Our Happyween!

Hey, Happy Halloween!

or

Happy Fall Festival!

Whatever you choose to call it, it is the time to dress up and get candy from strangers friends.

This year Miss Norah Jayne was a.... you guessed it... Lil' Pumpkin!

I did not make her costume. I was so blessed to find it at TJ Maxx last year for about $15. 

She loves wearing it around the house while playing dress up so, 

I think we have gotten our money out of it. 

The only thing I added to the costume was the green and white bow that I made, 

and the curly orange and white ribbon (that I did not make).

I thought it made the hat look a little more girlie. 

We celebrated at Kenwood Bible Methodist. They had a Trunk or Treat get-together. 

Norah Jayne was able to collect one bag of chips and two pieces of candy. 

I don't think she really understood what was going on... :) 

She just enjoyed seeing everyone and playing with her little friends in the nursery.

Kirk and I also dressed up... from the neck up. 

I was a Kitty Cat complete with whiskers and ears.

Kirk was a Pirate complete with fake hair extensions, eye patch, fake skull teeth, and do-rag. 

(He wouldn't let me do his eye make-up.)

I could kick myself for not getting any pictures of Kirk. We were in kind of a mad rush to get everything together, get in the car, and get to the Church on time... 

Oh well, I have my memories.

But, of course, I got some photos of the cute little pumpkin.

Norah Jayne wanted to wear her "punkin" to lunch with daddy, so I let her and took the opportunity to get some shots.

I love Kirk Marshall. He is a super awesome daddy.

Norah Jayne thinks so too...

  

And, I love my little baby, Norah Jayne. 

This is happiness.

Norah Jayne is TWO! ❤

There are times when I feel so unequipped to be her mother. There are daily challenges. New milestones bring new adventures for us all. It is a wild ride, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

A little about Norah at TWO...

Height: 37 in
Weight: 30.8 lbs
Head: 19.5 in
Feet: Size 8
Cloths: 2T-3T

Loves Curious George (as we discussed in my previous post)
Loves monkeys (probably because of Curious George), doggies and elephants
Loves peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches.
Loves bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, blueberries -- basically any fruit
Loves steamed broccoli
Loves crackers
Loves sipping on mommy's decaf coffee but her favorite beverage is still MILK
Hates cheese (I think it is a texture thing) 
Loves stickers, storybooks and drawing (she went all Picasso on the armoire and shutters in her room)

Loves bows, hats and shoes

Loves music and dancing

She is interested in everything that mommy and daddy do. She does a lot of mimicking. 

She is learning about obedience and having a good attitude.

She is learning to be thankful and polite.

She is learning about patience. (And I am getting a refresher in this course too!)

She is learning to use the potty!

Some of Norah Jayne's two year portraits that I shot the day before her birthday. 

I love everything about this little lady. 

Just a few of Norah's favorite people...

Papaw

Nanny

  

Stephy

Daddy

I had to add this picture of Norah Jayne's hair. I have been itching to give her a little hair-do since she was a tiny little thing... she is just now getting enough hair for me to actually do something with. 
Mommy is in heaven. ❤

The night before Norah's birthday, I decided that I would make a special birthday breakfast for her so that we could all eat together before daddy went to work. 

To add to the festivities, I bought some balloons along with a card to surprise her. 

That morning, I hurriedly made bacon and eggs, set the table, and set out the pre-made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. 

Norah woke up and we took her to the living room. She immediately saw the balloons and was very excited by them! She said, "Oh my goodness!" 

Such a flurry of activity in the morning is rather unusual for all of us, especially her. 

We sat her in her chair and she opened her card all by herself! What a smart girl. :)
Then we began to sing "Happy Birthday;" the look on her face was priceless!

After the singing, I brought out her muffin with two candles on it. She was mesmerized. 
I was able to get one shot before she blew out the candles.  

Later in the day, we went to eat lunch with daddy in the cafeteria. I took along the balloons, a cupcake and the two candles. The students sang to her and she really loved it! 

She is definitely mommy's girl- the icing is the best part!

