I Love to Read

Noah has a new stack of favorite books. Some at the top of the list are Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?, I Love You Through and Through, Where Is Baby's Belly Button. He is also into reading books on his own. And early this morning, he found an old favorite. Yes, I said early.

Isn't he a happy baby for 6:24 AM?

Look. It's Baby Elmo.

Baby Elmo is so hilarious.

Wait for it.

The BIG finish!

Big Yawn

That's what happens when you are born at 7:18 in the morning. Congratulations to our friends Tommy and Jessica on the birth of Baby Amanda Magarita. She was born yesterday weighing 8 lbs and measuring 20 inches. Welcome to the world sweet baby girl. Noah can't wait to meet his new girlfriend!

Pucker Up

If there weren't pictures to prove it, I'd never believe it! Way to go Pa Pa!

And Then There Were None

13 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.

This morning I woke up and decided we were done. Noah has been down to one nursing a day for about a week. I think it was more of a first thing in the morning habit, so today, I just gave him a bottle of milk. I actually think he had a better morning. I am pretty sure my milk supply was non-existent for the last few days, so the full bottle of milk must have been quite welcome.

I am pretty proud of myself for nursing Noah for as long as I did. It definitely wasn't always easy. I didn't pump a lot, so when he was eating 8-10 times a day, it was all me. Up in the middle of the night multiple times, all me.

In the beginning, he didn't take to nursing very well. Of course, going into the hospital, I had read several books on the subject, and I felt like I knew what to expect. I had no idea. You think it is going to be such a natural thing, and well, it is hard, at least it was for me. The one thing that the books kept repeating was getting the baby to latch on as soon as he is born. Well, Noah wanted no part of that. He did have a pretty rough delivery, so I can definitely understand.

During my stay in the hospital, the nurses and lactation consultants all hovered around saying things like, "don't worry he doesn't need to eat yet, when he is hungry he will" or "don't give him formula in a bottle it will just confuse him, feed him through a syringe" So, I tried not to worry, I tried to listen to all the conflicting advice, and I kept trying to get him to latch. My breasts were pulled and prodded. Someone mentioned something about a nipple shield, so Dean ran to the "Milk Bank" (clever name for the breastfeeding store, right?) to buy one.

Poor little guy, he barely had a sip of milk the entire time we were in the hospital. Born at 7 pounds, 15 ounces, by the time we were checking out, he weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces. As we were leaving, the pediatrician said, "I know you want to nurse, but he has to eat something." So, we gave him formula in a bottle, and he sucked it down. Sucking reflex. Good. The first four weeks were a battle. Me using the shield. Noah fighting to gain some weight.

I got great advice from my cousin Rebecca. "If you can make it six weeks," she said, "it gets so much easier." And, you know what, it did. And, it just got easier. My goal of six weeks turned into three months, three months into six, six into a year. So, here we are. 13 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.

Weaning was such a gradual process that it was pretty easy for both Noah and I. I think I was the one hanging on to those last two. Noah has really taken to whole milk. Honestly, I am not too sure if it is the milk that he loves or the bottle I put it in. While most mom's are weaning their one year olds off the bottle, we just started the habit. I know I should probably have just weaned to a cup, but he does take both bottles and sippy cups. Bottles are strictly for naps and bedtime. So, I won't worry too much about it.

I really loved nursing my little guy, and I am a sort of sad to be done. It is a clear sign that the baby stage is over, and I have a toddler on my hands. I am looking forward to the next stage though... Noah needing Momma in different ways.

Joie de Vivre

Today Noah had a Gymboree class. What a fun time he had today! The class had fewer children than usual, only about 3, and I found that Noah enjoyed it more than ever. Usually, he does his own thing and wanders around the room. But, today, he really interacted with the class and stayed on task with the instructors. I was so proud.

Today's activites were all about riding. Here Noah is playing cowboy.

It's bubble time! Noah's favorite part of class.

These are Noah's Gymboree instructors. I wonder why they are laughing?

That explains it. How can you not laugh at this?

Sweet, happy, little Noah. Do you ever enjoy life! Seeing things for the first time, and taking so much joy in them. How great is it to be a child. Just putting it all out there for everyone to see. I can't help but laugh along with you. So much joy and laughter in our days together.

Not on the Post-It

Daddy was off all this weekend, and with the 15-hour days he has been working lately, I think everyone was in need of a major break. Saturday, we headed to the beach, so Daddy could see how much Noah loves it. Here are a couple of videos of Noah playing in the surf.

Today, I got some Momma time. I had a pedicure and a long needed haircut. Not sure exactly how many inches they cut off, but I was able to donate it to Locks of Love. So, it is definitely a change. I left Noah home with Daddy.

Recently, Noah has decided that afternoon naps are not for him. Morning naps, he goes down with no problem. Afternoon naps are a constant battle. Two times this past week, I ended up giving up the fight and loading us up in the car for an outing. Both times, before we are even out of the parking garage, he was out. So, I know he is tired, but he is just not giving up. Well, this weekend, with Daddy around to play with, afternoon naps were even more non-existent.

Back to today, I left for my haircut around 3:30 PM. Noah was left in Daddy's capable hands. I even left instructions on what to feed him for dinner. Since we have made the move to table food, Noah's dinner has become a little more complicated than opening a jar. About 5:15 PM, I get a call from Daddy.

Daddy: "Hi! I need your opinion on a situation."

Me: "Ok."

Daddy: "Noah fell asleep in his high chair."

Me: "What?"

Daddy: "He had one bite of chicken, and then I gave him a bite of avocado. He closed his eyes and made a face, and then he was asleep."

