Tag Archives: walking

Bell-bell and Nah-nah

24 Friday Sep 2010

Posted by in Bella and Norah

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Bella Lorraine Hufnagel

Bella Lorraine Hufnagel

Over the course of the past few days the girls have decided to try to say each other’s names. Norah and I were looking at the picture on my phone of Aaron and the girls and I said to her, “there’s Daddy and Norah and Bella” while pointed at each one as I went. Norah points at Bella in the picture and said, “Bell-bell.” Aaron then asked her something about Bella and she said it again. Then yesterday Aaron was talking to Bella and said something about Norah and Bella responded with “Nah-nah.” We called Mimi so that she could hear Norah say “Bell-bell” and I think it made her day, maybe even her week. They both try to say Wendy (their daycare provider) also. I will ask them if they want to go to Wendy’s house and they will look up and say, “Nenee.” It is really pretty cute!

What? Who me?

What? Who me?

As the week has went on, Bella especially, has really began mimicking words/sounds. She is doing a pretty good job and it is really cute until she began trying to mimic the word “shit” That is when you know it is time for Aaron and I to start watching our mouths. It is like anything else really. You can’t wait for them to crawl. Then you see all the stuff they get into and of course move it. You can’t wait for them to walk. Then you again see all the stuff they get into in and of course move it higher. You can’t wait for them to begin to really talk and begin mimicking. Then you realize that your word selection has to start changing. I guess we are close to the spelling phase now. But spelling “shit” kinda takes the fun out of saying the word.

On the couch

On the couch

Mommy explaining "sit down"

Mommy explaining "sit down"

Our very own adventurer and resident climber Norah has on a regular basis began exploring the great world of couches and love seats. She climbs right up and then stands, runs around on them, and once again gets into things. So once again we have moved things higher even yet. We have a high or tall dining room table and Norah has now discovered she can reach things on the very edge or put things up there. Our house now has things stacked on things that were once upon a time in places that were appropriate. Going up anymore is no longer an option.

Bella learning from Norah

Bella learning from Norah

We had an uneventful week at home. Last Friday we took the girls around the neighborhood in their wagon. They love the wagon Grandma Duncan bought them. We then took the girls for a walk on Sunday evening and they were excited to walk themselves. They held our hands and we went down the block and back. They were wearing their hats and sunglasses (that Aaron’s Aunt Jane and Madison) got them. Surprisingly they kept them on the whole time! They were sooooo cute! Norah was blowing kisses to all the neighbors that we saw along the way, complete with the big Mmmwah! Norah loves to give and blow kisses while Bella is still the hugger of the two. This past week was pretty routine which is just fine with us. But uneventful as we have learned to come to accept and even appreciate at times, is far better than having an eventful time. Enjoying our time with the girls is something that we cherish and look forward to.

Learning new things

24 Thursday Jun 2010

Posted by in Bella and Norah

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This past week has brought about lots of new things for the girls.  When it is dry outside (seems to be few and far between here lately) we have started taking the girls outside in the evening to let them play in the backyard.  Norah has a hard time walking in the grass and prefers to sit most of the time.  Bella ends up walking around in circles, but they both love it!  Bella threw a royal temper tantrum when Aaron tried to bring her in complete with the kicking and thrashing on the ground.  Norah is more easy going and will usually let you take her hand an lead her in. Wonder where that temper might come from or should we say “who” it might come from?!

Norah on the prowl

Norah on the prowl

Bella outside

Bella outside

Girls exploring

Girls exploring

t

Can she be any cuter?

Can she be any cuter?

This week has also brought about some new words from Bella.  She now says cookie and milk…though the words are not perfect, but she is definitely trying.  Milk sounds more like “mik” and cookie sounds like “key” but we know what she is saying and she does too.  Norah still seems to be more focused on walking, climbing and exploring.  She managed to climb into the toy box today all by herself.  It was not exactly climbing, more like falling, but hey it did the same trick.  Aaron said he went outside to get the mail and when he was coming back in he did not see Norah.  When he looked a little harder, there she was in the toy box–content and having fun!  She will also try to climb on the furniture and will use whatever to accomplish this goal (wipes box, diaper box, pillows, Bella, etc.).

