Snow Day

15 Months, Week 1

This city cracks me up when the snow comes. I also pride myself in learning to drive a car during December so I got two lessons in one. Also, coming from a small town a bit North where snow days required much more criteria - these so-called snow days can be a joke to me. This past Wednesday, we had 3-5 inches of WET snow that was sticking to everything but the roads. Which were simply wet. Even UC closed which NEVER happens. Maybe everyone had snow days to burn? 

Either way, it was the most beautiful snow I’ve seen in a long time : )

Staycation 2013

15 Months, Week 1

Tim and I goofily never took off any days when we moved and felt the need to just take some days off.  The timing worked out wonders; the Morrisons [Tim’s sister & family] were in town and it’s daylight savings weekend - win for everyone.

Luckily for us, we could drop Nora off to her sitter on Friday so Tim and I could get sh*t done! We organized the basement and went to get our taxes done at H&R Block. We normally do them ourselves but for some reason I thought going somewhere, more money would be found. Joke was on me. H&R Block seems to hire seasonal people who basically just punch in the same numbers I would have on my computer. And that place was filled with socially awkward weirdos. I’m sorry, but it was that painful. So annoyed with myself. 

After that, Tim and I actually enjoyed a day-date lunch that included a beer! Whoa - yay us! We went to BJ’s [chain] at Tri-County because we’d heard good things - we were impressed not only with their own brewed beers but also the food. 

Next we hit Home Emporium at Tri County to start our dining table search - similar to a TJ Maxx of home goods - it was really awesome with really great stuff. However they don’t deliver and didn’t have any chairs we wanted. Will definitely go back though.

Next we went to Ashley/Morris Furniture - we were there a length of time and surprisingly found something we loved. I’d had my eyes on a World Market dining set, but we’d have to have it delivered and we luckily found something we loved in person at Morris. 

I’m so eager for the table to arrive so friends and family don’t have to stand around with food anymore!

Vintage glasses compliments of Dottie [I found them! But haven’t seen the pitcher yet, Dottie!]

Mommy & Daddy day-date!

Our new dining table & non-matchy chair. [Random chest sitting on top]

Mirror, Mirror

Ahhhh... big sigh of relief that the first floor is nearly complete - a large mirror from our wedding has made it into the dining space - awesome fit. There was also a large blank wall above the kitchen fireplace that was begging for a large piece. We’ve already depleted the concert posters around the first floor, so I went to the Snooty Fox [a local consignment shop] and found a huge, well-made mirror that was $40, on sale for $20 - couldn’t beat it! It’s still a little plain on that wall, but the mirror helps... maybe some paint on the frame could help - ? I just think mirrors do a lot for a space - mainly to “expand” it by reflecting light.

We also made our first fire last weekend while some friends were over - I was a little nervous, but the chimneys seems to be in good shape and it went just fine : )

Cozy!

Dining Space [still need a table & chairs!]

Eat-in space.

“Toys”

14 Months, Week 4

Nora proves the theory right; she doesn’t need store-bought toys. Most days she typically goes through the towel drawer, cooking utensil drawer, or lower pantry [all with supervision]. We tried putting a latch on the pantry, but I don’t even want to try to explain why it didn’t work... we still want to get one on there so she doesn’t bite through the rice bag. *eyeroll*

[When will she stop putting stuff in her mouth?? When those darn teeth come in??]

Like most kids, she loves tupperware and any dishware. So we had a leftover oatmeal cylinder and an egg carton so I got the bright idea to buy some plastic Easter eggs for her to put in and out of the egg carton and oatmeal canister. Thank you Big Lots! ¢¢ She spent at least an hour playing with those plastic eggs, in and out of the oatmeal container and egg carton. Oh, and the Blue Moon case. Ha!

Wow, her post-dinner belly is HUGE.

Easter Egg fun!

Such a rough liiiiife.

Yeah buddy.

Just Photos!

14 Months, Week 4

Nora rocking her birthday Owl hat from Aunt Amy!

I love kiwis!

Mamaaaa!

Post dinner belly - compliments of Grammy Batty.

Eating lunch downtown at Taqueria Mercado - beans & rice hit the spot!

Looking at “babies” on Facebook.

I look awesome.

Miss Nora

14 Months, Week 3

Our little girl is becoming quite the character. The babbling has become fuller this past weekend - “talking” to us and herself in mirrors. Dancing at herself in mirrors too. 

She loves climbing into the armchairs with help from the ottomans. 

She hates when Ailo licks her face. When Ailo is in her way, she boxes him out like a basketball player. “No!” But when Ailo is being quiet and trying to rest, Nora gets in his face and sits on him and buries her face in his fur. What a relationship.

