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