Little Norah

Ahh, she's so stinkin' cute! Where to begin? She turned one yesterday, and though she hasn't grown much hair in the last year, she definitely took on a bit more of a one-year-old attitude. Not too naughty, just proud of herself. She's starting to point at everything she wants with a very serious face, like, "you're going to give that to me." She knew that her presents were her's. She was reaching in the bags, and of course loved the tissue paper as much as the present. But, definitely made some ooh's and ah's about each of her gifts, including the clothes. When she got her own soft chair to sit in (like her sisters', only smaller), she squealed and hugged it, and squealed and hugged it. So precious.

She has been such a precious little baby for us. I can't decide if she has me convinced that babies are easy, or that we should stop having them now and end on a high note. Ha! Her favorite words right now, are "Mama!" (said like a little Italian), and "Hi Daddy!", and "Hi Sissy" (though that sounds more like "shishy"), and the other day she picked up a baby doll and said "my baby". She also has this cute thing when she's doing something new that she's proud of, like standing up, she'll say "ah-oooh" in a very sing-songy way.

She loves to play peek-a-boo with anyone, but even herself in the mirror. She'll say "Hi Baby" and then look behind the mirror to find the baby, and then look in the mirror and say it again, and just laugh. She has the cutest little giggle and just belts out the giggles anytime you tickle her, or try to get her (which is her favorite game with Daddy). In public, you wouldn't know if she's too giggly though. She's very serious with people she doesn't know. People all the time will comment that she's serious, or even giving them a dirty look. Her Uncle Johnny calls it the "stink-eye!" We think it's hilarious, because you never can be too certain about those strangers.

She's not walking yet, but she will stand up in the middle of the room. By the third baby, we've stopped worrying about when she'll walk. In her own time, and when she's not meaning to. Jossie, had a definite goal of walking, and was purposeful in making it happen. Norah, thinks you're pretty silly when trying to make her walk.

She still nurses, and I love our little alone times together. She strokes my skin, well sometimes grabs my fat, but mostly strokes gently. She puts her cheek against mine still, and I get to sway with her and hum "rockabye baby" or "go to sleep little baby" until she's asleep. I often still cry when I do that, because I know how quickly they grow, and what a precious gift it is that I get to hold her, and give her security, and assure her that all is right with the world. Oh, that baby skin and baby smell...I just love it! And, in case it isn't obvious, I just love her.