Dancing Twinkies

Florida

2010-01-17T15:44:00.000-08:00

Just a few of my favorites of our trip last week to Florida. I had a conference, but John and Norah came along for a little vacation. Faith and Gracia stayed home with grandparents helping out.

Itasca

2009-10-22T17:45:00.001-07:00

At the Mississippi headwaters in Itasca State Park, Minnesota.
John grew up going to Itasca every summer because his Uncle Ben worked as a naturalist there in the summer, and Ben and Aunt Lou and their sons spent the summers up there every year. This is the first time John got his wife and girls up to the place he loved going as a kid.

Visitor center at Itasca State Park

Norah explores the visitor center

Creeping PUMPKIN!

2009-10-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

Norah is SO CLOSE to crawling for real. She is getting up on her knees, but still lowering herself to the floor to launch. It is a matter of days before the knees and arms work together...and then...we'll be chasing her instead of her coming to get us!

I found the pumpkin hats Faith and Gracia wore for their first Halloween. They were only 4 months and Norah is almost 8 months! She's probably going to be a pumpkin. That's what Daddy wants her to be and their are baby pumpkin costumes on every rack, plus a coworker of mine thinks she has a retired one at home for her. Faith will be a cheerleader and Gracia will be a pink unicorn.

What a little darling. She is such a gift to us. We are so blessed!

Baltimore...system failure

2009-10-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

Even in the age of post-9/11 fears, sometimes, nice flight attendants ask if a baby wants to get a picture taken in the cockpit...these one even put on the Captain's hat! This was our flight HOME from Baltimore after Norah and I got kicked out of a medicine conference, because I brought a baby. Not a cry was heard the first hour of the program, but one of the participants must have been bothered enough by her sweet coos and babbles as she played nicely on the floor next to my chair on a blanket with quiet toys. Unpleasant experience of discrimination. So, we flew home. Oh, well. Norah made it to the East Coast for 2 nights.
Below is, at least, proof that Norah made it to the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland.
She was a GREAT travel companion, even if we weren't welcome in Baltimore.

Double First Graders!!!

2009-09-12T13:21:00.001-07:00

Gracia with her teacher, Mrs. Bethany Huse.

Faith at her desk with her teacher, Mrs. Cindy Viesselman.

Faith on her first day of 1st grade.

Gracia in her cute cap on her first day of 1st grade.

Double Trouble on the first day of school!

Cutie Pie Norah

2009-09-12T13:03:00.000-07:00

We got to spend some time with Grandma Gerry, who just moved into a beautiful residential group home over the weekend. Norah took an interest in Grandma's earrings and glasses, but was a little too wiggly for Grandma to keep on her lap too long.

I just don't have enough pictures of Norah in her diaper. She was sitting on the floor playing with her toys and Norah is a petite baby with such a cute little posture, I couldn't resist a few snapshots.

Such a DOLL!

The Great Minnesota Get-Together (A.K.A. MN State Fair)

2009-09-03T22:17:00.001-07:00

Norah's first State Fair...she was a dream baby...like she is everyday of her life! Most of the photos I got of her are with her sucking her thumb. She was so content all day. I think she enjoyed being outside seeing so many new things and people, colors, smells, and sounds.

Norah's a little mad here...she doesn't like wearing her sunhat. Gracia, on the other hand, loves her hat, and Faith seems to wish she had one, looking into the sun!

Gracia could NOT WAIT to get to "Little Farm Hands" at the Fair...her favorite stop.

Probably this is the last year the girls are able to ride the mini-tractors. Aawww :(

Cute!

It was a great day! And so far, no H1N1 at our house! Knock on wood! (But I did diagnose a probable H1N1 today in a 15 year old dismissed from the Fair Sunday with other 4H'ers.)

Picture Day!

2009-08-20T17:44:00.001-07:00

Our darling Norah Kathryn is SIX MONTHS OLD!
She started SITTING UP unassisted last weekend, just in time for her 6 month portraits. She is so proud of herself, and is already plotting how to crawl.

We all love this little look with closed-lips smile she gives off so often.
Such a charmer!

All THREE of our beauties...Faith in polka dots with pink trim, Gracia in Paris poodle, and Norah in her Baby Tutu!

Mommy's personal FAVORITE (above).
Reminiscent of the baby pictures of the 1950s...isn't it?

Norah is our PRIDE & JOY
and we are so BLESSED to have
three beautiful daughters.

Active Summer...Active Girls

2009-08-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

Norah is growing by leaps and bounds. She loves her FARM exersaucer and gives each of the toys a turn. She is rolling around and realizes this is a mode of transportation.

Norah visiting Great Grama Gerry and Grampa Lloyd 2 weeks ago.

