jeremy

Nora, you have touched so many people during your short life with your smile and your sweetness and your humor. Today at Jeremy's funeral I was reminded that you had touched him as well. Here's what he said about it, in case no one keeps his blog going in his absence.

I looked on the face of God.

I have a new favorite wallpaper. This is Nora. She is Blake and Lisa’s baby girl. And when I look at this picture. Her face. It fills me with a joy I rarely feel. And I’m very grateful.

Lisa: 30 Day Shred - Level 1

She's shredded.

Lisa: jump

Nora is crazy about Grandma, but I think she might be even crazier about Grandma's trampoline.

Lisa: Andre

For one brief, sunny day, a glorious chicken named Andre was part of our lives. RIP, little buddy.

Lisa: Elmo walking

Nora has a musical Elmo book, the kind with the buttons you push at certain parts of the story, to add sound effects. It was a gift.

PLUS:

1) Patented 'Elmo's walking music' dance
2) Coy 'I'm ignoring that camera' face
3) Fierce bear roar.

Those three things are my gift to YOU.

Lisa: Liberty Park

The Liberty Park carousel: creepily tailor-made for all your amateur-horror-movie-filming needs!

Lisa: Watch it again!

Pretty much everything you need to know about the Powerpuff Girls. A beginner's guide, if you will.

Lisa: Craft Lake City

Nora tried out a few new dance moves while listening to an adorable family Rockabilly band at the craft festival. Her face looked happier than this most of the time--I think she's just concentrating really hard on her newest creation, The Hand-Washer.

Lisa: Craft Lake City review

I find it's most helpful to review an event two months after it happens, so that everyone who might once have cared has already forgotten about it. That's why I'm telling you now how much I loved Craft Lake City!

The craft booths were everything I wished the disappointing shopping at Swiss Days and Peach Days would be. Instead of seeing the same vinyl cutouts and magnet boards at every booth, there were tons of alternative and/or slightly subversive crafts, and fun and unusual fabrics galore.

Here are photos of my (reasonably priced) booty:

1. A skirt for Nora for next summer, from Noelle O Designs.

2. A horse finger puppet from Nifty Kidstuff, which has the cutest details--like a bright green lining to match the bridle.

3. My mom shopped Nifty Kidstuff too, and found Nora a doll that she can practice fasteners on. Nora named her Betsy Buttons, after this book. (Seriously, this girl makes so many cute things. How much do I want this little fabric sewing machine for Nora?)

4. Grandma also bought Nora some cute hair ties with fabric-covered buttons, but unfortunately they didn't have any maker-identifying packaging.

5. I had a hard time tracking down these ribbon-covered hair clips online (they're just marked 'am'), but I think the buttons covered with Japanese fabrics are darling, and they inspired me to make my own ribbon clips.

6. This little yellow papier-mache bird was an impulse buy at Beehive Bazaar, and I love having him on my mantel.

I also loved the fascinators and headbands from Its The Little Things, but I didn't have enough cash to buy one at Craft Lake City. Instead, I grabbed one of her cards and bought a hat for Jillian's funeral on Etsy later.

The family rockabilly band that was so cute was Mad Max and the Wild Ones.

Here's more of Nora enjoying them:

Anyway, I hope that Craft Lake City becomes an annual event, and that they have even more awesome booths next year. If I had one suggestion to offer, it would be to the crafters whose great wares were for sale: make sure your packaging is branded, and list your website right on it if you have one. That way, the love can keep going long after the festival is done.

Lisa: summertime

Alex and Nora, painting the back patio with water.

Lisa: Build-a-Kitty

Nora and I joined Sarah, Shantelle, and Abby at Build-a-Bear for a special sale event. The whole environment was a bit overstimulating, but I think Nora was happy with what she picked out.

I figure that if you're going to go with a licensed character, go all the way, right?

Lisa: they see me rollin'

My car? No. My sunglasses? No. This is why I should write things down. MAYBE IN THIS HANDY BLOG.

Lisa: chips

I see I have taught her well.

Lisa: packing

Nora's an old hand at helping Sarah pack and get ready to move.

This time, she mostly wanted to wear all of Sarah's aprons at once, and to take pictures of me with Sarah's camera.

Lisa: abstract

We set up the easel to paint a picture for Sarah. I think Nora's two-handed technique really makes the whole thing.

I asked Nora what she was painting, and she said "China." Not a photorealistic representation, but heartfelt all the same.

Lisa: and some tie-dye

You know what Nora likes? A face accessory.

Lisa: packages

Nora still loves to help me work.

Lisa: carousel

The zoo carousel brings up different emotions in different people. That's what's so beautiful about it.

Lisa: A mature palate.

Before we leave for church, Nora likes to go to the spice cabinet for a little refreshment. I think you know where I'm going with this.

Lisa: best girl ever

My beautiful, smart, sweet little friend.

Lisa: Princess Bride

Sarah passed the time before the outdoor movie started by taking some photos of Nora with her spiffy new iPhone.

Lisa: "I'm bigger now!"

Nora doesn't just go on the baby slide any more. Mew!

Lisa: binky buddies

Looks comfy to me.

Lisa: being behind is bad

I cannot remember where this was or why we might have been on a bus (?), but isn't Nora pretty?

Lisa: Variations on a Theme

We haven't really been concentrating on the melody yet.

Lisa: Giraffe Pooped

Animals beware: your most private moments may become the highlights of a toddler's zoo trip.

Lisa: Alphabet with Pretzels

Does a mouthful of pretzels stop Nora from sharing her music with the world? No. No, it does not.

Lisa: Next time, won't you sing with me?

When I got home from tour, almost the first thing Nora did was sing the alphabet song. Best welcome back ever.

Ignore that copy of Titanic on the floor next to her.

Lisa: can you see her getting tired?

More from the Arts Festival.

Lisa: rocking out

Sarah and Blake took Nora to the Arts Festival while I was gone, and on the way out she got so tired that the only thing to do was to lie right down in the rocks and sing a little song.

Lisa: priorities

This is what happens when Nora wants Blake to play with her, but Blake wants to take a nap.

