tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77396114919262001142024-03-04T22:52:37.609-08:00Our Little AdditionNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-47552689090912801702012-01-08T06:44:00.000-08:002012-01-08T06:53:03.689-08:00Noah's 1st Car<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsbyBG8md1qN3okS_d81_rh3UJr6y6ScsZmGvR3B9eepSHvkWi9SQF_8FG7ikWEtdhfXjgZcQ__n2CJ49Zh1xwVHrq7yCB-rculi7OlrkM6_2lcGUDCfPKYgLpaPWBA8AKtqFatWMDNUV/s1600/IMG_7675.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsbyBG8md1qN3okS_d81_rh3UJr6y6ScsZmGvR3B9eepSHvkWi9SQF_8FG7ikWEtdhfXjgZcQ__n2CJ49Zh1xwVHrq7yCB-rculi7OlrkM6_2lcGUDCfPKYgLpaPWBA8AKtqFatWMDNUV/s200/IMG_7675.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695274165522614354" border="0" /></a>I can't believe how long it's been since my last post. I hope to be able to update soon with a flashback, but for now, I thought I'd post a video too large to email, that captures Noah's excitement at getting his "Lightning Queen" car, a gift from Uncle Lou this past Christmas morning. On this January 8, we are having beautiful weather and I am looking forward to giving Noah his wish, which he vocalized loudly in watching this video a moment ago, by taking him out for a drive in his very own car.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz9HLBj7KfohVlknAa7WZxEGMp5Usld5-jvqTOrtY4OmrL_k4-EJS190YxmmrYtUy7RmOgM245SX1lBaBjKVg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-45967406649634836662011-05-15T04:33:00.001-07:002011-05-15T04:43:14.658-07:00Our crazy boy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-QrH-BknCDFfYnuvcgHIPoIuOlHYsHgxeiPjAUeOpuC8b1UWwMBpEKoacKFYZKn7b6TRCcA1GLLUpm8wD6aRX1zncPqMQpJT3isrOC4LPo6JYjM_s-RPaUbj9QweZNXeXo7ooW4PDx7m/s1600/Noah+trixie+sauce.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-QrH-BknCDFfYnuvcgHIPoIuOlHYsHgxeiPjAUeOpuC8b1UWwMBpEKoacKFYZKn7b6TRCcA1GLLUpm8wD6aRX1zncPqMQpJT3isrOC4LPo6JYjM_s-RPaUbj9QweZNXeXo7ooW4PDx7m/s200/Noah+trixie+sauce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606906311203995570" border="0" /></a>As Noah is growing bigger and bigger in size, we watch as his personality grows at an even faster pace. Just a quick pic of our crazy little boy and a fun video which really captures what a happy little guy (and a little general) he can be.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwTCDk11p-svRzvuYv4oc7tQAbWBAvq4qDIXkq1nbRmah3Qn0yX8vdB54mjIL71Q3nBfgXJbjBAIiuxBg4Uqw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-53392011006830022352011-05-07T19:13:00.001-07:002011-05-07T20:16:14.765-07:00Mackie & Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h8UmrQgXGSdrrCdTyISJYq6PMsbV4Sxph5gb7h1VffvmcZshi475zZJFYfPA5jXmtdqYziI0Fzk1gagFH1Jvy2HLka450oKi-RaK6BOTOoSWkYgMn2ZOacE1C1Jy-hb4T54uzz8Jvl_e/s1600/macky.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h8UmrQgXGSdrrCdTyISJYq6PMsbV4Sxph5gb7h1VffvmcZshi475zZJFYfPA5jXmtdqYziI0Fzk1gagFH1Jvy2HLka450oKi-RaK6BOTOoSWkYgMn2ZOacE1C1Jy-hb4T54uzz8Jvl_e/s200/macky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604159751410152898" border="0" /></a>This morning I woke to find out that my dog, Mac, passed away late last night surrounded by my family in New York. I spent most of today feeling sad and thinking about all he had meant to me. I took the kids to the park this afternoon to get out of the house and clear my head. It was a beautiful day outside and all I could think of was how much Mac would have loved it. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZteJpHQdJPN1_eUYBQm9NgTHqcGm_IRQ8gHNLnAB4tprcibwxVHKQHm1ttv4F8xW43ff3CrvkVcn1W-hQqwNJBAX343GMHMVzZl1Inv-7xUvRFl-4hmbI4rtZxDS7L-jvhBlCCGIMC3g/s1600/Farm+in+the+LR.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZteJpHQdJPN1_eUYBQm9NgTHqcGm_IRQ8gHNLnAB4tprcibwxVHKQHm1ttv4F8xW43ff3CrvkVcn1W-hQqwNJBAX343GMHMVzZl1Inv-7xUvRFl-4hmbI4rtZxDS7L-jvhBlCCGIMC3g/s200/Farm+in+the+LR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604178725590064882" border="0" /></a>How he would have been sitting in the grass with his paws crossed like a gentleman, with his nose tipped up into the wind, the little white patch on his chin, the bump on his head, his sad brown eyes. It is difficult to imagine I will never see him again. That we will never share a day like this again this side of heaven. It's been so long since we have.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwC2tBTDyYb0V0QSeschbjM8yjKcfTNHMhyUkEbDFTPBvp19MbIWtFM8eg7vFOLjIPlMs8XxoupSsE8jYdj7d3xtHlo-gxnkLhuzrcOrACLsArrW1bUZfR-lWCPez1ImBkRvhnyDV_c8O/s1600/Mac+sprawlin.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwC2tBTDyYb0V0QSeschbjM8yjKcfTNHMhyUkEbDFTPBvp19MbIWtFM8eg7vFOLjIPlMs8XxoupSsE8jYdj7d3xtHlo-gxnkLhuzrcOrACLsArrW1bUZfR-lWCPez1ImBkRvhnyDV_c8O/s200/Mac+sprawlin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604160072535891554" border="0" /></a>My sister and I brought Mac home when he was just a little puppy. We chose him because his head was bigger than his body and because of his sad eyes. We thought it funny that we would have a boy in a house that had for so long been "girls only" including all our pets. He was trouble from the start. Mostly, he was misunderstood. If you didn't really know him- if you had only heard about his antics- you would have never known what a good boy he could be. But he was. He looked out for all of us. It is true what they say. There are some pets who are more loyal than people.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6uusu0jLrgvnOXhMfVccnZkOsR_QZxi2Nk43lr-GDbVwyiM-RGo1vxkaCCTZkxuE8U3TspAmgVfoUZ_u0Xe-PTZOGhgQbzPPIs_lxoZe9ECUwV9zNylFDWD_bp3uUwj67zBDGzrLjWZw/s1600/Love+birds+dogs.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6uusu0jLrgvnOXhMfVccnZkOsR_QZxi2Nk43lr-GDbVwyiM-RGo1vxkaCCTZkxuE8U3TspAmgVfoUZ_u0Xe-PTZOGhgQbzPPIs_lxoZe9ECUwV9zNylFDWD_bp3uUwj67zBDGzrLjWZw/s200/Love+birds+dogs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604162868558658018" border="0" /></a>Mac was my buddy through so many seasons of life, mostly the really rough ones. After my back surgery, I remember how he'd crawl up into my bed each night and lay there. He'd keep watch over me all night long unaware that most nights he made it very hard for me to get physically comfortable. Still, it was a comfort to have him by my side. When I decided to move to Virginia, he seemed to feel almost betrayed. He sat for days next to my suitcase as though he knew it meant I was leaving him. This picture always makes me laugh because it fully depicts how my pets took it when I decided to move out on my own. Mac was so angry that he chewed the wood right off of the wall. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9NWwpbL14vq8y6mSvRAyPUKTZKsfHIeo_igC_2pWTy6rWjkT5XB9HhdgAKtA7g2OpTkV9zY6CmK_DudU_7Y_He2KhiBvZNSBTJCvyTHeZWdnxyOmN23zROPJL3u5KHJFAxZTl7b-5ZPn/s1600/0401+MacnNan.jpeg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9NWwpbL14vq8y6mSvRAyPUKTZKsfHIeo_igC_2pWTy6rWjkT5XB9HhdgAKtA7g2OpTkV9zY6CmK_DudU_7Y_He2KhiBvZNSBTJCvyTHeZWdnxyOmN23zROPJL3u5KHJFAxZTl7b-5ZPn/s200/0401+MacnNan.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604173401527086130" border="0" /></a>While I was away, I was told, he slept on the floor in my room day after day, waiting to see if I would come back. I didn't for a very long time. The next time I returned for a short visit, he wanted nothing to do with me. Would barely look at me. Would growl and "side look" me if I so much as said his name. I know it sounds silly but ask anyone in my family and they will tell you the same thing. He never forgave me for leaving him. He held a grudge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZMk5QAcx7L0r6cfYgfbrdULuA8_DyneaV3NNlOOpC5WL6NMFDRiUJbvmm0rlpn_6KobQ0v1r0uQtwwAuwIFrGV4sFJMZgb2frEsLLJQlFCl_WSRZe2psUeZMaog1w5hksTRQOVhPzZu8/s1600/Mack+n+LooLoo+Lovebirds.