Faith and Gracia are playing their first year of soccer. Except for itchy socks and shin guards, they love it. They chase the ball with the rest, and are starting to "get" the game. They are the purple team, and in these photos, Faith is in the wide plaid headband, and Gracia is in the light green headband. They have practice and game twice a week until Sept 2. It's fun watching them run. More fun for them than the outfield in T-Ball.

Norah enjoys her trayful of toys, and is enjoying throwing them over the side, although doesn't find humor yet in watching mom and dad (& sisters) pick them up constantly.
She is such a happy, easy baby.

WE SURE LOVE ALL OUR GIRLS!

Storytime

2009-07-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

Norah is getting into the routine of bedtime stories. We hope she'll love books as much as her big sisters do. We started reading to the twins when they were still in Mommy, and Daddy was very instrumental in teaching them about books, taking the twins to the library at 3 months of age. It is a great gift to give your child a love for reading.

Requesting Prayers

2009-07-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

Dale (my dad's cousin) and his wife, Tammy, lost their 2nd child this weekend. Rhonda, 17 years old, was one of 3 in a car driven by a 14-year-old (!!!) under the influence. All 3 were ejected from the car during a "loss of control" single-vehicle accident, and Rhonda died on the scene. The other 2 survived. Her older brother, Tony, died on his 21st birthday last September, driving home from work, and probably fell asleep. Dale and Tammy lost their only 2 children within 10 months. Pray for peace and comfort for this family as they cope with this immense grief. And, kiss your children!

Fun Pix of the Kids

2009-07-02T18:01:00.001-07:00

Auntie Stevie from California giving Norah a bottle at the pool party the night before her baptism.

Uncle Adam with Faith at the hot tub.

Cutie Pie Norah. She'd just rolled onto her tummy from her back. Play by play action below.

"What, Mom?"

"Ah! I did it!"

"I'm rolling over now! Watch!"

Faith and Gracia have their maiden voyage on the canoe with Dad.

Taking off from shore.

Boarding the canoe. Faith is sitting above and Gracia is standing.

Visiting Grandpa Lloyd at St. Mary's in Rochester. Grandpa was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer mid-June.

Uncle Adam and Norah having a cuddle.

Norah, gazing into her Uncle Adam's eyes. Adam adores his nieces. And LOVES BABIES!

Norah poses just like Grandpa Lloyd and Grandma Linda when they are "disgusted." Norah, however, is not disgusted, and just resting. But it was cute.

Mommy couldn't help herself! She just wanted to see if Norah liked a little rice cereal from a spoon. She did! But that little immature tongue thrust makes swallowing difficult. We'll wait a while before this is a regular practice.

Mommy HAD to use the bathroom at Kwik Trip in Rochester, and we were alone, so fortunately, there was a a little baby seat. Norah looked so darn cute sitting there, I snapped a picture from the "throne."

Grandma GG gets a little time to feed Norah with a bottle.

Not a good photo, but a sweet moment. Grandpa Dave was singing a quiet little song in Norah's ear and she was listening so intently.

Grandpa had a window ledge in his room that Faith found was a good perch.

BIG GRANDPA, little great-granddaughter

Daddy with Norah in Grandpa's hospital room. Appropriate bib on Norah, "Daddy Loves Me."

Norah's Baptism at Grace Lutheran Church June 28, 2009

2009-06-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

Siri, Uncle Adam (sponsor), Kelly Arens (sponsor) with Norah, Patrick Arens (sponsor) and John

All the guests at the baptism: Ron and Barb Allen of Stewartville; Grandpa Bruce Hansen and girlfriend, Mary, of Illinois; Stephanie and Murray of California; Uncle Adam and girlfriend Ellie, of Burnsville; Grandpa Dave and Grandma Linda Hellstern of Kenyon; Grandpa Nick and Grandma Rosie Heille of Minneapolis; Patrick and Kelly Arens with daughters Hope, Holly, and Hailey, of Neenah, Wisconsin.

Norah's cake.

Pastor Steve Berkeland blessing Norah amidst the congregation.

Receiving the Baptismal candle.

Norah receives the Sacrament of Holy Baptism

Norah's Baptism

2009-06-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

Pastor Steve Berkeland baptized Norah Kathryn on June 28, 2009 at Grace Lutheran Church, Fairmont, Minnesota

Pastor Ron and Barb Allen from Stewartville visiting with Grandpa Nick and Grandma Rosie Heille at brunch after the baptism.

The kids table.

Grammy Linda, looking radiant as ever.

Guest at brunch at church after the baptism.

Guest included the family of our summer babysitters, Candice and Aurora, The Teskey's.

Siri with Dad, Bruce Hansen.

Stephanie, Adam with Norah, Ellie, and Pat Arens.

Happy 6th Birthday, Faith and Gracia!!

2009-06-11T21:19:00.001-07:00

American Girl Doll Hair Salon

AG Bistro

SIX YEARS AGO....

Faith (under pink blanket) and Gracia (under blue blanket) a few days old, co-bedding in the hospital after a few days in their own beds.

