30 Months

That's 2 1/2 years, just in case you need help with the math!  That's also how old Ethan was on Monday.  Since bringing Nora home, Ethan has looked SO big!  He is also independent, smart and funny.  Sometimes I can't believe the things that come out of his mouth.  I love to listen to him talk.  We actually have real conversations.  Aside from the whining episodes that (I hope) all 2 year olds display, this kid is the sweetest.  He loves to show us his affection with hugs and kisses.  He is an awesome big brother.  He still would rather be outside than anywhere else.  He is his daddy's boy.  Every night when Jared comes home from work, he yells 'Daddy' and runs to the door.  He is into just about anything that involves a ball and is starting to show more interest in cars and trains.  I guess he's just a typical boy!  He has been sleeping in his big boy bed for almost 4 months now and loves it.  I'm not sure how many times he gets up during nap or before falling asleep at night, but he's always asleep when we come in to check on him.  The last two and a half years have flown by and we aren't sure what we did before then.  We love you Ethan James!

Look at those big blue eyes!

'Cheese' smile

Helping give Nora a bath (and working on what his crown says)

Baby Dedication

Sunday was the baby dedication service at our church and we chose to participate with Nora.  My parents, as well as Jared's came back up on Sunday afternoon to be involved.  It was a very nice service and definitely gave Jared and I something to think about.  We were given 'homework' to complete prior to the service and part of it was to 'Imagine the End', 18 years from now.  It brings me to tears just about every time I think about it!  18 years from now?!? Really?  My baby is only 5 weeks old!  But it was a very good exercise for us.  It was basically calling us to imagine the person/young woman we want Nora to become.  It's easier to make it on a daily basis when you have a target or goal to focus on.  It all boils down to, us wanting our daughter (and son) to know Jesus Christ and have a relationship with Him.  Whatever we do while raising our children needs to point them in that direction.  Period.  As a gift from our chruch to the families who participated, we all got free family photos taken by a professional photographer.  He also took a 'class' photo of all the babies who were dedicated that day.  It was a great afternoon and one that will be rememberd.

My snapshot of the professional photo

Grandma Karen and Nora

They took all the carseats and arranged them and then took the pictures of just a few babies at a time.  And with the magic of photoshop, he will combine all the pictures for one big 'class' photo!  I'm looking forward to seeing it.  I'll try to post it if I can get a hold of one.

Happy Thanksgiving...

I'm a little late, I know.  We hosted our families here for Thanksgiving this year.  And I must say, it was nice not traveling.  We had a lot of great help, so I wasn't stressed in the least!  Jared and I decided we were not going to do the traditional Thanksgiving meal, so we opted for some delicious pork loin!  Jared researched quite a bit for some pork marinade recipes and his turned out great.  I made an appetizer, pumpkin cheesecake and helped with the twice baked potatoes; the rest of the meal came with our guests.  We had my mom and dad, Abby and Alex, Jared's mom (his dad had to work) and Dustin and Amanda.  I forgot to take a picture of the spread, but it was all wonderful and we have delicious left overs to finish up.  Here are a few pictures from our day.

Nora finally got to meet her Uncle Alex.  They got along great!

Amanda, Ethan and Uncle Dustin

Gobble Gobble Boy (even if there was not turkey...)

Dessert plate!

Karen is a happy dishwasher! :)

Grandma Terri and Nora

Alex and Abby (with a moustache)

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are ready for a Merry Christmas!  I am!  Christmas decorations are up!  Pictures to come after we get our tree. 

One Month

Nora is 1 month old today!  And it has been one of the fastest and slowest months all rolled into one...if that makes sense.  Anyway, she is such a sweet baby and a blessing to our family.
A few noteworthy things about our Nora at 1 month:
* Sleeping... She generally wakes up once during the night somewhere between 3 and 4:30 am.  Which gives us 4-5 hours of uninterrupted sleep!
* Eating... Other than at night, she is pretty consistant at every 3 hours.
* She is starting to stay happily awake for longer and longer at a time (which I love!)
* She makes adorable faces, one in particular I call the 'Zoolander' (see below)
* The girl likes to poop (sorry if this is TMI).  I don't think I've ever been pooped on as much as I have in the last month!
* She loves her brother.  (And he loves her).  He will sit by her bouncy seat and talk to her and 'pet' her head.
* According to our scale, she weighs approximately 11.5 lbs. 

1 Month Old Nora

The 'Zoolander' Face

Our 2 Blessings! 