T

Chasing Shadows

Chasing Shadows

Norah in the toy box

Norah in the toy box

The girls have been very good the two times we took them out in the past week.  We went to BJ’s (a restaurant/ brewhouse) by the mall and they were both very good for the most part.   The exception being when they wanted to bang their cups on the table or throw their food on the floor when they got bored.  We also took them shopping to the outlet mall in Edinburgh and they were content to stay in the stroller during the excursion.  Norah pulled a pile of clothes off the shelf at Carter’s when I was checking out, but I think that probably happens pretty regularly in a children’s store.

t

Our happy Bella

Our happy Bella

As you will see in the video this week, they have both learned to throw their diapers away after they get changed.  We still have to open the lid of the trash can for them, but they get a kick out of throwing them away.  Though Bella sometimes debates trying to dig it out of the trash can after she has thrown it away.  She also likes to go and “act” like she is doing it, then takes off in the other direction.  Norah especially likes it and even helps to close the lid.

t

Bella on the drums

Bella on the drums

Both girls are having a good time with Daddy even though it does wear him out from time to time.  Trying to keep up with 2 toddlers that are walking, grabbing, throwing, touching and making all the noise they can be challenging.  Norah is also having a “bruise” phase.  It seems as soon as one goes away, she gets another one!  They are usually on her face and head from banging into things.  Both girls are interacting with one another increasingly from week to week.  It is just amazing at how fast time goes by and how fast they seem to grow-up!  So that was our past week.  Next week will be a little more challenging as Aaron will be gone for 1 1/2 days to visit some old friends.  The girls will have a brief stint back at daycare for that time.  Hopefully we will get something up toward the end of next week.  Until then, enjoy the pictures and the video!

t

Daddy Day Care

18 Friday Jun 2010

Posted by in Bella and Norah

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Another Norah face

Another Norah face

Well it was the first week with my two beautiful girls as my summer break officially started.  I have been looking forward to it and was eager to have time with them.  During the school year I feel that I really do not get to see them much.  I usually leave for work before they are up and by the time I get home/pick them up from daycare, I only have a few hours with them before bath and bedtime.  Sure I have the weekends, but having them with me for the whole day for this past week has been wonderful; it has reminded me why I like being a “daddy” so much.  It was not an easy week, but as I have learned and probably anyone with children can attest to, it rarely is easy all the time.  But the time with them seems to outweigh all of the difficult times.

t

Bella Defined

Bella Defined

Stacy had a few long evenings this week, so there were a few days that I truly had them all to myself for the entire day.  Bella and Norah are at that stage where crying is a common occurrence, almost to the extent that is some kind of federally mandated baby law that states, “Thou Baby will cry today, for any reason and no reason.”  They cry when they fall (even though I have seen them fall a dozen times the same and not cry), the cry when they can’t do something they want to but can’t, they cry over each other invading their personal space and stealing of toys (even if we have two of the same toy) and they cry because……well, they cry because they can.  But they also laugh and smile and play and snuggle up with me.  And if that just happens once in the day, then the day seems to be a good day in my view.  Those are the moments that I cherish; the moments that define me beyond the title of “daddy” and empower me with unconditional love.  That has been what this week has meant to me and I am glad I have about 6 more with them.

t

Did you want that shaken or stirred?

Did you want that shaken or stirred?

Where's Norah?

Where's Norah?

Norah is really walking all over the place now.  Once she started, she really took hold of it and has been doing it with more regularity than Bella did when she first started.  Bella likes to bring things to mommy and daddy.  It seems that whatever she finds, that it must go to mommy and daddy.  She brings it with a smile and offers up whatever she has found.  Norah, who has always been the more adventurous one, has discovered that by moving objects such as the diaper box, baby wipe box, or really anything that can be stood on, can reach higher and even attempt to climb onto things such as the end tables or couches.  Both girls are now only taking bottles with formula in the morning or on the occasion when they wake up at night.  Other than that, they are drinking milk and alot of it.  I cannot believe how much milk we are going through now!

