A New Favorite

I forgot to mention another thing we did for my birthday that is sure to become a tradition . . . breakfast at Kneaders. It was a slice of pure heaven. Literally, you have to try a slice of their french toast. Better yet, have more than a slice - its all you can eat.

All of us were fans. I've been craving it ever since. Any takers?

Norah at 2 Months

Yes, I will say it again: 2 months already?

Norah has learned:

how to smile (see below)

how to coo - we have some great conversations

how to lift her head even longer during tummy time

how to make great eye contact

how to follow objects (especially mommy) with her eyes

Likes:

to be cuddled

to listen to books being read

being sung to

her binkie

being swaddled

Dislikes:

being left alone

waiting to be fed

her nose aspirated

Visited:
church for the first time on mommy's birthday

Nicknames:

princess (by daddy)

sugar

sweet pea

Norah Girl

Baby Girl

We go to the doctor's in a couple days for her 2 month check-up. Height and weight stats will be added soon! As you can see below -she's growing fast!

*Updated: Weight - 12 lbs 12 oz (95%) and 24 1/2 inches (>95%)

Love you more than last month.

xoxo

This is the Year

I've officially begun my 29th year!

Whoa. How did that happen?

Believe it or not, I've actually been looking forward to it.

I know, kinda shocking huh?

Perhaps I've accepted the fact that this is my last year of my twenties.

Maybe its the fact that 29 is definately NOT old.

Its probably because I have a lot to look forward to.

Instead of doing resolutions for the new year, I created a bucket list. A unique list that will be completed by my 30th birthday. My 30 before 30 list. I got this idea from my friend (thanks Leana). For a look at my list, check out the new tab just below our family picture. No, there's no skydiving, bungee jumping, or crossing the great wall of China. But I think I have some pretty great things on there. I'm pretty excited to begin. Oh, and give me a little motivation when you see me. Its going to be a busy year. :)

Thank you to my wonderful family and friends who made my 29th birthday a day of love, laughter and celebration. I received some wonderful gifts:

-a series of sweet kisses from Logan

-a full night's rest from Norah (8 full hours!)

-an hour massage and time to myself (thanks honey)

-a night of delicious food and wonderful company from my family

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people. Love you all.

Christmas . . . Finally

Yes, I know its the middle of January. Its a rather daunting task to go through pictures, narrow them down, edit, and write a post. This post comes through spare minutes throughout this week. So here it is: Bradshaw Christmas 2011!

First off, the stomach flu hit our house a few days before Christmas, starting with Logan. Then on Christmas Eve morning I got sick, and Benj got it a couple days after Christmas. Luckily Norah didn't catch it. You'll notice Norah and I are missing at the Christmas Eve party (I was sad I couldn't go). We girls stayed home and watched a Christmas movie. At the party its a tradition to play the candy bar game.

Once Benj and Logan got home, we dressed the kids in their Christmas jammies and tried to get a picture of the 2 of them in front of the tree.

I captured a couple sibling hugs (Logan is really so sweet to his baby sis).
Norah's first Christmas!

Another picture attempt on the couch.

Christmas morning the family slept in til 8:30 (loved that). Logan was so cute coming down the stairs and seeing the tree all lit up and presents under the tree. He loved opening all his presents, although he would get a new toy and want to immediately open it and play with it for a few minutes.

Norah got a few things too, including this little hat.

We went to church with Benj's side of the family. It was so nice to hear the messages and music about our Savior. I really enjoyed having Christmas on Sunday.

We went to the cousin's house after church to open more presents. This is the best photo we got of the group (notice half of us are looking at Logan because he did NOT want his picture taken).

Our family of four. :)

We love this baby girl.

Logan's great-grandparents and grandma B.

Playing with new Christmas toys.

The kids got spoiled as usual. Here's Norah with her stash (again that hat kills me). Such a good girl to look at the camera.

And Logan's stash (too busy to pose).

My side came down and I didn't take one single picture of them. I feel so bad about that. But we had lots of fun visiting, eating, and opening more gifts.

Thanks to our family and friends for making 2011 a wonderful year!

Mess

Please tell me my toddler isn't the only one who still struggles using a spoon.

Practice will someday make perfect, right?

Christmas Treats

I know what you're thinking, "Not another Christmas post." It is helps, its all about treats. :) One thing we didn't lack in the Bradshaw home this season was sugar. Since leaving the house hasn't been an option with a newborn, Logan and I did a lot of baking.

We made sugar cookies (the premade sugar cookie dough at Dick's Market is the best). Logan had lots of fun cutting out the shapes.

And lots of fun eating the finished product.

Logan has been obsessed with snowmen. Since mother nature wasn't giving the actual stuff, we got creative with felt, glue and crayons.

We make cookies and treats for friends and neighbors. Logan was good at pouring things in the bowl.

I need to find or make him a cute little apron. We made a mess.
He was also an excellent taste-tester. It passed the inspection.

We also made a gingerbread house for FHE.

And just for all you worried moms out there, I promise Logan does not eat cookies and candy everyday. Although we did come close!

Bon Appetit!

Norah at 1 Month

Its amazing even after a month how much a baby can change. Norah has a little more chub, she's become more alert, has started sleeping for longer stretches (yay!) and, speaking of stretches, likes to stretch out those cute little limbs. She has such a sweet disposition. She loves attention and sure gets a lot of it from anyone who sees her.

She knows her momma's voice and has started making eye contact and following me with her eyes.

Its so nice that she sleeps a lot.

And she likes her carseat. We haven't really gone anywhere besides family's houses and dr. appts, but as soon as spring hits, I know she'll love walks. Can I just say its hard to have a baby in the winter?

I love her little gassy smiles.

And she's lots of fun to dress up. There are so many cute girly clothes and accessories out there. Oh. my. gosh. Benj has tried to hold me back, but I can't help buy splurge a little bit.

Norah started smiling right around Christmas time. She melts my heart every time. I've gotten a few pics from my cell phone that I'll put in a later post.

Love you Norah Girl! Happy 1 month!

Norah's Newborn Photos

January already and my baby is a month and a half! Looking at these pictures makes me realize how much she's changed already. I'll be playing catch up over the next few days, so I hope you enjoy pictures!

We had a photographer come to our home and take a few shots of Norah when she was a week old. We tried some family shots too but it was ridiculously hard to keep a 2 year old still for longer than 2 seconds. Seriously, Logan was completely uncooperative. Mal was very patient with us and I think she got some great shots.

This one, in particular, is one of my favorites.

Norah's eyes are incredibly blue. I love them.

Logan making sure to get a little attention.

Laying on a quilt made by her great-grandma.

This photo will always remind me of her precious little lips and oh-so-kissable cheeks.

Overall, a great experience to not have to leave the house. It was nice to be able to nurse Norah and let Logan play when we were done with the family shots.

Our photographer can be found here.