She’s very communicative now which can be frustrating on both ends. I tried sign language with her early on with hand motions for “food” and “drink” but it hasn’t really worked. If she wants to see something, she lifts her arms for a looky-loo. If she’s incessantly whining, it’s usually food or drink based. So that must mean she’s hungry a lot. Which she is. Girl likes to eat constantly... I wonder where she gets that from? 

This past weekend I finally popped open the 4-5 bags of clothes from Cousin Izzie - jackpot! Thanks again, Kathy : ) I’m pretty sure we won’t have to buy any clothes this year. Nora is already rocking the 2T shirts and pants easily - ! 

Such a static-filled house!

Bothering a resting Ailo.

Sweeping

Oddly warm February day!

Classy Valentines

No cooking, man.

Batty Visit

14 Months, Week 1

My family came down today to visit us and see the new house - I made soup and we enjoyed visiting for a little while. 

Nora had a tricky morning. She was pretty restless all night and coughing a lot. Again, we didn’t get her out of the crib until 7am [not bad] but she was super whiney all morning and was really testing Tim and I. Breakfast concluded with a head full of jam. So we had to fit in this morning. 

She actually slept 2 hrs this morning which is rare - I’m guessing because she didn’t sleep well. When she woke up and my parents were here, she clung to Tim for a long time and took a long time to warm up to Mom & Dad. Thankfully she came around and was her usually goofy self for everyone. 

After they all left around 2pm, Nora went down again and has been sleeping 1hr so far... all this visiting wears a girl out I suppose! 

Nora enjoys standing in her new chairs.

Nora & Grandpa!

1st Weekend

14 Months, Week 1

We considered this our first real weekend at the new house. Moving weekend doesn’t count and last weekend we were away. So it has been awesome really hunkering down.

I had a pretty intense week at work; put on a new team with a really big, really fast project - to the point we were planning on all coming in Saturday for a full work day. Thankfully we all decided to divide and conquer on Friday which worked and I was incredibly thankful I didn’t have to go in yesterday. 

We had an awesome Saturday - despite making peeps and a few hollers, we didn’t get Nora out of her crib until 7am and she was awake but being quiet and chill which was great. We hit IKEA for some bar stools and a little table set for Nora. Target and groceries. During Nora’s nap, Tim and I organized the garage to a decent degree. Just this cleanup felt like a great accomplishment. 

Tim met an older neighbor from 2 doors down. She was extremely sweet and gave Tim both her neighbors and said to ask for anything. She told Tim the Noons [previous owners] didn’t maintain the landscaping very well - no pressure, right? She also graduated from DAAP fashion design back in the 70s - ! 

At 3:30 after Nora’s nap, we went to return the cookie plate to the neighbors across the street. Mom Michelle told us to keep the plate - it was for us! Her daughter Lauren will be going into high school next year. The two younger boys might be in middle school? She’s also a grandma to a 2-yr old - not sure where that older daughter fits in. Husband Chris wasn’t there. She said we’d have to grill out when the weather turns warmer. Seems very nice. 

William, Emma & Evelyn came to visit as well to see the new digs, then it was dinner time and bathtime. 

Saturday evening Tim and I assembled Nora’s table, the two bar stools and hung most of the first floor artwork. 

A good, comfortable day in the new house!

Saturday sweetness!

I see Dada and Doggie!

Again, playing on IKEA boxes is way more fun than my own toys.

Baby Cabin!

14 Months old today!

My sense of time is cosmic. Months ago we scheduled to go to a cabin with a few friends and their babies. I was very hesitant since our house was on the market/what if we had to move that weekend? Well, I was nearly right on. We agreed to go and found we had to move just one week before. Blergh!

Tim and I are home bodies, so after an exhausting non-stop weekend with moving, we just want to stay put. However, we took off right after Tim got home from work on Friday for Hocking Hills. 

Overall, it was very fun to spend time with friends and be forced to relax. The road trip home from Hocking Hills was very pretty along route 50. I never stayed up past 12am because I physically couldn’t. We ate great food and had laughs. I never did get in the hot tub like I’d planned - oh well. 

Nora had a great time and the space was basically one big room for her to walk around which worked well. I sat in the back with her on the ride home which helped her wiggles. 

Ailo spent the weekend with his girlfriend, Maggie Barker - a lovely lady retriever. He was pleasantly worn out which is always good. Nora must have missed him something fierce because she’s been snuggling on him all day yesterday and this morning - so cute!

Evelyn & Nora gnawing carrots!

Nora takes a ride in the clothes basket.

Carrot gnawing.

Nora photobombs the Cowans - ha!