Week 15

(April 6-April 12)

This week, we celebrated Nora's 4th birthday with a very small party. At Chuck-E-Cheese's. Confession: Growing up, I thought Chuck-E-Cheese's was fictional. I'd only ever heard of it on TV shows, and I'd never seen one in "real life", so I had no idea it was a REAL THING until I moved to Tennessee. It's a kid's dream come true and possibly what an adult's nightmares are made of ha!

While I was in Nova Scotia a few weeks ago, Nora went there with Amelia, and it was all she could talk about. Since I was a little preoccupied with dealing with the aftermath of mom's passing plus taking care of an infant, I decided that CEC would be a perfect birthday party spot because all we had to do was show up. Jessica brought a cake, and the fine folks at Chuck-E-Cheese's did the rest.

You can't tell this just by looking at these pictures, but if you know Chuck-E-Cheese's, you know that even though we didn't have to DO anything and we only invited a few people, this was anything but a relaxing time. BUT the kids had a blast, and so that's all that matters.

Another birthday celebrated. Another year when I can't believe how lucky I am that Nora is mine. Another year to fall a little more in love with my child than I was the year before. I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for us.

When we got home from the party, Nora and Tilly had fun "playing" together on Nora's bed.

How beautiful are our girls? How lucky are we??

Week 14

(March 30-April 5)

This week, we celebrated Easter and Nora's 4th birthday. FOUR! Nora is 4 years old.

Can we reminisce for a quick minute?

Where on Earth has the time gone?? How has this sweet baby turned into this smart, sassy, outgoing 4 year old big girl?

I did Nora's 2nd annual birthday interview, and she did not disappoint with her responses. Some were no-brainers, while others caught me off guard because she seemed to be just making stuff up as she went along. Here's how it went:

What is your name? Nora

How old are you today? Four!

What is your favorite color? My favorite color is purple and pink.

What is your favorite letter? Um, W.

Do you have a favorite number? Yes

What is it? Five.

What is your favorite animal? My favorite animal is a kitty cat.

What does a cat say? Meow!

What is your favorite food? My favorite food is uh.. pizza.

What is your favorite snack? Pancakes (This one was because we had just eaten pancakes for breakfast.)

What is your favorite thing to drink? My favorite drink is orange juice.

What is your favorite book to read? My favorite book is the princess book. (I think she meant a hard cover book filled with princess fairy tales, but I'm not sure.)

What's your favorite song to sing? The princess song. (???)

Can you sing it for me? (She sings some made up rhyme about princesses)

What is your favorite thing to watch on TV or the Ipad? Curious George

What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Cinderella.

What is your favorite toy to play with? My favorite toy is a yo-yo. (She had just gotten one in her Easter basket.)

What makes you happy? Mommy

What makes you sad? Nobody makes me sad.

What is something you're good at? Good at Chuck E Cheese with Amelia

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday (she says back)

Do you want to sing Happy Birthday? No

Ok, I love you. I love you, too.

Nora's birthday this year happened to fall on Easter Sunday. The night before, Brad and Nora dyed eggs. Nora patiently/impatiently waited for them to be ready. She was pretty into it, and I know it's a tradition she will look forward to each year.

When we woke up in the morning, we wished Nora a Happy Birthday, but we also woke up to see that the Easter Bunny had arrived.

Nora's Easter basket was filled with things like candy, stickers, and side walk chalk while Tilly got PJs, a stuffed bunny rabbit, and a rattle. We made pancakes and bacon, and then we got ready for church, where we would attend what our pastor calls "The World's Fastest Easter Egg Hunt".

After church, we went to Bo and Lea's for a family lunch/Easter egg hunt/birthday celebration.

When we got home, we had a big birthday present waiting for Nora, and she was pretty happy about it.

Ok, confession time. At some point, Nora will see her 3rd birthday blog entry and her 4th and realize that she got the exact same thing for both birthdays ha! We bought her this bike last year, but it was too big for her. So, we stored it away and bought her a tricycle instead (seen in the background). Of course, she completely forgot about it in the mean time. Naughty parents, I know. The helmet is new, though, and she was as happy, so what more can we ask for?

Weeks 10, 11, 12, and 13-- Everything else

While I was in Nova Scotia, saying goodbye to the most beautiful mother this world has ever known, life around us kept on happening. Friends and family stepped in to help Brad and keep Nora occupied. We are so thankful for our village.

I originally started blogging for my mom because she said she didn't get to see enough pictures of Nora (and now Tilly). I will continue blogging (for now, at least...) in honor of my mom and her love of her family.

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks of life in Tennessee.

First of all, these 2 sweet faces were happy to see their momma, and their momma was so happy to see them and hug them tight.

Nora had dental surgery. Mom knew this was coming up and was quite concerned about it because no one wants to see a little one go under anesthesia. Thankfully, everything went smoothly and after a brief, rough recovery period, Nora took a 3 hour nap and woke up happy.

Here we are snuggling while she was recovering from the anesthesia.

Sweet Matilda turned 2 months old. She is 12 lbs, 3 oz, 24 inches. She has the best smile, and as you can see from several of the pictures, she has discovered her hands. I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- she is the sweetest little bundle of joy you could ever hope to snuggle.

I took Nora to the zoo, and she got to pet a goat.

My sweet girls. Nora loves being a big sister, and Tilly gives Nora some of her best smiles.

Visiting with cousins Laura, Isabella, and Amelia from Alabama. Naomi came to see them, too!

The girls met up with the Easter Bunny. It's an Easter miracle that Nora actually sat on the bunny's lap. I think that being a big sister makes her brave.

A few more of sweet baby Tilly just because:

As I look at their beautiful and innocent little faces, some of my Dad's words from a favorite old song come to mind: "Your smile can mend every broken heart, you are the one that I love."