Oh-Bla-Di

Dear Noah,

It’s so (so, so, so) hard to believe it, but you celebrated your eight month birthday last week (April 27).  Cannot believe time has flown by so quickly.  You’ve changed so much already that your teeny, tiny baby days are already fuzzy in memory and you’re on the verge of so many new, big baby things that it feels like you’re sitting at a fork in the road of your life – just glancing back to give us a little wave before you run on ahead.

I’ll admit that I’m terribly torn about your growing up.  I love to see my kiddos learn new things and forge ahead.  It’s exciting and fun to see all of your a-ha moments.  But, you, Noah, are the baby – probably the last baby in our family – and so that means that every first for you is also a last first.  We cheered big cheers when you started rolling around, but had to be extra sure to soak it up.  Now, you’re pulling up your top half to get into baskets, opening drawers, and rolling anywhere you want to go.  We can see crawling right around the corner and we’re so excited to see you go!

I know that we’re busy during these precious baby days of yours, buddy, but I want you to know that we’re noticing all the special things you do and are.  We know that you love sweet potatoes, carrots, spaghetti squash, avocado, and oatmeal, but we’ll have to work to get you to eat any fruit and sometimes asparagus.  We know that you prefer to play with the Noah in your Fisher-Price set over any of the other animals in there.  We see you starting to dance and bob…most often to the music only you can hear.

We hear you trying to use words, even.  I think it means that your big sister is an extra kind of special to you that you call “Aya” anytime you see her across the room.

You’ve given us a run for our money in the sickness department, though, dude.  Thank goodness we’re second time parents for you or I think I’d be done in by all the respiratory infections you’ve battled this winter.  And, you get the honor of a parenting first for us, a trip to the doctor while on vacation!  Thanks for helping us learn more about Tricare.  Even though you’re teething on everything you can get your hands on and we keep trying to blame your congestion on the forthcoming chompers, you don’t have any teeth yet and our latest round at the doctor was for an ear infection (your fourth).  We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a super-healthy summer for you.

Noah, you’re growing!  Now that we bottle feed you, we’re getting a better idea of how much you eat.  Since you’ve recovered from your last ear infection, you’ve started guzzling your milk.  The last two days you’ve put away 36 oz. each day.  I think you’re making up for lost time after a slower start this winter.  No matter what, when your tummy is full, you’re one of the happiest babies ever.

I’m so excited to get to see you learn and grow, buddy.  I just know it’s going to be amazing.  Just don’t be in too big a hurry, ok?

Love,

Mama

Two babies in the tub!

The one surefire way to get Ava to take a bath without any dawdling, rule breaking or arguing is to give Noah a bath too.  Baby boy is clean these days.

It hardly seems possible, but the first half (plus a little bit) of Noah’s first year is over.  He turned six months on February 27.  I can’t believe he’s so old already.  I’m pretty sure we blinked and open our eyes six months later.  Before we blink again and find ourselves at his first birthday, I’m hitting the pause button and capturing him just as he is…now.

:: Noah can finally roll in both directions.  He rolls readily from front to back.  But, we almost never see him roll from back to front.  There isn’t much in this world worth that kind of effort to him.

:: This newfound rolling skill did not, as I had predicted, improve his sleep at school.  Maybe there’s just too much to learn there, but he will not sleep for longer than 40 minutes at a time at school.

:: Thankfully, the fact that he doesn’t nap at school does not affect his napping at home.  He takes a one hour nap in the morning and then a two hour nap in the afternoon.  Bedtime is anytime between 6pm and 7pm…whenever he gets tired.  It’s closer to 6pm on school days and could probably be after 7pm on days he takes naps.

:: Dude isn’t sleeping all through the night yet, but he’s only getting up a couple of times now.  We still do a 1-2am feeding and one around 4-5am.  By 6 or 6:30, he’s UP for the day.  And, boy, does this kid wake up happy.  When you pick him up out of the crib, he gives the tightest, best hugs.  He actually puts his arms around your neck and squeezes.  Makes the early wake ups worth it.

:: Doozers is a champion eater.  So far he’s had oatmeal, spaghetti squash, avocado, sweet potato and mango.  For the record, he HATES mango.  Made himself gag to spit it up.  Offer that kid avocado and sweet potato, though, and there isn’t enough in the world to satisfy him.  Boy loves his veggies.

:: Of course, all those solids also solidify, ahem, other things.  His teenaged self will not be happy I have this photo.

:: Besides food, Noah has two great loves in his life.  Libby & Ava.  If either one of them cross his field of view, he’s glued to their every move.  Luckily, he’s just as adored by those two.  I think Libby would lick his hands right off if I let her and Ava is the gentlest, kindest big sister a baby boy could ask for.  When Noah was on the way, I just knew this would be how it would turn out.  So grateful that I was right.

(A little sneak preview of the results from the photoshoot we did on Noah’s six month birthday)

:: I’ve said it before and I’m likely to say it again.  Doozers really is the happiest baby on the block.  He’s got a huge smile for everybody and is just so content.  He’s happiest when surrounded by a bunch of people and loves to just watch and take it all in.  Who could resist this smile?  I hope he always smiles with his whole face like this…it lights up a room (and my heart).

:: The other big skill Noah has mastered recently is sitting.  He’s pretty stable now, but if he gets over excited or tired, he’ll just tip right over.  I’m pretty sure the tipping is willful now, though, rather than a lack of balance.

Look, Mom!  No hands!

:: Baby boy has two favorite toys.  This one and this one.  After he eats dinner, and while we all finish ours, these two keep him completely involved in his booster seat.

I could go on and on about this baby boy.  He’s fun and getting more so every day.  His smile warms my heart, makes bad days melt away.  So glad he’s the baby we got to bring home.  We love to watch you grow, little dude.  Can’t wait to see what you do next!

I have a “Noah @ Six Months” post percolating, but wanted to share this right away.  He’s just the happiest kid…also, he’s ticklish!

Noah Giggles

A month (!!) ago, we took off on a spur of the moment trip to Chicago to meet up with the Caspers clan. With less than 24 hours between ticket purchase and take-off, we really had to speed up our planning/list-making. But, the rush was worth it because we had a great weekend and got to see Uncle Michael before he deploys later this month!

We took off on Noah’s five month birthday, and got to Chicago in time to have dinner with Grama Peg & Grampa Clete before checking into the hotel and hitting the sack.  We were up bright and early on Saturday morning and picked up some Dunkin’ Donuts before meeting Sue, Steve, Michael, Whitney & Maureen at the house.

It had been two years since we’d visited Chicago, so we had to update this picture from our first visit.  Same kid, same snack, two years later.

Of course, on this trip, we had a new baby to shop around too, so we got several photos like this one…

…and these.

We had a great time with lots of playing in the snow…

…and Ava even found a good ride.

Of course, there was plenty of other good fun while we were inside during the weekend.

Since it’s a rarity that the whole Caspers clan can get together, we made sure to document the occasion to its fullest.  We’ve got some video of the paparazzi for these next few shots and it’s amazing the amount of noise and the number of camera shutters clicking in the background.

And, finally, the whole Caspers clan (minus Sarah & Carl).

Great trip!  See you next time!