It Ain't All Roses

Dear Norah Bird,

I'm so relieved that from day to day you seem to be such a happy baby in your own little world. Especially since you've been through some rough patches with your hospitalizations, tests, procedures, PICC line, and daily antibiotics over the last 5 months. You seem to take it all in stride, living moment to moment. Your Dad and I try our hardest to make your environment a positive one where you can grow up feeling loved and secure. We aim to expose you to the traits that we value in our relationship so that you can grow up with a strong sense of family.

Every once in a while, however, something happens that tries our patience with life and with each other. This week has been one of those times. For the last year, your father and I have been sharing a car. One car per family is almost unheard of anymore but we couldn't afford the extra car payment and so before moving to Delaware we sold your Dad's grampsmobile Sebring. We figured that because I wouldn't be working, this arrangement would mostly work out for us even if it came with some inconveniences.

That's right. I married the guy who drove this.

And there have been many inconveniences for all involved. First of all, Subarus are apparently notorious for not being very accommodating of infant car seats. We discovered this only after we installed your car seat two weeks (okay, two days) before your due date. It somehow takes up the whole car! With your Dad and I both in the front seat, it seems as though you are almost directly between our shoulders. This leaves little room in the back seat for much else, let alone Oakley. Oakley took the biggest hit here. He used to have the whole back seat to himself where he would sprawl out on long car trips or stick his head out the window like any other self-respecting dog would do. Now, not only can he not stick his head out the window because of your infant car window shades, but he also has to sit in the back. As in, the way back. And we don't have a forester or even a wagon. We have a 2005 Subaru Impreza hatchback. By the time you're old enough to drive they probably won't even make hatchbacks anymore.
 

So if the four of us want to go somewhere, as we often do, Oakley has to hop in the hatchback (and then sit on his tail and duck at just the right moment as we close it) while your dad and I ride up front with our knees wedged into the dashboard. This is why when you fuss about being in your car seat on long trips, we're not always very sympathetic. And with Oakley now hating life in the back hatch, this means that all of our your crap has to go on top of the car in a cargo carrier. Sometimes on short trips we'll cram your stroller in the back hatch and let Oakley sit prim and proper on the back seat next to you. I'm not sure if he enjoys this anymore than the back hatch as he is crammed between the infant pulling on his collar and the window he can't even look out of while sitting entirely still so that he doesn't fall off the seat.

The Shampine clown car.

"Stupid baby shade."

Sigh...

Another inconvenience of the one car family is that whenever you or I have an appointment during the week or want to get together with your baby friends, we have to load up and be out the door at 7:30 to drive your Dad to work. On these mornings you, of course, choose to sleep in so that we have to wake you and we're not ones to wake sleeping babies by choice. I have no idea how 2-working-parent households do this every morning. We're getting better at it but it's still an art form we haven't mastered - getting us all out the door by a certain time. Luckily for us, you seem to enjoy your morning rides. You rarely fuss and usually babble to yourself in the back seat while playing with your car seat toys.

Alas, these are all the inconveniences that come with a car that actually works. This past week, Subey tried our patience. First it was the battery. Again. Then it was the alternator. Then, and finally, it was the computer timing thingamabob. It took a week to get it all straight and in the meantime there were doctor's appointments, play dates and library programs missed as we puttered our way to Dad's work each morning thinking we had fixed the problem only to turn around and head back home for another day sans car.

Obviously a broken car is neither your Dad's fault nor mine but that didn't stop us from bickering about it. At first it was because we couldn't understand why the other one was driving so erratically and kept stalling the car at stops. Then we let the stress of unknown and potentially costly car repairs get the best of us. This was all compounded by the facts that Subey is our only car and that it carries precious cargo (that takes up the whole back seat, as previously mentioned). Stalling in the middle of an intersection in Delaware during the Summer's first heat wave was something I feared.

