A Birthday at the Bounce House

I debated whether or not to have a "real party" for Noah.  I already had a playdate with our Mom's group on the calendar, but I finally decided that Noah's love for the "bounce house" warranted a need for him to celebrate his special day there.

Friends from school, friends from playgroup, new neighbors, old neighbors, and Noah's Nanny Aunt Mo and boy cousins all made up the crew celebrating Noah's third birthday. 

Did I mention we had the party at the local bounce house?  Noah loves the bounce house.  About twice a month, Noah and I usually make it over for open play.  Normally, we walk in, and I barely have a chance to pay the man before Noah is running into the bounce area.  Today, we got there a bit earlier than the party start time, and the doors to the bounce area were closed.  Noah was not very happy about being shut out from the bouncing fun.

Once the party started, it was a lot of this...

And this...

And this...

I am pretty sure he had a blast, and I know he loved being surrounded by a ton of familiar faces.  I am so grateful for everyone who was able to make it.  It made my little guy's party pretty special.  

About an hour and fifteen into the bouncing fun, Noah was ready to move on to something else.  Luckily, it wasn't long until we headed into the party room for "Happy Birthday" and cake.  I am not sure if this was the highlight of the party for Noah, but it was for Momma and Daddy.

The candles were lit, and everyone started singing "Happy Birthday."  Noah loves "Happy Birthday," and was super excited to hear everyone singing.  But, when he heard everyone sing in unison, "dear Noah," his face just lit up.  It was really, really awesome.  

I am so happy that Daddy and I were able to give you such a fun birthday party today.  We love you so much!

Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumpty had a great...

Faaaallll!

So much fun playing with Zack!

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Early in the Month of May

What a busy month May has turned out to be. Despite his age, Noah is not immune to end of the school year madness. Dean and I have been struggling over decisions on Noah's continuing therapy and schooling for the fall. At the young age of three, he is now thrown into the school district where speaking in acronyms becomes the norm. ARD. PPCD. ECAP. ABA. DIR. It's difficult to navigate and determine what is best for our little man. And, then you throw the option of private school into the mix. O-M-G! He's only three, but my instincts tell me, the time is now. A mothers instinct. Yep, Momma instinct is playing a big part in this decision, as well it should. Because, I know him best, right?

Anyway, aside from all this decision making laying heavy on our minds, we have managed to squeeze some fun into Noah's last month of two.

We helped our good friend Aidan celebrate his 3rd birthday.

The party was at Chuck E. Cheese. Daddy was so happy to play with Noah in this children's video game mecca.

Noah loved singing Happy Birthday and watching Aidan blow out his candles.

Noah and I also hosted a Cinco de Mayo playdate at our house.  It consisted of lots of backyard fun and of course, a pinata.

I think Momma was a little too optimistic in loading up the pinata with candy.  None of the kiddos came close to putting a dent in that thing.  Probably could have saved money on junk candy, and just passed out fruit snacks. 

We've also been spending a lot of time with our new friend Henry.  What's not to love about Henry with his bright red hair or as Noah refers to it, pink.

We spent Mother's Day with Henry and family, and the boys had a blast playing together in the backyard pool.

I forgot to mention Henry's super cute little sis, Molly.  Noah really likes Molly and is always trying to pull her over to play with him.

Noah also had his spring program at school this month.  Mrs. A was on hand to make sure Noah stayed with the group.  Noah didn't seem to mind hanging out with Mrs. A during song time.

What a big boy helping his friends with the parachute.

No... Not Doctor

Usually in the mornings, when I go to get Noah out of bed, I will tell him what we have planned for that day.  I'll say something like, "we have school today."

Noah will respond with something like, "noooo... not swim today."

You see swim and school are on opposite days, and being the smart little guy that he is, Noah knows that when he has school, he does not have swim. 

So, this morning, when I went in to get him out of bed, before I even finished my good morning, he looked at me and said, "nooo... not doctor today."