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZMk5QAcx7L0r6cfYgfbrdULuA8_DyneaV3NNlOOpC5WL6NMFDRiUJbvmm0rlpn_6KobQ0v1r0uQtwwAuwIFrGV4sFJMZgb2frEsLLJQlFCl_WSRZe2psUeZMaog1w5hksTRQOVhPzZu8/s200/Mack+n+LooLoo+Lovebirds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604164874201659890" border="0" /></a>Through it all, Mac always had his "wife" Lucy by his side. From the start they were inseparable. I'll always remember when we decided to split them up - when Mac went away for a while - and the day Lucy watched Mac being taken away. As he walked away, being led by his leash down the stairs, she blinked her eyes and then threw up all over the floor in front of the glass door to our porch. But it was not long before I heard his heavy footsteps like horse hooves galloping through the house. He ran up the stairs and pounced on me in my bed, licking my face. The only one more overjoyed than Mac was Lucy. Regardless of the fact that they lived apart these past few years, they were inseparable until the day he died.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixifU_Ym5OAJzn7XvcdC56gUoOw4oiwYo-G_D-ucroUhde4OmmSGo4uSBo6jG6vDXJ9sfTMOiRKPmyU9JKXW-YhEEEqrSmDIEvWvgBGsb6s86Hfz73cgLCr-IvR3T5lKj7DAjnnD0OPvcy/s1600/so+in+love.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixifU_Ym5OAJzn7XvcdC56gUoOw4oiwYo-G_D-ucroUhde4OmmSGo4uSBo6jG6vDXJ9sfTMOiRKPmyU9JKXW-YhEEEqrSmDIEvWvgBGsb6s86Hfz73cgLCr-IvR3T5lKj7DAjnnD0OPvcy/s200/so+in+love.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604165068617280178" border="0" /></a>The last time I saw Mac, I had no reason to believe it would be the last time. He held my hand like old times but he still wouldn't really look me in the eye. He let me rub his head and talk to him without growling but it only lasted a few minutes before he walked away and threw himself on the floor with a big huff. I joked with my family that it was progress. I said "Goodbye Mackie," careful not to inflect my voice to the sing-song level that seemed to open old wounds and caused him to growl. I rubbed the bump on the top of his head glad that we were making improvement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51K4120AdFAcxpoBzuIs1TNhZy04hgUKSE4gzew_dDeoLBYrGuHzROzASDSkWu8jB4A8Xu7yv3HxB9I5huc_A8ocaIRDDcBw4S_Cr7701ntbQ1nHhNHgaSw1QdiwOwWL2TwarcprGUIzg/s1600/IMG_0183.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51K4120AdFAcxpoBzuIs1TNhZy04hgUKSE4gzew_dDeoLBYrGuHzROzASDSkWu8jB4A8Xu7yv3HxB9I5huc_A8ocaIRDDcBw4S_Cr7701ntbQ1nHhNHgaSw1QdiwOwWL2TwarcprGUIzg/s200/IMG_0183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604174812148909042" border="0" /></a>Noah was fascinated with both my dogs from the moment he first saw them. He was so enamored with all of our pets that Michael and I decided to take my 19 year old cat, Trixie, back to Virginia with us for him this past October. It's hard to believe that my cat, who still looks so much like a kitten in her old age, has seen me through graduating middle school, high school, college, law school, getting married, having a baby - all of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVmIx2Cp_xWkZXOc8F7-LJpIb98tKoAPK55dKq0Hk_bNdBBjDmO3GiC61FIZx-ccioKdRRMSmCrqNogyIuSIkdx_L4oeMT52C04eEMLQfVt-wcXvdDd2NVqsgIldb1bD3P-VLh7KFLGd5/s1600/stare+down.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVmIx2Cp_xWkZXOc8F7-LJpIb98tKoAPK55dKq0Hk_bNdBBjDmO3GiC61FIZx-ccioKdRRMSmCrqNogyIuSIkdx_L4oeMT52C04eEMLQfVt-wcXvdDd2NVqsgIldb1bD3P-VLh7KFLGd5/s200/stare+down.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604166099923858594" border="0" /></a>Trixie, we called "the general." She always kept Mac in line. They had a rivalry between them that never ceased to crack me up. There were times when they would just "stand off" against each other, staring each other down to see who would falter first. It was always Mac. I still remember little Trixie with her claw-less paws slapping Mac's face repeatedly, like a prized fighter holding nothing back. He stood there and took it as though he did not understand that he was 10 times her size and capable of putting her in her place with so little effort. Although he had his wild moments, he was oddly polite. Although I was a little nervous as to how Mac would react to Noah, he was always very gentle with him, despite his misgivings towards me that he'd carried throughout his life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMGogskxRgJF11Bx0OW623sOMoQKSugOKu1vlJ-sQc4IeYbriIgPyRmQVpvXmSsa0iH7B0MRuE4N8HSn_xpTzKhlh_rfhQTObljHRoNtA9O7blx2jAm2GKbyQUJdCr1SKloWFPvoqPa7j/s1600/IMG_6384.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMGogskxRgJF11Bx0OW623sOMoQKSugOKu1vlJ-sQc4IeYbriIgPyRmQVpvXmSsa0iH7B0MRuE4N8HSn_xpTzKhlh_rfhQTObljHRoNtA9O7blx2jAm2GKbyQUJdCr1SKloWFPvoqPa7j/s200/IMG_6384.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604169524586205730" border="0" /></a>I always said I would never get another pet again after having lost my first Boston Terrier Baby. I didn't want to have to deal with that kind of pain again. Noah is so fond of dogs and loved Mac, Lucy and Trixie, but the thought of putting him through that kind of loss gave me pause. Still, I know this is a part of life and though I'm sad, tonight I try to be grateful. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXWLDMesPp-wlzF9Np12XBsam6DhPXtC5iHdhri9pk7zzbDfBxq0HQaFboAZC2X-cB54REPuV9No3g0ZmXW0NbLcB1aguvEfP0FvEFEwRKmu2lp8vXPl5PsR0KkqoT97_3YLkXRijFjHG/s1600/sad+mackie.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXWLDMesPp-wlzF9Np12XBsam6DhPXtC5iHdhri9pk7zzbDfBxq0HQaFboAZC2X-cB54REPuV9No3g0ZmXW0NbLcB1aguvEfP0FvEFEwRKmu2lp8vXPl5PsR0KkqoT97_3YLkXRijFjHG/s200/sad+mackie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604171228128396930" border="0" /></a>Grateful that these pets, who were such a large part of my childhood and younger days got to be a part of Noah's. What a great blessing.<br /><br />RIP Mackie. I love you.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-44095021160241610822011-04-23T14:54:00.000-07:002011-04-24T17:30:25.449-07:00Noah's 2nd Easter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRwR56p4ShkZbBJ7ESf5mZJsJJV91ZxBTYjauRsTcZqmBSESntRF1JmsbJwZhhVf0KRymxQuhlDRQUGEcU4aVTRNAje-EgYw7Z8SJme0Qc0O4BJetO1Jb1NnQSdyfRhrGDhCf3eKDhUop/s1600/IMG_3127.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRwR56p4ShkZbBJ7ESf5mZJsJJV91ZxBTYjauRsTcZqmBSESntRF1JmsbJwZhhVf0KRymxQuhlDRQUGEcU4aVTRNAje-EgYw7Z8SJme0Qc0O4BJetO1Jb1NnQSdyfRhrGDhCf3eKDhUop/s320/IMG_3127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598991806813887442" border="0" /></a><div>It's hard to believe how much our little boy has grown in the last year. I remember last Easter like it was yesterday. We were living in Leesburg and Noah was 8 months old, the age when he started to get very mobile. Even at 8 months, he was ever the ham. I took a bunch of pictures of him in Vanessa's room, using her bedspread as a backdrop. I was so glad that I was able to get some great pictures of both kids but then never got around to doing anything with them. Looking back on them today, I could hardly believe the difference I see in both Noah and Vanessa. What a difference a year makes!