Norah Update

At nap time Norah's bed is usually filled with all sorts of things from books, to jewelry, to stuffed animals and blankets. There's no telling what she will decide she needs to sleep with during her nap. We normally don't allow small pieces like jewelry in her bed with her, but I didn't do a purse check when she put it in her crib, and had no idea how much stuff was crammed in it until I went in to wake her up.

There are actually fewer toys in here than normal - she actually has a place to lay down. Some regular items are "Mommy and Baby Sleeping Beauty", "Mommy and Baby Pig", Heart Bear, Elephant, and Kitty. At night time all bets are off as to what will be allowed in with her. Items that she was desperate for at nap time might find themselves being tossed out with little ceremony.

Norah definitely isn't afraid to express herself through her wardrobe. One afternoon I found her decked out in the outfit above, playing with her soccer ball. Needless to say we were very entertained by her fashion sense! Lately she refuses to wear anything but what she calls "Pretty dresses" which apparently has a fairly broad definition. Nightgowns, some tops and bottoms, and some of her dresses are considered "pretty". I have yet to find a real pattern to them, but will be thankful when Spring/Summer arrive so that she can wear dresses to her heart's content. She has also developed a love of shoes (like mother like daughter) and is constantly trying on and changing out her shoes.

The past month has seen great strides in the potty training department. We went from a couple successful days a week, to success almost every day! She's very, very good about telling us when she needs to use the potty, and has started informing us that she doesn't need help, and that we need to wait outside the bathroom.

What has really impressed us is her ability to inform us while we are away from the house that she has to use the potty. Depending on where we are it's not always possible to take her, and she can normally wait until we're home (or to a location with a bathroom). She still has trouble controlling things at nap time and bed time, but with the progress we've made it just one month, we aren't worried about it at all! She loves wearing her big girl panties and has done so now on excursions outside the house with only one accident so far! We still have a ways to go, but letting her take the lead and allowing her to tell us when she needs to go seems to have done the trick (that has earned many rewards of "Nemo snacks" or fruit snacks)!

Phone conversations with her have also become quite interesting now that her verbal expression and vocabulary have dramatically improved. She'll talk and talk and talk to anyone who happens to be at the other end of the line. She doesn't always pay attention to what she's asked, but she'll keep the other person entertained with all kinds of stories!

A few days ago I was trying to distract Norah and asked her if she had told Justin about.......(and I paused here because I couldn't think of anything to say). She filled in my blank with....Jesus! I then asked her if she had, and her response was yes! We are very excited about how much she seems to be picking up from Sunday school and here at home.

As always, Norah's ability to use her imagination astounds us. Recently we were informed that she is a princess and she lives in a castle (all houses are castles right now). She also told me as we were on our way to pick up Jeff at the train station that the other cars were going to go get their daddies too! Norah is also demonstrating an understanding of backwards, behind, in front of, and under. When did she get so big?

Norah is taking dance classes again this semester and really enjoying them. She's trying to do more of the movements, and practices on her own during the week. It's great to see her enjoy something so much. As you can see from the video she definitely has a sense of rhythm and loves to dance.