Norah News: 2 Wheel Biker Chick!

As I've written before, both kids have been doing great riding their bikes!  Norah's had her training wheels offset all summer, and I've been telling her that when she can ride without making any noise (when she leans on the wheels, they make a lot of noise)  she's ready to ride without them.  I didn't think too much about it. 

On our usual bike route there are a couple of small sections of unpaved road, or as the kids like to call them, bumpy parts.  I've tried to tell them that bumpy parts are the most fun, to no avail.  Most times, the bumpy parts are met with significant drama from both kids.  The other night, an overtired Norah was "afraid to do it, she might fall" while Roddie ditched his bike at the corner and ran home.  Good times.  I ended up giving Norah a talk about not being afraid to try, and falling is ok, you just get up and try again.  Then I guided her over the bumpy part and away we went.  She was pleased, but didn't say too much about it at the time.

Then, Sunday, we took our bike ride and Norah looked at me and said "I want to try the bumpy part" - and she did, really well.  She was positively glowing, and she said, "Mom, you were right, the bumpy parts are FUN!"  She hit all the rest of the bumpy parts, some of them a couple of times, through out the ride.  Later that day, the two of them were having a ball riding around the front yard, which is a bit beaten down from the construction guys.

Tonight, I had every intention of getting them to bed early - they are overtired and it shows!  But it was a nice night and they begged to go outside the minute dinner was over - so off they went to their bikes in the driveway while I wiped up the dishes. 

Just as I was wrapping up, Norah came in and asked me to take her training wheels off.  I was a bit surprised, but rolled with it.  She went straight out to the street and gave it a try - it didn't go that well, but I said, "good fall Norah, that's the way we do it"  I then encouraged her to try on the front lawn, and, let's just say - she nailed it!  I was so happy for her.  We did it a bunch more times, and she exclaimed, "I am going to be a bike champion when I grow up!"

Indeed Norah, you are a champion!  

Norah's artwork from today

Then, at bedtime I took a look in her backpack and found this, from today.  The thing she likes?  Her bike, and that's a seat for Roddie on the back!

Roddie Report: First Trip to the Dentist

I took Roddie for his first trip the dentist this morning.  He's been there the last few times I took Norah, so I think he knew what to expect.  He was his usual shy self  when things started, but with a little help from his "Baby" Giraffe Baby he did just fine!  All looks as it should with his teeth, and next time we go, both kids will have an appointment!

 

Norah News: Tooth, What Tooth?

Norah has had a wiggly tooth the past few days, so we've been anxiously awaiting the tooth fairy's first visit.   I was traveling for business again this week, and when I called home while sprinting through O'Hare airport on Tuesday night, I called home to say good night to the kids.  It was warm out in MA, so they were outside  eating hotdogs for dinner.  I asked if Norah had lost her tooth yet, and it was only then that Matt and Norah realized it had happened!  Apparently it was there when they left school, but not any more!  Well, they never did find the tooth, but when I landed look at what was waiting for me on my phone

Ketchup, runny nose and no tooth!  I love it!

I called Matt later that night for a tooth fairy consult, just to be sure he wasn't planning to leave her a 20 dollar bill or something like that.  I needn't have worried, as he had already found a 50cent coin to leave for her.  Norah was thrilled with her special coin and I am happy to share the tooth fair duties!

Roddie Report: My Baby's Other Love

I’ve heard that mothers of sons sometimes have a hard time letting go, when their baby boy one day finds another woman – you know the one they want to marry?  I get to be the most important woman in Roddie’s life for a few years yet, or so I thought…

Roddie is resisting growing up in some ways, and for good or for bad, I’m letting him.  He likes to pretend he’s a baby and sit and cuddle in my lap (who wouldn’t, really???)  It doesn’t really manifest itself in other ways, except maybe potty training, where it’s kind of backfiring (note to self: must deal with this…) in any case, part of our baby routine is me telling him I love him and he loves me.  It’s a  nice routine that leaves us both smiling – until recently.  Now, when I ask him who loves him and who does he love, the answer (at least not the FIRST answer) isn’t Mommy, (as it should be, in my opinion, at least until he’s 30) but KENDALL!

Now, Kendall is adorable and all, but isn’t he a little young for this?  I hesitate to mention it to Kendall’s parents, lest they think Roddie is a mini-stalke!  Their teacher, Miss Julie told me this morning that indeed Kendall does love Roddie, so I guess he’s not making it up.  Also, I must admit they have been good buddies since early in their daycare careers, way back in the baby room – but Love?

I just really thought he’d be older, that’s all.

