Tag, I'm It!

Well, Irma has tagged me (I guess to insure that I actually update my blog again sometime this summer)...so here goes nothing!

First memory - After watching the winter Olympics, I remember desperately wanting to try ice skating, but alas, we had no skating rinks here. As if in answer to my prayers, I woke up to a "freeze", and begged my mom to let me go skating on a mud puddle I'd found outside. She said, "No", but I disobeyed her and went anyway as soon as she had her back turned. Of course, the puddle wasn't frozen very hard, so within a few seconds the ice broke and I fell and ripped my pants and cut my knee. I was so afraid my mom was going to pulverize me for ruining my clothes and not listening to her--but instead she dried my tears and cleaned me up, and just reminded me why it was important to listen and do what I was told.

First real kiss - Jason Robinson, senior year of high school, Christmas Eve at Gabbard Park...where he later proposed.

First love - Jason...again...I wasn't much into the dating scene prior to him.

First thing you think in the morning - What is on my to-do list today?

First question you'll ask in heaven - I can't think of anything "down here" that would matter too much "up there"

First thing you think of when you hear the word vacation - YES!!!!

First best friend - Amanda White. We were Brownie girl scouts together and all but rode a groove in the road between our houses on our bikes. Then her family moved to College Station and she switched schools...I haven't seen her since.

Last time you dressed up -Last weekend for David and Melissa's wedding (and Jason told me I looked "very pretty"!)

Last thing you ate -Ramen Noodles...call it a pregnancy craving

Last CD you bought - Joy Williams' "Genesis" CD...but that was a couple years back...I'm more into downloading from Itunes these days.

Last good book you read - "The Last Sin Eater" by Francine Rivers...actually, I have about 20 pages left, but I've really loved it so far!

Last time you cried - This morning when Jason left for a disc golf tourney. Pregnancy hormones...

Last time you told someone you loved them -a few minutes ago...Norah is just too lovable!

Last really funny thing you did - went to Walgreens with hot-rollers in my hair, topped with a do-rag, in hopes that no one would notice the rollers.

Last thing you watched on TV -WonderPets!

I tag...Jenny, Sheri D, and Erin!!

What I'm ExCiTeD about...
Meeting our new baby

Mellow Yellow, and More Excuses

I really did used to keep a fairly regular blog. These past couple of weeks have FLOWN by so fast! When I realized this morning it had been over two weeks since my last update, I decided enough was enough. If anyone's still out there reading, thanks for not giving up on us. I'll try to do better.

These pictures were on my camera from a couple weeks ago, but I figured something was better than nothing. I had dressed Norah in a yellow shirt and shorts, and she decided the hat was a perfect match.







What tickled me more, was the fact that she seemed drawn to play with only yellow toys, too. Guess that'll teach me to dress her in a monochromatic color scheme.

Last Thursday morning (at 1:35am, to be exact), we experienced Norah's first-ever stomach bug, and it is not something I wish to revisit any time soon. Jason and I both sat up with her, comforting and cleaning her up each time she would get sick. After we got a "routine" down (you'd be amazed how little you think about what to do with a throwing-up baby until you actually have one on your hands), I finally convinced Jason to go back to bed (he had to be at work in a few hours) and I sat up with her until 5am, when she finally slept peacefully, with the bug behind her. Surprisingly, she was awake, perky and normal just 3 hours later...which didn't leave me with much sleep, but I was just thankful she felt better.
The next day, we were on the road to Abilene for my cousin, Melissa's wedding. It was a fun weekend. We stayed at the same motel as my mom, Jonathan, Amanda, and Trae. AA spoiled Norah (as usual) with a new outfit, some lime green crocs, and a Little People Tea party set (all of which she loves) And, of course, we had to check out the Mall of Abilene (where Amanda convinced me to buy some very impractical, uncomfortable shoes...but they really are cute and I do love them) It was good to catch up up with family (near and extended) and the wedding was absolutely beautiful. (We sent the bride and groom off with a fanfare of sparklers at sunset--very romantic) It was fun to go out-of-town, too...Jason and I aren't big travelers, so its an adventure for us, everywhere we go!

Finally, this last picture, I thought, needed a little explanation. We have crossed somewhat of a hurdle, in that Norah will now watch something other than her beloved "Bob" ("VeggieTales"). Jason and I bought a "Wonderpets" dvd, and she is in love. Now, instead of Bob, she asks for "Behts?" It's pretty fun to watch her watch them, too. If you have ever seen the Wonderpets, then you'll understand--they pretty well sing the same few songs in every episode, so kids can pick up the words/tune pretty easily. Norah's favorite part of the song is, "Go Wonderpets, yea!" (Which, by the way, must be exclaimed at the top of her lungs with her head kicked back, as pictured above)

That's pretty much what's been going on in the County (and other parts of Texas) these past couple weeks. I'll try to check back soon!