Mommy holds her 2 beautiful babies, a few days old.

Mommy holds Faith for the first time, only a few hours old, on June 11, 2003

Mommy holds Gracia for the first time. Only a few hours old on June 11, 2003.

I LOVE YOU, FAITH AND GRACIA!
FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED
THROUGH FAITH...THIS IS A GIFT FROM GOD.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

"My Mom" by Gracia

2009-06-06T22:44:00.000-07:00

I found a paper in Gracia's Stewartville school stuff that I hadn't gone through since our move and found a Mother's Day paper Gracia forgot to give me. It is so sweet, I thought I'd share. The bolds are her "fill in the blanks."

I have the best mom in the whole world! She has lightish brownish hair and blue eyes. She is 18 feet tall and weighs about 30 pounds. She is 34 years old.
I can tell she loves me 'cause she kisses me alot.
She is always telling me I love you.
My mom works hard too, 'cause she is a nurse practitioner and nurses my baby sister Norah.
But her favorite thing to do when she isn't working is playing with me.
My mom is happy most of the time, but I can tell when she's mad 'cause I get into trouble.
Her favorite color is violet red and her favorite food is broccoli and ice cream.
The thing I like to do best with my mom is to cuddle.
I LOVE YOU, MOM! Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!

Okay, so my favorites are that Gracia thinks I'm 18 feet tall and weigh 30 pounds. I WISH!!
Also, I gave the girls a Dr. Suess About Me book, just like I had when I was little. In MY book, I wrote that my favorite food was "broccoli and ice cream" when I was, like 7! I think that is her source for that information. My favorite color IS red, but cute that she edited that to "violet red." She is precious. I found this after she went to bed, but I will have to thank her in the morning with a "cuddle."

Summer Has Begun!

2009-06-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

Little Artists
Faith and Gracia wanted to paint on little on this rainy day. Mommy's historically not a fan of messy kid activities, but I was very impressed by how neat these Kindergarten graduates are with their paints now! Faith is Cookie Monster and Gracia is Big Bird.
We are planning on going to "UP" this afternoon. I hear it's good.

Norah wants to STAND!
Norah prefers being on her feet. She is so strong. I thought it was time for a bouncer of some kind. I bought a Johnny Jump Up, but in our old house with wide door frames, it doesn't work. So she has a new barnyard exersaucer. Briefly in it last night, she first enjoyed the girls showing her the toys, but then got spooked. I love baby frowns!

Norah's Bath
She's really enjoying her baths and is getting more active in the water, although gets a little nervous about being cold if I don't keep a warm wet washcloth over her trunk. She loves getting her hair washed (so does Mommy) and is always chipper! The profile photo of her in the tub is so cute! And I snapped one of her in her new robe from Great Grandma GG.

HSM Birthday Party For Friend, JANESSA
I didn't get pictures of the pool party at the Yacht Club. However, Gracia had a scare in the deeper end, requiring a call to Mom and Dad from Janessa's mom. She got out a little too deep, however, Gracia's version is that Faith tried to "drown me." In the end, even though Gracia complained of a residual "sea sick" all night, everything turned out fine and the girls had a great time with great weather. Thanks, Janessa! Happy Birthday!

Siri's New Haircut

Next Stop...First Grade!!!

2009-06-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

Faith

Faith and partner fall in 3-legged race

Gracia jumping rope

Gracia and Faith's last day of Kindergarten. It has been a beautiful week for the last day of school. Plus, this afternoon, they are invited to new friend, Janessa's, 6th birthday party at the Fairmont Yacht Club Pool with pizza at the park. They get to wear new swim suits and everything. If it rains tomorrow, our family plan is to see the new movie, "UP." Summer vacation will start at 2:45 pm today!!! The photos are of Gracia (long sleeve) and Faith (sundress) and also of field day on Tuesday.

Norah is also pictured of me finding her grabbing the tray of her swing after leaning forward on her own. She's also grabbing toys and blankets and putting them in her mouth.

Norah, The World Traveler

2009-06-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Norah and Auntie Stevie, The Great, outside her house in Woodland Hills, CA. Mommy and Norah took a "girls trip" to California for 5 days to visit "The Greats." We had a very nice and relaxing time. The weather was perfect and we just hung out, did a little shopping, and saw the movie, Angels and Demons (Norah likes angels, but not demons. She was good during the movie, however. It was her 4th movie in a theater!)

Unca' Murray, The Great with Baby Norah.

Gwen is a long-time friend of Stevie and Murray's, and has been around as long as I can remember. I met Gwen at the age of 4, during MY first trip to California (before we moved there when I was 9.)

Auntie Stevie loved having a baby around the house. Stevie never had the privilege of having her own children, and poured her maternal love and attention on many nieces and nephews, fortunate for US!

With all of Norah's movie going, she's also learning to enjoy TV and often fixes her eyes on the screen. Oh, Great! She's becoming a TV boob like her mom and sisters!

