Oscar, the Cat

Nora is a big fan of all non-human living creatures including our cat, Oscar. Oscar is taking all of the attention in stride; he just moves when he's had enough attention or goes outside if he would like some time to himself. Here is a series of pictures in which Nora successfully captures Oscar for a series of tale pulls, petting that is more like hitting, and a hug.

Catching Up

We haven't updated the blog in a month because we've been busy watching Nora chase the cat, going for walks, gardening, making new friends, swinging, climbing on things, visiting the Thinkery, and just generally enjoying much of the few weeks of beautiful weather as possible. 

Nora is walking!!!!!! So far this has been my very favorite phase developmentally; its just so much fun! 

Dug and I have vowed to update more regularly so please feel free to harass us. 

Here is a video of Nora walking: http://youtu.be/zHv8-toWakA

Here are a whole bunch of pictures. 

Robot pajamas, mermaid eyepatch

She loves to play with these two suction cups

Swinging at the park

She loves to swing so we go to the local park often

Crying because Daddy won't let her play in the dishwasher

Eating with no shirt on helps to reduce the amount of stain removal work Mommy does

Drinking from Mommy's cup

Bath time is still a popular activity

She also enjoys drawing on the chalk board door. And eating chalk.

Playing in the grocery store section of the Thinkery. Taking things out of bins and then putting them back in is a favorite past time. 

Blue smile break. Isn't he handsome? 

Enjoying the spring weather

Getting so big! 

So excited about this Nora-sized chair that Mommy found

Ahoy, Mate!

Nora has one eye that is a little weaker than the other which means that for now she has to wear an eye patch over her strong eye a few hours a day to help strengthen the weak eye. We see the eye doctor again in three months so that's the earliest that she would stop wearing the patch.  Pictures featuring one of the daycare teachers, Ms. Nicki.  Pirate baby!

Patch is on! 

She rubbed it a few times to try to get it off

She wiggled a whole bunch 

And then jumped off of the Ms. Nicki's lap into mine.  

The Recent Adventures of Nora B.

Dug and I have gotten into the habit of calling our munchkin Nora B (as in Nora Bug).  We went through a few weeks of doctors appointments related to asthma, rashes, fevers, etc and came out of the other end with a milk allergy.  I am happy (so happy!) to report that since last week when we discovered the milk allergy and stopped giving her all things dairy she seems to have reverted to the happy-go-lucky, easy-going kiddo that we know and love.  Whew!  Now (hopefully) she can focus on starting to walk because Dug and I are just too anxious for her to get started :) 

Scrambled eggs for breakfast! 

Notice how I am eating off of a plate like a big girl

This expression kills me.  

Snoozing on mom on one of her sick days at home

Taking a break 

"Helping" by taking everything out of this drawer.  I did convince her to put one or two things back but then she took them out again.  

Wearing an owl hat, playing with the monitor 

Nora cannot get enough outside time.  She is working on crawling over this threshold by herself. 

My new favorite picture of her.  

12 Months Adjusted

Today was our big 12 month post-due date evaluation at the high risk follow-up clinic that we go to.  Mom was nervous but Nora passed all of the doctor's tests with flying colors.  The doctor couldn't stop telling us how smart she is and how impressed she is with her development.  She scored either average or above average in all of her tests and we don't have to go back until December when she turns 2, not adjusted.  The nutritionist was happy with the way that she's growing and overall the message was to just keep doing what we are doing! The doctor even said these magic words: "Its hard to even tell that she was a preemie!"  

Thanks to everyone who has been on this journey with us over the last 14 months.  We definitely couldn't have done it without you!

Sharing her breakfast egg with me

Swinging in the park.  She loves to swing!

So big! 

Digging in the plant dirt.  She is so curious! 

Helping us clean up

Wearing her lunch

She loves french toast.  She won't even share it with the dog! 

Yum!

Happy New Year

Life has been quite hectic at the Schulz house. There's major renovations going on in the house, we bought a new car right before the holidays, traveled half of the gulf coast during the holidays, and sickness slowing the family down for a week. As you can see, writing a blog has kind of been put on the back burner, but here we are!

So yes, we got a new car!  A Kia Sorento, it has a third row, which will come in handy when we pack up the family or all of Nora's friends in the future.

Nora got a visit from Grammie Diane Christmas eve and spent she Christmas morning with us. Nora's first Christmas at home! Nora wasn't too interested in the actual gifts, once again more interested in all the paper and boxes. She made out like a bandit, however, with plenty of new toys, clothes, and a big play set.

We then drove in the new car to Bay City and had Christmas dinner with Grandpa Wes, Grandma Deb, Faith, Renee, and Deb's family. Nora got even more gifts and it became obvious that this would be the theme for the rest of the trip. 

We spent a few days in Bay City, then I had to rent a car and drive back to Austin for work. Sara and Nora went to Lafayette and saw all sorts of family. Grandpa Mike, Great Aunt Betty, Great Grandma, Sonja. I'm sure there's Cajun words for all these folks, but I don't know how to spell them. 

Sara and Nora stayed with Sara's friend Kelly and had a great time playing with her daughter Kate.

I joined them on New Year's Eve at the bed and breakfast we would spend the rest of the trip in. 

We then visited Sara's brother Josh, her sister-in-law Jessica, the nieces/cousins Grace and Brie, and Jessica's family. We ate too much, but had a great time. We even convinced Uncle Jessie to hide out from work and have dinner with us.

New Year's Day lunch, delicious!

Appropriate shirt is appropriate for spending time with Aunt Jessica

Merry Christmas from Nora and Grammie!

What do you mean I can't eat the glowing candy canes?

Unfocused picture of Nora's ornament at daycare provided by Dug trying to stop Nora from grabbing phone while taking a picture.

I like my new clothes!