ode to t-mobile

i have a new cell phone. many have been waiting for this day. i am waiting for my number to switch over. tomorrow. this is so exciting!
why? (one might ask... depends on whether or not you call my cell phone often!) those who do, realize just how disappointing the service is in my corner of the world, somewhere between laguna hills and orange. perhaps i have missed your calls, or received a voicemail two or three days late, or our call keeps getting dropped (is there ever a good moment for that?) this has been a huge issue for me personally in the last year and a half (or maybe longer, two three years, who knows?)
but for all the negative press i have given my t-mobile service in the past, i thought it might be appropriate to remember a few times that t-mobile served me well. very well. there were actually lots of times, once i got to thinking about it. (I've had t-mobile service since 2003... yes, that's almost 7 years!)
Big moments in life, brought to Bonnie by T-mobile:
1. 2003-2005: all those phone calls micah and i made to each other while i was in college (he lived in irvine, i was in san marcos, yay for free long distance!)
2. July 2004: about a bzillion text messages back and forth while living in Cuernavaca (because there was only one phone in the house, and they only answered it in Spanish)
3. August 2004: Picking me up from the airport after being gone for a month "What terminal are you in?" He wasn't at the airport yet. Thought I had to go through customs. I took care of that in Texas!
4. January 2005: phone calls to let everyone know that YES! we were engaged!! (even though most of them already knew!)What a way to start the new year!
5. January thru August 2005: wedding planning. Mostly from June on.
6. June 2005: The call I never wanted to get, but somehow knew was coming. My grandpa had passed on. I cry even remembering it now.
7. August 6, 2005. I got married. I probably called someone. I don't remember now. Maybe not. Those are usually the days I'm expected to have it with me, and it is ringing in the car or something.
8. A few days later: Micah calls home from my phone. In Puerto Vallarta. Just to let everyone know how things are going. Very expensive call. But he was happy to make it!
9. Again, traveling abroad: Micah calls home from El Salvador. To check on Gus. True. That was important. And how are things in the office? I think we paid somewhere in the neighborhood of 140 bucks for that call. Worth every penny, he says.
10. January 2007: Another hard call. My grandma was gone. There goes my quivering lip again. Sometimes it's not easy to pick up the phone.
11. And then things are all a blur as I start working at Orange Lutheran. My classroom has two concrete walls. Zero reception. And I was working there somewhere between 4am and 7pm.
12. And then, I was pregnant. How many calls did I make to my favorite phone nurse Darryl? I love her... "I think I am pregnant." Questions about bleeding. Need to come in. "I am at Rubio's. Is it ok to eat a fish taco?" and then the big call: "I think my water broke". Maybe I was on the house phone.
13. November 14, 2008 : I remembered to bring my cell phone! Because it was Elvis Day and I had to call someone to let them know that I wouldn't be at work today, I was having a baby! Debbie Wingert answered the phone, and I will never forget that. Then we sent out all kinds of text messages. Myna called to check on me before she got there. I also remember calling Missy to tell her that I couldn't go on a walk that day. Texting Aimee in Italy (that might have been Micah's phone, too! There was a lot of Blackberry going around that room! Then, we sent out the text message that it was a girl: Hannah Lynne Nourse. 5lbs 1oz, 18 inches long. Our little peanut.
14. I think there a play-by-play narration of Hannah's life, development, sleep cycles and tales of the changing table going between Micah's phone and mine. Thank God for better reception now.
Sometimes the blog updates come from me summarizing my text messages for the day. But that's how it rolls around here.

Turns out I use my phone for a lot.
Perhaps you have called my phone for something important. You were engaged. Having a baby. Lost on your way to my house.

