The Babblings of a Six Month Old

So, the resolution is a little crazy because this is a video from my phone and I realize he's not talking TO me...but it still warms my heart. Check out this amazing video of our smart little man!!!

He SO loves his Mama more than his Dada!

One Tooth, Three Parties, Five Weeks and Thirty Years

One is the number of new teeth Noah has...three is the number of birthday parties Tony enjoyed...five is the number of weeks we have left until Oak Island, NC...and thirty is the age my hubby turned this past Saturday!!!

It seems that our lives have turned into quite the whirlwind of events over the past month or so, which has been exciting, exhausting and much treasured. It's been amazing to see how we continue to find our groove as a family of three with every new discovery Noah makes and every change of his routine we make and each day's uncharted territory of parenthood becomes old hat so quickly. God really sent us a great baby to learn how to be parents with, he's so laid back, smiley, patient and just such a joy each and every day. Especially when he gets his first ear infection and never once complains about it! So Noah is experiencing his first ever round of antibiotics and he's back on Albuterol for his wheezing. Everything from congestion, to coughing to an ear infection all happened within the same timeframe of him cutting his first tooth, so it's hard to know what started what, but he's happy and healthy as usual and his second tooth is going to make it's grand appearance anyday now!

We celebrated Tony's 30th birthday this past weekend with three parties, starting with a wonderful family dinner at Bravo. It was fun to get both sides of the family together to celebrate such a milestone for Tony, what an old man he is! Then he had a guy's night at the house with all the food you could eat and all the Poker you could ask for! This party was equally fun for Noah and me because we got to have a sleepover at Grandma R*'s house...he is a noisy roomie though, I don't envy his future college roommate. Noah's rolling over consists of snorts and snarfs and moaning and groaning and he is sure to use every last inch of his crib at some point throughout the night. But it was funny to wake up in the morning and see him propped up on his belly just beaming from ear to ear that it was morning time and I was right there in the room to greet him. The third party was thrown by the youth group, each kid brought Tony a qty. of 30 of a creative item. He got everything from green olives, to bandaids to squares of toilet paper. It was a fun event for the kids and the cupcakes and presents marked the official end to Tony's 30th birthday celebrations!!

So we are five weeks from vacation at Oak Island and I just have to throw that in here because I cannot wait to have time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just breathe. I'm planning on spending as much time playing with Noah as possible, napping often, reading all my mom's People magazines and soaking up the sun!!! Ah, Oak Island...

But getting back to reality for a second...my sister is flying in from SoCAL tomorrow and is staying with us for a week! I am so excited, I haven't seen her since our wedding, and she was thirteen then, so we have lots and lots of catching up to do. I think we may even squeeze in a day at Cedar Point and try to get to the pool, fun!

And then I get to try out my skills of being a single parent for a week while Tony is camping at Alive with his youth group. I'm really looking forward to having Noah all to myself, besides the fact that I have to work every day. But I'm envisioning lots of early-to-bed nights for me as May and June have been exhausting months and July doesn't hold the promise of being much quieter, besides the week at Oak Island!

So, to make a long story even longer, all is as it should be in our little world. I guess it's just amazing to me how life brings you so many blessings and good times with those you love the most and being able to share all of these moments with our new little man, even though he will not remember them in the future, means the WORLD to us! It's the little things...it really is. It's about doing everyday life with those you love the most, and he's at the top of the list! I'll finish with this moment I had the other night with Baby Noah...

