Norah Katherine Daily

January 2009--Happy New Year!!

2009-02-10T20:50:00.003-06:00

WOW--I can't believe its already 2009!! These are some random pictures from January that I wanted to share. Norah is growing so fast, and she is such a healthy, happy little girl. Her sweet little personality is really starting to show...she seems to do something new every single day! It is so amazing to watch her smile at her Daddy every afternoon when he comes home...I am still at home with her every day, and I love it so much! I know that I will have to go back to work before long, so I'm just enjoying every minute I get to spend here with her. I hope you enjoy these new pictures!
reading with Daddy

sleeping on Noni

laughing at Pops

Aunt Jayma stopped by for a visit

going for a walk on a gorgeous day with Gigi and Papa Lane

Norah was suprised by the wind...it took her breath away!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!!!!

Nana's Girls...Emma, Norah, and Caroline

Caroline and her Uncle Russell

Party Girl

the girls

HANGING OUT AT HOME

Doesn't Norah look like her Daddy?!

Morgan enjoying a little "tummy time" on Norah's play mat

Norah isn't exactly LOVING her tummy pad, but she's getting better at it!

First time in the Bumbo...she did pretty good!

my sweet girl

splish splash...Norah LOVES bath time!

funny girl

Norah loves to watch cartoons in her swing...Oswald is her favorite

just woke up...still in her jammies!

she doesn't like the sun in her eyes!

Norah and GG

sitting on the couch like a big girl

I LOVE this sweet smile!

Uncle Adam and Aunt Wendy both had birthdays on January 14th, so Norah sent them a personalized birthday greeting...it was really cute!

taking an afternoon nap with Daddy

more cartoon-watching...is that bad that she LOVES the TV????

waiting on shots at the doctor's office...smiling because she obviously had no idea what was about to happen

passed out at home after her first shots...Norah did great, and she slept most of that afternoon. Check out the bandaids on both legs

VISITING EMMA AND CAROLINE

Look at my fat girl!! She's almost as big as Caroline!!

Emma was instructing Caroline not to bounce Norah too hard...Norah didn't seem to mind

my sweet Emma Beth

sleepy Caroline

awwwww...

Norah and her Aunt Rachael

now, that's some good sleep!

snuggling with Emma and Norah

MORE VISITORS

Jayma and BJ stopped by on Jayma's birthday, Jan. 31st...Happy Birthday Aunt J!!!

Jessica was in town and stopped by that afternoon, too...Norah loves visitors!

Well, most of the time!! This was later that night, and she was pretty sleepy!

sweet little fat cheeks

out for a stroll

Norah plays in her bouncy seat in the dining room while Russell and I eat dinner..she plays so good by herself! She loves the lion on the mobile. She talks to him...its pretty funny!

napping with her lamb blanket

Mackenzie thought Norah's boppy was pretty comfy!

I took these when I went in to get Norah out of her crib one morning after she started sleeping all night...she always wakes up so happy!

what a funny face!

Some of My Favorites

2009-02-04T21:45:00.000-06:00

These are a few of my favorite pictures of Norah...in no particular order, but I just wanted to add these so that the blog would finally be caught up to the present. Hopefully from now on I will be able to keep everything up-to-date. Thanks for the sweet comments, too; we love to read them and see what everyone has to say about Norah!

This was the day we brought Norah home from the hospital...look at that sweet little face!

I love this sweet smile...she was only 3 weeks old!

wow--how many times have we slept like this on the couch...its so hard to put her down when she's snuggling like this!

Norah's first shoppin trip with her GG and me

snuggle time with Daddy

I think she looks like a little chicken in this one!

serious face

sleepy girl

I love this little rat tail!

GG wanted to try on her hat we used for newborn pictures...as you can see, Norah was less than thrilled!

I just had to include this one...this is how she slept everytime we put her in the car seat for the first 2 months...she still automatically goes to sleep as soon as the car starts moving...will it last??

Norah and her GG

She looks posed, but she really wasn't!

milk drunk

she looks concerned about something

first time in the bouncy seat

she looks so tiny in this one!

this was one of her first naps in her crib...I don't know why her arms are like that!

snuggling with my baby girl

snoozing on Mommy and Daddy's bed

happy girl

watching the mobile on her swing...one of her favorite things to do!

