Norah's Story

Here is Norah's story in pictures, set to her song. Each one of our baby's has a special song in our hearts that was listened to before they were born. It helped us wait for their late arrivals! Simon calls it the "Baby Norah Song".

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Look What I Can Do!

Easter Blessings

We had a very joyous Easter at home. What a peaceful and quiet day we had celebrating the miracle of new life along with the promise of everlasting life through our risen Savior!

Grandma and Grandpa Wiens

Meeting Grandma and Grandpa Wiens

A Shrinking Norah?

Norah had her first wellness visit this morning and she is already back to her birth weight. It took Simon over 2 weeks to accomplish this feat. Norah has figured out how to eat every 2-3 hours and eats very well! She measured in at 20 3/4 inches long. Imagine our shock at the idea of her shrinking! Somehow she was measured inaccurately at birth. Her pediatrician said he only saw one baby who measured 23 inches in length. The father was 6'-10" and a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns and the mother was 6'-3".

Welcome, Norah Noel

Norah Noel Luedtke

March 17, 2008 2:12 p.m.

8 lbs. 12 oz

20 3/4 inches

We all brought Norah Noel home from the hospital yesterday at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is doing well and love having her home! We have been asked about her name, and Norah is a first name that we just fell in love with and she has already grown into it! We gave her the middle name Noel after Becky's Dad; it is his name backwards (Leon). Within her family Noel has always been a special word around Christmas. Both Simon and Norah have a grandpa's name for their middle names!

Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt

The plan was for Eric to take Simon to our church's pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt, and I was to enjoy a quiet morning at home alone with a new baby. Seeing that this baby is definitely in charge, I joined in the fun at 9 days overdue! Here are some very dear friends in our small group from church enjoying some time together!

Simon carried his basket for the Easter egg hunt all morning and was excited for the event. When the kids were let go, he put one egg in his basket. Then he walked a little ways, put down his basket (wire mesh basket behind him), and cried looking for Mommy. It was quite overwhelming!

A happy Simon playing with his very few Easter eggs with cousin Emmie!

So if this baby decides it is more comfy on the inside and does not want to join us on the outside, I will be induced Monday morning, March 17th. I guess there is an end in sight!

Four Days Late and Double Chocolate Baby Cake

We had a sweet tooth after dinner this evening, so Eric picked up cake and ice cream. After we enjoyed our dessert, we noticed that the cake was called Double Chocolate Baby Cake. Maybe this will bring out our baby!

Like Father Like Son

One of Simon's favorite activities is doing puzzles. Of course he had to look just like Daddy!Baseball in the garage. See the story and video below.

Spring Training

Sunday, Eric and Simon put together Simon's baseball T. Our weather is still a bit chilly to play outside for an extended time, so they played in the garage. Simon is Mr. Baseball; he wants to watch it on TV (we are happy that Spring Training has brought our Cubs back!). Inside the house bats are banned, but he has some balls that he can throw and catch. His imagination has turned a balloon into a bat so he can hit homeruns, slide, and be safe.

INTRODUCING . . . .

Star Blanket the Second
(no, not Baby Luedtke)

We have had quite the search and rescue week, without the rescue:( Simon's star blanket, which is the blanket of all blankets, has been misplaced. The location of the search mission includes the church nursery, Daddy's car, home, and our sitter's home. It disappeared sometime between Sunday and Monday, and was not missed until bedtime Monday night on Febraury the 25th. Simon has dealt with his loss with great courage. He only misses it at naps and bedtime when he says in his little voice, "star blanket". He is easily distracted and sleeps with other desirable objects such as a car or his favorite "goodnight books".

Today we took Simon to our local fabric store to look for star fleece to make a replacement. We looked at bolt after bolt. Now that we know Simon's interests, we showed him fabric with baseballs, frogs, cars, fish, other animals, and letters. On our way out of the store to go to another fabric store, Eric looked on the clearance remnant table and discovered - star fleece with a blue background, 3/4 of a yard! Simon was sitting on his shoulders and instantly saw the fabric. He said "star blanket, have it" and gave the biggest open mouthed smile as he hugged the material. We were sold! He put it on the cutting table thinking he could pay for it there and we told the ladies the whole story. As we left the store, I told Eric that there is a God for helping little boys with their blanket loss.

I spent his naptime time edging his blanket and finished it just after he awoke from his nap. One of the first things he said when he was holding it was, "loops". Now, Star Blanket the First was loved so much that the edging was unraveling and he loved to hold the "loops" on his fingers for comfort. We reassured him that he will love this blanket to loops!

Simon has so far accepted Star Blanket the II as his own. We now have to pass the bedtime, naptime, and "I need my blanket now" tests!

In hope of finding Star Blanket the First