Lisa: cuddle time

Who doesn't like to cuddle during a movie? With some snacks?

Lisa: miniature golf

Nora was convinced that this ball channel lined with astroturf was a slippery slide, and she was determined to prove it (at the expense of her pants).

Lisa: who needs rules?

Nora didn't do much actual mini-golfing, but she kept us busy chasing after golf balls and following her up and down every astroturfed contour. Thank goodness we had the place all to ourselves. Awesome activity idea, Jennilyn!

Lisa: honey crunch

Okay, yes, I am the kind of mother who feeds her child corn dogs from time to time. But look at that face. Could you say no? And corn dogs are really good for dipping.

Lisa: mom's shoes

Any baby of taste enjoys walking in a pair of Louboutins now and then.

Lisa: Mommy loves you

Nora's come a long way from answering this question with "Wall-E."

Oh, man. My heart bursts open every time she bites her fist.

Lisa: cutest android on the block

This is the event that convinced Kaeleigh that my daughter is an android. I had forgotten some of the details, but thankfully I heard Kaeleigh's Nora impression the other day (transcribed here).

After fleeing the rained-out outdoor showing of Mamma Mia, we all ended up back at my house, where Blake was getting Nora ready for bed.

Nora: "Rain! Outside! Outside! Outside! Rain! On face! Outside! Outside! Outside!"

So, we obligingly got Nora bundled up in her rain coat and galoshes, and set her down on the sidewalk in front of the house.

Nora: "Ew! Ew! Ew! Ew! Inside! Inside! Inside!"

Pretty much exactly like an android.

Lisa: star bright

You know what toddlers like? When you give them a whole bucket of foam stars, and then something else (say, an old printer) with a bunch of nooks and crannies in which to stick those stars.

It helps if you don't care about ever using the printer again.

Lisa: To dance, or to read?

All the Single-- hey, KNUFFLE BUNNY!

Lisa: pretty fun

This is only a tiny taste of the wheelchair hijinks that ensued while we were waiting at the airport for Jeff's flight to come in. Thank goodness Sarah was on top of things, because I sure didn't film any of it.

Lisa: haircut

Nora's first real haircut, at the almost-too-entertaining Cookie Cutters.

They gave me a tiny ziplock bag with a lock of her hair inside, which I thought was sort of sweet at first. Now I'm not sure what to do with it because IT IS A BAG CONTAINING HUMAN HAIR.

Lisa: naughty

What did you do with all the wipes, Nora?

Lisa: Sorry about your shoe, Dad.

More pictorial evidence of Nora's crimes against wet wipes.

Lisa: single ladies

If only we could all start our days off with a little Single Ladies dance after bathtime.

Lisa: bink

It makes you feel better, doesn't it, Dad? DOESN'T IT?

Lisa: you can never have too many bracelets, right?

Nora discovered that her chain links are the perfect size to make bangle bracelets.

Lisa: I guess that's why they invented tape.

Nora doesn't want to look at the ripped-out pages of Knuffle Bunny, because she knows she's in trouble. She knows, because we just read about naughty babies ripping books in that Babies board book in front of her.

Lisa: pool toys

These pictures are giving me kind of a Kid Rock vibe.

I have no idea why.

Lisa: Who is in charge, here?

My mom brought over a new swimsuit for Nora while I was tending Alex, and before I knew what was happening she was wearing it, then she and Alex were dragging out the pool, Alex was filling it with the hose, and they were hopping in.

Lisa: tiara

Nora fell in love with some of the props for my Princess Bride-themed book club.

Lisa: monkey see, monkey do

Sarah was finally able to recreate the monkey game Nora plays with Grandsir. Basically, if you get it right, she'll copy anything the monkeys do.

Lisa: nap

When we got back from the park, Nora wanted to get tucked in for a nap on the couch, rather than in her bed. She didn't sleep at all, of course, but it was so cute that I indulged her for a bit.

Lisa: Sugarhouse Park

At the playground with Mom, Dad, Grandma'am and Grandsir. Nora insisted on walking across the rainbow bars, and I think she'd have done it with or without Blake's help. With his help just meant fewer broken Nora bits.

I'm going to try putting these larger sets of photos on Flickr to save server space, and then I'll post them here using this little PictoBrowser application. Let me know if you hate the presentation, and I'll keep looking for another solution.

Lisa: slide

Nora sits down and slides all by herself, while Grandma'am looks on.

Lisa: Happy Birthday, Uncle Jeff!

In just a few weeks, Nora will get to meet her uncle Jeff for the first time. I can't wait!

Lisa: bot-si!

A few more pictures from Jeff's birthday:

Lisa: Heritage Days

I have to admit, I just stole these photos from Spring City's Heritage Days festival right off Valori's Facebook page. They had to be free, for all the world to see. Sorry, Valori.

Lisa: gear

I got Nora a sun hat and some rain boots that actually fit from Old Navy, and I don't think she took them off for three straight days.

Lisa: twist cone

Jason's Deli provided Nora's first officially sanctioned ice cream cone.

By that I obviously mean that Sarah got it for Nora while Blake was in the bathroom.

Lisa: I push it!

Sometimes I have a little trouble starting the lawn mower. Luckily, Nora was on hand to help.

Lisa: naughty shark

On the way to my cousin's wedding ceremony, Nora turned into a naughty shark for a few minutes. In case you don't know, sharks (the naughty ones anyway) bite people's arms and legs.

Nora loved the dance floor at the reception that night.

Lisa: What? It's comfy!

Nora thinks Sabrina's car seat is her personal La-Z-Boy.

Lisa: Caffe Molise

At Sarah's graduation dinner, Marci tried to take pictures of Nora making faces for the different emotions. Most of them came out "manically surprised and slightly insane."

Lisa: Moving Forward, Keeping Still

I guess it's the size (unless she just loves Eastern Wisdom), but this is not the first time Nora has chosen this book for a little rocking chair reading.

Lisa: Share with Nora!

I guess Nora thought Alex was hogging the piano.

Lisa: fancy lady

Nora so rarely allows me to fuss with her hair that I had to take a picture. MULTIPLE ELASTICS. I know, right?

