Happy Birthday Norah!!!

What a wonderful journey this first year of Norah's life has been!! She has such a personality on her and does she have both her Mom and Dad in her, and not just the great qualities we possess. Before getting to the pictures of her 1st Birthday party I have posted the pictures of her since she arrived into the world, our hearts and lives.

Norah's Stats - 22.2 lbs, 27 in. long, head circumference 46 cm, and she is walking all by herself. Norah and Daddy, just days old.3 weeks old - Fast asleep after a meal2 months - sleeping in her bouncy chair2 months - fast asleep in Venizia3 months - Meeting her brother for the first time. So precious these two.4 Months - chillin' on the couch. That smile she gives melts mine everytime.5 Months - working on tummy time

6 Months - getting her beauty sleep.

6 Months - Her first dip in a pool, not happy about it.

7 Months - sleeping yet again, such a precious time.

7 Months - Hanging out with Dad.

8 Months - Norah rubbing he feet on Bella's fur.

7 Months - she is like her mother in so many ways....

8 Months - what happens when you look away for just a moment.

9 Months - Hanging out with her best friend.

10 Months - What a cute catapillar she made for Halloween.

10 Months - Norah and Tyler after Thanksgiving dinner

11 Months - Norah working on, "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" after opening her Christmas presents.

Now onto her birthday party...... Ariel Jeff and Nancy D., and Veronica (caught off guard). Norah watching Veronica talk. Cassie trying to pull Norah closer for a hug... Norah was not sure what to think of it at first but gave Cassie a hug. After the hug. Ivana and Isaac, he looks so much like his Mom. Ariel chewing on a block. Norah and her play so well together. Cassie, working on her shapes....yes that is a square. One of Norah's good friends. Nicholaus and Cassie Norah being read to by Veronica while the others eat. Eric and Issac Isaac, a future football player. Norah and her first taste of sweets. She kept picking at it like a little lady. Clapping her hands to make more of a mess before her bath. Trying to get the frosting off of her hand. "What Mom?" Blowing kisses... I think I am getting full. All cleaned up and read to open presents. She loves the book Cassie got for her. Nicholaus being cute. Trying to pull out the present. Thank you Ariel for the cups and clothes, they are cute! Nicholaus and Issac, I LOVE the dress and Hello, Baby! book. Veronica you are the real Dora, but I think my name is closer to being Dora. This is such a "deep" book Miss Veronica and thank you for the warm up suit, I will try it on later. Hello Kitty dishes, Mom you shouldn't have. Yes, MONEY oh wait, I have to go to college to use it. Thanks 529 plan. This is going to be fun, thank you Mom and Dad. This kind of looks like the Very Hungry Caterpiller but this sings ABC's.

Norah in her dress from Nicholaus and Isaac and playing with her new toy.

What a pose! Such a cutie pie! Norah in her first velour warm-up suit working on walking by herself. I think this is it. Yep it is! She must remember some of my yoga poses......downward facing dog, I love it! "What did you think Mom?"

Verona 2009

A few days after Christmas we decided to head to Verona with a few friends. The town is about 2 hours North of where we live and has such romance. Dennis and I were there in 2007 for St. Patricks day and did not get to see Juliet's window or any other touristy stuff. We decided we would do it now while the mood struck us.

This is Juliet's window....Romeo, Romeo, where for out thou Romeo?
Here is my Romeo.....lengend has it if you rub her boob it will bring you much love in your life with your partner.I had to do it to......I am VERY short compared to her.The balconies are facing the town square (Piazza) and so calming.Here is the town square (Piazza). We looked around for a litle at the different vendors and the items they were selling. One even had roasted chestnuts!The fountain in the center of the piazza.They even paint murals on the side of their buildings with such detail.Norah and I walking.......Getting a little closer....This is one the the castles in Verona. It is now a museum filled with beautiful artwork and medieval weaponry.Norah and I in the courtyard of the castle.

All of us in the courtyard....

The Parsons, and us in the courtyard.

This was only one section of the courtyard, it was massive.

Looking out from the castle onto the river.

Another angle

A bridge that leads to the castle

Norah walking with Dad in the museum.

more walking with Dad.

Norah and Cassie talking in the museum.....just wait for it.

Norah and Cassie giving loves to each other....how precious!Us walking around Verona.

It was a great time. A little cold at times but, well worth it all. Norah even got a new beanie out of it from the Disney Store because she kept pulling her other one off and this one in the picture above stays in place. It even covers her ears better.

Christmas

Christmas Eve it is a family tradition to open one present (pajamas) and wear them to bed. Norah was the first to open hers before getting ready for bed. She was not so sure about ripping the paper, so Dad had to help. These are just the cutest, and waffle knit too....WARM!

We could have given Norah bows and she would have been just happy with that.... Trying to eat the bow. She did get a shape sorter and LOVED banging them together!! When she was not banging them she was eating them. "Hey Mom, what can I do now?"
How big is Norah..........She's SOOOOO BIIIGG!! (She puts her arms up over her head when she hears the phrase.

"This is the way we clap our hands, clap our hands, clap our hands. This is the way we clap our hands early in the morning." Norah LOVES the mailbox toy she got from Santa. It sings, counts, and plays games.

"Mom and Dad I am done playing with this; how about something else."

Monica Taurian gave this dress to Norah shortly after she was born. It is just beautiful for her first Christmas dress pictures. "Okay, you got my picture, can I get out of this dress now?"

Dad helping Norah stand.

Norah decided to let go and tried to walk.........but fell to the ground. Soon enough we will be chasing her around the house. I had to brush her hair after the fall. I put the brush down to grab the camera and she snagged it. I could not get it out of her hands after that.

Norah and her bear.

"What is this?" Norah giving LOVES (hugs & kisses) to her bear.........it is the sweetest thing.

Art is in the eye of the beholder.

I have looked high and low for a painting that I could be happy to look at everyday and be happy with. Dennis said the painting option was up to me but it was important that we both would enjoy it. This past bazaar this one caught my eye. Up close you can see the palate knife marks he used for the texture of the painting. The painting is of the Amalfi Coast of Italy and what a beautiful job he did in capturing the feeling.