11 months

Nora's 11 month Birthday was yesterday! As always, I am in awe by how quickly she's growing.

I keep being struck w/ the thought that Nora is the most fun/interesting/adorable at each stage she goes through and I can't believe I thought during the previous stage that she was the most fun/interesting/adorable then. I guess that goes to show that our Nora shines in the moment and she's just getting better and better with age. I feel truly lucky every day that she is in our lives.

At 11 months Nora:

• has 3.75 teeth (two bottom middle, one top middle and the other top middle is partially in);
  
• crawls like a pro and stands up on objects with no problem;
  
• can walk while holding a hand or pushing a toy;
  
• smiles easily and has a wonderful laugh that she saves only for the most gleeful of moments (usually a friend, an animal or a good tickle);
  
• has decided to boycott easy diaper changes, forcing us to move like lightening to get those things on and off;
  
• probably weighs a little over 20 lbs;
  
• can say "dog" and "no" and, sparingly, "mum" for milk, and I think she's said "done" and maybe "shoe";
  
• has only been sick twice, the last of which was a really long string of colds that has just finally cleared up;
  
• nurses before naps and bedtime and a few times between - she's a busy girl these days;
  
• takes 2 naps a day, varying in length from 45 min to 2 1/2 hours;
  
• LOVES cantelope and watermelon and enjoys raisins, cheerios, dried cranberries, bananas mixed with just about any veggie, beans, just about any fruit, and bread;
• gives wonderful hugs to people and her stuffed animals and still kisses open-mouth with generous amounts of drool;
• is a little dance machine and bops her head to anything with rhythm;
• loves to turn the light switch on and off - she could play that game for hours;
• is careful around new people, but doesn't cry when I leave for work;
• knows what she wants and will let you know when she's upset!;
  
• and is an absolute joy.
  

Here are some cuties from the last few days...



Swinging at the Boyd's (they had us over for a late evening bonfire in their backyard):



She likes to hang out "fireside":


Daddy & Nora spinning...see video below for live action spinning:


Demonstrating her walking skills!



Hugs for everyone. :)



And, finally, the spinning...