Saturday

Went on a beautiful date-hike with my hubzbind along the creek and through the woods behind our house. I’m so glad we did that. We can’t wait to all go down as a family once the weather figures out that it is actually March and not January!! We’ve got the Baby Björn carrier dusted off and all ready for Norns!

The trees along the edge of the creek are incredibly beautiful.

I am reminded to be like these trees:

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
(Jeremiah 17:7, 8 NIV)

Earlier in the day William and I went to Target to get new bottles for Nora and a couple of other things. Yes, Nora seems to be outgrowing her little bottles and needs the next size up!!! She’s eating a TON lately, so we are following her lead and giving her more volume. (“Pump up the volume! Pump up the volume! Dance, dance!” she says.) She takes it down like it’s nobody’s business! Anyway, as we were checking out, the cashier handed me a $10 register coupon for milkies. I was reminded that we needed more milkies!! William offered to go get the car while I went back in to make another purchase. I also remembered that we needed more diapers so I grabbed those too. I did a quick assessment of the checkout lanes and chose the one that seemed fastest. A couple I had seen earlier in the store happened to be in front of me. I recognized her from Facebook and know we must have met somewhere before! We said hello again. Marlene reintroduced herself and her husband and asked how Nora was doing. We talked a little bit about Nora and the blog before it was my turn to check out. It was then that Marlene and her husband told me that they wanted to pay for my (Nornor’s) things. (!!!!!) I smiled and graciously allowed them to bless me. I’ve seen how God has put me in the right place at the right time to be a blessing to others, but now here He was putting me in the ideal place and time to be on the receiving end and it all started with a register coupon! I got a little teary and emotional over that thought and also because there was no way Marlene could have known about my little random, anonymous act of kindness toward a stranger just the day before!! I was nudged so “loudly” by the Holy Spirit that there was no way I could ignore it. The only reason I even bring that up is to prove:

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
(Luke 6:38 NIV)

God is absolutely completely amazing and that is just that. Thank you, Marlene and Dan for listening to your nudge. You too will be blessed!!!

Sunday

We have an 11 month old little leprechaun on our hands today! I’m so incredibly thankful for the gift of this perfect little girl. To think there was a time when we weren’t sure if we’d even get to bring her home. Wow, God. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
(2 Corinthians 9:15)

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
(Psalm 28:7)

Nora is having an upper G.I. done tomorrow morning. It’s just exploratory to ensure everything is working as it should be. Please pray that goes well and that Nora tolerates her barium bottle as well as she did for her swallow study way back when! 🙂 (I think that’s how they’re doing this — ?)

Thursday

Gavin made it back to school for a single day this week. (They’re off school Friday.) It was so strange not having one of them down in the “sick nest”. I was on the verge of getting up to go check on someone all day long!!

Gettin my baff on!

Bounce wit me, bounce wit me!

Friday

What a pretty morning. I couldn’t help but smile back at God as I looked out the window.

The big kids and I had a busy day! They’ve spent enough time cooped up in the house so we decided to get out. First stop was Daddy’s office. We picked him up and went to lunch up the street.

Throwing salt over your shoulder is good luck. Throwing salt over your shoulder and into someone’s hair is bad luck.

We dropped William off at his office and headed across town to visit Papa at his office. We were several many miles away when William realized he’d left his drink in my car and texted me to see if I’d bring it back to him. My response, “Awww!!” and attached picture:

Poor hubzbind with the mean Dr. Pepper guzzling wife (who was at a red light)!!

We had a nice visit with Papa. I always have visions of a wispy-headed little toddler boy running as fast as his little legs could carry him to go visit his Best Buddy in his office at the end of the hallway. Little toddler boy is going to be 10 in August. My, how time just flies right on by!

The next stop was to a pottery place where you paint your own pieces and then they fire them for you. (You’re FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!”)

Greta chose a kitty cat to paint in memory of Patches.

Gavin chose a football helmet bank that he painted as a Bengal’s helmet.

I made something for Nora’s first birthday next month. Shhh! It’s a secret!

We got this picture texted to us from Nornor and Abby while we were painting:

We were very excited to get back home and squeeze her!!

Here is another song from her Smelly album called “What Time Is It” She wrote this song about her affinity for milks. She was inspired to write it while looking at her watch this morning. She hopes you like it!

