Zora Travels

Pools & Flowers

Nora went for her first swim today.  Not the mere five inches of water in the bathtub...but the real deal.  Our neighbors and friends have a gorgeous sparkling and heated pool.  I stalk them on Facebook for any comments that allow me to insert how hot I am, how hot Nora is, and how much I love the water.  They always cave and either genuinely or out of pressure invite me over.  Today was hysterical.  The first post hit the page early in the day.  I glimpsed the various replies...lurking, waiting to pounce.  Finally, the moment struck.  I found the right words.  I garnered the, "Come on over" for which I'd been waiting.

And then it was, with superhero-speed, that I shed my clothes and put on my water wear.  Noodle was thrown to the ground, squeezed in to a swimming diaper, and donned her new swimsuit.  In under four minutes we were ready to go a'knocking on the gate.  I knew this seemed odd.  To quick.  Strange even.

I waited.  I explained to Noodle what we were going to do.  That swimming and water were two of my favorite things.  We remembered fondly my three weekly swim-aerobic classes while I was pregnant.  She knew.  I was beside myself with excitement.  I took this picture to pass the time.  (You see?  She's in a frenzy to get in that water, too.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We set our stuff upon the grass.  I acted calm, cool, and collected.  But my heart was beating fast as I smeared thick baby 50+ sunblock on Noodle's alabaster skin. 

 

My God, my child is pale.  Where exactly is Daniel's DNA expression in her skin?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, we approached the stairs and I descended with a relaxed little fish on my hip.  Her body glided into the water, her face alit with curiosity, her arms splashing the surface.  It was one of those moments where everything is perfect.  The warm wind swishing the trees.  The glistening sun.  The droplets of water beading up on Nora's sunblocked face.  Pure joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somehow yesterday and today wove memories so tightly within my motherhood memory that my heart feels full.  There are days when other moms talk of going back to work or already are.  They talk of adult interactions and purpose and professions and careers.  I sometimes feel small.  My mind withered. Spinning in the water with Nora today rejuvenated my soul. 

I also needed yesterday with the ten minutes that I spent alongside the neighbor's flower bed.  Nora was zipping along the sidewalk in her stroller.  I was sipping in the warming morning.  We passed a shoulder-high flower bed filled with a cacophony of wild flowers.  I had no where else to be.  There was no reason we couldn't stop.  I stepped on the parking brake and unclicked Noodle.  I held her high on my hip as we walked the length of the bed.  Orange, pink, purple, blue and white flowers trailing, spilling, and jetting all around us.  The aromas.  The textures.  The colors.  All of it explained to Nora.  She fingered them all.  Attempted to eat a few.  Managed to lick one.  And I was struck by the same feeling as this afternoon.  Pure joy.

This is exactly where I am supposed to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fotos am Freitag: Week 27 - the Sitter & Avocado Eater

This week tugged at my heart.  As beautiful as it is to see my Noodle grow and expand her horizons...it also means there are fewer sunsets we will have in the glider together.  Nursing her as she snaps my tank top straps and rubs her cricket feet back and forth, as I swirl the cocoa wisps near her ears.

Nuggs sits now.  (*Click HERE to see all the weekly photos)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we finally found something that Nora will eat. A tiny morsel of mashed avocado finally passed her lips.  Daniel used his finger to introduce the green fruit...and she agreed to more.  (Rice cereal and banana have been met with disdain after repeated attempts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 She took control of the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And soon had eaten several micro-spoonfulls...probably the equivalent of 2 teaspoons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking to her dad for approval of this new talent.

Sitting...(gulp)

There's something so grown about sitting.  You sit behind the wheel of your car.  You sit behind a desk in school.  You sit at the table and eat with your family and friends.  Sitting is a very grown up thing to do.  And today...Nora did just that.  Not the wobbling sitting with my legs on either side, catching her every few seconds as she tilts.  Nope, this was the real thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inch by inch

Today's title applies to the scooching acrobatics that Nora is engaged in throughout the day.  Her arms are the last hold outs in her quest to crawl.  They remain staunchly planted as her knees flex and scoot under her hips.  Her downward dog is near perfection...I'm envious of her form.  A future yogini in the making.

Each morning unfurls more of Noodle's physical abilities and I have the fortune to sip in each moment ...without rushing, still in my pajamas, smiling as I sit near my rocking, stretching girl.  An almond milk, flax seed, frozen banana smoothie in my hands.  Max and Sophie running past.  NPR news flowing into the nursery where it muddles the airstrikes of Tripoli with children's folk songs.