I like the rolls in this one!

I thought she looked so sweet in this one...I LOVE this little lamb gown, too

THE END!!

Norah's Friends

2009-02-03T16:27:00.010-06:00

Norah has had so many visitors, and I just wanted to share a few of the pictures we've taken when friends have stopped by to see our sweet girl...

Auntie Lamm's First Visit

Wesley and Kellie stopped to visit, and one little brown and white dog got a LITTLE jealous...

Auntie Anne Martha

Auntie Jenny

This was Sullivan's first visit...I had to get a picture of the babies with their daddies, and notice both Sullivan and Norah were SCREAMING...hehe

Auntie Beth...we took Norah to Euna's to visit over Thanksgiving while Emily, Beth, and the boys were in town

Charlie is so cute...he said "Touchdown!!!"

Auntie Jayma

Norah loved Jayma...she instantly fell asleep when Jayma started rocking her, then she woke up in a good mood and smiled big...it was so cute!

This is Norah's GG with Carrie and Gillian, her friend Amy's two girls; the girls are sporting the UNA sweatshirts Mom gave them when they got here.

Holidays 2008--Christmas

2009-01-29T10:18:00.016-06:00

HO, HO, HO!!! Merry Christmas!

We had such a wonderful Christmas! Norah turned 6 weeks old on Christmas Day, so we were able to get out and do a little more. Adam, Britain, Jack, Bryan and Wendy all came home, and it was their first time to meet Norah. It was also Bryan and Wendy's first time to see Jack, so we all had a blast hanging out and enjoying the babies. Emma and Caroline are big enough now that Christmas is really fun with them, too...it was so much fun watching them open gifts! I got to visit with several out of town friends over the week, too, and that was so great! Norah did really well, but she ended up catching a cold from me and Russell, and a couple of weeks later it turned into an ear infection...her first time to be sick. We went to the doctor and got an antibiotic, though, and she was finally better after about a week. We were so glad to have our happy girl back! I took SO many pictures over the holidays that it was really hard to choose which ones to include here, but I did my best.

visiting with Nanny and Popa

Jessica and Jack

we busted Jack feeding Mackenzie instead of himself--they became best friends!

look at those big blue eyes!

Jack checking on Norah in her pack-n-play

he looks a little sleepy here...

Adam, Bryan and me

Norah sleeping on Uncle Adam

Jack looks thrilled...

smiling at Uncle Bryan (aka Uncle BS)

GG singing to the babies

Britain, Adam and Jack

sweet...listening to GG sing to Norah

If you could only see me, Adam, Bryan, Wendy, and Britain behind the camera, trying to get Jack to smile...we were acting like idiots and this was the best we got out of him!

how cute!

feeding time

Papa Lane helping get Norah to sleep...what a big day!

Aunt Wendy and Jack being silly

GG, Tiff and Norah

hehe

Lamm, Cook and Knox and Jackie came for a visit...Knox LOVED Norah

...and Mackenzie!

he was so gentle with her!

sweet boy

Jack with Pops and Noni

Norah and Noni

Linda and Jason

Jarrod, Kim, Ethan, Linda, Allison and Jason

Emma and Allison

Norah snoozing in Aunt Linda's arms...she gets heavy after a while!

Norah loves her Nana!

Aunt Rachael modeling the hat and scarf we gave her...pretty!

Caroline, you look so big!

Norah snoozed right through the day!

cousins

Uncle Chad and Aunt Rachael

she looks so peaceful!

sweet sisters

Aunt Rach and Caroline

Nana and Grandaddy (Norah's great grandaddy!)

Emma showing off her ruby slippers...there's no place like home!

I think she was milk-drunk in this one!

Emma and Norah

Holidays 2008--Thanksgiving

2009-01-28T19:43:00.007-06:00

Norah was only 2 weeks old on Thanksgiving Day, so we didn't get her out a lot, but she did make her first trip to Nana's house and GG's house. She pretty much slept the whole time, of course, but it was nice to get out of the house and visit with everyone...the food wasn't bad, either!