Because you're too young to understand that when your Dad and I argue it doesn't mean we don't still love each other, we try our best not to do it when you're around (or at all, but let's face it - we're not saints). But our car got the best of us this week and it was a long, hot, trying week. So there were a couple of mornings when Dad and I bickered on our way to his work (and back again) while you were in the back seat. We caught ourselves and felt badly about this until we heard you in the back seat: "Hiiiiiya! Screech, Squawk, AhbabaBaBABA, (spit bubbles, raspberries, happy noises)." You were seemingly, thankfully, oblivious. Or maybe you weren't oblivious. Maybe you just choose to ignore negativity. I like to think that you're going to grow up with an easy-going, carefree personality and disposition like you're Dad.

So it was a difficult week with the car but we got past it and we're now on track for all of your social engagements in the weeks to come. And you even got to help your Dad replace the alternator. Well, sort of. Lucky for us gals, your Dad is a real handy guy.

Love,
Mom

"What? No, I have not seen the manual."

Who needs a Bumbo when you've got Budget Bumbo?!

Stink face!

Okay. Enough now. The moment has passed, Mom.

June Happenings

Dear Norah Bird,
The last few weeks have been a busy time for you. You continue to grow and develop in ways that blow my mind. For starters, we packed up most of your 9 month clothes and you are now almost exclusively wearing 12 month clothes with a few 18 month onesies and outfits thrown in there. Luckily we have lots of hand-me-downs from your cousins Natalie and Alivia, as well as your friends Abby and Zoe to get us started. However, we're always on the hunt for more seasonally appropriate clothes and pajamas as it seems these gals (2 of whom are also fall/winter babies) may have been a little more petite than you at your age.

A sad parenting moment for me this past week was admitting that my 7-month old baby girl needed 12-month pajamas. You were busting out of your 9-month pjs and fit perfectly into the longer 12-month ones but at this size the pjs look less like infant-wear and more like little kid clothes. The padded/grippy feet were difficult for me to accept. I searched all over for 12-month pjs that didn't have these but they all do! Your dad pointed out that this is because kids that normally wear this size are usually walking. I did not want to hear this because you're still my baby! You're too young for padded footie pajamas!

Waking up from a nap in her big girl pajamas.

Perhaps what is not surprising is that you're also eating more big girl food. Your menu now consists of 4 veggies and 4 fruits as well as your rice cereal. We continue to add a new veggie or fruit every 4-6 days and so far you seem to enjoy most of them. At first you're a little messy with a new taste but then you seem to enjoy it. Although you're still holding out on the carrots which you don't like at all and we have to mix them with peas to get you to eat them. We've also added a breakfast meal so that now you are eating 3 times/day. Daddy and I are enjoying making all of your food ourselves - it's so easy!

Getting messy with the green beans!

In addition to your impressive girth, your personality continues to grow and change. We're starting to see some hints of stubbornness and independence that are likely to amplify as you grow older. Whereas you used to be easily distracted, you're now starting to fuss when we take things away from you. Fussiness is relative as you were never a very fussy baby. You don't make a huge stink but you do whine a little before settling into a laugh/smile/happy noise moments later.

You also don't like not being able to do what you want. Changing your diaper and/or clothes has become a sporting event not unlike a rodeo. For some reason you want to roll over onto your stomach as soon as you're laid down on the changing table. And for an infant you are incredibly strong. I keep wrestling you back over onto your back as you throw an all-out-bucking-bronco fit. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. This sometimes continues until we eventually wrestle ourselves onto the floor where I change your diaper without danger of you falling off the changing table. I think it would be easier to put a diaper on a cat.

On a positive note, you've been sleeping through the night and giving me taking longer naps during the day. You're becoming more active and although you're not crawling yet, I fear feel we're getting close. You've also learned to propel yourself in your doorway bouncy swing so that you bounce off the walls and door frame in an entertaining game of bumper-swinging. This could potentially keep you entertained for hours but I am never far away for fear that the hanging mechanism might come loose and you'll fling yourself down the hallway.

Video Link: Norah the Swinging Monkey

Last week you visited your friend, Lucius, who is 9 months old. We haven't seen Lucius since Christmastime and it was great to catch up with his parents for dinner and see how much he's grown. Because Lucius was born almost exactly 2 months before you, I've always used him as a gauge as to where you might be in a couple months time. So it was a shock to see him crawling, semi-walking, and even practicing his first words! It was also nice to visit one on one with a baby close to your age. You love getting together with all of your baby friends here as well, but sometimes you enjoy just the one on one time. You and Lucius took right to each other. You both were curious babies - exploring each others faces and hair. And not always in a gentle way.

