Baby's 1st flash mob

sister side show

8 months old!

This is what a Lite Brite looks like in 2012

So, what's new? Oh me? Well, my dad is doing great - his CT and blood work are cancer-free and he has his last chemo next Friday. It better stay this way! Guess who joined the Y? Me! I am slowly starting to do some cardio and strength training while I finish up my back rehab and return to the land of the mobile. The scale says I am back to pre-baby weight but the mirror tells another story, one of a haggard midsection loosely flapping in the wind. Gramsie came to town this weekend so that means we had free babysitting and free advice on various medical issues. The advice was always the same: 'I would put Desitin on it". Maladies range from UTI's , itchy hands, and a broken leg. Normally, her advice to to "goob up with Vicks", so I was surprised to hear her new found love of diaper rash cream.

What else? We met up with pals for a playdate at Java Train on Friday and later Jake & I had a date at Fuji-Ya. On Saturday the whole family celebrated Papa Michael's 80th birthday by performing as a rythmless flash mob to "Mickey" and wearing handlebar mustaches. The nanny interviews continue and we are close to making an offer. Once that is squared away, we can set a start date for Nori to go to preschool part-time as well. She has a case of the tantrums so we think she is ready for some outside of the house structure. Baby Henny is battling another yet cold which means she bites when she can't breathe. Every boob for itself! I am implementing the relacation plan now that Lefty has healed but this cold might mess things up.

40 x 2

most of the family minus Fluffy & Randy who were cut off (but really they are the weakest links)

birthday madness

Foose on the loose!

She crawls! Sister is curious, too! I will not be blogging as baby chasing is my new hobby. I wish we still had Dorothy's kennel.

Gramsie & her gals

moments after Nori's hair caught on fire. true story

After some power weekend chores, we headed to Winona. We stayed at Gramsie's for the first time ever (all of us) and it was great to witness her domestic side as we enjoyed her lasagna and constant cleaning up after us. Nor went bonkers playing and Henny even slept away from home, hallelujah. Luckily, the heat was blasting at 74 degrees so I no longer need a winter vacation. We also got to visit Papa Michael to celebrate the big 8-0!

10 years until The Today Show!

The birthday madness continued today as we celebrated Grandma Sylvia's 90th birthday!!! NINETY years old and still working! Here you think everyone in my family is just keeling over left and right, but little do you know we have this beaut in the gene pool! The party was held in the St. Stan's Church basement of course (home of the fall bizarre complete with cake walk and Go Fish). Father Roy and every Polish person in town was in attendance for a turkey dinner, cake, and punch. I gave Nori and cousins Grace & Mekensie a tour of the sanctuary because after all, I did go to Catholic school for three years so I know a thing or two about the stations of the cross and whatnot. Despite my accurate information giving, Nori believed that Jesus was born on the altar and played toys in the balcony. She says she even saw an angel. Later, after being introduced to the confessional and Holy Water, she deduced that the hand sanitizer must be "Holy Soap".

Lordy Lordy, look who's 80!

Papa Michael, octogenarian (doctor for octopii)

this and that

chomp chomp

I have a biter. Every time I nurse, I like to think of myself like that girl who is back on her surf board after her arm was bitten off by a shark. We are brave that girl and I. Due to a wound that will not heal, I finally called the lactation specialist who helped me devise a plan for healing. The best news is that I learned about something called lactation cookies. You had me at cookie!

we made up

Did I mention I have been going to Physicians Neck & Back Clinic for about month doing a strength training/rehab program to help me overcome this back case of baby back (copyright)? It is helping and they are keeping me active so I am hopeful that in time I will be somewhat normal again, activity wise. I attend old lady water aerobics while Nori is in swimming lessons, too. She got promoted to the Sunfish class, but after whining the first 30 minuets of class they bumped her back down to a Jellyfish and she is much happier with her old teacher. This kid is just like her old ma, not adventurous nor aquatically inclined.

sisters

I am interviewing nannies again to prepare for Nanny Nicole's departure this spring and there are lots of interesting people out there. Like one woman who was forced to lie to the dad about how much shopping the mom did. Or every other mom who wants to bring her kids along. Or one lady who called herself "Mrs. Doubtfire". Cross your fingers I find someone good!

playing "Oscar the Grouches in our can"

p.s. Is is weird if someone names their new dog after your baby? Not just "Jack" since every other dog and kid is named Jack, but Henley because they thought of your baby?