Check out the sweet "Baby's First Thanksgiving" outfit

Proud Grandparents

Jessica and GREAT Aunt Regina (does that make you feel old, Regina??)

Norah and Nanny

This was the message we found at the entrance of Nana and Papa's house...how sweet! (Nana, you're pretty good with the sidewalk chalk--guess you've had lots of practice!)

Emma and Caroline

Rachael snapping some pics of my sleepy girl

Emma with Norah, who was wadded up in a little knot, as usual!

Caroline reading a story to Papa and Norah

I just LOVE to watch her sleep!

Let the Fun Begin!

2009-01-28T14:52:00.019-06:00

We were so fortunate to have family and friends checking on us often as we settled in to our life with a new baby. Someone brought us food for practically EVERY meal, and it was so nice to not have to worry about cooking. Norah was such a good baby, and still is...we never really had any problems. She slept so much during the day, probably because she was always being rocked in someone's arms, but at night she was up quite a bit. For the first couple of weeks she woke up to eat about every 2 hours at night...but she would always go right back to sleep, and so would I. It really wasn't that bad...or have I forgotten? I guess I was pretty tired at first, but I was so excited that it never really bothered me!

Sweet Baby

Aunt Linda's first visit

Daddy and Mackenzie discussing how cute Norah is (just kidding, I have no idea what they are discussing...this was before her first trip to the doctor due to acid reflux...poor Norah!)

GG and a slightly-jaundiced Norah

a slightly MORE jaundiced Norah...don't worry, it went away after a few days!

Norah's UNA Lions onesie, a gift from a very school-spirited GG

Papa Lane was finally over his cold and able to come visit

Anthony and Miranda brought Sullivan over to meet Norah

(again, don't I look cute!!)

Miranda and Norah

sweet little sleeping friends

Headed to Norah's 2 week weight check (She already weighed 9 pounds!!)

my sweet baby

Rachael, Chad, Emma and Caroline came to visit before Emma's gymnastics class

Caroline was amazed by this real-life baby doll

A Few of Norah's "Firsts"

Her first stroll

It was SO nice to get out and walk a little...it was my first stroll, too!

Norah and Daddy, in front of the Christmas tree when we got back from our walk...I was so proud that we got our tree up by Thanksgiving!!

sisters

Sunning after her first sponge bath...no tub bath till the umbilical cord falls off

the sweetest little feet I've ever seen!

scrubbing her hair...she actually didn't mind this part

baths make her soooooo sleeeeepy...to this day!

Norah's first tub bath...after the cord FINALLY fell off!

poor baby!

Daddy brushing Norah's hair

ahhhh...its FINALLY over!

10 Weeks Already!!!

2009-01-22T20:55:00.000-06:00

So let me start by saying that I feel so bad that I'm so far behind on this! The first few weeks were so unbelievably busy, and then I got so far behind I wanted to wait until I had plenty of time to sit down and update everyone. Well, I've now admitted to myself that there may never be "plenty of time" again, so I'm going to try to start from the beginning and catch you all up on the last ten weeks. Being home with Norah has been the greatest thing in the world--although I hated for Russell to go back to work, Norah and I have had lots of great bonding time at home together. Her Daddy still gets plenty of time with his baby girl when he gets home, so it all works out great! As most of you probably guessed, I have taken literally thousands of pictures since Norah's birth, so it is going to be really hard to try to pick out only a few for the blog. BUT...I'm going to try. I'll just start from the hospital and work my way forward, so this may take a few days, but here goes...

Waiting...

And FINALLY...Heeeeeeeeeere's Norah!

Watching through the nursery window as Daddy checks out his new little baby girl

We were so blessed to have a waiting room FULL of family and friends when Norah arrived.

Everyone was able to come in pretty soon after she was born to catch their first glimpse of our baby girl. Adam, Britain, Bryan, and Wendy weren't able to come see her till Christmas, but they were the first to see her sweet face...I sent them a picture from the delivery room just minutes after she was born.