Lucius and Norah.

Amy with Norah and Lucius.

Why do babies always want what the other baby has?

We had a fabulous dinner with Lucius's parents but it ran a little late and into your bedtime. Having you in a routine has worked great for us and we try to be mindful of your needs. You're mostly flexible but when you're tired, you're TIRED (Dad says you get that from me) which is understandable. We were able to keep you distracted with some pea puree through dinner while Lucius passed out in his high chair. But then the 45-minute ride home was a nightmare. You were too tired to put yourself to sleep on your own and got all worked up. So at the next stop sign I hopped in the back seat in an attempt to comfort and distract you which only made matters worse. It was probably like having exactly what you need, just out of reach. So I think we know where this adventure is heading. And yes, I did. By utilizing my acrobatic skills and jabbing the side of your car seat up under my rib, I was able to safely (parenting is all about using terms relatively) comfort and nurse you to sleep. Mother. Of. The. Year.

When we got home later that night, we were met by Auntie Em and Uncle Ryan who drove down from NY to spend the weekend with us. They were so happy to see you (and brought you a cute new outfit!) and we had a fabulous weekend driving around in Auntie Em's new car doing all sorts of fun stuff.

Seriously? Where are we going now?

Norah with Uncle Ryan and Auntie Em.

Of course, we had our music class on Saturday morning. Uncle Ryan and I sat on the sidelines and watched while you had so much fun with your Auntie Em. I think she had fun too.

"We go go go and STOP!"

Video Link: Norah and Auntie Em Music Class

After music class it was a weekend full of wineries, antiquing, dinner out, ice cream, and trains. You handled this all very well and overall had a great time. We had a little breakdown at dinner for the first time. Dinner out has gotten a little more challenging in that you are now very grabby and your wingspan continues to increase. We now put you in the restaurant high chairs and you sit up and eat your baby food like a big girl eating out. For some reason this wasn't enough to keep you happy through dinner so we were a little rushed and I ended up eating most of my dinner at home later. Oh - and annoyingly, Auntie Em and I had to run out to the parking lot during dinner to change your diaper in the trunk of her car because there was no changing station in either of the restrooms! We are finding this to be a common problem and I'm shocked at the number of places we end up that don't have changing tables in their restrooms. Is this a Delaware thing? It's 2012 - shouldn't all public restrooms have changing stations by now? I mean, if the restaurant has high chairs, don't you think they could accommodate their baby guests' other needs?

Showing off her chompers and toes at the winery.

Getting back to your fussiness, I should mention that I find it hilarious that when you're through with something you feel the need to get it as far away from you as physically possible. It's not enough to just show disinterest in an object and move on. You have to first push and then kick it far out of your reach. This applies to food, your sippy cup, toys, books, stuffed animals, and even me. You now enjoy letting objects plummet to the floor. Despite its inconvenience, your father and I still find this behavior amusing. I'm sure it will get old quick.

Although I wish you were snugglier, you are just not to be cuddled. There are rare moments when you first wake up when you'll snuggle half-asleep for a minute or two. But otherwise you assert your independence and keep me in my place which, apparently, is close but not too close. And, as I mentioned before, you are not fond of cuddly lovey blankets or stuffed animals. Mostly you aren't exposed to them as they currently reside high on a shelf out of Oakley's reach because he does love him some stuffed animal insides. However, there was one day this week when I tossed you a Snuggle Puppy stuffed animal from your Great Aunt Roxy to play with as I folded laundry in your nursery.

Video Link: Norah and Snuggle Puppy 1

Video Link: Norah and Snuggle Puppy 2

(Both of these videos are so cute - I couldn't choose which one to include!)

I have never seen you so happy to be playing with a stuffed animal. For a brief moment you were captivated by a cute, cuddly toy and I thought, "This is it! She just had to find the right one!" In the days that followed I kept Snuggle Puppy around thinking you might grow attached to him. But he just makes his way onto the floor and pushed out of sight like anything else.

