Merry Christmas and Happy 2010!

We had a very busy December in the McCoy house. In preparation for Norah's first Christmas, we got a tree (yes, we got it at the grocery store- but it was a tree nonetheless!) and decorated the house for the holidays. Since Dan and I were moving during the last three Christmas seasons, we hadn't seen our decorations in quite some time. Norah helped us put the lights and ornaments on the tree, and even got to put the star on top (with a little help from Daddy).

Picking out the tree... and helping with the lights

Baby's 1st Christmas Ornaments from 1979 (Dan), 1980 (Kristin), and 2009 (Norah)... and putting the star on top of the tree

Dan was pretty busy with finals this year, so he spent a lot of his evenings and weekends writing papers and getting ready for tests. He's three semesters in to his MBA program now, with three left to go. While he's enjoying his classes and is learning a lot from both his professors and fellow students, he will be glad when his program is over and he doesn't have to spend two evenings a week in class.

Christmas Tree Lane walk

Even with Dan's busy schedule, we did find time to celebrate the season. We walked down Christmas Tree Lane with Norah and my parents. (For the non-Fresnans, Christmas Tree Lane is a street on which all the houses put out elaborate Christmas decorations. It's usually open to traffic, but they close it to cars and open it to pedestrians a couple nights each season.) Norah loved all the lights and displays, even though she couldn't really move since we had her bundled up in so many layers.

We celebrated Christmas with my family a bit early, since we were in Missouri for Christmas Day. Norah had lots of fun opening up presents, though her attention span usually only lasted for about 1-2 presents at a time. Dan even got some practice assembling toys-- notice what a good job he did on Norah's scooter!

Opening presents

Norah's first plane ride went very well. Dan and I were a little worried since she started teething three days before we left, but she was quite a little traveler. When we got to Festus, she got to meet her Pop and Granny (Phil and Fran) for the first time, as well as some other family members, including new cousin Autumn and the great grandparents.

Traveling... meeting Pop and Granny... and Great-Grandma McCoy

Norah's first Christmas was a white one. Matt and Jeannie let us borrow Ember's old snowsuits, so we were able to take Norah outside to see the snow. We had a wonderful time in Missouri visiting Dan's family. Though we wish we could see everyone more often, we're always able to make the most of the time that we are there.

All dressed up for Christmas Eve mass... and presents on Christmas morning

Let it snow!

Playing with Ember... and Grammy and Grandpa

We had a very blessed 2009 and are looking forward to all that 2010 will bring us. We are thankful for our wonderful family and friends! Happy New Year to everyone!

And on to the Sweet Potatoes

We moved on to sweet potatoes this past weekend- Norah's first "real" solid food. It was not love at first bite...

Veggies...like father like daughter?

MMMM.... Rice Cereal!

Today was Norah's first time trying out solid foods. The three of us had a really good time with it, and I think some even got into her mouth. It will be a process, but overall she did very well. She's such a big girl now!

We've Come a Long Way!

We had some big milestones at the McCoy house this past weekend. On Friday, Dan and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. We’ve come a long way in those five years! We have lived in three different states (plus one foreign country for Dan) and moved four times. Both of us have changed jobs at least once. After many years of apartment living, we bought a house. And most recently—and definitely most importantly—we became a family of three with Norah’s arrival. Through all of these changes our relationship has grown stronger. Though date nights out have now been replaced by bath time and movies at home, I love everything that our life together has become. I feel so blessed to be married to Dan and am looking forward to many more wonderful years together.

Wedding Day and 5th Anniversary

On Sunday Dan celebrated his 30th birthday. After a busy weekend of work events for both Dan and I, we were ready to have a nice relaxing family day at home. Dan did get to put in his birthday cake request—white Funfetti cupcakes with vanilla Funfetti frosting (I know, no chocolate!)—and Norah helped her Daddy open his presents and blow out his candles. She had a lot of fun with the wrapping paper—I can only imagine what Christmas is going to be like for her!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Now we’re all looking forward to the Thanksgiving break and a few days off to eat and spend time with family!

Happy Halloween (a little late)

Norah got to celebrate her very first Halloween. While she wasn’t up for too much trick-or-treating, dressing up was a lot of fun. Kristin put her creativity to work and made a duck costume. These pictures are sure to be used as blackmail when she gets a little older.

The little yellow duckling, at Grandma and Grandpa's house with Mommy and Daddy Duck.

Norah loved all her Halloween outfits, as you can tell.

Sorry we haven't posted in a while. There will be more coming soon!

Go Irish!

Hey Everyone!

Mommy and Daddy got really excited this Saturday. I wasn't sure what was going on at first, but they put me in a really cute onesie, so I went with it. Apparently there was something on TV that they wanted me to watch. They said that if I watch closely, I might get to see Aunt Laura! All I could see was a bunch of people in gold helmets running around, and then Mommy and Daddy would get in front of me and say "Go Irish!" really loud. They are pretty weird sometimes.

4th and 1? Go for it!... Mom and me, watching the Irish

By the end of the afternoon, Mommy and Daddy were really happy and cheering and having me dance while they sang songs. I still don't know what was going on, but they did take some pictures of the whole thing. Don't I look good in blue & gold?

Dad explains the rules... Class of 2031, here I come!

Three Months In

Norah’s baptism was last weekend – thanks to all those who attended or sent good wishes on her special day. It was a very nice ceremony, which Norah slept through. She did wake up in time to say hi to Jesus at the end, though. She wore the same gown I (Dan) wore for my baptism, handmade by Grammy J.