Norah's First Visitors

Aunt Rachael, with Anne peeking over her shoulder

Papa

My Nanny (Norah's Great Grandmother)

Proud Cousin Emma

Cousin Jessica, who gladly skipped class at Alabama to come home for Norah's birth!

Papa Lane had a cold, so this is as close as he got, but he was still able to visit for a while

Noni

My Popa (Norah's Great Grandfather)

Our good friend Erin, whose little boy, Grayson, is due in April!

Our good friend, Miranda, whose baby boy, Sullivan, was born just five weeks before Norah

Going Home!!
Norah's sweet grandmothers came to help us pack up and get Norah ready for her trip home...we were so excited to be taking her home! We had lots to pack, it was such a busy day! We also had to get Norah's newborn picture taken at the hospital, which went very well-she smiled so pretty!

Nana

GG (Grandmother Gail)

Ooooh...naked girl! About to get dressed for picures...look how tiny! Little did we know, she wouldn't stay tiny for long!

Daddy taking Norah to the nursery for her picture, and to be discharged home!
We snapped this picure of Norah in her pretty pink gown before they took her newborn picture

Daddy and GG loaded our stuff and got the truck warm...it was pretty cold outside

The painting on top is the one Lamm made for Norah, which now hangs on the door of her nursery, and the bottom one is the one given to us by the hospital
Suggled in her car seat, sleeping and ready for the trip home...we used the pink blanket that my mom brought me home from the hospital in 29 years ago!

Home At Last!!

Norah slept soundly in her car seat all the way home. Although it was a very overcast day, just as we drove into the neighborhood, the clouds parted and the sun peeked through. Nana said the sun came out just for Norah...but even with the sun in her eyes, she didn't wake up until we got inside the house!

Daddy introducing Norah to her big sister, Mackenzie, who had little to say...

Aunties Emily and Jayma came from Birmingham for their first visit

Norah's first time in her swing, which was a gift from Barry and Brenda, and she LOVED it!

Pops

Euna, who brought Norah the sweetest little pink rose

Uncle Chad and Caroline, being silly!

Our first night at home, and Norah's already "watching" her first football game with Daddy

My first time to rock my sweet girl...don't I look cute??!! (hey, I just had a baby... gimme a break!)

Another picture of the cute little lamb swing, which Norah ended up sleeping in for her first month (thanks to acid reflux, she slept much better propped up a little)

Meet Our Sweet Norah

2008-11-13T12:19:00.001-06:00

I almost don't know what to say...its hard to describe how much in love we are with our baby girl. She is so perfect, as I guess all new moms and dads feel, and she has been doing so great. She is now one day old and is sleeping peacefully right in front of us. We watch her every move and then say, "Did you see that?! How cute!" I could not have asked for a better pregnancy, which worried me that labor might be the big finale. I was wrong, though...Norah came so quickly once I was induced, I was barely able to make all the phone calls to get everyone there! My epidural was WONDERFUL, and I stayed comfortable throughout the whole delivery. They even let me watch in a mirror (which was actually so amazing!) Russell held my hand and cheered me on, and I could have never done it without him. He is the best Daddy in the whole world, and you should see the look on his face when he's holding his baby girl. Everyone says she looks like him, by the way, and I think they're right. She has so much hair, and it is light brown with a beautiful touch of red. I'll stop describing her and just show you pictures, and I hope you all get to come visit us very soon. We hope to take her home to meet Morgan and Mackenzie tomorrow around lunch time. Oh, and thank you all SO, SO, SO, much for your visits, calls, prayers, and even all the facebook comments--we feel so loved! So, without further ado, here's the beautiful girl you've been waiting to see!

Much more to come...I'm trying to update this in between feedings and visitors, so please check back often!

We're On Our Way!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-12T21:33:00.002-06:00

No pictures YET, just wanted to let everyone know that we are headed to the hospital at 1130 tonight, and hopefully by sometime early tomorrow we'll have our baby girl! I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who's been checking on us and praying for us. We are more excited than I can possibly describe, and we will be keeping you all updated as the day progresses tomorrow. More later! --Tiff and Russell

It's ALMOST Time!!!!