On Monday we attended your first nature program at Ashland Nature Center. The Delaware Nature Society had a program for kids to meet their month-old Mallard ducklings and I thought you would enjoy it. Unfortunately you missed your afternoon nap that day and so we were running on a short fuse. But we went anyways and you seemed to enjoy yourself and the acoustics of the large room we were in.

Watching the ducky slide show with the big kids.

You sat patiently through the 5 minute slide show while the older kids learned about the ducks and then we headed outside to meet a few of the new ducklings. Unfortunately, I had my hands full with you (have I mentioned the squirming?) and so I was unable to take pictures. But your meeting with the ducks wasn't exactly a proud kodak moment for either of us. 

The ducklings were first brought out and plopped on the grass in the middle of a circle of excited children. You enjoyed seeing them but not any more than anything else around you. You were taking it all in and so at this point it wasn't clear to you that these little fluff balls were the reason we were here. Each child then got a chance to touch or hold the ducklings for a photo. Because you were much younger than any of the other children and were ignorant to the fact that something really cool was about to happen, we waited for everyone else to go first. When it was finally your turn, the nice nature guy brought the duckling over to you. You paused in your squirming, reached out to the cute little duckling....and pulled it's tail. That poor duckling squawked and fretted until I was able to pry its tail from your determined grip. Not our best performance.

Undeterred by the duckling incident, you carried on with enjoying and entertaining yourself as you always do. Mom takes you to a nature program and all you want to do is explore the grassy lawn. If only I had known better, we could've saved a tail feather or two.

Love,
Mom

Grass is so fascinating!

Father's Day Part 2

Once Upon a Time there was a very sweet and thoughtful little girl named Norah. Even at 7 months old she wanted to do something special for her Daddy for his first father's day. So she got together with all of her baby friends and their mommies to make hand-made father's day cards. Her friend Declan's mom was very brave for hosting a herd of finger-painting infants. 

Where are they hiding the finger paints?!

Luckily it was a hot Summer day and so Norah and her friends didn't mind being stripped down for their messy art project.

Norah and Sophie learning to share while Cooper and his toys go unnoticed - for now.

All of the babies had fun making their gifts for their daddies and then posing for the obligatory group photos that occur with varying degrees of success every time they get together. This get-together was also special for the babies in another way because they had to say goodbye to their friend Landen who is moving with his parents to Virginia. Norah will miss getting to see Landen but is happy that his mommy will now get to be a stay-at-home mom like her mom.

Norah with Grace, Landen, and Sophie.

Norah and her mom also decided to give Norah's dad a few gifts for his new office at work - mostly framed photos of Norah. This involved an impromptu home photo shoot and some really bad wardrobe malfunctions. 

Blog Link: Norah's father's day photo shoot results.

Norah was very excited to give her Daddy the card that she had made. Her first attempt at art was a huge success - her daddy loved it!

Mine.

On father's day, Norah's parents decided to take her for a ride on the historic Wilmington & Western railroad. So they loaded up the picnic basket and headed to the train station with Norah's Auntie Em and Uncle Ryan.

Norah and her Dad getting ready to board the train!

Hurry up and get on the train, Mom!

Ready to roll!

Norah enjoyed riding on her Daddy's lap and looking out the window during most of the train ride. This was her first time in motion without being harnessed into anything. Her parents thought she would really enjoy this but Norah was only mildly amused. Her favorite part was the picnic stop where she got to eat some avocado for lunch.

I'm on a train. Big whoop.

Luckily, Auntie Em's overly abundant enthusiasm for trains more than made up for Norah's passiveness. 

TRAIN!!!

All smiles on the train!

Family photo on the train.

Snoozing after the train ride.

In the end, Norah's Dad got what he wanted for father's day: some time spent exploring the world with his little girl. And Norah's mom was able to reflect on what a great dad her husband is to their little girl. From the beginning Norah was captivated by her Dad. She would stare at him in wonder and to this day she is his biggest fan. Norah is so lucky to have such a wonderful daddy and she was so glad that he enjoyed his first father's day with her.
The End.

Norah, only days old, gazing at her Daddy.

Happy Father's Day

  Once Upon a Time Norah had the world's best...