Nora Meets Her Cousins

My brother, Jim, and his family came to Salem yesterday for a couple days and they still haden't met Nora.  Since we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house on Friday we weren't planning on a trip to Salem.  Then, work schedules interfered and they were not going to be able to make it here for Thanksgiving, so I decided to make a day trip to Salem.  Ethan had fun playing with Josiah and everyone was able to meet Nora.  It was a quick trip and a long day, but worth it.  I didn't take enough pictures, as usual.  I wanted one of Paige and Nora, since Paige has been asking for a baby sister :).  I'm pretty sure Nora is as close as she is going to get!

Ethan and Josiah playing some pool

Jim, Pop (on his lunch hour) and Nora

5 of the 7 (soon to be 8) Cousins!  Ethan wasn't really wanting to be there. 
Oh...the 8th is coming in April from Sarah :).  It's a girl!

Christmastime!

I know, I know, we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet. But Saturday night was the Christmas Lights Parade in downtown Decatur. And we went. But I have not started decorating our house yet...but I'm ready to! It wasn't too cold (a bit windy) and Ethan had a good time. Nora did what she does...slept.

Santa's Reindeer were even there.  I couldn't get a decent picture of Ethan with them.

There was an official 'lighting ceremony' to turn the Christrmas lights on.

Nora in her new hat.

We met Braden and Heather there.

This was the boy's favorite float (along with the firetrucks)

Daddy and Ethan heading to the car

Happy Friday!

As I was laying in bed this morning with both, Ethan and Nora, I couldn't help but think about how blessed we are!  So...I thought I would share a few pictures of our 2 little blessings from the past few days. 

Look closely and notice the remote in his hand.  He turned the TV on in our bedroom, found the golf channel, and was happily watching The President's Cup when I came in to see what he was doing. 

Clean baby Nora

They are so much alike!  Watching some golf video on the iPad.

All ready for bed!

He has been wanting to hold her, so I had to take a picture.  He also wanted to wear his hat in the house...

Morning at the Park!

It is November 14 and it was 70 degrees this morning!  Aside from the wind, it was beautiful so we decided to head to the park.  Side note...this was my first time leaving the house with both kids alone, and we all made it home safely!  We played on the playground, explored the area and looked at the water fountain or water 'mountain' as Ethan would say! 

Fun times!

Crawling through the big orange tunnel

Checking out the 'naturally' green water

Nora enjoyed her morning at the park too!

Such a cute kid!

Visitors

Grandma Karen and Grandpa had the day off on Friday, so they, along with Uncle Dustin and Amanda headed up to spend some time with Ethan and Nora.  We were happy to have them.  Ethan loves the extra attention and people to play with! 

Grandpa and Nora time

Kick ball with Dustin and Grandma Karen

I Love My Uncle(s)!

2 Weeks and 2 and a Half Years

Nora is 2 weeks old today!  And Ethan is (almost) 2 1/2 years old.  Where did those last 2 years go?!?  Anyway, they both had doctor's appointments today and did great. 

A Little Sleeping Looking Here...

Nora weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 12 oz.  That's over a pound more than when she was born (she was 7, 11)!  The doctor was impressed and happy with her progress.  She is eating and sleeping well and I don't think I could ask for more out of our sweet 2 week old!

Ornery 2.5 year old

Ethan is also doing great.  Weighing in at 28 lbs and is 2 ft. 11 in tall.  He got 2 shots today and was a trooper.  He was rewarded with 2 stickers and 2 suckers before we left the office.  The good news is, he won't have any more shots until he goes to kindergarten!  He keeps telling me that the band-aid on his leg is feeling better.  Such a funny kid.  I love to hear the things that come out of his mouth. 

Week in Review

I realize that it's been a whole week since I last posted.  We've been busy just staying around the house.  We are all getting settled and adjusting well to having Nora home.  Ethan loves his baby sister.  He likes to look at her toes and pet her head.  On Saturday night we made our first trip to church as a family of 4.  Nora did great...she slept the whole time and Ethan, as always, had a good time in his class.

Ready for 1st time to Church

Ethan likes to help carry her carseat

This is just one from around the house.  Ethan was talking to her so I grabbed the camera.  He's such a sweet big brother to Nora!

On Monday afternoon, my mom came up to spend a couple days.  She left today :(.   It was so great having her here.  Jared decided to get sick on Monday night, so it was especially nice to have my mom here to help out.  (He's better now after spending most of Tuesday in bed).  She says she didn't help out much, but I disagree!  She was great at occupying Ethan, holding/cuddling with Nora and doing laundry.  Thanks so much for coming mom!  It was fun!

Ethan is really into this Batman book.  My mom got to know it well!

Max, Ethan, Grandma Terri and Nora

Nora Photoshoot

Nora is 1 week old today!  Yesterday, during naptime we had a little photoshoot.  I am by no means a photographer, but I think I got a couple decent ones.  We had a real photoshoot today (with a real photographer) and I can't wait to see the pictures.  Until then, these will have to do!