Norah News: 6 month stats

Norah didn't have much to say about turning a half a year old....

Her new stats are: 14lb 4oz, 26.5" long and a 16.5" head.... 25th, 75th, and 50th percentile respectively. Pretty average overall, though she continues along her long and thin path -- we should all be so lucky! Developmental milestones meeting or exceeding, so all is on track! Pretty uneventful visit to the doc -- just the way we like it!

Almost forgot -- there are actually TWO teeth coming in!

Norah News: Cuts Like a Knife

So, the last few nights Norah has been waking up around 2 am, thus precluding the solid sleep for myself that I have come to expect in the last month. We're all still fighting this cold, she fell asleep without any Mom time on Monday.. what could it be??? Being a newbie at this, of course I was rubbing her gums each morning and evening, looking for signs that her first tooth was on its way... Funny enough, yesterday I had a funny feeling that something was up with her, though I couldn't put my finger on it... she seemed happy when I dropped her off, but it nagged at me, and I called to check in her at daycare. Her "teacher", Digna, mentioned she was a little off, and maybe she was teething...

Now, various authorities on the matter have told me she's been teething for several months now... the drool, the chewing everything in sight, so honestly I just thought - sure, she probably is, but no sign of that tooth yet! But, much like her arrival into this world herself, there was no sure sign when I rubbed her gums last night, but lo and behold, this morning there is a little sharp spot on the bottom right, as her first of first teeth is pushing thru!

Of course, Mom and Dad are very proud and excited, as though any of us had anything to do with when Norah's first tooth arrived! All in all, it wasn't too painful a process for us, let's hope they are all like this!

Norah News: 6 down...

and many more to go! Norah celebrates a birthday of sorts this week... I think she'd like an Ice Cream cake, I think it might be her favorite.

I was planning a new video for you all tonight, but the little tyke fell asleep at 6 and I haven't heard from her since! Maybe tomorrow.... in the meantime here is one from Saturday...

The Olympics are over. So what?

Did you know that Canada tied for 19th along with 9 other nations including Brazil, New Zealand and Georgia?? Did you know Canada won a total of 18 medals? Did you know Kenya came 14th, with 5 golds and a total of 14 medals (all in track and field)? If you are reading this from Canada, then you might, but if you are here in the US, odds are you haven't heard much other than how the Americans have been doing...

Shawn & Nastia, Michael Phelps... sure they are the Rock Stars of the Olympics (and oh-so-marketable!) but I haven't felt so much like a foreigner here since 9/11!

Don't get me wrong, the US and China certainly dominated these Olympics, but there *were* a few other countries that fielded strong teams! Or so I hear. I tried to get into watching a few times, but after watching such one sided coverage, it was hard to get interested. For instance, we watched womens springboard diving one night, where a Canadian (I am sorry I don't recall her name) was in the hunt for a medal... they showed some of her dives, and NONE of her scores! We did see the focus on Shawn Johnson (as all American as she is) about a dozen times that night though. Maybe I am wrong, but seems to me that CBC at least let you know when someone else won!

In all honesty, I am not sure how much of the Olympics I would have watched this year anyway... there is something much more interesting to watch at my house these days, at least until 8 or so when she goes to bed, but it does make me think about how biased the rest of the news coverage we see here in the US is...

The other thing that struck me about the Olympics was the sight of the opening and closing ceremonies... (admittedly I didn't watch much of that either, but I did read about both) While the sight of several thousand drummers drumming is fairly amazing, couldn't the time and resources applied to such a feat be put to better use? Maybe I misunderstand the extent of the economic impacts on a host city, and within that, the impact of the opening and closing ceremonies. It just seems in these times of conservation, the increasingly over the top spectaculars are heading in the opposite direction.

Lest you think I am off my noggin, yes, I understand the vast dollars at stake in advertising, and also the National pride thing for China... my observations here are not very in depth, but rather my lingering memories of the Bejing Olympics.

Norah News: Beach Baby

Nothing too much to say today other than the sun is still out, and we had a great day at Hampton Beach on Saturday...

