9 Months........

Yesterday my sweet baby boy turned 9 MONTHS - What????  Time just goes much too fast.  He is so sweet and cute and funny and such a little Monkey - I have a feeling he is going to be into EVERYTHING. Here is what Noah has been up too this month.

• Teeth - he now has two bottom teeth.  They came in within a couple of days of each other, that coupled with another ear infection made for some fun days/nights
• After finally mastering the rolling, he has now become an expert crawler. This of course took a little time. He began with pivoting on the forhead - he even had a bright red callous to prove it. He would get around by standing with his forhead on the floor and then sit down - it was funny. Then about 2 weeks ago he learned it was much more efficient to pick the head up and move those arms and legs
• Feeding ourselves is also fun and exciting but very messy.
• He went swimming for the first time and loved it
• He is in the bird phase, where he opens that mouth wide for any food you are willing to part with
• He sleeps great, but Brooklynn tells me that he is usually awake and starring at her when she wakes up in the morning. (Creepy - haha)
• Sometimes it is much better for him to hold his bottle with his feet
• He still loves his small little snuggly and must have it to sleep.

I'm sure I am forgetting something, but he is still so much fun and we all adore him.  The one thing that still eludes us, is a big huge belly laugh.  He laughs, but we haven't gotten him giggling super hard yet.  Brooklynn was the same way.  I'm sure when he does it will be great.  The one other thing that I love that he does is kick.  If you hold him up above you he will kick his legs in sync and it is so cute! 

Here are some pictures for you!  Enjoy!

This is where we started.  He still gets that pouty lip.

The bird....

The head stand - Notice the good toe point

From the other angle.... Haha

Big Baby with his blue blue eyes! 

SECOND PLACE

Tyler's Pinewood Derby was this last week.  He and Steve spent hours and days working on his car.  After not winning a single race last year, they made a goal for this year - WIN 1, just 1, RACE.  They set their sights high....  Well after a week of dilligently working on the car a few paint jobs and much boy bonding time, they won more than just 1 race, they won 2nd overall.  Tyler was very pleased and although Steve wasn't there for all the excitement he too was very excited. 

The car - We named it THE BULLET

I must make mention of the fact that because Steve was not there, at the race, I mean.  Me, the Mother, had to take care of the very important Graphite on the wheels, and the weigh in.  I had to add weights and because of my expertise his car weighed in at exactly 5g.  Ya baby!

No Baseball and a Family Excursion

Tyler opted out of baseball this year.  I can't say I was really all that upset about it, okay I'll be honest, I was SOOOOOO Happy!  Around here, this is kind of a baseball town,  baseball means lots of practices and games.  Instead, he played in a competitive basketball league.  It was a great experience and the improvement he made and all the things he learned were fantastic.  His team was not the best, but his coach was fantastic.  Coach Hank or 'THE Hank' as we liked to call him around here was great with Ty and the rest of the team. 

A couple weeks ago Steve and I decided to load up the troops and head up to the mountains for a cookout and a little fishing.  Because of my very excellent 'OUTDOOR' skills, I threw together some tinfoil dinners and off we went.  It was a great evening and despite a very unhappy baby, we all had a good time, good food and some great family bonding.  It was a little chilly, but it was beautiful and it was great to get out of town, even if it was only for a few hours.

Tater's little snooze on the way up to the mountains.  I love his 'old man' glasses in this one

Tyler working dilligently to start a fire using a flint - he was successful.

Me and mine baby. 

My cute Brookie.

(My tinfoil dinners were not hotdogs, but we did bring some of those along too.)

A Whole Lot of .........

We've been busy, I guess.  Between birthday's (Mine and Steve's) and keeping up with the kids, life has been busy, I guess.  Here are a few highlight's of our latest activities in pictures. 

First we'll start with this cute little Photo of Noerson and Tater.  They are becoming quite the pals, although Noah might contend that a little TOO MUCH Tater isn't good.  Tater loves to 'hold' Noah and play with him.  Noah loves it, IN SMALL doses that is.

Now we'll move onto our little weekend getaway.  Steve had some work down in the OC, so the kids and I decided to tag along for some of it.  Noah got to experience his FIRST swim.  And although he was a little skeptical at first, warmed right up to the pool and loved it by the end.  Heaven help us if he is our one who doesn't love the water.....

This little fishy just finished up a round of swimming lessons.  He is so comfortable in the water and is sooooo close to swimming all by himself with NO Floaties.  By the end of his lessons, he was starting to learn the front crawl.  He has another round of lessons in a few weeks, it should be fun!

This little lady is just cute! 

The other day, I wrapped Noah up in his towel and laid him on the floor so I could get him dressed.  I had to grab something really quick  and when I turned back around this is what I found.  How he sat up I'll never know, but he was sitting sooooo very still, which never happens, and trying to figure out what the heck was going on.  I would say, 'Noah' and he would just barely move his head trying to see if he could find me.  What a nut...