Lisa: Chester

Sometimes you have to sneak in and take a picture of your kid while she's sleeping, because it's just too sweet and cute.

Plus, this is an excellent opportunity for you all to meet Chester, a souvenir Grandma brought Nora from New York (and an adorably creepy littlemissmatched sock doll). Sometimes Chester gets nervous at night, and Nora has to hold his hand to make him feel better.

Lisa: No No Yes Yes

This is one of Nora's very favorite books. It's handy, too--we can say "what does the No No Yes Yes book say about that?" and she already knows that touching power outlets (or whatever) is a no-no.

I love these Leslie Patricelli board books. That reminds me, I should pull out my storytime stuff for Yummy Yucky.

Lisa: they grow up so fast

I meant to post these pictures on Sarah's birthday, and to tell you all what an awesome person she is and how proud I am of her. Luckily, I still feel the same way three days late.

Congratulations also to Mallory...

...and to Valori, who graduated at the same time! I love you guys.

I took some pictures of Nora, too. What do you want? I'm a mom.

Lisa: Tuesday morning

Nora and her buddy Alex, watching a movie and catching up on a little Eastern philosophy reading.

Lisa: Pleeeeeease!

Mom, could you at least stop working long enough to put on Monsters, Inc? Mo-om!

Lisa: squeezable

Alex hugged Nora some more.

But, having seen these knees, can you really blame him?

Lisa: a haunting

That's my girl, freaking out all the customers at the Crown Burger.

Lisa: someone taught that kid right

Alex learned about hugging. AWWWW!

Lisa: the farmhouse

Nora loves visiting my parents in Spring City--even when she has to trek to the animal pens with her feet falling right out of their too-big Hello Kitty galoshes.

Lisa: little bunny foo-foo

It's hard for me to believe that Nora is old enough to notice what holiday it is and if she gets a present or not--but this Easter I had to face the facts. Since Blake is pretty adamant that Nora not eat candy (and I'm not actively encouraging candy either), I wanted to make her something special that would take her mind off the lack of chocolate eggs.

This little bunny and her blanket are made from this mmmcrafts pattern, and are sewn from some of Nora's outgrown baby clothes. I used felt, embroidery floss, thread, and batting that I already had, so the only thing I had to buy was the pattern itself. My dad made the cradle for me when I was a baby, and my mom brought it up from Spring City so that I could pass it on to Nora. Tender, right? I mean, I'm pretty much the best mom ever, wouldn't you say?

Unfortunately, my gift was completely overshadowed by the gigantic pink plush Care Bear Nora's great-aunt bought her at a secondhand store. Nora tackled that thing and rolled around with it, giggling and giggling. Ah, well. Maybe this sleepy little homemade bunny will grow on her.

(Oh, and if you think that I copied Angie's wedding colors, then all I can say is thank goodness I have people with really good taste to mooch off of.)

Lisa: noodles

I just love this little munchkin so much.

Lisa: lunch

The perfect spring day: we visited Sarah downtown at lunchtime, picked up sandwiches from a little bakery, and ate them outside the Joseph Smith building (where there are almost enough pools, fountains, and waterfalls for Miss Nora).

Lisa: toilet paper

Sometimes, when Nora pulls every square of toilet paper off the roll and stuffs it carefully into her potty, taking a picture of the result is the only way I can retain my composure and my sense of humor.

Lisa: morning ablutions

I'm hoping that your disgust at the revelation that I allow Nora to suck on the top of the sea salt is tempered by the extreme cuteness of baby curlers.

Lisa: patio

THE PIGTAILS!

Lisa: Easter Dress

If only I had bought her a little white straw hat...

Thanks to Mallory and Marci for the darling dress!

Lisa: potluck

E sweetly let Nora help make her dessert...

...and then my mom came over and dressed Nora in all of her China souvenirs at once.

Love you guys! It's good to be home.

Lisa: home

I find it's best to greet your relatives after a long separation by shoving as much of their jewelry as you can into your mouth.

Lisa: China, day 14

Tuesday morning before heading to the airport, we stopped in for a quick visit at the Summer Palace. It was gorgeous and huge, but chilly and crowded--and Nora was just about through with being carried. For good.

The play area at the Seoul airport on the way home was much more what she had in mind.

Lisa: China, day 13

On Monday we went to the Great Wall, and Nora wanted to walk every inch of it herself.

Lisa: China, day 12

We wanted to do something that would be fun for Nora, so we spent the morning at the Blue Zoo aquarium. She loved it--especially the BIG, naughty shark.

Later, we walked around the old part of Beijing. This is either in front of the Bell Tower or the Drum Tower (I admit I'm not sure which).

Lisa: China, day 11

Here we are at the Forbidden City...

and the Olympic Plaza...

and of course, engaging in some international race relations.

Lisa: China, day 10

Today we got to Beijing, and met Blake and my dad at the airport. YAY! It's just what we needed to cap off the trip. Here they are with Nora in front of her favorite feature of our hotel--one of the two lion statues flanking the entrance.

Lisa: China, day 9

Nora, giving me her classic photo face in front of the terra cotta warriors in Xian:

And here she is outside the museum, trying to make friends with a very smiley but shy Chinese boy her own age in split pants. She kept kind of sidling up to him, shoulders hunched and belly out. Each time she got too close, he would run back to his mom.

Nora loved the video they showed about the history of the terra cotta warriors. For the next few hours, all she talked about was fighting, fire, running, and flags. Maybe someday Blake won't have to watch all his favorite movies alone.

Lisa: stairs

For the first time, Nora found stairs with a railing low enough that she could go down all by herself. She counts a bit while she's doing it, too.

Urban Planning Exhibition Centre, Shanghai

Lisa: China, day 8

Nora, enjoying a vegetable bun at the best dumpling restaurant in Shanghai.

Lisa: China, day 7

Nora made quite a few conquests in the People's Park. This one was probably the most age-appropriate.

I have a cute video of this little guy singing her the ABCs, but I think YouTube is blocked in China. I'll post it when we get back.

