The Nora Chronicles

Try, Try Again

2007-06-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

We're back. Maybe. This is your official notice to head on over to ItsNotAboutPretty.blogspot.com to find the new and exciting adventures of our little family. See you on the other side.

Don't blame me...

2007-04-29T22:10:00.000-07:00

It's not my fault... really. I was just waiting until we took some cute pictures of Nora. Okay, maybe that isn't true. We've been a little busy. Okay, okay, I'VE been a little preoccupied, so here we go.

We sponsored a hike down Tennessee Valley to the beach and had a good time.

Can I eat the sand now?

Yum.

I love how she really threw herself into the sand.

At one point she just leaned and fell forward with mouth wide and happily filled her mouth with sand much to Mommy's chagrin.

Where the wild things are?

The gang.

New Management

2007-03-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

E finally did it. He has let me in to his little blogging world. Until today, this site has been his pet project. Now that I'm involved we'll probably see more timely postings, but we'll miss the clever commentary. I'm sure E will make an appearance now and then--to refute my side of the story, etc. For now, though, just enjoy the pics and check back often to see if E has added his wit.

MAUI! Thanks to the extremely generous offer of our dear friend M, we made it back to Maui...with Nora in tow. It was everything you expect Maui to be, and more. NOTE: No swimsuit pictures will be seen on this site. We can't afford the therapy.

The whole clan, on the property of the first LDS chapel on the island.

E practicing his "Tiffany Smile." It only seemed to give him a half-asleep look. Keep practicing.

It's hard to say, but I think Nora liked Makena Beach.

Nora going for her daily dose of fiber. She's a self-contained recycling center.

Nora's killer sunhat. Gotta protect that virgin skin.

A date! We went on a date! A night out alone in Hawaii with my favorite person, and we ate chocolate. It doesn't get any better.

A windy day at a very cool historic landmark, which I can't remember the name, but the rivers ran with blood in ancient days and the bodies stopped up the rivers during a major battle for independence. Lovely place, isn't it? It really was beautiful.

Dont' stop me now, Daddy's on a roll

2007-03-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Daddy likes to take Nora out for a little walk when he gets home from work.

So Sweet.

She really seemed to enjoy the flower.

Prepping our friends A&A who are expecting soon.

Gratuitous bum shot.

Considering how she explores, we maybe should have named her Dora.

She loves baths, if you couldn't tell.

Goin' out for a walk with Dahdah.

Where does Nora get her open-mouthed guffaw?

Hmmm.

Here's to hoping that her extreme fascination with the dishwasher extends through the time she's able to use it herself.

Nora donning a kimono her aunt brought back from Japan.

Sayonara.

It's about time Daddy!!!

2007-03-15T13:06:00.001-07:00

Let's get down to bidniz.

As she began to crawl, Nora went through a "Mogli" stage of walking on her hands and feet with bum in the air.

Apparently Nora's love of water can even be satiated by sticking her hand in a water glass.

Happy Birthday Beautiful Mommy!

Too cute...

Can't resist...

Must give in to demands...

She's still got a little muppet left in her.

Nora is very curious. She likes whatever is new. She had a time when she wanted/needed to see what the flashing box that mommy and daddy is.

As the box comes out, she stops whatever she's doing and races toward it.
Then we could hardly take any pictures during this stage except for close ups as she crawled on us attempting to get the flash-box.

A little daddy-daughter time.

Isn't it about... time?

This message is brought to you by...

So far Nora has grasped whole-heartedly the love of books we wish her to have.

Right now that love is expressed more specifically as a love of eating books.

Yes, she really eating it.

We'll take what we can get.

WAZZZUUUUUUPPPP!!!!!!

Sans-Sans Captions

2007-02-08T21:58:00.000-08:00

Are you thinking Ramona Quimby Jail Break too or is it just me?

Uh, something is happening?

I have no caption for this.

I just really like it.

I love when she smiles through her binky.

Bend...

and snap.

Whhaaattt?

Eh?

We originally thought she was just a messy eater.

Turns out she was just saving it for later.

She's a dare-devil.

Nora doesn't meet too many objects she doesn't want to eat. But after the first bite, you'd think she'd have stopped eating the orange rind.

Wrong!

Ah, is there something on my face?

Mommy calls this her Shrek-doo.

Christmas Catch-up

2007-01-28T18:32:00.000-08:00

Well, it's good to be back. And it seems Google and Blogger have worked out the bugs between their programs, so let's get back to bidniz 'cuz we got a lot of catching up to do.

Merry Christmas.

We were hoping that Nora's present to us would be to allow us to sleep in. But she had other ideas.

One of these things is not like the others.

Where's my orange?

I sure hope I get camo-onesies.

yes, Momma may have received a knife sharpener...

but even Nora was a little stunned by Papa's sausages (but they were mango chicken. Yum).

Once freed of her slippery leggings, Nora was ready for her first crawl. Yes, it was on Christmas.

And apple crisps (aka FOOD) was the incentive.

Giddy-up!!

Every step took all her strength...

and full concentration.

you're mine little apple.