Where We've Been?

Well, we've been away (from the blog-world, at least) for a while, so I'm sure inquiring minds (all 3 of my regular readers) are just dying to know to what was so important that I couldn't find time to update. Well, my first answer is pictured at left. I mean, come on, if you had a choice between sitting in front of your computer, trying, to no avail to think up witty things to say...OR, satisfying this precious girl's request for a mommy-hug...which would you pick?

Actually, my second reason for the hiatus is also pictured above. I've been working on a little sewing project for Norah. Granted, this was no major-seamstress job--just some of that fun, pre-smocked fabric you can buy at any fabric store that only needs a seam down the back, and a little bit of hemming. As simple a dress as it is, I think my model really pulls it off.




When I saw this red-white-and blue striped fabric, I just had to make a little July 4th weekend dress for my favorite girl. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that in all her 17 months, this is the first article of clothing I've attempted to sew for Norah...and she loves it! I had to try it on her a bazillion times when I was trying to get the strap length/width adjusted, and she was always more than happy to comply. She spun in circles for me and everything! Sweet girl. So maybe I can make this a semi-regular thing...we'll see. My next project is a matching pair of bloomers from the left-over fabric. (I have a thing about bloomers--it really bugs me for her diaper to show under her dress)



Here is yet, another reason for the blog-free week. I had a massive cake! You can't really tell from the picture, but this cake is actually 8-layers. It's about 18 inches tall, and weighs close to 20 lbs. It was time-consuming, but also pretty fun to make! The "towers" are frosted ice cream cones, covered in edible hot pink glitter.






Oh, one last thing before I go...Norah has been trying to say "hi" to her friends out there in blogland, and it was just too cute a face for me not to share. So from Norah to you, "Hi!"

Easy Contest--Great Prize

The Wooden Porch is hosting a contest with a $25 gift card to JoAnn's as the grand prize...and all you have to do to enter is leave a comment! Drop by and drop her a line before June 18th if you're interested!

One Toddler's Opinion

This morning, I had a conversation with a couple other moms of toddlers, and our topic turned to our kids' increasing tendencies to have their opinions known.

It didn't hit me until later how true that topic rang around this house. This afternoon, Norah emerged from her room with a sippy cup she'd stashed after breakfast, thereby containing warm, congealing milk. I grabbed it from her as soon as I saw it headed to her lips (come on, that's just gross!) and she immediately cried "More! More, please!" I went into the kitchen to get her a fresh cup and began filling it with cold water from the fridge. Norah, at my heels, immediately began protesting, "No! Mahk! Mahk!" (Translation: No, Milk, Milk!) Apparently, when she asked for more, she really did mean more, not just a consolation beverage. So I poured out the water and topped her off with some fresh milk.
With said milk in tow, she climbed into Jason's recliner and announced with enthusiasm, "Bob....please!" This is her way of telling me that she'd like to watch Veggie Tales. She has been on a major veggie kick lately. I put on a Backyardigans dvd a few days ago and she put both hands palm up, as if to say, "What?" and then said, "Bob?" (you could hear the question mark in her voice) While part of me finds it a little early to be catering to the opinions of my little girl, I guess the majority of me is just thankful that she has enough grasp of the English language to make her wishes known, so at least I'm not completely clueless as to why she's disgruntled.

Gak-ees

The first thing Norah noticed this morning when Jason got her up, was her beloved "Gak-ees" (glasses, for those of you not fluent in toddler-speak). After Norah requested her "gak-ees" a couple of times, Daddy lovingly obliged. She didn't take them off until she had finished her breakfast.

A Discovery in (Poor) Pictures

Norah had a marvelous discovery this evening, but sadly, due to Mommy's lack of photo taking skill, you'll have to use your imagination a little bit. Just after dinner, Norah went into the dark kitchen and found her shadow waiting for her on the dishwasher door. While the shadow is not visible (due to my aforementioned lack of photography prowess), I still thought the pictures were worth sharing.




Hey...who's that? I don't recall seeing that dark figure on the dishwasher door before now.















Aaaaaaaaa! It moves when I move! Creepy!


















When I touch it, it touches me back. That's funny...I don't feel anything....

















Check it out! She knows "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes", too! This girl might not be too bad. She's about my size too. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.












Hey!? Where'd she go? Maybe if I wait here I can jump up and surprise her when she gets back.....Still waiting...






By the way, did you happen to notice that for the duration of this post I've been walking on the tile floors with NO SHOES? Yeah, I figured if that shadow kid could hack it, so can I.