Photoshoot

Today, you and I went to get some 6 month pictures taken of you. You're more like 6 1/2 months... but Nana and Papa needed an 8 x 10 picture of you to hang next to the pictures of your cousins on their wall. And, how could I pass up getting pictures of you taken? The more the better!

I had to cancel the appointment that I had made yesterday becasue both of us overslept and you were having a hard time going down for your first nap. So I crossed my fingers and we went and sat in the studio hoping that they could take us for a walk-in appointment. You were really good the first few minutes that we were there- you just sat and looked at everything. Then you started to get squirmy-you saw all the other kids playing and wanted to get down and roll around on the floor- but I wasn't about to let you down on that nasty floor.

Right when I thought you had reached your limit of being tired and cranky they said it was our turn. I whispered to you that all we need is ONE good smile for Nana and Papa. The girl taking the pictures asked if you are sitting up yet and I giggled and said, "Well... he knows how to..." I was sure that the second we set you down to try and get a picture you would try to grab your toes, fling yourself backward, or try to roll away. But- of course-you were a perfect little angel. I'm not sure why I doubt you sometimes... you're SUCH a good baby. I sat you on your bottom and you gave the camera some really big smiles! It was hard picking out a good picture, so I ended up picking out two.

Thanks for being such a trooper buds. I know that photo studio's aren't fun places to be with bright lights, strangers, and crying babies... but you did awesome. I'm so proud to be your Mommy.

Future Baseball Player?

This morning, while we were getting ready for our walk, you were playing with your baseball bat (the one that Daddy brought back from the Louisville Slugger Museum). I wasn't crazy about the thought of having a baseball bat sticking outside of the stroller (what would the neighbors think?)... but when I picked you up to put you in, you were still holding the bat. I wasn't going to fight with you- you rarely make a fuss over anything.

So... we went on a walk and you were holding onto the bat the whole entire time. It stuck out of the side of the stroller... and I felt like we should be in a cartoon or something.

Your cousin Bryant has to take his toy hammer everywhere. Will you need to start taking this bat everywhere? Either way... you're the cutest Noah I know, and it made Daddy's day to know that you wanted to take your bat with you. He can't wait to teach you baseball one day (me too)!

Rainy days...

April is our rainiest month, and it rained all day yesterday and it's going to rain all day today. I love these cozy days inside with you where we have the whole house to ourselves and we stand at the windows and watch the rain and look at all the beautiful green trees that have gotten their leaves back.

But- I can't wait until you get a little bit older. We will have even more fun on rainy days than we are now becasue you will be able to do so much more!

We can build forts and read books inside them, we can watch fun movies with a big cozy blanket, we can make cookies, color in coloring books, we can put on our boots and go dance in the rain, we can even go looking for turtles taking baths in our backyard!

I just love life with you buds... and I know it's just going to keep getting better the older that you get!

Rolling, rolling... rolling.

I'm not sure if you're going to crawl. I think you may just go strait from rolling to walking (like your cousin Jack did). I think you also might not care to learn to sit up for a while. You're so busy exploring everything around you that you won't sit still, and you refuse to be in the same position for too long. I've tried sitting on the floor with you while holding you in the sitting up position- but the whole time I'm holding you you're are attempting to fling your whole body either forward or backward. You want to be rolling or reaching for whatever has your attention at the moment. And you do not want to be contained.

I don't know where you get that from... both your dad and I were very shy and cautious when we were young. But you know what...? I like that you are your own little person. You amaze me every day with your independence and determination. You're still so little still- but SO fast! All I know is that when you do start to walk, I will probably be sleeping in my tennis shoes becasue you'll be so fast I won't ever have time to take them off!

Know that your dad and I can't wait to chase you around the backyard, kitchen, and teach you to run the bases on a baseball field. You're so much fun. I love every day with you and when I go to bed at night I can't wait to get up and do it all again.

Uncle Blake's R&R Visit

Here are some pictures from having family out while Uncle Blake was back from Iraq.

You and Papa. He makes you laugh harder than anyone...
I guess that's what Papa's are for!

Rolling away from me while I was trying to get your swim trunks on...
your so fast!

Having fun bring in the backyard with all the cousins.

The 3 amigos in the pool... you guys are way too cute!

Watching your cousins in the pool... you wanted to play so badly.

You tried stepping in the water, but it was too cold for you... you actually gave me a sad face (and you never do that).

These swim trunks were WAY too big on you... we bought them for Disney World in a few months... I can't wait to see pictures of you in them when they actually fit!

You're so good to your mom. You wore these and didn't put up a fight at all. So handsome!

At the Zoo having a picnic lunch with everyone. What a fun day!

The 3 Amigos again... I have a feeling we are in for trouble in a few years!