In the Blink of an Eye

When Norah was born, everyone told us to enjoy every moment, that they grow up so fast...yada yada yada... at the time, we were still in sleep-deprived fog, and honestly couldn't imagine what everyone was talking about... now, nearly 6 months later, here's Norah, moving on up to size 2 diapers, and anxious to not have to rely on Mom to do it for her... and to think, I was worried about her going to daycare :)

The rain has lifted

Here in New England, summer seems to have passed us by! June started out with a heatwave, several days over 100 deg F, but we haven't seen any heat like that since. In fact, We've already had nearly three times as much rain in August as normal! It seems even the days that start out sunny end up with thunderstorms in the evening or overnight. The good news is that we haven't had to water the tomatoes in weeks... the bad news is, they're drowning! We've harvested a few, but the droopy plants are not producing the bountiful harvest we saw this time last year... something about photosynthesis requiring sun I suspect.

The sun has come out the past few days, but it's heat is gone. It's that back-to-school kind of sunny day - you know, you're going to wear shorts as long as you can, even if you need to put a wool sweater on too!

September always seems like a new year, even when very few in my day to day life are heading back to class... this year, back-to-school (ok, daycare!) came early. Nearly two weeks in and we're getting into a groove... Norah seems fine, I'm learning to go with the flow, and I even show up for work on time now and again! I'm not Supermom every day - just Norah's Mom, and that's just fine!

Norah News: Sitting!

Norah is starting to sit up on her own... the trouble is, she sees a toy and lunges for it, thus toppling over! However, she can sit and play with one in her lap for 5 minutes or so... here is one where she's in the glider looking cute, sitting supported. Then one where she's sitting up and playing...followed by one that shows what happens when she spies a new toy...

Do Friday nights get any better than this??

This weeks previously recorded episode of the Norah Show...

Lesson learned... keep the camera in landcape... this is still an awesome video

Necessity: The Mother of Invention

The sun came out yesterday for the first time in about a month... well, it might not have been a full month, but it sure felt like it! The last time the sun came out, I wasn't back to work full time yet, and Norah and I still had time to go for walks up to the store to visit "Uncle Dave" Now that she is in daycare, and I am back to work full time, the days and weeks seem so much shorter, with everything we need to do for and with her in the evenings, it seems impossible to get out for more than a stroll around the yard!

Since I've become a mother, I've learned that you really need to 'think outside the box' in order to get things done... I am sure it was a mother who came up with those packs that let you keep your hands free while still carrying the baby for instance. So yesterday my dilemma was how to get some fresh air, pick up Norah, feed her (Nurse plus her nightly cereal and fruit), bathe her, see & play with her, get supper, and -- dare I dream, get a little exercise?? And silly me, I encouraged Matt to work on the shed last night... what's a mom to do??

Well, I am here to tell you I did it all! And laundry to boot! I feel like Super Mom!

As luck would have it, I worked from home yesterday, allowing me to pop a load of clothes in from time to time, and also cook some potatoes for salad to accompany the ham in the fridge (thinking ahead played a role in my success here!) I had dropped Norah off a bit early to be home in time to join a conference call, so in turn, I quit a little early, and power-walked the empty stroller over to daycare. I nursed her there, and then we were off! Since she had her carrier at daycare, I clicked that on the stroller - meaning she was facing me on the walk home - so I sang to her, she babbled away the whole way home. We got home and had some cereal and peaches, which in turn necessitated a bath (no skipping the bath this night!), a little quiet time reading books, and off to bed!

Whew!

I know I won't feel like Super Mom every day, but every once in a while sure is nice!

Norah News: You ought to be in pictures!

I'm working at home today, so I have the camera and home pc handy, so here's an Exclusive Beantown Bugle photo feature for all you Norah fans out there!

Norah ready to head to her first day of "school" (OK, daycare)...looking a little aprehensive maybe?














Norah telling Mom all about her second day...looks like she's excited!
















Norah getting ready for her "Baby Spa" after a rough day at play

And this one? Well it's just a great picture! No explanation required!

Norah News: Daycare Day 1 - we made it!

Yesterday was Norah's first day at daycare, and I'm happy to report, we all survived the experience in fine style! Getting out of the house on time wasn't hard, but getting motivated to do so was a liitle rough... Norah and I would usually spend some time lying on the bed chatting before Sue arrived, and without her arrival, there was no reminder that I had to get to work! IN any case, we made it with a minimum of fuss.

