Norah--2 months

Weight: 12 lbs 1.5 oz (89%)
Height: 24 inches (95%)

There isn't much newborn left in our growing baby girl. I feel like each morning I'm surprised at how big she's gotten.  Her cheeks and rolls continue to fill out nicely, and her legs and neck are stronger daily.  Little Norah is quick to share her bright smile and eagerly converses with anyone who stops to chat.  Her little coos are just as sweet as can be, and I always look forward to our late evening conversations.  I love her big, arched stretches when I unswaddle her in the morning, and I love her furrowed brow and her half smiles.
At two months of age, she's already flown across the country to be loved on by all sorts of family and relations (great traveler!), caught her first cold (and endured the NoseFrida!) and moved from baby tub to regular tub (too wiggly!). She's also discovered her hands which are fascinating to stare at and great to suck on, though quite easy to gag on.
She's still a practically perfect baby, though in recent weeks she has started to spit up more frequently (some days constantly) and she's regressed ever so slightly on her great sleeping (blaming it on being sick and traveling).  I certainly can't complain much about this sweet girl.  She's a beauty and a happy one at that.  Can't imagine life without her.

 Mixed feelings about thumb/finger sucking...

90th great-grandchild on the Moulton side

Emmett turns 5!

Emmett could not wait for his birthday this year.  The months slowly turned to weeks until finally August 14--his big day--was here.  It was so fun to watch his excitement about everything to do with his birthday.  He had such high expectations about everything that I started to get a little nervous that he might come away a little disappointed, but luckily that turned out not to be the case.  I think we made most of his 5-year-old dreams come true.

Since his birthday was on a Sunday this year, we took him and a couple of friends out on Saturday night for a birthday activity of miniature golfing.  I was surprised by 1) how awful the mini golf course was--by far the most boring, uncreative course ever designed.  And 2) the boys' lack of mini golf form.  We tried to help them improve their technique, but it was a bit of a lost cause.  :) Regardless, the boys had loads of fun.
On Sunday evening we did presents and birthday cake so Emmett could actually turn 5 years old.  He loved the cake and loved his presents and is pretty thrilled to be 5.

Emmett's birthday interview:
Q:  How old are you turning?
A:  Five!
Q:  What's your favorite tv show?
A:  Land Before Time
Q:  What's your favorite color?
A:  Dark grey and dark blue
Q:  What's your favorite food?
A:  Spaghetti
Q:  What's your favorite vegetable?
A:  Salad
Q:  What's your favorite animal?
A:  Elephant
Q:  What do you want to be when you grow up?
A:  A builder
Q:  What do you love about kindergarten?
A:  I love recess because I play basketball
Q:  Why are you excited to turn five?
A:  Because I'm excited to eat my birthday cake and get all my presents.

 Mini golf with Ethan T and Ethan G--two of his best buddies.

 Dino cake!

 We think the dino gift were a success.

 More successful bday gifts from Grandma and Pop Pop. Emmett actually got to go the toy store with Grandma and Beth and pick out his gift.  He came home with some toy dinosaurs and a little dino excavating kit.

A little about 5-year-old Emmett:
• He goes to kindergarten and loves it--even though it's sometimes a long day. His favorite parts of the day are recess and using the computers.  He usually plays basketball at recess.  He impresses me frequently with his new reading skills and I absolutely love phonetic/inventive spelling. With his new schedule he is always starving for dinner by 4:30 or 5 pm.
• On the bus ride home he usually draws or plays with a toy dinosaur he packs in his back pack.
• When he gets home he's anxious to play video games or print a picture on the computer.  He loves his screen time.  His favorite video game is definitely Mega Man, followed by Bubble Bobble.  He's very active when he plays--always moving about and jumping and sticking his tongue in and out!
• His biggest interest right now is dinosaurs.  He plays with them, draws them, writes songs about them, make books about them, etc.
• He is no longer scared to put his head underwater at the pool.  We recently started swimming lessons which has been a great success.
• He loves, loves playing with cousins.
• He's a great hiker and enjoys time in the mountains.  He was awesome when we hiked the Y this summer.
• He still holds his pencil with his fist.  Not sure how to correct that one...
• He loves doing hidden picture activities, word searches and workbook pages.
• He enjoys reading chapter books with mom.  We recently finished all 3 books of My Father's Dragon, which he really liked.
• He does not love to perform in front of crowds.  His first attempt at a primary talk this summer involved him hiding behind the picture he was holding and me saying all the words.
• He loves jumping on trampolines, riding bikes, climbing, playing on playgrounds and general outdoor adventuring.
• He likes to his clothes to match, but he also likes to pick out his own clothes. This sometimes causes tears but I've learned to often let go and let him wear whatever he thinks looks good without too much intervention.  He has decided he doesn't like sleeveless shirts and hasn't worn one all summer.
• Emmett loves his sisters.  He is so sweet with Norah--often wanting to take pics with her and referring to her as "my sweet baby girl." He and Caroline have a bit more of a love/hate relationship.  They can be so silly and have so much fun together or they can drive each other crazy.  :)