Nora in her Notre Dame Cheerleading outfit!

Seriously Dad????

She will keep you young...

or just remind you that you aren't as young as you used to be!! I have started to go to a play group/toddler time at our library so Nora can socialize with other babies her age...she has only been around our immediate family and older children since she came home so it's important that she get that baby time. Well, let's just say that this will be a work in progress..for both of us. Nora is very social, her face lights up when she sees other little ones but I feel like I am always on guard with her, never quite sure when she might reach out and grab an ear, or hair or poke a nose..we are working on play date manners I promise.

Returning to the library after so many years of being away has been interesting. I am, by my observations, the oldest mom in the group. It is a totally different experience for me this time around. I look at all the younger moms, most of them with their first child and it is almost impossible for me to remember what that world was like...when you had time to blow dry your hair, put on your best skinny jeans and stylish black boots and off you go. I wondered if any of them would notice that I most likely had some form of dry cereal or goop on my sweater b/c mornings are just chaos in our house, no time to do the quick check in the mirror before I leave the house. Although I secretly coveted one mom's great boots and wished I had a pair I am so happy to be where I am in my life right now...being a mom again at 41 with a baby has given me a totally different outlook on so many things. I try not to sweat the small stuff, the key word is TRY..when Nora was putting a million different toys in her mouth or pulling all the DVD's off of the shelf I just calmly put them back and I stopped telling her to just "pretend" it's a cup and not put it in her mouth...kids get sick, germs are everywhere, that is life. At one point I had several moms ask me lots of questions about Nora or what schools my older children went to, advice on preschools etc and it was like I was holding court...and I thought at one time in my life I was where these young moms are now, just trying to figure it all out, and there were moms before me that gave me a hand up and helped me out when I had no idea where to go for preschool or how to even get started...so, although I envy how much easier the younger moms got out of the little chairs compared to the way I did, I was thankful that maybe in some small way my experiences as a mom maybe helped just one mom out today...I will go back to the play group again because it's important for Nora and in some ways it's important for me too because there are many facets to my life, my oldest is 13 and my youngest is 13 months...I have many more years of sitting in the little chairs at the library watching Nora play and become her own little person. Looking back I guess that's how I became more comfortable in my own skin as well, by watching and observing and participating in life, in being a mom...I am so thankful for the gifts my children have given me that have shaped the kind of mom I am today.

K

Gratitude.

So grateful for Emma last night...I was having a rough day, not feeling great and just plain worn out. Nora was not giving into going to sleep last night, not sure what was going on with her but Nora and her crib were just not going to happen. I walked upstairs to get her and Emma was coming out of her room carrying Nora, "it's okay Mom, we are just going to chill in my room for a bit, I got her." At that point I looked at Emma and realized that she really had formed an amazing bond with Nora in just two short months, she was the big sister that I knew she would turn out to be, even if Emma didn't know it herself...

After 45 minutes or so I looked in on them and the lights were off, Nora was trying her hardest to stay awake in Emma's bed but she was losing the battle...Emma looked up at me and said, "it was all me Mom, I got her to fall asleep tonight..."

Yes, it was all you Emma, and that is what I love about you.

K

Halloween past...

So, this year I am feeling really guilty...I have not put out one Halloween decoration and it's a week away! I am blaming most of this on just how busy our lives our but honestly, I just could't get myself to take it all down and then deal with Nora dragging it all over the house...I know, Pathetic. I love to decorate for Christmas and I am already thinking how that is going to play itself out this year with Nora!! I think my Kids Kitchen tree is going to have to stay in the attic this year...since we dont' have costumes planned out yet this year (I told them all they had to make their own..i.e. not spending 100 dollars on bought costumes!) I thought I would post some pics from previous Halloweens, when they were really cute and I could TELL them what they were going to be!!

I did buy Nora's this year...but she deserves one great costume right?? and yes, the clown is my husband.

Happy Halloween!!

Nora at 13 months...

Today Nora turned 13 months old..it is amazing how quickly time is flying and somedays I cannot believe this is the same baby we brought home in August...I have always felt that Fall instead of Spring was a new beginning..and Nora is just more proof that our lives became "new" once again when she joined our family. All of my children are born in September and October, more reason to feel a sense of beginning, not only for them but for me as well.

Happy 13 Months Nora.

We love you so much

K

Nora and her brothers~

I love watching how differently all three of our older children interact with Nora...they each have their own style. Emma is a perfect big sister, always watching over her and being silly and empathetic. Owen is forever the watchful big brother, the first to pick her up and give her a hug or carry her around making her giggle...and Declan, well, he goes in for the football tackle, but she loves it. Emma is missing from the pics today because she has a very demanding social life!

K

"From little acorns grow mighty oaks..."

I have always loved this saying, partly because I can't remember a time when I didn't love acorns..I know, seems kind of strange but for me they have always been a sign of comfort and "home." We have a huge black oak tree in our front yard, it is one of the first things you see when you drive down our street, it towers over our house and I feel that it protects us...of course during every storm I say a little prayer..pls. don't fall on us!! Today I tried to take more pictures of Nora in her hanbok to send to her foster parents, although we did not get the perfect shot (hat was off in 2 seconds and bow untied...) I do love the picture of Nora holding the tiny acorn in her hands..

For me this picture embodies the spirit of this little child, she will no doubt grow into her own mighty oak. I hope she knows how much she is loved and that her strength and courage are gifts that were given to her before she was even ours...little hands but oh so strong.

Happy Fall.

K

Waiting and Wishing for her sister and brothers to come home...

Nora loves to look out her window and watch for her Emma and the boys to get off the bus...I thought it was so cute the way she was kneeling on her WISH pillow...some wishes do come true.

On the go.

Nora is not walking yet but it certainly does not stop her from getting where she wants to go!! Have I mentioned she is a very determined little girl? I usually start my mornings by putting the gate up for the stairs but she got away from me and was on her way...she loves to climb the stairs and then close the door to her sisters room, just hope she doesn't discover how to lock the door behind her! When she is not climbing the stairs she is usually searching the house for more pictures of herself to look at...the one in the foyer on the table is my favorite picture that we took at Holt on the day we picked Nora up...it is a photo of all of us with Nora's foster mother and father..Nora loves to look at it and point to everyone. I truly believe there is a place in Nora's heart that will always remember that day.

I'm sure life will only get busier when she begins to walk but for now she is happy having me chase her around the house...I certainly get my workouts going up and down the stairs.:)

Happy Friday.

K

Our first attempt at pig tails.

There are not many things in life cuter than a girl in pigtails...I still tell my 13 yr old daughter she looks cute in them:) Nora's hair has grown so much in the short time we have had her home with us. I will never figure out how her foster mother kept her still to give her such a cute little bob haircut before we picked her up, it's just not going to happen in this house..Nora will barely sit still long enough for me to get the elastics in her hair before she decided she doesn't like them! So, the other day I tried my best to put pig tails in and snap a few pictures, they did not last long.. We will certainly be going through the painful process of growing out her bangs! Nora will be home two months tomorrow, it is almost impossible to believe that two months ago she was a frightened, grieving, sad little baby who screamed for her Omma in the middle of the night. We still have some rough spots but for the most part Nora has adjusted so well and we are so fortunate that she knows that we love her and that she is safe with us. She is stubborn and spunky and funny and loving all at once, we are so happy to have her home.

Kelly