Hannah and the cheerios

Just editing from yesterday... as I can't seem to post more than 14 words from my cell phone. I'll get a new one. Really soon. With a great camera on it.
Anyhow, same story. Maybe a few more thoughts later, if Hannah continues to nap like an angel. Or I'll just start now: She's all pooped out from playing with Amber in Ladera. We are back from a walk in the sunshine and some playtime at the park. I have been longing for a snow day, as I see pictures coming in from all over the country of family homes dusted with white snowflakes. But today, I was very thankful for my California sunshine.
We are still waiting for Hannah to walk, but the day will come soon enough I am sure. I actually wouldn't be surprised if she does it on the playground, as she is now super-excited to be moving around like a big girl, and wants to do everything ALL BY HERSELF. (i.e. she is learning to climb, and you had better not try to help or steady her or anything, ALL BY HERSELF!) Feeding too. Not as interested in purees as much, unless she is teething, she wants some of your food, and she wants to eat it all by herself!
Speaking of eating, and doing things all by herself: my post from yesterday. I had to let the world know how funny this was right away, because well, I was cracking up:
"I just caught Hannah trying really hard to get something from under the fridge. I thought it was one of her favorite new "little people" toys from Christmas. Nope. It was all those Cheerios that I swept under there this morning when I dropped the box early this morning. (Nothing gets past this girl). So, we are sitting down for a snack. From the box."
Ironically, Hannah seems to sample food from strange places while I am in the kitchen trying to be a good mom and puree some healthy stuff for her! The other time she did this, was when she was first crawling and exploring the kitchen. I was pureeing something really quickly (seriously, like 5 seconds, and she crawled around the corner. Not thinking there was much for her to get into, I came around to check on her, and found her examining a stray bit of dog food that had made it across the kitchen. Awesome. (that was sarcasm)
Food. This reminds me I am gearing up for the weekly trip to Trader Joe's. Thinking of what to have for New Year's Eve: some fondue perhaps? Maybe just appetizers? I think we are rock 'n bowling for a bit that night. Hopefully. We did that a few years ago, and it was the best. Except for the year we were in Mammoth. Again, wishing for snow.

new discoveries and developments

Hannah is at the greatest age right now. I think I say that every time she gets older, actually! I love that each day is so full of discovery and development for her!
Christmas decorations are coming out now at the Nourse casa, and Hannah is really working on her dance moves as we listen to Christmas carols! She's been playing with a musical Snoopy toy, and loves turning the music on and off (and on. and off. on. off.on.off.on and on, and on...!) and she does a little dance with him. Too cute. Just like the surprised look on her face when the Christmas clock chimes in the kitchen... she's still looking for it!
We've also noticed in the last week, that Hannah likes to move... really fast! She's been speeding around in the walker... even Gus is a little bit scared when he hears that thing coming! Too bad she likes to chase him so much! She'll be walking any day... I'm sure!
She loves walking with her stroller toy, and cruising along the furniture in the living room and the cabinets in the kitchen while Mommy works!
Today, since it was rainy, she went for her first "sleigh ride" on my quilt, as I pulled her through the house... she laughed so hard! Gus, again, was really confused, and actually stopped the "sleigh" when he stepped on the corner. Oopsy.
Currently, Hannah is mastering her dipping skills in the high chair with her yogurt and teething biscuit. Looks like she'll be quite the artist someday.
I love days off. I love my job too. But really, days like this are the best.

Happy lil' eater (today)!

There's lots to be thankful for this year. That's for sure.
Today, I am thankful for my little eater. She has wanted nothing but bottles and lately, she is really starting to enjoy and even want real food! Feeding Hannah has been quite the adventure, as she's got quite the sweet tooth, and vegetables well, aren't that sweet!
Great news today: she has happily finished lunch, even before the second bottle of the day! It was apples and pumpkin! I think she's ready for Thanksgiving!

I was really excited to give her the pumpkin. I had made it especially for her, on the first cold day of fall, so she could taste some seasonal food. We've had amazing luck making some foods (I know, that sounds like a lot of work, but it's not if you can work the microwave and the food processor/blender/I use a chef's chopper!) We used the recipes and trays from Fresh Baby and then just freeze them in trays! SO easy, and it saves LOTS of money! We've made some scrumptious food combos from Annabel Karmel's First Meals and More. I am so excited to make her a shepherd's pie with leftovers from Thanksgiving!

We're off to shop now! Yay for Thanksgiving vacation!

she's one today...

feeling reflective today. realizing that my life changed forever for the better one year ago today. micah and i have been just stunned ever since hannah arrived... early! what a wonder she is, and how she has captured my heart in new ways every day!
she was the tiniest baby i have EVER seen, and i will never forget her little tiny hand reaching for mine, and her eyes straining to focus on my face. oh melt. she has also made me laugh, from the very beginning, with her funny poop faces, and big girl farts... such a contrast to those dainty little fingers and sweet face. i love watching her sleep. i am sure i will never get tired of it. she sticks her top lip out, and chin up, and i think it is quite possibly the sweetest thing ever!
she has always been strong, from her first check-ups when she actually lifted up her whole head to scream when the doctor put her on her stomach, or how she would roll herself to the side of the hospital bassinet. yeah, seriously! she's pretty strong! i think she's been working on sit-ups since may or so. that girl has abs of steel. amazing. wonder what she will do with all of that strength someday.
it has been super fun to watch her learn to explore the world around her this month. she is not walking yet, but she crawls all over the place, and pulls herself up wherever she can, and gets into pretty much anything within reach! she loves to play with gus, and he is the one who actually got her moving from room to room... she would follow him anywhere! they are the best of friends...
especially when hannah is eating in the high chair. she will share anything with him, because she knows it will bring him close enough to touch! they are quite the pair. gus understands that he is not supposed to eat her food. but when i am not looking (even just for a second!) hannah is baiting him with her cute little hand full of food, and he will check to see if i am watching before he tries it! those sneaky little stinkers...
hannah has actually come up with a few sneaky tricks of her own lately. yesterday, as i was getting stuff together for her party, she found my phone in the diaper bag on the floor and called 911. i was shocked that this could happen. turns out, even if the keys are locked, you can still press 9 and make an emergency call. hannah is also quick to inspect the electrical outlets, (though all have been plugged for safety!) and she's also on the lookout for any cheerios that she may have dropped (eww.)
i can't believe this is her first birthday. i couldn't wait for her to wake up today, so i could make this day special, and i was kind of sad earlier tonight when she fell asleep right away, with her new little sock monkey (i couldn't wait to give her that!). i was so looking forward to reading her more stories! oh well! something to look forward to tomorrow!
Happy birthday, Hannah Lynne. We love you!