2008-11-09T21:26:00.010-06:00

So, the big week has FINALLY arrived!! We are going to the hospital late Wednesday night, and Norah should be here some time on Thursday (if she doesn't decide to come sooner!) I realized that I haven't added any new pictures in a while, so I figured I'd add one last post before we have ACTUAL baby pictures to post! The last couple of weeks have gone by pretty slowly--mostly because I've been off work, which sounds like a good thing, but without Russell at home I've been so bored! Our house is clean, I can tell you that much, and NOTHING needs to be organized (I hope!) Now I only have three more days to hang out at home and wait, and finish up a few last minute things. I wanted to share a few pictures that just show what we've been doing while we're waiting....and waiting....and waiting.

Halloween

Caroline and Emma, Norah's sweet cousins

The Skipworths

(my friend Jenny and her adorable family stopped by to visit on their trick-or-treat route)

OK, even though I know this is scary, I'm actually NOT wearing a costume..

Practice Makes Perfect!

We got to babysit for Sullivan (he's 10 weeks now) for a little while on Saturday night, and he was so sweet! I have to say, I think Russell is a natural...

This is why Fall is my favorite time of year--isn't this tree gorgeous?! And its in OUR yard!!

Our little Mackenzie and her Daddy; doesn't she look thrilled?!

Norah's Latest Wardrobe Additions

I had these little outfits made for Norah, and they turned out to be so cute!

And, last but not least, the burp cloth that describes my little girl so well

CHS 10 Year Reunion

2008-10-21T20:30:00.001-05:00

Our 10 year class reunion was Saturday night at the Marriott, and we all had a really good time. It was a little weird seeing everyone after so long, but it was fun to catch up on what we are all doing now. We got together with a lot of people at Anne Martha's lakehouse on Friday night, then the dinner was on Saturday. Emily, Jayma, BJ, Lamm, and Ashley made it in town Saturday morning, and we all got ready at my house before heading to the Marriott. Lamm did a great job planning (I know it was a headache, but it turned out so well!), Euna's flowers were amazing, and my slideshow went over pretty well, too. The girls (and BJ) spent the night afterwards, and they had a birthday breakfast for me the next morning. It really made me miss hanging out with the girls, and we realized as they were leaving that the next time we see each other will probably be when Norah gets here!

Me and Lamm and the lakehouse

Fat Girl, Lamm, and Cara

Russell and me

(my big, pregnant self had to sit at the table and watch all my friends dance, but I laughed until I almost cried--they were hilarious!)

Me and my beautiful friends: Emily, Fat Girl, Anne Martha, Jayma, Ashley, and Lamm

Me, Anne Martha, and Jayma

Jayma and Lamm

Emily and Jayma

HKH Baby Shower

2008-10-20T19:35:00.001-05:00

Our work baby shower with all the Helen Keller girls was on Saturday, and we had such a great time. It was hosted by Debbie Aikin, one of the nurses at work, and her house is UNBELIEVABLE! Its only a few houses down from Dad, so he was able to walk down and say hello at the end (and help us load up our loot!) It was a beautiful day, and we had a wonderful time hanging out--we aren't used to seeing each other without scrubs on!

the cake--yum!

All the girls

Nancy and Rhonda

Check out the adorable diaper cake!

Anita and Mom

Dana, Brittney and Stacey (who prefers to be called Aunt Stacey)

Anne, my Work Mom (she really does take care of me!!), her daughter, Rachel, and sweet grandson, Jackson

me and Mom

Russell stopped by at the end and couldn't resist his turn to hold Jackson--he's such a snuggly little baby!

Meet Sullivan

2008-10-16T16:37:00.006-05:00

Sullivan Grant Haddock

This is Sullivan, and I couldn't resist sharing a picture of his sweet little face. Sullivan was born on October 10 to our really good friends, Anthony and Miranda. He weighed a whopping 6 pounds, and he has a HEAD FULL of brown hair. Everything went so well, and I can only hope that Norah's entrance into the world goes as smoothly. He is a beautiful baby, and everyone is home and doing great. Congratulations, you guys!!!!!!

Check out all that hair!!

Getting Closer, and Growing Every Day!