Which way did it go?

Has anyone seen a little apple looking thingy 'round here?

There you are!

The sweet fruits of labor.

Part II - Technical Difficulties

2007-01-04T19:49:00.000-08:00

She's Back - Part I

2006-12-29T21:11:00.000-08:00

To any and all that may have noticed the hiatus, our apologies.

But like a prize fighter, Nora comes back with a vengence. Feel her wrath in this two part catch up series.

Nora upon waking.

Her hair is usually awesome in the morning. Though short lived, it sticks straight up and out having lied horizontal all night. It's like she had curlers in.

Huh?

Yo Rock!

Poor Santa's nose is like a red bull's-eye to Nora's targeting system.

First she slings him on the ground and then goes straight to the nose.

No mercy in this dojo.

Wrestlin' with Daddy.

Nora obviously hates it.

Only one thing could tear Nora away from playtime with Daddy.

Hey, is that food over there?

Multifaceted as she is, this pic seems to capture her sweet demeanor.
With Mommy and Grandma G.

Nora's sporting the very cute outfit Grandma G gifted her.
Oops! How did this get in here?

Yes they do have a back door with buttons, just like I've always wanted.

Chillin' with Oo.
(Pronounced double oh)

Sometimes she looks like she is 2 or 3 years old.

Maybe it's just the neck extension.

A rockstar is born.

Uh, do you mind?

You're throwing off my groove.

Peek-a-boo!!!

One of our Christmas card pics that didn't make the cut.

So happy together...

And so it began: her feeding frenzy. She's either saving up for winter hibernation or a serious growth spurt is upon us.

New nickname - Chubs.

Awakenings

2006-12-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

We have been noticing more of what we are calling awakenings with Nora. Awakenings are quantum leaps in Nora's development that seem to happen instantaneously. For instance, she goes to bed not knowing how to do something, then when she wakes up, she just does it. It's like the neurons were connected during her sleep. Other times, the awakening is simply a higher level of awareness and interaction. Eitherway, it's amazing to witness.

Oh how she's growing, and not just in girth.

She's rolling around now. Sometimes she'll roll across the entire room. Though still not the biggest fan of being on her tummy, sleeping that way has made her more tolerant. I find it amusing that when an object beside her prevents her from rolling to one side, she doesn't understand why she can't roll. "Hmmh? it worked last time."

She even gets up on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth briefly. I do see that the end of immobility is nigh at hand. Of course we yearn for her development, but loathe the idea of chasing her around. Oh well, bring it.

Talking. She's always been a talker (uh fan of hearing herself make sounds). Though her grammer is not stellar, we have noticed on several occasions that she has said, "ma-ma, ma-ma-ma..." as a call for attention to change her situation or just be held.

Lil Judy time.

Before we went out to toss the disc, Nora had to make sure it was 100% real frisbee.

I still love these chew shots.

Thanksgiving at the bowling alley. It's a G-fam tradition.

Mommy going to town.

Ellie with Nora.

I'm sorry I can't say which twin this is, but too cute.

This shot was meant to show the carnage on the floor after a Nora self-feeding. The pic does not do it justice, but I'm sure those that have been there, can fill in the gaps.

Hi!

We found out she likes oranges.

It was entertaining for us too.

Shaggy as She Wants to Be

2006-11-19T21:23:00.000-08:00

Nora gets her hair blow dried every night after her bath. So with the blow dry and just longer hair in general, control is winning over chaos. But even within the boundaries of control, she can look a mite shaggy; and we kinda like it.

Still no perceived inclination toward locomotion. She is content to believe that she is stationary and the world moves around her. (I hear they cling on to that philosophy in some form or another through their teen years.)

She's still not even comfortable with lying on her stomach. The only time she turns herself over is when she is sleeping. She goes from her back to her front and if she's not too tired to realize her undesired body position, she'll get to wailing. Then mommy or daddy has to come to the rescue and flip her over like a flapjack. Daddy especially is a softy.

It is amazing to see her progress and grow before our eyes. It wasn't too long ago that having Nora feed herself Cheerios was more like, let's see how fast Nora can push the Cheerios off the table and onto the floor. Now, only a few days later, she's fairly adept at picking them up and shoveling them in.

Nora in her riding tights.

The

Nora

Witch

Project

I think she wasn't feeling well, so she sat uncharacteristically resigned to her carseat inside the apartment staring off into the distance just like this.

She likes to lift her arms up and out.

There is no explanation.

We pin the arms down, and back they rebound.

Think Randy in the movie a Christmas Story, except Nora doesn't need 10 layers of clothing.

Cheerios time is a win-win situation. Nora has 15 minutes of eating, entertainment, and manual dexterity exercises.

Parents get to do something else.

Bam-Bam

2006-11-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

She's Back. Nora was sick for a good week and a half. It is fairly obvious when Nora is not feeling well because her whole demeanor changes. But it wasn't until she was fully recovered, and our happy and smiley baby came back, that I fully realized how sick she had been. It's good to have her back.

