Nora put on one of her shoes all by herself for the first time.

Nora nods her head to indicate yes.

Walked alone to "free" a baloon at mom and dad's 20th College Reunion in Worcestor. Happy first birthday Nora! What a wonderful year it has been and may they only get better in a long future ahead.

Rode the carousel in Hyannis with mom. Palyed in the sand at Kalmus Beach. Had a fish dinner at Capt. Parker's and the staff gave her a bowl of ice cream with a candle for dessert. Strolled on the rail trail to a cranberry bog and returned just before a thunderstorm began.

Took a ferry boat to Martha's Vineyard and took the "on time ferry" to Chappaquiddick. Pushed the stroller on the green in Oak Bluffs, and had a fish lunch in Edgartown.

Visited Provincetown where a shopkeeper gave her a seal bracelet. Went to Race Point beach to fly a kite and play in the sand. Had a fish lunch on the Pier.

Gave dad Tom Waits' new CDs for his birthday. Had dinner at a Kreme and Kone (more fish) and went to a drive-in theater and saw Spiderman.

Arrives at Cape Cod and imitates the sound of ferry boats' fog horns. Has a fish lunch at a Friendly restaurant.

Visited Aunt Mary Anne and called her cat "baby." Had an early birthday party with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Lucia and Aunt Cathy's. Fell and cut her nose on Aunt Cathy's coffee table.

Left for vacation. Visited Aunt Cathy and Grandpa. "Ran" with mom and noticed some dogs.

First step (!) then a controlled fall in the side yard.

Happy Mother's Day! Backpacked through the antique stalls in Adamstown, PA.

At Longwood Gardens stood for 1 minute with a topiary. Met a magician at the Corn Crib restaurant for lunch, and saw horses in Intercourse, PA.

Blew a kiss!

Met mom for lunch and ate roasted peppers.

Says "ball" and "bear."

Stood at dishwasher without holding on for about 15 seconds.

Went to see "Party Animals" at the old Woodies Building and ate Italian ice.

Says "Uh oh!"

Says "Mama."

Has a stomach virus which she promptly gives to daddy.

Returns home from New England.

Let go with one hand while standing, "bounces" accross the stage at the Blue Bonnet Diner.

Perfects pulling herself up at the funderal home where she meets all the Sheehan and Calipari cousins.

Rides on a train to New York City and attends Easter Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral with Gardinal Eagan presiding and visits with Kim and Inge at the Central Park Zoo.

Spends the day with Grandma, Aut ciel, Autn Ruth and Uncle Nicky.

Grandma Sheehan died this morning.

Nora eats some pasta!

Nora ate crackers and some cod at a Friendly restaurant!

After a doctor's visit on Tuesday Nora was approved for new foods... this week she tries (and enjoys) egg yolks, yogurt and on Friday she drank water from a regular cup.

Stands supported! After charming people in a restaurant during the drive home (by saying "Bye bye." to all), Nora pulled herself up to a stnading position.

Aunt Cathy babysat while mom and dad went to see a movie (A Beautiful Mind).

Drove to Myrtle Beach, SC.

Saw Lake Okeechobee. Walked on beach, saw lots of birds and Jupiter Lighthouse.

Visited the Everglades National Park. Saw many alligators. Met John Sicilian in Miami for dinner.

Went to a state park. Walked on a nature trail where Nora ate a Satinwood leaf! Went to a beach where grapefruit had washed ashore from a recent boating incident. Nora ate grapefruit.

Rode on a ferry in Jacksonville. Saw a lighthouse. Walked on beach and through a swamp. Heard a big bird which Nora imitated. Nora ate plantains at a Cuban restaurant. Got on all fours and rocked.

Left Myrtle Beach for FL. Played on a stuffed bear at a mall in Georgia. Walked on beach on Amelia Island. Saw terns and gulls.

"Walked" on the beach in the backpack. Saw Aunt Ginger and Uncle Dud. Played skittle bowl.

Left for Myrtle Beach, SC to see Grandma, Grandpa and Aunth Cathy. Went to the top of the tower at South of the Border.

