Lisa: I like you

But...I don't like you the BEST.

Lisa: geocache money

Nora got tired of geocaching, so she threw on a pair of 3D glasses, started whipping around a stick, and announced that she was killing all the trees. Message received.

Lisa: Saturday

I think Sarah took this one.

Lisa: unilingual

Jeffrey took Nora to the library's "bilingual" storytime. Unfortunately, it was actually just plain Spanish storytime, so Nora didn't get much of it. Jeff translated for a while, and they had a great time anyway.

Lisa: as if she could look smarter

I told you Nora likes a face accessory.

Lisa: she speaks for the trees

Ever since Grandma read Nora The Lorax, her favorite spot on our walk around the block has become this stump. She stands up there and dramatically announces that she is the Lorax. I think we need to read the book again so that she can expand the game.

Lisa: the castle keep

Nora loves the giant wood blocks at Grandma'am and Grandsir's. Here's Blake building a castle around her in an accommodating fashion.

Lisa: Hogle Zoo

One of the best parts of Blake being laid off is that he can go to the zoo with me, Nora, and Alex. A 2:2 kids-to-adults ratio is a lot more fun than 2:1.

Lisa: more fun with cinderblock

With dad home, he can be the one peeking through the other side of the fence.

Lisa: T-ball

Jillian and Rylee came over for a splash in the wading pool and a little backyard T-ball. Luckily, Jillian didn't post the photo capturing the moment when Nora accidentally whacked Rylee in the face with the bat, so I can just continue pretending it never happened. (Sorry, Rylee!)

When Blake saw that last photo on Facebook, he said, "We need to save this somewhere, so when Nora gets married it can be on display somehow." Done.

Lisa: Wednesday

Jillian and Rylee joined us for our weekly walk around the block with Alex.

Lisa: baby shower

Blake's cousin Amanda, in addition to being adorably pregnant, is a much more conscientious blogger than I am. Nora and I went to her baby shower last weekend, and she has already put up the pictures--including several darling ones of Nora. If you don't feel like waiting three months to see what Nora looks like today, check out Amanda's entry here.

Lisa: zooin'

This is Nora's favorite shirt to wear to the zoo. She likes to match the zebras.

Lisa: rainy day

Nora, all kitted out in her rain gear. I think this is the last hurrah of the vampire "funny bink," too. My mom is throwing a party.

Lisa: goofin'

Just mugging for the camera.

The bandage on Nora's hand is to keep her from scratching, so her eczema doesn't get worse/infected. Poor little itchy bean.

Lisa: run around the block

This is one of those days Nora and Alex took their walk around the block at a dead run. The house with the hedges is their favorite place to stop and explore--it's for sale, and I helpfully included the phone number here so you can put in an offer.

Lisa: supposedly there are animals, but I don't know

Here's Rylee and Nora at the zoo. I'm glad I got a few photos of their favorite attraction, the spinning water ball fountain.

Thanks, Grandma, for the zoo membership! We have been using it a ton.

Lisa: I am awesome

This might be my favorite Nora purchase EVER. The cutest little-girl shoes I've ever seen, and nary a licensed character. My online shopping skills are unparalleled.

Lisa: window

On a walk with Jillian and Rylee, just peeking through the holes in a cinderblock fence.

Lisa: horse flute

Yes, that's a paint roller. Nora sits on the roller part and then bends her head down to blow into the handle. BAM. Horse flute.

Lisa: pre-training

We started having Nora sit on the potty every once in a while long before attempting any kind of concerted potty training. I like to think it helped lay some groundwork, but who knows? I'm pretty sure she just liked having the undivided attention of whoever came in to tell her stories while she was sitting there--in this case, Uncle Jeff.

P.S. Don't tell 14-year-old Nora that I posted these.

Lisa: so I guess she's not perfect ALL the time

When your adorable daughter morphs suddenly and inconsolably from this:

...into this:

sometimes all you can do is grab the camera and document the transformation.

Lisa: snow beast

Pop-Pop and I took Nora out sledding on the snowy streets around the farmhouse. I like that this has the makings of a Christmas tradition.

Lisa: keeping her brains warm

My mom wears this cozy winter hat completely unironically. Thank goodness now Nora does too.

Lisa: presents

Clearly I need to get my act together and take some photos on Christmas Day, not least because then I wouldn't be appearing in the photos, looking like a tipsy Russian grandmother.

Lisa: Christmas Eve with the Smiths

Chad gave Nora the tutu and matching headband, and the adorable horse and cowboy hat were from Kurt and Jone. Grandma'am and Grandsir gave Nora the musical instruments. Thanks so much, you guys!

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: washcloths

Nora got a staph infection from scratching the eczema on her hands and feet too much, and the dermatologist had us try this 'wet bandages' treatment with a solution of vinegar and water. She has to sit still with these washcloths taped (or rubber-banded) on for half an hour. I'm pretty sure it stings, and Nora has been a super trooper--but it helps a lot and means we have something else to try before getting a prescription for antibiotics.

Lisa: Christmas Photos

This year my friend (and very talented photographer) Mallory took Nora's annual Christmas photos. It was so freezing in Sugarhouse Park, but Mallory and Nora were both very good sports.

Here's Mallory's flickr stream if you want to see some of her work.

Lisa: Thanksgiving

I don't know why I can't seem to get my act together and take some decent photos at Thanksgiving. What we have here is a few photos taken with someone else's camera of the excursion to the Eagle Tree with Dave, Angie, and Becky (who has twinner coats with Nora) and then the photos Nora took with my camera while we were in church. After we stopped her in the nick of time from throwing herself off the balcony, the camera seemed to be the only thing that would keep her sitting down and relatively quiet. Sorry, fellow churchgoers.

