How the past three years have flown by. It seems like yesterday, Nora was just rolling over, learning to crawl, and saying her first words.
December 10th, the little girl who made me a mommy, turned T H R E E years old. She is beautiful, energetic, smart, cunning, and incredibly stubborn. She plays so hard every day (and gave up her nap when her little sister arrived), she can barely stay awake through the evening. It will never cease to amaze me how children grow and change every day (if not by the hour).
I can remember bringing Nora home from the NICU feeling completely unsure of what comes next. We had her home. Now what?
Now, that seems like an entirely silly question. The day to day is filled with so many "steps" and activities I can barely keep track without constant narration from Nora. She can define numerous steps to any activity.
M O R N I N G milk. This has been part of Nora's daily routine for as long as I can remember. Only now, she is the BOSS. She must do it H E R S E L F. and any missed step results in heavy tears.
1. Nora takes the can out of the pantry.
2. Mommy fills the water to the 4.
3. Nora presses the buttons on the microwave.
4. Nora scoops the powder two times and dumpsit into her "pink spout cup."
5. Nora pours the warmed water into her "spout cup."
6. Mommy covers the holes on the cup and Nora helps shake it "three times."
7. Nora brings the "morning milk" to the couch to "her seat" lays on the pillow with the fuzzy white blanket. She often requests a paper towel because a leaky cup is also unacceptable.
These days the routine remains the same...but the morning milk often never leaves the cup. She is beginning to outgrow the need for this routine (tear).
Other activities have begun to fill our day as Nora has been approaching T H R E E. She has underwent incredible life changes over the past 6 months, which she has handled with absolute strength and grace, qualities I know she will continue to possess throughout her life. These include moving to a new state, a new baby sister and P R E S C H O O L.
The M O V E.
We moved to St. Louis for Neal's new Pediatric Emergency Fellowship this summer after Clara was born. Nora has really missed being able to go to Grandma and Papa's, and Mammie's house regularly. She misses her Aunties and Uncles, and their animals too. If it wasn't for FaceTime, I think we'd all go crazy. FaceTime has really allowed Nora's special people to feel a part of her daily life and vice versa. She asks constantly to Facetime and even knows exactly how to do it herself.
Nora loves her new room and her "new house." We are unsure when she will no longer refer to the house this way. Her daddy and Papa painted her room her requested shade of pink and mommy put up gold polka dots (which were not white to her dismay). She says to me daily, "I love our new house. Do you love our new house? I think its beautiful. Do you think its beautiful mommy?"
F A V O R I T E S
Foods: Cliff Kids Granola bars, raisins, Annie's Bunny Macaroni and cheese, string cheese, marshmallows, mint chocolate chip icecream.
Activities: Playing little people, painting her nails, gluing ANYTHING to paper, puzzles (easily finishes 24 piece puzzles), playing with Clara (Nora LOVES her sister).
Toys: Little people, activity cube game, dress-up
Books: Clifford, Once Upon a Potty, Mix it Up
Part of Preschool: Playground and snacktime
TV shows: Daniel Tiger, Special Agent Oso, Curious George
S L E E P
During the TWOs, tantrums prior to bedtime and very lengthy bedtime routine dominated. However, when Clara came home from the hospital, Nora decided she no longer needed naps [end bedtime drama]. Now she is far too tired at the end of the day to fight sleep. Whenever we get in a car, she cannot help but fall asleep. This has led me to me carrying a heavy, limp two year old through multiple errands. All that being said, she still insists on one of us laying in bed with her until she falls asleep, which I secretly love. This is our quiet alone time since little sister arrived. Nora recently became scared of the dark and likes to have her little bedside lamp on and the door with a "big crack." She recently began having nightmares, which she talks about prior to falling asleep. Breaks this momma's heart.
T A L K
Nora's language development blows us away. At 18 months we were concerned she was delayed (related to her premature birth) and enrolled her in speech therapy. Currently, she seems advanced (although we may be biased parents!). At her three year visit, her pediatrician asked if she used 5 word sentences. I actually laughed, I've counted up to 15 words in a sentence. She is non-stop chatter and literally narrates EVERYTHING throughout the day. She also loves to sing songs. The other day I woke up to her sing-singing my name. When I went in to say good morning she said, "I sang a song for you mommy and you didn't come!" Insert [TEARS]. Nora LOVES her sister and will spend hours telling us everything she is going to "teach her when she gets bigger." She also loves to talk about how "cute" and "little" Clara is and how she has a "soft, fuzzy" head. Some of our favorite words/phrases she uses are:
snoofy (snoopy)
Is this cool?
I dun-know mommy.
I don't think so (with head shake)
Buh-cuzz (because).
Winnie the Pool (Pooh)
S T A T S
Weight: 26.8 lbs (11%)
Height:37 1/4 inches (53%)
BMI: (1%; tall and thin...same percentile as her 2 year visit)
These past few years have been truly the best. I cannot wait to see what this next year holds for our sweet girl.
Love,
Caity
