Update on Our Girl

Exuberant [ig-zoo-ber-uh nt] - adjective
1. effusively and almost uninhibitedly enthusiastic; lavishly abundant.
2. abounding in vitality; extremely joyful and vigorous.
3. See "Nora Tran"...

I can't think of a better word to describe our Nora. Our sweet, laid-back baby girl has grown into such an energetic, opinionated, brave, out-going, loving young lady. Everything she does, she does it with gusto, she gives it 110%, whether it's squealing with delight, jumping from great heights (much to Mommy's worry!) or giving a hug (or 3 or 4). We hear often these days, "Let me do it by my big girl self!" as she's growing more and more independent and testing her abilities (and boundaries).

She is still a bit of a tomboy (although I'm thinking I don't like that label), spending much of her time running, jumping, splashing in (very muddy) puddles, swinging, digging in the dirt, swimming in her pool, throwing balls, collecting rocks, wielding swords and battling invisible "bad guys". In fact, after seeing the movie Tangled, we've had to be careful about leaving frying pans anywhere Nora can get her hands on them.

Cinderella has also become a favorite around here and Nora has also started getting into princess play. Each morning she runs to her closet declaring she has to find "something suitable to wear" (a.k.a. a dress for the ball). Btw, I had NO idea the stress and drama over what clothes and shoes to wear would start this early! And, in preparation for the ball, she often asks "May I have this dance?"...tonight, I found her waltzing with her Baba in the living room, a precious memory.

Nora wearing "something suitable" ; )

With all her unbridled energy, we've had a few bumps and bruises around here lately....

...a bloody lip and yes, a broken finger. You can ask Nora about it, she likes to tell the story with every detail, but in short she "pinced it in da hide-a-bed!" : (

She is such a great big sister to Silas...

and what a helper. We recently caught her doing this...

We celebrated her birthday this year with a big kid, backyard birthday blowout. I can't tell you how fun it was to see all the neighborhood kids, cousins and friends from church swarm to our backyard to celebrate our little girl.

Nora and her pinata, pre-demolition.
Although you can't tell from these pics, Nora was having a ball!

With swimming and soccer, pinwheels and a pinata, coloring and cupcakes and most importantly being surrounded by those who love her dearly, Nora's love tank was totally filled.

As we cuddled and I rocked her to sleep that night, her face was covered in a contented grin. Thang and I have been discussing lately how important it is to teach our children how to celebrate - although I'm thinking it will be awhile before we have a celebration quite that large again!

Our little Nora is proving to be quite a handful but she makes us laugh every day and we couldn't be more thankful for her vibrant spirit. This year, I am praying John 10:10b for her...

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

...that she would know the abundant life God offers her.

P.S. If any of you have some good book recommendations on the "spirited child", let me know!

Happy Birthday to our Sunshine!

A three year old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings
as it does out of finding a small green worm. ~Bill Vaughan

Yes, I am breaking my long blogging silence to wish our sweet and spunky Nora
a very happy 3rd birthday!

We couldn't love you more, little lady, and are in wonder at the person
you are becoming...

Big Sis: Long overdue update on our gal

It has been waaaay too long since any kind of update devoted specifically to our sweet, goofball girl {Mommy hangs head in shame}. Where, oh, where do I begin {and this is why it's been so long since an update, how do you "sum up" your kid?}? So, this will be a random smattering of life with our Nora.

First, many have asked how Nora is adjusting to life with Silas. I would have to say marvelously, although there have definitely been signs she misses being the sole center of our attention. We didn't have much anxiety about her transition to having a little brother as she is such a laid-back kiddo, loves people and especially babies. Her introduction to Silas in the hospital was just precious. She knew right away as she entered the hospital room that Mommy was holding her new baby brother. She sat on my lap for quite awhile studying him and marveling at his "little nose" and "little ears" and wanting to see his little hands and feet {which were hidden under his swaddle}.

In the early weeks, there was some jealousy as she often wanted to be held by whomever was holding Silas. And, she quickly learned that his tiny, cat-like cry would get him immediate attention...so she would join in with her own melodramatic rendition of a newborn cry. And, in case, we didn't notice, she would quickly point out "Mama, I'm cwyyyiiiing!" As soon as she was acknowledged, she would be back to building Lego towers or reading books. She loves giving him kisses {especially on the lips! Thankful there hasn't been too much germ transfer thus far} and hugs and I hear at least several times a day "He's such a niiiiice baby." {melts my mommy heart}. We are so proud of our little girl as she's welcomed her new baby brother into the family.

"Can we keep him, Daddy? Can we?! Can we?!"

