Happy New Year 2010!!
Sat, Jan 2 2010 05:40
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Happy New Year to all who enter and read our little blog. Here's hoping 2010 is a great year for all of us!
We ended 2009 with the Finley's sitting on the couch after a nice dinner. Non-eventful from where we would have been 5 0r 10 years ago, but more the speed needed for the moment.
Christmas in Long Island was great, although it's always hard to miss those you aren't with for the holidays and this year was no exception about missing all the folks in Rochester and AZ. We did love spending some dedicated time with the Mulligan family. We did a lot of playing and opening presents, and visiting with Grandy, Grumpa and Aunt Christine. We went into the City for a day and had brunch with Great Aunt Alice and Great Nana Helen. We then walked over to see the Tree at Rockefeller Center.
On Monday after Christmas we went up to Connecticut to spend the day with the Flatley's. Nora had a great time with all the kids and really liked swimming in the new indoor pool! We enjoyed the day a lot!
Our time with the Finley's was awesome. It was freezing in Chicago, but we made the most of our time together with some good meals, lots of playing and a trip to the aquarium to see the sharks and fishes.
As we start 2010, here's hoping that we continue to have the good luck, health and friendships we have today.
We ended 2009 with the Finley's sitting on the couch after a nice dinner. Non-eventful from where we would have been 5 0r 10 years ago, but more the speed needed for the moment.
Christmas in Long Island was great, although it's always hard to miss those you aren't with for the holidays and this year was no exception about missing all the folks in Rochester and AZ. We did love spending some dedicated time with the Mulligan family. We did a lot of playing and opening presents, and visiting with Grandy, Grumpa and Aunt Christine. We went into the City for a day and had brunch with Great Aunt Alice and Great Nana Helen. We then walked over to see the Tree at Rockefeller Center.
On Monday after Christmas we went up to Connecticut to spend the day with the Flatley's. Nora had a great time with all the kids and really liked swimming in the new indoor pool! We enjoyed the day a lot!
Our time with the Finley's was awesome. It was freezing in Chicago, but we made the most of our time together with some good meals, lots of playing and a trip to the aquarium to see the sharks and fishes.
As we start 2010, here's hoping that we continue to have the good luck, health and friendships we have today.
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Sat, Apr 4 2009 11:19
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Long time no update, but at least the new pictures have been flowing. So Little Miss Nora is 8 months old. She's doing great and is still just a true joy to have around!!
We've had a lot of firsts in the past month, and pictures of most of them are on her picture pages. She had her First Haircut, First St. Patrick's Day, First Walk in the Desert Mountains and First Spring Walk on the Prairie Path with the doggies.
She has 8, yes 8, teeth. She's graduated to some people food, and loves bananas, cheese and puffs. Her favorite mode of getting around is still the barrel roll, but there is a greater amount of commando crawl each day. She also loves to try and pull herself up on things, she isn't quite there yet, but it's coming soon. If you do stand her up next to something, she'll stand and dance and butt wiggle for a good five minutes. Needless to say we've begun childproofing the house. Zeke wishes we could childproof him. = )
We had a nice visit with Grammie over St. Paddy's day and are looking forward to Grandy's arrival in a few weeks!
We are looking forward to spring really arriving and getting dirty in the backyard in our newly planned victory garden.
We also got a little video camera, and have a bunch of videos of Nora, but since Daddy doesn't like to put video on the web, you have to email us for them and we'll get you access to where they are hidden!
Hope you are all well and our love to each of you!
We've had a lot of firsts in the past month, and pictures of most of them are on her picture pages. She had her First Haircut, First St. Patrick's Day, First Walk in the Desert Mountains and First Spring Walk on the Prairie Path with the doggies.
She has 8, yes 8, teeth. She's graduated to some people food, and loves bananas, cheese and puffs. Her favorite mode of getting around is still the barrel roll, but there is a greater amount of commando crawl each day. She also loves to try and pull herself up on things, she isn't quite there yet, but it's coming soon. If you do stand her up next to something, she'll stand and dance and butt wiggle for a good five minutes. Needless to say we've begun childproofing the house. Zeke wishes we could childproof him. = )
We had a nice visit with Grammie over St. Paddy's day and are looking forward to Grandy's arrival in a few weeks!
We are looking forward to spring really arriving and getting dirty in the backyard in our newly planned victory garden.
We also got a little video camera, and have a bunch of videos of Nora, but since Daddy doesn't like to put video on the web, you have to email us for them and we'll get you access to where they are hidden!
Hope you are all well and our love to each of you!
New Nora Photos
Christmas in Chicago!