Nor is Four!

birthday babe

Four years ago today we became parents to a baby who has grown into the most wonderful, loving, funny, and creative little girl in the world. I have conducted tests and I can verify that statement is true. We ended up all being home today due to having the stomach flu. You know the old saying, "puke like nobody is watching, barf like you've never done laundry". It started with Foose Sue on Monday while Jake & I took Nori on her special day to Chipotle and Edinborough indoor climbing thingy. The next victim was Nanny Nicole followed by Nori's impressive performance yet impressively bad aim with a grand finale by me. So, our little birthday girl was a sickee but not too miserable. She enjoyed the extra attention, her fabulous "mind petter" tree house, a movie, and a pajama day. Happy Birthday Norelle!

teaching HC to crawl

Rainbow-a-rama

ready to party

Today we celebrated Nori's 4th birthday in colorful style! We sorted M & M's by color, made paper chains & tissue poms, and spent countless hours in the kitchen dripping food dye (my fingers are still green). Our nearest and dearest came over to celebrate four years of Norelle Renee Seltz. She spent many days dreaming of her rainbow party and was so exited to finally have everyone here to play and celebrate! Thank you everybody for the fun! Only four more days until her actual birthday. Let the good times roll on!

somewhere under the rainbow

four roses for four glorious years

even baby gets in on the action

taste the rainbow

Oh, for me?

a song for your cake

Parents for 4 years and showing the wear!

A little lesson in cooking from yours truly. Some things are worth the time and others are not. Take for instance my two rainbow creations for the party. The first was a 6 layer rainbow cake with cream cheese frosting. It looks 6 hours counting freezer time between layers but it was totally worth it! On the other hand, my 4 layer (I only got to four before the bundt pan overflow) rainbow Jell-O. It took 8 hours and turned to cottage cheese and Skittle puke.

my success

And my Jell-O was supposed to look like the first picture. See the second photo for the actual results. I am happy to make one for you if you want!

fail

I'll be X's and you be O's, baby!

"I'll be X's and you be O's, baby!: Nori inviting Hen to play Tic Tac Toe

A weekend with these two, lucky me! They keep it real like when Nori shudders in disgust when I try to cuddle her because I "need a Kleenex!". Everyone in this house needs a box of Kleenex, especially the youngest one who has cold #2 of the season. Henny HATES getting her nose wiped so I usually opt to go au natural until Nori insists we wipe it. Geez, it's just a little slimy mucus girl, add that to the pile of tink, runny poop, and explosive toots we deal with daily.

In heavy rainbow birthday party preparations over here. By that I mean talking about the party but not actually getting anything done for it. All work must wait until the last possible second. Buy stock in food coloring, colored paper, and Jell-O now.

Our "relatives from Duluth" (copyright) visited this weekend and we ate, played games, and talked. Tasha is due with her baby in March so she is preparing for a medication-free home birth. We helped her out with some old receiving blankets as she is accumulating sheets, towels, and blankets for the big event. I think it is a boy. Hard to believe that the last time she was pregnant it was Norelle and we finally became parents!

Today Nori hugged the crapped out of Henley singing, "I love my sister! I love my sister!". So sweet. What more could I want besides a back rub, cookie dough and a double header of KUWTK? Done and done.

a walk to the flower shop to order rainbow balloons

not eating snow, for once

this baby can eat!

All hail Queen Norelle!

bribed into wearing floral overalls, but not happy about it

I love toys now

overall girls