Nora is 4

Nora Grace is 4 years old. She’s a KID.

In some ways, it feels like yesterday that I was lying in a hospital bed, staring at her tiny features and getting to know her. On the other hand, that time feels so far away, such a blur, and like that baby couldn’t possibly be the girl I know today. How does it happen so fast? How do they grow right in front of our eyes, but without us even realizing just how much they’re changing?

It’s incredible. And she is awesome.

Nora at 4 is smart, inquisitive, and has the memory of an elephant. She’s a sponge. She is a snuggler, and seems to crave physical affection. She’ll grab my hand at the breakfast table just to hold the back of it against her cheek. She’ll squeeze our legs randomly, still asks to be held, and won’t go to sleep without a series of bedtime kisses.

Nora is a better big sister to Vivienne than I could’ve ever imagined she would be. She’s patient, kind, gentle, and loving. Her expressions of affection for her baby sister are so genuine that I often find myself in awe of the love. She shares, and she wants Vivienne included when she does things.

Oh, she’s a people pleaser. If we correct her behavior, even gently, her facial expression crumbles and she asks, “Are you mad at me forever?” or declares “You don’t love me when I naughty.” Neither is true, of course, and we’ve told her a million times, but it never changes what she says.

My eldest daughter—the girl who made me a mom—makes me proud every single day. She has her moments, of course, because she’s a child, but overall, I think she’s a well-behaved, polite, sweet little girl. I’ve loved watching her personality evolve, and I know that this next year is likely to be one during which she changes by leaps and bounds. I’ll hold on for the ride.

Last night, I took out her baby book to show her the pictures. Maternity photos, ultrasound images, and pictures from our first hours together. It’s seriously surreal to be looking at them with her and having her ask me questions about them. Again, what happened to the last four years?!

This morning, we greeted the birthday girl in her bed, as she sat up waiting for her day to begin. Per our tradition, we took her out for giant pancakes, making sure to bring candles.

This year, it’s different. She was acutely aware all day that it was her birthday and it was meant to be special. She kept saying, “But it’s my birthday…” with this sly smile on her face. Like, I’d say, “Nora, sit in your seat politely” and she would climb back up but look at me and go, “But Mommy, it’s my birthday.” I guess she doesn’t think rules should apply. :) However, as we were nearing the end of breakfast, she looked at me and said, “Thank you, Mommy, for taking me out to breakfast,” and then turned to Michael and said, “And thank you, Daddy, for taking me to breakfast.” HEART MELTED.

Afterward, we spent a few low-key hours at home, pretty much letting her do whatever she wanted to do (which involved watching Frozen). At one point, she apparently got a little bored, because she was like, “Why aren’t we having fun on my birthday?” Oh hahahahaha. We didn’t have the jam-packed day planned that we did last year, so… oops. But in the afternoon, Michael stayed at home with Vivienne while she napped, and I took Nora to the mall for a much-anticipated birthday treat: Getting her ears pierced.

I mentioned a while back that we were thinking about doing this, and well, we did.

I am fairly certain I freaked out about it way more than she did. I was really nervous about the placement of the earrings on her ear lobes, whether they were even, etc. The ladies at Piercing Pagoda left it up to ME to judge and give the final OK and it was way more pressure than I was prepared for. Haha! But it’s done, and I *think* they look like they’re supposed to. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a couple of minor panic attacks afterward, while I repeatedly studied her lobes as we wandered back through the mall. I eventually concluded that I surely had to be over-thinking it. Type A mom, reporting for duty. YIKES.

Anyway, the actual piercing? She didn’t even flinch. I had heard (and told Nora) that they would give her a teddy bear to hold, but that didn’t happen, so I offered up an app on my phone. They counted down, they pierced both ears simultaneously, and it was literally like nothing happened. Nora had this look on her face like, “OK, now what?”

She was definitely proud of herself, though. She couldn’t wait to get home to show her daddy. On the way home, she randomly asked me, “Mommy, how do you sleep with earrings?” God, she’s so cute.

At home, we whipped up some cupcakes to bring in for her preschool class tomorrow, then we went out to dinner as a family, where she had her favorite—macaroni and cheese. Again, in the middle of dinner, she thanked us for taking her out, no prompting necessary. Just another sign of how she’s maturing. I can’t take it.

This photo of Nora and Vivienne is ridiculous. Funniest thing ever. What a bunch of goofballs. They were clearly very excited about the cupcakes.

It was a good day. I love this kid so much it hurts, and it just keeps getting better and better. How blessed we are to have her in our lives every day, and to celebrate on 9/11 every year.

Happy 4th Birthday, Nora! I couldn’t be more proud of you, and feel more fortunate to be your mommy. Thank you for being you.