Me: (laughing)

Daddy: "So, what should I do now, because that wasn't on the post-it.

Me: (really laughing)

So, Noah is in bed, and he has been there since 5:15 PM. That is early, even for him. He is still wearing his church clothes. He hasn't eaten dinner. He hasn't had a bath. And, who knows what time he will wake up. I guess I should get to bed. It looks like it will be an early morning.

Water, Sand, and Sun

Today, my new Miami mom's group hosted a playdate at a local park. In true Miami style, this park had a beach on a clear water lake which has been called "the ideal inland swimming spot." At least that's what it says on the website. To say that Noah loved our outing today would be the understatement of the century.

The excitement. The joy.

He couldn't get to the water fast enough!

Seriously, no fear! You would think he knew how to swim. He just walked right in.

More often than not, he would take a nose dive. Lake water was definitely swallowed on this outing. Not to mention, the two handfuls of sand that I wasn't quick enough to catch.

See his little fist held out in front. It is shaking furiously in excitement. He was having so much fun, he just couldn't hold it in. And, of course, there was shouting to accompany the fist shaking. Lots of shouting.

We had a fun day today. Lots of sand. Everywhere. My prep for this trip was a vast improvement over our last beach outing, but there is plenty of room for improvement. Going to the beach with a baby is totally different than going to the beach solo. I am definitely going to have to get better at packing a beach bag.

Splish Splash

Our new apartment has a pretty big terrace. I have been wanting to buy something to put outside for Noah to play on, but I was reluctant to spend a bunch of money. While browsing Toys R Us this weekend with a $20.00 gift card in hand, I found this water table on clearance. What a great buy! Here are some pictures of Noah trying it out for the first time.

Splish Splash

Noah tried to climb in for a swim.

Hmmm... I wonder what this thing does.

Look Momma... it's spinning!

I think the water table is a winner!

To My Husband

Today we celebrate our sixth year of married life, and it makes me happy.

I don't think it would be possible to find someone to love and cherish me as much as you do. You are my constant cheerleader and biggest fan. You get me like nobody else. I love being married to you so much. You are everything I dreamed of in a husband and a father that I never could articulate. Kind. Hardworking. Affectionate. Funny. Generous. Intelligent. Handsome. Loyal. Humble. Considerate. Playful. Sensitive.

I have been so proud to stand as your wife and to witness all your accomplishments these past six years. I love that you are right now living your dream. Well, maybe not right this second, since I am sure you would rather be home than on call at the hospital, but nonetheless... living the dream! I asked you last night if you were proud of how well I am handling single parenthood. You smiled and said you were "so proud," but that it was only week two. Hmmm... is that a challenge?

Happy Anniversary Dean! I love you very much! And, I can't wait to see where we are on our next anniversary!

No Nap Afternoon

Noah refused to take an afternoon nap today. So, after several unsuccessful attempts, I left him in his room to play solo. I mean, seriously, I had my own plans for nap time. So, I poked my head in to see what he was up too, and this is how I found him. He was looking at some books. Awh. Could he possibly melt my heart any more?

Then he saw me, and he did this.

Boys. Sigh. Always showing off for the ladies.

The Rainmaker

Noah's favorite part of the children's museum was the outside park. Named Everglades Park, the park had a rain wheel that Noah decided to focus all his attention. It was a big round wheel that spun in a circle and made the sound of rain. Noah scouted it out from across the park, and he actually scooted an older boy off of it, so he could have it all to himself.

The big rain wheel.

Momma, I'm making rain. This is serious work.

Hee! Hee! This is awesome!

Momma, I think it's working! I feel a drizzle!

I did it! I did it! I made it rain!

Children's Museum

This weekend Daddy, Noah, and I decided to visit the Miami Children's Museum. I was hoping for something similar to Houston's Tot Spot, but the area for tots younger than 2 was pretty limited. Otherwise, the museum was really nice, and we enjoyed the outing. Plus, our visit was free thanks to a Bank of America promotion. Very cool!

At the Safety Zone exhibit, Daddy and Noah took a spin on the stationary police motorcycle.

At the Carnival Cruise exhibit, Daddy and Noah dressed up in costumes and took a turn at the limbo. Daddy thought Noah looked like a viking in his fur, but I think it was meant to be a fancy ladies coat.

At the Music Studio, Daddy listens to the music while Noah plays DJ by pushing the big buttons to change the playlist.

Our New Home

Here are some long awaited pictures of our new place. We are settling in nicely. Special thanks to Grammy who flew in ready to organize, shop, and decorate. Thanks Mom for helping us make this place look so great!

Here is a shot of our living area. I am really loving all the shell decor that Grammy found at Marshalls. Don't you worry we found all the discount shops within a 10 mile radius... Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Home Goods. Ahhh... discount heaven!

Our kitchen area. I am also loving the picture on the wall. It's an Uncle PNut original. It is perfect in our new apartment. So bright and funky. It makes me feel really cool and trendy!

Here is the piece we found at Home Goods for our bedroom. This piece has made me happy since it was loaded in my car... already assembled. Thanks Daddy for trying to surprise me by putting together the original pressboard chest of drawers from Target. Too bad Target sold a product missing all the important parts except the wood. Thank goodness we found this piece to replace it!

Grammy on the phone, and Noah begging for snacks. Grammy always has a snack for Noah, and does Noah like snacks!

Ouch!

No babies were harmed in the filming of this video! It sounds a lot worse than it was. Unfortunately for Noah, our new apartment has marble floors. Not really conducive to the slips and spills of a new walker. Fingers crossed... so far, no injuries.