Memorial Sunday

2009-06-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

We had a little picnic and playtime at Gomsrud Park in Fairmont after church. It was Norah's first time laying on a blaket under the trees outside and she loved it. She was very content. It was a beautiful afternoon, followed by an ice cream cone at the Fairmont Dairy Freeze, the local summer family watering hole.

Oh, yeah! And Gracia is missing her two bottom teeth and is talkin' funny!

Sleepy Sweeties

2009-05-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

I seem to have taken a few shots of my Sleeping Beauties lately. Norah is showing a preference for her thumb and is a pretty good self-soother. Norah is sleeping through the night from 10pm to 6 am and it is WONDERFUL! The twins didn't sleep through the night until they were 4! They were still having a bottle at 3 am at age 2. Norah is such a different experience.

Going in to give a final kiss before I went to bed, this is how I found Faith. It's not uncommon to find Faith in some sort of hat apparatus.

Gracia wasn't donning a ht, but I had to take a picture of her sweet face, too. It is her canopy drape that's above her head.

Norah nurses around 6 or 7 am in our bed, then falls asleep for another hour and is so
peaceful-looking.

Such a darling face! Norah is happiest on her changing table.

New POOH Highchair

2009-05-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Snapshot #1 ("what is this new thing?")

Snapshot #2 ("The BIG people seem excited...maybe this is a good thing!")

Snapshot #3 (THERE'S A SMILE!!!!)

Norah got her brand new Winnie The Pooh highchair put together today by Mommy. She seems to like it (already napping in it as I write this.) Norah has been watching us all eat at the table, sitting in our laps, and seems very curious as to what we are putting in our mouths, and seems to be wondering why she doesn't get any of that stuff? I don't know why I get so excited to start feeding solids. I held out to 5 months with the twins and plan to wait until 5 or 6 months with Norah, too. It's just so fun feeding babies! Although it adds more work to the day, I still get excited. But we thought it was time to let her sit up to the table like a "big girl."

Melting Heart Smile

2009-05-05T05:41:00.000-07:00

Daddy's Hike with the Girls

2009-05-03T18:50:00.000-07:00

(Faith)

John promised the girls a little nature hike today and they went to Cedar Creek Park in south Fairmont. Mom and Norah stayed home, even though it was a beautiful day. We don't have a baby napsack, and I decided to do a little studying, since I'm going to be entering family practice again and have a review program to work on to feel better about my knowledge and skills.
The threesome packed a little picnic and enjoyed the afternoon together.

(Gracia)

(Faith)

(Gracia standing, Faith pouting because she didn't want to be on the little rock ledge)

Aahh! Finally some sisterly love.

Gracia lost her first tooth! (April 30)

2009-05-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Getting Gracia's loose tooth out took a couple of days and tries. Faith REALLY wanted to get Gracia's tooth out (it didn't hurt at all when Faith's 1st tooth got pulled) but a couple of attempts on Gracia proved too uncomfortable, so the operation was aborted once or twice. In this picture, before the first attempt, Gracia drew a white board picture of her with a missing tooth. You can tell Faith is enthusiastic about her twin's tooth coming out so she can "be grown up" like her!

Here we go! Daddy gets the floss on Gracia's tooth. She'd had enough of the wiggles...

Time to pull...gently but firmly.

PRESTO! The tooth is out! (Sorry, for those who don't like blood:)

Three Sisters in their Jammies

2009-05-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

La Familia

2009-04-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

We had this photo taken at church for new member Sunday. Not the best, but with squirming girls, it's the best we got. Thought I'd share.

Happy Norah

2009-04-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Norah is 9 weeks and 3 days. She is just as adorable as can be. She is so smiley and is cooing and starting to laugh. She's also showing an interest in gnawing on her fingers and seems to want her thumb, but hasn't figured out "thumb-sucking" yet. When she was holding tight to my finger tonight, she was bringing it to her mouth. I think toys are in her near future. It is such a delight to be with her. I don't take as many pictures of her as I should, and it's hard to get her smiles on record, but they sure are cute.

Faith and Gracia went with their Dad to St. James Railroad Club tonight. John used to join that group when he was doing his internship in St. James 11 years ago and has kept in touch with the club members. He finally got there tonight. The girls had fun running trains.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T07:24:00.001-07:00

Our first Easter in Fairmont. I forgot to get a photo at church, but this is our dusty porch that needs painting badly! No spring foliage yet, either, but it will be soon in bloom!

It has always been hard enough to get Faith and Gracia to look at the camera at the same time and smile. Now we have to be on alert for a crying baby.

My Grandpa Lloyd, dapper in his suspenders for Easter.

Grandma Gerry and Adam getting lots of smiles and coos out of Baby Norah.

Kindergarten Jokes

2009-04-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

1. What's black and white and red all over?

A zebra with a sunburn.