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
(2 Corinthians 9:8)

Nora and I had a nice relaxing morning just laying around, cuddling, and of course a baff.

I was so excited to get out a new toy for Nora that is on loan from Aunt Sarah. This activity center has been sitting upstairs from practically the moment I found out I was pregnant. After we received Nora’s diagnosis I couldn’t bear to look at any of the baby gear. It was a searing reminder of what was “supposed to be” and I was influenced by the notion that she’d probably never get to use any of it.

It was such a joy to place her in that little seat today. Her eyes lit up at all the fun new things surrounding her.

As if that weren’t enough excitement… Nora got “whipped” in physical therapy this afternoon!! (and now hopefully the proceeding pictures will show up to explain!!!)

“May I have some more, please?”

We revisited the rice cereal again, but Nora got all gaggy and puked up half of her bottle and ruined an outfit. We wanted to determine if it was the taste or the texture that she was having a problem with. After a couple of well-received squirts of whip cream, we determined that it was the texture of the cereal she wasn’t so crazy about. The whip cream was delicious!!! We placed it on HER hand, as opposed to a spoon so she could be the one to put it in her mouth. She readily and regularly puts her hands in her mouth.

Much to Nora’s delight, we have now added whip cream to our list of therapeutic strategies!

Gavin enjoyed another day off school. He’s completely better. Were it not for doctor’s orders, I’d have sent him back today. He has to be on the antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school, so home he stayed!

We assisted Nora in making her very first music video, which she would like to debut here on the blog. From her latest album Smelly we would like to present “I’m Kinda Stinky*”

* We don’t mean “stinky” in a bad way! Nora “stinks” delicious!!!!!

Snowflakes! 🙂

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
(1 Timothy 1:12)

“Time to wake up and be sweet!”

Nora had a record day of eating today! Her usual intakes are around 600 mL (give or take) per day, maybe 700 on a really good day. Today she drank 940 mL! The dietician visited today with her scale and this sweet little chunker chunk weighs THIRTEEN POUNDS, TWELVE OUNCES!!! She’s getting to be such a big, big girl and getting closer and closer to the typical growth pattern!

Gavin is definitely on the mend, but complaints of neck pain and headaches with a fever set off some shrill alarms after I googled those symptoms. He hasn’t had the fever since Monday evening but the nurse I spoke with at the pediatrician’s office suggested I bring him in to be seen just to be on the safe side.

It was noted that his throat was a little red, but Gavin insisted that it didn’t really hurt too much. The doctor decided to do a strep test just to rule that out as a possibility. There were no other outward symptoms to be alarmed about. His sore neck could have been from sleeping on it wrong or straining it somehow. (snowball fight?)

While we were waiting for the results of the strep test, Gavin and I were playing around with a photo app on my phone. This is one of our creations that we thought was particularly hilarious. He didn’t want his picture taken, so we had no choice but to turn his hand into a face:

Our silly interlude was interrupted with the announcement of a POSITIVE strep test!! I was completely taken aback with that news, but relieved that it was something treatable! Another positive is that strep is extremely unlikely in infants. Still being extra careful though.

Gavin is being pumped up with “delicious” bubblegum flavored amoxicillin and is able to return to school on Thursday.

Later, back at home Greta summoned me to the kitchen to see something(s) very cool. Maybe there was a third one nearby! 😉

“Um… Excuse me… It looks like it might be time for milks.”

“Did you hear me??”

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
(James 1:17)

Someone is busy getting ready for Easter!

A baff was in order after all that hard work!

Gavin seems to be faring better than I had expected after the series of fever-induced night terrors that he went through last night. It was impossible to wake him while he was SCREAMING and carrying on about pine trees and carnivals in his bedroom! He had very little recollection of any of it this morning. He has a low fever and a bit of congestion, but there has been no puking. This is something altogether different than what Greta had. He’s eating well and staying hydrated, so hopefully this one will be out of here quickly!!

I can’t thank you enough for your prayers!!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(Romans 12:12)

Friday

Early morning cuddles with this fuzzy baby are a very sweet way to start off the morning!

Every three months or so Nora undergoes a routine renal ultrasound which is a scan of her liver, kidneys and gallbladder. It is my understanding that children with chromosomal abnormalities are at a predisposition for developing Wilms’ tumors, which are very treatable if caught early. We had an early morning appointment today.