You see yesterday we went to the doctor.  But, only after we had swim, OT, lunch with friends, speech, a car nap, and a therapy evaluation.  Yes, we had an extremely busy day, and it wasn't until he woke up from his car nap and started acting so lethargic and not-Noah like at the therapy eval did I even realize that he didn't feel well.  Way to go Momma.  We headed straight from the eval (which did not go well) to the doctor for a 4:30 PM appointment.  Noah was the lucky winner of a positive strep test.  Sigh.  I should have known since I did get a report from school on Tuesday that he was exposed to strep.  The doctor asked if I would like her to prescribe a 10-day dose of oral antibiotics or would I like for Noah to have a shot.  Ummm... does anyone really choose the former?  So, Noah got a shot yesterday at the doctor.  And, he was not too happy about it, however, it did make him start to feel (act) better almost immediately.  Ahhhh... the wonders of modern medicine. 

So, today we've had nothing on our agenda...except, not going back to the doctor.  May has been a really busy month, and despite the reason, Noah and I have enjoyed staying in our pajamas all morning, actually making it upstairs to play with toys, and leisurely shopping at Target.  Too bad it takes a bacterial infection to make us slow down. 

Happy Birthday Morgan

Today I am wishing my super cute niece Morgan a very happy birthday.

She turns five today.  F-I-V-E.  Translation: Kindergarten.  AKA: Big Girl.

Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that she was just a sweet baby girl, and now...

Well, can you say personality?

Happy Birthday Morgan.  We love you, miss you, and hope you had a GREAT day!

Five (OK Six) Things Friday 05.14.10 - I ♥ Etsy

I am pretty sure that I've mentioned a gazillion times that I love Etsy.  And, since Christmas is long gone, I figure I can share a few of my favorite shops.  Be warned though, once you start surfing Etsy it seriously could take up your entire day.  There is so much creative yumminess on this website. 

Lettergirl : Love these stamps.  Ordered these for a couple friends for Christmas, and they are so very cute!

Olliegraphic : Stationary customized to look like your little munchkins.  Precious!

KAH Couture : Nothing cuter than a customized baby wipe case.  This is my go-to baby gift.  I recieved one at my baby shower for Noah (thanks Michelle O.), and I still love it and use it.

Gorno Couture / Sweet Leaf Prints / Mak May Designs : Etsy is a treasure trove of super cute, one-of-a kind children's clothes, especially t-shirts  I have ordered many a t-shirt for Noah from the site.  These ladies are a couple of my favorites. 

Miss Ruby Sue : I love floral headbands, and I think they should never go out of style.  I love the look of these.  They are so pretty and so well made.  It made such a great bridesmaid's gift. 

Annie's Pinking Shear : Although it never got put to use and only got brought to school on day one, this nap blanket is comfy, cozy and oh so adorable.  And, the lady who makes them is super-sweet. 

A Conversation with Noah

This afternoon we were playing outside in the backyard. And, I am ecstatic to report that Noah and I had our first little conversation.


Me: "Oh no. Your slide has water on it."
Noah: "It's wet."
Me: "It is wet. What do we need to do?"
Noah: "Get a napkin."
Me: (I run inside for a napkin and hand it over.) "Here you go Noah.
Noah: "Clean up."
Me: "Let's clean up."

I am so proud of my little man. What a great moment for us! I have a strong feeling that this is just the beginning.

Motherhood is Not For Sissies

It's been one of those weeks where I alternate between thinking, "man, being a mother is really hard," and "seriously, who put me in charge."  But, then I stop and remind myself that I have this awesome little kiddo, who has enriched my life in so many ways, and my life, well, I just can't even begin to imagine it without him.  My dad reminded me today that there is a reason that God choose me to be Noah's Momma, and He has a bigger plan for us.  We just have to trust in the Lord.  You know what though, I think He has a really big plan for Noah, and I.m the one that can help him reach it... I just hope that I can hold up my end of the bargain. 