Met Joyce the accountant.

Happy first Valentine's Day Nora. Met mom at airport and dinner at Hong Kong Restaurant.

Dinner at Mike and Leslie's.

Sits alone! Nora gets to the sitting position from laying prone.

Nora and Dad shop for Valentine's gifts while Mom goes to the dentist.

When presented with three toys, Nora placed two in one hand and took the third in the other; then put one in her mouth to have her hands free to pick up the other two.

Nora started "crawling"... she moves by bouncing on her behind and sliding along the floor.

First word: "DADDY" dah-DEE, followed soon by "BABY" bay-BEE.

Returned home from CT.

Snowstorm! Watched fish in a big tank at a restaurant.

Left for CT to visit Grandma. Sat in a highchair at the turnpke rest area.

First tooth!

New Year's Eve dinner at Mike and Leslie's.

Nora catches her first cold (from mom).

Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Cathy visit.

Merry first Christmas Nora! Nora gave dad a wok and mom a snuggle sack. Nora gets books.

McCormick and Schmick Grill for dinner, then Georgetown U. Chapel for 8:00 Mass. Nora charmed the people near us at church.

Saw the "Garden of Lights" at Wheaton Park.

Nora charms her fellow diners at the California Pizza Kitchen.

Nora sat up on her own (from a reclining position on her stuffed elephant.)

Purchased a high chair for Nora.

Mike and Leslie babysit Nora while mom and dad go out for dinner.

Cut down Christmas tree.

Met Susan for lunch. Chirstmas shopping with dad, then a celebration at Oceanaire that Nora is HIV negative..

Visit to the doctor for a check-up and shots. Nora rolled from front to back today!

Went to zoo to see the new baby elephant. Went to m Scottish Christmas walk in Old Town Alexandria.

Lowered Nora's crib one more notch. She can again reach the bug mobile!

Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma, Aunt Ceil, David, Suzann, Luci, Joe and Sam. Nora has sweet potatoes.

Grandma and Aunt Ceil arrive for Thanksgiving.

Peas!

New toy! Ultra-saucer. Grean beans and oatmeal both today.

David's Hair Studio lunch. Shopping with mom. Nora "speaks" italian to Enzo the waiter at Tosca.

Dinner at Mike and Leslie's. Ate green beans. Went to Wheaton craft show.

Dinner with Mike and Debbie at Saigonais. Nora watches the big fish tank.

Nora switches to oatmeal. She likes it much better.

4 tablespoons of rice.

3 tablespoons of rice.

2 tablespoons of rice.

First solid food: Nora eats rice. What a mess!

Happy Halloween. Greeted trick-or-treaters dressed as a pumpkin! Nora met people at Montgomery Orthopedics in her pumpkin outfit.

Returned home. Dad carved a 27 pound pumpkin so Nora could stand in it, but she didn't much like it!

Visited Grandma and Grandpa Sheehan and Aunt Cathy. Went to dinner at Eli's.

Spent day with Grandma, Aunt Ceil, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Nick.

Stayed at Grandma's while mom and dad went to Boston overnight.

Leave for CT and go to a party for cousin Alisse's 10th Birthday. Nora slept through the whole thing.

Nora turns over! (From back to front.)

Nora appears in traffic court, again!

After Mass an al fresco dinner at McCormick and Schmick.

Dad and Nora meet mom for an al fresco lunch and walk in the park.

What a big girl! Nora's mattress was lowered today because she could reach her mobile.

Nora has lunch with Mom and Dad at Cristina's.

Nora adds West Virginia and Ohio to her list of states visited. She sleeps through the whole experience.

Nora travels to Pittsburgh, PA for Mike and Leslie's wedding, where she dances with Daddy at the reception.

Nora and Dad meet Mom for lunch at Hard Times Cafe and Nora makes the "R" sound.

Nora charms the concierge at the Hay Adams and has lunch with Eric at the Golden Restaurant. It's official! Nora's birth certificate arrives today.

Nora goes to Lee and Anna's Oktoberfest.