2. Why did Spongebob put a chicken in his garden?

To get an eggplant.

3. Why did the chicken cross the kitchen?

Tweet! Tweet!

4. What's a shark's favorite game?

Swallow the leader.

(Material courtesy of Faith and Gracia)

Happy Birthday, Teddy!

2009-04-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

Gracia (above)

Faith (above)

Teddy, our American Water Spaniel, is 2 years old today. We've definitely noticed a change in his puppy behavior...much less chewing and what we call "Diablo de Noche" (trans. "Devil of the Night" which we;ve called him since he was a new puppy, when he scurries around like a wild animal, sprinting around the house.) He hardly does that anymore. So, we decided the transition from puppyhood to adult dog deserved a celebration. We had Hot Dogs for dinner and got a birthday cake. Teddy also got a new toy and the girls made him cards.

Today, we also hung some canopy nets from the ceiling in the girls' room. We haven't done any decorating in the house, but are trying to get their room special a little. The girls got the biggest bedroom with 2 closets and carpeting and they like it. They had the option of their own rooms but decided against it. It's neatly painted a mint green with mauve trim and we're in no hurry to change it for now. The girls like it for now. The lacy curtains will go eventually, but we have so many other things to do first. The girls like them, too, of course, because they're fancy. Every window in this house, except the kitchen have lacy curtains.

Norah is also 7 weeks today and is getting chunky. I think she's growing hard right now because she is hungry often and then crashing for hours at a time. I just wish she would sleep better in her bassinet...she throws up and wakes up. We spend most nights in the rocking chair or recliner. I'm missing my bed, even though I still sleep. My body is feeling a little sore with such little horizontal time.

I also received a surprise delivery from the group I will start working with in June, Dulcimer Clinic. I got a welcome to town Easter Lily and balloons. So thoughtful. I'm excited to start working with those folks, (even though I'm really glad to have a few months off.) I also interviewed a potential child care provider today. That's the next hurdle. A police officer who was on John's call committee treated us to lunch yesterday after church, with his wife and their 3 girls, around the girls' ages. He accompanied me to their providers house, and it was a good match. We'll see if she has room with the families that are having babies, etc. It would be a great relief to have a good provider lined up. I'm trying to get a teen here for a couple days a week over the summer, since Norah will still be so little. But we'll need a daycare come fall. Wish me luck!

Good Friends Are Hard To Find

2009-04-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

I decided we needed to go out and have a little fun...for me that almost always means going to a movie. We saw Monsters vs. Aliens. It was very cute. Several grown-up laughs. Gracia is much too sheltered...she gets scared at anything. She spent most of the movie cowering in my shoulder, taking a peek now and then, until she grasped there were a lot of funnies, and that nothing bad was going to happen to the monsters.

The girls survived their first week at Budd school. Faith is reporting she's having trouble making friends and shed some tears over this tonight. Breaks my heart. Yet, she likes her teacher and has announced she has a boyfriend, (whom she saw at the movie tonight. John met him but I was in line for popcorn). Although, Faith said she and he are not allowed to stand in line together anymore "because Trevon doesn't behave then." I asked if Faith has trouble behaving in line, too, and Faith shook her head, "I behave when I'm not by Trevon." But she is troubled that in the classroom kitchen (her favorite freetime activity at her old school), she is never allowed to be the mom or play with the dishes. The kids only let her be the "neighbor or teenager." As cute as it is to hear her describe life as a kindergartener, it breaks my heart and I so empathize with her. I always had a little more trouble making friends and don't want her to feel lonely. At the same time, Faith can be a little dramatic, and I need to keep that in perspective. Her teacher made a point of telling me she had a good week, although acknowledges Faith's trouble with the other kids this week. The good news is the girls have neighborhood friends for the first time across the street and they've played together twice this week. They are a brother and sister living with a single mom and the girl is 5 and the boy is 7. They seem nice and have welcomed F and G it seems.

The buyer closed on our Stewie house today...great relief...we had a few glitches with the bank this week. But it's over. I hope he enjoys the house. It's a nice house. We liked living there.

Please pray for nice children and friends for Faith and Gracia.

Happy Bath!

2009-04-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

We have such a wonderful little baby. Norah is such a precious gift. We are both in awe of her. She is smiling now which is such a delight to watch. With the twins, we gave them baths EVERY night, thinking it would calm them and be good bonding. Poor little Norah, at the age of 6 weeks has had, like, FIVE baths. Pathetic. So here she is, enjoying one of her rare baths this morning!

Our New Home

2009-03-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

We are settling in to our new home in Fairmont, Minnesota. We arrived Friday night, staying at Holiday Inn so kids could swim. The moving company from Fairmont were fabulous and packed our whole house in a day and a half. The truck arrived Saturday morning by 9 am and were completely done by mid afternoon. Now it is our turn to work hard and unpack all of our stuff...I'm wondering if half of our stuff is even necessary for us to live and prosper. My goal with this move is to become less attached to material possessions. (Although I admit I'm better at not being attached to John's possessions and still a bit too attached to my own!)