We’ve never been given too much cause for alarm at these appointments and I was able to breathe easy on the way there. I lost count of all of the instances of 3 birds. One trio in particular had me laughing at the undeniable evidence of God. How could I possibly miss a big male turkey strutting after 2 hens with his tail feathers all fluffed out!! I can’t say I’ve ever seen THAT before! I was too taken off guard to even think to get a picture of those three!

Nora did excellent for her scan and was very, very well behaved! She gets to drink her milkies during these scans and that keeps her happy and occupied.

There were some calcifications that showed up in Nora’s gallbladder in a previous scan. They weren’t any cause for alarm, but something they wanted to keep an eye on. During this morning’s scan the tech explained that there was no longer any evidence of the calcifications. She seemed a little confused as to why there was NOTHING there anymore. God has His hands on her. That’s why!

Nora fell asleep, happy and relaxed on the way home. We were home by 9:45 am.

Shortly after that Greta arrived back home with Nana. It was so good to get my sweet big girl back!! Greta is all better and back to her sweet self!

The rest of the day was uneventful. I went down to the sign company for a little while to help with some filing. On my way back home I encountered two young men building a snowman. It had been a half an hour since the bus dropped them off in that very spot. They must have instantly been mesmerized by a little pile of snow that remained and built a little tiny snowman!

(Ohhhh, kneeee muffins!!! Mommy couldn’t wait to get home to snack on some knee muffins!!!! Mmmmm!!!)

Speaking of unusual birds… I’m totally bummed out that I missed what ever web-footed creature landed on our deck in the snow while I wasn’t looking!!!! What in the world!!??

Saturday

The sun was out nice and bright this morning! So bright, in fact, that Nora could barely keep her eyes opened!! She’s used to all these dreary winter days and then suddenly this crazy bright orb shows up in the sky making her eyes water!

Greta found Nora a pair of flashy shades so she could enjoy the rest of her baff!

Once again the last remnants of snow beckoned father and son into an all out snowball fight. Nice action shot just before impact:

Sweet big girl in her chair.

Sunday

Nora and I stayed inside while Little Miss napped and the big kids and their Daddy went for a hike down to the creek. It was SUCH a beautiful day today!!!

This evening we met up with Nana and Papa at the Hirsch-Gulasch Essen (venison and goulash dinner). Good company and good German food is hard to pass up! My Dad made SURE I didn’t leave without a generous helping of bienenstich. That’s how I know he loves me! 😉

We got to listen to the Jagd horns which are German horns used in traditional/formal hunting.

Couple of “bienentichers”.

So now after a fun, action-packed, exciting weekend we settle back in to our cozy nest only to have Gavin start complaining about a headache. And now all of the sudden, just like that, he has a fever. Can. We. Get. A. Break??!!??!!

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
(Romans 8:24)

Wednesday

And suddenly there was snow! Gavin enjoyed a day off of school. I wish I could say the same for Greta. Nothing worse than missing out on the benefits of a snow day because you were sick and would have been home anyway!!

While trying to make some semblance of the storage area above William’s office last week I stumbled upon a box of old vinyl records from when I was a kid. I smiled in recollection of some of my old favorites such as Mickey Mouse Disco and Chipmunk Punk. Of course this prompted me to purchase a portable turntable that was available in an array of different colors. I chose the light blue which was reminiscent of the one I had as a little girl. I was so excited to have it delivered yesterday and to share it with Gavin and Greta. Greta wasn’t quite ready to be captivated by the allure of old vinyl records, but Gavin was curious as to how this all worked. He asked me later in the day if he could go upstairs and play with that thing that plays frisbees. I honestly had no idea what in the world he was talking about until he elaborated, “You know… That machine with the needle that you put those black frisbees on. It plays music!?”

“Oohhh!” (Stifled laughter)

Greta was still feeling under the weather. It was a little over 24 hours and this was all still going on for her. Again we built a sick nest for her in the “lower level” (because “basement” sounds so dank!). She has been such a good sport both times she’s been quarantined. No complaining whatsoever. But I could tell she not only felt bad physically, but she was sad. She told me with her voice cracking and tears in her eyes that she missed Nora. I can barely go an hour without sniffing and squeezing that baby. I can only imagine how hard it was to be stuck down there away from everyone. I hated that these stupid germs were keeping us all apart. Greta is such a sweet, cuddly, kind-hearted, loving, empathetic little girl. She needed extra TLC–cuddling, hugging, kissing. This is when Nana swooped in and saved the day. She came over here and got Greta to bring back to her house.

