5.21.13 ~ Water on Her Head

Nora was baptized this past weekend. She never looked more beautiful and never behaved more adorably. I cannot get enough of that sweet baby. She is walking all over now and just loves it. Her favorite thing to do is walk from room to room in any house - preferably holding something in her little hands. She kind of waddles and still doesn't have great balance. And sometimes her little head goes faster than her legs and she goes crashing to the floor. But she just gets back up and keeps waddling. She likes to carry around my cell phone, or a stuffed toy, or Liam's backpack. Which, when in Baltimore and full of toys, weighs more than she does. She sort of drags it behind her from one room to the next. And after her baptism, we went to Carol and Tim's for a little family party for Nora and Ryan (who also got water on his head - as Liam would say). There Nora walked up and down the sidewalk in front of the house. We had to take her shoes off because they were slowing her down. She was so pleased with herself. 

She is also talking a little more now. She still likes to say hi a lot. But also says Dada, Mama (only when she’s mad or crying), down, all done, keys, bye bye, Liam (although it sounds nothing like his real name) and what’s that (but often not really in the right context). Usually no one can understand her. She babbles so much that the actual words are often hidden to the untrained ear.

But even when she isn’t talking – she is always communicating. She has impeccable body language and great use of intonation. And she imitates a lot of things which makes you feel like you’ve just had a whole conversation when nothing was actually said. For example, she’ll pick up a baby doll and hand it to me. I’ll pretend to shush it and rock it and hand it back. And then she’ll do the exact same thing. Or if you blow on hot food she will too. And if you say the word hot she goes “haaahaahaahaa” as if she has something hot in mouth she is trying to cool off. She even started doing that recently when I asked Liam if he wanted a hot dog. 

And she adores Liam. He is usually a pretty sweet big brother – but has a slight abusive streak. Nora she doesn't care. She hugs him and loves him and can’t wait to see him when she wakes up in the morning. It’s really amazing watching their relationship develop. It has been evolving rapidly lately since she started walking.

Vera and Josh were here this weekend to share in all of this adorableness. Those two are the lucky little girl’s God parents. I can’t imagine better role models for her. And, as she grows up, when her parents are sucking, hopefully she can turn to Josh and Vera. She’s always had a special bond with each of them.

Remember this?

And this?

Nora doesn't get the spotlight often - so, it was nice to spend the weekend celebrating our little Bear.