</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MrR5DvNuUAGT87q3HXSQBq5NqC_0F-1pIu-G0DeQpdc7xaCHrn_HkSx8xuvvrThds2N2TOQf41Bx9DlZz7-plplhw8uud1h1a8An73Aig9dIlqQZxzQVLP4nyFWPQasCbO0n2jvEoUC-/s320/IMG_3129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599000050298852930" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" border="0" /><div><br /></div><div> This year, Noah is 20 months old and Vanessa is one month shy of her 11th birthday. Just yesterday (it seems) she was 5 years old, playing makeup and collecting panda bears, pushing our heads together announcing "you may now kiss the bride." Now, she is a beautiful young lady, soon to be in junior high. As of this weekend, she has also officially surpassed me in height. Big shock there, I'm sure. This year she is old enough to understand the meaning of the Easter season and what we celebrate on Resurrection Sunday in a much more meaningful way than she did before.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Bx3KrgWPrpq0N9eU2ouWJzaEpDrRp0WAd5Xw6Aoe1xrF5Mszv8o3dMlfQVZnMBxULbhqF0Lpo6TBEzRBgrOBLsVQ-13Gp29EOuDVQ9flGbicOeyRUgxlCkzOT2rnW2WQex05nS3GMEKS/s320/IMG_3160.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598999804132105186" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" border="0" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This year, to commemorate Good Friday, Michael, Vanessa and I watched The Passion of the Christ while Noah slept. It was a powerful reminder of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and it provided a great opportunity for us to discuss the Bible and help Vanessa's understanding of Jesus to become less abstract.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09QXukNtI32QMqZZsGwUgmOQi2IBKlYArs3UmJqNQSAFxjFd5kt96ZhZUQ8s1MzpXwNeTGfYjKCrQtq085SAdlhBRDC8Lee2KtbF50TiPwWQQXjpwLbkzM0pMq7BxrwsW6hhFg6yuhWFr/s320/NoahNessEaster11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598992233707116610" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" border="0" /><div>This morning, I took Noah and Vanessa to have their pictures taken down the street from our apartment and then this afternoon, Michael, Vanessa and I did a Bible Study before he had to take Vanessa back. It was definitely the most meaningful celebration we have ever had as a family, albeit low-key. I hope it will become as much as a tradition for our family as decorating Easter eggs, eating chocolate bunnies or hoarding marshmallow Peeps has been. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>The last time we did not have Vanessa on Easter Sunday we also had her for the preceding Friday and Saturday. That was <a href="http://littleaddition.blogspot.com/2009/04/its-blessing.html">the weekend I found out that Noah was a boy via ultrasound</a>. That day too feels like it was just yesterday. I had decorated the "nursery" of our South Riding townhouse in blue and assembled a blue Easter basket for Vanessa which included the blue bunny Noah is holding in the above photos from last Easter. </div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjteol_1_2CdYruHPbLNwwlBnYf4seRWa7wa2XnQ9filIjV7KLAK-X6j5GHLoit30ouN9nT9piVjmEJ6LopkIoiBvjgWgyjKWtmCeD-z0B1-GPECqB-3iYhjnYiaqBxtMh6Iz0bTXfkuz/s320/NoahEaster11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598991914786601794" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 320px;" border="0" /><div>Tomorrow morning Michael will be playing for 3 services, starting with the Sunrise Service at McLean Bible Church's Prince William campus. Unfortunately, we will be away from our church family, but I am excited to see the new campus and worship with my husband. This Easter we will not be celebrating with either of our families, as we did last year, either, but I am grateful that we have such wonderful friends who have opened up their home to us. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3Yyb6dP2EoiKKkhuypywU1Il9dUsd-UqsFPGyACy2iot2iPnooda3TvqQCn9eB67UdsCB-LA4KWmaVE4uWDDk_XaL9dNMh_YXyeNn0ySRjcvk2mQq43Xxr896BfaB935tptMakSH5bw0/s1600/Noahlooksathiseggs.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3Yyb6dP2EoiKKkhuypywU1Il9dUsd-UqsFPGyACy2iot2iPnooda3TvqQCn9eB67UdsCB-LA4KWmaVE4uWDDk_XaL9dNMh_YXyeNn0ySRjcvk2mQq43Xxr896BfaB935tptMakSH5bw0/s200/Noahlooksathiseggs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599108047776557778" border="0" /></a>In spite of everything going on right now in our lives, despite situations and circumstances which make it seemingly impossible to feel peace or joy, I am trying to focus on the weight of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, trying to keep my eyes on Him and not be distracted by the details and worries of life that I often give too much importance to anyway. That's what this season and this holiday we celebrate is really all about.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjlAbOpW61WDG7kHJFWdzkieGDCctBgjgOWR0J7CMZ9eNfqgsJ4LuS4tg9BsRvWSY-v3uD4nrj9EJLvPsKqq2H2YAyx9na3kvcJYM2GJ9P0GT2FiPlfyzeDafKEeCnkQvfqTJGPIe5IHt/s320/NoahEasterEggsinhand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598992504078975298" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 320px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238);" border="0" /><div><span style="font-style: italic;">"For G</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">od so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whosoever should believe in Him should never die, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)</span></div><div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-style: italic;">"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)</span><div><br /><i>"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." (1 Peter 1:3)</i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(Listen: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2KNvuscKRA">Christ is Risen From the Dead - Matt Maher</a>)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-22881687246250268632011-04-17T10:09:00.000-07:002011-04-23T18:48:59.091-07:00Welcome Spring<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYRsoThfQ0_Fj_0DoOd-1g3wALk5XIiZxQgXmRh_OVJnle5j-yCqq4r4bTUKrUDG6ZLKfJ_cqTplQZwVbt8_ynjgkoN-gdXioYpCcbDR1OubBEofp2U2eO72U2a88noZpJNzguc4SnbDN/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYRsoThfQ0_Fj_0DoOd-1g3wALk5XIiZxQgXmRh_OVJnle5j-yCqq4r4bTUKrUDG6ZLKfJ_cqTplQZwVbt8_ynjgkoN-gdXioYpCcbDR1OubBEofp2U2eO72U2a88noZpJNzguc4SnbDN/s320/IMG_0434.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596601297325129506" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,'bookman old style','palatino linotype','book antiqua',palatino,'trebuchet ms',helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,'avante garde','century gothic','comic sans ms',times,'times new roman',serif;font-size:medium;" ><i>"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." ~Charles Dickens</i></span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Michael, Noah and I are still at Tom and Sue's enjoying a weekend visit after having been away for quite some time due to everyone being sick. This past winter was not anywhere near as treacherous as the winter before, which was marked with one snow storm after another that buried us on the mountain in Leesburg. Nevertheless, we could not be happier to be welcoming the warm weather and beautiful colors of Spring. It is especially nice that this year, Noah is walking around and able to experience in a much more meaningful way than he did last year.