Nora and Dad meet Mom for an al fresco lunch.

Nora has lunch with Mike at Los Chorros.

Nora is now four months old and she celebrates by receiving four shots at the doctor's. :o(

Nora says "B".

Nora is baptized and over 40 people joined her for her day.

Nora is babysat by Aunt Cathy and then she met Paul, Manny, Ruby and her cousin Matt.

Nora's grandparents, uncles and aunts arrive for her Baptism.

Nora has lunch with Kevin and is held by the proprietor of the Golden Restraurant and then is a hit with Mrs. Lee at David's Hair Studio.

Nora discovers her feet!

Nora charmed the folks at Austin Florist where we were shopping for flowers for her Baptismal party.

Nora is now three months old. Judging by her "smiles per hour" she's enjoying life immensely.

Nora visited Cunningham Falls State Park today, but not much water was falling. The big news came with the afternoon mail when we learned that the State of Washington had entered its finalization of adoption decree on Monday the 27th. As of that date, Nora is officially our daughter. In addition, perhaps from relief, Nora slept through the night for the first time.

Nora added a new state today: Pennsylvania, where she visited Longwood Gardens.

Nora met Al today when he came over for a visit.

Nora had dinner with the Greenes, Mike and Debbie, and Mary Lou at Amalfi restaurant.

Nora visited the National Zoo today where she saw the frogmouths, a bald eagle, several elephants, hippopotami, and rhinoceroses.

Her first vacation over, Nora came home to Maryland today for a well-deserved rest.

Today Nora met Grandma's co-workers and later visited Libby's for Italian ice.

Fifty (!) people came to Nora's "Coming Out" luncheon in Connecticut. She smiled for everyone and was VERY patient.

After a morning at Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, Nora took one last trip to the Sundae School and then left Cape Cod. She added Rhode Island to her list of visited states and then went to Connecticut to stay at Grandma's house.

Nora spent the day lounging at Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable. At dinner, Nora was the hit of an Italian restaurant in Hyannis.

In the morning Nora found a medal of her patron Saint, Saint Justin. Then she travelled to Dennis and dipped her feet into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. She found the water to be a bit too cold! She had dinner at the Dennis Kream 'n' Kone and then wisely slept through a drive-in movie in Wellfleet.

Nora went to Provincetown today and saw several whales on a whale watch. After a trip to the Christmas Tree Shop she visited the Sundae School.

Nora strolled on the Cape Cod Rail Trail today and had dinner at the Chatham Kream 'n' Kone.

This morning Nora went to Somerville to visit Bruce and Tom where she stayed for lunch. In the afternoon she traveled to Cape Cod and her new hotel in Hyannis, and had dinner al fresco at the Tugboat restaurant.

Nora spent this rainy morning lounging by the pool at the hotel. In the evening she had dinner in the North End and watched an Italian parade for the feast day of Santa Maria della Cava. Afterwards, at an Italian pastry shop, Nora had a surprise meeting with Cousins Betty and Kenny.

Nora added New Hampshire to her list of visited states today, and then met Uncle Jerry and Aunt Luzia. Later in the day she traveled to Boston where she received a room upgrade from the Swissôtel and stayed on the concierge floor. That evening she toured the harbor and then had dinner in Chinatown.

Nora visited the Shelburne Museum toured a lighthouse, a paddleboat steamer, a locomotive, and rode on an antique carousel. Later in the day Nora visited Montpelier.

Nora traveled to Vermont and toured a working granite quarry. She's kept a souvenir granite chip from her visit.

Nora met Aunt Cathy and Great Aunt Claire, Great Aunt Ginger and Great Uncle Dud. Nora had lunch in downtown Northampton and went to Herrel's for ice cream.

Nora visited several new states today on her first trip to New England. Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Nora met Great Uncle Nicky, Great Aunt Ruth and Great Aunt Ceil at lunch in Connecticut, and then met Grandma and Grandpa Sheehan in Massachusetts.

A visit to David and Suzann's for dinner, and a chance for Nora to meet Luci, Joe and Sam.

