Party Party Party

How can I let my 33rd birthday go by without a blog post?  Just like I let everything else go by, I guess.  Ha!

But first ...

Emily did SO good at her Christmas program at school last week.  She got up there and sang her little heart out with her class!  I have never seen her soooo animated up on stage.  Her class sang a few Christmas songs and she was certainly the prettiest one up there.

Cousin Mason's class sang some songs too.  He did good too!  I think he did more dancing than singing though.  All the kids were so cute up there during their performance.

Several family members came out to see Emily and Mason.  We were so thrilled to see such a nice cheering section.  We are truly blessed!

Birthday Bonanza

On Sunday after church, Mike and I took the kids to Bass Pro to see Santa.  But, first, we drove around in the car for a while because Noah was taking a nap.  Mike drove Emily by the News 9 studio so that she could see where Gary England works. 

Then we went on to Bass Pro, but Santa was not there.  He was not supposed to arrive until later. So we looked around a while and then went and sat on a bench by the fish and fed Noah a bottle.  Emily was very interested in what all the big fish were doing.

After Noah drank his bottle, we went over to Toby Keith's for my birthday party.  We got there early so they were not busy.  We got seated quickly with our party of 15.  Noah saw my birthday balloons and got mad, but he was fine after that.  More about the balloons another day.

It was a great birthday.  Emily was soooo into my birthday this year. She went shopping with her dad to pick out my card and my presents.  She was so proud of herself, but she had a hard time keeping a secret.  Sweet girl.

I love my family!!!!  Thank you for making my birthday wonderful once again.

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Kid Updates - 1, 2, 3

1.  Thank you to everyone who purchased cookie dough from Emily for the school fundraiser.  Because of your generosity, she won an award for the cookie sales. I think she got 2nd or 3rd place, but I'm not really sure.  The paper didn't say.  She just had a whole bag of toys for her prize.  We will be delivering the cookie dough this week!  We would have done this already, but the kids have been sick.

2.  The kids have been sick!  Emily started feeling bad last Wednesday night.  She had been absent from school since Thursday.  She actually went back to school today, but I think she has a pretty tough day.  She still coughs a lot sometimes. And she was pretty cranky this evening after she got home.

Noah was not feeling well on Monday, but he seemed better Tuesday and today.  He had a hard time sleeping a couple nights this week, but I'm hoping he will have a good night tonight.



3.  Emily's Christmas Program at school is tomorrow night.  I think her class is going to sing several songs.  I will try to get some video clips for you.  I just hope she is feeling okay!  It is miserable to perform in front of a crowd when you're not feeling well.

4.  Okay, this is a bonus - the rash on Noah's head is looking so much better since we've been putting Aquaphor and hydrocortisone on it.  And he has some adorable long hairs on the back of his head!  He might need a haircut back there soon.  When he was born, his hair was strawberry blonde.  But now it's growing in a pretty blonde color.

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A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

Ironically, you will see no pictures in this blog post.  But pictures can tell a story.  Even when you're five.

On Sunday, we were riding in the car on our way to lunch.  We weren't really talking about anything.  And Emily calls to me from the back seat.

Emily:  Mom?
Emily: MOM? (Just being real here)

Me: What is it?

Emily: Will you take your camera to work and take a picture of your boss and bring it home so that I can look at it?

Me: Uhh, yeah, why?
Me (silently): Hahahaha, my boss would get a kick out of this!!!

These days, even kids know the value of pictures!

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Happy 4 Months Noah

Today was Noah's 4 month check up with the doctor.  It was an early morning appointment so Mike went with us.  Noah is usually very happy in the mornings so I thought this would be a good appointment. 

First, he got weighed and measured.  He is 15lbs, 12 oz which is the 50th percentile for weight.  And he was 24 1/2 inches long which is the 3rd percentile for height.  So he's a healthy boy, but a little on the shorter side at this age.  All that could change as he grows. 

Noah just talked and smiled and cooed while the doctor examined him.  Dr K was wiggling Noah's legs to check his hip joints and Noah started laughing out loud.  Dr K said "Oh, you like that, huh?  Nobody else likes that!"

Dr K said Noah looks great.  He's eating well and growing well.  He's hitting all his milestones right on target.  The doctor said I could start Noah on baby food if I was ready, but he doesn't have to start until he's 6 months old.  I actually gave him his first jar of sweet potatoes on Sunday.  He liked them, but we made a big mess!

So what is Noah up to these days?

• He wears 3-6 months or 6 months clothing
• He wears size 2 diapers.
• He takes a bottle every 3 hours or so during the day.  Sometimes more frequently!
• Noah usually wakes up once during the night, but it settled back to sleep with the pacifier or just a hug from mom.  He has slept through the night a few times, but he gets up once more often than not.
• We have tried giving Noah rice cereal before bed, but it does not help him sleep longer.  He's just as likely to get up once than if he had a bottle of formula.

• Noah is a big fan of the swing.  Sometimes he falls asleep, but he just likes sitting it.  Some of his best naps have been in the swing.
• He's a fan of his bouncy seat too.  It has a little birdie that spins around on it and he likes to talk and smile at the birdie.
• Noah likes to sit up and look around. He's very vocal and will talk to anyone.
• Noah's favorite passtime is chewing on his fists.  He tries to get his whole hand into his mouth.  The doctor said he's not teething yet.  Babies this age just like to chew on things and drool a lot.
• He usually does not mind riding in the car.  He gets mad when the sun is in his eyes, but usually either goes to sleep or talks to Emily while we ride.
• Emily ADORES her brother.  She is very good with him.  She knows that she has to be gentle with him.  She can get him to smile better than almost anyone else.
• Noah loves Emily too.  He watches her when she's walking around and he turns his head toward her when she's talking.
• Noah looks just like his Daddy.  Mike always teases him and asks whether he looks like Dad or if Dad looks like him?  I always say that Noah is Mike's "Mini Me".

The pics of Emily and Noah on the yellow blanket were taken this weekend.  Emily was laying on the floor watching TV and I put Noah down there next to her on his tummy.  He just started looking up at the TV just like she was doing.  It was too cute not to get a picture!

Noah, we love you so much!  We are so thankful for you and we are so excited to watch you grow and learn.  We could not ask for a sweeter baby!!!

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