Fri, Jan 2 2009 06:00
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As we were in Rochester over the holidays this year, we celebrated Nora's first Christmas with Larry's parents a bit early via webcam!! Nora enjoyed herself and got plenty of practice opening presents. It was wonderful for us to be able to share it, albiet remotely, with Grandy and Grandpa.
Nora loves her Interactive Zoo, and played with her new activity cube in the car all the way to Rochester!! See pic here for proof!
She also loves ELVIS. No, not the real Elvis, but her new rocking horse named Elvis. We even geared him up with real reins so that she can hold on and rock in the future. See pic here!
We also are thankful for the clothes and contributions to Nora's ever increasing college fund. She may have enough in their for one whole credit in 2020. Or here's hoping she does!!
Although we missed being with the Mulligan's at the holidays we KNOW that next year will be a whirlwind of a time with a fully active 16 month old running around opening everyone's presents.
Nora loves her Interactive Zoo, and played with her new activity cube in the car all the way to Rochester!! See pic here for proof!
She also loves ELVIS. No, not the real Elvis, but her new rocking horse named Elvis. We even geared him up with real reins so that she can hold on and rock in the future. See pic here!
We also are thankful for the clothes and contributions to Nora's ever increasing college fund. She may have enough in their for one whole credit in 2020. Or here's hoping she does!!
Although we missed being with the Mulligan's at the holidays we KNOW that next year will be a whirlwind of a time with a fully active 16 month old running around opening everyone's presents.
Peaches
Fri, Jan 2 2009 05:53
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So, my sister (who did daycare for 10 years) has a theory that when kids have peaches for the first time that ALL kids do this full body shiver. No theories on why, but she says it's damn cute and always happens.
Wanting to test this theory on yet one more child, we volunteered Nora for further testing when we were all together at Christmas. So, HERE for your viewing pleasure is our little girl's reaction to her first peaches.
Wanting to test this theory on yet one more child, we volunteered Nora for further testing when we were all together at Christmas. So, HERE for your viewing pleasure is our little girl's reaction to her first peaches.
Three Months Already??
Sat, Nov 1 2008 06:11
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Pretty active week for us out here in Chicago lots to report and catch up on.
Nora went to day care with Miss Jen for 3 days this week to get both of us accustomed, and comfortable with the process. I go back to work full time on Monday, and am both excited, and shocked that it's been 3 months already.
Nora had her first plane ride, and it was great!! She saw all the sites from above in NYC including the Statue of Liberty. She was soo good on both flights, even though we were stuck on the tarmac for an hour and a half at LGA on the way back, she was actually better behaved than some of the adults on the plane.
Her Christening in LI was great, and we were happy to have the family, Flatley's and friends with us for the big event. Larry's dad did the ceremony and was a little over zealous with the anointing oil at one point, so she was a pretty greasy monkey for a few days, and still has a lingering smell of a Christmas ham.. all clovey.
We weren't planning on doing anything for Halloween, but I was in the store on Friday and saw this cute pumpkin costume on sale for cheap and couldn't resist... it's a good thing too b/c she was so cute in it!! See for yourself on her photo page, as there are lots of new picture loaded.
Nora went to day care with Miss Jen for 3 days this week to get both of us accustomed, and comfortable with the process. I go back to work full time on Monday, and am both excited, and shocked that it's been 3 months already.
Nora had her first plane ride, and it was great!! She saw all the sites from above in NYC including the Statue of Liberty. She was soo good on both flights, even though we were stuck on the tarmac for an hour and a half at LGA on the way back, she was actually better behaved than some of the adults on the plane.
Her Christening in LI was great, and we were happy to have the family, Flatley's and friends with us for the big event. Larry's dad did the ceremony and was a little over zealous with the anointing oil at one point, so she was a pretty greasy monkey for a few days, and still has a lingering smell of a Christmas ham.. all clovey.
We weren't planning on doing anything for Halloween, but I was in the store on Friday and saw this cute pumpkin costume on sale for cheap and couldn't resist... it's a good thing too b/c she was so cute in it!! See for yourself on her photo page, as there are lots of new picture loaded.
I Can Giggle!
This week was full of firsts -- our first giggle and our first road trip! The giggle is sooooo cute, and I wish I could capture it on video. Soon enough, and when I do, I'll be sure to share it.
Our road trip to see Cousin Beth and Morgan was great!! Nora slept like a champ on the 4 hour ride up to Ann Arbor, we had a great afternoon of just hanging out and relaxing, ordered dinner and watched the debate. Thursday morning Dave cooked us breakfast, we hung out for a bit, mugged for some pictures and went out to lunch before heading back to Chicago. Apparently the limit for Miss Nora in the car is not more that 7 hours in two days, b/c the last 50 minutes of our trip back from Ann Arbor were shear torture. Baby girl let mommy know how very ANGRY she can get, luckily mommy controls the volume on the stereo and knows that Miss Nora would calm down as soon as we got home... but it was a tough ride through Dan Ryan and Ike traffic...
