All in all, we had a wonderful time out in Reno with the family. The atmosphere was relaxed and joyous at Christmas. We got to see Norah's Great-Grandparents, Bill and Joan, as well as great-grandma Ahpah. Not to mention the rest of the family.
It was good to give Norah time to really connect with the family. I felt like she really knew everyone by the end of the trip.
I liked being away from home, because I really got to RELAX instead of be thinking of the millions of things I could be doing!
Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for opening their home to us and for such a blessed time together!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
It takes creativity....
To make Jacob stop fussing, we would usually put him up so he could see Norah. She made him smile. The oranges were grandpa's attempt to make Norah smile earlier in the day. He drew faces on them and then they ate about 6 oranges between them! That was an interesting diaper change.....
Mamma and Norah
Here we are in front of the fire. Norah is wearing her new sweater from Aunt Alessia.
Busy Timmy
Norah was in love with a book called "Busy Timmy", and we used her love for Timmy to get her to eat her food, clean up, go to bed, sit still for diaper changes, hold our hands when walking in parking lots, stop crying, give up her pacifier during the day, go down for naps, stop being naughty, and more! Timmy has really had his work cut out for him!
The book is all about Timmy and how big he is; he can do lots of things by himself. The book ends with this (written from memory since I have read it about 9,000 times!):
"Yes, Timmy IS a big boy, and he is fast asleep.
You are big, too.
Timmy does lots of things, and so can you!"
After the last two sentences, Norah looks at you and says, "Yeah!" It is really cute!
Self portrait
James and I in Adam and Cassie's huge conversion van that they graciously let us borrow! My teeth look like they're glowing! :-)
Who's that guy?
Who is that cute guy with the even cuter pug? It's James!
[By now, I hope you realize that Chiara does these posts even though they are attributed to James on the blog!]
Grandma!
Here is Grandma taking in the sites of Virginia City, an old silver mining town from the 1800's. It is nestled way up in the mountains, and the drive there was really gorgeous. We had a nice time walking the 'strip.'
The view on Christmas Morning!
Here is what we woke up to on Christmas morning! Eventually, the storm passed, and the whole valley and mountains were blanketed in snow. Really beautiful!
Ahpah 1
James and Norah and I went to pick Ahpah up in Sacramento. Norah had a really fun time reconnecting with Ahpah!
Now, whenever we see anyone with gray hair at the grocery store or wherever, Norah shouts, 'Ahpah!"
Too Cool!
Norah looks too cool for school (whatever that means!) in her shades! You need them up there with the glare off the snow!
Mountain girl!
Norah loved going outside to walk in the mountains! She pointed out mountains, and the many airplanes that flew overhead!
Chong! 3
Chong is hoping for some food to somehow appear! He also would lick her cup after she drank from it to get some milk!
Chong!
Grandma and Grandpa have a little pug named Chong, and Norah and he were best buds. Norah would feed Chong his food one nibble at a time, AND moisten it in his water first, so it would taste better! He didn't mind!
She also would climb into his bed when he was napping. He is such a mellow dog, that he would just sit there and watch her!
But, Chong benefited from the relationship too. He would loiter near Norah whenever she was eating, and eat her fallen food. He also licked the food off her hands and face after every meal (much to Mama's dismay!).
Norah woke up every morning and the first thing she said was: Chong!!!!!! Also, her first instance of putting two words together for a mini-sentence was: "Hi Chong!"
Jenga!
Jenga was played, and I think we got to 33 levels or something like that (correct me if I am wrong). We took some photos to commemorate our great prowess at this challenging game!!! Don't make it fall, Grandpa!
Uncle Adam
Norah was terrified of her uncle Adam for about 2 days, but then they became great friends!
Toothy Grin
Norah loves to pull the silly smile when all we want is a good photo! But, she has lots of teeth, eh?
Christmas Eve 1
Oops, should have put these first!
These mittens and hat were from our Aunt Rita and Uncle Mike. Norah loves the rainbow "mits"
And Adam is a ham as usual!
The poor Nativity Scene
Grandma had a really beautiful Nativity scene that Norah took a liking to. By the end of our visit, two sheep had lost limbs, a donkey had lost his head and subsequently his whole face, and the other member of the Nativity set recoiled in terror whenever Norah entered the room!
That's why we call her Norah Destructo Hemsley!
Christmas Day 5
Peter and Baby Jacob hanging out on Christmas Day. Jacob LOVES to suck on paper, so here he is going to town. He will scream if you take it away!
Norah's pledge
"Where there are babies fussing, I will be there!
When nuks (pacifiers) fall out, I will rush to the rescue!
When other people's nuks aren't in use, I will gladly give them a try!"
Norah was pleased as punch that baby Juice or Judy or whatever her name is comes with her very own NUK! I saw Norah attempting to suck on the nuk later in the day. Apparently Norah's needs come before those of her baby (who doesn't fuss much anyway!).
Christmas Day 4
Perhaps the highlight (for Norah anyway) was getting this doll with various accessories. I think it's name is going to be Baby Judy (she suggested "Baby Juice", but I think that is a little strange, so I countered with "Baby Judy" and she okayed it. Who knows, it might change tomorrow. Maybe I will suggest Baby Ruth!
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