January 3, 2021

 Dear Noralee,

Today Dad gave you a special blessing.  We didn't figure this out until yesterday, but six years ago this day Arien was blessed as well.

He blessed you with looking for the good and helping those around you.  You have such a sunny, bright personality, and he blessed that you could bless those around you with who you are.  He blessed you with the ability to make good choices that will benefit you, your desires, and what Heavenly Father has planned for you.

I've never told you how we decided on your name, Noralee Rose Whitesides.

Because you never knew your Grandma Becky (whose name was Nora Rebecca), we wanted you to always have a piece of her so we gave her first name to you.  I've always wanted my kids to have longer names that can be shortened so we added Grandma Abby's middle name (Lee) to come up with Noralee.  Grandpa Steve always called his mom Rose (because her last name was Rosevear), so we decided your middle name should be Rose.  You have a 100% family name, which I think is pretty cool.

Nora, you have been such a special blessing to me this past year.  I could have easily been discouraged with my mom dying, but you provided the perfect distraction (inside me and out) to keep my mind off of things and give me hope for a brighter future.  2020 was a crazy year for lots of reasons, but you made it so great and blessed me with exactly what I needed.  I will forever be grateful to you for that!  Thank you, Nora!!

Love,

Mom

January 4, 2021

 Dear Noralee,

You're four months old!  Sometimes writing these posts can be a little boring and there's not much to add month to month, but I can tell from here on out there's going to be a lot to add as you continue to grow and learn new things.

You smile ALL THE TIME.  You are so happy!  You really don't cry that much.  Yesterday was your blessing day and just because of everything going on we were a little more aware of your schedule and how things were going.  You cried two times the whole day.  Two times!  You're such a sweet princess!

You're still an amazing sleeper.  We just barely moved you into your own room last night, and both Dad and I would have been perfectly fine to let you keep sleeping with us because we hardly ever hear you in the middle of the night (because I'm pretty sure you don't even make any noises in the middle of the night).  Dad and I were a little sad to not have you with us last night, but we know you have to grow up at some point.

You're starting to use your hands a lot more.  You're learning to put your binky back in by yourself.  You love sucking on your hands, especially your thumb when you can figure out how to get it in your mouth.  You're not super reliant on your pacifier, so I'm wondering if at some point you'll get rid of it on your own and go to your thumb.  We'll see.

We celebrated our first Christmas with you!  You got to join in on all of our Christmas traditions, celebrations, and activities.  You came to the mountains with us to get our tree and stayed awake in the carrier the whole time and seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.  You were baby Jesus in the Nativity on Christmas Eve, and did a great job!  On Christmas Day, you fell asleep half way through opening your presents, but I think you still had a good day.

You are a very easy going baby and don't complain too much, but here are some things you don't like:

-boogers.  You always scratch at your nose when you can feel something in there.

-poopy diapers.

-being alone.  You usually cry if you're awake and no one's around to look at or entertain you.

Love you, Nor Nora!

Love,

Mom