Faith and Gracia started at their new school today in separate classes. They were nervous but had a wonderful day and made some friends. They are very excited to go back tomorrow, which gives me great relief. They will adjust to their new routine quickly, I think. Norah, our little blessing, is so cooperative with all of this chaos. She squawks when she needs food and a new diaper, and let's us know if she needs a few cuddles and kisses, but otherwise, sleeps in her swing or papazan (Thank you, Keri! That thing is a Godsend!) Norah is the least of my worries and she is our little buddy. We are so grateful for her!

The pictures are of William Budd Elementary School, Faith (purple) with Mrs. Drever, Gracia (navy) with Mrs. Diegnau, and the girls in front of our house on 313 S. Elm Street, Fairmont, MN 56031. The house is lovely inside, needs some TLC on the outside (needs new roof, new garage, siding and windows). We have our work cut out for us, but love the new house and are working hard to make it home.

Baby Shower and Farewell at Mayo

2009-03-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

On Monday, my department gave a Farewell reception for me (and Norah) and in the evening my coworkers gave me a shower (along with another colleague and her baby, Beatrix, born 3 days after Norah). Of course, we received some thoughtful and beautiful gifts, including this darling knit cap for Norah from Dr. Kristi Boldt. Thanks, Everyone! Such a fun day!

Girls' Farewell Party

2009-03-19T06:49:00.001-07:00

We decided Faith and Gracia needed a little special going away party with a few friends. So they each invited a couple of girls over last Saturday for a party/playdate. They had such fun, and I think it has made a big difference in the girls' attitude about moving and being excited. On Wednesday, we also made a quick trip to Fairmont, and the girls came along and met Mr. Truman, the principle at William Budd Elementary and we were given a full tour of the school. It was very exciting. Even though Budd School is quite old and reminiscent of schools in the 1950s, Faith and Gracia were still very impressed and didn't seem apprehensive at all. I hope they will adjust this well come Monday, March 30, their first day. Faith said today, "It'll be like SEPTEMBER again!!!"
If only us adults could adjust this quickly and positively to change!

Thanks, Paula!

2009-03-19T06:43:00.000-07:00

Gracia (pink) with Paula

Faith (blue) with Paula

The girls had their last violin lesson with Paula. We have some leads for teachers in the Fairmont area. We want to keep our violin lessons going. The girls have made great progress this year in spite of their difficult time focusing. Faith and Gracia pick up on stuff really quick and have amazing memories (didn't get that from their Dad, I'll tell you that!)

Kindergarten Concert & Open House

2009-03-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

Faith and her teacher, Mrs. Turi Fryer.

Faith shows us her desk (with dramatic flair, as usual)

Gracia with her beloved teacher, Ms. Emily Torke.
Gracia is so proud of her teacher and will miss her when we move in a few weeks.

Gracia proudly displays a drawing of her family (of special note, Norah has a cute pointy cap on her head, the the writing on Mom's yellow sweatshirt says "St. Olaf")

Faith and Gracia had their Winter Concert and Open Houses with the whole Kindergarten tonight. We bought special dresses with a matching romper for Norah. (The concert was supposed to be in February, hence the Heart theme on the dresses, but was postponed because of a snow day in February.)

Faith Mary

Faith Mary, Norah Kathryn, Gracia Susan

Gracia Susan

Loving twin sisters

Big sisters loving their Baby Norah

Norah's Birthday

2009-02-25T08:53:00.001-08:00

If anyone is interested, John has a 7 minute video on his blog Unlikely Banter (see link at left) of Norah's birthday and the girls' reaction to their new sister.

Family of Five

2009-02-25T08:40:00.000-08:00

We are all enjoying our new little bundle. John has even been saying we should always keep a little one like this around! This from Mr. One At A Time! It is pretty awesome. Norah is such a sweet and easy baby.

Gracia is cuddling with Norah (above).

Faith is getting kisses from Norah. Faith probably asks to hold Norah the most and she seems really natural and at ease holding a baby.

Faith and Gracia's classes celebrated 100 Days of Kindergarten/100 Days "Smarter". These are the glasses Gracia made in class. Pretty adorable.

Daddy begs for Norah when he comes home from work. Having 3 girls must help in tap into his "feminine side" (pink boa). Norah looks concerned about dear ol' dad.

Norah still has her little umbilical stub so hasn't taken a real bath yet, but enjoys her little sponge baths and especially likes having her hair washed.

Norah Kathryn Has Arrived!

2009-02-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

Norah Kathryn Heille was born Monday, February 16, 2009, at 8:33 am. She was 8 lbs 1.5 oz. Healthy, beautiful, lovely little girl. Today she is already 1 week old!

