The Greatest Mother's Day Gift...Ever

May 10th was memorable for many reasons. J turned 30 and 1/2 (okay....that's pretty lame...no one celebrates half-birthdays), celebrated her first Mother's Day as a Mommy herself and got the greatest Mother's Day gift EVER.

The day started off very well. Daddy let Mommy sleep in by tending to Norah. When Mommy woke up and came downstairs, Norah had the greatest surprise for her: For the first time, Ms. Norah Belle pushed herself up with her arms and lifted her head. Now, for those of you who do not have children, you may be thinking: "So. What's the big deal about lifting up on your arms to lift your head?!?!" Well, let me just tell you that this is a MAJOR accomplishment as far as baby-milestones go, and to have Norah do it on Mother's Day made it all the sweeter. (the picture is blurry...but we had to post it to capture the moment).

After a wonderful breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast (made perfectly by Dan), Mom and Dad just generally chilled out, took a walk with Norah and Angus and capped off the day by having a great dinner of Chinese food with Grandma and Grandpa. What fun!

J's first Mother's Day was made special for one more reason. As most of you know, J's mother, Mamma Craig, passed away 10 years ago this October. The last Mother's Day Mamma Craig was alive, J bought her mother a shirt that said "World's Greatest Mom". J kept this shirt with the intention of wearing it on her first Mother's Day as a Mom. It was worn with pride; in honor of Mamma Craig...and her new granddaughter.

We love you all,
D&J

The Silnes' Come to Visit!!!!!!!!!!!!

The weekend before Mother's Day, Dan and J were honored to host two very special guests: Andrea and Mark Silnes. Andrea and Mark are probably two of our favorite people, and now they are two of Norah's favorite people, also. They came in from Columbus to spend the night.

Not only did Ms. Norah get some serious cuddle time with Andrea and Mark, but her Mom and Dad got to have some fun, too.

We ate fabulous Italian food, played euchre and just generally talked and caught-up....until 3:00 a.m.!!!!!!!!!! (good thing Norah went down and 9 and slept all the way 'til 7).

Thanks, Andrea and Mark. We had a great time and can't wait to see you again soon.

Catchin' Some Zzzzzzzz's

You've all seen the pictures we've posted of our cute little Norah, and you may have noticed that she's sleeping in many of them. What you have not seen are pictures of Norah Belle swaddled up nicely resting in her crib at night. That's because, up until, about a week ago, Mommy and Daddy were still being awakened each night anywhere from about 2:30-4:00 a.m. to the sounds of 'hunger and change-me cries'.

Now, all of a sudden, Norah has decided to let Mom and Dad get some more shut eye during the night; and catch some more Zzzzzz's herself. Our little angel has been going to bed consistently at around 9-9:30 and sleeping until around 5:30-6:00 a.m. Last night, she went down at 9:00 and made it until 7:00 a.m.!!!!!!!!!

Don't get us wrong, Norah's night-time sleeping habits have never really been that bad, but it sure is a nice change to get a few more hours of un-interrupted sleep each evening.

We pray it lasts!

Hope all is well with each of you,
D&J

Too Stinkin' Cute-Part Three

Growing like a weed. And growing more beautiful every day.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Well, today marks the last day of Mommy's maternity leave. I took an extended leave of ten weeks rather than the allotted six in order to spend more time with my Ms. Norah. In all honesty, there were times when I was chomping at the bit to get back to work. But, after all has been said and done, taking an extended brake to bond with Norah has been the best decision ever. I was able to get to know her; her smiles, her 'coos'. I have been able to watch her grow as a little person. She is starting to lift her head and move about. And Norah has been able to get to know her Mommy. Hell, I am beginning to get to know myself as a mommy, and as a person (a process that, I know, is never ending). My daughter has taught me more about myself in the last 10 weeks than I have learned in the last 30 years.

I am in awe looking back on the last 10 weeks. At 1:57 p.m. on 1/31/09, a little girl was born. There was joy. There was fear. There was uncertainty. At 3:45 p.m. on 4/13/09 there are still all of these feelings, but there is also a never ending love and unbreakable bond that has blossomed. Parenthood is many things to me now. And I'm sure it will be many more things to come. Most importantly, however, parenthood is LOVE.

Easter Is 'EggSpecially' Excellent!

Norah and her parents had an 'eggspecially' excellent Easter Weekend '09. The fun began with a visit from wonderful family friend, Cherryl Friedman. Cherryl was able to see Norah for several days and Ms. Norah had a wonderful time!

Norah also got to meet a new playmate, Sophia, when the Webers traveled south to Mason, OH for some burgers and boardgames with friends. Sophia and Norah were due to enter the world about five days apart. As it turned out, Norah came early and Sophia was a bit late. We can wait to see these to kiddos grow up together.

Norah woke up Easter morning (decked out in her Easter Bunny Sleeper) to find that the Easter Bunny had been her and given her her first Easter basket.

Mommy and Daddy then got Norah dressed up in her first Easter Sunday outfit and headed off to Church to meet Grandpa.

After church, Norah and Daddy napped whilst Mommy made deviled eggs for Easter Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's. What a fun time! The Easter Bunny had dropped off a basket for Norah there, too! Not only that, but the food was great and Norah got plenty of face time with her Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

We hope that each of you had just as good of an Easter Weekend as we did.

Love,
D, J & Norah

Three Men and a Baby

Norah has had many adoring male visitors come to see her during her 9 weeks of life, but none are wrapped around her little finger as tightly as the three most important ones: Daddy, Grandpa & Uncle Lee. Who can blame them for loving her though? As the other pictures show, Ms. Norah is a doll. Watch out, future suitors, these guys are pretty protective! :-)