Christmas Fun!

Thanks to Jeremiah and Isaac our tree was decorated properly. Then, they decided that Norah needed to go under the tree. They promptly went under the tree with her for a photo. 

She enjoyed looking at the lights for a small period of time, but then got fed up and started crying. We told Santa to cheer her up, but it didn't work.

I met my good friends, Sarah and Darla for our annual Christmas cookie decorating party. We make sugar cookies (and other cookies and deserts) and then frost them. It usually takes hours to frost, Sarah and Darla are pros at frosting, I'm usually too impatient to make the cookies look nice, besides lacking the vision for each cookie. Here is our Santa faces. 

Does anyone else get overwhelmed by all the sweets at Christmas???

More Norah pictures. In a cute little Christmas onsie with her Santa hat. 

She is getting bigger! On Friday she had her 2 month check up and was 11 pounds, 14 ounces and 23 1/2 inches long. 

Visitors in the last two months.

We have been lucky enough to visit with many people over the last month (actually, two months). Of course they are all coming to see Norah. Brian and I are just an added benefit of visiting the Felix household. Here is a scattering of pictures of Norah and her first friends. And don't be hurt if your picture isn't up here, we probably didn't get a picture of you holding her!

Trisha and Troy Welstad. Two of our favorite people, Troy was a little uncomfortable holding little Norah, but he did just great!

Grandma Joan, Norah's first days of life!

Benjamen. I love this picture because Ben is on his I Pad. Silly Ben.

Yeah for Elia! Our friendship has lasted over 20 years,

Pat Kent held me as a little baby, and now gets to hold our little Norah.

Grandpa Matt and Norah napping together. Somehow I think they will be doing this often when he visits from Alaska.

"Grandma" Pam Welstad, (my other mother, so technically she is a grandma to Norah). Traditions of making stockings for everyone in the family. Norah has her Christmas stocking now!

Cousin Kyle came for Thanksgiving and played a little music on his saxophone and melonica for Norah.

Mema and Norah, reading a good book during nap time.

Norah is loved by many, thanks to everyone who has sent gifts, and love and time our way for our precious little bundle. We are thankful for it all! She is our gift this year.

Thanksgiving Fun!

Two dinners, delicious food, great company, wonderful family.  

The random selection of people at our home for our first Thanksgiving. Brian's mom and sister were in town, and his cousin Kyle. We had planned to go to California for Thanksgiving, but due to Brian's work schedule we stayed here in Salem. I'm sure Norah didn't mind not having to ride in the car for a full day anyway. 

Norah and Grandma Karen

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Photo Shoot

Our precious daughter had her first photo shoot at four days old. Here are the wonderful pictures that my friend Brigett took on Norah Belle. 

Enjoy!

Birthdays, Beaches and Blue Skies

We headed to the beach for my birthday present from Brian. Spent one night overlooking the ocean. God granted us with some pretty nice weather, especially for November! 

Trying to help Norah out since the sunshine was soooo bright. She didn't really like wearing the sunglasses though. 

Brian's new hobby whenever we go to the beach is to rent a skimboard and go at the waves! Brr, But the wet suit keeps him warm, or so he says.

He also just likes to play in the waves. I do too, but I only like it when the water is much warmer.

Norah just waking up after our little walk. She almost always falls asleep in the Ergo carrier.

We enjoyed our short stay and will go again. Onwards to the holidays!

Our Yearly Pumpkin Carving

Traditions. We have carved pumpkins for as long as I can remember. I remember stepping in an Atlantic Giant pumpkin when I was probably in 1st grade or so. Well, we have continued this particular tradition and I am happy about it. A few days before Halloween we (my sister and her kids) and Brian, Norah and I all met at my mom's house for our annual pumpkin carving.

Gwyndolyn and one of her pumpkins

Isaac loosing his arm to a pumpkin.

And here they are! Our collection of pumpkins this year. 2014

Noah and Norah

Jeremiah and Norah on Halloween right before trick or treating. 

Our Little Pumpkin

Having a baby is quite an adventure. Of course, we had to dress her up for Halloween. A few outfits have come our way and we have a tradition of carving pumpkins every year. I figured it was a good opportunity to put her in her first pumpkin!

She wasn't totally excited about it.

Here she didn't mind. At least for a few seconds she was happy. And we have a fun picture to remember her first pumpkin experience!

3 1/2 weeks old.