<div><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1EbNh5RlGgX2hTgk-oNth0Vx84NVr3LKbDLKsTfmxnfzCc2tXb4U_5D-ObqntPeXNNvKZVAayCACAW4Peo1ZB8Zr2EVSSqwb4n2IdgWoryqHT-ecqkpQaCoPGhRkhAz-gCjwXJ5bk959/s320/IMG_0465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596602238681699794" border="0" /><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZrUUNrymLYfd85EEEG4lCiz7GT6u3A3KbKBJW444E2O1MkCEhTbsjTdNt1Ga7vQQdGRjhGnIluiWlcMlIppujCt6VECugjuwX51K9cc6DbpG6A61AzoBfzTcv1f8NQ2_waQjba3Urmye/s320/IMG_0461.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596601926018435986" border="0" /></div><div>We just got back after enjoying some of this beautiful spring(ish) weather. I think the above quote captures perfectly the kind of day it is today. Noah had a blast picking dandelions and dragging Sue and I up and down this beautiful Stephen's City neighborhood. We had to practically drag him back to the house in order to wash the yellow stains left from flower-picking off his hands. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was able to capture a few photos of him on Michael's phone. Though he has grown so much from the last post on here containing pictures, he has remained a constant ham. Glad I could share his sweet smile with you today.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZReZXmu6plj9IdfxhAn_jvsoRtbEdEAgi6OZjZR5TP-kcyLIVLZ0_1XyAimq8YXrbJ-a5X8qBmywBkjXdtv61YD-pVjEL6LvQRrgf9sHJ3jT3fiy225s7busG-0hMgmohBxk_eA00uYx/s320/IMG_0435.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596603504507473762" border="0" /></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-90636530421073574992011-04-16T18:32:00.001-07:002011-04-16T19:07:19.694-07:00Catching UpIt's hard to believe that the last time I updated this blog was when Noah was 5 months old. Nearly 15 months later, my once floppy baby is a rambunctious toddler with a huge sense of humor, a strong will and an unlimited supply of energy. Although I have surely neglected to keep up with blogging my baby and although many months will unfortunately remain unaccounted for, I am <a href="http://nansrants.wordpress.com/">resolved to pick up blogging again</a>.<br /><br />To provide a very brief update: Noah turns 20 months on the 25th. He is walking (more often running) and talking up a storm. He amazes me everyday with what he's picking up (and often throwing -- pun intended). He is sweet and stubborn as can be, eager to give affection and intent on having everything precisely his way. And though my days are often marked with tantrums, which have a wide range in duration, they are also filled with laughter. I love being a mom.<br /><br />Apart from being a mom, I also work full-time now in my first post-law school job, in a career I love and one which has a great future, so long as I passed the Bar, which for the next 20 days it to be determined. Life has surely been more hectic than I ever could have imagined and some days as of late have been very hard to bear. Adversity has touched every corner of my family. My mother-in-law, who I love as though she were my own mom, was recently diagnosed with small cell lung carcinoma. While the cancer has been hard on her body, her heart is still as big as ever. As I type, she and Noah are laughing and playing as though cancer had never touched her. I am so grateful for her and miss the days when we all lived under one roof and she was as big a part of raising Noah as Michael and I were. At times like this, living so far away is surely hard. This past Thursday, my 88-year-old Ma fell and broke her hip while doing something as ordinary as frying an egg. Her life, too, has changed overnight and I know the road ahead will be long. I'm incredibly grateful that Noah and I were able to visit her in Florida just last month. At times like this it's so hard to be apart from my family and I am reminded of how important family is. I pray daily for healing for them and for the division and brokenness in all three of my families and trust that God is big and capable enough to answer.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I am not at home and do not have access to any recent pictures to post. But I'm hopeful that I will find the time to do so soon. I look forward to sharing more of our life with Noah with those of you who have followed our journey as parents. It certainly makes the distance between us seem a lot easier to bridge.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-22342110432717774142010-01-22T09:10:00.000-08:002010-01-22T11:34:36.078-08:005 Months old (on Monday)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDvpa5yUIzJPJg1AMeT5IELZ1kInOHQARBhR2EFMUzYPHc3jeKL-aTIShrJ25_x4HYonL4Lu4eo4AVifkOPtoizJvvcBjHKKm0BPcgLQSj1d_CnDKywu9bmvLU5D7SpMYp64E4DqsEo2D/s1600-h/IMG_3183.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDvpa5yUIzJPJg1AMeT5IELZ1kInOHQARBhR2EFMUzYPHc3jeKL-aTIShrJ25_x4HYonL4Lu4eo4AVifkOPtoizJvvcBjHKKm0BPcgLQSj1d_CnDKywu9bmvLU5D7SpMYp64E4DqsEo2D/s320/IMG_3183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429618024611241330" border="0" /></a>It's been way too long since I've updated the blog. Now that I've ended my ban on social networking, I have been posting so many pictures that I forget sometimes that I have this to maintain! Noah has gotten SO big. He is already 18lbs and in size 4 diapers and he babbles up a storm and jumps for hours in his jumperoo everyday (his favorite activity in the world aside from laughing hysterically with his daddy!). His little personality comes through more and more everyday and though his reflux is still a problem and his sleeping is still not on any kind of schedule, he is doing really great! He has become such a happy little boy and he really is such a joy to have. This is a new development so here's to hoping the happy stage lasts! (Hoping it NEVER ends!) He is starting to teeth so I imagine that it won't be long before he gets grumpy again... So for now, I'm just taking it all in! Time has FLOWN. My little bitty baby is getting to be such a big boy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYO1c7US6UnMDWkjx1IqxQEEnNX9Wmywx6aOf9rLUKbCJEtlCBGUVZgmasBZRux0PBJiqwsEyMIXi29W3a8JztkU0Ug2FSGts6MPjiryk2v0rsh92TwpRY_-QQIyaX-nt5tSrjfKFmekH/s1600-h/IMG_1287.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYO1c7US6UnMDWkjx1IqxQEEnNX9Wmywx6aOf9rLUKbCJEtlCBGUVZgmasBZRux0PBJiqwsEyMIXi29W3a8JztkU0Ug2FSGts6MPjiryk2v0rsh92TwpRY_-QQIyaX-nt5tSrjfKFmekH/s320/IMG_1287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429648011685527218" border="0" /></a><br />Michael and I are both now back to school and trying to juggle our schedules as best as we can. It's been an adjustment for me after being home with him 24/7 for the last 5 months but I'm survivng. I can't tell you how forward I look to getting home to see his little smiling face and those big cheeks waiting for me! One last semester and I will be a law school graduate. I've got my eyes on the prize lol<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5NBQOwDhrIkbQQDQpOLMImt48NwVfAZBI8j7hXDqJIEpZmJcbxvGH9PRZDhvmCtSLT_L1ySwJRiBlY-8gPNVfMAJh8N4WuewFcXiOfhJI3Dbs-XQ901urD5MJw7z944ecumm8F3iYhNK/s1600-h/Photo+on+2010-01-14+at+21.17+%234.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5NBQOwDhrIkbQQDQpOLMImt48NwVfAZBI8j7hXDqJIEpZmJcbxvGH9PRZDhvmCtSLT_L1ySwJRiBlY-8gPNVfMAJh8N4WuewFcXiOfhJI3Dbs-XQ901urD5MJw7z944ecumm8F3iYhNK/s320/Photo+on+2010-01-14+at+21.17+%234.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429615437739276402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk9SoqQOTtRsprSG-d-HameYRfSqFcPIhT00jRlTy2rkqzlg7zMiYw_8n59Q9DYqwrmE2d2-6ZGR9c9f3eh3UrDexdd2FedPPz2DTEdcMudmoaQ7jj1BENbZo-whALd-xm17PP-MKeK6p/s1600-h/IMG_1633.