Do all infants go through a Bam-Bam stage? Most anything she grabs, is first hoisted up, and then brought down swiftly on the table or her leg or stomach. Then she does it again, and again until the object falls from her grasp. Reminds me a bit of a sea otter using a rock to bash open some food on it's stomach.

Though she can lean forward from sitting position bending herself in half, she doesn't have any visible inclination to crawl. We are torn between wanting to help her learn or continue to enjoy her immobility. Enjoying her immobility has won thus far.

We need to get a pic of her two by four imitation. Often when we go to put her down and try to bend her legs into sitting position, she immediately counteracts by arching her back and straightening her legs. Baby rigor mortis. She won't budge. You can put her feet on the ground and tilt her backwards, only holding her under her head bring her to practically horizontal and she will not bend. We normally have to lie her down on her back, then pick her up again with her legs already in bent-sitting position to get her to sit then. She's a character.

I still find feeding time just too cute.

She's a bit of a drama queen when she decides she wants out of the bouncer.

Momma found inspiration during bath time.

I'm flying!

I fly.

I'm a flyer.

She was a munchkin for Halloween.

Daddy was a Lollipop Kid.

Mommy was Elphaba.

The

Beatnik

Collection.

Can't decide if this is a snarl or the dreaded stink eye.

At her cutest.

During one of her moods.

Mommy made a hat for her doll, uh, I mean Nora.

Whaaaht?

She finally graduated to the tub.

6 Months Part II - Pretty in Pink

2006-10-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

While watching a home movie of a coworkers, Nora took a very unusual evening nap.

We are currently looking into mass marketing his home movie. We could make millions.

Sundance playing with Nora.

So cute at our Angel Island picnic

Eating time is much more entertaining now for Daddy.

Not sure how it is for Mommy.

Tell me you're not smiling.

Sittin' up.

We put her in a box and she tipped over backwards.

Are we bad?

It took me a minute or two to find the camera and take the pic.

At Great America.

She seems always to be doing crunches or something in the stroller. Doesn't really sit back and relax much, too much to see I guess.
After she got the rhythm of eating she really started going for the spoon.

Here she's leaning in.

Here she's really leaning in.

Catching flies.

She's been in this stage recently where she ogles with mouth wide.

Isn't she...

Pretty in pink?

Little outfit I picked up during the travels.

Apparently it took both mousse and a blow dry to get the hair down that day. But we wont do it again soon. Too many people missed her real hair.

6 Months - Hawking, Sitting Up, and Butter Nut Squash

2006-10-22T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hawking: When I carry Nora around she tends to list forward wanting to look at the ground. This often turns into me playing Superman with her. The interesting part is she very alertly scans the floor like a hawk searching for food. But instead of food, Nora's is looking for objects to gum and drool on. I'm fairly certain she's thinking, "I'd like to get my mouth on that, and oh, that would be nice to chew on. And that too..."

Sitting Up: Not much before 6 months we wondered if Nora should be sitting up on her own. She hadn't done much of it; we hadn't actually tried much. So we sat her up and placed some pillows around her to ease her nose dives and the more frequent backward lunges. But she took to it like a champ, and really since, it's her preferred mode of being on the floor. We think she likes the better view and easier access to more toys.

Butter Nut Squash: Nora loves butter nut squash. Hates peas, and tolerates avocado and bananas. And when she's hungry we have to be careful about not having any sort of spoon out and visible, because any spoon to her means butter nut squash. And she is already fairly adept at letting us know when she is not getting something that she wants.

I liked her feet here.

Classic Nora.

A little magazine reading time for the girls.

Uh Nora, it's READING time.

The day we found out Nora was ticklish.

LDS Church History Museum.

Mommy's portion of pic wasn't too flattering so we cropped her out per her instructions.

Coming home from full day in SLC.

Old Spaghetti Factory in Provo.

Chillin' with Mel.

At BYU volleyball game with our lil trooper.

It was way past her bed time.

Grand-
parents on baby sitting duty.

With Aunt Little Noodle

Maternal Instincts

2006-10-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

Though Kara is not mortified of spiders, if I'm around I'm the one that is asked to dispose of any 8-legged unwanted guests. A few days ago Kara noticed a spider crawling on Nora. Not only did she swiftly remove the spider from Nora, she removed the spider by picking it up between her thumb and forefinger and then squashed it into oblivion.

She didn't share it in her recount of the story, but I'm sure she was thinking, "Not biting my daughter, Mr. Spider!" The clearest manifestation of maternal instincts yet.

I can't technically say that Nora gums everything anymore, now she tooths everything.

As in one-tooths everything.

With the shark in the lower left corner, this pic is right out of the Muppet Show.

Intent.

Daddy en-courages fruits.

Intent.

Nora likes to suck on the bottom of our glasses.

Don't know if it's the cold glass, whether she thinks she's drinking, or whether she's just weird.

She's a Lil Godzilla on the magazines.

If it keeps her entertained for a few minutes, we are all for it.

Can't see the full effect of the mohawk, but it was sweet.
Mommy ran a 5k recently. She placed 2nd in her division.

Yes, there were more than 2 in her division.