Norah News: Skating Lessons

Growing up, I am pretty sure we were on skates the first winter we could walk.  I have fond memories of my dad taking us skating at Wentworth park, family parties at Jack's Cove in Mira, school skate-a-thons and skating parties... skating was simply part of growing up in Cape Breton!  My parents skate a lot and have been talking it up with Norah for quite some time.  We thought about lessons for her last year, but the timing just didn't seem right.  This year, we're signed up, she's significantly more co-ordinated, and the timing worked great.  

Today was the first class, and I'm happy to report, Norah did GREAT!  She's in a class with 3 and 4 year olds, making her one of the oldest kids in the class.  I think the confidence this provides is really good for her and she seemed to have a blast out there on the ice!  I look forward to seeing her continue to enjoy skating, and getting out there with her on my own skates soon!

Here she is before the lesson started, a little nervous, but happy

Lining up with her classmates

A little dry-land training before hitting the ice

Dad and Rod, watching the proceedings from the stands

Checking out the ice

CHECK IT OUT - looks who's standing up!

She even made a new friend!

Moving from sitting to standing..

Doing it on her own!

Chatting with her friend

Ta-dah!  Look at me!

All done, skating back on her own!  Yahoo!

Norah News: New Bike!

Out little Bambi is starting to turn into a full grown deer!  If you've seen Norah run over the past few years, you will recall a gangly creature, beautiful, but a lot of knees and elbows.  Well, something happened over the winter, and she's growing into her limbs!  She still "flits" when she runs, but she now possesses a grace that was lacking last summer.

Her improved co-ordination really showed when she hopped on her bike the other day - and started to ride!  Up until now, she has been interested in her bike, but just never seemed to be able to put all the pieces together to actually ride the trike or her 12" princess bike.  As you can see, she was due for a larger bike this year, which I had actually ordered last week.

It was harder than you might think to buy a bike - I really didn't want to buy one that was branded by some Disney or other character - which it turns out about 80% of kids bikes are.  That left the pink ones with flowers or the blue ones with lightening bolts, and ideally I wanted one that could be handed down to Roddie as well - it was a tall order!  We found a classic cruiser in red that I think fits the bill!  More importantly, it fits Norah to a T!  Here she is waiting in anticipation, after about 4 hours of suspense!  The bike arrived around 3:30 and she and I got half way thru assembly before we had to break for dinner.  Then Matt and the kids finished it up and at this point she's just waiting for him to fill the tires with air.

Finally ready to roll, and roll she did!  She hopped right on and rode down the driveway!  Before long Matt was chasing her up and down our little road!  I CANNOT wait to go for a ride with my girl!!

On a more serious note - holy cow!  Can you believe it?  So grown up!  I am so very proud of Norah, riding her big girl bike!

Roddie Report: First Haircut

It's official - my little man is not a baby any more!  *sniff*

he had his first haircut today, and while he's still adorable, he looks a lot less baby like. He's a little younger than Norah was the first time she had a haircut and he wasn't so enamoured with the whole trip to the salon thing, but he did well.  He sat on my lap and took it like the little man he is!

Adventure Chronicles: First Camping Trip of 2011

5 years ago Friday, Matt and I were married.  The invitation said “The Adventure Continues!  Please join us…for our wedding”  Well continue it did!  5 years, 1 home, 2 kids, and many renovations later, we headed out to the White Mountains of New Hampshire with the kids for the first camping trip of the season.  Last year was somewhat of a bust, camping-wise, since we were waiting for Roddie to arrive in August, so we were anxious to get out there this year!  In addition, temperatures in the 90’s over Memorial Day were on our minds when we made the call on Tuesday – we were going camping - Roddies first time!

Despite a forecast for highs in the low 60’s and lots in the 40’s, we started out on Friday afternoon, picking the kids up early from school.  Norah was actually napping, and Matt had the fun of whispering in her sleepy ear “Norah, we’re going on our Adventure!”  She woke with a smile, we scooped up Rod from his classroom,  and we were on our way!  We had booked a spot at Lafayette Place campground in Franconia Notch State Park, so we were assured a site.  It’s only about a 2 hour ride, so we were there and setting up camp in no time!  Just as we were putting the final touches on our set-up, a lady walks up to me and hands me a balloon bouquet!  What the…?  Happy Anniversary to us!  (Or, as Norah has become fond of saying “Happy Accessory Day”)  My hubs is ALL RIGHT!  After dinner at one of our old fav’ brew pubs, we settled in for a cool night in the low 40’s, likely lower….brrr!  Both kids did great!  Rod had a lot of layers on, including a Cape Breton Tartan fleece bunting that I am certain my mom never imagined would be put to this use when she bought it for Norah.  He was snug as a bug in his pack’n’play tent, with a sheet keeping his own body heat in there with him.  Norah, after a few Houdini like tricks getting out of princess sleeping bag, in her princess fleece jammies, did just fine too, with an additional blanket.