It's a New Year!

2009-01-10T16:55:00.000-08:00

Gracia, Mom, and Faith on New Year's Eve

Gracia, Dad, and Faith ringing in the New Year a little early...the kids do it at 10PM.

Faith lost her first tooth (with a teeny bit of help from Dad after it had been wiggly for 3 weeks!)
She put it in her "Twinkle Toof" tooth trunk for under the pillow. Tooth Fairy brought 2 shiny gold $1.00 coins, which Faith proceeded to spend the next day at the dollar store.

I think Faith looks like a 6-year-old with a missing tooth.

Daddy helps a little but there was no pain.

Siri's Grampa Lloyd with his new T-shirt:
"LUTEFISK: The piece of cod that passes all understanding."

Faith & Gracia at Grampa Nick and Grama Rosie's house with dancing stuffies.

Grammy Linda with Gracia, enjoying cookies and milk in her new Gingerbread apron and baking cap.

Gracia (pink) and Faith (purple) set out cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. All gone by morning, of course!

Gracia begged to make a Gingerbread House this year, so we got the good ol' Wiltons kit and whipped on up. Here they are proud of their work (Mommy helped a lot.)

Bad Blogger

2008-12-07T20:03:00.001-08:00

I was doing so well when I started this. Anybody reading my blog has probably given up on me by now. Just an update, in case anyone checks, the Baby Girl is doing well. I'm 29-plus weeks and the baby is growing as expected and very active. I'm feeling good. Just spent the weekend in La Crosse with my dad's family and had a great time catching up. I've got to get some pictures converted from my camera to the computer, but I've been so busy trying to get the house ready to make room for baby...I'm no where near ready. But, the baby doesn't care, so neither will I.

POLITICAL AD

2008-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

With one week to go before our national and local elections, I urge you to VOTE. I also suggest that if you have children, take them with you to the polling stations. Children of voting parents are more likely to grow up and be voters themselves.

Take this next week and learn what you can about your candidates. Check out local TV and radio stations' websites for more information. Check out websites of various candidates. Do not rely on the media portrayals of the candidates. Many candidates have taken a vicious and nasty turn on their competetitors and they are not held accountable for their lies. But frankly, negative TV ads work...so find out for yourself and pick the best candidate that matches your values.

VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4!

2008-10-26T16:39:00.000-07:00

I AM SO BEHIND ON MY BLOG! OMG! So much has happened. A few pictures below illustrate a few of the events recently. Highlights:
1. Faith and Gracia started Kindergarten Sept. 4, all day, everyday, and love it. They are also continuing their violin and dance studies.
2. We went to Chicago for fall break when the kids had a few days off school. We had 3 full museum days. We hit Hancock and Sears, Navy Pier, Chicago River boat ride, Chicago Children's Museum, The Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Science and Industry, and American Girl Store. We had a great time...all of us. It was a great get away.
3. Baby Girl Heille is growing great. We've made it to 23 weeks, and she is active and healthy as far as we know.

2008-10-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

The girls were hard to harnass for pictures at museums...Mom's trying to get Gracia in the picture with the old-timey airplane at the M. of Science and Industry.

Museum of Science & Industry--Faith and Gracia made their own toy--a fancy "Gravitron" top with the help of automation.

Gracia in the kid's exploration area at the Field Museum

John took this picture of Mommy...he thought Sue over my shoulder, like she was out to get me looked cool.

Sue the Dinosaur at the Field Museum in Chicago.
We read a book from the library about her, so we had to go meet her!

Navy Pier, Chicago

"Can I see my house from here?" (This is Gracia-Hancock building)

Faith and the self-guided tour in the John Hancock building.

Gracia listening to the self-guided tour at the John Hancock building in Chicago mid-October for fall break. What a view!

Gracia and Faith at a Jack O'Lantern carving party with Dad's college friends.
Mommy couldn't make it because she was at her first Vikings game that day.

A final hug for Daddy before the school day begins. Gracia in pink jacket. Faith in purple jacket.

Meeting their friend, Brooke, at school on the first day of Kindergarten.

First day of Kindergarten. Gracia in red dress. Faith in denim skirt.

Gracia's Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Torke.

Faith and her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Fryer.

This is our baby girl at 19 weeks. Due mid-February!

Go TWINS!

2008-08-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Faith, Gracia, and Daddy

We joined John's parents for our annual visit to the Metrodome for a Twins game. It was a great game and the Twins won in the last inning. The girls aren't quite interested in watching the game, and would rather eat the entire game. It's a bit rough on the wallet. They were only allowed Dome dogs, 1 pop to share, and they each got a bag of cotton candy which they devoured ("devour" is Faith's new favorite word, by the way). I always run into someone I know there, and in the picture of John and the girls, there's a guy with grey t-shirt and cap and behind him is my friend Maren (chin in hand) from St. Olaf...we were nursing majors together. I spotted her in the 5th inning! That's always fun.