Aunts... and uncle and cousin

It was great to see everyone. Our house was really packed with people for once. We got a lot of help in cooking and cleaning from Janis, Maggie and Laura. It was fun to show off our new house to all our family and friends that could come out. It was also nice to show some Fresno hospitality to Matt, Jeannie and little Ember, all of whom stayed with us. Grammy J was in heaven having both of her boys and both of her granddaughters in the same place. Grandpa Big Mike was able to meet Norah for the first time, and they really hit it off. We had not seen Ember since her baptism a year ago – she has grown significantly since then! The cousins seemed to enjoy meeting each other, though finding a time when one of the two wasn’t eating, sleeping or crying was difficult. Still it was a great family gathering.

Norah and Ember play in the grass with their grandmas... The happy family

In other news, Norah is three months old today! She is doing lots of fun stuff now. She smiles a lot, giggles, holds her head up well and has even rolled over twice (though never when I have been around). In addition to the baptism, she has had a couple of visits from out-of-town great aunts and uncles recently. Barb was in from Boise, and Linda and Scott were in from Columbus, OH a few weeks ago. Norah does pretty well with the attention, though we’re afraid her ego may get out of hand with constantly hearing how beautiful she is.

Norah and Daddy work on their neck strength... Practicing standing with Mom

Kristin is back at work now, so Norah has gotten a lot of quality time with Grandma Janis and Aunts Maggie and Laura. Maggie and Laura got free lessons in not dawdling while diapering. Norah really enjoyed teaching them J I’m starting another semester at Fresno State tomorrow (Yay!). It will be good to get back to my classes, but I have very much enjoyed the summer off with Kristin and Norah.

All in all, the first three months have been a whirlwind of fun and learning. We know we’re only at the tip of the iceberg, too. There is a lot more fun in store for the three of us – we’ll try to keep blogging about it regularly. Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers sent our way.

Watch Me as I Grow!

One..two...and three weeks old

Norah is now eight weeks old, and already we can’t imagine our lives without her. Even though Dan and I haven’t been able to sit down and eat an entire dinner together practically since she was born, the last eight weeks have been an incredible time for us. As you can see from the pictures, Norah has grown a lot.

Four..and five weeks (not sure why this one is loading sideways)

She is developing quite a personality, and is even almost sleeping through the night. (I’m totally jinxing myself by writing that down, since she’ll probably be up every two hours tonight!) I’m still on maternity leave from work, so I have gotten to spend lots of quality time with her during the day. Dan gets his Daddy time in the evenings and on the weekends. By then, Norah has gotten a little tired of hanging out with me anyway, so she’s happy for the change of scenery. Dan and I have learned a few parenting tricks—diaper changing and bath time have gotten much smoother as the days go by. At the same time, Norah continues to find ways to keep us on our toes. Right now, we’re just having lots of fun and are thankful that we have a few more months before she goes mobile.

Six..seven..and eight weeks

Norah Claire - 1 month in...

It’s been a while since our last entry, but with good reason. We’ve got a whole new person to take care of! Norah’s arrival was a few days early and relatively quick by all accounts, though I (Dan) hesitate to refer to a 13 hour endurance event as “quick”. One month removed, Kristin has forgotten most of the more uncomfortable parts (Yay drugs!), and still managed to look great just a couple hours after the birth. We have a pretty big baby. She was born at 8 lbs 11oz. By her 1 month check up she weighed 10 lbs 9 oz – in the 90th percentile. She’s proportional though, because she’s in the 90th percentile in height too. We have no idea where she gets that.

On the way to the hospital (6 hours into labor)... Norah at one hour old... First day home (1 day old)

The first few days at home were quite an adjustment. We had to get proficient at changing diapers, interpreting cries, dressing the baby and often all three at the same time. She really likes to kick and squirm, something we suspected before she was born. Now she just has more room in which to do it.

First night (not much sleep for mom and dad!)... First (sponge) bath... Out for a walk

Norah got to meet a lot of relatives right away. Aunts Maggie and Laura were able to see her soon after her birth as were Grandma Janis and Grandpa Jim. Great Grandma Nell, Aunt Sue and Uncle Lee came down to Fresno to meet her too. Grammy J(udie) flew out to meet her newest granddaughter a few weeks later. Norah still has a lot of relatives that she is very excited to meet over the next few months.

Aunts... and Grandparents

Norah is sleeping well at night now. We wake her up once a night to feed her and then she gets to be Kristin’s alarm clock at about 7:30 in the morning. The two of them spend their days together taking walks, playing with toys and trying to prevent any melt-downs. I get my baby time when I get home from work, and Norah is excited to get a change of pace. She’s starting to eat from a bottle occasionally now, so I even get in on the feedings (conveniently not the 3am ones).

Future Domer... and Catnap

Posing for the camera

Norah got me a great Father’s Day present – a hammock for the back patio. I think it may have been a little self-serving on her part though. It seems to be one of her favorite places to take naps with me.

Father's Day... and One Month Old

Kristin and I are so happy to have Norah in our lives. She’s happy and healthy and we are very blessed. Thanks for all the congratulations from our friends and family. We’ll try to update this more frequently so you all can see how she is growing.

We had some professional pictures taken by Nick Gennock. He did a great job. In order to see them follow this link.