t

The girls

The girls

Bella and Norah are also really beginning to interact with each other more now.  Sometimes they play or tackle each other.  Other times they chase each other.  The cutest is when they look at each other and smile, then laugh.  It is impossible to see them do that and not laugh yourself.  The girls and I also play “I’m going getcha!”  I say it and the girls start giggling and try to evade capture (which results in tickling, kissing and more kissing).   We also turn the radio on everyday so the girls can dance because they absolutely love it.  It just makes me smile so much to see them happy. Both girls, especially Bella, also love to chase the dogs.  Sadie is so good with the girls as they wallow, tug, pull, hug, kiss, grab, attempt to sit on, stand on, and ride Sadie.  Sadie lets them do this until she is tired of it and then moves to higher ground.  Jasmine, who has always been more skittish, occasionally allows one of them to pet her, but only for a few seconds.  She tends to avoid them as much as possible.

t

Bella is also pointing to and saying “eyes”.  Of course to her this means to point and literally try to poke out your eyes, not her’s.  Norah will point to her eyes.  Bella also began to say “Mimi” this week.  I know that Mimi is proud of that and especially because it was before “grand-daddy” but hey, the chances always favored them saying Mimi before grand-daddy.

t

On Thursday, Stacy was off from work so I took full advantage.  I went and played golf with some friends (Don, Brad and Gary) at Smock golf course.  I had a great time and enjoyed playing even though I do not get to do it as much as I would like anymore.  I did pretty good after I shook the rust off.  After golf, I came home and ate dinner then was off to play softball.  It was a nice and relaxing day for me.  Fun with friends and a reminder of what life use to be like.

Norah and Daddy

Norah and Daddy

So that was Daddy Day Care this week.  I enjoyed it so much and I am glad that I have the opportunity to be with them in that capacity.  I am already looking forward to next summer when they are little older so we can do fun stuff like go to the zoo, visit people, get into trouble, go swimming, visit mommy for lunch, play outside more and just spend good quality time.  Stacy and I also hope that we will take them on a real vacation next summer to the ocean somewhere.  I have been talking to my parents (Mimi and Grand-daddy) about going with us and using their timeshare.  I think it would be fun and even allow Stacy and I to leave the kids with the grandparents so we could some things on our own.  I really hope they will say yes (HINT, HINT, HINT mom and dad!).

t

Enjoy the pictures below and remember to never be shy (no matter who you are) to leave a comment.  We love to hear from anyone and everyone who reads the blog.

We Officially Have Two Toddlers!

13 Sunday Jun 2010

Posted by in Bella and Norah

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Hmm? What should I watch?

Hmm? What should I watch?

This week Norah has decided that she is finally ready to start walking on a more regular basis.  I guess she got tired of Bella getting to everything first when it was a crawler versus a walker.  She is by no means an expert walker, but she is beginning to “walk” across the room instead of dropping down to the floor and crawling.  Aaron has the exclusive first look video of Norah walking below!

See Norah’s Milestones

See Bella’s Milestones


Jeanette & Bella

Jeanette & Bella

Last weekend the girls officially attended their first family reunion for Aaron’s side of the family.  The girls were the youngest ones there, but there was another little girl there who was only a few months older.  I was impressed at how easy going the girls were considering the time of day and the heat.  They were content to go to many different people and Bella was all about walking all over the place.  Jeanette was more than happy to walk and walk with Bella.  I think she wore out Jeanette taking her all over the place!  We also stopped by to see Mimi and Mammaw before we left to go back home.  We thought about stopping by to visit Kurt and Natalee, but no one was home.

I was really surprised at how well the girls both did considering the 2+ hour drive there and back.  We even stopped near New Albany to grab a bite to eat.  Both Bella and Norah enjoyed the fine cuisine of “Big Boy” and ate a little bit of everything.  I was so proud of them because it was a long day and many hours in their car seats (which they absolutely do not like).  They both are troopers!

