I just doubled my age

The post title should be said with a Ralph Wiggum voice. Okay, so at the two-week stage, she still looks like a baby. But my sources tell me that there is a specialized populace interested in more footage of Norah. And indeed, she seems to have added a few more looks.

Norah the Sleepy.

Norah, the Prophet.

I meant prophetess, but it didn't quite have the same PBS documentary ring to it. She was just prophesying here that she would need a changing within the hour. She was right too.

Norah, the Wee.


Norah, the Pale.


Norah, the 'What do you want?'

Now, in correlation to the Zoolander reference in a previous post, I have noticed that after diaper changes, Norah gives a 'Blue Steele' look (her most confident and clean look), but I can never photograph this because it always happens just after I pick her up and have my hands full. Attempts to take a picture while holding her with one arm have been awkward and ill-advised. In lieu of showing post-feeding/diaper change material, I will present a very common dance that Norah does pre-feeding (followed by the inevitable and congratulatory diaper change):

That's all for now, folks. She'll be coming soon to a theater near you. Or not. We rent a lot of movies these days.

'I missed you for 29 years...'

Nathan has really kept this blog going the last couple of weeks. It turns out that when he has time away from work and research that he likes to blog... or he is just an extremely proud papa. Probably the latter. Either way, I'm glad you've all been able to enjoy his witty commentary and pictures of little Nell.

Today is my 29th birthday. Needless to say that with the arrival of Norah and all that led up to and came after that, this birthday really snuck up on me. And all I can really think to say about turning 29 (or as I'm sure I'll refer to it all year... almost 30) is that with the birth of our girl, I am SURE the best years of my life are just beginning.

One Week Update

Now that Norah has gone from being days old to a whole new category of a week old, we feel it's time to celebrate. After all, she only gets a small handful of these graduations before she's stuck with years like the rest of us. Let's see what's happening.

"Does this make me look fat?"

Eleanor has been to her first doctor's appointment, and she's starting to fill out to 6.6 lbs, which is something like 6 lbs, 9ish ounces. This is good, because she's adding on weight due to breast-feeding (there. I said it) and we haven't had to use formula yet. Little did I know babies lose weight in the first few days after birth, but then gain it back after mothers lactate. So soon this outfit will fit her perfectly. For now, we like to call her svelte.


Here we see that the hair is coming in as a mullet. She has mostly strawberry blond hair, so the color here in this picture can be deceiving. Then again, baby hair in general can be deceiving. 'Never go round trustin' baby hair,' says I. But as the famous Coachmen sing so well, 'You can always trust a mullet.'


Speaking of music, here's a photo of Norah and me singing in harmony. I took the soprano part while Norah sang bass. We might have been working out a new arrangement of 'Til There Was You.

Here are some firsts for Norah:

1. pee-on-my-parents when they try to bathe me.
2. manicure.
3. 4.5 hour nap (a record!)
4. established communication - I've worked out an easy sign with my parents when our feeding arrangement is not working (vigorous headshake and cry sends the message loud and clear. They get me now)

Good times.

More a Norah

So apparently Norah is taking the whole 'I was born in New York' thing more literally than anticipated. She's said 'Eastsiiide' when I took this. Smart cookie. Not only is she an East-coast child, but more specifically, she is an Upper Eastsider. By the way, to quell the rumors, that's not an odd growth coming out the side of her head. Just Sarah Jane's foot.

Speaking of feet, check these beauties out.


And while we're at it, here's a full body shot.

So at this point, I think we've exhausted all the looks she has. Like Zoolander, we'll wait until she can turn left before we bring you more photos. That or when she has a growth spurt and looks entirely different.

Norah is here!

Well, I can't give a rundown on how it all happened, but here's an attempt nonetheless. Norah was born Friday, July 18th at 1:23am.