There were 3, and she totally wasted the 3rd girl.

Out of Control Hair

2006-09-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

Nora's signature feature is most definitely The Hair, and it's been very entertaining from the beginning. Yet now I'm afraid it's getting way out of control. I mean really, when is the madness going to end. I thought it would be lying flat by now or at least bear some semblance of control.

But, as The Hair continues to escalate to new heights of chaos, the entertainment level spirals upward along with it.

More times than not, Nora is so happy to see us in the morning. She loves to play with her feet on and through the rails of the crib.

Binky row.

We've been working on Nora's assisted sitting.

When she has something to play with or gum, she's good for a little while.

Playing after waking up.

Uh... still in the process of waking up.

The money shot.

Nice tights.

Baby's first "solid" food.

When I'm lying on my back and hold her up like superman, this is what she looks like.

I guess she can't fully control her appendages, so she can only defend herself with her gums.

So I guess you could call this her attack position. Any enemy will double over from cuteness.

Notice her sherpa boots, a purchase of which mommy is really proud.

Uncle Brian meets Nora.

Any resem- blance?

Look at above pic.

I'm fairly certain this pic was a few seconds pre-face plant.

Still working on the whole sitting thing.

Campfire at Marin Headlands

Daddy duty.

I love the Pooh hat.

We had her dressed for arctic weather.

She's a happy baby,

And that makes us happy.

Fare Thee Well Sweet Sleep

2006-09-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

The charmed life we led for almost 4 months of Nora sleeping through the nights is now gone. Gone are the nights where she sleeps for 8 or 9 hours, maybe waking once to be fed. Our gratitude for that time has increased recently for some reason and we hope for a speedy return to those nights.

Yes, it was alarming the first time to go check on your daughter and see her like this.

But she likes it.

What?

If you guys are eating, I get to eat too.

Her fairly new bouncer.

She likes it and we hope she'll continue to be entertained in it.

Her first hairstyling.

Mommy just gave her the bottle to see if she could put it in her mouth.

She missed a few times before she hit the mark.

This is the first known photo of the elusive downturned mouth cry that makes daddy laugh every time she does it.

So quickly they make 180s.

BATH TIME!

So this is what she looks like with her hair down.

We went camping at Clear Lake and Nora had two fellas to chill with.

At the lake.

Week 18 and 19 - Just the Goods Please

2006-09-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

Nora is growing and developing by leaps and bounds, but I'll skip the pre-photos commentary (save, uh, these quick comments) and just get to the goods. Yeah, I know what you come to the blog for.

Most of the pics are from a recent visit to her Sister in North Carolina.

Nora has never liked facing people.

She likes to see what's going on.

But every now and then she allows a much-appreciated snuggle with Momma.

Kara's already starting to live out her cheerleading dreams through Nora.

Poor child.

Chillin' in San Fran with Will and Brenda.
In N.C. with her Cousins.

She's got that muppet look again.

We figure that about half Nora's calories go to producing drool.

Two of these things are not like the others.

As true gentlemen, her cousins were obligated to fight for her honor.

I keep on telling her not to flex for the camera.

She's even worse in front of mirrors.

Not that it's not interesting to see Nora's fountain. But I confess. I just really like the pic of my beautiful wife.

HELLO
Cheeks!!!!!

Another Cuz of Nora's.

Kara says she looks like Red from Fraggle Rock. At least she doesn't look like a Doozer.

That's a decent size melon.

Down at Fraggle rock!

Red with Ma.

I guess Nora wanted to be with her Uncle during the ghost walk.

Hair...
falling...

Must fight humidity.

I apologize... but this is really THE cutest pic.

Cousins couldn't keep their hands off Nora, literally.

The whole gang.

Red chews on a brush and Nora chews on Red.

NC - 1
Nora's Hair-Zero.

The humidity may have won the battle... but not the war.

Week 17 - Kinda.

2006-08-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

Well... week 17 for Miss Nora has passed, but these are pics from week 17.

Enjoy!

Why?

Because she can.

I guess she just wasn't satisfied with a few fingers.

That's my girl!

Kara's first attempt at "the fountain."

Uh... I don't think we're there yet, but close.

She'd make a good Samurai though.

Chillin' with Val.

A friend gave is this cool hip sling that we've tried to use, but she has yet to last longer than 5 minutes in it.

She had to be really tired to fall asleep in my arms like this or maybe she just loves her daddy so much she just didn't want to go to the crib to sleep. Yeah... that must be it.

We thought we had a female Mozart on our hands...

And then we saw her true intentions.

Mommy got a little excited when Nora was taking to holding the bottle herself.

Rollie-pollie.

She's got serious crib-head hair.

Week 16 - Ne'r Fear

2006-08-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

My apologies for my neglect to the blog. But ne'r fear, I will prevail and provide heap big content to catch up. You, the one or two people that read the blog, deserve nothing less.

Miss Nora is still textbook. We read in the baby book that the baby should begin to open their hands more this week, and so she does. Instead of her always-ready-for-a-fight clenched fists, she starts to spread the fingers out and grab and pull on anything that her hands happen to come in contact with. (She still has issues with the whole control the arms gig.)

