Friends as family

One if the hardest things about having a new baby has been how far away my family is. Luckily, Dug and I have an excellent network of friends (or framily if you will). This weekend Nora and I hung out with several of our friends and went to her first birthday party.

Beard toupee courtesy of Uncle Jerms

Katie and Bear.

Eating her hands in her monkey pjs

Snoozing in Mommy and Daddy's bed while Mommy reads...a very peaceful way to spend a Sunday afternoon

How you doin'?

"How are you/Dug/Nora/things/" is the number one question I get asked these days. As you know what?  We're great!  (Everyone, stop what you're doing and knock on wood. Hurry!). Okay, the dust mite thing has been a challenge and money is what money is for those of us that are not independently wealthy. But honestly, Nora is doing so well that most if the time all of that recedes. It's been weeks since we've seen a doctor after months of constant appointments. She's sleeping a solid 8 hours almost every night and then goes back down for another 4. She's eating well, gaining weight, and she appears to be doing all the things that babies her adjusted age should be doing. So for anyone out there who sent us good thoughts or prayed for us, know that I'm sending them back at you because for now everything is just peachy. Our next appointment is next week so keep your fingers crossed that the doctors think she's doing as well as we do.

Chewing on her hands is a favorite past time. 

More hand chewing

The youngest student at Schulz University :)

She has a pretty cute sun hat to wear when we're working in the garden. 

This is what dust mite "bites" look like in their early stages.  Itchy.  

Adventures!

Last weekend no one felt particularly well. Dug had a stomach bug, Sara has a cold, and Nora has a runny nose. However, the Schulz home, affectionately known as Dugglesworth Manor, has been invaded by dust mites. I know what you're thinking--what else could possibly happen to these folks?  Well, stop thinking that because we are clearly jinxed so there is no need to add to that. So, dust mites meant we had to vacate the house Saturday so that it could be treated and then buy a new bed on Sunday. On the bright side, we got to hang out with some friends and Nora experienced several firsts--first brunch, first trip to a bar, and first trip to Ikea.  

Brunch at Austin Java with Jerms

Post brunch hang out at the Dog and Duck.  Mom and Dad were having a hard time figuring out where to go with a baby and a dog.  

Hanging out in the shopping cart at Ikea

Sitting pretty

Nora tried out an exersaucer (or as Dug likes to call it, a stationary command center) at daycare yesterday.  It seems that Ms. Nora likes to be propped up so that she can see the world a bit better. We tried the one at home this morning and she had a blast--kicking her legs and smacking the toys around her.

Tummy troubles

Nora is still thinking about rolling over but she hasn't quite got it yet.  Yesterday she wanted so desperately to be on her tummy; she was rocking back and forth and making quite a bit of noise.  I finally just helped her complete the roll and she fell right to sleep.  I then explained to her that if she wants to sleep on her tummy then she has to learn how to roll over by herself because if I put her to sleep on her tummy I'm pretty sure doctors and CPS agents will hop out from behind the curtains and take her away from me.  She was unimpressed.  

Also, Aunt Amy was here for a visit!

With Aunt Amy

Sleeping illegally on her stomach (while being closely supervised--stay away CPS agents, she's fine)

Hand to mouth

Nora's current favorite thing is putting anything she can grasp into her mouth. Here are pictures of her with a Minnie Mouse tether. Delicious!

Special bonus!

A bonus picture showing how delicious Nora's bib is!