And at this moment, Nuggs is rolling around in her crib - after only sleeping 30 minutes.  She coos and rubs her eyes and lifts her head and falls again to the mattress.  I stare at the video monitor...hoping she doesn't start to cry...wishing that she would fall asleep again...if not, the morning will most likely be punctuated by one adorably fussy baby.  It's this morning nap that is key.  Miss it or shorten it and Nora will remind you all day long that you caused her a great offense.

I remember a few months ago writing about our typical day.  It was vastly different due to an erratic sleep pattern...so, I'll describe a typical week day again (post-sleep training).

6:30am -- coos and screeches alert me that Nora is awake, a brilliant smile and panty "hello's" greet either Daniel or I, as we scoop her up

play time on blanket (while I make my smoothie), dancing, petting of Max and Sophie, read a book or two

8:00am -- nurse in glider, turn on sound machine, put her in sleep sack (*before zipping up the sack, I kiss her feet, knees, belly, hands, and forehead...she loves this), slow dance while singing a lullaby (usually "Puff the Magic Dragon"), cover her cherubim cheeks and head with kisses and place her in her crib

9:00am -- wakes up with grunts and growls and smiles

bath time, morning walk around the 'hood, sometimes a workout at bootcamp or down at the beach with other moms (yes, I am now the leader of a beach stroll & stair workout...imagine, ME leading exercise!)

11:30am -- another nap routine

1:00pm -- more grunts and growls get my attention

run some errands, meet some moms for coffee or playdates or picnics, play time, more petting of Max & Sophie

4:00pm -- another nap (this one is a struggle, she tosses and turns for 30+ minutes before sleeping for usually 30 minutes)

5:00pm -- sits in booster seat on kitchen counter, eating ice through a net, sucking on wooden spoons, watching me cook dinner...lasts for 20 minutes or so and then I half-cook and half-entertain

6:00pm -- Daniel comes home and rescues her from the culinary side-show

6:30pm -- bed time routine (*same as nap time...except whispered song is usually Patsy Cline's "Walkin' after Midnight")

^nursing sessions in quiet darkness (without interaction) occur around 9-10pm, 1-3am, 4-5am

 

Awe, look at my little plan above.  It's gorgeous and scripted and only happens 50% of the time.  Remember when I said Nora was stirring after only 30 minutes of sleeping?  Well, it's now 9:15am...she is up on her hands and knees and making all sorts of grunts...her first nap is a flop.  So, while the above plan looks fabulous --- it is a guarantee whenever you tell anyone your plan that your baby will demonstrate their desire to be unpredictable.

Thank you, Nora.  You keep me on my toes.  Just when I have you pegged, you make me think again.  What made you giggle yesterday is utterly rudimentary today.  The toy that sparked your interest is now old news.  Luckily, my breasts remain spectacular; my embrace, comforting; and my cat sounds, amusing. Everything else is up in the air. 

But, man, that plan up there sure looks good.  Here's to you, baby girl, inch by inch.  Even Mt. Everest is climbed one step at a time.

And a bonus video of Nora playing in the Superman band with her Ninong (Godfather) Jake. Quite the musicians, these two.

Fotos am Freitag: Week 26 - the Backward Shuffle

 

Noodle is anxious to crawl.  She can downward dog with the best of 'em...just can't yet move those pesky knees and arms together.  This week is also special because her Ninong (Godfather) Jake came down to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Half-Birthday, Nora Maree!

For weeks I've snuck away for a few minutes to create this montage.  It is a collection of my favorite photos and video clips that tell the tale of our amazing first six months with Noodle.  You'll need a bit of time and stamina to view them all...but this is mainly for my daughter when she grows up.  I hope the love that I have for her comes through in this project.

Happy Birthday, Nuglett!  It's been an incredible ride so far.  I'm lovin' it.

 

 

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Solids, water, and fatigue

Noodle stars in the following series of videos.  They are snapshots of her recent achievements and personality...and meant only for true die-hards who can handle 90 seconds of watching rice cereal drip off her chin.  But there are beautiful moments in each that I treasure...that show her zesty response and clear communication skills, despite her lack of vocabulary.  Nora tells you what she wants or does not want - clearly - and loudly - and then is immediately pleased that you listened.  She doesn't hold a grudge.

One of the most amazing parts of motherhood is this daily attempt to decode her signals, movements, and breathy sputters.  I love writing her dictionary (although the entries change by the day).

 

 

 

 

A day at the park

Not a winter passes that I am not keenly aware of how grateful I am to live in Southern California.  The fact that it's mid-March and I can go to a park, kick off my flip-flops, and relax on the sun-warmed grass with my two favorite people - never fails to impress.  I remember living in four seasons...and I still enjoy visiting my childhood home...but the near-constant sunny weather is blissful.

