Nora Evelyn

This weekend Jen dragged the GIANT storages containers full of hand-me-downs and new clothes Nora hasn’t grown into yet up from the basement so we could retire the clothes the bean’s grown out of and resupply her with things that actually fit. We’ve done this three or four times now but this time was a little different –Nora decided to play dress up. Stylish slacks and swimming cover-up from Z of Charlottesville; Catholic school dress from Ellie of granola acres (who also gave us those awesome polka dot socks); not sure about the swimsuit — possibly Michaela?

Sadly, this means some treasured garments are now in mothballs. R.I.P. lion jammies. We’ll miss you osk kosh overalls. Stripey Zara shirt — you were the most loved of all.

*sniff*

Certainly it’s important for any new cyclist to get used to wearing her helmet, but it’s also important to learn how to show cars how fierce one can be. I’m pretty sure that Nora’s “grrrrr!” face will have even the most lost SUV during art fair squealing its tires and spinning its spinners to flee in the opposite direction (which will probably be the wrong way down a one way street).

This is also a shot of Nora being 17 months old for the first time. Which, predictably, she does with aplomb. Happy 17 monthaversary little bean; remember always to stay rubber side down.

We’ve been iteratively resizing Nora’s new bike helmet to fit her head and letting her practice putting it on and taking it off. Here’s a great shot of Nora demonstrating that the helmet isn’t tight enough. :)

Last week I attended the 45th meeting of the Chicago Linguistic Society where I got to not present my paper on the Syllable Contact Law. Jen and Nora swooped in on Friday night for a fun weekend in Chicago and environs. I’d taken the train so Jen was solo on Nora’s first car ride of any significant duration (which went incredibly well). Unfortunately, Nora came down with some kind of stomach thing (again) so we headed home Saturday without having time to see the lake, visit Whiting, go up in the Sears tower, bribe an official, have Oprah give us a car or any of the other fun things people normally do when visiting Chicago.

We went to Pizzeria Due for dinner on Friday night, though, and had some time on Saturday for lunch with our friends Frank, Sue, Peter, Jill & Fred and a mad dash to some touristy locales with the latter three of that group. I don’t want to brag, but Nora was unbelievably good for the two hours it took to get, eat and pay for our pizza. (I lied. Of course I want to brag).

Sorry we didn’t get to see you, Aunties; next time for sure!

Here’s a (very long) video of Nora having fun on the jungle gym and slide near our house.

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Nora’s never been anywhere near Brooklyn but she’s proud to represent in this stylish black toddler T handed down from none other than Z.C. of the Charlottesville Cs (who is now a big girl and so doesn’t wear baby clothes anymore).

Speaking of big girls, Nora’s recently picked up an invaluable skill for someone growing up in Michigan: sneeze blowing.

Apparently they practice yoga at Nora’s school. Here she is perfecting her downward facing baby pose:

Here’s a shot of Nora asleep (mostly) in her crib. You can also make out the spots on the rail where she’s gnawed the wood away (because fiber is important).

This is what you get if you ask “where’s Nora’s tummy?”.

We think this totem might be a marker for the mother ship.