Lisa: 30 Day Shred - Level 1

She's shredded.

Lisa: Blow Your House Down

She'll huff, and she'll puff.

Lisa: ready for winter

Grandma had Nora try on all her winter hats, one after the other. I think there were two or three others before it dawned on me to run for my camera.

Lisa: This is Halloween

Between putting together costumes for Jillian's birthday party, Voices rehearsals, and starting all the homemade Christmas gifts, this was not the year for making Nora an incredible hand sewn Halloween costume. The princess outfit (complete with accessories) that my mom bought for Nora fit the bill perfectly, and she loved it. No bad-mom guilt necessary.

Also starring: Blake, in his goth funeral outfit, Jami and Alex (looking adorable as a tiger), and E--who became Alex's favorite walking buddy.

Lisa: Trick or Treat

Princess Nora gets the Halloween basics down.

Lisa: High Jump

You would think with all that buildup, there would be a little more height to Nora's hops. You would be mistaken.

Lisa: Fall

A new haircut and a giant pile of fall leaves.

Lisa: and now I'm jealous

I had to do SOMETHING to keep the brush-averse Nora from looking like a rock chewer every day, so we went back to Cookie Cutters and got her an adorable baby-sized bob.

Lisa: Hulking out

When you find a combination this good, you just keep going back to it.

Lisa: potato face

I think every kid with a Mr. Potato Head has done this. It's a rite of passage.

Lisa: put up your dukes

Nora put together this battle suit for herself: her Hulk gloves (a Christmas gift from Mallory) and the hunny pot helmet.

Lisa: Pie Day

My mom had us come up to Spring City to put all of the apples and plums they had left at the end of the season into pies. Nora was such a great sport, stirring bowls and sorting apple peels all through our marathon day of baking. Grandma even made her a tiny pie of her very own.

Lisa: The Big Red Barn

Every time we drive down to Spring City to visit my parents, I see the sign for the Big Red Barn and its "world's best ice cream." This time we finally stopped and checked it out. It was packed with people, and was a little more of a commercial operation than I expected (I guess I thought it would be a more rustic mom-and-pop situation). In addition to fruit, fudge, and baked goods, they sell old-fashioned candies and the sort of country-cute tchotchkes you might see at Kneaders or Gardner Village. Of course, we did get some tasty fresh creamery ice cream cones.

They had a little area on one side of the barn set up with hay bales and pumpkins, and there was a whole family camped out on the bales, getting holiday photos taken. I couldn't resist snapping a few of Nora before we left.

Lisa: losing battle

I think these braids lasted about fifteen minutes - but what a glorious fifteen minutes they were.

Lisa: gallery stroll

Outside Poor Yorick, checking out the giant ride-on polar bear.

Lisa: the four food groups

Cute AND a good eater.

Lisa: pajama party

I still can't believe how fast the year went by, and how quickly my little Nora bean got to be two years old. Thank you so much to our awesome friends and family who genuinely love Nora and indulge me and Blake--you guys made her birthday party so much fun. We found Nora the perfect wooden play kitchen, and she got plenty of cooking toys to go with it, along with so many other darling gifts.

I also had everyone help with a craft project that has turned into one of Nora's most loved possessions. Everyone wrote Nora a sweet message with fabric markers on a new pillowcase, and I took everybody's picture and ironed their faces on next to what they had written. Now when she's lying in bed at night, I can hear her talking over the baby monitor about all the people who love her.

Lisa: You never do know what's round the bend

My friends and I have a longstanding tradition of Crown Burger birthday events. Over the years these have gotten more elaborate, with crowns for the honorees and themed goody bags for everyone. I kind of can't believe we haven't posted more photos of these grand affairs. ANYWAY, this year the girls threw a surprise Crown birthday party for Nora, with a Curious George theme. How cute are they??

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: on the wagon

The night of Nora's birthday, the Smiths took us out to Mimi's for dinner and then gave Nora the awesomest wagon money can buy and a new set of Grandma'am's adorable homemade flannel pajamas.

Nora insisted on putting the pajamas on right then and climbing into the wagon--and really, wouldn't you, too?

Lisa: Fine Lady

My cute grandma brought over a beautifully wrapped birthday gift for Nora. Let me take you through the sequence of events here.

1) GG remains completely stationary and expressionless the whole time Nora opens her present.

2) Aw, it's a dollar-store 'Barbie!' Nora insists on unwiring all the ill-fitting accessories from the box immediately.

3) Wow, her dress is a bit...revealing. No underpants, huh?

4) I take my first good look at the doll's packaging.

5) Wait a second, are those photos of actual liquor bottles?

6) This is clearly stage lighting. And...is that a POLE?

7) A stripper Barbie. GG HAS GIVEN NORA A STRIPPER BARBIE. I guess that makes sense, since the series of dolls is called Fine Lady, and this model's name is Beauty.

All I can think of is that these ended up at the dollar store when some importer didn't look too carefully at what he was buying until it got here. As far as the Chinese factory where they made, they must be laughing at us right now...and/or they just think that's what Americans like.

Lisa: sleepy

Who hasn't fallen asleep while reading a book on the couch?

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: eating out

Macaroni and cheese at Noodles & Company.

Lisa: ready for church

Sometimes, the cuteness of your kid just overwhelms you and you have to stop whatever you're doing to take a picture. I think it's biological.

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: baby in a box

Nora emptied her blocks out of their box and then sat inside to watch Charlie and Lola.

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