Norah's bubble goatee

Norah's bubble goatee

Aaron and I just celebrated our 11th anniversary on Saturday.  We had originally planned to go to a birthday party, but those plans fell through.  We tried to find  a last minute babysitter thinking we would go out, but it’s hard to find a sitter a couple hours in advance on a Saturday.  So, we loaded the girls up and went to eat at our favorite local Mexican restaurant.  The girls had eaten shortly before we left, but they still polished off a cheese quesadilla with some rice and beans between them!  Then we came home and the girls danced some and played the “I’m gonna get you” game with Aaron.  The girls are so funny because they love to dance and their favorite music seems to be hip-hop and Lady Gaga songs.

This was the girls last week at daycare.  Starting Monday they will be staying home with Aaron while he is on his summer break.  I am sure they will all have a great time and make some great messes too!  If you are bored or just want to see the girls this summer, just let Aaron know.  I am sure he would appreciate a day off from “daddy duty.”  As always we love to hear from you, so don’t be shy and leave a comment for us.

Below are the pictures for the week and of course the exclusive world premiere of Norah walking!

An Exciting Week

12 Wednesday May 2010

Posted by in Bella and Norah

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Bella aka Mammy from Gone with the Wind

Bella aka Mammy from Gone with the Wind

It’s been an exciting week here at the Hufnagel house!  Hopefully by now you have all seen that Bella is starting to walk!  (If not, Click here to see the Video!) She can take up to 10 steps on her own and she has good balance (when she isn’t too excited).  Norah is finally starting to try to let go and walk too.  She still tends to fall forward and has to try to step to keep up as best she can.  Her record now is 4 steps, so she is not walking yet, but working on it.  For those of you who missed it, the Bella walking video is below the post.

I'm Mad as Hell

I'm Mad as Hell

On the down side, the snotty noses are trying to make a comeback, but hopefully it will be very short lived.  As of now, the girls are scheduled to do their one year old photos on this upcoming Sunday.  I guess we will have to reschedule if they get sick.  I’ve scheduled them at the portrait studio at Target with Desirae.   She’s the girl who has done all their pics and does such a good job with the girls that I don’t want to chance it with someone else.

Norah and Italian Cuisine

Norah and Italian Cuisine

The girls are eating table food exclusively now and are beginning to fight taking bottles.  That is fine with me because I would rather give them sippy cups than having toddlers that demand bottles.   The girls have been enjoying the regular food that we have even eaten for dinner and this past week they were treated to Chicken Marinara which seemed like a good idea at the time.  Cleanup was a bit brutal but they made for some interesting pictures at least.  :)  Norah is an extremely messy eater.  She eats fast and wants to stuff as much food in her mouth as possible.  Bella is quite the opposite.  She takes her time and often offers to share her food with Norah, Mom, Dad and even the the dogs.

Bubble Bath!!!

Bubble Bath!!!

We tried skipping bottles altogether tonight and just offering a sippy of formula before bath time.  Norah did fine and fell right to sleep.  Bella cried and cried, so I gave her a small bottle and she finally fell asleep.  Bath time tonight was lots of fun because Aaron fixed them a nice bubble bath.  Norah really enjoyed it, but Bella’s bath was cut short because she refused to stay seated in the tub.

Laundry Helpers in Action

Laundry Helpers in Action

Both girls are also becoming quite the little helpers around the house.  Both love to help Mommy load the dishwasher and help fold/unfold laundry.  Norah is so cute about it though.  She will take out all the laundry from the clothes basket, but then after it is all out she will then find every piece and put it back into the clothes basket.  This is her process and she is diligent about it.  She seems to get upset that Bella doesn’t quite understand Norah’s laundry process!

I will also say that last night we finally learned perhaps one good reason why twins should not sleep together:  If one would, let’s say vomit, then it would seem rational that both would have vomit on them since they sleep in such close proximity to one another.    Yep that happened  :(   When we went to check in on them before we went to bed, upon opening the door, the distinct smell of vomit was so ever present.  Apparently, Bella’s tummy was upset and vomited in the bed, on her, in her hair and of course they then fell asleep in the vomit.  Norah, who could sleep anywhere and through anything,  more than definitely confirmed that hypothesis.  So there we are at 10 PM rewashing the babies, changing their pajamas, stripping down the sheets, putting on new sheets with two very unhappy girls who were peacefully sleeping in vomit.  It doesn’t get much better than that….