Let's see what else. Oh yes, cute story:

Thang started teaching Nora the Small Children's Catechism a few months back at dinner time. She has amazed us with her ability to memorize! {I've been trying to catch her recitations on video, but she clams up once the camera comes out, hopefully soon} If you're not familiar with the catechism, here is a sampling:

1. Who made you? God

2. What else did God make? God made all things.

3. Why did God make all things? For His own glory.

4. Why do things work as they do? God has so decreed it.

and so on...

One evening, I was in the kitchen making dinner and Nora came in to keep me company. She started playing with her animal refrigerator magnets, pulling each one off the fridge and declaring "Mine!", "Mine!", "Mine!" and twirling in a circle with each declaration. I grinned knowing this was a perfect opportunity to teach a life lesson. While stalling, trying to think of something wise to say, I asked "Oh, is that so, Nora?" She matter-of-factly replied, "Yes, Mama, God dee-cweed it!". Oh boy.

We have been working on potty-training now for, oh, 4 months or so...and counting. That is a whole post in-and-of-itself. But, as usual, my laid-back kiddo is in no hurry.

She has recently become enthralled with the wooden rocking horse she received from Oma and Opa last Christmas. We recently moved the horse to her room as our living room was beginning to look like "Toys R Us" and we desperately needed some adult space. Since then, the first thing she wants to do in the morning and the last thing at night is to rock on her horsey, going "Faster and faster and faster!". We're also working on such cowgirl appropriate terms as "Yeehaw", "Whooooa Nelly" and "Howdy guys". Just yesterday she named her horse "Chawley". I have no idea where she got that name, but very appropriate {as in "Charley horse" : )}. If you have any horse-related kid's book titles you can recommend, send them my way!

She continues to defy genetics and can most certainly be called an extrovert. Just last night we were shopping at Target and she greeted everyone that passed her by: "Hiiii!", "Hi guys!". Mommy grabbed a latte at Starbucks and as we were rolling out, Nora told the cashier girl, "Bye! Wuv you!". We have to watch her, because if let loose, she wants to hand out hugs and kisses too!

Nora has always had somewhat unusual "loveys" but her newest fixation is on money. While her other little girlfriends love to carry around their dolls or Disney princess paraphermalia, Nora eats, sleeps and generally always has a quarter on hand. It started when Nora's Opa began giving her quarters every time we visited...now a common phrase coming from our 2 1/2 year old is "Where's my money?!" Maybe a future in banking?

And, finally, it's hard to believe it is time to be thinking about preschool for Nora, but she will be 3 in July(!). Right now we are leaning towards keeping her home and doing "school" with Mommy next year, or possibly joining up with a few other moms to do a preschool co-op together. We realize how important play is at this age in the learning and discovery process and don't think Nora needs rigorous academics, but I'm trying to think through rhythms and structures that would best enhance her curiosity about the world around her. For you homeschooling moms, any recommendations on good preschool materials, activities or methods?

And, some more pics of our Sweetpea:

Nora with her after-bath "cwazy hair!"

Nora's "earrings" (aka star stickers)

Nora helping Silas acclimate to his play-gym

Nora and Silas (at two weeks old)

Nora and Silas (two months old...and yes, he is a healthy eater, why do you ask?!)

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!

We headed to Pooley's Pumpkin Patch a couple weeks back with our church small group and had a fantastic time. Is it just me or has this been the most amazing fall ever for those of us in the midwest?! It was sunny and 75 degrees that day. And, today it's sunny and 65! A year ago we'd already had our first blizzard!

So, here are a few pics of our fun, sunny Autumn day...

Working on petting gently...definitely a skill needed before Little Man arrives!

Ha! Looks like she's concentrating really hard on driving that tractor...we soon realized by the stinkiness coming from her diaper, she was concentrating on "other" things. Yeah, time to get on that potty training!

This one's just my size!

This, That and the Other

Some updates on us...

Pregnancy :: I had my 28-week checkup last week, and indeed I am still measuring big...33-34 weeks. *Sigh*. Carrying around this big ol' belly is getting tiring plus I've had several nights here and there of insomnia, which is rough. But, Little Man, is way active - kicking, punching and even tickling Mommy with funny flutters. I can even make out body parts like his feet. This is a pretty new experience for me as Nora loved to sleep in-utero and pretty much just wiggled her bum back and forth. I must admit, I am slightly intimidated by the idea of mothering a little boy. Having grown up with one sister and having Nora, not sure what I'm in for...but I'm sure it will be a sweet adventure no matter what!

Thang :: Is, in a word, AWESOME. I had a VERY short night of sleep last night and am feeling pretty miserable. So, as soon as he got home from work, he packed up Nora and headed to the library and park to give me a break and is picking up dinner on his way home. AND, because the couch is pretty much the only comfortable place for me to get some shut-eye these days, he drug out his sleeping bag and camped out on the floor next to me several nights this week. God bless that man.