She has also started taking any and everything to mouth. It's an interesting reflex (instinct?). When something comes in front of her she automatically brings her hands together on the object and brings the object to her mouth. Well, sometimes she's lazy and her mouth goes to the object, but she's working on it and it's cute.

We also like to just show her the binky and the pure sight of it reminds her 'oh I can be sucking' and if we don't give her the binky she'll bring her hand, fingers and/or fist to her mouth and suck away.

All grow'd up. Yeah right, but getting there.

Look at that impressive head lift.

Kara bought this stroller for a trip and has been training her in it. Here she is accessorizing with her teething ring-bracelet.

She's also been on a kick for hatching diabolical plans as you can see from her hands.

Must...
gum...
something.

What's that Nora?

You have a plan for world
domination.
Yes, yes.

Your plan will work perfectly.

Soon we will rule the WORLD... Ha-Ha-Ha.

Swimming at the pool take 2.

She didn't really go for it for long, but we hope that will change.

Daddy has high hopes for a swimming scholarship.

A stowaway.

This is our friends' girl Ella. She got tired and made herself at home in Nora's carseat to try to catch some z's. It was precious.

This is Nora in some African seat for infants that allows them to sit up and see the world at an early age. Looks like someone didn't get the memo.

But look at those cheeks.

Play time with Daddy.

I guess this is Nora's way of helping mommy with the laundry.

Week 15 - 3 Months but who's counting

2006-07-31T07:31:00.000-07:00

We had been told many a-times that 3-months was a milestone and things would be much better and easier with Nora come that day. So when Nora reached 3-months, we had subconciously built up a lot of expectations. Yeah, I guess you can say that our expectations were a little over the top. It's like she had graduated infancy and was instantly 2 years old. We found ourselves literally thinking, "why is Nora still in her carseat in the livingroom? Why doesn't she get herself out?" "Why isn't she using her words?" "Why is she crying?" (Even though she had been crying much less than in previous months.) "Why does she want me to carry her?" We thought it was an interesting phenomenom.

3-months is good alright. Mommy was even overhead saying, "why can't they be born at 3 months?" We are loving the increased interaction and response that we can evoke from her.

It'a all about multitasking.

Kara says that Nora has been an excellent instructor of the art of stretching. Her specialty is the full body stretch.

A several minute stretch routine is part of her unswaddling ritual.

Nora and Ella at a pub.

If you ask me, it looks like Nora's a little sauced.
Nora loves wrestling with Lulu "The Pork Chop" Lamb.

Here she is right before her patented gnawing of the ear move called The Mike Tyson.

Her other signature move is Drool of Death, which she attempts on mommy and daddy occasionally.

But they still remain friends through it all.

Me...

and my...

Pork Chop.

Mommy Graffiti

I just liked this pic.

I think she looks like a muppet.

Just one more...

I... uh... almost got it...

Click.

Ewwww... Mom... yuck.

Week ?

2006-07-23T22:25:00.000-07:00

Which week is it anyway?

Nora and daddy sharing a moment with their ice cream cones.

We don't buy any of those Baby Einstein DVDs because she's all over the theory of relativity already.

Nora's first time at the pool.

It may be just the hot weather, but Nora seems to enjoy her baths now.

It's scary. The kid already enjoys the Tele.

The only sanctioned show is Jeopardy, but it looks like mom may be a little more lenient when daddy's at work.

Week 13 - The Day the World Stopped

2006-07-11T23:03:00.000-07:00

Nora was actually born (in part) to music from the musical Wicked, (Most of the "Songs to Birth to" playlist I made Kara were by our fav Jack Johnson.) We are beginning to think that Nora is taking this whole "Defying Gravity" thing just a little bit too far with the hair. I'm beginning to question the laws of physics.

Through all our travels last week (the week prior to the 4th of July) we had Nora in the carseat for extended periods of time. There is a U-shaped head support for newborns that came with the carseat to help support her head. And we've always used it. Kara noticed after our trip that Nora was getting too big for the head support. So she removed it. But what she effectively did was pop off the top of one of the snake-in-a-can gag toys. We hadn't realized how much the head support had been matting down (oppressing in my opinion) her hair.

This would help explain some of Nora's displeaure with the carseat. She doesn't like anything getting in the way of her hair. So the hair came back with a vengence, even in part to Daddy's great pain and discomfort as will be seen in some of the pics below.

Nora is a big tummy time wuss. Mainly because that big melon of hers she calls a head causes her to do a face plant on the floor everytime we place her on her stomach. So she's never been a fan of tummy time, but this week she did something hilarious.

We put her down for tummy time and she became the human weeble-wooble. She arched her back, stiffened her body, and pointed her toes. Though I'm not sure I truly captured it through my laughing fits, it was preciously funny.

Nora in the background as Sarah plays the childhood classic eye gauge game with Grampa Dennis.

4th of July with Jo and Nora in her patriotic outfit.

I love Jo's shirt. On the back it says "Save ME!"