Here's Norah asleep at the hospital. It was hard to get an action shot of her rollerskating or climbing the walls what with her cat-like quickness and all. Those nurses are smart to give all newborns the gender-neutral blankets. Or maybe not. Here's Norah with her friend John Henry, and both are feeling confident sporting both blue and pink. Can you spot Norah?


Nikki and Cam had their baby John Henry the same day we did. This is probably the only way to improve on the day your child is born--have one of your best friends have a kid down the hall a few hours later. Crazy fun. With that level of stars-alignment happening, I'm not even going to bother trying to play matchmaker. Something bigger than me is handling the coordination for these two quite nicely, thank you.


Okay, so in this picture I think Norah looks like Sarah Jane for the most part, but that's just because they both like to sport the white do-rag. Does she have my eyes? Only time will tell.

Here's Norah ready for her first trip out on the town.

We bring you nothing but the most up-to-date news here on this blog. While most of our posts contradict that, here's an action photo of Norah being lowered into her new bed for the first time. A keen eye will notice Amy's excellent crib bumper and Cathy's amazing quilt-work. I love my in-laws, and they make really great stuff.

That's Norah on the right.

And now it's time to commence teaching her the first of her many languages. That's me reading The Fellowship of the Ring to get her started on Elvish.

Leading up to the big delivery...

I love this footage. The first video is of the morning Sarah Jane started feeling contractions. The second is us on the way to the hospital (for the first time).




I'm trying my best to withhold comment on the Restoration Hardware bit. Just move along, folks.



This was still during the time when it was fun. The second trip to the hospital was not recorded, nor was it fun. Poor Sarah Jane. Bless all women.

Wrapped Up

So with D-Day (due date) only 10 days away I decided it was time to learn how to use the Moby Wrap that has been sitting in its packaging in our apartment for 2 months. Since I have too much girth about the waist these days Nathan had to be the demo guinea pig, and since we don't have an actual baby yet we had to use a stand in... thanks again Paul for the little monster, it worked well.

The 'Hug Hold':

The 'Cradle Hold':

Can you tell Nathan was becoming less and less amused by this activity? Thanks honey for indulging me :)... the father of my child ladies and gentlemen.

Now who can I get to teach me how to use a breast pump because that thing looks seriously confusing. Yikes!

The Belly

Here it is folks, the 36 1/2 weeks belly shot.

We had our 36 week ultrasound today and baby girl (yes, confirmed again, it is indeed a girl) is hefting up nicely. Already 6 1/2 lbs! I was barely bigger than that when I was born, she must have her dad's genes. We're grateful to know she is growing and doing well, but her mother is hoping she'll decide to come before she gets too big :).

3 years...

Happy Anniversary!

BBQ

This past weekend was the annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park. I love this event. It seriously goes on my calendar the day I find out when it is happening. 'Pitmasters' from all over the country (Texas, Tennessee, North & South Carolina, St. Louis, Kansas City, etc.), come with their big smokers in tow and cook up their award-winning 'cue. There are SUPER long lines (see below), and if you don't get there early they run out of food (a lesson we learned the hard way the first year we went), but the food is amazing! This year there was the added twist of a freak heat wave that hit the city on Saturday, so in addition to big crowds, and waiting in long lines, we also had to endure 95 degree temperatures. Still worth it though.

My awesome, talented & handsome husband

Last week Nathan had a piece performed in the annual ACA (American Composer's Alliance) music festival here in New York. His piece Cassia (which was his Masters thesis piece) was performed at Symphony Space, which those of you who are familiar with it know it is a very fun venue. I'm so proud of him, this was a big deal! Three years ago Nathan was an intern/stage-hand at this same festival, and now he is a featured composer!

Below is the link to his bio on the Festival blog:

http://acafestival.blogspot.com/2008/03/nathan-bowen.html

My new addiction

So I know that ebay has been around forever, but I have just recently made it a part of my life and I am here to say it has changed it forever. As we are suddenly in the business of accumulating mass baby items I've realized that having a baby is not cheap. There is SO MUCH to get. Lately I have started scoping out ebay (and Cragislist) on a regular basis, and so far we've been pretty lucky.

