Pickles for Breakfast

Yes you read that correctly-PICKLES FOR BREAKFAST!

Nora was standing next to me when I opened the fridge to get out some milk for breakfast. She pointed to the pickle jar and made the sign for 'more'. Well, I guess why not give her a pickle for breakfast, she'll learn they aren't such a breakfast food. And technically it is a vegetable, which she needs to get more of. So yes, she had a pickle (actually 3) for breakfast! She loved it and now asks for them all the time. Pickle Drool

The "Said" Pickle - in her mouth

Both my Babies!!!!

Both my babies "sleeping". Ok neither one is sleeping--Nora is thinking it is funny to be a 'baby' in Jackson's Moses basket. Jackson is probably fussing in his bassinet lent to us by Matt's parents. It was the same bassinet Matt slept in when he was a baby.

Jackson - 1 month old

Some photos of Jackson at 1 month old!

Jackson - 2 week ear recheck

Jackson is all clear of his ear infections. Lets hope it was a fluke and he will stay healthy. The doctor said "his were the best ears he's seen all day" The doctor also said his thrush looks gone but to continue with medicine for the full 2 weeks. Let hope that stays away too! He still spits up quite a bit and doesn't burp well, we'll see if that gets better as well.
He also weighs 10 lbs 7 oz - wow, even though he spits up....I don't need to worry that he is getting food. That is a 2 lb and 4 oz gain since birth. WOWSERS, what an eater!

Trip to Daddy's Work

We went and saw Matt at his new office in New Brighton. What a hike up there! It was so fun to see all his coworkers and for them to meet Jackson and see how big Nora is. Matt's boss and wife took us out for lunch which was a special treat. The kids were great in the car and it sure was fun to see Matt's cubicle and friends at work.

Nora with her calculator...calculating how many sales Daddy needs to make!

Finally Summer

FINALLY....Summer! Oh how we've missed you! Nora loves being outside and we take walks everyday. Since it was warm enough outside we set up our makeshift beach in our backyard. Nora and I hung out outside and Jackson and Matt hung out in the garage so Jackson (and Matt) didn't get sunburned.

Our makeshift Beach

Nora eating watermelon outside

Trying to step on her shadow!

So cute

Trip to Menards

We went to Menards today to pick up some stuff for the house/yard. Matt and I both took carts. One cart to have Jackson's carrier in it. One cart for the hose, hose cart, and shelf we were planning on buying. Well by the end of the trip. Nora was in Matt's arms while he is trying to push his cart. Jackson is in my arms while I try pushing my cart. The cashier was laughing at us as I am sure we were quite a site to see! Oh, the joys of 2 kids under 2!

18 months old

Nora is 18 months old. Wow, where has the time gone? She has gotten so big and is such a big girl now. I sometimes forget that she is only 18 months because she is so much bigger than Jackson so I think she is older than she is. She still hasn't mastered or even become a novice of talking, but she does have running, hitting, climbing, playing, throwing & eating down to a science. She no longer smells like baby, but little girl! She also has this new smile--She squints her eyes and shows her pearly whites.

Height: 32.25" 70%
Weight 25 lbs 65%
Head 46cm 35%

She loves:
fruit
animals
mommy (she used to be a daddy's girl!)
watching cartoons (she has watched more tv in the last month than in the previous 17 months!)
sleeping
ice cream
technology (she loves phones, ipads, computers)
drinking from straws
playing outside
giggling

She says:
mama
dada
puppa
cracker
nah (no)
baby
tank uh (thank you)
and she shakes her head VERY deliberately for YES!
She babbles up a storm--hopefully soon we will be able to understand her.

Nora and her 'nora bear' at 18 months

Thrush

Jackson has thrush....which in turn means I have it. SO NOT FUN! I finally went in to the doctor and got put on some medicine for both the little man and me. Hopefully we are on the mend and will feel 'less pain' soon.
For now, we are washing & boiling anything that touches milk
& Taking our medicine & Washing all our clothes daily & Taking lots and lots of ibuprofen
I will not give up on nursing Jackson, I know the benefits are so good for him (and me)
Please pray we heal quickly and that it stays away....I read online that it comes back quickly.

This is a NEW use for it.....

I bought a potty chair for Nora. She is so interested when one of us goes to the bathroom so I thought why not get her introduced to her own. At first she liked looking at it, but did not want anything to do with it. Now she atleast will play with it--not quite into sitting on it yet (not even for m&m's so that is strange!!!) I know she is only almost 18 months but I feel like she is so interested in it that she should be able to be potty trained.

She knows that it is called a 'potty'.
She knows that mommy and daddy use it.
She knows how to flush.
She doesn't quite understand that it is not a CUPBOARD.

Hersheys syrup in the potty chair?

Finding more things in our cupboards to put in the potty chair!!!

Hm...is this how this works?

She makes us so proud?!

Visit from Anne K

Our friend Anne K came over to see Nora and meet Jackson today. She is the person who is partly to 'blame' for Matt and I meeting each other. She was turning 21 and her roommates rented a bus to go around town. I got introduced to Matt as "Adam H's ex-girlfriend" so then I had to explain that. He walked me home and called me the next day to ask me to go to a movie and ice cream...and the rest is history! Anne has remained a great friend and we wish we could see more of her, but she is a busy international traveler working for a jewelry company.

Anne and Jackson and Nora

Nora loves visitors

Who needs the toy that was given in the bag?
Where's Nora??

Peek-A-Boo

Coloring

Using her new markers and coloring book from Danita and Harlee

Her "new smile" and her coloring at the big table.

Nora is LOVING coloring. I will ask "nora do you want to color?" she will shake her head slowly up and down (she can shake her head no side to side very fast, but going up and down it looks like she has to think about it more!). Once she sees that I have the colors for her, she runs to a spot on the carpet and sits down all excited to color. It is a good way to keep her entertained while I am feeding Jackson. She is actually really good (ok, maybe I am biased since I am her mother!!)

Nora's New Smile

Yep here it is...

One day I asked Nora to smile and she winked her eyes and then scrunched her face up and showed her teeth. It is hilarious in person, this picture doesn't do it justice! Now when you say smile, this is what you get. Oh she is such a sweetie!

Uncle Tanner and Brittany's Visit

Uncle Tanner and Brittany came to visit us on their way to the Twins game. Since my whole family loves the Twins, we have had a bunch of visitors stop by as they are driving to or from the Twins games. Gotta love Brittany holding the baby and Tanner in the leather armchair!!!

1st Package in the Mail

Jackson received his first package from the same people that gave Nora her first package.

My aunt and uncle Danita and Harlee sent him an adorable bug sweatshirt and plaid shorts and hat and a cute onesie with a tie on it. They didn't forget dear Nora--she got cool markers and a hello kitty coloring book. So sweet of them to think of our kiddos!