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk9SoqQOTtRsprSG-d-HameYRfSqFcPIhT00jRlTy2rkqzlg7zMiYw_8n59Q9DYqwrmE2d2-6ZGR9c9f3eh3UrDexdd2FedPPz2DTEdcMudmoaQ7jj1BENbZo-whALd-xm17PP-MKeK6p/s320/IMG_1633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429614683504664674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />At Noah's 4 month appointment he weighed in a little under 18lbs and measured 26.5 inches. He's growing so fast! On the doctor's advice we started him on rice cereal which he did not like (though he really loved eating the empty spoon) but it seemed to aggravate his tummy so for now he's exclusively nursing.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-suKse21Uc7oV2TRnHbiKhyphenhyphenr1-GpaM7xCg4uORojBldIoGm4DKs_xsJpQMzkkBFDC0Cqv8RgQnUh97_WJcjh4W3GeZ-dWyLUBsu6YpQqNLsh4wq_-DKjqoHDbxdJVkAlojv53aAI3NSD/s1600-h/IMG_2000.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-suKse21Uc7oV2TRnHbiKhyphenhyphenr1-GpaM7xCg4uORojBldIoGm4DKs_xsJpQMzkkBFDC0Cqv8RgQnUh97_WJcjh4W3GeZ-dWyLUBsu6YpQqNLsh4wq_-DKjqoHDbxdJVkAlojv53aAI3NSD/s320/IMG_2000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429630980786683778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh... and how can I foget to mention Noah's First Christmas? My family came in from New York and we had the best Christmas Eve dinner ever. Ma's teaching seems to have paid off, though we missed her VERY much. For Christmas, Noah got his very first Elmo. He was not such a happy boy that day lol His reaction was not quite what we'd hoped it would be! (see video).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwEzWiL6AlBShC-stSC1RvCST6AP1yOSBQGJlRNwM0EAQlLulscGtmyrpchoO6xW1o2zoepw2OVNyRC82EI0g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br />Fortunately they are now the best of friends! Below are some more great pics from the holidays to date. Hope you enjoy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div><embed src="http://apps.rockyou.com/rockyou.swf?instanceid=156224017&ver=102906" quality="high" salign="lt" wmode="transparent" name="rockyou" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="320" width="426"></embed><br /><a style="padding-right: 1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/?type=slideshow&refid=156224017"><img style="border: 0px none ;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/logo.gif" /></a><a style="padding-right: 1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/slideshow_create.php?refid=156224017&source=cyo"><img style="border: 0px none ;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/create_own.gif" /></a><a style="padding-right: 1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?instanceid=156224017"><img style="border: 0px none ;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/view_all.gif" /></a></div><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-89977082754424267152009-12-19T09:54:00.000-08:002009-12-19T11:48:21.249-08:00Catching up - The best shots!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mu_vAh1fRtq_WMoE-BPiiS0kkazl2Q05Ut3UxYRf1NwfV5ywEwtIAFDRSopbr6gqqDpzAmS40tZOw9bWKgL7jIAeK9K4EnicaoKfDL37zZ7Y8kOwOwl9n5B-ElrIXU-Nw0kc2ENAAImP/s1600-h/IMG_1064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mu_vAh1fRtq_WMoE-BPiiS0kkazl2Q05Ut3UxYRf1NwfV5ywEwtIAFDRSopbr6gqqDpzAmS40tZOw9bWKgL7jIAeK9K4EnicaoKfDL37zZ7Y8kOwOwl9n5B-ElrIXU-Nw0kc2ENAAImP/s320/IMG_1064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417030920314922818" border="0" /></a>It's been far too long since I've updated this site and so today, while we are all snowed in (save Michael who somehow trecked through a foot of snow and quite dangerous conditions to go to work, trooper that he is), I will try my best to get as much up here as I can. Below are a batch of some of the best shots we've taken of our rapidly growing little boy who will be four months old on Christmas day and is somehow getting ready to start donning 12 month sized clothes! How much our little one has grown and grown up! He now has great control over his hands. He plays with his toys (his favorite are his glow worm and worm rattle - posts on that to come soon). He gets such a kick playing on his playmat! He has also discovered his feet and went so far the other night to put his foot into his mouth! He has a whole vocabulary of words like "agoo" which he can say with various inflections and ennunciations as well as early versions of "mama" and "dada" which are so precious. He is such a little character!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="width:426px"><embed src="http://apps.rockyou.com/rockyou.swf?instanceid=155617352&ver=102906" quality="high" salign="lt" width="426" height="320" wmode="transparent" name="rockyou" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><a style="padding-right:1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/?type=slideshow&refid=155617352"><img style="border:0px;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/logo.gif" /></a><a style="padding-right:1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/slideshow_create.php?refid=155617352&source=cyo"><img style="border:0px;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/create_own.gif" /></a><a style="padding-right:1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?instanceid=155617352"><img style="border:0px;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/view_all.gif" /></a><a target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/link/link2.php"><img width="84" style="border:0px" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/link2.gif" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ptUK_rN6YOGuBqzzxbTPpQ8RohOGCyXPR2gziU3VQq-K7g-KR8ze2gAHqkwIFjIvWnd336WlTT-6mR2fLHzaEzCQgj1T8QEl7dLqZwqllCGmmjwCo3QnmD-G9lKKETY8ms-1vRFhbhaK/s1600-h/IMG_2128.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ptUK_rN6YOGuBqzzxbTPpQ8RohOGCyXPR2gziU3VQq-K7g-KR8ze2gAHqkwIFjIvWnd336WlTT-6mR2fLHzaEzCQgj1T8QEl7dLqZwqllCGmmjwCo3QnmD-G9lKKETY8ms-1vRFhbhaK/s320/IMG_2128.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417030621587529250" border="0" /></a>He still LOVES bathtime and loves it even more now that he has learned to splash which is always fun (until clean up time comes!) :) And he gets such a great big kick out of his jumperoo!<br /><br />But the most exciting milestone to date is that Noah has found his laugh! I am not as talented at Michael as getting him to go into full-on belly laughs but I do get some good laughs when I sing him Christmas carols (his favorite is my mish-mashed version of Holly Jolly Christmas and Frosty the Snowman during which "thumpidy thump thump" occurrs every other verse lol). He also laughs when I tell him that "mommy is going to eat his feet" before I gobble them up. But when Michael has Noah on his lap, he just gets absolutely hysterical. I was so thrilled to capture this laughing fit on video a week or so ago! Whenever I am sad I play this back for myself and it always makes my day. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4e19u2_SSSmhOv_dmblvqd9Shj2xxJJ1IwXIXssn_4b6-ncEXPZ5CE6VrHeJXYkxOlyIzwRF8DOkWz5SCUg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-159580536355725072009-12-19T09:27:00.000-08:002009-12-19T09:51:17.615-08:00Aunt Chrissy & Uncle Anthony's WeddingDuring the first week in November, we took our first family road trip up to New York to be in Aunt Christine and Uncle Anthony's wedding. The night before the wedding, Noah stayed in his first Park Avenue hotel in the big city and the day of the wedding he got to wear his very first tux. He looked very handsome! Aunt Christine could not have looked more beautiful. Noah also got to spend lots of time with Aunt Michy who could not get over how big he had gotten since the last time she saw him. While in NY, Noah was surrounded by lots of beautiful women who could not wait to shower him with affection! Sadly, I don't have many pictures (how I don't have a shot of the bride and groom is beyond me) but when I get more I will surely post them!