Uncle Blake's R&R Visit

Here are some pictures from having family out while Uncle Blake was back from Iraq.

You and Papa. He makes you laugh harder than anyone...
I guess that's what Papa's are for!

Rolling away from me while I was trying to get your swim trunks on...
your so fast!

Having fun bring in the backyard with all the cousins.

The 3 amigos in the pool... you guys are way too cute!

Watching your cousins in the pool... you wanted to play so badly.

You tried stepping in the water, but it was too cold for you... you actually gave me a sad face (and you never do that).

These swim trunks were WAY too big on you... we bought them for Disney World in a few months... I can't wait to see pictures of you in them when they actually fit!

You're so good to your mom. You wore these and didn't put up a fight at all. So handsome!

At the Zoo having a picnic lunch with everyone. What a fun day!

The 3 Amigos again... I have a feeling we are in for trouble in a few years!

Our prayer for you

Build me a son, O Lord,
who will be strong enough to know when he is weak,
and brave enough to face him self when he is afraid;
one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat,
and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be
where his backbone should be;
a son who will know Thee- and that
to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort,
but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.
Here, let him learn to stand up in the storm;
here, let him team compassion for those who fall.

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goals will be high;
a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men;
one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep;
one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his,
add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor,
so that he may always be serious,
yet never take himself too seriously.

Give him humility, so that he may always remember
the simplicity of true greatness,
the open mind of true wisdom,
the meekness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper,
"I have not lived in vain."

By: General Douglas A. MacArthur

Trip to the Zoo

We all went to the Zoo today. Nana, Papa, Aunt Anna, Uncle John, Aubrey, Bryant, Uncle Blake, Aunt Stephanie, Jack, Daddy, you, and me... Whew! It was a lot of fun, and you were such a good sport. You are used to only taking naps in dark and quiet places, but today you had to take one in a sunny, noisy and bumpy place. You were exhausted and so sleepy right when we got there... but were such a good sport about napping in your stroller. I was so proud to be your mommy. I love that you're not that screaming baby who is inconsolable. You definitely have your opinions on things... but you are also amazingly cooperative and adaptable.

After you woke up Daddy carried you around for a while on his shoulders (I was holding my breath) and you thought it was awesome. I can't wait to take you to the Zoo when you're older to watch and talk about the animals. I see us having many picnics there in our future buds... but don't grow up too fast! I'm having way too much fun with you right now!

Hello Zoo! So much to look at!

Watching the Giraffe's... kind of. I think you were more distracted by your Papa.

Watching your cousin Aubrey on the Carousel. She was waving at you like a princess in a parade!

My favorite picture of the day! I love how much you love your Daddy!

An attempt to hop in the picture while you were still smiling... you're so cute.
I think you were still smiling at Aubrey.

Trip to the Zoo

We all went to the Zoo today. Nana, Papa, Aunt Anna, Uncle John, Aubrey, Bryant, Uncle Blake, Aunt Stephanie, Jack, Daddy, you, and me... Whew! It was a lot of fun, and you were such a good sport. You are used to only taking naps in dark and quiet places, but today you had to take one in a sunny, noisy and bumpy place. You were exhausted and so sleepy right when we got there... but were such a good sport about napping in your stroller. I was so proud to be your mommy. I love that you're not that screaming baby who is inconsolable. You definitely have your opinions on things... but you are also amazingly cooperative and adaptable.

After you woke up Daddy carried you around for a while on his shoulders (I was holding my breath) and you thought it was awesome. I can't wait to take you to the Zoo when you're older to watch and talk about the animals. I see us having many picnics there in our future buds... but don't grow up too fast! I'm having way too much fun with you right now!

Hello Zoo! So much to look at!

Watching the Giraffe's... kind of. I think you were more distracted by your Papa.

Watching your cousin Aubrey on the Carousel. She was waving at you like a princess in a parade!

My favorite picture of the day! I love how much you love your Daddy!

An attempt to hop in the picture while you were still smiling... you're so cute.
I think you were still smiling at Aubrey.

The 3 Amigo's

This past week has been so much fun all your cousins are out visiting and it's so cool to see you all together! You are so blessed that you have cousins that are so close in age to you. Aubrey is 3 years older than you (which now seems like a lot, but later it won't seem so bad), Bryant is 6 months older, and Jack is only 3 months older. Everyone is at our house right now since your Uncle Blake is coming home from Iraq today for is R&R. We have been so excited to have everyone together since the last time that happened was over Christmas. It wasn't that long ago, but you have grown so much since then!

Despite being the youngest, you are not the smallest. You are keeping up size wise (unbelievably so), and although you're not walking yet (like all your other cousins) that does not mean you aren't mobile! You're incredibly determined and can roll just about anywhere you want to go-and fast! I can't even turn my back on your anymore or you will have a handful of pizza or a computer cord in your mouth. You really make me laugh

Sometimes it's hard being the youngest

All your cousins are here becasue your Uncle Blake is coming back for his R&R visit and our house is where everyone decided would be the best place to gather (lucky us)!

