We live in that kind of town

You know, the kind where people give away foot-stools, like this one:

Seriously, we went to breakfast on Sunday at a local diner, as we do most Sundays. I came back from a trip to the lades room to see the aforementioned foot-stool on my chair. I looked at Matt, as it to say - Wha? which is when I noticed many of the kids in the diner all had these foot-stools. Now it would absolutely NOT be like Matt to buy one from someone trying to sell them at the diner, and honestly, I've never seen anything at this diner that remotely resembles then allowing someone to walk around and sell stuff. Just then, someone came in from outside with even MORE of these stools, and brought them over to a large group with 4 or 5 kids in tow.

I still didn't understand, but it turns out there is this guy, Kurt, who likes to make things. Kurt is a regular at this diner, and from time to time he arrives with a batch of his latest creation for all the children who happen to be there. As I went over to thank him one more time as we were leaving, he was all smiles and clearly enjoying putting a smile on some people's faces. Yup, we live in THAT kind of town.

Me and My Shadow

Norah goes through phases when she is “Mommy’s Girl” or “Daddy’s Girl”. This weekend she was clearly on a Mommy roll… we split up for Saturday errand running, with Norah accompanying Matt to the grocery store… apparently the folks going about the Saturday shopping were treated to a chorus of “Mamamamamamamama” Actually, I don’t know for sure, as I was miles away at the time!

What I do know for sure is that whatever I like to do, she likes to do. If I’m wearing my crocs, she wants to wear hers. If I’m brushing my teeth – yup, you guessed it – she’s brushing hers too. On Saturday, after errands, I put on my sunglasses before heading out to the deck to have a frozen yogurt with Norah and she insisted on wearing hers too… here we are, me and my shadow.



Because this blog is also a record of sorts for Norah when she’s grown up, I have to chronicle a little moment we had the other day. I was folding her clothes on my bed, and she picked up an unopened tube of moisturizer. She was trying to get my attention, and when she did, I sat down on the floor with her, as she “applied” cream to her face, like I do in the morning. She then spent about 20 minutes pretending to apply it all over my face too – so sweet and so gentle, looking closely at my face. I could have sat there all day, with my shadow, but alas, she moved on to something else. I on the other hand, can still feel her little fingers gently rubbing my face, and see her little brows - up close - furrowed in concentration.

Norahs First House

Through the miracle of the Internet (speifically Craig's List) Norah got her first house today! Yes, it's true, she's young to have her own house, but I think she's ready. We picked it up this morning, and it was raining by the time we got it home and set up. Norah and I watched from the dining room as it took shape, and I asked her if she wanted to go out and see it... of course she did, and after a rubber boot incident that rivaled the sandal saga, she ran accross the yard, yelling "House, House, House" Needless to say, she loved it!

Queen Norah

It's Friday afternoon and I'm sitting at my desk, trying to work, when this picture arrives on my phone, with the caption "Erin says "who made Norah Queen?"" One of her teachers sent it - talk about making my day!

Pink Dress Photo Shoot

Here in New England, we've got an extra dose of summer today - it was 65 degrees already at 6:30 am, and heading towards 80! Also turns out that I found a really cute summer dress in Norah's closet when we were cleaning out her stuff this weekend. Turns out she got a chance to wear it after all. Enjoy

Weekend Report

It was a busy weekend, with little accomplished, at least from my list. Matt made some serious progress on the annex to the shed (don't ask...) and Norah and I managed to have a very social weekend - lunch with a friend on Friday and then out with the neighbour ladies on Saturday evening for me, plus shopping, an impromtu playdate and company for dinner last night for all of us! I also managed to solve the swimming problem and have located a decent place where I can take Norah swimming on my own time. Hooray!

Anyway, as you know, she likes helping Dad out. Sunday he took her to the home improvement store... as you can see from the pictures below, I think she's preparing for a career on HGTV.

To Swim or Not to Swim

That is the question! I’ve been struggling with whether or not to sign Norah and I up for swimming lessons again. Granted, I’m probably over thinking things, but it is what it is.

On the one hand, she LOVES the water, and we were really fortunate to get to the lake a couple of times a week. As a result, she’s doing really well, she’s really comfortable in the water, and getting really close to going solo (with water wings). I don’t want her to have to start all over again.

On the other hand, Saturdays are the only day of the week that we don’t have to get up and out the door by 8:30 or earlier, and I’ll be honest – I like the break! Our current work situations are such that I’m on Norah duty in the morning, and also most evenings during the week. It’s also a nice time for Matt and Norah to synch up and cuddle in front of Tom and Gerry cartoons. Swimming lessons only last 30 minutes and cost enough that I really hate to miss one. (though, I already did, since it started last week!) Then, it’s my favorite time of the year – cooler days, falling leaves, pumpkins and apples – all sorts of good family fun to be had. I also have a lot of things coming due in the next 2 months for work and may need to put in some extra time in the coming weeks to get it done.

As often happens, I wasn’t really sure where this blog post would lead me. I see that the “other hand” paragraph is a lot longer than the “one hand” paragraph, which leads me to believe that maybe we should take a pass on swimming lessons for now.

Unintentional Topic

Has it really been a week since I posted anything? My how time flies! Things have been busy here folks, very busy!