Remember to see all the pictures visit the Flickr link on the right.  It is the latest 200 pictures.

To think that just within a week that Norah and Bella will be 1.  There is a lot to get done before their party.  We hope that  lots of you can make it to celebrate with us.  We are still waiting to hear back from quite a few people.

RSVP, so we know how much food to get!  See everyone on the 22nd.




The First

08 Saturday May 2010

Posted by in Bella and Norah

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Well it was an extremely interesting and very exciting night at the Hufnagel house!  We were doing the usual thing; playing with the girls, laughing, giggling…you know the usual things that you do on Friday nights when you realize that having children put a big damper on your social life, I mean what use to be our social life.  Anyway, not that I am complaining and especially not this particular Friday because something happened.  So without ruining it, you have to watch it.  It is just to hard to explain, so don’t delay and click play! 

And I do expect to see some comments from the audience on this one!!


Just another week

26 Monday Apr 2010

Posted by in Bella and Norah

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I have a 'stache like Granddaddy

I have a 'stache like Granddaddy

Nothing exciting went on this week (becoming a theme).  Both girls were sick (again).  Runny noses, coughs and pinkeye for Bella.  Actually she had it twice.  It started with her left eye and I put her on drops (both eyes), but the drops got left at daycare on Friday.  Normally it should have been ok because she had already been on them for 6 days, but of course by Sunday her right eye was watery and by the end of the day it was goopy.  Guess that’s my luck.  I had to run to Target to pick up some stuff, so I just stopped by and got some sample antibiotics to get things started.  She’s already looking much better.  Both still have a little bit of snot nose and Bella still has a bit of a cough.  I am hoping in a couple days they will be good as new.

Take us outside Dad!

Take us outside Dad!

Bella is finally cutting some more teeth on top.  She is also starting to try to walk.  She can currently take two to three steps unassisted.  Norah is just starting to try to stand on her own.  She finally figured out how to clap her hands the right way.  Before she would smack one hand down on the other kind of like she was doing the alligator mouth.  Norah is figuring out how to stack the rings on her ring tower.  She even managed to get them all in the correct order according to size this afternoon, but I think it was more chance than a conscious effort so far.

Please Dad! Take us outside!

Please Dad! Take us outside!

We had to put locks on the cabinets to keep them out.  I tried leaving them one cabinet with only dish towels, but after the 500th time putting the towels up we decided to go ahead and put a lock on there too.  They will get into everything!  We also have to be really good about putting up the baby gate.  I have forgotten once and found Norah about 5 steps up the stairs when I figured out.  Aaron forgot the other day and Bella took a little tumble down a couple of steps, but she’s perfectly fine.  If it gets too quiet in here I now know that they are up to something that they shouldn’t be, so I have to drop whatever I am doing and figure out what they have gotten into now.  I don’t even know how much harder it’s going to get when they start walking!

Also be on the lookout for a BIG SPECIAL

announcement later this week!

So without further ado, here are the weekly pictures and of course a video.  The videos are in HD also if you have not noticed.  The default is to have it off, but you can turn it on in the top right corner.  As always we hope you enjoy.

Bella be messy

Bella be messy

What? You never make a mess?

What? You never make a mess?

Trouble x2

Trouble x2

I love making a mess!

I love making a mess!

Norah in the anger pre-stage

Norah in the anger pre-stage

Unhappy camper

Unhappy camper

You can't see me

You can't see me

It's mine! No it's Mine! No, mine!

It's mine! No it's Mine! No, mine!

When beer and babies come together

When beer and babies come together

Hey at least I have a bib on

Hey at least I have a bib on

I know I have food on my lip

I know I have food on my lip

What the heck is this stuff you are shoving in my mouth?

What the heck is this stuff you are shoving in my mouth?

Also, especially for the grandparents–here is a desktop wallpaper that I made. Feel free to use it. All you have to do is click on the picture below (probably will have to do it twice) until you get the full screen picture. When you have done this right, it will just appear in the browser and NOT in the blog template anymore. Right-click and select “Set as background” and wha-la! New desktop wallpaper.

Bella & Norah Desktop Wallpaper

Bella & Norah Desktop Wallpaper

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