Nora :: Growing up way too fast and continuing to make us smile everyday, thankful we get to be her parents (do I say that often enough?). Miss Nora will soon get an entire post of her own, but here's a sneak peak of some of her latest: practicing to be a "ballewina fow Halloweena!", the early stages of potty-training and theology for 2 year olds. Aren't you intrigued?! More to come on all this...

Scripture :: A couple of verses I am meditating on today...

"The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out." Proverbs 20: 5

"The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being." Proverbs 20: 27

House :: I am definitely entering into the "manic nesting stage" of pregnancy, which means lists of projects for myself and "honey-do" lists for my honey. The kiddos will share a room, so I am trying to come up with creative ways to make Nora and Little Man's room fun and gender-non-specific while trying not to change things too much for N. I have lots of ideas I'm excited to share on this transformation! We are also in the process of redecorating our bedroom (or should I say decorating it in the first place). Thang and I have been going through Mark Driscoll's study on the Song of Solomon and have been reminded that our room should be an oasis (which isn't quite happening when you still have t.v. trays for nightstands). Before and after pics to come!

Some random posts I've collected that I wanted to pass along ::

Best Picture Books ::: Holy Experience

Today's Parent: Promoting a new kind of nanny state? ::: McKmama

Homeschooling is not optional ::: Not Just Cute (it's not what you think)

Child's Play is a Job Well Done ::: Kitchen Stewardship

Being Intentional about Activity ::: Adventure in Progress

The Love with which we Perform ::: Incourage

Well, that was a random smattering of some of the latest around here!

Aaaand the ultrasound says...

Nora is proud to announce that come December, she will be the proud big sister to her...

We are all VERY EXCITED about our little guy! When we told Nora the news, she started giggling like crazy (we are counting on this meaning she is pleased with the news and not that she was just deliriously tired from playing with cousins all morning!). We even went out a bought him his first little onesie (Nora's not wearing it in the pic, although it looks like it).

The ultrasound showed all the organs, parts and sizes looked normal and accounted for and our little boy was VERY ACTIVE...even did a total flip in the middle of the scan! I couldn't believe how much he was moving and I couldn't feel a thing! My placenta is anterior, meaning it's on the outside, which explains why I still haven't felt much of his shenanigans.

Here are few pics of our cutie...

Profile pic...love that cute little nose!

Just saying "hi". His face is on the left. Such a friendly little guy, don't you think? ; )

This one I call "The Scream"!

It's so fun to finally be able to call him a HIM...although we are keeping the name secret until he's born. ; )

I have to add that this morning, as I was getting ready for the day, packing up Nora's bag, making breakfast...I was overcome with gratefulness to my Heavenly Father for the amazing gift of motherhood and completely humbled that He would assign me as a steward to these little ones.

Thank you, Father, for this gracious, gracious gift!!!

2 Year Pics

We were so fortunate to have my amazing friend Liz take Nora's 2 year photos. Liz and her two adorable kiddos are a part of the mom's group I've been involved with since Nora was an infant. If you are in the Omaha area and looking for a fantastic photographer for your kids or family (or you just want to see some uber-cute kid pics!), check out Rule of Thirds Photography. Thanks, Liz!

With her favorite toy.

Taking a sniff.

1,2,3...WEEEEEE!

A precious moment caught between Nora and Baba - my favorite!

Nora started out swinging on my lap, but quickly asked for her own big girl swing...

sniff, sniff, she really is growing up!

Celebrating Nora

Besides today being our nation's Independence Day, 2 years ago today we also brought our baby girl home from the hospital for the first time. Try getting a newborn to sleep anyway, let alone loud explosions outside your window all night!

Nora, snoozing after the hard work of being born

Yes, our baby turned 2 on Friday! And we've been celebrating like crazy. In Omaha...

Excited about her new sand and water table!

Nora being coy

Having fun splashing with her cousin, Teagan

Guess she didn't want to get her hands dirty!

And, fun with Thang's family in Pennsylvania...

Trip to the Children's Museum with her cousins.

Nora, you have been such a gift to us...we could not have asked for a more sweet and gentle spirit. We pray that you will continue to grow into a joyful, compassionate woman who seeks hard after the things of God. Your favorite phrase right now is "Come on , Mommy!", "Come on, Baba", "Come on, (fill in the blank)" as you love people and enjoy fun together. We know you will be such an amazing big sister and look forward to the day when we hear you say "Come on" and see your little bro or sis following behind you.

Happy Birthday, Nora!!!

...and Happy 4th of July!!!...