It's amazing to watch how aware you are and that you notice that all your cousins are up and walking, eating interesting food, and playing in the blow up pool we bought. You want to play so bad... and you get SO frustrated not being able to be independent enough to walk around and reach things that you want. But-Buddy, you are totally holding your own on the size scale. You may be the youngest... but you are not at all the smallest. You, Jack, and Bryant (who are 3 and 6 months older than you) are all in the same exact size diaper. You are totally keeping up in the growing department! I also don't think it will be long before your keeping up with them running around either-and I can't wait to watch how much fun you will all have together as you get older!

Meeting your Uncle Blake for the first time.

You and Jack. You guys totally looked like twins in that stroller.

You and Jack, again. I think you two will be good friends. It looks like you guys were
having a very good conversation about something.

6 month check up

Well buds, you turned 6 months yesterday and I can't believe how fast the time has gone! In another 6 months you will be one whole year... and I feel like your dad and I were just coming home from the hospital with you. You were so sweet and so tiny when we brought you home... and you are still sweet but far from tiny! You weigh 19 pounds, and you're almost 27 inches long- such a big boy! You're really helping Mommy's arms get back in shape caring you around places (especially when you're in your car seat).

I had to take you into the doctor today to get a regular check up and everyone adores and remembers you. Your always smiling, making cute new sounds that you're learning, and your so curious about everything that the doctor uses on you (like the tool that looks in your eyes, ears, and the stethoscope). We really love your doctor (and you seem to also) and are so lucky that she takes good care of you. But, today you had to get some shots. And, I think it's harder for me than it is for you. You are SO tough, and even though you cry a little, it's never anything like the babies in the rooms next to us. The second I pick you up and start saying, "Mama's here... it's ok..." you calm down. You still sniffle a little and you bury your head into my shoulder, but for the most part-you get over it fast. It's moments like that when I feel like my heart could explode becasue I love you so much and I can't believe how amazing you are.

Well, I just heard you wake up from your nap. I should wrap this up so I can go kiss you all over.

Happy 6 month birthday Buds! Your dad and I are SO proud of you and so blessed that we get to call you ours and keep you for a while. I love you!!

Mr. Independant

I love you Buddy. I am in awe with how amazingly smart you are and how much you are soaking up and learning. You are incredibly aware of everything around you and I just love watching you study whatever you are next to, under, or on top of. You never stop moving (sometimes you even keep a leg moving in your sleep) and you refuse to snuggle becasue you always need to be off exploring something or rolling somewhere new.

I hope one day that you decide to become a snuggler- becasue I love the times that I get to hold you. Your dad and I have bought so many movies that we can't wait to watch with you while cuddling on the couch. And, even if that time period of snuggling is short lived I'm ok with that... becasue I'm your mom and it's my right to sneak in and give you hugs whenever I want to.

So there.

Bumbo+ new toy= happy Mommy

Since you have a little bit of a flat spot on the back of your head, I'm trying to get you to sit up as much as possible (Dr.'s orders). It hasn't been as hard as I was expecting since you want to be independent so badly and love sitting and standing up (with help of course). But lately, it's been a little bit of a battle becasue you just discovered that you can roll places and creep towards things that interest you... so that's all you've been wanting to do lately and nothing else. And that's fine with me for now. "Battles" with you are not really like "battles" at all and it's fun to see you experience new things and get excited.

Anyways, because you love rolling so much, getting you to stay in your bumbo has been a challenge. You arch your back so much (trying to roll over in it) that you look like you could do a back flip off of it. It scares me, so I never leave you sitting in it if I'm not watching. But today you discovered a new toy that sits in front of you while you're in your bumbo... one that has all kinds of buttons, switches, knobs, things that light up, and have fun noises. You were so mesmerized that I just left you sitting on the floor with it while I watched you and did the dishes. It was perfect! I got to clean up, and you had some good time doing something fun without putting pressure on your head.

I love watching you grow buds. You're so quick to learn, and so amazingly enamored by the big world around you. Seeing your eyes light up and your arms and legs start kicking when you get excited gives me such joy. I can't believe how amazing you are and how quickly you're changing and discovering new things. I'm so blessed to be your Mommy, and that I get to be with you at home and watch you go on these daily adventures. What's next?!

My Little Gerber Baby

We started solids with you about a week ago and so far you are loving the taste of food! You're still having a little bit of a hard time figuring out how to keep it in your mouth and how to swallow it... but up open up your mouth wide every time you see the spoon! Here you are eating squash in your airplane PJ's (your daddy's favorite).