We were fortunate to share a wedding celebration this past weekend with some good friends – good friends like most of my good friends lately – ones I don’t see all that often! Regardless the wedding was actually last week, but the party goes on… until next month! These friends had (I think) a great idea, to have all kinds of parties, all over the world… I know this isn’t right for everyone, but it was very “them”. The New England celebration happened to be in a state park in Vermont, where the groom has organized annual trips for about 7 years! Seems fitting, doesn’t it?

The first time I went to one of these weekends, I hadn’t really found my groove yet in Boston – hey, it takes a while, it’s a tough town – and I had just met the groom a month or so before, through a common friend. I’ll never forget arriving to the campsite, after work on a Friday to a field of Subarus, bikes, kayaks, canoes, tents and any manner of outdoor gear you can imagine! And better yet, being 30’ish and single – there were plenty of people like me! I wasn’t necessarily looking for someone to date (though I did find that there, briefly, as well) but I as very simply thrilled to find such a large group of people to hang out with, who were fun, active, and into pubs rather than clubs – just like me!

In the intervening years, I’ve made many friends and shared many beers, blisters, early morning drives to New Hampshire, and cold nights sleeping on mountaintops – and I while outdoor adventure for us these days generally involves a jogging stroller, I’m happy to know these folks, and happier still for K & U!

The funny thing about today’s blog is that I had intended to reflect upon some of my back-to-work posts that I talked with K about this weekend, but I think this is a much better topic!

So, K, thanks for all the memories and all the best to you and U!!

Norah News: Lockup!

While my earlier post today may leave you a little melancholy, this one will surely have you giggling, as most of Norah's antics tend to.

We were going about our usual morning routine, when Norah decided to head into the bathroom, which she often does. She started playing with the door, which she occasionally does. Then she locked herself in - first time for everything.

I was in a bit of a panic, and at one point thought I may have to literally bust the door down. I tried coaching her about how to open the lock, with limited success (she fiddled with the lock, but didn't open it) I tried a paperclip, I tried jiggling, to no avail. After a few minutes, Norah's cries of "Mama" started to become a little more urgent.

I ran out to the kitchen to get the phone to call Matt (what I expected he would do, I don't know) and frantically looked around, for a second time. For whatever reason, I grabbed a steak knife, which thankfully did the trick. Norah walked out like absolutely nothing had happned.

Mourning is Normal

I guess I'm not alone when I cry when Norah reaches some new milestones (like moving to the toddler room, or going to Jack's house on her own) It's back to school time, and facebook status updates from friends far and wide clearly demonstrate the mixture of emotions we Moms feel.

We were in Pennsylvania this weekend, and we attended mass with Matt's parents. Father Simi gave a great back-to-school sermon that basically said that sometimes, especially when it comes to kids, you have to do what's hard, because it's better. Giving birth was hard (boy, was it!) and it was TOTALLY worth it! I'm guessing that mama birds, who push their baby birds out of the nest (literally) find that hard, but they know it's best for the baby bird. As humans, I guess we're lucky - we have the opportunity to take things slower, in smaller steps - one day she sits up by herself, and before you know it, she's heading next door to play! My suspciion is that I'll blink and she'll be asking for the car keys so she can drive it, not just blow the horn...

I'll be happy and proud when she learns to drive, and ride a bike, and cross the street, and a million other milestones - but a little sad too, for me. Already I look at here and wonder when she became a little girl, and no longer a baby. I love this stage as I loved the last, so I guess that's why I mourn it's passing, and will continue to mourn the passing of future stages, just like all the other Moms.

Norahs New Skill

FULL!

Friday Photo Shoot

I was given the distinct impression by someone that I haven't posted enough pictures this week. (The fact is, I really didn't have any new ones to post - contrary to popular belief, I actually DON'T film Norah non stop.) In any case here is a glimpse into our morning...

Heading to "School"

Pony Tail

Norah News: Not Once

She didn't even look back, not once.

Yesterday we were out on the deck and the neighbors were all outside, next door, at Jack's house. They called for her, we said, "Norah, you want to go over to Jack's house"

She said "Yes!" and took off across the yard, ducked under the trees and didn't look back, not even once. *sniff*

Now don't get me wrong, there is a lot to be happy about - great neighbourhoods, safe yard, confident kid who didn't go before we asked... but she could have at least looked back, to check to see if we were watching, just once.

Norah News: Highlights and Play of the Week

- Potty training continues, though nothing new to report (aside from a lot of daily stickers.) Yesterday morning, as I was getting ready to leave. She peeked her head around the corner into the kitchen, with a slightly sheepish expression on her face, and said "I poo!" Ok, maybe I imagined the sheepish expression, but when I said "OK let's go change your bum then" she immediately headed to her room and change table.

- We had her 18 month appointment last week. A boring appointment, as usual (though Norah may disagree - she had FOUR shots that day!) She continues to be a tall (33.25" - 90th percentile) and average weight (25lbs, 60th percentile)

- That same afternoon, we went to a wedding. Our neighbour, Megan, picked her up from daycare, took her home, and settled her into bed. She was fine, of course. And so were we :)

- I didn't tell much of the cookie making story when I posted the pictures yesterday, but I was pretty impressed with how engaged and focused she was. I'd measure, and give it to her to pour in and stir. She also did an admirable job (I thought) at putting the cookies on the pan. I didn't help her at all with the pan in the picture below.