And finally, this is the cute and totally crazy face under the towel.  He is very busy and while not crawling in the conventional sense, he gets everywhere he wants to go.  He uses his forhead as a pivot point and loves to stand on his head. 

8 Months!

Isn't it amazing how you get to a point after having a baby where you think - What was life like before you?  We have well passed that point with Noah and I can't hardly remember what life was like before his cuteness arrived in our home.  Already those first few weeks of 'Newborn' baby seem like a blurr.  Time marches on and I am really trying to embrace and savor every minute I have with not only my Noah, but all the kids. 

Now that Mr. Noah is 8 months the world is becoming more and more fascinating for him.  Here is my list of the things that he has been up too.

• We'll start with just being cute
• he sleeps great, although I am really trying to push the wake up time back - he wakes a little to early for my taste, especially with summer coming
• he is on a pretty good schedule and still takes 2 naps - sometimes 3 if life is just to exhausting
• he  learned to SIT this month.  He actually mastered it in just a couple of days, which was much faster than his brothers and sister did.  I attribute it to his chubby legs weighing him down.  ;)
• he FINALLY learned to roll from his tummy to his back.  It was a glorious day and there was much cheering and clapping to be heard from our house.  He would push himself up onto his toes and hands with his little bum in the air (he is very strong) and finally he figured out he could lean a little and over he would go. 
• he loves to do push ups and is in the 'pushing himself backwards' phase
• he is starting to pull his knees under him and would figure out crawling pretty fast if he would get his forehead off the floor.  Silly boy
• he feeds himself 'Stars' and must be eating if we are
• he tries to grab everything and his eyes are constantly darting around to check out his surroundings (heaven help me when he is mobile)
• he and tater had a wrestling match for Tater's glasses last night
• he still loves the Jolly Jumper and uses his arms to get some height (NO JOKE!) It is way funny
• he is getting a temper and an opinion about things like if the kids can hold him, if his diaper needs changing etc.  When he starts getting mad he crinkles up his nose, squints his eyes and clenches his gums together and breaths in and out.
• he still has no teeth
• he is a continuous fountain of drool

I think that about sums up the last month of Noah's life.  He continues to be a wonderful sweet cute and smiley little boy and although he still doesn't giggle too much we are seeing some break throughs!

And now what you really want, PICTURES........

Notice the drool streaks down his belly....

I also must mention that he has  THE MOST kissable squishy cheeks that I am sure I kiss at least a thousand times a day. 

Gratitude~

After reading a most Inspiring Book ('raising Happiness' by Christine Carter) and getting a few fantastic and simple ideas for making our mostly Happy home even HAPPIER (who doesn't want that right).  I have gone about trying to teach my kids and myself and my husband to be more Grateful or just more aware of all that we have to be Grateful for.  We had a lesson about 2 weeks ago on Gratitude and started a Gratitude BOX.  Each day or so we write and encourage the kids to write what they are grateful for.  Then once a week, for us it is on Sunday, we sit down and read the things that have been written.  We have been doing this for just over a week and already I am Grateful that I felt inspired to do it.  It has made me so much more aware of things to be grateful for and it has also helped my kids. 

So today I have decided to blog my grateful list because TODAY has been a truly good day.  I know the challenge is really in being Grateful on the not so good days, but why not celebrate when I can right!

• Noah finally learning to roll from Tummy to BACK!!! We all cheered him on and he was not quite sure what to think, but I am pretty sure he was thinking, "Well Holy Cow, this is a fantastic new move"
• That my good friends Husband and Children were not injured in their car wreck on Saturday
• That we had so much fun at dinner tonight and laughed while the kids drank their 'SMOOVIES' and got mustaches from them (that is how Tater says smoothie)
• That I fit into my 'skinny' jeans and by the end of the day they were kinda big
• That I got to work out today and my knee felt good
• For the Rainbow we saw
• For mine and my children's wonderful friends
• For Noah and his cuteness and his delicious kissable cheeks
• For Tater and his smile
• For Tyler not putting his backpack in the middle of the way after school
• For Brooklynn and her ever Happy Outlook
• For Steve and all his hard work
• For the Joy and Love I feel from my 4 wonderful babies and an Amazing Hubby
• For my faith

 

Spring Break!

We had a great spring break this year.  We convinced (it didn't take much) Kari and Jason to come down and join us in the OC for our break.  The kids and I left on the March 25th so that we could meet up with Kari and J and Steve joined us on the 26th (our anniversary - 11 years baby!) when he returned from a work trip. 

We spent time at the beach, shopping, swimming, Disneyland, the beach, shopping and just hanging out.  We had a great time and were so grateful to spend some much needed time with Kari and J and Jake and Maggie.  Jake and Josh are two peas in a pod and while Josh is a little bossy at times they had so much fun.  Maggie is a spit fire and so adorable, it was so fun to get to know her better. 

