One of Nora’s first words (after “no” of course) was “shoes”.
She said it very clearly too — “sooos” — and please don’t get “sooos” confused with “booos” (a.k.a. boots).
If you ask her where her shoes are, she quickly takes them off her feet to show you.
Nora LOVES her shoes!
Honestly, is it even possible for a 16-month old baby to understand shoes — and get extremely upset if I don’t let her wear the exact pair of shoes she wants to wear at any given time?
Apparently so…
Thanks to generous grandmas, aunts, and hand-me-downs from friends, Nora has a pretty nice collection of shoes (there are several pairs not in the picture below!)
And she wears them ALL — even if they are so big that she trips when she walks.
I find Nora’s infatuation with shoes to be somewhat hilarious, especially since Dave and I only have a few pairs that we wear all the time. Neither one of us has ever been shoe crazy or demonstrated any strong love of particular shoes.
I suppose this is just another one of those instances where her little personality is already shining through.
I’m sure people at the grocery store or the bank or the restaurant think I’m crazy for letting my little girl wear water shoes and sandals in the middle of winter (she does wear socks underneath, and she has to wear boots for playing in the snow), but I’ve already learned to pick my battles, and Nora’s shoe choice is not something I’m willing to fight about.
In fact, we make it a little game every morning. I pick out her clothes and then she picks out her shoes. She excitedly says “SOOOS! SOOOS!” as I open her closet doors and lift her up so she can make her selection.
She’s even realized where I keep the next size up shoes (in her dresser drawer) and sometimes, we spend a good 20 minutes (which is an eternity for her) trying on shoes and “marching” on the hard floors to hear the different noises each pair makes.
If she is happy in her too-big summer sandals, then that’s what she wears. If she’s happy wearing slippers to the store, or wearing winter boots inside, I just don’t care!
In the broad scheme of life, her toddler shoe choices don’t matter one tiny bit… however, I can’t help but wonder what we might be up against when she’s 16!
Happy weekend 🙂
ola skaring says
Like your blog/post about your daughters sandals. But please don’t put sandals that looks like the last pic if you want her to have healthy feet. At http://www.1stopthaishop.com we have shous for ladies and men but unfortunately not yet for kids. Have to look inte it…
Jess says
haha! my 18 month old is the same!!! at daycare they tell me she spends alot of time trying on other kids shoes from the cubbies. I have no idea how they know what shoes they like to wear. She’s not particular about clothes, but shoes yes. Just this morning I went to put on the green ones and she wouldn’t have it. wanted the pink sandals. lol. oh my. and my husband and I only have running shoes!!
Carolyn M. Grant says
Nora is such a darling. I remember my Emily when she was like Nora’s age. She also loves shoes, well until now. Great post by the way.
Barb says
Haha, love this post. I have four daughters and they all still love their shoes. My youngest, about to turn 9, not only loves her shoes BUT also loves mine, STILL! Enjoy her, before you know it she’ll be off shopping for her own shoes. 🙂
Tshanina @ Thrifty T's Treasures says
Nora is definitely my kind of girl! I love a cute pair of shoes!
Kristen says
Oh my gosh, sooo cute! My favorite is definitely the little mini “Uggs” 🙂
Verity says
Fun article!!
I personally love girl baby/toddler shoes.
I minimized my kids’ clothes down drastically last year, but my 18 month old daughter still had a dozen pair of shoes! They are so fun! Some things are worth keeping I figure!!
Great article as usual!
oneshabbychick says
Love this post! What a fun little story and fun photos of Nora : ) Thanks for sharing!
Ree Klein says
I love this post for a couple of reasons. First, I don’t have children and it is so wonderful that you share your experience with us. Nora is so adorable and you seem like such a great mom/family. The second reason I love this post is because it will be a treasure for Nora as she grows up. She can read all the posts about her and see the comments from people she never knew. It will be a rich part of her life experience.
Thanks for letting us in…
Ree from Escaping Dodge
Lori says
I miss my son’s “little feet”–he just turned 12 and is growing out of mens 13. Enjoy those toddler days. It really goes by much too fast!
Leigh says
My almost two year old daughter is the same way. In love with both shoes and boots. Both hers and everyone. Watching her walk around in my red rainboots is hysterical. Norah needs some rainboots as they are the easiest to get on and off themselves and the girls ones are so cute (and easy to find used.