There are 3 other kids in her 'class', a really cute little guy named Quentin, who is 11 months, and two little girls named Lauren and Cassandra, who are also February babies (Lauren actually has the SAME birthday as Norah!) Yesterday I didn't really get to see Norah in action too much, but today was different. I plunked her down in an exersaucer, and she went to town, chewing on whatever she could reach.... then she noticed Lauren in an adjacent saucer, and started smiling and giggling at her! Lauren wasn't quite sure what to make of her, but that didn't stop Norah from wanting talk to her new buddy! Reports from her 'teacher' Miss Digna were good, and she was impressed with how well she can stand (assisted of course!) and eat. This is what her 'classroom' looks like.

I also had opportunity to meet the other kids moms... they didn't seem too much different from me... maybe I don't stand out as such a greenhorn after all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN!

Today is my sister Susan's birthday.

Those of you who know my sister, know that she is a LOAD of fun to be around. But did you also know she's really smart, beautiful, and has a great way of making those around her feel that way too? Well she is.

I like this picture of her and I (even though it's really not the best, on the surface, of either of us) because I think it embodies her energy. As you can tell, we're sitting around having a glass of wine and obviously laughing and having fun. That's the way it is around Susan... relaxed and fun. Rarely can I recall being around her (as a grown up that is, but that's another post!) and feeling stressed or anxious. Even in Boxing Day Storm-Shopping, which is where we were before this picture was taken.

I thought of all kinds of things to write today, but what I really wanted to say is Happy Birthday to a great sister, who is always there when I need her, even though we're far apart. I am very proud of you, and can't wait to share in your big day! JM is not the only lucky one to have you in their life.

Love hugs and kisses from Shauna Matt and Norah XO!

Norah News: Sleeping Like a Baby

I've got a bone to pick with whoever came up with the term "sleeping like a baby" Babies, at least in my experience thus far, don't sleep long enough to warrant such an optimistic saying.

When I started back at work and was inevitably asked if she was sleeping through the night yet, I'd reply that "no, but she only wakes up every three hours, and she does it like clockwork" I'd feed her and she'd go back down right away and I'd go back to bed. On occasion I'd wake up in the rocker, with a kink in my neck, and having only fed her on one side (I'll leave that to your imagination) but overall it was manageable. Most times people looked at me like I had a hole in my head (maybe I did, I was getting up every three hours all night!) I told myself she was a breastfed baby, and was weighing in a little small, so she'd just start sleeping longer at her own pace....

Well a week or two ago, we consulted our reference materials, and figured at 5 months and certainly by now north of 12 lbs, she developmentally and metabolically ought to be sleeping more than 3 hours at a clip. Plus the little gem would fall asleep and sleep through the anticipated feeding time during the day, so could sleep for mama be far beind?

After a few nights where we, shall we say, "challenged" her to go a little longer and a little longer, I am really really happy (and rested!) to report that she slept for 7 hours without waking last night -- whahoo! Not only that, she went down for another 3 after I fed her with the rising sun!

The funny thing about babies and sleep, is that sleep seems to beget more sleep -- the more she sleeps at night, the better she naps during the day. So, as I write this, here is what she looks like:

Who knows what next week (or tomorrow!) will bring, but who knew progress felt like rest??

So Sad to See Sue Surcease

I'm sure you're wondering what Surcease means! Well according to Rogets II: The New Thesaurus, it is a phrasal verb, meaning "to come to a cessation" and it's a synonym for "stop" or "leave". Next you may be wondering who is Sue and why is she leaving?

Well, not to disappoint, it does have to to with Norah.

Sue is Norah's Godmother, and we have been very fortunate to have had her staying with Norah during the day while I have been back to work for the past 9 weeks. When I called Sue back in January with a 'business proposition", I had no idea how much more than a business proposition it was! As with most things related to Norah, it's all new to us, from the feedings to the feelings, and everything in between.