Lisa: ABCs

As promised, here's a little Chinese boy singing an approximate version of the ABCs for Nora.

Lisa: China, day 6

Checking out the view of Shanghai (or as she calls it, "Hai-Hai") from the window of our FIVE STAR hotel room:

Lisa: hello!

Mom and I tried to get Nora to say "Shanghai" on camera, to no avail. She pretended to be very busy talking on the phone instead.

Lisa: China, day 5

I couldn't choose just one picture for today.

Outside the Hong Kong temple, where we went to sacrament meeting:

Completely loving the cable-car ride up to the Po Lin monastery:

And with Grandma, looking up through the fog at the world's largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha:

Lisa: Then what DO you like?

I'm not sure why Nora will only be cute and chat her fool head off when the camera isn't on.

This is in the park across from the Hong Kong temple.

Lisa: China, day 4

Me and Nora, riding a sampan in Aberdeen and having our picture taken in front of the world's largest floating restaurant.

Lisa: China, day 3

The only way we got through Nora's jetlag was by heeding her frequent requests for "simmies" at the incredible rooftop "poo" with the "copters." Her "suit" and "simmy daipo" have played big roles as well.

We are really roughing it.

Lisa: China, day 2

Nora and Grandma (her new favorite person) on the little couch in our beautiful hotel room.

In other news, I'm going to get a job as a Kiddie Kandids photographer.

Lisa: China, day 1

The most good-natured, cutest world-traveler ever was rewarded with a luxurious bubble bath in Hong Kong.

Remind me when Nora is a teenager and we're fighting how awesome she was for twenty hours on the plane today.

Lisa: packing

Nora tried her best to eat the snacks as fast as I could pack them.

Lisa: How old are you?

Unfortunately, "done," "Wall-E," and "Woody" are not the answers to my question.

Lisa: Kix

Snacktime with Alex.

Lisa: boxes

Maybe she thought sitting in a box would help her better understand the shapes?

Lisa: bathtime

Lisa: raisins

I'm sure I took this photo to prove that I do, in fact, brush Nora's hair sometimes.

Lisa: blocks

Just playing blocks with the A-man. Or, as Nora calls it, "building robots."

Lisa: cheerios

These are for my mom, who asked if I was getting good at picking up Cheerios.

Lisa: see my vest!

Lisa: family business

Nora fell asleep in the Las Vegas airport, on the way home from scouting stuff for our clothing line at the MAGIC show.

She's the best little travel buddy a mom could wish for.

Lisa: friends

I'm glad I captured the very brief moment in time when both Nora and Sabrina would stay put on the same blanket for more than 12 seconds.

Lisa: Who loves you?

This is the first joke Nora made up all by herself, and she thinks it's hilarious.

Mom: "Who loves you?"
Nora: "Wall-E."

It kills with the one-year-olds.

Lisa: And did you see those TIGHTS?

Sometimes Nora sits down right by my desk chair and plays while I'm working. Here she is, a compact little pile of adorableness, precious blanket (inexplicably dubbed 'peti') momentarily forgotten on the floor behind her.

Lisa: tomato face

WHAT?

Lisa: paradise

Sometimes, if Nora and I are out running errands during the day, we stop and have a little lunch together--just us grown-up girls, you know?

Anyway, here she is enjoying her favorite dish.

Lisa: cheerleader

Brian and Jennilyn gave Nora this insanely cute mini University of Utah cheerleader uniform, and I thought bowl game season was the right time to try it out. And....that pretty much sums up everything I know about sports.

I hope you noticed the red and black ponytail holders.

Lisa: Telegenic

Some days, I just take a lot of photos. And videos.

1. Nora uses one of the few signs she knows to request that more photos be taken of her. Do not blame me, people.

2. More of Nora referring to her hair elastics as hats.

3. If your daughter said "Ca-Co" in such a cute way, you'd take a video of it and post it to the internet, too.

Lisa: ice cream

As Angie put it on Facebook:
"Hey, Nora! Cutest hair ever! Also, cutest t-shirt ever! Where'd you get that? Oh, your favorite aunt and uncle, you say?"

Or, alternately, as Nora puts it:
"KEEM! KEEM!"

Lisa: advanced

Lisa: Are you teaching Nora how to juggle?
Blake: Yep! Well, I'm trying to. She's totally going to impress all her kindergarten friends.
Lisa: Yeah she is. And her teacher.
Blake: She'll impress EVERYONE. Except Dave. Dave'll just be like, "I've been juggling since I was three."

Lisa: pigtails

My mom, proudly displaying her hairdo handiwork:

In the background, you can see my new Jamaica Trinnaman painting hanging over the fireplace. I know, I need to branch out and find another artist I like whose work I can afford. But it's awesome, right??

Lisa: Now make Mommy a sandwich.

Nora loves to 'cook,' which usually means stirring the air inside some kind of receptacle with various vaguely oblong implements. CUTEST BEAN EVER.

Lisa: in the eyes of the state

Nora passed the time in line to get a birth certificate with a little nap, and then showed us how to properly use the Wii.

I'm not sure how we never got Nora a birth certificate before, but when I went to collect the documents to get her a passport, all we had on file was the novelty certificate from the hospital. Now she has officially been borned.

Lisa: this little piggy

Just a few snapshots of our day--more hats on toes, with a side of trying to climb onto the couch.

Lisa: winter sports

My dad had the awesome idea of pulling Nora around their property in a sled. She loved it, even when one too-sharp turn spilled her out onto the road. She just got right back in the sled and started chanting, "fast, fast!"

Lisa: pegged

Nora quickly put her new table to good use: becoming a genius.

Lisa: Christmas Day

Here's Nora, bumming around at home while we threw the last few items in our suitcases. Since we almost crashed on our way to Spring City, this might have been the last picture of Nora, ever. Do I even have to say how glad I am that it wasn't?

Sarah gave Nora this adorable tutu. The vest is also from Sarah, actually. What a good aunt, right?

The table and chairs are from my parents. Unfortunately, they made Nora grow up about four months in five minutes...but she loves them.