We did not know if we were having a girl and I woke up the next morning and realized, “the little shoes!”
Erika says
I am not a shoe person (mainly because of my clown size feet) but my 3 year old is and I dont know where she got it from either. From an early age she knew that there was a shoe store (famous footwear) right next to target and would get all excited.
Monica says
Mama’s lil polar opposite!
You’re a smart one for choosing battles wisely!
Kerri says
So cute! My granddaughter, Carly is only 13 months old and she also loves shoes.
Annette says
Just became a grandmother to a little girl, was never a shoe person but my daughter in law is so we are all picking up shoes for our granddaughter in anticipation of her being like mom.
Thanks for all the stories you share, have redone my dresser drawers after reading that blog from you and it works great.
Heidi says
My youngest daughter had an early fascination with shoes too. For Christmas when she was 18 month old she got a second hand pair of gold glitter ballet flats that were girls size 1. That one gift was better than everything else she recieved and she wore those shoes until she was 5 and most of the glitter was gone. Now at 8 she is quite the fashion expert in our family and has more pairs of shoes than the other 3 of us put together.
Cheryl says
She is so cute! My daughter loved (still loves) shoes too. When she was about 15 months old, I took her with me to the store to look for shoes for her older sister. I didn’t find any that I liked, so left the shoe department without any shoes. She threw the worst temper tantrum, bending backwards over the seat, screaming, “sooos, sooos!!” We had to leave the store. She is now 11, and loves her shoes just as much 😉
Julie says
That is way too cute! She seems like such a fun little girl! 🙂
Sue says
What a wonderful way to start my day! What an awesome mom you are!
Julie Spady says
What an adorable post!! She better get a job early in life! I love that it doesnt matter to you which sooos she chooses! I look forward to more shoe posts as she geows!!
Julie Spady says
What an adorable post! First, she will need a job early in life!! Second, I love that it doesnt matter to you what sooos she chooses! I look forward to reading more about her shoe love. And by the way, shes got some cute ones!!
Cathy says
Mine was this way, too! If you ever need to get out of the house on a rainy day head to walmart or target and take her to the shoes and let her try them on to her hearts content 🙂 Once she can handle it, let her find the ladies high heels!! Too funny and she’ll love it.
Debby says
I too just love this blog and the Nora stories. She reminds me of my youngest. Her nickname was boots for an entire summer because she wore rubber snow boots with everything. The fur lining was removable so she took the liner out and wore those hot pink boots with her shorts, bathing suit, and dresses. I didn’t fight it either (although we chose something else for church). I took lots of great pics and she is now 15 and I still smile remembering the summer of the “boots” 🙂
Andrea says
I laughed out loud when I read your comment Debby — Nora loves her boots too and sometimes we call her “Puss in Boots”!
Sandy says
I, too, love my shoes. Yea Nora!
I wonder if God has blessed you with a child who will continually stretch your ‘minimalistic’ way of life. God does have a sense of humor like that….. He teaches me stuff all time.
Seriously, you are blessed with such a vibrant child and you know yourself well enough to know when to choose those battles. I love seeing little girls in grocery stores with tutus or tiaras……. I think to myself, what does it hurt for a girl to dress her best to go get groceries?
Now, I am gong to put on my sparkly dress to vacuum. (just kidding)
Linda M says
My grown daughter, who now has children of her own, was the same way. She would even want to sleep with new shoes. I know what you mean about picking your battle. By the way, she still loves! shoes. Ha!
This post is too darn cute….definitely made my day and brought back some very fond memories. I just may have to remind my daughter of all our shoe fun…and even tell her kids!
Enjoy that precious Nora…she is adorable!
Paulette says
It’s amazing to me how those little personalities just shine through! Our first granddaughter was sort of a tomboy…the other is all about the shoes, the sparkles, pink, and polka dots (same mother). Always enjoy posts about Nora, Andrea! Keep them coming.
krisna says
and this is why i so love to hang out in this blog.next to andrea’s never-ending inspiration,nora is definitely a favorite.i really think she’ll be running the blog when you go for a 2-week holiday break,andrea. Love nora! 🙂