Even though Sue started out without much baby experience (she had more than we did!!) I wasn't a bit concerned. I knew things were going well when I got home the first day. Norah smiled and came to me right away, but then sat in my arms, grinning her drooly grin back at Sue. What more could a mother want!

I've been extremely lucky to have had a gradual return to work, and even more lucky to have a good friend by my side... helping me as much as Norah (though our daily touch base chat often made it hard for me to get out the door on time!) As Norah heads to daycare on Monday, I know she'll be ready, but I am too.

So, Sue's not really leaving, she's just moving on to enjoy the rest of her summer vacation before she returns to her "other" job as a schoolteacher. I don't know if Sue realized that she was going to have such an active role on this journey with us, but I hope she's enjoyed the ride! We have! Thanks Sue!

So why did I choose Surcease? No real reason, just a fun word.

Norah's Christening

On Sunday,June 8, 2008, on a hot and sunny day, Norah was christened and a party was held at home for family and friends.

A good time was had by all, and both sets of Grandparents were present - and very proud.

The latest addition to the Clan

Norah got a new cousin on Saturday! Ella Marie was born to Mike and Lynn on August 2, 2008. She came in at 8 lbs., 2 oz and 20 inches long. Welcome Ella!

Norah News: Peaches!

Norah News will of course be a regular column here at the Bugle (and I know its what you're really looking for anyway!)

Norah has started solids over the past few weeks since hitting the 5 month mark. So far she's mastered rice cereal and bananas, and last night, she ate a piece of peach! Now, before you get too concerned, no, I didn't just hand her a piece of peach, I put it in this cool thing first. It's called a "Baby Safe Feeder" and all you do is stick a piece of whatever food in it, and she gnaws on it until some of it squeezes thru the mesh. Apparently it's especially good when they are teething.

Needless to say, the peach went thru pretty easily, and she chowed it down in no time!

Next up - Hamburgers! (just kidding)

What? It's not about Norah?

As much as I'm sure you were expecting my first "real" post to be about Norah, it's not. It's about marriage. Why marriage you may ask? Well, my sister Susan is getting married a month from today for one. (That's her and JM in the picture on the right - looking forward to going to the wedding!!) Matt's parents recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary for another. But I think the real reason is that Nanny Mary, who I've always felt very connected to, passed away recently. I am honored that she left me her wedding rings, which I have been wearing for the past month. Consequently, I have been thinking of her, and them, often.

Maybe I am naive, but I've always felt that my grandparents had a special relationship. While it's true that Papa Roddie was a bit of a flirt and had a way of making everyone feel like they were special, there was something about the way he looked at my grandmother that made it clear that she was the most special of all. Even though she outlived him by 7 years, there was a definite sadness that settled over her after his passing.

They were married for 60 years when he passed away, and I can recall a visit to Antigonish when he was not doing well, and hadn't really waken or responded much in a day or two. I took Nanny over for a visit to see him, as I often did when passing through at that time, and we went into a small room near the nurses station where they had moved him. The nurses warned us that he wasn't doing well. When we walked into the room, and he heard her voice, he rolled over and looked at her with such love in his eyes it brings me to tears just thinking about it. If I didn't know before, I knew then -- that's what I want!

Matt and I were married in the same church as my grandparents; them in 1941, us 65 years later, in 2006. I think I'm really lucky to have found him, and more than that, found him at the right time for both of us. He looks at me with love in his eyes, even when I'm feeling post-pregnant-pudgy (especially when I'm feeling post-pregnant pudgy!) I know we're still newlyweds by many measures, but we've grown so much together already, that I am excited to see what the future brings for us! I know for certain it will be filled with challenges, but also with much love.

We've both been fortunate to have several generations of strong marriages setting the example for us to follow. As my sisters and other good friends in my life move forward with their significant others, I pray that they will all get to feel the love that my grandparents so obviously had for each other, and to demonstrate it and pass it on to their own future generations.

More about Norah next time, I promise!

WOW!

GanndPA and Nanny are pleased to be able to contribute to keeping up with Norah! No doubt, more to follow.

Bugle Online!

Welcome to The Beantown Bugle online edition.

The Beantown Bugle is published on an as-needed basis by Shauna, Matt and Norah to keep friends and family up to date with what's happening with us!