Lisa: Christmas Eve

Lisa: head to toe

Nora loves to play with the Ziplock bag of her "hats." Spreading them all out on the floor is big, as is pulling them all out and putting them back in the bag again--but nothing quite surpasses the appeal of putting elastics around her toes.

Lisa: a Christmas miracle

Grandma brought over gingerbread cookies, and Nora was actually allowed to eat them!

Well, "allowed" might be a little strong. I'm sure if Dad had anything to do with it, those cookies would never have seen the light of day. Nora loved them, though.

Lisa: Mom, can't you just let me eat in peace?

No. No, I can't.

Lisa: funny face

Lisa: eggs on toast

Nora thought her fried eggs were really tasty, until they started giving her a rash. Oops.

Lisa: Not so much here, or over here, but all around HERE.

I seem to have gotten a tiny bit of spaghetti on my face.

Nothing a little bath won't take care of.

Good as new!

Lisa: bedtime story

Lisa: Christmas photos

This year we had another friend take Nora's Christmas pictures--Lacey Pappas, who took Dave and Angie's engagement and bridal photos.

Check out the whole shoot on Lacey's Flickr stream, here. There were so many adorable ones of Nora for us to choose from. Thank you, Lacey!

Lisa: lay flat to dry

Wash on warm with like colors.

Lisa: Sabrina Strikes Back

Who is this intruder, and why is she in my chair?

Lisa: Grossy McSupersick

For my birthday, Dawn promised to take me and Nora to see the Festival of Trees and then to lunch afterward. Nora was pretty tired by lunchtime (and teething) and turned up her nose at the food...until she discovered tartar sauce. Tartar sauce, where had you been all her life?

Lisa: ladies who lunch

Nora and I went Christmas shopping, and stopped while we were out for a little lunch at Mimi's.

Lisa: hat

My mom pointed out that Nora finally has enough hair that she can wear little clips and elastics. Now looking like a ragamuffin is purely by choice.

Unfortunately, Nora hates clips. Fortunately, she loves hats. We just tell her they're hats, and we're good to go. Should I not have admitted that?

Lisa: Thanksgiving in Spring City

I'm so thankful we caught Aunt Sarah on film.

Lisa: high chair couture

A little Sunday-afternoon snack in the dress Nora got from Dawn for her birthday.

Lisa: cute overload

Correction, THIS is why I don't get any work done.

Lisa: overstuffed chair

The Smith family having a quiet moment before my birthday party. Doesn't it make you want to puke a little bit? How cute we are?

Lisa: howdy, howdy, howdy

Another daily photo:

Lisa: tuppence a bag

Nora and I joined my cousin Heidi and her adorable girls at Sugarhouse Park for some bird-feeding,

playground time,

and a much-needed walk. Let's do it again soon!

Lisa: magic

Ever since Nora was tiny, Blake's dad has been able to put her to sleep in the crook of his arm like this.

Lisa: oh, HI

Mom and Dad's bed is the best place for flopping.

Lisa: xylophone

The Smiths gave Nora a xylophone for her birthday. I think an invitation to play at Carnegie Hall is forthcoming.

Lisa: juiced

Aw, look at her, so big. Drinking from a juice box.

Yes, it's from McDonald's. Don't you judge me.

Lisa: pants

Definition of a doomed plan:

1. Find Mom's pants lying on the floor.
2. Put them on immediately.
3. Insist they not be the slightest bit too long.
4. Walk around the house.

Lisa: Shark

Nora's shark costume in all its glory. Ah, Halloween.

Lisa: Halloween

When I saw this shark costume on Mighty Junior, I had to get it for Nora.

It's no wonder Alex is afraid of her--I think sharks are probably the skunk's natural predator.

Lisa: Just checking in!

I don't remember how it got started, but Nora and I send a picture like this to Sarah almost every day. Hi, Aunt Sarah!

Lisa: sharing

I tend my friend Molly's daughter Sabrina once a week, and Nora has a love-hate relationship with her. Here's one of the nicer moments.

Nora just can't understand why Sabrina won't hold that book.

Lisa: pumpkin

My dad gave Nora a pumpkin from his garden, and she has to go out to the porch to pat it every day.

"Pup! Pup! Pup!"

Lisa: pitter patter

The obligatory picture of baby feet BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST SO CUTE:

Lisa: Zoob

The cabin really only has one toy. Luckily, the Zoobs were a hit. With all of us.

Lisa: so like us

Who doesn't like to give their tummy a little scratch while vegging out in front of the computer?

Lisa: blocks

Nora is getting so smart and capable and self-sufficient I almost can't handle it. Here she is, putting the blocks in and out of the bag and the cups.

What's that, Nora? Your room is getting boring?

Lisa: so THAT's how that sauce got there...

Spaghetti and peek-a-boo: two great tastes that taste great together.

Lisa: snap for the kids

Breakfast time is a noisy time. What, it's not like that at your house?

Lisa: Grand Sir

When I came home for lunch on my last Thursday at work, I caught Nora and Grand Sir having fun together. Thank you, Bill! I'm so glad you two are friends.

In the background, you can see Miss Petunia's tank, currently decorated with a little Buddha statue and some prayer flags. We respect our turtle's religious beliefs.

Lisa: little black thumb

Did Nora like to play in the flowerpot because the flowers were dead, or did they die because she played in the flowerpot? We may never know.

Lisa: macaroni

Luckily, Nora's enthusiasm for mac and cheese is matched by her inability to get any of the noodles into her mouth.

Lisa: mother-approved

A rare case in which I can sanction the wearing of leggings:

And yes, that is the Tivo remote. Don't make me tired by asking all these questions.

Lisa: She walks!

Nora made it all the way down the hallway by herself. It's not graceful, but she gets there.

Lisa: Blake Smith FTW

Blake makes the cutest dinners for Nora. They are always well-balanced, contain vegetables, offer a veritable rainbow of tastes and textures to please her tiny palate, and are separated into little piles. Now, if only he would eat like that himself...

Lisa: the big one

We had a little birthday party for Nora on Sunday afternoon with chocolate cake (Nora had frosted cornbread on Blake's orders), adorable gifts (thank you, everyone!), and a little clip show of Nora's first year of movies set to one of her favorite songs.