Nana and Papa were able to love on Greta like she needs and deserves without running the risk of infecting a certain little baby girl. Greta is already feeling tons better and is actually able to keep foods and liquids down! I am so relieved and thankful for that!! Thank you so very much for your prayers for Greta! I told her lots of people were praying for her to get better and that made her smile!

After Greta and Nana left, Gavin and I headed over to Michael’s for a few things I needed for my photo archiving project(s). Nora stayed at home with her BFF Abby.

“Um, while you’re out can you pick me up some more milks? And… I need diapers… Wipes… “

I was walking over to the scrapbooking aisles at Michael’s when I passed a woman. I smiled at her as our eyes met. She did a double take and almost continued in the opposite direction before turning back toward me, “I know you!!” she said with tears in her eyes and wrapped me up in a big warm embrace. These types of things have a habit of squeezing happy tears out of my eyes. So we just stood there hugging and crying in Michael’s oblivious to any eyebrows that might be raised on our account. I realized she must know me from this blog but I didn’t know exactly who she was at that point. She went on to explain how uplifted she has been through my writing and how Nora and my family are always in her and her her family’s thoughts and prayers. Even her grandchildren are in love with little Nornor! Each time I hear this, especially from strangers, I am completely awestruck and overwhelmed at the reminder of how God is using me. I KNOW I am not capable of rousing this kind of encouragement and faith on my own. I can actually be kind of a hot-tempered jerk at times, which is why I have no doubt that it is indeed God working through me. This dear sweet woman went on to explain that she’d sent some things to me by mail awhile back. When she told me what it was that she’d sent I knew right away who she was and was overcome with emotion remembering how her notes and her gifts had brought such brightness to days when I really needed lifting up. Is there anything sweeter than the love and benevolence of a complete stranger? Maybe because of its unexpectedness? What a blessing it was to have met you, Nila and your dear husband Steve too. I am still smiling. As I was pulling out of the parking lot I looked up and saw 3 geese in flight, equidistant from one another — no mistaking the THREE BIRDS. It was God’s signature on that moment that had just transpired, perfectly authored and carried out by Him as if to say, “Yes! That was Me! Make no mistake!” I think we BOTH needed that chance intended encounter!!

Thursday

Someone got all tired out after their bath this morning.

Greta is feeling tons better and is able to eat again. She is staying another night with Nana and Papa and will probably stay home from school again tomorrow. I read on CDC’s website that you can still be contagious for 3 days after symptoms have subsided. Is it any wonder this crap is spreading around like wildfire?!

Gavin is such a good big brother! They both miss their sister!

Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
(1 Peter 4:8-10 NET)

Wednesday

Hi there! It’s me, “Norns” (as my sister and brudder have taken to calling me).

I had an evening baff appointment that my sister brought me to. Daddy and Gavin tagged along.

I know what I’m getting myself into! I hear that water running and I get pretty excited.

Aahhh. This is the best!!!

Much later I got extracted from the baff. I had to get one more look at Mommy, my baff technician.

Thursday

Ah, yep. Looks like it’s baff time again! If it were up to me it would be baff time all day long!

I do like getting in the toaster afterwards though!

Um… Uh oh. I think I might have tinkled in the toaster.

(#thingsyouneverthoughtyoudsay)

Later in the day Mommy and Nana went to go visit my new baby cousin Parker. I stayed at home with my sweet nurse. I can’t wait till I get to meet Parker! He looks like he’s really nice!

Mommy says I’m a real BIG girl compared to Parker!

On the way home Mommy had the opportunity to ask a chicken the question firsthand, “WHY are you crossing the road???”

She just growled at Mommy. Still no definitive answer.

Hopefully it was to get to the other side! Mommy flashed her lights at oncoming cars to indicate, “Slow down! Chicken ahead!”

Friday

My brudder and sister left for school.

That kind of makes me sad. I miss them.

But a baff fixes everything!!

I decided to get all sassy and trendy with my new skinny jeans. I like to show off my shapely legs and knee muffins.

Finally, my brudder and sister are back home and the silliness resumes. Like my hat? Too bad I don’t have a flannel shirt and a little banjo!

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
(Psalm 126:2 NIV)