I was going about the morning when I noticed an alert on my phone that Our Kelly had sent me a Pinterest pin. I eagerly opened Pinterest to see what it was — she always makes me laugh with something silly!! At first glance you wouldn’t find anything side-splittingly hilarious about this:

Unless of course Nora was laying next to you in this:

Her caption was: “The big girl version of Nora’s outfit!” You kinda need knee muffins to pull that one off though!

Little Fashionista and I went on a short morning walk and then watched Greta ride her bike around the driveway for awhile.

Greta and Nora playing Beauty Parlor ~

Gerrrrrrl, you look GOOD!!!

Friday

Nora was up very bright and early, so we went for a very bright and early walk. On the first leg of the walk we saw an inordinate amount of bird trios! As I turned around at the top of a dead end street, the view over the houses was breathtaking–a sun rainbow!

The bright rainbow spots on either side of the sun are called called a parhelion, I’ve discovered in my research. It’s not common to see them both at the same time – AND with the accompanying halo! It is a phenomenon that requires just the right circumstances to occur: high level clouds, flat ice crystals that are larger than 30 micrometers, and they need to be broadly and horizontally aligned; the sun lower in the sky. In history, Edward IV instilled strength and courage into his troops in the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross by pointing out these “three suns” in the sky back in 1461. “Fear nothing — it is a sign that the Holy Trinity is on our side this day!” he yelled out to them, pointing at the sky, and they went on to win the battle! I smiled as I read that account. Fear nothing — the Holy Trinity is on my side this day! … As we go on to win our battle!

Greta was excited to get Nora dressed for the day. She had selected their matching outfits (thanks, Kimberly!!) and set them out the night before. A photo shoot was in order ~

The day is not complete without a baff!

And duck face portraits!
“How’s dis?”

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
(1 Peter 4:10)

Saturday

I got a couple of smiles and then things turned sour relatively quickly.

I was worried that Nora’s ear infection was not being effectively treated by the antibiotic. She was extremely fussy, something obviously bothering her. I wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed with my misery, but instead decided to make the conscious effort to remain optimistic and joyful. I would do everything I could within my own power to make things better for Nora. Beyond that I had to choose to let God take care of the rest. A very crabby baby, the pouring down rain–things weren’t looking good for the photo shoot that we were supposed to do that evening.

In due time the rain dissipated and Nora’s fussiness was alleviated. The antibiotic was tormenting her digestive tract as was evidenced by the fuming diaper out in the garage garbage can.

Going anywhere with an infant is a carefully planned operation especially when driving almost an hour away and cameras are involved! After about 4 hours of prepping the big kids, going over checklists, several trips to the car, entertaining and getting Sweetcakes and myself ready, we were finally able to pull out of the driveway!

All of the planets must’ve been properly aligned this afternoon. The rain left behind a beautiful day, everyone got to Sarah & Dan’s on time, and I didn’t forget anything… except William’s shorts! 😬

We had a great time with Melanie and cannot wait to see the pictures!!!! She’s given us a sneak preview of a couple shots and they are AWESOME!!! (Yes, we did round up some shorts for William! Thanks, Dan!)

All this picture taking gets baby boys tired. (Is that Aunt Em traipsing in the background?)

But not baby girls.

“… An nen I was like, ‘Do you think dis outfit looks good on me, or should I wear some different colorz?’ An my Uncle Dustin was all, ‘No, I think the teal and white is best wiff da yellow pants, an I was all, ‘Well what about the warmer colors to balance out some of the cooler colors?’ An nen my Mom was all, ‘Let’s just do the teal and yellow because Uncle Dustin knows best,’ an I was like, ‘Okay den!'”

Sunday

“Dis is my spinny wheel. Dat ting is kinda neat!!!”

“I’d like to look at it all day, but it looks like it’s time for brunch and swimming!”

“Yep. I was right. Dis is what I like!!”

“Whe… Wait a minnit? Are you going swimming brudder n sister???? Wait for me!!”

“Mkay. I got my Foster Grants on.” Really!

“An now I got my ‘kini on!!!”

“Whe… Woahhh. Dis is like some kinda big baff tub or someting, Mommy?”

“An nen I can get in dere?”

“Oooh! Dis is really kinda nice!! Dis is what I like!!!”

And of course a swimmy video:
Big Girl Swimmer

Swimming makes baby boys AND baby girls very tired!

“Yeah, but I only needed a little cat naps. I got to meet one of my fans who recognized me! Thanks so much for coming over to say Hi, Erin C!!! I also got to see another one of my fans earlier, but unfortunately we didn’t get any pictures den. Next time, Julie O! 😊 Thanks for your prayers for me! It was so nice to meet you, Erin, and so nice to see you again, Julie!”

“Aaaaahhhhhhhh……”

A beautiful end to a beautiful day.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
(Romans 1:20 NIV)