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="width:426px"><embed src="http://apps.rockyou.com/rockyou.swf?instanceid=155617155&ver=102906" quality="high" salign="lt" width="426" height="320" wmode="transparent" name="rockyou" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><a style="padding-right:1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/?type=slideshow&refid=155617155"><img style="border:0px;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/logo.gif" /></a><a style="padding-right:1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/slideshow_create.php?refid=155617155&source=cyo"><img style="border:0px;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/create_own.gif" /></a><a style="padding-right:1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?instanceid=155617155"><img style="border:0px;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/view_all.gif" /></a><a target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/link/link3.php"><img width="84" style="border:0px" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/link3.gif" /></a></div><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-87488019833283049582009-11-25T19:05:00.001-08:002009-11-25T19:06:21.398-08:003 Months Old Today!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKPyPPTOx3BfPmx88bd9mdeEYx_ZVeYlwcVc_pec4drnYk2O2tLkYdiHy0HDloC2h3lbwkaC5p5ttgEaI8EmYCZv9ycG4ErYqVvj_VT0ME-07qcBhvmEShMy6wDSD2AjRLPHVpMFlwoG8/s1600/IMG_2132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKPyPPTOx3BfPmx88bd9mdeEYx_ZVeYlwcVc_pec4drnYk2O2tLkYdiHy0HDloC2h3lbwkaC5p5ttgEaI8EmYCZv9ycG4ErYqVvj_VT0ME-07qcBhvmEShMy6wDSD2AjRLPHVpMFlwoG8/s320/IMG_2132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408243291217259442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">more photos to come...<br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-62361890233628559202009-10-31T13:26:00.001-07:002009-10-31T13:38:53.586-07:00Happy Halloween!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoS4cnjyeisqx0-7wlrivyxOPEknxp8mjuDRfq735_puW_1tDLO14sonLovObxsBO923nhiBcLuQYFHfHWwG2P3zlaeLN4lSnnOCsC5tV95XUsmYQ7BHN6T9XEP3dnao3u8x20gRIUger/s1600-h/IMG_0420.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoS4cnjyeisqx0-7wlrivyxOPEknxp8mjuDRfq735_puW_1tDLO14sonLovObxsBO923nhiBcLuQYFHfHWwG2P3zlaeLN4lSnnOCsC5tV95XUsmYQ7BHN6T9XEP3dnao3u8x20gRIUger/s320/IMG_0420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398863773422308594" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Good Grief, it's Noah's First Halloween! He's been a fussy boy today but we managed to get some photos of him in his costume where he is not crying lol. No trick or treating this year sad to say. Better luck next year!<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">A</span>P<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">P</span>Y <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">H</span>A<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">L</span>L<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">O</span>W<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">E</span>E<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">N</span>I<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">E</span>!!!!</span></span><br /><br /></div><div><embed src="http://apps.rockyou.com/rockyou.swf?instanceid=154545124&ver=102906" quality="high" salign="lt" wmode="transparent" name="rockyou" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="320" width="426"></embed></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0r33pYp81N4Wug0Cdj7SA6swXgbpY5NEHJtYKtJnw0m1-0j-jGgQJxoFEId0HLdbt3JuddTXA3fbOSOdLDSN2S1GI8mtaDj3YYAEgDSV23L9iKFsdgW8ktIgCUe_YOYIP3Ok2eZxa-vT/s1600-h/IMG_0392.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0r33pYp81N4Wug0Cdj7SA6swXgbpY5NEHJtYKtJnw0m1-0j-jGgQJxoFEId0HLdbt3JuddTXA3fbOSOdLDSN2S1GI8mtaDj3YYAEgDSV23L9iKFsdgW8ktIgCUe_YOYIP3Ok2eZxa-vT/s320/IMG_0392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398865228611455730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">Love, Noah</span><br /></div><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-7497621544455402382009-10-30T08:44:00.001-07:002009-10-30T09:22:18.726-07:002 Months Doctor's Visit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFu00W1r9giS4UrPqtix01XoYTZAkNn5up5jKNNv4GNWDFLSgXjsyqGSk8GWizYPOkQJICv0zGrYPUenPWP1ruUF8b7OJcXtldcbO7cd_n-sA9Y2FKUxBGuMD5goc3rkqofN7d_0VQsPj-/s1600-h/IMG_0262.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFu00W1r9giS4UrPqtix01XoYTZAkNn5up5jKNNv4GNWDFLSgXjsyqGSk8GWizYPOkQJICv0zGrYPUenPWP1ruUF8b7OJcXtldcbO7cd_n-sA9Y2FKUxBGuMD5goc3rkqofN7d_0VQsPj-/s320/IMG_0262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398423768202497410" border="0" /></a>On the date of Noah's two month milestone, the two of us had a lot to celebrate and we did so by watching the Yankees seal the deal to play in their first world series since I moved to Virginia. Noah stayed in my arms the whole time and had lots of big grins to display as I bounced him in celebration each time the Yankees did something good. We have had a lot of fun watching the games together. :)<br /><br />Yesterday, however, was not so fun. It was the day I've been dreading for weeks: Noah's first round of shots. Michael came with me and thank God he did because it was a truly awful experience for Noah -- and for me.<br /><br />Amazingly, this was the first time Noah has been to the doctor where he wasn't screaming. Michael did a wonderful job with him and he was extremely calm the entire time. He was weighed, measured, and examined from head to toe and there were no tears. Then the doctor left the room for us to wait for the nurse to come in with the shots. Noah sat on his daddy's lap so peacefully and having no clue what he was in for. It just made me feel so sad. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_B-_TFpZavGv83TAYiS6xQAuofiyIGnmadM6UZQI65ONjtl1gAelG00A7vfkHFEe7G5mY1mc_z92E2Gb-t-4nLS-67xUYK4DYzCSUFR4D8ijdeteNil6jaPGJPCEs8MIoGjI-z4dyp4ga/s1600-h/Noah+two+month+checkup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_B-_TFpZavGv83TAYiS6xQAuofiyIGnmadM6UZQI65ONjtl1gAelG00A7vfkHFEe7G5mY1mc_z92E2Gb-t-4nLS-67xUYK4DYzCSUFR4D8ijdeteNil6jaPGJPCEs8MIoGjI-z4dyp4ga/s320/Noah+two+month+checkup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398428266380407986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The nurse came in and had Michael lay Noah down on the table and then asked him to hold down Noah's arms. I could see Noah's little face all happy and unsuspecting and then at rapid speed, the nurse began stabbing his chubby thighs. I wish to God I had not watched and that I could stop replaying it in my mind. With the first shot, Noah's happy face turned bright red and by the second he was crying out. By the third and forth he was absolutely hysterical and screaming louder than I've ever heard him scream before (and believe me, I've heard him scream a lot). As soon as the nurse was done, I ran to him and picked him off the table and just held him as close to me as I could while he wailed and wailed and wailed. The nurse joked that I was as red as he was but it didn't seem very funny at the moment. I was able to calm Noah down enough to get him to nurse for a few seconds but he was pretty inconsolable and eventually cried all the way home in the car. It was heartbreaking. I tried telling myself that it's for his own good but it's so hard to believe that when you see your baby go from being so happy, trusting and content to being so unhappy and in pain. I know it sounds silly (because deep down I do know that it's a necessary evil) but it felt like betrayal. I just thank God it will be another two months before he is subject to that again. :(<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWccWR-xM4aWy2eI1GYoktPCOwX_37M7z11-YtbwHwDr1idfEPptXOsjoDKR9s0E99D4Ql2WW9Bd-1OHaNMH-iY22dy5QOK0WLcmgqbA-WX-ZqcweZSFPTNJo3Op4hKUVTdPj7aQGMCpJ/s1600-h/IMG_0263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWccWR-xM4aWy2eI1GYoktPCOwX_37M7z11-YtbwHwDr1idfEPptXOsjoDKR9s0E99D4Ql2WW9Bd-1OHaNMH-iY22dy5QOK0WLcmgqbA-WX-ZqcweZSFPTNJo3Op4hKUVTdPj7aQGMCpJ/s320/IMG_0263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398425890074885314" border="0" /></a>Aside from Noah getting his needles, we also got some new stats to report!