Morning dawned (not TOO early either) cool and crisp, but warned up quickly as Matt prepared us pancakes and sausages (and coffee, of course, coffee!)  We went on a short but incredibly rewarding hike to Artists Bluff, with Norah leading the way up the half mile or so path – and I do mean up, like straight up!  Norah is definitely at home on a hiking trail, with her long limbs carrying her gazelle-like over trees and logs.  The Bluff offers amazing views of Franconia Notch and we spent a good 40 minutes taking in the view, the sun, and the repeated trips of a helicopter to the high cabins.  Roddie was a champ throughout it all and is definitely itching to get moving with his sister!  He rode in high style in a backpack, but got out to stretch his legs as well.  After a quick summit snack, we headed down and Norah cooled her toes while Roddie had a bottle at Echo-Lake beach.

After naps and a fire-cooked supper, we stoked up the campfire, put Roddie to bed, and enjoyed some S’mores and our favorite local brew, Pigs Ear.  The night was a little more eventful (Roddie puked on me at one point – my fault, shouldn’t feed him laying flat on his back, and peed on me at another), and we think a little warmer.  After our second camp breakfast, I took the kids exploring the campground, while Matt packed up the site.  Rod enjoyed the ride in the buggy, as well as his big sister’s company. Norah had a great time talking all about her adventure, and taking pictures all around the campground.  We wrapped up this week’s adventure with the bear show and train ride at Clark’s Trading Post, somewhere I’d never been in all my trips to NH!

When asked about her favorite things about the weekend, Norah said “The Mountains”, and “S’mores!” and added “I want to go back to that place”.  Matt and I had a great weekend too, and really love sharing the outdoors with the kids.  There are some adjustments we had to make, of course, but I think the results are a much richer, more satisfying trip than any “killer backpack” I’ve ever done.    Sure, it’s a LOT more work camping with little kids (How many rocks did Roddie eat anyway?), but with the right attitude, it is a LOT of fun!  Matt and I both camped as kids and are totally on the same page, which goes a long way.  As we’ve said before, and especially on our anniversary weekend, we’re so lucky to have found each other!

Yes, there are a few pictures J  I will post them later.

Norah News: First Trip to the Dentist

Norah had her first visit to the dentist today.  I didn't give her a lot of notice as I only made the appointment two days ago, but she seemed excited by the idea and not at ll anxious (no belly buttons here today!)  Until we got to the office...

But, even then she wasn't too bad, she was a little more introverted than usual for the first little while, but Amy, the hygienist, did a great job of coaxing her out of her shell, and by the time we left, she was her chatty self.  The stickers, new tooth brushes and getting to pick 2 prizes didn't hurt either :)  We ended up going to a pediatric dentist, which I think was the right call as they were clearly equipped to deal with kids, right down to the mini exam chairs!

The good news is that all looks well in her mouth!  her front teeth are a little more forward than they'd like to see and the dentist asked about prolonged pacifier use (which is funny since she never used one at all really).  But, she said its much too early to worry about anything, there are a lot of variables as the adult teeth come in and her face continues to grow.  Overall a positive experience!

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What did we do before camera phones???

Norah News: Big Girl Hairstyle

Like my father before hers, Matt styles Norah's baby fine hair with the hairdryer after her bath. They have a lot of fun and I think they both look forward to it in their own way.  Matt always gives her hair a little flip up at the ends and she looks as cute as a button.

A while ago, Norah got some hair-dressing type toys - a hairdryer, a curling iron, a set of scissors that sound ssurprisingly real as they 'cut' through your hair.  If you've been to our house recently, you may have been subjected to having your hair 'styled' by Norah. 

Up until now, she's had her few haircuts at Supercuts, where Matt goes.  I haven't been quite happy with the cut, and after a strange experience the last time around, I thought I'd take her to my own stylist.  I go to a local place, and I've gotten to know all the ladies there over the past couple of years and they were all anxious to meet Norah.  Norah was also excited to get her hair styled at the "Girls Haircut Place" and literally jumped out of the sandbox when I whispered in her ear a reminder of where we were headed!  She also told EVERYONE and talked about it non-stop until we got there.  Naturally, being 3, when she got there she was nearly silent the entire time.

Anyway she was great about it and looked so old and so grown up,especially after it was all done... check her out - such a pretty big girl!