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A few nights ago Noah was having a terrible time falling asleep. He would cry because he couldn't breathe, then his crying would cause him to become more congested, then he would cry harder, which would make him cough, then he would cry even harder and I just knew he was miserable. He's never been sick before and although he never had a fever or grabbed his ear, I was sure it was hurting as the antibiotic hadn't had enough time to take effect yet. So, despite all that I've read and all that I've been told and all that I know to be true, I went into his room, shut the door, picked him up, wiped off his face and sat down in the rocking chair with him. I started singing "Prince of Peace" just like I always sang to him when he was crying in the first few weeks after coming home from the hospital, and he started to calm down. I laid back in the rocker with my feet propped up and laid him face up down the front of me. He wiggle and scootched and finally got comfy with his head laying on my arm, his little body positioned right down the front of me and his chubby feet sprawled out across my thighs...and he drifted off to sleep, so peacefully. I watched his little face in the dim nightlight as I rocked him back and forth. His face so innocent, his plump, round cheeks were so precious, his little mouth was making a sucking motion as if he was dreaming of his pacifier and every once in a while he'd take in a quickened, staggered breath remant of his crying as if to say, 'I'm okay now, my mommy's here with me, there's no need to cry any longer'. Never have I felt a greater sense of love and fulfillment than I did in that moment. Words cannot describe how I felt knowing that that little baby face was sent straight from Heaven to us with such promises and distinct purpose already evident in his first few months of life, and a few tears quietly trickled down my cheeks as I thought to myself, Jen, you need to never take for granted the little human being God has entrusted to you. Noah won't be six months old forever and stopping time just for a minute, throwing the rulebook out the window and trusting my mommy instict gave me the opportunity to really look at this little man and take him in and know he truly, truly is a gift. Sometimes a baby just needs his mommy. I love you, little man!

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Hi, World, I'm Noah!

Daddy's comfy

Yummy! More peas please...

Seriously, give them to me...

I guess I will just have to go after them, then!

Yes, I stalk my child while he's sleeping...

Priceless!!!

Lots to Celebrate

First of all, Tony and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary on the 22nd with a trip to Niagara Falls. It was our first overnight trip away from Noah and I think I can say with much confidence that Noah had just as much fun with his grandparents as we did at the Falls. He spent the first night with Grandma & Grandpa Wolfe and they spent lots of time outside on the swing and cuddled with him. Then he went to Grandma & Grandpa R*'s house (that translates 'R Starr') and got to help lay 10 yards of mulch!! All the while, Tony and I were having a blast walking around parks and cute villages, eating at the Rainforest Cafe and a cool BBQ joint and watching fireworks over the Falls. Walking from the USA to Canada and back was awesome, it seems funny to walk from one country to the other but we did it and we couldn't have asked for better weather. It's was a FANTASTIC getaway.

Horseshoe Falls/Canadian Falls

American Falls

Happy 5 Years!!!

Second of all, we had a Memorial Day cookout at Meatball & H's new house and it was, again, beautiful weather and fantastic food! It was so nice to relax as a family and just get to spend time together. We were talking about how this time last year, Jackson was just 1 month old, and now we have Jackson, Noah, Molly and cousin #4 on the way soon! Exciting times!!! Noah got to test out Baby Wolfe-on-the-way's new jungle bouncer and although his feet didn't quite touch the ground yet, Jackson made sure Noah bounced up and down the way it was supposed to work. It was so cute to see them play together! Thanks, Cuz!!

Molly would have been playing too, but she was napping, sweet baby girl!

Noah & Grandma Wolfe

Third of all, Noah turned 6 months old today!! Seriously, 6 months old! I cannot believe it's been a half of a year already, it is amazing to see how much he has changed and grown and learned in the past 6 months. He had his checkup at the dr today and he is just the perfect little man. He is 18lbs 10oz and 25 in long. Still short and chubby...but again, who can resist those chipmunk cheeks?! We have been blessed with such a good baby, what an abundance of blessings he has brought into our household. And check out Noah's latest accomplishment below...it's certainly not perfected yet, but luckily, he's got some extra padding for when he topples over and he's getting stronger and stronger everyday!!!

Dedication Day

This is our pulpit minister, Rick Brown, peforming the infant dedication of Noah

Aw, yeah family!!!

Noah was dedicated at church this morning, which basically is the parents' way of dedicating themselves to raise their child in the ways of Christ, setting a Godly example for him to follow and ensuring he receives an upbringing pleasing to the Lord. This also allowed us the opportunity to share a special time in Noah's little life with those closest to us. We hosted both sides of our families as well as the elders and their families and the pastor and his wife from our church for a wonderful lunch and great time of fellowship in our home. It is just amazing to me how one little life can bring so many together in love and support of his future and all he has to offer to the world around him. We love you Noah!!!

