Our sweet Charis was born on November 3, 2014. I hope I can write out her birth story, as well as Norah's, soon. It was joyful, redemptive and full of so many answered prayers. Charis is such a sweet smiley baby and we are soaking it all in.

After a fun weekend at a BBQ contest in Marble Falls, we stopped on 71 for a quick pic in the bluebonnets. I just love love love how both Norah and Bella are smiling and sitting so nicely in this picture! Such a rare occasion. Aren't they so sweet!?!?

So thankful for Texas bluebonnets and loves!!

I cannot believe we are nine days from Norah's first birthday. I've been so busy thinking about the party that it just hit me that we no longer have a BABY. She's becoming a KID. Oh dear. I love watching her grow and learn new things, but it's so sad to think those baby days are almost over. And to think I have barely blogged anything from her first year. That's disappointing.

Fortunately for me (unfortunately for her), she's teething, so I got extra cuddles and kisses tonight.

I've been gathering pictures to display at her birthday party. I can't stop looking at all of them. Here are a few of my favorites:






My heart is so full. Thank you Lord for this precious precious blessing.

The hustle and bustle of family, church, and traveling, combined with teething took its toll on sweet Norah. She was a little under the weather but still a sweet happy baby. We left Aledo and traveled to San Antonio, stopping at Lake LBJ to see my grandmother on the way. We cherish our time with Gram and shared in the joy she felt as she opened another pair of Tom's. She's so cool. :)


As soon as we arrived at my parents, we celebrated Christmas opening gifts one at a time and drawing it out as much as possible. I love that my mom soaks in the moments and puts so much thought into the little things. Norah opened her big present from my parents.....a personalized Pottery Barn chair. I can't wait to walk into her room someday to find her reading in her own chair. :)

Because Norah was sick, we took it easy all weekend. It was good for her. Bless her heart, we even had to drive her around in the neighborhood to calm her and get her to sleep at 2 AM, which is the first time we've ever had to do this. A friend recommended homeopathic Hyland's Teething Tablets and they were miracle workers the following night. As soon as she took them, she calmed down and slept so good! Love those tablets!!!

We thoroughly enjoyed sharing Norah's first Christmas with all of our family. God is so good and has blessed us immensely!!

We just spent four wonderful days in Aledo with Caleb's family. We finally visited the Fort Worth Zoo and it was amazing. I forgot how beautiful exotic animals are, especially in person. The best part was hearing the lion roar. Not sure how to describe it, but I got a little teary hearing him. I think I was overcome by the power and beauty of God's work...similar to how I feel with the mountains and sunsets. The lion's roar was so strong it moved through me.

Anyway, we woke up Christmas morning with childlike excitement. Norah loved the tissue paper and naturally wanted to put it in her mouth. She was given a Little Tikes play set, adorable bows and an ornament, pjs, toys, and a sweet bracelet that her Nonnie (Caleb's mom) wore as a baby.

A sweet surprise was the snow that fell in Fort Worth. The snow flakes were huge and it was even enough to stick to the ground for the remainder of the day.

The house was filled with lots of family and a large turkey dinner. Unfortunately Norah began another teething spurt that day...which we weren't sure what it was at the time. She was pretty fussy and irritated all day....and the next few after. Norah had her first minor fever (right at 100.3) that night, pretty much wanted to sleep all day, and woke every few hours at night. Poor girl.

Overall though it was a wonderful few days in Aledo. We loved spending such sweet time with family.

This morning we woke up to celebrate our first Christmas as a family of three in our Katy home. I love Christmas. It's important to me to create Christmas memories with Norah in our home, but we also have the blessing of being able to drive to both of our families for the holidays.

I woke up earlier than normal...as usual for Christmas morning. :) Fresh coffee, warm cinnamon rolls, and our little family sitting on the floor. Warms. My. Heart. Norah loved her new toys. It was so sweet watching her reach for the presents. Bella already broke the noise maker on her new hedgehog. Not surprised. Caleb loved his new tool chest, water bottles, leveler, and pistachios and jar that Norah gave him. I got a sweet handstamped necklace with Norah's name, a new aggie shirt, and some workout kettle balls.

We're packing up the car and headed to Aledo for Christmas - Part 2 and then San Antonio for Part 3! Looking forward to a great week.

I'm also thankful I just discovered the blogger app. Now I should be ablet post more often!!

Merry Christmas!!

Norah is FOUR MONTHS!!

I cannot believe time has flown by so quickly. She is such a JOY to our family and I can't imagine life without her. At her 4 month check-up she weighed 15 lbs 12 oz (88th percentile) and measured 25 inches long (81st percentile). BIG GIRL! She rolls from her back to her tummy only to her left and won't roll back over. She loves lying on her tummy and looking around. Recently she started reaching for things while on her tummy, too. She laughs the most at Bella and sometimes while I'm dancing with her. Norah also loves her Jumperoo. The music and animal noises drive me insane after a while, but I'm happy she's happy. She lets me cradle her when she's tired and sometimes pauses to smile or coo at me. Melts my heart. Girlfriend is so curious about everything around her and is constantly searching the room for daddy, Bella, or mommy. She can put her pacifier in her mouth by herself and just started sleeping at night on her tummy. And everything goes straight to her mouth. I'm so glad our way of discovery isn't eating anymore. :)

Norah Lynn....you are my sweetheart and I am so blessed I get to spend everyday with you!! Let's never stop dancing and cuddling.....my two favorite things!!