Thank you, family and friends, for being so sweet with our little bean. And thank you, Nora, for being the most adorable and fun person I have ever met.

Lisa: I don't want to miss a thing.

Grandma and Pop-Pop came over to hang out with Nora while I was at work, but luckily an unidentified benefactor took some pictures of the event with my camera.

Lisa: but a fleeting moment in the history of time

As predicted, Nora pretty much only crawls until she gets to something she can pull herself up on--then she walks.

Lisa: yogurt and waffles

Lisa: farewell summer

Blake and I took Nora to Creekside Park in hopes of letting her swing. Unfortunately, I forgot there are no swings at Creekside Park. We had a good time in the blinding sun anyway.

Lisa: These are the Peach Days of our lives

It turns out you can't actually buy peaches at Peach Days, and you'll have to change your daughter's diaper on the ground by the row of trash cans, but at least Nora is cute. That makes a lot of things better, come to think of it.

Lisa: we're rolling

Before Nora forgets how to roll her arms and moves on to another trick, I thought I'd better capture it on film.

Lisa: how old are you?

Nothing like mealtime captivity for practicing a little of the old "how old are you" trick. Got to get her ready for her birthday!

Lisa: cabin keys

Lisa: high chair diaries

Nora likes to check the empty yogurt container to make sure it's really all gone.

Lisa: advice

Errands are more fun when you stop in the middle for grilled cheese at the park.

Lisa: wallow day

There is absolutely nothing wrong with hanging out at Sarah's apartment in your PJs.

Lisa: I'll start saving for her therapy now.

There comes a time in every mother's life when she must choose whether to put her child into a ridiculous situation purely for the sake of a funny picture. I'm proud to say I came down on the side of the huge blonde wig.

Lisa: filing

A secret treasure trove of papers! These must be taken out and examined immediately.

Lisa: Get Right

What? I teach my daughter good values! Do you know how many different J-Los are in that video??

Lisa: Su casa es mi casa

Sometimes I just get very thirsty. No, I mean for YOUR drink.

Lisa: Just give me the screwdriver, Mom

Thank goodness, Nora helped me install my new bike basket.

Lisa: it don't mean a thing...

We rode our bikes to the park so that Nora could swing. I think she likes it.

Lisa: why I didn't get your email

Sometimes you need a little bean to help you work.

Lisa: you can't hug a photograph

At the beginning of August, we went to an outdoor showing of Goonies that combined three of Nora's favorite things in the world: being outside, live music, and macaroni and cheese. Not to mention some of her (and my) very favorite people. Don't worry, I have already forgiven Sarah and Mallory for sticking pens in my hair while I was lying on the blanket.

The girls and I let Blake and Nora get to bed at a reasonable hour, then headed to Wal-Mart for midnight purchases of Breaking Dawn. Unfortunately, no one told me to take off my "I was bitten" pin before we went into the coffee shop, so I embarassed myself in front of the barista. Mew!

Farewell, Summer. I hardly knew ye.

Lisa: more of the same

I'm not sure why I can't stop taking pictures of Nora playing with her laptop. Maybe because she is JUST SO CUTE?

Lisa: here comes the big parade

Sarah and I rode our bikes in the Pioneer Day parade in Spring City, with Nora in the baby seat. The whole thing was awesomely ridiculous (and ridiculously awesome), but I think the best part was riding past my dad and hearing him shout to the crowd around him, "That's my granddaughter! That's my granddaughter!"

Lisa: biker gals

My first ride on my cruiser was also Nora's first bike ride, ever. Thank goodness it was properly documented.

Blake didn't realize he was in movie mode when he took this, but I kept it because of how well it captures Nora's initial feelings about her helmet.

Watch for the look of terror on my face as I negotiate the bike past Blake and into the driveway.

Lisa: a tangled web we weave

A normal day for Nora might include eating a snack in her high chair...

or getting herself hopelessly tangled in the TV cords. You never know.

(No babies were left unattended and nearly strangled before or during the taking of these pictures. I was sitting just out of frame, giggling as she turned around and around, making the tangling worse. So...I guess I'm not negligent, just kind of mean.)

Lisa: my fellow Americans

Something about being in a small town and with family just makes you feel more patriotic. Happy fourth of July!

Lisa: piano man

We get to keep David's piano while he's in New York, and he came over and gave it an inaugural playing. Nora loved it, of course.

Lisa: swimming

E introduced Nora to her first real swimming pool. Needless to say, Nora LOVED it.

She practically jumped right out of my arms and into the water. (You can see a bit of the skirt Sarah brought me from Scotland!)

Lisa: parking it

If it involves being outside and eating big-people food, Nora is IN.

Lisa: cyberbaby

I got Nora a little toy laptop, in the hopes that she would prefer it to working her magic on my computer. She uses it for her very important business.

Lisa: I love getting packages in the mail.

What can it be? This is so exciting!

It's my bike seat! Wahoo! Wait, what are these black things for?

And...a helmet? Wait a second. No one told me there would be a helmet.

Lisa: her sweet escape

Sometimes the only thing that will calm Nora down or hold her attention is a little Gwen Stefani. Who am I to begrudge her that?

Actually, I'm glad it's not Barney. Or even Baby Einstein. Or...Insane Clown Posse.

Lisa: pose for the camera now (flick, flick)

Lisa: uh oh!

In a rare instance of performing on demand, Nora does a half-hearted version of her sniffing face, and then says "uh oh." I smell an Emmy nomination...

Lisa: zoom, zoom, zoom

I was going to post just one of these, but I couldn't fight the cuteness.

I think we might need to clear everything out of our living room and turn it into a roller rink.

Lisa: in the presence of our queen

Dear Future Nora,

Yesterday, Heather B. Armstrong pinched your chubby leg and squealed. Because you are just that cute.

Unfortunately, at the time you had the stinkiest, poopiest diaper in the history of ever. But...maybe she didn't notice.

Sincerely,
Mommy

P.S. Don't say I never introduced you to any famous people.

Lisa: rocking out

Have you ever seen someone so excited to be in a rocking chair?