She has 3 kids.

I had to put another pic of Sarah in there with Kit-kat. I loved the head scarf.

The day the hair was freed.

The day the world stopped... and daddy saw....

BABY MULLET!!!

The horror.

Every father's worse nightmare.

Weebles wobble...

But they don't fall down.

I think she stayed in this position for about 30 secconds.

Daddy, I'm done.

Week 12 - She's a Trooper

2006-07-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

Well, sorry for the no-post last week (as if anyone noticed). That just means we'll have to do double time this weeek to catch up. (2nd post to come soon.)

For the weekend prior to the 4th of July we traveled down south to Southern Cal for a family reunion. And we drove. It's a 7 to 8 hour drive, but Nora was a trooper for the most part considering she doesn't like being in a carseat at all.

Here we are at one of the rest stops along the 5.

Between burps is definitely one of her cuter times.
Nora's first time in the water.

The second time we put her feet in the water she didn't howl, so I guess that means she liked it.

Ahh... the wind through the hair.

Hey you, I know you.

She entertained herself with her new found friend for a good 10 minutes. After which this new friend became just too boring. Hmm?

Grampa and Nora.

Nora, Mommy, and Lynette

A little scripture study.

No... I am your father, Nora.
Join me and we can rule the galaxy.

Search your feelings.

Nooo!

That's impossible!

Cousin Brandon and Nora hit it off instantly.

Mommy, Nora, and Grandma.

Week 11 - Nora-Galore

2006-06-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

It was incredibly hot last week. Well, it was really hot outside and it was incredibly hot inside our apartment. If you would have come home to the stifling heat, Kara's duress, and a soggy-bottomed Nora, you too would have thrown all caution to the wind and plastered your windows with aluminum foil. It has actually helped alot.

Anyway, on one such sweltering night this week, Nora actually fell asleep in her carseat and so we just left her on the much-cooler front porch as we set up the fans to cool our apt. The 2nd shot below shows "The Beast" (new nickname) after being awakened by multiple camera flashes. Who me?

If there was one benefit to the heat, it seems to have allowed Nora to sleep more than usual during the day and it is making all the difference. I come home and she is awake and not crying and content even. I have to ask Kara what she did with our child, cause the one she just gave me isn't wailing.

More sleep has allowed Nora to find her happy place. And it is very apparent that her happy place is full of ice cream cones that look and taste like her fist. On many occasions one ice-cream just isn't enough, so she makes it a double... double cone not scoop. And we're not talking one after another either, we're talking both at the same time as witnessed in pics 3 and 4 below.

I do admit that the cones are a helpful substitute for the binky fairly often. On more than one occasion Kara and I have been driving somewhere and we hear a large slurp coming from the backseat. We laugh because we know Nora's in her happy place.

Other times she'll make way from sucking on the ice-cream cone to her thumb. But it doesn't last too long, as she spits out the thumb, disfiguring her face as if her ice cream has just turned to salt water. Then returning to her fist as happy as can be. She must have a highly developed and sensitive palate.

Some people have commented on Nora being fairly expressive. Who knows, but Daddy did go a little hogwild at the park taking close up pictures. I'd say most of her expressions are blank stares, but I managed to capture a few others .

If not expressive, she is at least a fairly observant beast.

Notice that she is eating well.

Release the Kraken!

Nora's double coned happy place.

Week 10 - One Step Forward

2006-06-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

And two steps back this week.

Week 9 - Better Every Day

2006-06-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

Every day seems to be getting a little better. We especially enjoy Nora's awakening. She is definitely making more baby sounds which are so cute. Mommy has conversations with her, where Nora appropriately inserts coos and grunts after receiving questions.

Another battle has begun this week, a war of wills. Nora is still not sleeping very well during the day and cries to let everyone know about it. But a glimpse of the life that Kara could be enjoying was seen Wednesday when Nora took 2-two hour naps during the day. Not only did she nap, but when she was awake she wasn't fussy. Matriarchal Paradise. So Kara was determined to make this more the norm than the exception. What she forgot is the stubborness, I mean determination that she has passed to Nora. It wouldn't be that rewarding if it was easy I guess.

This is the Money Shot for sure.

This is how we see Nora.

I liked Nora's smirk in this pic.

Sharon, a childhood friend of Kara's, shares a moment with Nora.

(Mohawk in fine form.)

Kara with Sharon's boy Johnny.

Nora and Mommy at Graduation ceremony.

Nora was really tired during the ceremony. The poor thing was startled awake every few minutes when cheers and screams erupted as the names of the graduates were announced. Didn't help that Daddy was snapping pics with the flash on.

Sunday was a big day. Church, Graduation, and then a going away party. She was a good girl. Kara hopes she doesn't pay for it Monday.

Our friends the Hinckleys, who are moving to Philadelphia to pursue an advanced degree in Dentistry.

Week 8 - Smile on Demand

2006-06-04T21:32:00.000-07:00

Nora, what's the secret to life?

One thing... you just have to find that one thing for you.
Deep Thoughts by Nora Blair.

I guess she's been watching City Slickers again.