The End.

The Simple Things

Dear Norah Bird,

I came across a quote today that read:

"If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money."

This quote very much represents my parenting philosophy. One might not know that by looking around our apartment at all of your crap stuff. Our living room is full of pricey items considered the bare minimum for infant care and distraction development in the 21st century: your pack-n-play (which lately doubles as a toy box), jumparoo, activity mat, and swing, etc. There is even a very large dog crate that also serves as an end table because when you were born, Oakley lost his room. That's right. In addition to all of the above-mentioned can't-live-withouts, you still needed a whole room for your actual necessities including a place to sleep.

So many toys!

All of your stuff aside, I do believe that the best moments in child-rearing come free. Or nearly free. In cutting back our expenses over the last year and with your daddy's recent promotion, we're very fortunate in that I can be a stay-at-home mom for you. By choosing to put my career on hold indefinitely, we'll be bringing in less money but I'll get to spend so much time with you. This has already proven to be a valuable investment over the last 7 months.

Just hanging out.

I get to spend every waking minute with you and we get to move through the day at our own pace. We can wake up slow and ease into the day in our pajamas until noon or later. We can pet the dog. Again. We can stop and spend an hour examining a blade of grass. We can take extra-long walks if we want to. We can read the same story 17 times in a row. We visit the baby in the mirror countless times throughout the day. Because we have nowhere to be and I have nothing to distract me from you.

Heyyyy!!!

Looks of wonder.

And so while you may have a lot of toys and stuff, it's the time spent with you as you discover how this world works that make my experience as a stay-at-home mom absolutely priceless.

Love,
Mom

Easing into our day with some playtime in your nursery.

Good morning, Oakley!

I love this thing! What is it?

First Day in the Pool!

Once Upon a Time it was a hot summer day in Delaware. Norah's parents bought her some really cute swim wear, slathered her up with fancy baby sunblock, and brought her to the pool. 

Image is everything - gotta look good at the pool!

It was blazing hot outside but not so hot that Mom could tolerate the freezing cold water. The pool water was much too cold to submerge a baby for her first dip. And so we dabbled a bit and took it slow. Norah's first day in the pool was pretty anticlimactic. She did some splashing with her toes and watched the other kids playing but she, herself, did not get too wet. But she looked good doing it! Mom, on the other hand, was just a person standing in a pool while holding a 20 lb baby.

Let's start with the piggies.

And now the cankles...

Video Link: Splish Splash

I am standing in a pool holding a baby.

The Sound of Music

Dear Norah Bird,

Like most babies, you've loved music from a very early age. One of your first (of many!) gifts from your Nana was a glo-worm that lights up and plays musical lullabies. At first the glow worm scared you at close range. But "Glowy" (Daddy and I are real original with our nomenclature) quickly became a favorite. She buys me some time when I have to run out of the nursery to wash my hands after changing a diaper in the middle of the night. And she soothes you during your hospital stays when the nurses are checking vitals or poking you for a new iv line. Even at 7 months old she is still a favorite of yours. You're not cuddly and haven't taken to any of your cute little baby blanket "loveys" which I keep trying to force on you. But maybe you're just a musical-light-up-my-world kind of baby. Glowy is who you reach for and turn over in your arms in wonderment as she lights up your day with her lullabies. And she is turning out to be a comfort in other ways as I constantly find you chewing on her ear buds with your new teeth coming in.

Norah's second hospitalization with Glowy by her side.

Unfortunately neither of your parents are very musical. We sing to you often in our own way but we don't even know the words to most lullabies or common baby songs. Hence you get a country-pop mix of whatever is on our mind. And we're fond of making up our own songs.

Your Uncle Derek dabbles in song-writing and I'm sure he could teach us a thing or two. And your Aunt Erin and Uncle J are both musically talented as well. But you were born to tone-deaf parents who are lyrically uninspired and so you're stuck with our little ditties that go a little something like this:

Norah Bird Song
(Strangely this is sung to the tune of "Up on the Rooftop" - most likely because it was composed at 3:00 a.m. one morning around Christmastime)
Hey little Norah Bird I love you
And your Daddy loves you too
Hey little Norah Bird, it's okay
We love you more everyday
Oh - little Norah dove
Oh - you're our little love
Hey little Norah Bird I love you
And your Daddy loves you too
(Repeat as necessary or until you start attempting to throw yourself out of my arms.)


