My Ladybug

Nora is one funny girl. Anyone who knows her knows there is no end to her energy. Here are some snippets from her life recently.

Today Branden called from work to say hi. I put him on speakerphone and asked Nora if she wanted to say hi to Daddy. "No," she replied. "I'm too nervous." Where does she come up with this stuff?

We went to the local children's museum for storytime today. Nora sat in between two other kids, both perfect strangers. About half way through the first story, Nora reaches out and holds hands with both kids. The girl on her right was pretty obliging, but the boy to her left was a little freaked out. He sat down on the floor and his little brother took his place on the chair. Nora held his hand instead!

Nora's stomach tells her to do things, apparently. I think maybe one time I must have told her that my tummy was telling me I was hungry. At any rate, Nora has told me on different occasions that her tummy is telling her that she is tired or that she needs to play with this or that toy.

She has also learned about pirates recently. A few days ago, I asked her to do something and she piped up, "Aye Aye Cap'n." I think she actually thinks the phrase is: "I am, Captain" but it was cute nonetheless.

Ike's Blessing

We blessed Ike on Friday, January 22 in San Jose, Ca. We did it at Branden's grandpa's chapel so GrumpPa wouldn't have to travel. Also in attendance were B's parents, my parents and B's aunt LeAnn and cousin Christy. After the blessing we hosted a luncheon in the cultural hall and had a great time just chatting. Meanwhile, Nora had gotten into the bathroom and up on a stool so she could play in the sink in the mother's lounge. She completely soaked her shirt and then inadvertently locked herself inside. Branden found her topless and wailing at the top of her lungs. Poor crazy kid!

We really surprised both sets of parents when Branden blessed our baby as Ike Andrew instead of Ike Alexander Nelson. We decided we liked Andrew better about 2 weeks after he was born. Unfortunately, we have to pay our broke state $355 to make the name change legally. Why couldn't we have thought of Andrew before he was born?!

Ike's onesie is the same one Branden wore as a baby. I am very proud of myself for whipping up his little pair of pants in about two hours, with no pattern no less! They are certainly not the best well-made pants, but they did the job! And now we have our own family heirloom.
We should have gotten a picture with Ike and Nora, but here we are at any rate with our handsome little devil!
'

Branden's Birthday

Branden turned 33 this year and it was the first time in almost a decade that he got to celebrate it with his parents. Since we were blessing Ike the next day, his parents drove in from Utah and we all got to go out to lunch at one of Branden's favorite places - Chilis. His parents graciously babysat for us that night so we could go on a real date. We saw Avatar. Pretty Amazing graphics. Don't know about the animated hot-and-heavy scene though! :)