rking on it, if you're not careful. It's pretty busy around here!

Hannah's new discovery: buttons. Pushing all of them. The TV remote, the DVD player, any phone she can find, and yes, even the computer. While you are wo

We are in bad need of a vacation. Dreaming of sand between my toes, and exploring Alaska. Maybe more than one vacation! Yep, I'm dreaming...

Happy Halloween!

It's Hannah's first Halloween! How far we've come in one year... last year I wore an enormous orange shirt painted to look like a pumpkin! This year, I am keeping it pretty simple with a monkey-style fleece hat that goes with my little Hannah-Banana! Micah, I think, is going to be Mork again.
Our plans? I had grand plans for today... pumpkin waffles with apple syrup for breakfast, perhaps another trip to the pumpkin patch, because Hannah loves it so, a little Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown... but alas, there is always so much to do! Micah has been super-dad for the past two weeks and has special time with the Hanners and I go off and grade papers at a coffee shop (last week) or to the classroom to prepare for this week (sigh... weekends are not what they used to be, but to celebrate with Hannah tonight without having to worry about my to-do list is priceless!
So, we'll be at the Harvest Party at the Village Church Irvine at 5:30. Hope to see you there, or, I will post pictures!

Fall is finally here!

So much to be thankful for today!
Cooler weather, Micah surprised me with fall flowers last night, Hannah let us sleep in until 7:30 (because she played with toys in her crib when she woke up!), it's raining (Hannah is fascinated - loves the drops!), and so to celebrate... Hannah and I went to Trader Joe's today, for some fall yummies! A pumpkin for baking, some little ones for decorating, stuff for pumpkin muffins, maple cookies, apple cider, and of course our weekly bag of apples! Our house smells like pumpkin pie...Fall is finally here and we are loving it!

I think I figured it out! Perhaps I can blog from my phone! If you're reading this, it works!

So. We have a blog. Should do something about that. Don't get much more than a Facebook status update out once in a while... but I will let you in on what we're up to. More often. Promise.

Currently:
Micah: Working hard. At the office.
Bonnie: Entering grades though seriously distracted at the thought of Hannah's first birthday coming up. Grades are due by midnight. Trying not to shop online for Christmas. Yet.
Hannah: Napping. Praise God. It's harder to get her to sleep now that she has figured out how to sit up in the crib. She amuses herself with practically anything. Today: Tried lentils, carrots and (new food!) tomatoes. Actually liked it, though it is neither cereal, nor fruit. Proud of my little honey, who is learning to explore beyond the blanket as she crawls around now. She loves the magazines under the coffee table. That girl is well-read.
Gus: Passed out sleeping on the bed.

All is right in our house for now.
Back to work.

we have had a BIG HUGE week!!

we have had a BIG HUGE week!! Mommy is counting down the days until spring break... especially now that hannah rolled over on friday!! what a big girl! so i rushed home to witness this wonder in progress, and was happy to hear her have a big ol' belly laugh (or giggle, it was really pretty girly) at daddy that night! what a great day!!
she has really kept up the giggles lately... super cute! but, i have not been able to catch her rolling over yet!! what a sneaky little girl :)
AND, just tonight, micah found where super-gus has been hiding all of hannah's pacifiers... under the coffee table! silly dog, was digging for them right in front of us! that hiding spot is gone... better luck next time, wonder dog!
spring break is in 2 days by the way. who's counting?

where do we start?

Our daughter Hannah Lynne Nourse came into the world on November 14, 2008. Life will never be the same! I am sure that is an understatement in a number of ways...
How do we share all of these magical moments with you, our friends and family? We've tried a little bit of it all... Facebook, email updates, photo updates on the cell phones... Let's give the blog a try. Happy Reading!