Five Things Friday 05.07.10 - What He Says

Noah knows a lot of stuff.  His speech therapist said it plainly this week.  Noah has a lot of nouns in his head.  He knows what they are, what they look like, how they relate, what verbs go with them, but he just can't quite put it all together.  Having said that his functional language is improving.  He is now clearly and consistently communicating his wants, and most of the time, a tantrum is not part of this communication.  Yay!  Most of his communication usually centers around food, drink, play preference, and what he wants me to do.  Still Noah mainly communicates through language he has already heard either from me, music, television, etc.  Having said that, he does use most of this rote speech in the proper context and in a functional way.  So, I am hoping as he begins to rely more heavily on expressing himself with words that some original language does start to emerge.  Although Noah is pretty predictable in his speech patterns, it is so great to hear his little voice, and some of our little interactions really make me happy. 

1. Responding to the question, "what color are Momma's eyes?"

Noah: "Nooo.  Not pink."

Me: "Nooo.  Not pink."

Noah: "Nooo.  Not purple."

Me: "Nooo.  Not purple."

Noah: "Brown."

Me: "Right.  Momma's eyes are brown."

2. Said this morning while trying to pull back the covers and drag me out of bed: ♪♪ What's gonna work?  Teamwork.  What's gonna work?  Teamwork. ♪♪ Good functional use of the Wonder Pets theme song, but I stand my ground... that show is terrible.

3. Sometimes Noah gets in and out confused.  And, it's so cute.  Said sometimes in the mornings when I come into his room to get him out of bed, "want come in." 

Me: You want Momma to come in?"

Noah: "Nooo.  Want out."

4. Noah is not a bad eater, but he doesn't really like to try new things.  I usually have to sneak them in between bites of applesauce.  So, the other night while I was feeding him dinner, after two bites of applesauce, I snuck in a bite of chicken stew.  He ate it and then looked at me like I was crazy, and said, "want applesauce!"

5.  Noah's swingset has a 75lb weight limit, so no grownups are allowed on the swings.  Noah is getting better at swinging, but at first, he was always wanting Dean or I to get on with him.  I would tell Noah, "Momma can't swing.  She's too big."  Noah has taken the phrase, "No.  Too big," to mean, "No.  I don't want to do that."  So, when I ask him if he wants to take a shower, he'll say, "Nooo.  Too big."  Or if I ask him if he wants to go to Target, he'll say, "Nooo.  Too big."  Cute!

Morgan Comes to Town

Noah had the best time playing with his sweet cousin Morgan last weekend.  The weather was beautiful, and we got to spend a lot of time outdoors.  She came over from Louisiana, but I am not too sure that she really knew she was in Texas, since she kept informing her dad that she was "going to Miami to see Noah and Sarah Sue Sue."

I forget how much of a monkey my brother's girls can be.  Noah sure learned to be a bit braver on his swing set from watching Morgan.  And, I am going to credit her with finally getting Noah to like to swing like a big boy.  Way to be a good influence, Morgan.

There is nothing better than heading outside to play early in the morning.  Ground still wet with dew.  Kiddos still in pajamas.  Noah and Morgan were in for the same.  Noah got up super early, and I figured Morgan would be a little sleepy.  When she heard us moving around, she popped up and was ready to play.  Can you say "crazy morning hair?" 

All weekend, Noah wanted to be where Morgan was.  There was even a moment where Noah was following Morgan around, and she was moving to a new activity a little too quickly for Noah.  He ran over to her, grabbed her hand and pulled her back.  As any 5 year old would, Morgan did not like being bossed around by Noah, so Noah totally melted down because Morgan wouldn't listen to him.  Never thought I'd be happy about a meltdown, but I was pretty happy that Noah decided to lay one on someone besides his Momma.

Morgan was pretty happy to hang out with Noah too.  She even suffered through a couple of episodes of the Wonder Pets.

And, I have to say one last thing about my little niece... this girl can eat.  In the first 24 hours at my house, she ate a piece of pizza,  a bowl of gumbo, two bowls of potato salad, McDonald's eggs, pancakes and hash browns.  Wondering if some of her good eating habits will rub off on Noah. Can't wait until you visit again, sweet girl.  We had a blast playing with you.