Another favorite of yours is the Girl in Delaware song we made up while dancing around your nursery one afternoon. I thought I could start telling you about your cousins this way.

Girl in Delaware Song
I know a girl in Delaware, little Norah Bird
with cheeks so rosy and skin so fair, little Norah Bird
Oh little Norah, little Norah Bird
Oh little Norah, little Norah Bird
She has a cousin in New York, Natalie Stace
who likes to run around and race, Natalie Stace
Oh little Natalie, Natalie Stace
Oh little Natalie, Natalie Stace
She has a little sister too, Alivia Shayne
who likes to dance in the rain, Alivia Shayne
Oh little Livvy, Alivia Shayne
Oh little Livvy, Alivia Shayne
They have a cousin in Delaware, little Norah Bird...
(and on and on...)

Considering these fine masterpieces, it's no wonder your musical tastes have turned towards instrumental pieces. Unfortunately for you, this has not deterred your father and I from trying to impress you with our musical abilities noise. Being the little songbird that you are, you enjoy hearing us whistle and on car trips when you get fussy we find ourselves whistling to keep you quiet. There have been times when we've gotten lightheaded from whistling for 230 miles until the next rest stop - all in an effort to keep you content. We've learned to take turns whistling so as to prevent the driver from passing out, resulting in a deranged sort of duet that you seem to enjoy. Although it's equally likely that you've shut up in absolute fear of the whistling idiots in the front seat that have somehow replaced your primary caregivers.

Luckily, your musical tastes are becoming more sophisticated and have evolved beyond what your dad and I are capable of. Last month we attended your Auntie Em and Unlce Ryan's wedding. You were a huge hit, by the way.

Just one of the girls.

As favors for their wedding guests, your super-talented aunt and uncle made cds of their ceremony music which featured your Uncle Ryan playing piano. While you were in your doorway jumper one day, I popped the cd in and the sound of Unlce Ryan's piano music filled the room. You stopped jumping and looked around in wonder. You were mesmerized for a few quiet moments. You were in love.

Video Link: Norah loves the Piano

Okay. Clearly we have an aficionado on our hands. In an effort to nurture your musical interest, we signed you up for a baby music class with a bunch of your other baby friends. Your Dad and I were skeptical at first. I mean, come on - baby music class? Okay - I get that babies need to be exposed to music at a very young age and they make cds and dvds for that sort of thing. But what could you possibly gain from a music class at 7 months old? Well, it turns out you LOVE music class! It is probably the best 45 minutes of your week spent away from your dog.

We love the drum!

Norah and her friends at Music Class with Miss Liz at the drum.

Firecracker scarf!

Video Link: Peekaboo Scarf Song

This is how we shake our maraca!

Or we can eat it...

Ba Ba Black sheep...which is actually white. Some lessons should not be left up to music teachers.

Let's sing 'Hello everybody!'

Video Link: Music Class 'Hello Everybody'

So while you may not have a lot of toys at home, based on your enjoyment of these classes and your budding musical interest, I think your father and I agree that this was money well-spent. And sometimes the best entertainment is free. You are most entertained by noises you make on your own or with the help of your parents. In particular, you love hearing your own vibrato as we tap our finger on your open mouth. And you even try to do it yourself with your fists or by bouncing your open mouth off my shoulder as I hold you. But you seem to enjoy the benefits of our speed and dexterity which you have not yet gained. You even move your voice up and down as we vibrato, experimenting with different notes.



Video Link: Ah ba Ba BA BA BABABABA!!!


We'll have to be sure to show Miss Liz at our next music class and maybe she can get you on the fast track to an advanced music degree.

Norah and her friends Declan, Charlie, Sophie, Riley, Henry, and Reese. 
Group photos are getting more and more difficult!

We're already looking forward to next Saturday morning when we can get together with your friends and make some more music together. Until then, we'll enjoy our own musical environment here at home.

Love,
Mom