Two and a half weeks until Kindergarten starts! The girls can hardly wait!

Gracia with her cotton candy

Faith and her cotton candy

Violin Lessons

2008-08-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

Faith and Gracia started violin lessons this summer with Paula, a Suzuki instructor. The girls love going to Paula's house for lessons, and love learning about the violin, although they sometimes have a hard time containing all their energy and focusing. Fortunately, Paula is wonderfully patient. Here are a few snapshots of our lesson today. Faith is wearing a blue t-shirt and Gracia is in a red dress.

Faith and Paula plucking strings

Gracia bowing a song for Paula (one she is making up)
and holding her violin in rest position.

Suzuki method teaches children to bow for their teacher or audience after playing.

Road Construction

2008-07-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

Our street is under repair. Today was very hot and humid, so I thought I'd share some lemonade with the men at work. Gracia liked this idea and put her lawn chair out to monitor the lemonade and greet guests. It was meant to be a FREE lemonade stand, but the men were generous and dug into their pockets for change, saying "she's got to earn something for this!" Gracia was pleased. She enjoyed watching the big machines. I'm kind of enjoying it too, and I'm reminded of the earthquakes I felt living in California, feeling rumbling in the floor and the windows.

Tonight, the girls and daddy went to the Rochester Honkers game, while I chose to stay home as I'm experiencing most of my morning sickness in the evening.

Baptism Birthday

2008-07-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

Today, Sunday, July 27, was Faith's and Gracia's 5th Baptism Birthday. We remember each year to light their baptism candles. We lit the candles at breakfast and twice at supper and they wanted to have spaghetti for supper. The girls love hearing about their baptisms and I think are a little frustrated that they don't remember that day. They were baptized at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Neenah, WI, by Pastor Cath Mode, who, along with her husband, Bill, serve as godparents, as well as Uncle Adam and Aunt Mary.

2008-07-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

I had my first prenatal visit today. Everything is progressing well. I'm just about 10 weeks along, and the baby is measuring 3.3 cm (a little over an inch, crown to rump). Heart is beating and baby is moving. All is well. It's just one baby...sorry, Faith and Gracia (who wanted twin boys)...let some other parents have a turn with multiples! I'm happy to try my hand at a singleton! Baby's due around Feb 20, 2009.

2008-07-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

Hiking with Cousin Paige along, in Frisco, Colorado, while visiting my cousin Elise.

Preparing to Mount: Horseback-riding in Colorado at Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA. A first experience for Faith and Gracia.

Examining a Teepee at Crazy Horse in SD. Gracia can't stop calling them TPT (a term she knows for Twin Cities Public Television...with every sighting, Gracia calls out, "a TPT!")

The obligatory photo of the children in front of Mount Rushmore. The girls were less than cooperative and we really don't have a good photo of them here, despite spending 2 days exploring the monument and museum.

2008-07-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

A few highlights of our summer vacation. Gracia and Faith pose in front of the Blue Bunny ice cream visitor center in Le Mar, Iowa

Faith stands proudly (as though she shot the bull!) at the Great Platte River Road Archway in Kearney, Nebraska.

Enjoying a Coke in the old fashioned glass bottles

Finally! We make it to Cousin Paige's house, and she is prepared for the visit with matching ladybug t-shirts. We always try to get a photo of the 3 cousins in matching outfits.

2008-07-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

Faith enjoys cuddling with a baby bunny on a field trip with preschool. Mom got to go along and snap some pretty cute pictures. I didn't get as many pictures of Gracia on the field trip because Gracia chose to stay with her class rather than join Faith's class in order to spend the afternoon with her "boyfriend". His mom chaperoned, and evidently hand-holding and a peck on the cheek occurred.

While at preschool before the field trip, I managed to snap a few pictures of Gracia intently doing her school work. My girls love to draw and color.

2008-07-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Dancing Twinkies. Well, okay, the Twinkies aren't dancing in this picture...this is actually what Gracia's face looked like in most of my pictures of our family vacation to The West this summer. Faith manages a coy smile most of the time.

This is my first honest attempt at blogging. I figure it's time to keep up with the times, and now that we are expecting a new baby in February 2009, I have a little time to learn this blogging thing.

Our family is made up of John (a.k.a. Dad; Lutheran preacher), Siri (a.k.a. Mom; nurse practitioner), Faith (Twinkie #1 born 1 minute before...), and Gracia (Twinkie #2). Faith and Gracia are 5 years old, anxious for Kindergarten this fall, excited about a new brother or sister in February 2009 (they want twin boys), and in their spare time, enjoy ballet, made a hearty attempt at T-ball this year, and have recently taken up Suzuki violin method. Our household contains 2 pets. Sable is our kitty, who was Siri's roommate before meeting her mate, and Teddy is our 1 year old American Water Spaniel.