The beach was great, the shopping fun, the weather beautiful and really it was just great! 

Disneyland was the highlight. Jake was super excited to go and as we pulled into the parking structure started wishing everyone a HAPPY DISNEY DAY!  We were a little concerned about the overcast weather, but it turned out perfect and wasn't too hot.  Maggie and Noah were troopers and couldn't have been better the whole day.  Josh was also a super star and enjoyed all the rides including Space Mountain, but he says that Buzz and Pirates were his favorites.  He was even just fine with going to the Haunted Mansion and while his big Brother and Sister were being big wimps and crying in their cereal about it, he loved the Dancing Ghosts.

Sadly all great trips must come to an end.  Thankfully due to a delayed flight we got the added bonus of having Kari and J for an extra night/day.  It was wonderful and with the extra day we had we wandered around Laguna Beach and found a yummy little restaurant that overlooked the ocean.  Here are a few pictures for highlights.  I am not sure why I don't have any of J.   

Seven Months!

My sweet baby is getting so big!  Seven months has flown by and here is what he is up to lately.

• he still won't roll from his tummy to his back, but we are super close
• he loves Tater, Tyler and Brook - they all make him smile so easily
• he LOVES the jolly jumper.  In fact life for him is a jumper as he loves to stand and then bounce on my lap
• he love to eat, but is somewhat picky.  He doesn't love any vegetable mix type food and will eat it, but complains the WHOLE time.
• he is our Chubbiest baby.  He weighs in at 18 lbs 6 oz and is 27 3/4 inches long.  He is comparable to Tyler, but Ty was longer so didn't seem so chubby!  He has big solid legs and super cute cheeks that I can't help but smother with kisses!
• he sleeps great and is mostly getting past the 6 am wake up. 
• he has had TWO ear infections in the past month
• he is super vocal and talks and talks
• he has become quite skilled at putting his own soother/binkie in. 

Basically he is just super cute and we love him.  He is a great baby and while he definitely has his fussy times, he is easy to take places for which I am so grateful!

The Slippers

Two years ago for Christmas I bought Tater a pair of Lightening McQueen Slippers.  For a time they were just lying around not being used.  Then Tater discovered a love for his slippers, a love he doesn't have for anything else.  He began wearing them ALL and I do mean ALL the time while we were home.  He wore them and loved them and wore them and loved them until at last, right before Noah was born, His toes broke holes in the end and ALAS they were too small and too full of holes to wear anymore.  Knowing the end was coming for the slippers, I tried to find some more and was able to find some on TARGET.com  (oh target how I love thee).  I ordered two pairs, just in case.  Well it is a good thing because this is what PAIR #2 looks like now.  Once again he has loved them and worn them until his toes and heels are coming right out, but don't worry he still wears them everyday and night.  Oh yes, he even wakes up in the night and puts them back on his feet. 

Wow!

Wow, the time is just flying by and I just don't seem to keep up on anything these days.  Adding one more little person to our family has really added 10 times the things to do.  I can't really put my finger on why that is, but maybe it is also because the kids are just getting older and busier.  Here are the top 6 things we have been up to lately.

#1 - Being mommy, house keeper, taxi driver, school project helper, homework supervisor, chef, exerciser, and trying to get back into pre-baby form.  All this while trying to stay sane, get all my home movies onto DVD's and get caught up on my picture books, not to mention doing all the things that my little ones at home need too. 

#2 - Tater is in swimming lessons.  He goes once a week and loves it and when I say loves I mean LOVES.  He is a fish and getting better and better in the water.  He is fun to watch and waits all week for the day of swimming lessons.  He also informed us that Shushi has fish in it.  HaHa, I love him

#3 - School.  Not for me, but the kids.  They are both doing well.  We have had a few struggles and the usual homework drama, but it is fun to see them learning.  Especially Miss Brookie K because she is so enthusiastic about it all. 

#4 - Basketball.  Tyler has been playing basketball and just started another round of it last week.  He is really starting to figure it out and loves to play.  He Steve are often out front playing lightening or horse or some other game.  On Saturday Ty's friend was over and Steve told them that they would play 2 on 1 and if they beat him he would give them each $100.  They didn't win, but boy did they ever give it their best.

#5 - I am trying to figure out what to put Brooklynn in.  I actually had a notice come home about Girl Scouts so I was considering giving that a whirl.  We'll see what I can find for her.  It is hard because none of her little friends live super close so having someone come over takes driving and with an afternoon napping little baby she hasn't had much girl time. 

#6 - Trying to enjoy the weather.  It is so beautiful right now and before it gets unbearably hot I am really trying to take advantage and enjoy the weather.  Josh and I have been on some good walk/rides.  I walk and he rides his bike.  I am trying to do this more and more with him because he really loves it! 