Signs of life inside that baby's body are beginning to manifest themselves. She continues to giggle on occasion and we were even able to elicit a few smiles after giving her Eskimo kisses.

Kara's parents stayed the weekend and completely spoiled Nora. Okay we were spoiled too... Nora's first babysitters. Mommy and Daddy were fine in the morning when we were running errands, but it wasn't long before our thought turned to the little one. We convinced ourselves that our baby needed us and only us, but each time we came back all was well with Grandma and Grandpa.

Nora's new front carrying position.

She seems to enjoy being in a position to see more of what's going on, except I guess when she's passed out as seen here.

It's all about the hair.

Nora has really improved her gripping capabilities as witness by the death grip on Val's hair (Kara's former coworker). Val's fiancee James looks on from a safe distance.

We and the Miller family had a dinner with the soon-to-be-departing-to-Germany-Hammons. So long, farewell...

Here's a pic of Nora and Omi (Grandma).

We were so busy letting the grandparents babysit Nora I didn't really get any good pics of them.

Nora was blessed on Sunday. Though she was calm during the blessing, she cried before and after.

Ben and Larry Wilson, Laura and Carl Johnton, Nora, Eric and Kara, Dennis and Judy Gustafson.

After her blesssing.

Week 7 - Getting Out n' About -

2006-05-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Kara was changing Nora yesterday and said, "well it looks like she's getting enough to eat." I retorted, "was there ever a question? Look at those ham hocks she calls legs."

Nora is definitely a-growing. We measured her height at 22 inches yesterday and we both feel like she's at least 20 lbs. Alright, she's at least 10lbs.

Nora likes to be on the move, whether it's a morning walk with Daddy or hunting buffalo in Golden Gate Park, she starts to stir the moment we stop walking or driving or just moving.

Our lil elf child.

Mommy, my tummy doesn't feel so good...

The calm before the spit-up.

Mutual respect.

Mutual dependence.

Mutual love.

Toga!

Toga!

In search of the elusive Golden Gate Buffalo.

What's that Kara???

Tatanka?

Where?

Tatanka.

Really. In Golden Gate Park.

Hippies can do good things too.

Nora's first beach outing.

This is as close as she got.

Nora's first visit to
Haight Ashbury.

You can tell from the hair profile alone, that she's mine.

Daddy cutting in on tummy time.

Extreme baby close-up.

Week 6 - Wonder of Wonder

2006-05-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Miracle of Miracles...

As you may recall last week was a week of fuss. Nora did not do much but eat and cry during daytime hours last week. Seeing a pending downward spiral on the horizon, Eric took matters into his own hands Monday. He called his sister-in-law Krista. Due to Nora's almost instantaneous tranistions from serene to wail during her fussy times, Kara and I suspected something might not be right in the tummy/bowels arena. Krista didn't hesitant in recommending gripe water; the clouds parted and the sun broke through. Baby's Bliss gripe water in fact. (I won't mention here that Kara has now been banned from eating chocolate because it's still a sore subject in our household.)

So gripe water has changed our lives. It's all natural and Nora is a new baby. As long as we're endorsing baby products, I want to pitch Dreft. There are many benefits of nursing your baby; stains that are easy to get out of clothing is not one of them. Dreft is great at getting out baby stains for nursing babies. We haven't tried the detergent, but the spray is the only thing we've tried that really gets out Nora's "messes."

The kick is up... it's good.

She's working on her year's supply of food storage... in her cheeks.

Here's our new awake and happy baby. As opposed to our awake and not-so-happy baby.

The gripe water has no apparent soothing affect during bathing. Click on the link below to hear the wailing and gnashing of gums during this traumatic bath experience.

Grandpa Johnston came for a visit today and Nora took right to him.

Hopefully next week I'll try to put up a nVideo (Nora Video).

Week 5 - Mother's Day Edition

2006-05-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

This week's edition is dedicated to all the mothers in our lives. Without you... we wouldn't be here.

Kara and I used to joke about how all the parents we knew would always say that their kids were in the 90th percentile of this and 90% of that. Little did I know that just because several women in our ward have had 10 lb babies, it doesn't mean that it's common. Anyway, as far as Nora goes, she's been average as average can be. She's been 50% and 60% in height and weight, but recently we found her strength. She's in the 90th percentile of head size. That's something to be proud of; and we are. 'Ead! Move!

In the words of my mom, Nora's been a bit of a stinker this week. She sleeps well during the night, but isn't playing mommy's little daytime nap game. So she's been getting a good lung and vocal workout which has pushed Kara to try implementing Baby Whisperer techniques with a modicum of success.

So though this was supposed to me my first full week back at work, I took my last paternity day off on Thursday to help lighten the load for Kara.

As many of you know we live in Marin County. But what you may not know is that we live about a mile from the Marin Civic Center which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (also featured in Gattaca). So we decided to take a trip to the Civic Center park.

Ready to hit the park sleeping. That's a good girl.

Here's Kara and our nifty stroller.

You may not notice, but Kara is fully utilizing all of the modeling skills she's been picking up watching America's Next Top Model. And I thought that show was just a waste of time.

