So big!

Nora loves that she is getting so big. This is her variation which always includes clapping to start. Daddy claims she took four steps last night, but it doesn't look like she is going to start walking too soon. Tooth number two finally came through this weekend, 3 weeks after the first one. And she is starting to bust out of her 6-9 month clothes.

Ulterior motives?

Lately Alena has wanted to give Nora hugs. I believe it is mostly an effort to injure Nora, just a little. Nora's intentions aren't entirely pure, either. She is trying to chew on the brown buttons on Alena's shirt.

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

Daddy celebrated his 33rd birthday this week by working. Good thing Alena and Nora came through with this fancy apron when he got home. Alena also helped make a mint cake and carefully placed the candles. On a less festive note, nothing makes you feel your age more than solicitation from a funeral home about advance purchasing of your funeral services. Thanks Cedar Memorial.

Cake balls

Alena, Daddy and I made cake balls for Valentine's Day. Alena helped in every step of making them. I think they turned out pretty well--we made nearly 100 and took them to work and daycare and they were gobbled up.

Stirring in the frosting

Sampling the mix

Alena put the sprinkles on every single ball

Alena thinks that smiling for the camera should always include squinting her eyes shut

Nora's poses

Nora is too busy now to smile at the camera. She doesn't like to look up from what she is working on for anything!

The little tooth

She is very secretive of the new tooth. Look closely.

Nora finally has a tooth!

I was starting to think it would never pop its pearly head out, but Nora's bottom right tooth has finally appeared! I swear it wasn't visible this morning but was at lunch. It didn't seem to bother her at all and she is happy as usual. She is 9 1/2 months old.

Sunday we went sledding down the icy alley. It was Nora's first time on the sled. She liked it as long as she was going very slow. Alena, on the other hand, requires speed! The wheel tracks in the alley made a good luge track for her. Monday she made a snow family with Daddy. They are almost melted away today after the stretch of really warm weather.