We have been able to get the exact crib we want for half the price (on Craigslist).

The exact baby bouncer we wanted for $40 cheaper. (p.s. this bouncer is so awesome because it folds up which is amazing for a small New York apartment)
And the exact baby sling I wanted for $14 cheaper.

While I'm on the subject of baby stuff, do any of you have any recommendations of things we MUST get, or that we definitely DON'T NEED? I feel sort of clueless and would love any advice or recommendations on favorite brands and/or must have items.

April Showers

When we were in Utah last week we were blessed with not one, but THREE awesome baby showers. Thanks everyone who came, planned, and gave us such amazing gifts. Our baby is so lucky. We love you all so much.

First was a shower given by my oldest best friends. It was so fun to see everyone (and their babies).
.
Kristen, Katie (Lucy), Me

Second we had a 'couples shower' with all our BFFs from NYC who now live in Utah.

Karisa & McKay, John & Amy, Kristin & Craig, Nathan & the Great Pumpkin, Holly & Paul

(awesome picture of new mom, Holly)

There must have been a challenge issued as to who could give the most amazing gift, because seriously every one of our friends brought their A-game! Our baby will be way hipper than either Nathan or I could ever hope to be.

And third, Nathan's mom threw Monica (our sister-in-law expecting a boy in June) and I a very fun famly shower at Grandma B.'s house.

Thank you again everyone! Our kid is going to be far better dressed and equipped than either of her parents (which I should get used to I guess).

Maternity Jeans

I was extremely hesitant to buy a pair of maternity jeans because I felt weird about the whole elastic-waisted jeans idea, but I have since acquiesced (out of obvious sheer necessity) and have found that they are MUCH more comfortable than trying to wear my regular jeans via a rubber band (who was I kidding really?). Plus, the added bonus of wearing jeans with an elastic waist band is that you never have to worry if your fly is down.

stairs

Today I decided to count how many stairs I go up and down on my way to and from work. 148. Each way. More if I take the V subway line instead of the E, which I do when I miss the E or if the V comes first going home. There are 148 stairs between my apartment and my office. No wonder I'm so tired when I get home... well that and being almost 6 months pregnant I guess.

Hooray for the return of TV!

TV viewing has been seriously lacking the past few weeks/months, and now that LOST is also on hiatus the pickings have been particularly slim. I'm very much looking forward to tonight's all new line up on NBC—The Office, Scrubs, and best of all, 30 Rock!

Luckily we had a few gems like this from SNL to tide us over:
http://defamer.com/360670/virginia-horsens-hot-air-balloon-rides

Champions Once Again

For the second year in a row our little Dodgeball team won the championship.

Here's some glorious footage of Nathan getting out:
(I love this because Nathan walks so confidently up to the line, bouncing the ball all 'I'm going to get you' like, makes one throw and then promptly gets out :)

And here's some footage of him in the championship match redeeming himself:

(2 catches! For those of you keeping score, a catch means the thrower is out and a teammate of the catcher comes in. The two catches is a four point swing.)

And here's some quality team play, with a championship on the line:

Our New Niece

This is our beautiful new niece, Lily Catherine. Yay! We're so excited to meet our little red-head. Congratulations Jen, Matt, Abby & Belle.

My new playlist

A quick catch-up

So I am clearly not what you would call a good blogger. I have found that the upkeep is rough. I always mean to do it, but I either haven't the time or patience for it, or I just haven't gotten in the habit yet. It's like scrap-booking, I was never good at that either. Here are a couple of links to some online photo albums to catch you up on the last few months. I promise going forward I'll do better.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13375&l=e9ad9&id=588135959

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18443&l=b91ad&id=588135959

It's Over...

Last night I sobbed as I read the final chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was very bittersweet, but I must say I am pleased with how things ended, I think despite some heart-breaking losses it ended as it should have. Well done J.K. Rowling, and thank you!