Kara and Nora with the Civic Center in the back-ground.

I travel to the Orient fairly often for my job. There is a running joke at work that there is an oriental look-a-like for every American person. Little did I know that this also holds for the animal kingdom, as witnessed by our 'Don King' Duck that we frequently see at the Civic Center pond.

Okay back to Nora.

Nora did her first "trick" as we refer to it. During her awake time this week daddy was doting over her and noticed that she was following him with her eyes fairly well. So daddy then began to test her limits, by moving back his head back and forth to the extreme sides of Nora's view for a few minutes. Very exciting parental stuff.

Saturday morning we spent a little time in San Francisco at Crissy Fields. I don't recall me making any snide remarks to merit this reaction

I'm not sure why some of the close ups come out fuzzy, but they are some of the best shots of the many Nora expressions.

Week 4

2006-05-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

Nora Sounds - Besides the wonderful baby cry and baby wailing, Nora has developed a small library of sounds (mostly while she is sleeping) . She whinnies like a horse, trumpets like an elephant, meowing like a cat, and clicks like the aliens from the movie "Signs."

We went to the doctor today for Nora's second doctor's appointment. As we suspected, she's been eating well. She now weighs 9 lbs 2 oz and is 21 inches long. Oh... our little baby is growing. See I wasn't kidding about those chubby legs last week.

Judy and Candi hosted a post-baby-shower on Friday for "old" friends in Alamo. It was a wonderful evening. Not only was the company exquisite, but so was the food. We appreciated the time to catch up with old friends and show off Nora.

On Wed Kara went to Bunco and so it was our first Daddy-Daughter evening. As you can see from this pic she was quite well mannered. It was the first time she took a binky for a sustained amount of time.

Sometimes it takes her a while to get into the rhythm of sucking on the pacifier, but I love it when she finally starts hitting her stride. The pacifier moves swiftly in and out of her mouth to a sound very very reminiscent of Maggie Simpson. And it's so cute how the pacifier is half the size of her face.

Nora found her fist while on Kara's shoulder and was going to town sucking on that for a few moments. She moved onto her forearm before figuring out she wasn't getting any milk. Then the wailing began. It's such a hard life.

Leave it to Kara to take an artsy pic. Being mesmerized by AFV, I was caught completely off guard.

Oh that this scene of tranquility of Nora sleeping with Kara on the phone were more than a fleeting moment.

The doctor said that as she grows she will sleep longer. True words of encouragement.

And if it isn't evident in the pics. Nora is a-lotta Blair. Her hair is even beginning to lighten up. We actually think she looks most like my mother, Corin. Yet we see glimpses of Allison, Brian, and lots o' daddy. I will enjoy it while I can, because I can't imagine those stubborn Johnston genes will be supressed for long.

Nora's Blog - Act I

2006-05-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends,

In an attempt to keep all interested partes up to date with our new bundle o' joy, I am going to give a shot at blogging. First and foremost, I'm going to try to catch up on pics.

(Note: As of today, Nora is 3 weeks and 1 day old.)

Bath time for Nora.

It took a while for Dad and Mom (especially) to lose the hospital bracelets. I guess right from the start we were trying to hold back the hands of time.

Mom on burp duty.

She likes to practice giving mommy and daddy the "stink eye."

I love this pic.

My preciousssss.
I call this "Navajo Burrito."
Rollie-Pollie Nora.

The socks that she's wearing are hand-me-downs from her cousins Max and Ian. I guess we're already pushing the tomboy thing by using a lot of clothes that Heidi (Kara's sister) graciously gave to us. I like to think we have little regard for social norms. A lot of other people who know me would say I'm just cheap.

When I see this pic, I think of that song from Mr. Holland's Opus
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful... beautiful girl.

The sweet hair is really starting to come in.

I can't wait for pigtail length.

Lil' daddy time.

Queen Tut.
Nora's first time going to church.

Sunday April 23rd.

We all hung out in the foyer just for Sacrament meeting. Mommy wanted to get out of the house. We arrived a little late and left a little early. But daddy went back because he loves his new calling working in the nursery.

Yes, the hair is still a-coming.
Lest anyone think that our little one is always the paragon of serenity and happiness...

Get your motor running...
duh da-da duh
Gonna throw a tantrum...
duh da-da duh
That lady's come to change my...
duh da-da duh
Diaper again...
Born to Be Wild!!

I was trying to get a good shot of the skin folds in her now chubby legs, but she loves to thrash those legs around during a diaper change. I think I still see a few folds and creases.

This is her paparazzi talk-to-the-hand shot.

We call this her Spiderman pose which she frequently uses. It is akin to her I-have-a-question pose, which usually happens while sleeping. She will slowly lift one arm in the air high above her head. Kara general turns to her and says, "Yes, Nora do you have a question?"

Spidey II

Chillin' on Omi's blanket.

We'd love for her to find her thumb. She won't take a pacifier and has only found her fist and a random finger momentarily. She seems to lack the muscle control to keep her hands in position.