2008-09-28T19:55:00.007-05:00

Well, there it is. My belly. IT'S GETTING HUGE! Norah is growing so much, and I don't know how much bigger she can get before I pop! We had a quick ultrasound last week, and our doctor said that she weighs about 4 pounds now. She is already positioned with her head down, and she was facing my back, so we really couldn't get any good 3-D shots of her face, but he did tell us that everything looks great and that she is STILL A GIRL--how refreshing! He also told us that he could tell by the ultrasound that she already has hair, so maybe she won't be completely bald at birth! Anyway, we were just glad to see that she looks healthy, and she is moving so much all the time that I have a constant reminder of just how tight her living quarters are becoming. We have another appointment a week from tomorrow, and he promised to try for more pictures then, so maybe we'll get a peek of her sweet face soon.

Sunday after church at Nana's house

The Nursery is FINISHED...and I Feel Fine

2008-09-16T20:06:00.005-05:00

I am 31 weeks now (my, how time flies!) and I think we have finally finished all the big stuff in the nursery...however, I know that we will probably move things around a HUNDRED times over the next two months before Norah gets here. Russell worked SO hard to help me today, and it looks so good! I really don't feel like these pictures do it justice, but I am so very proud of our little girl's room. Now, all we need is a sweet little baby to put in it!

This is the antique dresser that we bought to use as a changing table. We had it painted white, and the glass knobs on it are so cute. Russell made dividers for the drawers, because all her clothes are so tiny! Rachael gave us our first pack of newborn diapers, and they are so little they look like they would only fit a baby doll!

We had a guy install lots of little shelves in Norah's closet to give us more storage space. As you can see, she already has quite the wardrobe! Mom found some of my dresses from my baby days, and, after having them dry-cleaned, they look brand spankin' new! I can't wait to see Norah in those little dresses!

I'm still quite proud of my fabric letters and thought they deserved another spot on the blog...Russell put this shelf up over the changing table, and it looks great.

This is the wall art Ashley made for Norah, and it matches her rug perfectly...did I mention that her artistic ability makes me sick?? Just kidding, Lamm, I'm glad I know at least ONE person with an artistic bone in her body!

This is just another shot of the nursery as you walk in the door...

I painted these three little birdhouses to go on top of the bookshelf...that's sort of artistic, right?

Baby Shower Fun

2008-09-08T15:54:00.014-05:00

We had our first baby shower on Saturday, and it was so much fun! It was an outdoor shower given by our friends at Euna's house, and the weather was perfect. Her flowers were beautiful and the food was excellent, as usual! We got so many beautiful gifts, and it made me even more excited (if that's possible) about Norah's arrival...I can't WAIT to see her in all these adorable clothes!! I had a great time putting everything away in the nursery, and now it really looks like a little girl's room! Russell and I want to say thanks again to everyone who helped and everyone who came to celebrate with us--you all made it such a special day for us! We can't wait until we have our little girl here to show off all these great gifts...stay tuned!

This is the invitation that Ashley (a.k.a. Lamm) designed for the shower. She is so creative she makes me sick! She designed the bird on the invitation to match our rug in the nursery, and I was so impressed! Thanks again, Lamm!

Look at all the pretty gifts!

Even though she doesn't look like it, Emily does occasionally eat...

Every single gift was just so cute, I couldn't stand it!

Jayma and Knox, Ashley's Little Cutie

Norah's Baby Einstein Lullaby Soother

Rachael and Mom (a.k.a Aunt Rachael and Gigi)

Check out the adorable pink giraffe hooded towel, compliments of Betsy

Auntie Emily, Tiff and Emma

Julie and Amy

I love this cute little gown from Anne and Anne Martha!

Ashley, Anne Martha and Anne

Russell came at the end to thank everyone, help load all our gifts, and sample all the great food!

Norah's Nana, Mommy, Gigi, and Noni

All the Girls!!!!

Emily, Emma, Rachael, Tiff, Ashley, Jayma, Anne Martha, Julie, and Amy

Thanks again to everyone--the shower was so great!

So Here's What We've Been Up To...