Lisa: snake charmer

My mom bought Nora this extremely realistic pink rubber snake at the zoo. Who knew it would become her favorite toy?

Lisa: boop!

Nora makes so many different expressions now--I can't get over what a big personality she has stuffed into that tiny little body. She was kind of sad when I started taking these pictures, so I cheered her up by making a bunch of crazy noises (as one does). In the photos where she's leaning to the side, she's trying to look around the camera to see how I'm making that "boop, boop" sound.

Lisa: This is what she likes.

My little Nora, someday you will be glad you have this video of you and Great Grandma Gorgeous. Between now and then, I'll just enjoy how cute you are, banging on your high chair tray.

Lisa: but she looks fierce!

Our little camera hound has suddenly turned coy. Too many episodes of America's Next Top Model?

Nora is fascinated with grass. I sat her down in the center of the blanket, and she leaned waaaay over so that she could almost reach it, and then toppled over, wriggled onto her stomach, and picked a handful. Then she whined until I sat her back up again so that she could examine her bounty in comfort. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Lisa: she's coming to get you, Barbara

Nora doesn't want to go anywhere unless it's walking with Dad.

Here's more of the same--except more awesome, because she says "mama" and then comes out of the screen and kills you, like on The Ring.

Lisa: Mother's Day

Blake gave me a new camera for Mother's Day, so I got things started right by taking a super close-up shot of him cooking his famous chili.

We went up to the cabin to hang out with my side of the family for a while, and Nora got thoroughly spoiled by my mom, Dave, and Angie (who aren't this blurry in real life).

We drove back down the canyon and over to Blake's parents' for dinner, and I took some pictures of his family for Nora's little photo book. Welcome to the internet, guys!

Lisa: toothbrush

Lisa: teeth and hair (It's cuter than it sounds.)

I finally got Nora to show off her two bottom teeth for you:

Sarah distracted her with Lulu so I could get a picture of Nora's crazy swoopy hair--just like Uncle Dave's!

Lisa: the crown

I was trying to get a picture of the back of Nora's Crown Burger onesie to give to the people at Crown Burger. Because I have a sickness.

The front says "small fry."

Lisa: two-foot-two, eyes of blue

Lisa: and then it snowed

The weather was gorgeous on Saturday, and we had an ambitious day planned. First, Sarah made Nora what she dubbed a "rally hat." Unfortunately, when our neighbor asked what cause Nora was rallying for, I didn't have an answer.

In the afternoon, when it was too hot for padded polyester hats and long sleeves, Sarah and I took Nora with us out to the Turnbulls' to pick up some strawberry plants. Obviously, it was very tiring.

After a nap (in her bed--we didn't just leave her in her seat!), Nora and Sarah camped out on the lawn, while Blake and I worked on the herb garden project that drank the Great Salt Lake. Because...it was so big. Anyway, Nora was cute.

Lisa: self portrait

Nora took this one of herself while she was playing with (read: eating) my phone.

Lisa: proof

Just in case you were worried that Nora saying 'mama' the first time was a fluke.

Lisa: mama

Nora said mama for the first time about a week ago, and now she's getting pretty good at saying it on demand. She was starting to get mad by the time I finally pulled the camera out, but what a smarty, right?

Lisa: You take the lime and the cucumber, and eat them both together.

As I inadvertently discovered when I was trying to distract Nora from grabbing my salad at the Crown, she loves chewing on slices of cucumber. I was about to cut a piece for her, when I noticed the lime sitting right next to the cucumber on the shelf of the fridge. I got thinking about how similar a slice of lime would look to a cucumber slice, and about how awesome Nora's sour face would be, and I just couldn't help myself.

It might be sour, but she doesn't stop trying it! OK, I know, it was mean. Anyway, it looks like there were no hard feelings.

She does seem a little hesitant to tear into the cucumber now, though...

Lisa: Dancing Bean

Nora and Sarah were just dancing along with a music video until Blake came in and provided an audience.

(Don't make fun of me because I took this video in portrait mode--that's why it's all wonky.)

Lisa: Yes, she has two different walkers. No, she's not spoiled.

Lisa: Spring in Spring City

Lisa: future hacker

While we were in Spring City, Sarah let Nora have some dangerous solo computer time.

Also, every time I use Sarah's camera, I'm more jealous of it. Thanks, Sar!

Lisa: practical jokes

Here are the outtakes for the LOLNora joke I played on Sarah:

I guess after messing around in Sarah's bed, we got really tired. Sarah took that opportunity to play her own joke on us, taking our picture while we were asleep. In the immortal words of Justin Timberlake, what goes around comes around.

Lisa: two little teeth (attempt 1)

Nora has two teeth on the bottom, and I tried to get her to show them to you. I really did.

Lisa: Easter

Lisa: whistler

Lisa: rolling over

The better to see the camera, my dear!

Lisa: happy face

Lisa: more high-chair hijinks

Lisa: high chair

Lisa: it's very hard work

Lisa: queen of the mushroom people

Blake and Sarah got a little crazy with the Winnie the Pooh hunny pot.

Lisa: camera hound

Lisa: Babies for Obama

Since Nora had so much fun voting for Obama on Super Tuesday, I thought she might like a campaign shirt of her very own. I designed a graphic to look like his other swag and had Zazzle (who I've (used previously) print it up for me. I got it a little big, so that she can wear it this summer when the election's closer.

Don't be jealous. You can buy one too! I think I get like a dollar for each onesie sold--and I'll donate any proceeds to the campaign.

Zazzle's changed their site around, so here's the fancy new link to my gallery:

Lisa: an inexplicable hatred for socks

Lisa: shopping

Lisa: back to normal

I think Nora's feeling a bit better. When I put her down for her morning nap, she looked around at her crib, smiled a little to herself, and pulled her blanket up over her face in the universal symbol for "Please just give me some SPACE, Mom. SHEESH."

I grinned as I softly shut the door to her room, knowing that when she wakes up and I go in to pick her up, she'll have a huge open-mouthed smile and be giggling and kicking with sheer joy that I'm back. All is right in the world.

