Lots of Birthday Pics!

In no particular order...Enjoy!

1 YEAR OLD!!!

Where do I begin?! Today is my little girl's first birthday! I am so amazed that a year ago today I laid eyes on the most beautiful baby in the world...and my life changed forever. I now know that no matter how "prepared" you are...you are never "prepared" for a child. We've made it through the emotions of the first year...the ups and downs in the beginning, the excitement, the frustration, the hesitance, the happiness, and the JOY! I wouldn't change 1 minute of this last year. Norah Kate is such a happy baby, friendly to everyone she meets, pleasant to those who care for her, and loving to her family (and CHULA!). I love that she already has such a positive influence on others and I hope to see that continue throughout her life. All I know is that I have been blessed beyond explanation through the life of my daughter & I am so thankful for that. As always, our first prayer is that Norah Kate will continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, that she would make the decision as soon as possible to have a relationship with Him, and that she would live for Him all the days of her life. We can't wait to see how God uses her!

Here are some (wonderful!) pictures from the day. One of the added bonuses of working for a college university is that there are available "photographers" who are more than willing to do little jobs. We were so thankful to have Hunter Bragg take these pictures at her party, so that we did not have to worry about it. I think he did a great job. These are just a few of the pics...I will post more soon.

Our theme was "Owls." Her invitations said, "Whoo's turning 1?!" and then said "Come have a HOOT with us!" My friend, Jenny Lawson, did the appliqued on her shirt, and I actually made the tutu. Thanks for helping us out, Jenny! You did a great job!

I love Norah Kate's face in this picture. David was "helping" her with the cake because she was a little timid.

Norah Kate with her gifts. She got some great things...she is looking at her new rubber ducky from Ross & Sarah.

Cute little 1 year old!

Opening gifts! Such a sweet girl!

Norah Kate - I love you very much! I hope you always remember that. Your Dad and I are so proud of you and are looking forward to the future with you. We are thankful that God has allowed us to be your parents!

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my

mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret

place.

When I was woven together in the

depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

The Phone

Every time Norah Kate spends a significant amount of time with her cousin, Aiden, he teaches her a new skill. This past weekend David and I attended a conference in Louisville, KY and Julie/Jonathan/Aiden were so sweet to take care of Norah Kate for us while we were gone. Now...I'm not sure if this time it was Aiden teaching Norah Kate the new skill or Julie! Ha Ha! :)

(We really appreciate the help this weekend...it made things go much more smooth!) She and Aiden must have had a great time because she is still asleep and it is almost 9 am!!!

40 Days for Life

Just wanted to let everyone know that the 40 Days for Life prayer campaign started yesterday. This is a time for Christians to study, fast, and pray to end abortions. You can go to this website: www.40daysoflife.com to get daily devotionals and more information. There are some great testimonies of the work that God has done and is currently doing in the lives of individuals involved in abortions. Check it out!

Eleven months old

Our baby is 11 months old!!! She continues to be such a joy in our lives, and I'm just amazed at how fast this year has gone. Norah Kate has the sweetest, most fun personality. I am so thankful that she is so good with going to the baby-sitter's house & in the nursery at church. She smiles and waves "bye-bye" to us and off she goes!

Here is our little girl in a sweater that belonged to my mom when she was a baby. Not an official pic, but you can see it well enough.

Here are the stats on NK:

weight - I don't have an actual weight, but I think she's about 19 lbs now

height - not sure...will find out @ her 1 yr. check-up

Eats - nurses only in the morning (I know that's weird to just nurse in the morning...long story of why we chose that); Soy formula (apparently allergic to milk-based per the whelps all over her body after milk formula) afternoon & evening; combination of baby foods and table foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I can't think of anything that she just does not like. There are times when she definitely prefers one thing over another, but at another time it may be reversed. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES, bananas (real, not baby food). I have to stop her from eating a whole banana! She also really enjoys the yogurt bites (Gerber).

Sleeps - All night, most every night. Most of the time she still takes 2 naps, but sometimes just a long afternoon nap.

Diapers - size 2 (i feel like a broken record...I don't know that we will ever leave size 2. ha ha!)

Skills - Her only word is still "Ooah" but she does put an "l" sound in there sometimes to make it "Oolah"; waves "bye-bye" now; she is saying "more" in sign-language. We are doing other signs that she understands, but she won't do them back. She pulls up and will walk along things (the couch, etc.) but she does NOT like to let go...so I'm not sure when she'll walk (I can't say that I'm just itching for her to walk though - Ha Ha!). She does have a new little skill that she does and it is my favorite to watch. I guess she has seen me wash my hands a lot. Well, sometimes I'll sit her up on the counter while I'm putting on my make-up, and she has started leaning over, just touching the handle of the faucet and then rubs her hands together. Hillarious! She is very serious when she does it too....multiple times in a row. Only a nurses daughter, right?!

This past weekend we went to my parents house in Pocahontas. We have only been back 3 times since she was born and 1 of those was just for the day. I know, we've been bad about that. Anyway, we were excited to be able to see the McNabbs while we were there this time too. The McNabbs are like family to us, so we hate when we can't see them for awhile. Jason & his wife, Danielle, have a 4 month old little girl, Adalynn, that we hadn't met yet. Here is Jason & "Addi"

Sweet Adalynn - such a cute smile. What is with all the babies looking like their Dads? Don't the moms to any work? :) Here is Addi with Lauren.

Her is NK...when she wants something she has started pointing at it and then pointing to herself as she is in this picture.

Here is most of the group: Granny McNabb, Gida, Pappy, Mom with NK, Jason, Lauren, Vovo (Janelle Doyle), Jamie, David, Me, & Danielle. This must have been when Addi was taking a nap. Dad isn't in the picture because he is taking it and we are missing Jeremy, Gina, & their 2 girls, Anna Grace & Ava.

Most of the McNabb "kids:" David, Me, NK, Lauren (with baby), Jamie, Danielle, Adalynn, & Jason

Here is Pappy Mike, Gida with Adalynn, Mom with Norah Kate, & Dad. Hansom bunch, huh? :)

Norah Kate just loves this "music" toy. It was given to us/Mom by Dr. Magee & his wife and we keep it at Mom & Dad's house so that she'll have something to play with there. I have to say, it was nice to have a "different/new" toy there.

Sunday afternoon my friend, Ashley, and her daughter, Ava, came over to visit. This was the first time the 2 girls were really able to interact, so it was a lot of fun. I loved being able to catch up with Ashley, and Ava is so cute...walking everywhere!

Monday morning, Norah Kate & I woke up to about 4 inches of snow in Pocahontas! We had stayed to see some of mom's co-workers at the college, but unfortunately the college was closed!!! So, we spent the majority of the day trying to get back to Jackson. And...we did (safely) just in time...to meet the snow in Jackson. I think we have about 6 inches??? So David and I are both home today for another snow day.

Last night while I was cooking supper I noticed that NK was being pretty quiet. As I looked over this is what I saw:

A mess! Can you see the completely unrolled blue diaper bags? I guess she is making sure she hasn't missed anything.

Oh, of course, the yogurt bites! Well, if you wanted to know what we keep in her baby bag...here you go!

What'cha doing Norah Kate?

I tried to get a picture of the big smile that she had after this, but she was crawling toward the camera and it didn't work. Oh well, if this is the worst that she does then we are fine, right?!

Tune in next month for the post of the birthday and birthday party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess I better get to planning!