V. C. Van Norman

The arrival of our daughter irrevocably changed life for my wife and me. Being completely responsible for this tiny person cast everything in a new light. The solutions to some problems became self-evident, while many new challenges presented themselves.

Birth

Our beautiful daughter was born in April, A.D. 2005. For my wife and me, at least, her first month was harrowing. She had lost too much weight within a week of her birth, so we worried about feeding her enough. Fortunately, our fears were short lived, and our baby girl quickly began to grow.
Still Under Construction
Father and Newborn First Nap Bundled for Sleep
Back Home
The Catholics run a pretty good hospital, but did we catch their fashion sense?
Jaundiced Girl
In Sunlight
Being Cute
Hitting the Bottle
Eagerly Eating
Favorite Activity
Big Yawn
What is she thinking?
Having Fun
Sleeping Again
"Will you give me everything I want?"
Who could resist?
"I'm so pretty!"
Stretch!




One Month

At one month of age, she was beginning to prosper. Her newborn grunting gave way to more sophisticated cooing and gurgling. Her movements remained uncoordinated, which was an obvious source of frustration for her. Unfortunately, most of the photography from this period was exceptionally poor.
One Month Old
Meeting Grandma
Meeting a Great-Aunt
Meeting Another Great-Aunt
In Dad's Arms Napping with Dad
Two Months

After two months, our daughter’s life was no longer just about the basic necessities. With more of her time spent awake, she began to take an active interest in the world around her. Luckily for me, she also began to sleep through the night … mostly.
Mother's Love
Smiling
"What do you have there, Mommy?"
Tummy Time
"Yes, I'm cute."
Excitement
Three Months

At three months, she became eager to explore. Her mobility improved, though not enough to satisfy her. She could now rotate her body, scoot on her back, and roll onto her side.
Bath Time
In the Carrier
Napping with Mom
Waking
Ready to Roll
Four Months

Our daughter had become very active by four months of age. She began rolling over and was always eager to play. She still couldn’t crawl, but apparently she decided that she would rather walk, so she also began to stand up … with a little assistance.
Father and Daughter
Baby Gym
Standing
Looking Around
With Thelma
Five Months

Five months of age was an exciting time for our daughter. She learned how to roll at will, could stand with our help for extended periods, but sitting on her own and crawling still seemed out of reach. She also started to eat solid food.
Highchair High Jinks
Trying Solid Food
Command Chair
Waiting for Food
Tongue
On the Changing Pad
Playing
More Standing
Peeking
Trying to Escape
With Mom
Not Tiny Anymore
Sitting up





Six Months

As a six-month-old, she learned to sit and stand on her own. She also began to babble in earnest, trying such “words” as “mama,” “dada,” and “baby.” She continued to eschew crawling in favor of trying to master walking.
Sitting with Toys
Sitting in Her Crib
Sitting on Her Own
Joyful
Exhausted
First Halloween
Looking Devious
In Her Bassinet
By Her Crib
Standing
Enjoying Her Walker

Seven Months

At seven months, she began to crawl tentatively but still couldn’t coordinate her locomotive abilities. Nevertheless, her mischievous personality began to emerge.
Messy Eater
Playing in Her Walker
Ready for Breakfast
A Card from Grandma and Pops
With Her Mother
Almost Ready to Crawl
On a Chair
Father and Daughter
With Grandma
Holiday Party Dress


Eight Months

Something magical happened the day our daughter reached eight months of age. Putting the pieces together, she was finally able to combine crawling, sitting up, and standing. With mobility finally at hand, she was more than ready to begin exploring her world.
Feeding Herself
Sleeping Hard
Confined
Riding Snail
First Christmas
The Big One
Playing
Looking for Trouble




Nine Months

With crawling mastered, she temporarily gave up on trying to walk, but she still managed to stand without support for the first time. She also spoke her first real word, which was duck.
Cruising
Finding Lens Cap
Inspecting Lens Cap
Tasting Lens Cap
Feeding Herself
Mom and Baby Asleep
Crawling
Beautiful Girl
Standing



10 Months

When her mother lost one job and started another, we had no choice but to turn to daycare. This was the beginning of a long period of almost constant illness.
Lunch Time
Another Meal
Runny Nose
In the Highchair
Climbing Stairs
Sleeping
Chasing the Prize
Holding the Prize
Crawling
Cruising
Crying
Eating Again
11 Months

A few days before her first birthday, our daughter finally walked. Months of effort on her part had paid off at last. Unfortunately, though, trouble was ahead.
Dictating
Love the Bottle
Exploring
Eating
Exhausting Work
Playing
Early Party
Playing with Her Cousin




One Year

And what a year it was! Our daughter adjusted easily to daycare, but she couldn’t handle the onslaught of germs that came with it quite so well. I came dangerously close to quiting my job when a chronic ear infection threatened to damage her hearing. Fortunately, ear-tube surgery alleviated the problem and kept it under control thereafter.
One Year Old
Opening Gifts
New Dress
Unhappy
Happy Again
Walking
Deprived
New Toy




Two Years

While her “terrible twos” began well before her second birthday, our daughter’s growing size and strength didn’t make the situation any easier. “Two more minutes” became her favorite delaying tactic. We also began the frustrating 11-month ordeal that was toilet training.

Two Years Old
Wild Hair
Hot Day
Cool Drink
Wild Animal Park
Kitchen
What's in the bag?
"Daddy, take picture me!"
Stereo Experiment
Garden Exploration


Three Years

Improving communication skills and greater overall independence are wonderful things, except when they manifest themselves at inappropriate times or suddenly and “mysteriously” disappear. Such is life with our three-year-old.

First Trip
Getting a Snack
Bucket-Hat Performance
Hugging Dad
Rare Nap
Willow Park Zoo
Walking with Her Cousin
Waiting for Fireworks
"Reading" Road Trip San Juan Capistrano
More Wild Hair
On the Rocks
Talking with Marti
Wild Animal Park
Pausing for a Moment
At Breakfast
Artwork
Four Years

Preschool has already begun. Now, so does homework!
Visiting Sea World
Oak Tree
Snacking in Alhambra
Riding at Disneyland
Just Being Cute
With a Rock

Dancing Giant “A baby changes everything.”
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