<br /></div><br />Noah is almost 14 pounds and is 2 feet tall! He is in the 90th percentile for both height and weight. (At his first visit he was 75th for height and 50th for weight.) He certainly takes after his daddy! And of course, I've had to laugh that at 2 months old, Noah is almost half my height. (ha ha).<br /><br />Here is a quick glimpse of how our little guy has progressed:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRU3rlpJOPnWpHtsDkj09IGx8XIZ34nR7q5c-RdBS58ajxTNkGvZzvcwreoaJ6NJJkYKkYuXUIYHUDyDUvNqMv1w8L2VuTW-iFfki0M4VWmoqOIXlQcXwohC-9zSIa2s59hMRkm6dthmk/s1600-h/IMG_0266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRU3rlpJOPnWpHtsDkj09IGx8XIZ34nR7q5c-RdBS58ajxTNkGvZzvcwreoaJ6NJJkYKkYuXUIYHUDyDUvNqMv1w8L2VuTW-iFfki0M4VWmoqOIXlQcXwohC-9zSIa2s59hMRkm6dthmk/s320/IMG_0266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398425287893110066" border="0" /></a>Birth: 7lbs, 6oz<br />1 Week: under 7lbs<br />2 Weeks: 7lbs, 12 oz<br />3 Weeks: 8lbs, 12 oz<br />4 Weeks: 9lbs, 10 oz<br />6 Weeks: 11lbs, 8 oz<br />7 Weeks: 12lbs, 7 oz<br />9 Weeks: 13lbs, 7 oz<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKDWwqV0HikbukDsIcgKP-elnGhpVPkJ68b5Yqsr6zWcqKen5Ox627eIDnJT5inVxcdz7W11XgFJRavYPCghjgL1TN30IrJkeg3KfnQlb77h0rrRvSqxW9yYGDkzlPsQwP0uGXZ14D_Qt/s1600-h/IMG_0275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKDWwqV0HikbukDsIcgKP-elnGhpVPkJ68b5Yqsr6zWcqKen5Ox627eIDnJT5inVxcdz7W11XgFJRavYPCghjgL1TN30IrJkeg3KfnQlb77h0rrRvSqxW9yYGDkzlPsQwP0uGXZ14D_Qt/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398424830110554354" border="0" /></a>As for Noah's reflux, it continues to be a big problem. He is still very fussy and obviously uncomfortable and there seems to be so very little that we can do to make it better. Once again, the doctor adjusted the dosing on his medications. For the time being, we are keeping him on the Zantac and we are also going to try some natural remedies to see if they will give him any comfort. I look forward to the day when we can stop giving him medicine altogether. I hope that day comes soon... </div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-81836845303023680682009-10-25T16:10:00.000-07:002009-10-25T16:49:54.893-07:002 Months Old Today!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4jKcj9_exOEbfCPQhDmqKPn3NkN600lUQij02N57uz0PWA9XIsXah7D8ByaPTQD2DOM5KH0O3QvpkdYB8JEPYelaQxSgb6oHuGaIsFZQW6WyyWgrXChjTNQMl_g-svRxewyS2EbfRn5I/s1600-h/IMG_0147.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4jKcj9_exOEbfCPQhDmqKPn3NkN600lUQij02N57uz0PWA9XIsXah7D8ByaPTQD2DOM5KH0O3QvpkdYB8JEPYelaQxSgb6oHuGaIsFZQW6WyyWgrXChjTNQMl_g-svRxewyS2EbfRn5I/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396679561459795154" border="0" /></a>It's so hard to believe that two months have passed since we first met our baby boy, but the date on the calendar tells me it's true.<br /><br />In these two short months our little boy has grown SO much and developed such a personality. Each day that passes shows more growth on so many levels. From his reactions to little things he didn't notice before to the sweet sounds he makes when he has "conversations" with us, he is just a little joy in so many ways.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oxj3P2FRNbZKR0OndcPfXqZseVvJrrNII-Hc5lqyXUK4A7y-VfAhrIqVCPvSb5nwX1SJobTQSB_ZrYYwgj8I5w8qM7Nb4EZqcyzt16CK3GTF-FtsYaVgWvInBcjDgke7oCecsjFGptYa/s1600-h/IMG_0120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oxj3P2FRNbZKR0OndcPfXqZseVvJrrNII-Hc5lqyXUK4A7y-VfAhrIqVCPvSb5nwX1SJobTQSB_ZrYYwgj8I5w8qM7Nb4EZqcyzt16CK3GTF-FtsYaVgWvInBcjDgke7oCecsjFGptYa/s320/IMG_0120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396682292292221346" border="0" /></a>Sadly, as sweet and wonderful a baby as he is, Noah has been having a <span style="font-weight: bold;">very</span> hard time with his reflux. On the 16th, he had to go back to the pediatrician to get checked out and have his medicine adjusted. I was shocked to learn that at just 7 weeks, Noah was almost 13 lbs! (12lbs, 7 oz to be exact). Given that he had gained 3lbs since starting his medicine a few weeks earlier, it was necessary to more than double his dose. (We're obviously thrilled that he's not losing weight as a result.) Unfortunately, upping his medicine has not shown any relief in our little boy. He seems to cry constantly and there is very little we can do to console him. These days it seems that Noah is either being held, eating, sleeping or crying.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMneuwbgt6NguDcom2jn65nAzk2Z5lggJoFQgOHMhKa4jc0frSEooCY44Jt9K1TcK61zBplLPNrxIggsBrGsugTs2rqmhM0jMKaCwJ0y3lTMSTp29ub5fnHgdgPxZC_-ivITE9SgI3gJ6/s1600-h/IMG_0014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMneuwbgt6NguDcom2jn65nAzk2Z5lggJoFQgOHMhKa4jc0frSEooCY44Jt9K1TcK61zBplLPNrxIggsBrGsugTs2rqmhM0jMKaCwJ0y3lTMSTp29ub5fnHgdgPxZC_-ivITE9SgI3gJ6/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396684072408198802" border="0" /></a>Though it feels like a desperate situation most of the time, Noah <span style="font-style: italic;">does</span> have his moments where he is all smiles and full of laughter -- particularly when his daddy spins the fan for him, which has him watching with wide eyes and a huge grin! As soon as the fan stops, he sticks his lower lip out in a full on pout. It is the cutest thing. (He is laughing at the fan as I sit here typing as Michael is distracting him from the fact that I'm doing something other than holding or feeding him!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj7MzVrDFVkZpG83E0_5cH9wLEuUsleFUmVI6fQ2VDGPHNl0OTaFZ7irCGTJNcop_iydYZO9q7VKFRSjSjLiAPKRcomMm-GbUCWGP_SIJBixxFjGsVRzQCbzn1gCuJg6WjuCpwCWSsPha/s1600-h/IMG_0257.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj7MzVrDFVkZpG83E0_5cH9wLEuUsleFUmVI6fQ2VDGPHNl0OTaFZ7irCGTJNcop_iydYZO9q7VKFRSjSjLiAPKRcomMm-GbUCWGP_SIJBixxFjGsVRzQCbzn1gCuJg6WjuCpwCWSsPha/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396681170743812306" border="0" /></a><br />Today to celebrate Noah's two month milestone, we took him out for a drive to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNCZ2XtbRKwvMkHnMulbaImlHARWusNu1UOyT0T7PkykVLvZCS_NemXtmfCATk63JHFitATmiVAjQB8HOQTZbfjDDaL0QuHN3MR8Hy8jkF9flIexoPjHF1yBS4sltYaFsb3AFZkt-vdAG/s1600-h/IMG_0230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNCZ2XtbRKwvMkHnMulbaImlHARWusNu1UOyT0T7PkykVLvZCS_NemXtmfCATk63JHFitATmiVAjQB8HOQTZbfjDDaL0QuHN3MR8Hy8jkF9flIexoPjHF1yBS4sltYaFsb3AFZkt-vdAG/s320/IMG_0230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396687239010055922" border="0" /></a> While Michael, Vanessa and I enjoyed the ride and the views, Noah spent most of the time asleep in his car seat. It was nice to see him resting so peacefully... while it lasted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQRUWlQuZ0geOaXzTbejqKTTtIFDNQWrs40U__VaRS9aR9vqYzb9qXHXBnPnTIF30VAUbGp8phEU8384kS-pxq88JZQPQf8-DaZqsZE82Znu7JewY_ZWvwA3RhnQl-Vsqk2dKAssXm84n/s1600-h/IMG_0237.