Bullock Christmas

While we were excited to see everyone at Bullock family Christmas, we were especially excited to see Aiden since Norah and Aiden haven't seen each other since Easter. They took a passing interest in each other.

Because Norah is two days younger, she got to open her present first. Aiden helped her open her doll. Then she helped him open his Big Movin' Rumbler. As you can tell from the photo, she enjoyed the truck as much as the doll.

Five of the six Bullocks.

It wouldn't be Bullock family Christmas if there wasn't sports on TV.

Baby's First Christmas

Christmas is way more fun with a baby in the house. Norah may not understand what Christmas is all about, but she certainly knew that we kept her busy and up way past her bedtime (although we spared her the midnight service on Christmas eve). She was so overtired by the time we got to Christmas eve dinner, she wasn't much interested in food. She did make an exception for the fried corn appetizer, though. We're glad she appreciates tradition.

Big smiles waking up for her first Christmas.

When I bought Norah a wooden bento box, Nick was convinced that it was more a gift for me than for Norah. She has more than proven him wrong. The chopsticks come with velcro on the ends, so she picks up her sushi with a chopstick and then offers it to others to eat.

Kim and Bridger gave Norah a bag full of awesome children's books, including one about dogs. She is so taken with the dog book that she will spend 20 minutes sitting still reading it.

At the end of her Christmas rope.

First Step!

Norah took her first step this morning. She has yet to put two steps together, but we're pretty excited about even one.

Not Quite First Steps

When it looked like Norah might take her first steps yesterday, Mom was quick to grab her camera phone. Unfortunately, she just caught images of Norah lifting one foot and then collapsing to the ground. It doesn't seem like it will be long, though.

Tech Savvy

We don't raise any Luddites....

Norah's Acting Debut

Norah's acting debut was this morning during the church's spontaneous Christmas play during which every kid got to be any part they wanted to be. (For instance last year, we had no Marys and eight Jesuses, or Jesii.) Norah was playing the role of Jesus #8, and she hated it. Let me say it again: she HATED it. Immediately afterward, Nick said, "Our daughter has stage fright!"' As Casey and I processed the morning (as we do every Sunday afternoon), she decided that Norah knew there was only one Jesus, and she didn't want to be part of a sham. Alternatively, Norah could have realized that men wrote the Bible and there is no such thing as a silent night when a baby is born. This may have been her real-world interpretation of the Bible story. Or, she may just hate the feel of hay. All the same, Nick is afraid Norah may not be the triple threat he was preparing her to be.

Jen's Baby Shower

We're excited for Jen's little man to make his arrival (seven weeks and counting!) and had fun throwing a shower for her today. Norah figured that if everyone else could enjoy a buffet of food, she could too.

Best Christmas Present Ever

T3's stocking from last year brought us an early Christmas present this year.

Nolan and Norah

When we were in Lynden a couple of months ago, the cousins took a few photos together that we think are particularly cute.

Aqua Shrimps

This weekend while we were at the condo we took Norah to the pool for the first time since she started Aqua Shrimps swim lessons with Popos one month ago. We could tell how much more comfortable she is with her face under water now that she has weekly practice at it. The -20* weather led us to bundle Norah a little more to and from the pool, including carrying her marsupial-style.

"It Was the Dog"

Merle, Kim and Bridger's dog, was jealous of Norah's trip to the ER and decided to make one of her own after taking on a car yesterday. Merle is now convalescing at home, but as she was being treated Norah sent her hopes for healing by wearing her dog onesie. Norah also thought it was time to play with her dogs and stop taking them for granted. (Seriously, though, "dog" is the word Norah says most often, so Samson and Simon don't feel too neglected.)

Baby's First ER Visit

We wish we could have put this milestone off a while longer, but we had occasion yesterday to visit the ER. Norah took the term "solid foods" too literally and ate a light bulb. While her mouth stopped bleeding pretty quickly, we weren't sure if she swallowed any of the glass, so she earned herself a couple of xrays. Fortunately, she didn't swallow any glass, and the visit was a complete waste of time. Unfortunately, Norah very much enjoyed the attention from doctors and nurses which I hope doesn't cause her to want to reprise the field trip.

Christmas Decorating

We slipped over to Little Man tonight for some ice cream and a Christmas tree. Norah stayed awake for some of the decorating, but she was mostly happy to play while we did the work. She did remind us to add a third stocking to the mantel this year. Since the Broncos were playing at the same time we were decorating, we asked Norah if she thought Tebow would pull out another game. She shook her head "no." In her defense, she only knows how to shake her head no.

GRR or Bust!

We had a great week visiting friends in Holland and Grand Rapids, but it was honestly a rough vacation with a sick, teething baby. That shouldn't have surprised us since Norah has either been sick or teething on every vacation we've taken. It's sad when you're excited for vacation to end, so you can get more sleep. The Kloosters and Dieffenbachs were amazing hosts in spite of our fussy baby.

Showing Norah our old neighborhood, including Sammy's Gyro.

During lunch in the Coney's beautiful home, Norah pulled a hot bowl of tomato soup onto Nick's lap. Somehow Nick kept the soup off their oriental rug and was a good sport about having a large red stain on his crotch all afternoon.

We couldn't visit First Reformed - Holland and not introduce Norah to Ms. Marsha and her felt board. Norah loved them both, as all children do.

We had so much fun with the Kloosters (and eating the amazing dinners they prepared for us) that we forgot to take photos while we were there. Here's the only one we got. We'll have to get one with their darling girls next time we're together (which, hopefully, won't be too long).

Daddy loved showing off his old coffee shops to Norah.

Emily welcomed us to our "sweet" in her home. What a great host!

Emily introduced Norah to the piano. That was a life-saver since the piano was one of the only things that would silence Norah's fussing...

...although dancing with Abby and Emily was nearly as effective as the piano.

Norah slept through most of Thanksgiving dinner, but she did wake up to enjoy some whipped cream. (Please note the Calvin College onesie. It was a particularly good choice since we had Thanksgiving dinner with approximately 30 Hope College grads.)

A friend, Becky, is owner of the Grand Rapids Bonefish Grille, so we joined her and her family as they celebrated Thanksgiving at the restaurant...

...and Nick gave Norah a tour of the kitchen.

Norah had to size Jack up before she decided that he was pretty great.

A little packing help before heading to the airport...

...and heading home.

Denver, I'm coming home!