Nora’s first birthday—my how the time flies!

This time last year I was having mild contractions and cleaning out my silverware drawer waiting for our little baby girl to make her appearance. I was excited and nervous and anxious—and wondering why the heck Nick had saved so many mini soy sauce packets. Tomorrow morning will mark one year that Nora has been a part of our family and, while I’m not an overly sentimental person, I am feeling emotional about her birthday. If only because I feel so damn lucky. It’s palpable lately—I honestly think life is great about ten times a day. (Which, of course, makes me think the other shoe is bound to drop—this morbid mentality happens when you’ve been diagnosed with cancer at 23). But the past year has been unbelievably fun and festive and enjoyable. And we’ve all been ridiculously happy, thanks, in large part, to Nora being here with us. Here, some highlights from her first year:

Nora is here! It was a speedy-fast (drug-free, because we ran out of time) birth that couldn’t have gone better. A great way to start her life!

Yawning after one of her first baths. The kid loves the water and lives for bath time—she’s probably one of the cleanest babies around!

Our first family shot. Nora was two weeks old and I had just turned 32. Which, yes, means I’ll be 33 very soon!

One of her first non-alien looking smiles.

Her first St. Patty’s Day. Aunt Meggie brought this shirt back from Ireland and it fit perfectly.

Bathtime: Her first bath with her big bro. She looks scared, as well she should. Though now when they bathe together she’s the one dunking herself underwater.

 

She wore my Christening gown and was a perfect angel at the church. Wish I could say the same for her brother…

Her first Easter with all her cousins and second cousins (or whatever you would call my cousins’ kids?)

 

Nora’s first boat ride. Hey Grandma, where’s her life jacket?

Her first Independence day—and her first dip in the icy cold Atlantic Ocean (we were out on eastern Long Island).

Lounging on the beach on Florida—and her first dip in the warm Atlantic Ocean

First sand sandwich—yum!

Nora started pulling herself up at six and half months and pretty much lost interest in crawling. She just wanted to stand all the time. D’oh!

I just love this picture :-)

Her first time eating spaghetti, which is now her favorite. Nick is making his famous Bolognese for her tomorrow night. 

Pumpkin picking—and posing. She makes this face all the time now. I think we’re in for it!

She started walking right before Halloween and can now climb on our dining room chairs, pull herself up onto the table, stand up on the table, walk on the table and run away from me on the table while I try to catch her. Needless to say we can’t take our eyes off of her.

Constantly swimming on our November trip to Florida. She is a fish!

Her first Christmas chilling with the other little ladies in the family (my cousins’ kids). Notice the attempt at taming her hair. And dressing her cute. Fail.

Watching her first blizzard roll in with her big brother.

Her first day in the snow—yes, those are leggings not snow pants. Guess I should run out and get some more appropriate clothes before the big storm hits tomorrow!

Yay, Nora! Happy birthday, ladygirl. XOXOXO