Nighttime revolutions. Nora turned 180 degrees from top to bottom in her crib last night. Increasingly common too, are her flips from her back to her left side.

Ouch! Five shots this afternoon, but Nora weathered them well.

August arrives with a case of the giggles. Nora has begun to string smiles together into a soft chuckle.

Nora meets a baby! Today Emily and 7-month-old Maddie visited.

A party at the lab for Nora. She handled the large crows with aplomb... mostly by staying asleep.

A visit from Chris and Sue was today's highlight for Nora.

First dinner al fresco: at Paper Moon in Georgetown.

The blooms continue. More flowers to smell, today from Lee and Anna.

Happiness is abloom. Nora received flowers and a baloon from Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Cathy today.

Nora had a court hearing (represented in absentia) in Yakima where any potential claims of paternity were terminated. With just a bit of legal paperwork remaining, it's safe to say that she's now "officially" Pat and Janet's daughter.

Mike and Leslie visited Nora for an evening barbecue and she helped them plan for their upcoming wedding.

Another picnic by the Capital Founatain, and then a stroll to Dupont Circle to a bookstore and then into Georgetown for ice cream capped Nora's evening.

Nora's first trip to Home Depot: she then spent some time watching Pat begin work on a pair of Adirondack chairs.

Nora committed her first faux pas when she received a stern look from the bailiff in traffic court. Pat had to remain as a witness, but Janet took her to the lobby to avoid infant jail time. :o)

Nora went to Cathy and Rick's for a cookout and met Collin and saw Michela again. While she didn't sleep for the duration, Nora went a record 8 hours between feedings tonight.

After evening Mass, Nora had a picnic by the Capital Fountain, then strolled to L'Enfant Plaza and had her own dinner in the L'Enfant Plaza hotel, then strolled to see the illuminated Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin.

Nora and Janet visited Rose and got to learn some Yiddish compliments.

Nora went to Butler's Orchard to pick blueberries with mom and dad.

Nora went with Pat to the barber's and then had lunch with he and Janet at a pizza place downtown.

Now Nora is turning her head to follow objects, not just moving her eyes. A fact discerned thanks to her interest in her favorite stuffed Panda "Bobo".

Kevin and Collette visited and joined Nora for her first barbecue at home.

Nora watched the fireworks which were postponed from the fourth.

Cindy, the adoption agency's social worker visited Nora today and noted how she's adapting to her new home and parents.

Nora visits Ken and Angie for a rainy Fourth of July barbecue.

Nora had her one month doctor's visit today. She's in great health and now weighs 9 pounds, 2 ounces and is 21 and a half inches long.

First trip to the library for some books on babies.

One month old today! Nora visited Mike and Leslie's new home.

Nora experienced the aromas of Salvadoran cooking when she joined with Ken and Angie for dinner at Los Chorros.

Four weeks old today! Nora visited with everyone at the dentist's office while Pat and Janet had their teeth cleaned, then she spent the evening in Washington.

Nora met Tino at Lucia's Delicatessen and smiled at her mother. :o)

The weather was very hot so Nora waited until evening for her stroll through the neighborhood and met some new neighbors from Laos.

Nora met the "boys" at Motor Works where the car was repaired. Her child seat was checked out and all is well.

Nora made new friends at the Golden Restaurant after leaving grandma at the train station in Washington.

Nora received a round of applause from the folks at the 4:30 mass at St. Aloysius Gonzaga.

Her first thunderstorm, she took it in stride.

Nora added a new state to her repertoire today: Virginia. She seemed to enjoy her visit to the Apple Computer store.

Nora visited Janet's laboratory today. Perhaps a future chemist has been born.

Nora visited her pediatrician this morning, and received a clean bill of health as well as a Hepatitis B vaccination. She followed that up with a trip to Georgetown for lunch and then she went back to the train station and met her maternal grandmother who's visiting from Connecticut!

Nora started her morning at church where she met lots of folks and received a round of applause. Then she toured Union Station for breakfast. Later in the day she visited Arvilla and heard her player piano and looked at her salt water fish tank. To cap the day, the Greene's visited and brought Nora some wonderful books and Pat and Janet dinner! All-in-all, a very social weekend!

