Forts and Cousins

The could have played in here all day

I love the look on Nora's face in this last picture, pure joy. These girls are absolute dreams, so sweet.

Moved

We are all moved. It was quite the process, but we are now cozy and settling into our new/old home. I snapped some pictures of Nora's room before we moved because I knew it was the one room I would want to remember being that it's the room I prepared for her while I was pregnant.

We managed to salvage the pom poms with the move, but they are a little squished. We still need to hang her spool birds, she points to the closet where they are being stored multiple times a day wanting to see them.

Too bad none of these fit anymore, too expensive of a habit to keep up with....she only has a couple of pairs now.

Quick DIY Project

Somewhere in my blog memory, I was reminded of horse head bookends accompanied by beautiful clothbound Penguin Classics when I spotted this ugly thing at Goodwill.

There's not much a little spray paint can't fix. My collection is a little lacking, but someday I hope to fill it out a little more.

Nora's 1st Birthday Party...long over due!

I apologize for the poor picture quality...I grabbed my parent's camera and snapped away because I am terrible at remembering to take pics and well, I didn't realize that it was not on automatic settings, but you'll at least get the idea. Thank you Steve for letting us use your beautiful studio for the party!

She kept the hat on briefly...just long enough to snap a

couple of photos

She loved having snacks down at her level, she would take a

cracker and walk around eating it and then come back to refill.

If we had been at home that bowl would be all over the floor.

She was on her best behavior for her party. She waved to everyone who came in the door

When I ran home to get ready for the party I hadn't added the

yellow frosting to her cake yet, so Steve came to the rescue and added the cute polka dots as well as her name sign in the window...coming up.

We had to have some pinwheels

The beautiful flowers were left over from a wedding that weekend,

so I was able to make some cute arrangements for the party, the colors couldn't have been more perfect

A common pose for Nora,

fingers in the mouth and her belly exposed

Lots of friends and family!

Rachel, on the left, is having a baby! We couldn't be more excited for her and BJ, they will be awesome parents and well selfishly we will have more friends with kids

Nora loves little Walker, and his beautiful Mommy Jen who has captured our sweet little girl on many occasions. She is beyond talented and best of all she is funny and sweet

Nora was thrilled to have everyone sing to her as demonstrated by her facial expression

The photo in the photo is by Jen... can't believe how

little she is. The favors are hard to see, but they were animal cookies in glassine bags, stitched closed.

I think she managed to open about 3 presents and then she had moved on to other things. She has a hard time concentrating on the task at hand, especially in social situations.

It was a fun party, we left feeling so happy and proud of our little girl. We can't wait for many more birthdays to come! and Grandma and Grandpa Atkins we will make sure that you guys can come next time, we missed you!

Moving

We are downsizing. It feels good. I am currently completely overwhelmed and thinking I am crazy for all that I am trying to accomplish with a 1 year old, but I think about the opportunity we have to save money and get ahead and it feels wonderful. We are moving into my parent's basement apartment. I didn't think that I would ever be moving home again, but am completely thankful for my parent's generosity and willingness to let us rent from them.

For the past few years, I have always been in some sort of transition. I have not felt settled and as I have learned about myself my surroundings tend to take the form of whatever is going on 'inside' of me. I have felt a bit out of control and as though I can't seem to get on top of everything and anyone that has been to my house can testify to the fact that it has been crazy! We have been majorly purging and it is so freeing. Packing has been a little difficult with Nora trying to unpack everything, but slowly we are getting there.

Birthday Girl

So, we know she won't remember her birthday, but we tried to make it fun for her anyways. Nora and I hung out in the morning and went to Steve's studio to drop off a check, she was in heaven. The place was a total disaster from the weekend, so she spent her time walking in between the obstacle of flower buckets and crates....oh and playing in a card board box which doesn't get much better for a one year old.

After Caleb came home from work and Nora woke up from her nap, we headed downtown to buy a birthday cake. We were both starving so we had delicious tapenade at my favorite Temple Bar.

We went to my mom's for dinner with both sets of grandparents and great-grandma Mary. Nora was showered with gifts and cake...pictures to come, they are on my mom's camera. The above note was wrapped around a candle from Nora's great-grandma Atkins. At one of my baby showers, aunt Laura had everyone write a tiny note for Nora, she wrapped each around a candle for Nora to have on each birthday. It was such a sweet idea, I might have to copy it for the next shower I throw.

Nora liked grandma Mary's ice cream and made sure to eat her fair share of it. All in all, it was a great first birthday.

1 year too old!

Today marks the day that our lives were changed for the better. A year ago, we met our sweet little Nora for the first time and we were amazed. Just when we think she can't get any better she does. A YEAR is hard to believe, it has gone by way too fast and I feel like time is slipping through my fingers, I try to slow it down and it keeps running away from me. To be honest, this milestone has brought me to tears a couple of times. It's hard being a mom and watching our little ones become less little, but mostly it's awesome. Nora you amaze me, you are beautiful, you are the perfect mix of sweet and fiery. We are so proud of how big and smart you are.