We plan on having a proper birthday party for her on the 27th. I am sure there will be more photos, more cake, more friends, and more singing... 

We are enjoying our two year old. My, how time has flown!

Sunday {Family Day}

Last Sunday it was really beautiful and we needed some fresh air, so we decided to get out of the house and go for a walk in the park. Cincinnati has many beautiful parks. One of our favorite's is down by the  Ohio River. I forget the name... I could google it, but I am too lazy today. :)

I had the bright idea that we should try to get a group photo. My arms are obviously waaay shorter than I thought. This photo cracks me up- it is so US.

There is nothing sweeter than when Norah wants to hold daddy's hand while he walks and she rides in the stroller. She does not have to, she just wants to.

We took a break from our strolling and let Norah play. She had a lot of fun, and was able to expend some of her over-abundant energy.

Getting ready to go down the slide...

Her hair is standing on end from the static electricity. :)

I do not like having my pictures taken these days, but after reading this article I decided that "getting in the picture" here and there is more important than my list of insecurities.

  

I am holding my sweet baby girl and I love her. And, I think that shows. Someday, Norah may want to look back and see her mommy and herself together, having fun and being silly. 

(Truth is, someday, I'll want to see these pictures too.)

So, here I am in all my glory. :) 

Norah Jayne | 23 Months

My little girl is 23 months old. Soon, I will be immersed in planning a birthday party. But for now, I am reveling in the moment. Or trying to. It is easy for me to get caught up in planning ahead and forget to enjoy the now. I am a work in progress. Aren't we all? 

This was a Hepburn inspired photo-shoot. Norah is such a little ham in front of the camera that she made my job easy. 

Being a silly goose. I love watching her laugh. She is so uninhibited. Love her. ❤

A few cute things about Norah this month:

9/14/12 I made a list of all I need to get done today. I asked Norah if she wanted to do everything on the list for mommy.

She said, "Yep!" 
I said, "Great, I'll just set here and check out FB while you work, ok?" 
She said, "Ok!"
So far, she has only managed to walk around the living room with my list and a pen in hand, looking very self-important.

9/19/12 Norah woke up with two new phrases. 

I was still in bed, half-asleep, when from Norah's bedroom I hear, "Good moning, Mommy! Good moning, Mommy! Good mooooninnng, Mommy!!!" 
How could it not be? :)
The second phrase she whipped out over breakfast, asking repeatedly while pointing at different objects, "What's dis? What's dis? What's dis?"

9/25/12 Norah is already sneaking books into her bed to look when she is supposed to be napping. I can only imagine what she will be like once she learns to read. ❤ #bookwormsanonymous

9/26/12 Norah just took a brand new 1 pound box of baby oatmeal (yes she still likes the stuff) and proceeded to redecorate my kitchen with it. 

It all happened very quickly and quietly, which seems to be her preferred MO. 
I am not impressed.


The little Miss, likes to climb. Frequently I'll find her in her room hanging out in the top drawer of her dresser. (Yes, it is bolted to the wall!)

The story of my life...

The other day Norah comes running to me yelling, "I duck! I duck mommy! I duck!" 

She was STUCK. 

And, yes I made her remain "duck" while I grabbed my camera.

This little outfit was put together on Friday. She insisted that she wear her hat and boops (boots). I decided I HAD to get a picture... ღ

She is very tall for her age. I will not be surprised if she takes after both of her Nana's in height. 

I think she looks like her daddy in this photo. :)

What??? A picture of something other than my darling Norah Jayne?! Yes, I thought I would include a photo of my fall mantle decor. I plan to really celebrate this fall. To revel in the beautiful weather, the food, the smells. It is my all time favorite season (even if it makes my allergies go crazy).

It is amazing how a few pumpkins, a little burlap, some fall leaves and a couple of Yankee's "Farmer's Market" scented candles can make my heart leap for joy! 

It is fall... and I am celebrating!

A steaming cuppa. Although I am a decaf drinker these days, I still love my coffee. And what could be better than a cup of coffee in my favorite mug? Not much, I say.