Monday, September 24, 2007

End the Day with a Picture of Norah


IMG_3515, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Norah Takes a Picture of Her Daddy


IMG_3536, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Norah at the Trivia


IMG_3535, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

She got pretty startled during one point where people cheered really loudly for a correct answer. Fortunately, she was easy to calm down and we were better prepared for future answers.

Bluegrass Trivia


IMG_3533, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Once a month, the small town of Blue Grass, IA hosts a trivia contest. About 65 teams of 8 participate, and it's a great time. We assembled a team and went to the event, Norah in tow. This is the potluck before the Trivia started.

There's the Smile


IMG_3529, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Mommy's New Haircut


IMG_3526, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Norah and Mommy in the Nursery


IMG_3519, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Mommy and Norah were trying to organize some of Samuel's things.

Tastes Like Fuzz


IMG_3518, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Tasting One of Her Favorite Toys


IMG_3514, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Typical Norah in the Car


IMG_3513, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Fun with Norah


IMG_3509, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Family Band Family Picture


IMG_3508, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Chiara is always making sure we get a family picture whenever someone can take the picture.

Visiting Nonna #2


IMG_3507, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Visiting Nonna


IMG_3506, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

I (James) went to the Oregon vs Michigan game and watched Michigan lose handily to Oregon. Chiara helped her sister, Alessia, paint her upcoming baby's nursery. Norah hung out with Nonna.

Chi Sei? #2


IMG_3503, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Trying on her Italian fashion.

Chi sei?


IMG_3502, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

"Chi sei?" means "Who are you?" in Italian. But Norah's look seems to say: "What are you looking at?"

Sleeping Beauty


IMG_3500, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Sometimes Norah likes to crash on our bed.

Nap Time with Baby Penguin


IMG_3498, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

One of Those Hot Days #2


IMG_3488, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

One of Those Hot Days


IMG_3486, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Statue of US Grant


IMG_3485, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

On our last day we visited the down town again and took in some of the monuments.

College Friends' Husbands


IMG_3482, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

College Friends


IMG_3476, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Sarah Aley, Chiara, and Krista Palmquist on the front steps of our rental house.

Who Tooted?


IMG_3469, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Jonathan and Jacob, Norah, and Anna.

All the Kids


IMG_3468, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Krista, Eric and Anna Palmquist


IMG_3465, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

The Family Band + Anna


IMG_3461, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Anna really liked the swing and didn't want to get down.

James, Eric, Norah and Anna


IMG_3456, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Chiara, Krista, Norah and Anna


IMG_3450, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Posing for Pictures #2


IMG_3448, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

I think Norah just wanted to lay down. I'm not sure Anna knew what to make of it.

Posing for Pictures


IMG_3446, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Setting Up a Posed Picture


IMG_3444, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

You have to love trying to get little kids into a pose. In this case on a garden swing.

Rental House


IMG_3442, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

An outside view. The house had three bedrooms and a nice big living room.

Anna Gives it a Try


IMG_3440, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Anna Looks at Norah


IMG_3435, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Anna Palmquist looks at Norah while Norah lays on her play mat.

Get Out of the Picture!


IMG_3434_edited-1, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

The girls decided that they didn't want me in the picture after all.

Kids Eat Dinner


IMG_3432, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

The kids eat dinner and everyone wanted Norah in the picture. I'm holding Norah.

At Grant's House


IMG_3418, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Galena, IL is where U.S. Grant lived. His house (given as a gift to him by the town after he won the Civil War) is behind us.

Mommy and Norah in the Pool


IMG_3428, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

I don't know what she made of it and mostly splashed around.

Norah in the Water


IMG_3426, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Norah goes in the water for the first time. She really loved it!

Eric and Anna at the Pool


IMG_3416, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

The house we rented was a part of a development that had a country club. By renting, we also had access to the club and their pool.

Sticking Out Tongue


IMG_3415, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

The family band returned to Galena, IL with some of Chiara's college friends. We rented a nice house and explored the surrounding area.

In this picture, Norah gets to visit a pool for the first time. She is also practicing her frog impersonation.

Norah on the Bed


IMG_3410, originally uploaded by James Hemsley.

Monday, September 17, 2007

3 and 1/2 months

Well, Norah is about 3 and 1/2 months old, and it's been a while since we have posted any photos. We will do that sometime this week. I thought I would fill you in on what Norah can do, not just what she looks like.

Norah went for her first swim over Labor Day weekend. She enjoyed it immensely!

Norah discovered her tongue a few weeks ago and was constantly sticking it out at us!

She can sit up--almost unassisted--for a while, and likes the change of scenery that allows her to have.

She says: "ah-ghh", "bb-bb-bb" and "mm-mm-mm", and blows bubbles in her saliva when she is talking to us.

She now knows that crying/whining will get attention from mommy and daddy, so she employs these methods on a daily basis!

She can stand and support her weight (but we provide balance)--she likes to do this!

She can bring toys or other objects to her mouth for further exploration (i.e., tasting).

She smiles, coos, and laughs when she is happy. That is fun to see!

She sighs (loudly and impatiently) when she is bored or frustrated, and it is a clear sign that she is tired or cranky.

As for James and I, we have been busy working (him at ACT and me at the University) and taking care of Norah Bear. The weeks are flying by, and our schedule seems to be planned out to November already!

Norah has been a joy in our lives, and we look forward to each new day that brings her new discoveries and new skills. It is so amazing to watch her learn and grow.

Check back soon for more pictures and/or video clips!

--Chiara