Nora strolled the neighborhood and met Arvilla and the Kendalls and was patient enough to sit through a dinner at a local seafood restaurant. A highpoint for Pat and Janet is the fact that she's begun to smile... randomly... but smile none-the-less.

Happy two week birthday Nora! Today's first was a trip to our nation's capitol. Nora visited the District of Columbia as Pat and Janet ran some errands, and then she was rewarded with the purchase of a stroller! It was a rainy day, but tomorrow she can walk the neighborhood.

Seekey and Cory dropped by as Nora's first surprise visitors. She's going to have to work on her etiquette lessons so she doesn't sleep through future visits!

What a big day! Nora flew from Seattle to Salt Lake City, and then a few hours later from Salt Lake City to Baltimore. She fell asleep just before takeoff in Seattle and awoke in the airport at Salt Lake City. En route to Baltimore she stayed awake for the first hour and had half a bottle of formula with a minimum of fussing, then slept until she was inside her new home. 3,000 miles and 3 time zones when 13 days old: definately a big day.

One might think that the highpoint of today was Nora's car ride to Seattle, but that's not so. The highpoint occurred in the wee hours of the morning when her umbilical cord fell off. She doesn't seem to miss it.

Nora received her "release papers" today. That means she's free to go home to Maryland. She'll be considered an "at risk" placement until July 23. That's the last date that her birthfather can come forward to claim her. If he doesn't do so by that date, his paternal rights will be terminated.

A routine trip to the hospital for Nora's follow-up PKU and other blood tests was today's big excitement. Nora's first Bandaide® is now on her right foot. Unfortunately, it probably won't be her last!

Nora had an outing to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument today. She was singularly unimpressed by the blast's devistation of the surrounding forest, but she did get to express her displeasure at being caught without an umbrella in her first rainstorm. Perhaps 3 drops landed on her head.

Around the corner is Yakima's Holy Family church where Nora attended her first Mass today. Not completely unlike her father, Nora slept through most of the service. The sounds of the organ didn't upset her and the touch of some holy water didn't cause her to burst into flame. All is well.

Interstate travel day: Nora crossed the mighty Columbia river and visited The Dalles, Oregon. En route she spent time on the Yakima Nation's reservation.

Nora had a hearing test after her first day on Earth, and all is well. In fact, one of the doctors at Deaconess hospital nursery insisted that she had a favorite singer because she became quiet when Stevie Nicks was on the radio. We don't know her musical taste yet, but is seems that this reworking of "At Seventeen" might encapsulate some of her thoughts to date. Click here to hear the tune.

Nora had her first "tourist" outing today. She visited the Yakima Arboretum and, if her ocular focal distance was longer than about a foot and a half, would have seen two bunnies. No matter, she can focus on her souvenir postcard of the Arboretum's Japanese garden.

Proto-vampire? You decide. Nora sleeps during the day and stays awake at night. When you try to burp her, she often sucks on your neck. It seems the signs are there

Nora appeared in Court today. She was as quiet as O.J. while Patrick and Janet swore before the judge that they would take good care of her. The judge has appointed them as her guardians, at least in the eyes of the state of Washington.

Nora the campesina? Nora needed a checkup today, and since she and her family are itinerants in Yakima no pediatrician seemed willing to accept her for a visit, so the family went to the farm workers' clinic and waited for their turn with the rest of Yakima's newer arrivals. The doctor gave her wonderful care and all is well.

Travel day: Nora made the big move from Spokane to Yakima. Along the way she stopped for a visit overlooking the gorge of the Columbia River with the Petrified Forest in the distance.

In Yakima she visited with her "aunt" Kim at the local park, and had her photo taken with some ducks and a Bouvier de Flanders.

Nora's respiration is a bit faster than the doctors would like, so she's going to spend another day in the hospital for observation.

Nora doesn't like her formula with milk, so the doctor's have switched her to a soy-based drink that she seems to be tolerating much better.