 

 

Sundays are the greatest!  Well-rested from Saturday...no agenda...just cuddling, horrible Beatles crooning, and bare feet in the grass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love feet pictures...always have.  For years it was just my feet - alone in Italy, alone in Portugal, alone in Guatemala...now my Loves wiggle their toes along mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectacular day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My two favorite people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could eat them up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"May the force be with you."

 

I mean how perfect is this onesie for my Star Wars lovin' husband?  He was quite amused when I brought in Nora Skyhopper to see him as he was waking up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And yes, this weekend we took the leap into solid foods.  It was sort of anti-climactic.  Noodle wasn't that into it.  She allowed a bit of food into her mouth...but quickly resisted prefered to play with the spoon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I suppose there are more exciting foods down the line that will spark her fancy.  We'll play with rice cereal for a few more weeks and then liven things up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luckily, we can still bonk heads for a good time.

Fotos am Freitag: Week 25 - Cutting Teeth

 

Somehow 25 weeks have slid by since I awoke to my first contractions with Nuglett.  This week we have a new stack of library books featuring brown babies and Asian babies and Hindu folk tales.  We barely escaped Nora's first libary fines.  I'm certain there will be many opportunities to support Long Beach's libraries...but I wanted to make her first exchange without a blemish on her record.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nora is perfecting her downward dog.  Her scouting is backwards only...but she can cover territory.  I love watching her little legs pop out as she straightens into my favorite yoga pose.  It will probably be weeks until she crawls...and we need every minute of that time since there's some serious child-proofing that needs to take place.

 

 

 

 

Banging a xylophone is a beloved "at Grandma's" favorite activity.  She finds her musical talents quite entertaining.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And lastly, the weekly shots.  This pie dough cutter is from an old friend of my Grandma Lola's.  Noodle loves to gnaw on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And it is with a tear in my eye that I proclaim that the reason behind all the gnawing this week -- was that two tiny teeth ridges poked out of her gums this morning.  No more pure gummy baby mouth.  It is overwhelming that she's growing this fast. I just want to wind her up in a satin web and keep her small forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dragging feet on solids

In case today ends as most do as of late...with an exhausted fall into bed, I'll post this recent photo of Super Smiler Nugglet with her Grandma Lola and Auntie Barbara.

I am dragging my feet on starting solids.  It is just so easy to go about our day nursing anywhere we'd like.  Once the solids train pulls out of the station, there's no going back.  Around the same time each day, or twice a day, a full hour needs to be set aside to feed.  Starting with a nursing session...then the food prep, the slow and joyous eating conversation, the clean up.  Sure it will take a lot less time down the line - but wrapping my mind around the first feeding just makes me tired.  So it's breastmilk served a la carte again! 

Thank goodness my sis-in-law Kathy is around to always calm my nerves about all things food-related.  No, rice cereal will not make Nora diabetic.  No, I don't have to be paranoid about introducing fruits before vegetables.  No, I don't have to rush to start...up until she's a year old, Noodle gets all of her hammy thigh-goodness from my milk.  I vex too often about the eventual hormone-stuffed meat and poultry that she'll eat, the salty snacks, the nonorganic milk and produce, the chemicals and preservatives in fast food, the sugary treats, decadent cookies and rivers of juice. 

I know that I can control her eating 99% of the time for the first few years...but all of these items will drop into her diet by kind-hearted people who think she'll enjoy them.  And enjoy them she will, as I did and still do.  I just wish I could keep her in a bubble sometimes.  A bubble that bounces joyously past all the unhealthy foods, eating habits, sweet tooth, sodium mounds, and greasy morsels that I adore--- and find myself struggling with since I was nine. 

I've been a butterball since I was nine.  My mind and heart ache to keep Nora from a similar experience.  When I imagine her looking for a seat in the 4th grade...I want her not to hear the boys making "moo" sounds.  When she sits, I'd like it to be without kids making creeking sounds.  Can I keep her from the harpoon jokes, blubber comments, oinking noises, and cruel names?  I hope to.  I may not be like other moms in this regard...it isn't just a desire for Nora to be a healthy eater -- it is a passionate and fervent wish to protect her from the brutal school experiences that I had and the issues that I still have from being overweight. 

*And on a side note, if I EVER find out that Nora is on the giving end of this cruel behavior, I'll wrangle her organic-eating neck!  We will have many many conversations about making comments, about being kind to other kids, about how our family's "normal" is not everyone else's.  Some families have two moms or dads or just one.  Some children have an extra chromosome, different ways of learning, or ways of moving...and versus staring at them, we can just ask them about it.  Some families practice other faiths that are equally beautiful.  Some children have a mother and a birth-mom.  So many variations on families and faith and morality for her to see.

My goodness, I feel the need to read yet another childhood development book right now!  But maybe that makes it worse...all the reading.  Or at least the baby-book reading...I'll end this post and read my novel...perfect in its fictional form.