2008-08-28T21:36:00.004-05:00

We've been working on the nursery a little at a time, and I think we may ALMOST be finished...for now

Russell and Mackenzie checking out Norah's room (Mo likes to get under the crib)

Sweet Caroline on her first birthday

Emma's fifth birthday party--I can't believe how big she's getting! She kisses my belly every time she sees me and talks to Norah. She is so excited about her baby cousin!

28 Weeks...and Counting!!

2008-08-24T21:00:00.000-05:00

It blows my mind every time I see myself in a picture--I can't believe how big I (and Norah) am getting!! She is definitely going to be a soccer player, I've decided. She never stops moving, but I love every minute of it! We are still working on the nursery, and hopefully it will be finished soon. We will get our 4-D ultrasound in the next couple of weeks, and I can't wait!!! Russell is doing REALLY well putting up with his big, pregnant wife, by the way. He has been so great about helping me now that I am getting too big to do certain things (like tie my shoes!) Maybe he can make it a couple more months!

Beach Trip

2008-08-03T20:58:00.009-05:00

Our annual beach trip with Russell's family was great as usual! I thought the long drive might be tough now that I'm pregnant, but we stopped enough that I did pretty well! The girls were such good travelers, and we all had a really good time. I know these don't have that much to do with Norah, but she was there just the same, so I wanted to post a few pics.

Russell and Nana

Emma

Caroline

Papa and Emma at "The Track"
She had a BLAST riding go carts and bumper boats with the boys!

22 Week Ultrasound

2008-07-15T17:44:00.006-05:00

This is our sweet little girl--she's really growing! On the first one it looks like she might be sucking her thumb. Russell got to feel her kick for the first time a couple of nights ago, and it was so cool! Its amazing how strong she is to only weigh about one pound! I have finally been able to feel her moving on a regular basis, which is a great feeling. She usually makes her presence known at night when I'm quiet (if THAT ever happens!) and lying down. Anyway, the doctor said everything looked great, which was really comforting. We are heading to the beach with Russell's family for Norah's first vacation on Saturday, so we should have new pictures to post soon!

The Nursery

2008-07-07T20:35:00.010-05:00

Our crib FINALLY arrived, and we put it together right away. I couldn't wait to see how the sweet pink and green bedding we bought would look on the beautiful white crib. It took a little while to get it put together and figure out the bedding (lots of bows!), but we are so happy with it. Norah's room is really starting to look like a nursery now. The walls are pale green, even though its hard to tell in the pictures, and the pink bedding is lined with green and white gingham. It all looks great together!

Daddy is much better than me about reading the instructions, so...

He started sorting through the pieces while...

Mackenzie and I supervised!

the finished product

20 Week Belly Shot

2008-07-06T20:51:00.002-05:00

When I saw this picture I almost couldn't believe it was me--I don't feel this huge!! I'm just glad Norah is growing and doing well. We had an ultrasound on Thursday, and Dr. Allen said everything looked great--she's still a girl! We just love getting to see her little fingers and toes and hearing her heartbeat. He printed a 3-D picture for us, but I'll spare you that one because she still looks like a little alien in those! We will have some good pictures after my 22 week screening ultrasound on July 15th.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

2008-07-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

Norah got to experience her first fireworks show on the 4th. We shot fireworks at Rachael and Chad's, and Kathy (Nana) brought me a pillow to cover my belly because she was afraid it might be too loud for Norah's little ears--she did move an awful lot! I practiced with our new camera and took these shots of the fireworks. Some of them turned out to be pretty neat! Emma loved the fireworks, but she watched the finale from Russell's truck because it did get pretty loud.

19 Week Belly Shot

2008-06-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

Still Growing...
Even in scrubs, everyone at work is finally starting to notice my ever-expanding belly. How nice it is to be pregnant and get to wear pajamas to work every day!

Daddy's Birthday

2008-06-22T16:39:00.000-05:00

After church on Sunday, out in Kathy's beautiful back yard

Today Russell celebrated his 29th birthday! We had cake and ice cream at Kathy's house (or Nana, to Norah) and then we swam. Emma was excited to help Uncle Russell blow out ALL those candles!