The Nora Chronicles: Turning Two

What? It’s been 8 months since I last wrote about Nora? Wait, you’re saying she’s turning 2? You’re kidding, right?

Nora turns 2 tomorrow. Two years ago today, we went into the hospital for the induction. (Remember “The Ordeal?”) People always tell me it goes by in the blink of an eye… yikes, they weren’t kidding.

Somehow, I’m not surprised that I haven’t done a Nora Chronicles in eight months. After all, life has gone warp speed since Nora was born, and now I think we’re at the point where big milestones like birthdays are going to be the times I remember to blog about her. Nora’s now at an age where, like the rest of us, milestones are the times we reflect. The rest of time we spend just keeping up.

So, in the spirit of reflection, here’s what I’ve learned over the past eight months, and really two years:

It’s still about small victories and survival.

In thinking about this post, I came across my Nora Chronicles post from the first month. I laughed a bit, because you would think in two years of constant change that this would change, too. Alas, no. But then, that’s what life is really about: survival and small victories. Big victories are so rare, so it’s the small ones you should focus on.

For example, when Nora is in a good mood, she’s funny, amenable, and easy-going. When she’s not, watch out. A constant blend of fun, small victories, and survival. Like life.

Toddlers learn fast. Nora learns crazy fast and has an awesome memory for her age.

In August, I went to Dallas for our first “All Hands” meeting with Inbox Group folks. A few weeks later, as I was leaving to play golf one morning, I went to say bye to Nora. She looked at me with great concern, and said, “You leave on airplane?”

When I was gone, Nora would ask about me, and my wife would say that I was flying on an airplane and that I would be back soon. Nora remembered that a few weeks later. It was crazy… especially considering “airplane” was a new word for her at the time.

It’s just fascinating to truly see how much a baby and toddler are simply sponges for information. Nora doesn’t just parrot back words, she learns them and uses them quickly. She’s just turning two. It’s impressive, right?

And I get a chuckle out of what I wrote 15 months ago: “Can you imagine what humankind would be capable of if we could maintain the exponential learning curves of babies into our adult years? It’s crazy to think of how awesome humans would be if we didn’t plateau in… say… high school.”

Think about it. Seriously.

Getting used to forgetting everything is taking some getting used to.

My short-term memory is horrible now. I have to write everything down, and even then, not necessarily a guarantee that I’ll remember it… if, say, I forget to look at my list, which has been known to happen.

I used to make fun of my parents for forgetting things, and calling all their kids by the other kids’ names. Now I do that all the time, and I only have Nora and the dog. Usually it goes something like this: “Hey X.. I mean Y… whatever your name is!”

I’ve been told this happens to all parents. Does it get better? I hope so. In the meantime, just another in the millions of adjustments to be made.

Babies get personalities awfully quickly… and become kids fast. There are times to jump in and times to let go.

It’s hard to look at your 2-year-old and see a baby… particularly when she looks at you and says “I big girl, Daddy!”

Probably the biggest “culture shock” comes when you realize you don’t have a baby anymore, but a kid. It’s insane. The kid comes equipped with a personality largely their own. I don’t think my wife and I have too much influence on the raw personality, but we’re certainly doing our best to teach Nora right and wrong, danger/no danger, etc.

Perhaps the hardest thing to deal with is the fact that you spend 12-18 months trying to find some control over the environment, and then systematically have to find a way to let things happen anyway. It’s the “Learn It the Hard Way” time in a human’s life. There are some things that can’t be explained.

And not that I’m particularly good at being okay with that. But, it has to happen. And I’m rambling now.

Birthdays are fun again.

When you’re a married-with-kids adult, birthdays mean, “Hey honey, would you mind if I don’t do anything today?” But when you’re a kid, birthdays are everything. I’m excited for the presents Nora will be getting tomorrow. I’m excited for the look on her face. And somehow, eerily, I’m looking forward to having even more toys in my living room.

Yep, birthdays are fun when you’re young.

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Two years ago tomorrow, I was here: