Today was Noah's last swimming lesson. Once he gets used to the chilly water, he really likes it. Doesn't so much like going under water, but he doesn't cry. He just gives me a look.

Tuesday during swimming lessons, I noticed his first tooth is starting to appear. It's just barely broken through his gum. We got a toothbrush so we're ready when the tooth makes its appearance.

We've had some really big messes as of late... It seems like each time Noah poops, it goes everywhere. It used to just shoot up his back and come out the top. Lately, it's been coming out the front. If I'm really lucky, it comes out the top in front and back. (Amazingly enough, no mess in the exersaucer!)

Speaking of messes...as I'm writing this, someone (Truman) knocked over a vase of flowers in the kitchen. Water everywhere!!! It was a 12 sheeter.

Cornucopia

I have so much to write about I'm not quite sure where to begin...

5 Months

Perhaps with a cute picture. One of my good friends suggested we take a picture of Noah each month in the same place. So, on the 18th of every month we take a picture of Noah in the red chair. Generally speaking, catching a picture of Noah smiling is pretty tricky! It's easy to get him to smile, but as soon as he sees the orange light on the camera, he just stops and looks. On occasion, we catch it. I managed to get it for his 5 month pictures. (He really likes his toes.)

The Ladies Man

Noah likes to flirt with all the ladies... At church he'll smile at the girls and just stares at the boys. Here he is with his friends, Atley and Avery. He's being such a gentleman and keeping his hands to himself.

Big Boy Food

MiMi and Poppy came to visit this past weekend. MiMi's always let little boys do things their mommies wouldn't let them do... The picture speaks for itself.

A Present for Mommy

Noah is such a thoughtful little boy. He was outside with MiMi Saturday and look what he brought me.

The Unfortunate Surprise...

We wanted to take a picture of Noah with MiMi and Poppy before they left. MiMi picked Noah up and everyone got all in position. After I took the picture, MiMi said she had slobbery hand on her face. I saw something glistening on Noah's bare tummy and assumed it was slobber. Then I realized MiMi had poop on her arm. We rushed Noah in to clean him up. It was all over his tummy and in his armpit. We then realized it was all over MiMi and Poppy's shirts. That slobbery hand was actually a poopy hand... MiMi ended up with poop in her mouth! Ick!! We all had a good laugh. (If you look really close at the picture, you can see the poopy on Noah's hand.

Swimming!!

We took Noah to the pool on the 4th. He had so much fun. There was a little fountain type thing that he played in. He kept trying to grab the water. It was very cute.

Greg is in Florida with ZOE (the youth ministry that we are involved with). They are at a youth camp on the beach. So, Noah and I packed up and went to MiMi and Poppy's. We wanted to stay longer, but Noah had swimming lessons this morning. He had fun. He only liked floating on his back for a little bit at a time. There were two other kids in the class a 3 year old and a 10 month old (Noah is the youngest and the cutest of course!). Anyway, Noah behaved better than the 3 year old did.

Tall, Dark & Handsome

Noah had his 4 month check up on Tuesday. (We can't believe he's already 4 months!!) He's 26 inches tall (80th percentile) and 14 pounds 14 ounces (50th percentile). Developmentally, he's at a 5 month level. He's very smart. We saw 3 different families we knew at the doctor's office. The nurse was laughing about it. When we got in the car to come home, the doctor's office called and said Noah was supposed to get shots. So, we had to go back. (He almost got away!) The shots were not his favorite, if you can imagine. He did very good though.

The last two nights, Noah has slept for 11 hours. He is such a big boy!!! It's amazing how much better everything is with a good night's sleep.

Today, Noah discovered his toes. Hours of fun! He's also working on perfecting his fake cough.

I nearly had a heart attack twice today... The first time I was outside and a chipmunk ran out and scared me half to death. The second time, I set something in the laundry basket in the closet and saw two eyes looking at me. It was Jinx, thankfully!

Noah and the Flood

We've been very tardy in our blogging...

Last Wednesday I started the washing machine and then went about my normal routine... Two hours later, I was changing a diaper and heard water start running. I thought someone was using our outside spigot. (I know the wash couldn't still be running!) So, I followed the sound of the water and traced it back to the washing machine. I opened the lid and everything looked normal. So, I closed it and went back to dressing Noah. I then thought I'd just check the machine. I opened the basement door and there was water everywhere! It had only been 5 minutes. I couldn't believe how much water there was! I turned the machine off. It was full to the top with water. I couldn't get it to drain. So, after I'd pushed most of the water toward the drain and had a little time to think about what to do, I decided I'd have to pull all the clothes out of the machine and wring them out. (Not really what I wanted to do.) So, when the repair man came, he determined the fill switch was broken which cased a pee-pee tee-pee to float over the top and clog the drain line...

Noah started rolling from his back to his tummy. Unfortunately, he's forgotten how to go the other way. He hates being on his tummy. So, he usually just cries when he gets over. The first night he kept rolling over in his sleep and waking up. We decided if we put the pad from his changing table in his crib, he couldn't roll over. (It has just a slight contour to it.) But then the problem was he was so sweaty when he'd wake up. So, I finally settled on a sleep positioner. He's sleeping like a baby!


(This picture really has nothing to do with anything, but look how cute his slippers are!!)

For the last 2 months I've been waking Noah up at 11 pm for his last feeding. He'd then sleep until 6 or 7. My mom asked what would happen if I didn't wake him up. Without really thinking about it, I said he'd be up really early or in the middle of the night. Then I decided I didn't really know what would happen. Greg was out of town, so I decided since I didn't have to worry about keeping him up on a "school night," I'd just not wake him up and see what happens... He slept until 7. He's such a big boy!

Noah has also discovered he can be very loud. He's been yelling. It's hilarious! My dad said he know he was loud. He hasn't heard anything yet!

We've been working on our landscaping. It's been a long process! Luckily Noah loves to be outside. We've been sitting him in the shade while we work. He does really good. When he starts to get tired, he's ready to be picked up.
(Noah's sitting on the front step in his Bumbo. If you look really close, you can see him... Our bushes are super small. Next year, they'll be much bigger...we hope!)

Under Cover

Noah had his first tornado warning yesterday... We sat in the basement (which is unfinished) for a while. Once we went back upstairs, it looked like there were more storms and we might have to go back. So, I just decided I'd lay him down for a nap in the basement. I sat down with him for a while, but curiosity got the best of me. I had to check out the forecast on TV. By this time, it was starting the clear up. He could have had his nap in his bed after all... (Here he is sleeping on the concrete floor, still in his wrap.)

Greg was out of town most of the week. (It got a little lonely.) Poppy came to visit Noah on Friday. (MiMi was in Texas.) We had a very fun time. Poppy was teaching Noah how to hide from mommy. Noah's socks are a little too big... They fit him like boots, but they match his shirt.

And, the missing panties were not found. Some dishonest person picked them up. I got a really great deal though, one pair for the price of two.

The Missing Panties

They say having a baby changes everything... They're not kidding. I can't keep track of things now. Several weeks ago, I took Noah to the grocery store with me. Before I ever got out of the produce section, I lost my grocery list. Of course I didn't make it home with everything I needed. Today, I bought some panties at Dillard's. I did not make it home with them. I left that in the bottom of the stroller and I suspect when I folded it up and put it in the car, they fell out and I didn't notice. I called Dillard's and they hadn't been turned in yet. So, I packed Noah up in the car and drove back to the mall the see if they were still there. Nothing... Hopefully, someone will turn them in.

Noah's cold is much better. He's still a little stuffy and has a touch of a cough left. It doesn't seem to bother him. He has been waking up about half an hour to an hour earlier in the morning. I'm hoping he'll get back to his normal routine. (I like my sleep!)

He's doing great though. He holds his head up so good now. (He won't look at the camera, but he can hold his head up.) His head movements are very smooth yet. Still sleeping all night. We're having so much fun with him!

Noah had his first power outage this week. I don't think he know it was out. He slept through it. I of course laid awake for the hour and a half it was off worrying about when it was going to come back on. (What's wrong with me?)

Sniff, sniff...

Noah has his first cold. It's very sad... It started out as a little cough. The cough has gotten worse and he's a little congested. He doesn't act like he feels bad. He's acting no different than usual... Hopefully, he'll be better after a good night's sleep.

On a more positive note, in our last entry, we forgot to mention Noah's first trip to the dentist. (Sort of... MiMi is a Dental Hygienist and we were visiting her at work.) Noah loves to go to the dentist and see his MiMi.

Surprise!

Greg was out of town on a business trip for several days, so Noah and I decided we'd just pack up and go to Columbia to visit MiMi and Poppy. Poppy thought we were coming on Monday and MiMi didn't know we were coming at all. We got there on Sunday evening and surprised them both. (Noah made the sign all by himself.) Noah was so good in the car. He slept the whole way there and home too!



On Tuesday, we went swimming with Auntie Ashley and Aiden. We couldn't find the right size swim diaper, so we just got what we could find. They were a tad too big, but they didn't fall off! His trunks were a little too big too. (I wanted him to be able to wear them all summer.) But, he looked very cute! This was Noah's first time at the pool. He wasn't too sure what to think about it. But, he didn't cry. The pool was heated, but the water was a bit brisk. I think he would have enjoyed it much more if it had been warmer. MiMi even took the day off work on Tuesday so she could go swimming too. Aiden (7 months) loves to swim.

Tuesday afternoon Grandma (Greg's mom), Aunt Suzie and cousins Jake and Rosie came to Columbia to visit Noah. Rosie (9) got to give Noah his bottle. He sucked it right down. She did a really good job.

We had so much fun at MiMi and Poppy's but we were glad to get home and see daddy!

What a Great Day!

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day. It was such a great day!! MiMi and Poppy (my parents) were here. Noah sent me the cutest e-card which I viewed on the new laptop he got me. He's very thoughtful.

That wasn't the best part of the day though... We dedicated Noah at church. We are so blessed to have such a great church family!! Noah was so good during the dedication. He just snuggled daddy. (He even wore my baby shoes.) After church we had friends and family over to celebrate. Greg and Poppy did all the cooking. And Greg cleaned up everything by himself. (He even washed the china we used.)

I've been a little tardy on my blogging lately... Noah hates tummy time. He'd much rather be on his back. So, last Saturday, I put him down on his back and he would have none of it! He just rolled himself right over to his back. I thought it was just an accident. When I flipped him back over onto his tummy, he turned right back over to his back. Over a two day period, he did it six or seven times. Now, he won't do it...

Noah has been sleeping all night for two and a half weeks now. I'm so proud of him! Sometimes he still gets up a 5:30... I keep telling him that's too early for little boys to be up, but he insists he's hungry and can't wait... They say never wake a sleeping baby, but I strongly disagree!! I wake him up during the day when it's time to eat. I really think that makes him sleep better at night. He's such a happy baby!

He's been escaping from his swaddle blanket (which we've nicknamed his burrito) a little more frequently... The one he escapes from just barely goes around him now. He doesn't seem to escape from the bigger ones. He just sleeps so good in them, I can't bring myself to put him down without one.

Easy Rider

Noah got his first motorcycle this weekend. Some of our good friends have passed it along to him. He can't wait until his legs are long enough to reach the gas...

We dragged him all over town this weekend. Yesterday I put him in the car to go to the post office and he was frowning at me. He just wanted to stay home.

On top of all the dragging around, we had his pictures taken on Saturday. He was so good for about half an hour and then he'd had enough. Hopefully we have some good pictures. I would have like to have more shots, but what can you do?

He's doing such a good job of sleeping through the night. Since "the big sleep," he's had one night where he didn't quite make it all night. We're so proud!

We just dropped off the lawnmower for service. It's not quite nap time. But, the 2 minute car ride put him to sleep. Usually, when we get home, he wakes up (you know when you want him to stay asleep). So, I thought he would wake up. He's sawing logs in his car seat. I really wanted him to be awake a little longer... Oh well! Sometimes the schedule varies.

He's working on rolling over already. (I'm not quite ready for a mobile baby...) He'll get up on his side and rock back and forth. He wiggles himself around quite a bit when we lay him down. AND, he totally escaped from his wrap today. I went to get him from his nap and he had both arms out and the Velcro was undone.

He's just getting so big so fast!

The Big Sleep

Noah slept all night last night!! We had to wake him up at 6:00 so we'd be on track with our schedule today. He's such a good boy!

The 2 Month Check Up

We had our two month check up today...with shots. Noah did NOT like those, if you can imagine. He was really good, though. He held mommy's finger the whole time. He's getting so big! He's 12 pounds 10 1/2 ounces and 23 7/8 inches. Long and lean (sort of, he's getting some meat on him). He's doing everything he's supposed to be doing at this age: smiling, making noises, holding his head up for short periods of time, tracking, batting at his toys...

Ever since he's been home from the hospital, we've been wrapping him in these swaddle blankets when he has a nap and at night. (He sleeps so good in them.) We wrap him pretty tight with his arms down at his sides. He's starting to escape from them. At first, he would just get a hand, sometimes both across his chest and ocassionally out the top. Now, he's getting his whole arm out. I'm really not sure how he does it. Generally speaking, he's such a wiggle worm. He never stops moving... Which means he doesn't always stay where you put him.

He tolerates his baths, but loves to have his hair washed... It's so curly when it's wet. (I think he gets it from daddy.) When he's getting his bath, he clenches his fists and holds his arms down.

He's working so hard on sleeping through the night. About a week ago, he made it through the night. He did get up at 5:30, which is too early for anyone to be up... But, how can you be upset at someone so cute? He's consistently going 6 1/2 to 7 hours between feedings at night. Such a big boy! I adjusted his daytime schedule from 4 hours to 3 hours, which is helping to sleep longer at night. It won't be long...or so we hope!

The First Two Months

They tell you in the birthing class the signs of labor. My contractions were uncomfortable, but nothing like they were describing (yet anyway, we eventually got there.)

We arrived at the hospital around 3:30 am on Monday, February 18. I was pretty sure they wouldn't send us home as I was already past my due date and had developed high blood pressure in the last week. But, nonetheless, we didn't call anyone until we were sure.

After 9 months (and a few extra days) of waiting, Noah arrived. I was beginning to wonder if he would ever arrive. (Once I reached 37 weeks, I thought he would come at any time. Three and half weeks later, he finally did.) He made his debut at 4:24 pm on February 18.

I was thinking we'd have a 6 pound baby. Oh, no! He was 7 pounds, 14 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long. Although, had be been 6 pounds, his head wouldn't have been much smaller. Let's face it, that's what matters...

Everything went great at the hospital. The labor and delivery was much better than what I had imagined. I slept good the two nights we were there. Noah was latching on and eating good. I was ready to be at home. Then the reality hits... The first few days at home were full of poopy diapers, breast pumps, baby tanning beds and little sleep. (He really is a good baby, but there's only so much you can get done between feedings.) Unfortunately, he had a little jaundice and had to lay on the "tanning" bed for 2 days. He only cried when he was hungry. What a good boy!

Eventually we got ourselves on a schedule. Noah is such a good baby. At first we would feed him every 2 1/2 or 3 hours (even in the night). Now he eats on average every 4 hours and goes up to 7 at night. We're well on our way to a full nights sleep and he's just two months old.

He has such a cute smile. He started smiling at me when I go to get him up from his naps...even if he was crying for me to come get him.

At his one month check up, he weighed 10 pounds, 10 ounces and was 22 1/2 inches long. He likes to eat. He's in the 90th percentile for height and 75th for weight. Can't wait to see the report at his two month check up.

He had his first earthquake last night (mommy's too). I had just put him back down in the playyard at the end of our bed and turned on the vibrator. The bed started shaking and I thought the playyard had slowly vibrated over and was hitting the bed. So, I got up to reposition it. The playyard was nowhere near the end of the bed. I had also noticed the windows were rattling. So, my next thought was it was a bad storm and I'd better take Noah to the basement. A bad storm outside wouldn't make the candles on the dresser shake like that... I finally realized it was an earthquake!! Unfortunately, Greg was gone. Noah and I were a little frightened, but we toughed it out.