Happy Birthday, Alena!

Guess who is three tomorrow? Alena got a jump-start on the big day with a pizza party last night. Monsters continue to be a big thing for Alena right now, so Daddy put a monster on her cake. Alena told me the other day that a very little pink and purple monster ate Tillie's mom. (Don't worry, it was only make-believe.)

Apple Pinchard

We headed out to the apple orchard, or as Alena calls it, the apple pinchard, on Saturday. We sampled plenty of apples and went on a hay rack ride.

The little pickers get pumped up

A little apple, just right for a little baby!

All of that fresh air was exhausting! Nora's new favorite place to nap. Very convenient for me.

First food

Nora tried her first food Friday night. It was the always exciting rice cereal. It didn't knock her socks off, but she was content for a long time after her meal.

First bite

Alena wanted to feed Nora

Alena was tired of all the squirming and tried to keep Nora focused. Alena really just wanted to get the job done and when the spoon was going too slowly she picked up the bowl and tried to pour cereal into Nora's mouth.

Done eating this time. Please don't make me do it again.

Old friends

While we are on the Jones kick, here is some reminiscing. Same window, but they have both grown. Alena is almost 3 now. The second picture she was about 17 months and Jones wasn't even a year. Who knew he would grow to be so giant? Obviously he is a gentle giant to put up with as much attention as he does!

Finally as big as Jones?

Nora is about as big as Jones now. He probably still weighs a little more, though. Jones allows such abuse. His policy is pretty much any attention is better than nothing!

Riding Jones

Eating Jones

Hugging Jones

Time to give Jones a break!

Putting her foot in her mouth

Nora had her 4 month check-up today. The doctor said she is looking great! Nora got two shots today. The first one I don't think she even noticed, and the second she made a five second complaint. Having a big sister has really toughened her up. I think I complain more about getting a shot. What did Alena do while all of this fun was going on? She went to visit Daddy at work where she made food dishes for Jones and Ruby and ate grapes and Goldfish crackers.

Nora is weighing in at 12 pounds, 7.5 ounces and is two feet tall! Speaking of two feet...

Best newly discovered playthings

I'm going to get you guys!

Yum!

But don't take the good old thumb for granted.

Who, me?

"I don't know how Kirstin's shirt got all dirty. Don't blame me!"
--Baby Nora

Alena went to bed for her afternoon nap with her clothes on. She woke up in these pajamas. She told me she put them on so her legs wouldn't get cold (it was probably 85 degrees in her room yesterday.)

Practicing sitting

Excellent posture

But not too stable at sitting yet

I meant to do that--now I can eat this blanket

A quick roll gets her back onto her belly again

Jumping

Nora is into her jumparoo. If you dare put her down and leave the room for a couple minutes, it is the only acceptable place for her to sit.

Alena likes to break in Nora's toys for her

Nora and Daddy like to sit in the front yard and watch cars go by. The other day they got one wave (a neighbor), and two women on a walk smiled at them. It was a successful day.

She is almost as big as Jones. I didn't have to pose the two of them--when Jones sensed a camera in the vicinity he jumped up for a picture. Nora made a lucky swipe today and got Ruby's tail. She is getting a few lucky grabs these days. And she started blowing raspberries this week. Tomorrow is Nora's 4 month birthday!

Alena is getting ready for our camping trip!

Sleeping

Nora usually flips over to her belly to sleep. Frequently when she is playing she flips over as well. She is a belly kid. Watch closely to see the thumb sucking. Nora is a cute sleeper! As for the end of the video, I don't think we have a single video without a certain orange appearance.

Nora gets frilly

There are a lot of frills to suck on. This makes Nora very happy.

Money!

You never can trust these two when they get together. Alena and Kaelyn were playing upstairs. When I came up to check on them they were shouting "money" while emptying Alena's piggy bank. When it was empty they put the money back in and did it all over again. When I asked them whose big idea it was, Alena answered, "Alena Kaelyn."

Kids in sunglasses

Bumbo what?

Chilling in the Bumbo

Alena put some toys on the tray for Nora to look at

"Sit on Nora's lap." Maybe not the best idea, Alena.

Random stuff

A bottle from visiting Aunt Julie

One of Alena and Daddy's famous block houses

Grandpa Steve gives a super pedicure

So sleepy

Nora was "go, go, go" at daycare today (and eat, eat, eat.) When we got home she kicked for awhile but gave up the fight while we ate supper. So tired! This is her classic sleep pose which she also uses at night in her crib.

Rolling instructions

Nora demonstrating how to roll over

I tell her that this belly time will help her with handwriting, but it still makes her mad after awhile. Getting a little angry helps with rolling.

Here she goes!

Now how did I get on my back?

Super cute alert!

Super baby! (If Nora was a super hero, her power would have something to do with her tongue.)

Alena created this toy blob for Nora to play with. It is pretty much every baby toy hanging from one ring. Nora likes to wiggle over to it and grab it. She also loves the singing star on her play mat. When you set her down on the mat and turn on the star she starts smiling and cooing at it. "Hello, friend. I am so happy to see you again!" This picture shows off the ring of baldness she has developed.