We've posted a whole bunch of new photos, some from Ann Arbor, some from around the house, and some in her very cool boots from CD!!
Next week is also a big week.. with our big trip to NYC!! We can't wait to see and meet everyone!!
Our road trip to see Cousin Beth and Morgan was great!! Nora slept like a champ on the 4 hour ride up to Ann Arbor, we had a great afternoon of just hanging out and relaxing, ordered dinner and watched the debate. Thursday morning Dave cooked us breakfast, we hung out for a bit, mugged for some pictures and went out to lunch before heading back to Chicago. Apparently the limit for Miss Nora in the car is not more that 7 hours in two days, b/c the last 50 minutes of our trip back from Ann Arbor were shear torture. Baby girl let mommy know how very ANGRY she can get, luckily mommy controls the volume on the stereo and knows that Miss Nora would calm down as soon as we got home... but it was a tough ride through Dan Ryan and Ike traffic...
We've posted a whole bunch of new photos, some from Ann Arbor, some from around the house, and some in her very cool boots from CD!!
Next week is also a big week.. with our big trip to NYC!! We can't wait to see and meet everyone!!
Blowing and Growing
Nora had her 2 month appointment and shots on Tuesday and came through with flying colors! She clocked in at 9 lb 13.3 oz in weight and 22 1/4 in length. The doc said she is growing well, plodding right along her projected growth curve! Doc also said she's got great head control and good eye tracking and interaction for a kid her age. Shots went off without a hitch, a few minutes of crying and then right back to smiling her goofy smile.
As you can see from her pics, she's been quite the party animal recently! She had a great time at our Annual Halfway to St. Pat's party, and mommy barely held her all night because she had soooo many other admirers. Last weekend we were at L. A.'s house for C.T's goodbye party. This time she slept through the whole thing, until it was nearly time to go and then she got up to give everyone some big smiles and coos.
She is smiling a ton now (especially when daddy changes her and does "Maniac" -- yes think Flashdance) and likes to tell stories and coo and blow spit bubbles!! She has also got a new nickname it's Princess Meaty Cheeks.
She is getting a pretty good nighttime routine down, we put her down at 9/9:30 pm and Larry gives her a bottle at 11/11:30 and she sleeps most nights until 4:30/5:00 am -- and this means we are all getting a fair amount of sleep, which is great.
As for what's next in October:
As you can see from her pics, she's been quite the party animal recently! She had a great time at our Annual Halfway to St. Pat's party, and mommy barely held her all night because she had soooo many other admirers. Last weekend we were at L. A.'s house for C.T's goodbye party. This time she slept through the whole thing, until it was nearly time to go and then she got up to give everyone some big smiles and coos.
She is smiling a ton now (especially when daddy changes her and does "Maniac" -- yes think Flashdance) and likes to tell stories and coo and blow spit bubbles!! She has also got a new nickname it's Princess Meaty Cheeks.
She is getting a pretty good nighttime routine down, we put her down at 9/9:30 pm and Larry gives her a bottle at 11/11:30 and she sleeps most nights until 4:30/5:00 am -- and this means we are all getting a fair amount of sleep, which is great.
As for what's next in October:
- we are still interviewing day care providers b/c Mommy plans to go back to work Nov 3
- we hope is that we'll be able to go up and visit our new "cousin" Morgan Alexa
- we have our first plane ride on Oct 23, when we travel back to LI, NY to see Larry's family!!
New Nora Page
I've changed the Nora page again to, hopefully, make it easier for people to find things. The Nora page is still in place but the format has changed. There is a section for Nora links now that will take you to the Nora Photos page and Nora stories like Nora related blog entries. The Nora Photos page has been changed so that they're are currently only two sections: the Nora (0-3 Months) page link and the directory listing link which has the raw, unedited pictures suitable for printing. We'll add more sections as Nora gets older. 
New Picture Setup
All right, we're going to try something different. Complaints have been pouring in from across the nation that we haven't been uploading pictures of Nora as fast a people would like. I've heard your cries loud and clear so here's what we're going to do. I've created a page that has every Nora picture on it. It won't be formatted or edited in any way. It's just a big dumping ground for her pictures. I'll keep this page loaded with fresh pictures as best as I can. Take a look at All of Nora. The other page takes a bit more doing to make pretty and is the reason for, what some people say, my lackadaisical posting schedule. Take a gander at Nora Photos for the more souped up version. Please feel free to leave a comment or send us an email to let us know what you think.