Anyway, I think that is it for now.  On and on and on it goes. 

Six Months Later!

Can you believe that my baby is already SIX months old.  The time has flown by, but I must say it has been wonderful and I have really been trying to savor the babyness of him because before I know it he will be a big boy.  He is getting ever bigger and for one of our babies quite round. 

Here is what he is up to in month six:

• he has perfected the reaching for things and getting them to his mouth
• he found his feet and enjoys pulling off his socks and hanging onto those cute toes
• he loves his brothers and sister and is constantly attempting to find them and see what they are up to. they also just happen to love him back and have become quite protective of him.
• he talks and coos and talks and growls and 'A-goo's' and I love it.  our daily conversations are a highlight for me
• as of yesterday he has mastered rolling from his back to his tummy.  unfortunately he spent yesterday rolling over playing for a minute and then getting very very frustrated that he couldn't get back.  I of course would flip him over calm him down and then we would start the process all over again.  it is funny and cute, but not so funny when he is trying to fall asleep
• he is really starting to love the exersaucer, still enjoys the swing and even tried out the jolly jumper
• he is eating all three meals now and loving his food
• he WILL NOT giggle.  he has given us a few token "Ha's" but won't just let go - yet.  we have seen signs that he will giggle soon and when he does I'm sure it will be worth the wait. 

Of course he is amazing, as all my babies have been.  I am so grateful for him, for his complete trust in me and Steve and for the LOVE that he brings into our home.  I try not to think how in 6 more very fast month he will be trying to walk because it hurts my heart at how fast it is going. 

Oh the toes!

The killer eyes

Pure Cuteness

Brookie's Turn

For awhile now I have told little Miss Brookie that she could get her 'Ears Pierce' (As she calls it).  She has not had any interest in it until Daddy brought it up last week.  I'm not sure what made him think of it, but he asked her if she would like to.  She said no at first but after brewing about it for a day or so she told me she wanted to do it.  So Friday after school I picked her up and off we went.  She was so cute and picked out some Pink Heart earrings.  I was worried about her reaction because she does tend to be somewhat Dramatic!  She was brave and true and although the expression on her face was pretty funny and quite shocked, she didn't shed a tear and was very excited.

Tater Time

As usual there is a always a need to update some of the things that Tater says.  The one thing that he says all the time is 'I Already'd'  What does this mean you ask?  Well it means 'I Already Did'  as in - "Tater go to the bathroom before we go."    "I Already'd"  Makes perfect sense right.

The other one this week that tickled my funny bone was his request for 'ICE and Pepper'  I recently bought salt and pepper grinders and apparantly the Salt looks like ICE. 

I love him!

A Little Tyler!

I don't know where the time goes, but I can't seem to keep up. 

First things first..... I can't go any longer without mentioning that TYLER  made the Honor Roll.  Yep it is true.  We are very proud of him and his hard work.  He is so smart and becoming a very responsible person.  I am super grateful for his help around the house and his great sense of humor.  Good job Ty, we love you.

Noah is FIVE months!

I know I say it often, But where does the time go?  I can't believe my little cutie will be five months in just a few short days.  So to document besides having some adorable pictures of his cute little self, I will give you a list of the cute things he does or loves.

#1  - The Swing, this kid still enjoys going for a good swing.  I cannot even begin to calculate the number of hours he has spent swining in his 5 months, but he loves it.  I keep wondering what I will do when he doesn't swing any more.
#2 - Talking - he is so cute when he talks.  We have many a great conversation in cooing and I love it.  He has his nice quiet times, but he also knows how to really let loose and make some noise.
#3 - He loves to have something snuggly by his face when he goes to sleep.  If he has nothing he will turn his head to the side and put his hand on his forhead, it is super cute.
#4 - He thinks seeing himself in the mirror is funny and will stare himself down until he smiles.  It is cute.
#5 - He rolled from his tummy to his back a few times, but now seems to have forgotten all about it. 
#6 - He is so close to rolling all the way over from his back, he just has no desire yet.
#7 - Out is always better.  He always wants to check out what is going on.  If you try to put him over your shoulder he gets really frustrated.
#8 - He still does not like to burp, it makes him mad.
#9 - He loves to eat Rice Cereal and tried Green Beans today for the first time and loved them.
#10 - He won't giggle, he smiles, he gets excited, but we have yet to find what really tickles his funny bone.  Daddy got the closest thing we've had to a giggle last week, but we are all anxiously waiting for a good belly laugh.
#11 - He has the best chubby most kissable cheeks and the biggest roundest blue eyes.

Needless to say we love him, he is super sweet.  He is starting to really love his brothers and sister.  When he hears them playing he tries to twist around to figure out where they are.  Oh and of course as he was a super wiggly kid inside, he is still constantly wiggling, I find it quite funny!