time for an update...

So it's been a while since we've had a real update on here... So it looks like it's time for more than just pictures!

We've been doing well. Here are some updates on the different corners of our lives...

Brad's been doing some work on the 75 tank... got a UV sterilizer on it, which is really helping the tank! That combined with a surface skimmer has really helped keep it looking great and the fish seem happier! :) Not going to do too much more to it until we move, but it's looking good for now! Here are a couple of pictures:


Brad's working hard at actual work too... making good progress! Started the modeling for the 3rd chapter, working on writing the 2nd... first is done, again... learning the "fun" involved in the many re-writes of dissertation work!

Stacie's been back to work since Oct. 31st and it's going pretty well. Her job is much different this year since they've implemented a new collaborative teaching model along with the pull-out classes she was doing. She really likes it! Her students are great this year, as always. Administrative changes have been interesting to get used to, but the new principal and assistant principal have been doing a great job and the culture in the school is still very warm and comfortable, so that's good! Liking her job has really made the transition from stay-at-home mom to working-mom much easier.

The other thing to make it easier is Nora's great daycare. She started out (for about 2 weeks) at a daycare near Stacie's school, but things didn't work out too well there. Since right after Thanksgiving she's been at Kids R' Kids and we love it! It's about halfway between where we live and where Stacie works - and right on the way. The daycare, as a company, is great and Nora's teachers are awesome! She seems to be really happy there and we're very comfortable there too. They are very professional and very caring. And they have a webcam so we can check in on her during the day! :)

Nora went for her 4-month well-baby check up last week. She is now 13lbs 14 oz (48th %ile), 25 inches long (69th %ile), and her head circumference is 16.5 (70th %ile). She did pretty well with her 2nd round of shots, though she was a little more upset about it than the first time around (or maybe it's just that her lungs are stronger so she sounded angrier!) They cleared her to start solids, but the pediatrician said we can still wait until 6 months since she's breastfeeding and doing really well, so we're not in any hurry.

She's rolling over from her back to her belly whenever she has the chance now and she has found her feet now and loves to hug and eat them! (so diaper changes are a challenge for mom and dad these days!) She can flip quite confidently from her belly to her back too, but mostly just in her crib. When she's not in her crib, she basically flips to her belly, plays for a while, and then gets frustrated that she's on her belly and won't roll back! :) Apparently, she doesn't remember than she can roll back when she's not tired! She's also started grabbing for things all the time (watch out while drinking coffee!) and "talking"... she sort of sings and moans, sometimes growling like a monster... here's a little video sample of the talking. :)

Here's a video of her mad "swimming" skills when she's on her tummy...

She loves looking at and touching all of her pets and they're basically tolerant of her. She especially likes Abby and the puffer fish - she actually laughs when they look at her (yes, the puffer "looks" at her) !

Here are a couple of fun pictures (mostly pictures we took because we were so excited she fits into fun clothes that we've had since she was still "on the inside"! :) :
Thanks Amy and Trev (via Jess!)

Thanks Mike and Jenn!

oh, and here's a cute video of her sucking her thumb! She hasn't done it much since, but the video is cute! (we were dressed to go out, hence the heavy clothes!


Happy New Year to everyone! We wish you all the best! Yey, 2008!!! :)