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In recent Noah happenings, there isn't anything too major to report. He rolls all ways a baby can roll now, so it's always a surprise as to where and how you will find him every morning. He has also started eating some green veggies, much to his dismay. He's growing like crazy...I'm very interested to see what his length and weight are at the doctor in a week and a half when we go for his six month...that's right...his SIX month check up...seriously, where does the time go? Wasn't it just Thanksgiving yesterday?! Well, all I know is, no matter how fast he grows, he just keeps getting cuter and cuter everyday...enjoy these pictures of our little man!!!

Look at how talented I am!

Sweet potatoes make me sleepy...Zzzz

So happy in my Exersaucer

Tell me that little face doesn't melt your heart!

Snuggling with my Chewy fast asleep in my carseat

I go down for my nap like this...

I wake up from my nap like this!

TOES!!!

Yes, despite my chubbiness, I CAN get my foot in my mouth!

This is the life!

Can a 5 Month Old have Allergies?

So comfy in my jam jams

Poor baby Noah seems to have the springtime sniffles...and the sniffly, sneezy, coughing, wheezy, watery, itchy eyes so you can get a good night's sleep medicine just can't be taken by a 5 month old! So instead we do the drill of Noah cries throughout the night, mommy and daddy go in and sucker out his nose, tilt his mattress for drainage purposes, administer "Little Noses" drops, fill the humidifier yet again, soothe and comfort Noah and wait to do it all over again the next time he awakens. He is one cute little sniffly baby boy...

Mommy listened to my last blog and has even

added carrots to my daily food menu...

But mommy, you do realize that carrots come out

the same color they went in, don't you?!

...such a boy!!!

Recent Happenings in the World of Noah

I have learned how to "officially and unassisted-ly (that's not even a word)" roll over...which mommy was going to post a video of, but daddy can't get the camera to give up the footage, so, you'll just have to trust me...I'm a rockin' and a rollin'.

I have also started eating in my brand new high chair and feel like such a biggie boy!!! I'm up to 2 TBSP of cereal at dinner and I've been begging mommy to give me some along with my morning bottle, hopefully she'll listen to me soon! I'm a growing boy you know...

In other news, I have discovered my feet, which has led to me almost removing my socks a few times. But much more importantly, has led me to start 'helping' when it's time to change my diaper...which mommy says will inadvertantly lead to more new discoveries...but I'm not sure what she's talking about just yet.

I have also learned that I LOVE to hear my voice through the monitor when I talk into mommy's microphone during Praise Team practice...American Idol, Season 24, starring Noah Wolfe!!!

And finally, I just celebrated my very first Easter! I didn't get an Easter basket, there was no giant bunny that visited me and I didn't even get any chocolate. It was pretty much like any other day, except I was dressed like a stud and I got to enjoy an afternoon visiting my family. What kind of parents don't get their kid an Easter basket on their first Easter...seriously?!

Happy Easter!!!

Me getting smarter as I watch Baby Einstein

while mommy gets ready for work.

Ah, happy nappy time is the best...

Who's 4 Months Old?!

Noah's 4 months old!!! Noah turned 4 months this past Friday and is just the sweetest little baby boy on the planet. He babbles non-stop about who knows what, smiles ALL the time and is sleeping through the night like a champ. He had his 4 month check-up today and he is growing wonderfully. He weighs 15 lbs. 3 oz. (50th percentile) and his height, bless his heart, is 23 in. (10th percentile). So, he's a little chub-u-bub for sure...with cheeks for days! It's part of his charm!!

He started cereal just a few days ago and was loving it until tonight. I'm guessing it is more because of the 4 vaccinations he received today than anything. He just wanted the comfort of his bottle and not all the work of eating off of a spoon. He LOVES it though, I've never seen such a smile emerge on his face until he tasted his first bite of rice cereal. Priceless.

In other news, he has started to get the hang of rolling over; as long as his arms are tucked under he has no problem rolling from his belly to his back. That's just been in the last day or so and seems to be pretty sporadic, but he's getting it! Yeah, Noah!!

There is still nothing sweeter than

a sleeping baby...

Trying out the Exersaucer for the first time

Rough nap apparently...ha ha

Check me out in all my cuteness!

Just me and my changing table!