Lisa: nothing is sadder than a baby barf-bucket

Nora-bean,

Today you were sick with some kind of bug that made you throw up--not 'spit-up,' but real throwing up until there was only clear bile left in your tiny belly. You were so sweet about it, too. No crying, just your pale little face looking up at me trustingly from the bathtub, the beginnings of tears in the corners of your huge blue eyes. When we got you cleaned up, you sat on my lap, snuggling into me until you fell asleep. I'm so sorry that I couldn't fix it for you, sweetheart. I can keep you clean and try feeding you a little apple juice every so often, and I can hope you feel me loving you through everything I do. We just have to wait it out, and I'm sorry about that.

I have a strange feeling that this is what parenting is going to be like a lot of the time.

Lisa: peek-a-boo

Grandpa came over especially to hang out with Nora, but Grandma snuck in and hogged Nora all to herself. Luckily, Sarah was there to document the whole thing.

Lisa: buddies

Lisa: Nora Bean, Girl Genius

Thanks to Sarah for taking these. You might have seen a few of them here.

Lisa: Saturday morning

Since Nora hates being on her tummy so much, she might skip crawling and go straight to walking. Blake's already got her standing up against the furniture.

Lisa: little valentine

Lisa: you talkin' to ME?

Lisa: we voted

Nora and I voted for Obama. What about you?

Lisa: green beans

Lisa: out to lunch

Lisa: walker

You can see Nora has to wear socks on her hands now because of the hamburger incident.

Lisa: hoodie

She might have scratched her head into hamburger, but she's still pretty.

Lisa: your mileage may vary

When you're pregnant, everyone who's been there before you likes to pass on the "real" story of what pregnancy is like. While I think everybody's experience is different, hearing the first-hand experiences of others did help me get over some of my fears. I think I also kept a lot of worries at bay by sticking to this philosophy:

Assume that everything will go well with your delivery. If you start worrying about things that can go wrong, you WILL be worried about the wrong things. Then you will have spent all that time being scared for no reason.

Thanks to genetics and luck, I had a relatively easy pregnancy and delivery, but there were a few things that surprised me along the way. Here's how a few of the major issues played out in my case.

Morning Sickness: It's way more real than I thought. I always thought pregnant ladies were making a big deal out of nothing, and should just toughen up. Stupid karma.
Delivery: Actually, it was kind of great. It hurt really a lot, especially at first when it was too early for drugs, but it was exciting and the end product makes you forget a lot of the bad parts. The whole thing was over pretty quickly. The actual pushing is the part I was most worried about, in terms of pain, damage to my body, and loss of dignity. The epidural and episiotomy I talk about below, and the loss of dignity was doable. I made them put the mirror away, and Blake and my mom were the only non-medical personnel in the room (and they stayed up by my head). The whole pooping on the delivery table thing isn't worth worrying about. Seriously. As Andrea said, that's how you know you're doing it right.
Epidural: AWESOME. I didn't have any bad side effects, and it was much more effective in terms of pain relief than the narcotics I got through my IV earlier on. I could still feel when the contractions were happening, and I could still push. The epidural mostly meant that I started having fun and getting into the excitement of the birth, rather than being so concerned about the pain.
Episiotomy: No big whoop. I found out later that Blake pushed my epidural button to give me some more drugs as soon as the doctor told me he was going to do it, and I'm sure that helped. Getting in and out of my hospital bed was sketchy, and later the healing was a little itchy, but it's got to be better than a tear, right?
Recovery: Maybe I was overconfident, since I felt like I handled pregnancy so well. I came home from the hospital swollen all over, sore, and bleeding. I feel a lot better now, but it's been four months and I still don't feel back to my normal self. Maybe I never will. Carrying that weight around stuck awkwardly to the front of your body for nine months takes a toll on your bones and muscles. Also, there's no getting around the fact that there's a lot of healing that has to happen.
Postpartum depression: I don't remember feeling depressed, but I did feel very overwhelmed at times. Everything would be fine, and then suddenly it would all be too much and I would burst into tears. I think the thing that really helped me through it was to have Blake by my side, constantly telling me what a great mom I am. (Thank you, sweetheart.)
Breastfeeding: It was really hard to get started, and I had to be really motivated to do it. The pump, nipple shields, and help from a lactation specialist were essential. Now it's easy to do, but I'm always tied to the baby or to a breast pump.

So, there you have it--probably more than you wanted to know. Sometime before I forget too many details, I plan to post the whole story of Nora's delivery.

Lisa: She just looks like a Lulu, OK?

I name all of Nora's toys. I figure you have to refer to the toy somehow, and it's easier to say "Hey, Blake, will you grab Simon?" than to say "Hey, will you grab that sort of gender-confused but snooty-looking white teddy bear on the shelf in Nora's room? Or maybe on the dresser?" Plus, I think finding the right name to fit the personality of the toy is fun.

If you've met some of Nora's toys before, you might already know their names. Here's a chance to test your knowledge (or guessing skills). Click on the thumbnails if you want a close-up of the toy for your in-depth analysis, but don't click on the names unless you think you've already figured it out.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

1. Lulu
2. Belinda
3. Rolf
4. Oscar
5. Sadie
6. Ruby
7. Kenneth
8. The Nemesis

Lisa: at Great-Grandma Gorgeous' house

Lisa: On Becoming Baby Wise

It's hard for me to find time to read a whole book about parenting when I'm actively being a parent. When I do have time to read, I'd much rather read something fun and escapist. So, when my neighbor heard that we're having problems getting Nora to sleep at night and lent me a copy of Baby Wise, I didn't want to read it. I looked for an audiobook version, but there doesn't seem to be one. What I really wanted was for someone to read the book and just tell me the important or relevant points. Well...nobody did that, and we needed to get Nora's sleeping schedule straightened out, so I bit the bullet and read the book myself.

The tone of the book is a bit condescending, and it alternately made me feel like great parent and like a failure who was ruining her child's life, but there are some good points. I think we'll try some of the things we aren't already doing and see if our situation improves. In case someone else is looking for the easy way out (like I was), I'll list what I feel are the salient points.