Happy Halloween

For Eleanor's first Halloween, she was a chicken! Her Daddy picked out this outfit and her grandpa bought it for her. Mama dressed her up for school today and she was the belle of the ball. The bigger kids had a party, but Miss Regina & Miss Jennie told us no one thought to invite the babies. Next year, we'll definitely have to host a party for the babies.





Here is Nora with her teacher, Miss Regina...


And for our one trick or treat stop, Nora saw Grandpa who was very proud of his little chick!

Musings from Proud Dad

Nora as the thinker

If nothing else raising a child causes one to think about life. As I’ve watched other children in my life grow up I always focused on their physical development. I would notice them growing bigger, learning to walk, and watching them play (and swim). Seeing Eleanor start to recognize and really react to us it really occurred to me the vast amount of development that happens in the first few years of life and as she becomes an adult in society. I guess the totality of what Wendy and I get to witness has become apparent the last few weeks.

As Eleanor grows up she will not only learn to walk, talk, write, etc, but she will also develop a consciousness of her own. She will ask all the big questions about why we are here and her place in the world. Nora will have a chance to look at the stars in wonder. She will form opinions about everything from art and music to politics. For a geeky sociologist to be able to observe her proceed in all areas of life is an amazing privilege. To realize that I have a prominent role in the development of her self is truly humbling. I guess I’m saying I like this dad gig.

Mom's List

This one is for parents everywhere! What a riot!

Update on Nora: She grasped a crayon yesterday and her teacher told us that she is very good at grasping and holding the crayon (a developmental milestone) with her right hand, but dropped the crayon every time she gave it to her in her left hand. Looks like Dad will have to give up on his dream of a kid going to the major leagues as a left handed pitcher!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ati3k32-NXI

Cute Girl

Here are some recent pictures of our girl Nora

First Day of School

On Monday, Eleanor started school! As one of the charter students of the very first Goddard School in a downtown location, our girl is one of eight babies in the infant room. Not all the babies have started coming to school yet, so we only have met 3 of the other babies. But, get this: all of the other 6 kids are boys! They include Calvin, Nathaniel, and twins brothers Oscar & Max. Below is a picture of us right after we arrived. I see Eleanor thinking, "What is this place, Daddy?"

And, here is Daddy giving a kiss and cuddle while Mom frantically tries to put Nora's first and last name on everything we brought. Sidebar: Mama thought she was very smart labeling the sheets, blankets, and bottles with EKG when she was told that everything, even diapers, must have first and last name labels and no, initials just won't do. Ah, well, at least we'll know if she comes home wearing a diaper labeled Calvin that she may need a few more of her own diapers at school. And below, we took Eleanor's picture with her teachers. They said it was their first class picture!

That is Miss Jennie on the left and Miss Regina on the right. I will try and take some better pictures of the room because it is sweet. Eleanor seems to like these little baby chairs that allow her to recline some and look around the room. After 3 days at school, she has been exhausted every night coming home and instead of falling asleep at 9:30 - 10:00 pm, she has been nodding off closer to 8:00!

And so, at 12 weeks of age, our girl has started down the long path of her formal education. We are excited about what she will do and learn at school and we adore picking her up in the late afternoons. Her smile after a long day of work is the best thing Geoff and I have ever seen. We enjoy every one and love every minute! I think Nora is going to like school. Her note from the teacher today said: "Nora enjoyed some floor time with the boys!" That's my girl!