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQRUWlQuZ0geOaXzTbejqKTTtIFDNQWrs40U__VaRS9aR9vqYzb9qXHXBnPnTIF30VAUbGp8phEU8384kS-pxq88JZQPQf8-DaZqsZE82Znu7JewY_ZWvwA3RhnQl-Vsqk2dKAssXm84n/s320/IMG_0237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396687670165707490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Noah goes in for his two month check up -- and first round of shots :( -- on October 29th.<br /><br />More updates to come...Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-58173849927705563822009-10-08T08:50:00.000-07:002009-10-08T15:53:48.536-07:00Our Rapidly Growing Little Guy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HUCZK5MQO3J7WLHmwdQ9pU3vhwqZcfvqggIfQOz0kdTZMFJCakG6XRyX4iIb2FRexi5qNBHs8dRR__qKw62ChExj0Psaqe5OnEqj2u_VV7mYohLgz86FgVMTx1GqtGWFhf4mccXfOP0v/s1600-h/IMG_0833.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HUCZK5MQO3J7WLHmwdQ9pU3vhwqZcfvqggIfQOz0kdTZMFJCakG6XRyX4iIb2FRexi5qNBHs8dRR__qKw62ChExj0Psaqe5OnEqj2u_VV7mYohLgz86FgVMTx1GqtGWFhf4mccXfOP0v/s320/IMG_0833.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390257527625075778" border="0" /></a>Noah is now only a little more than 6 weeks old and he is almost 12 pounds! Our little guy has been growing more and more every day. By now he has big slate blue eyes, which seem to grow wider and more amazed with each passing day. I am also happy to report that in addition to his daddy's lips, he also has his daddy’s long eyelashes. His eyebrows are also starting to come in!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivG112su6cfiSfWudq9cOqeRjcsaUp4F6iPqyDXIw-vAAeKaBTociR5bcdwnNthu476kyOTaMv_h5-_Wnu8n6NT6apc3IsXPdqzapgGRAdodhUBr7ffFyMQrpa_nSJgS4QJMv6JH6GRFQz/s1600-h/IMG_0924.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivG112su6cfiSfWudq9cOqeRjcsaUp4F6iPqyDXIw-vAAeKaBTociR5bcdwnNthu476kyOTaMv_h5-_Wnu8n6NT6apc3IsXPdqzapgGRAdodhUBr7ffFyMQrpa_nSJgS4QJMv6JH6GRFQz/s320/IMG_0924.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390260696130752402" border="0" /></a><br />This week, Noah began noticing things that he didn't seem to in previous weeks. For the first time, he noticed the mobile on his little lamb swing and it was very comical to watch his reaction. I had suspected that he would notice it and was armed and ready with my iPhone. I was fortunate enough to catch his first response to it on video (below)!:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyEJtLoWiKiGCIMnlXTQfY8JxkS3_y6ofp4CM8wfWW8LvxKezCWePPooPJartmWPrPPG2T8RtuwaL1EU4sDuw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /></div>In addition to noticing new things, Noah is learning more and more about his hands. Not only has he mastered taking his pacifier out of his mouth, but a few days ago, he took it out of his mouth and threw it! He also grabs onto the strap of his changing table when he is unhappy to be getting changed and holds on to it for dear life until I am done changing him. Lord knows how much of my hair he has pulled out or how many times he has nearly ripped my necklace off over the last few days. He’s quite a little character just as we all suspected he would be. Noah still sleeps with his hands and arms in an array of funny positions. When I wake up in the morning, I never know what I am going to find!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTlQSX4GG7YtzUY4jnxWK9-lv_KtdzPxhekCuoG2OzDHh99ECax1JtEbIF977VGCo_T0Ws2zRDJqX75FnpkszDhTx0L2q13W9LJeMLZ_PtdS3_tuFfGeFqSNxrYwPGPZyBynqu6CZhgQf/s1600-h/Noah+froggy+feet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTlQSX4GG7YtzUY4jnxWK9-lv_KtdzPxhekCuoG2OzDHh99ECax1JtEbIF977VGCo_T0Ws2zRDJqX75FnpkszDhTx0L2q13W9LJeMLZ_PtdS3_tuFfGeFqSNxrYwPGPZyBynqu6CZhgQf/s320/Noah+froggy+feet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390262742093831010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HWe_pS2ugFEg6JjTRtEGVxCkthrugzmaK69EYSKJtd18NMwuyJ_zJuW0dYgPkD26NrsTLoUJV8t9WdF5xQfNvmdj6jhg7TYg2MPC8z7O63b3z5xWGSKD1QnZegKUG0sBIvqlGrSldXyz/s1600-h/IMG_0935.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HWe_pS2ugFEg6JjTRtEGVxCkthrugzmaK69EYSKJtd18NMwuyJ_zJuW0dYgPkD26NrsTLoUJV8t9WdF5xQfNvmdj6jhg7TYg2MPC8z7O63b3z5xWGSKD1QnZegKUG0sBIvqlGrSldXyz/s320/IMG_0935.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390261559297078546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0m7kXHsoB8lRpRdRzNb2_OeEm8yEa-NFr3FpieDmkBHk3JVRNM6WyxOUgTWLNTcd40_yR9IoFkI827V3tzeS5sA9VwIwDSwSldhmw-S74F_qZJd40qO2V-ZOi7uD_M6VJwpq8Un5gyaT/s1600-h/IMG_0766.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0m7kXHsoB8lRpRdRzNb2_OeEm8yEa-NFr3FpieDmkBHk3JVRNM6WyxOUgTWLNTcd40_yR9IoFkI827V3tzeS5sA9VwIwDSwSldhmw-S74F_qZJd40qO2V-ZOi7uD_M6VJwpq8Un5gyaT/s320/IMG_0766.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390266407006900418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6OQo2Ik_f8Nade2WWSj2tmH5Bg4iVku0CXrCaYUQWkiywuPxm2iehWy9mr1CeJp-hfcrh-v-mqYvoYERQLBVj56BrgLv9kVJtudxCpISetnG7iJ70CxRCQnVHBdwa8yGciWYSu_-Svpw/s1600-h/IMG_0940.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6OQo2Ik_f8Nade2WWSj2tmH5Bg4iVku0CXrCaYUQWkiywuPxm2iehWy9mr1CeJp-hfcrh-v-mqYvoYERQLBVj56BrgLv9kVJtudxCpISetnG7iJ70CxRCQnVHBdwa8yGciWYSu_-Svpw/s320/IMG_0940.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390262009339228210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgsTb4H2fUd4WZjTQr2vKbz02W6LDyEFIr3FVsS28tYhlNhHrhwKKOXuJS2R7k7v4qzmTUPvX4gBR8fqtti97oyRKySt6XeySDk2pbVMad0zEjEE_HQFLIWj6wl6yGZoZ8TUv2HgwaKE6/s1600-h/IMG_0618.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgsTb4H2fUd4WZjTQr2vKbz02W6LDyEFIr3FVsS28tYhlNhHrhwKKOXuJS2R7k7v4qzmTUPvX4gBR8fqtti97oyRKySt6XeySDk2pbVMad0zEjEE_HQFLIWj6wl6yGZoZ8TUv2HgwaKE6/s320/IMG_0618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390264750076439746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yuOjjPpS6FIBtOH2KRkJIAqYZZCB9MRXg-qNes_XVkViy9f7X3Vs7CmEMKOxGIj1d68BLmzK_m9xqqk4Dp6xOuR4TBfGxCztZyrq7yLtD3SuQvvithfcgAL37Kuk9O6t29bdmj1e2RgN/s1600-h/IMG_0744.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yuOjjPpS6FIBtOH2KRkJIAqYZZCB9MRXg-qNes_XVkViy9f7X3Vs7CmEMKOxGIj1d68BLmzK_m9xqqk4Dp6xOuR4TBfGxCztZyrq7yLtD3SuQvvithfcgAL37Kuk9O6t29bdmj1e2RgN/s320/IMG_0744.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390265277971286082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRu9fpEqRwJgakyABXF4mXa-FUXcYq5D123hzXBZCurUzvU0nMPmbu-IAhFMCezNpnAGAXsBgqiozo4Oq3OlGl_nWszpddxyLo6Y4NIbM_OGC86nynPtwNQPlG9115M6vvKz6tNPNmzT2/s1600-h/IMG_0810.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRu9fpEqRwJgakyABXF4mXa-FUXcYq5D123hzXBZCurUzvU0nMPmbu-IAhFMCezNpnAGAXsBgqiozo4Oq3OlGl_nWszpddxyLo6Y4NIbM_OGC86nynPtwNQPlG9115M6vvKz6tNPNmzT2/s320/IMG_0810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390266159888591586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttJJtv27lrgdsgZxLNpge762B0GIrn-0EV60MMeMQWJ2QzKAPsuhjCKDmvL8trg9Sn7ycD09ltVDEWa4Dbz9F65sLURYsi2StqEjUDCo0x69mYEpUMLlRyjQGWgcuHrBf4m5L1-kxeSaC/s1600-h/Noah+boxer+in+blanket.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttJJtv27lrgdsgZxLNpge762B0GIrn-0EV60MMeMQWJ2QzKAPsuhjCKDmvL8trg9Sn7ycD09ltVDEWa4Dbz9F65sLURYsi2StqEjUDCo0x69mYEpUMLlRyjQGWgcuHrBf4m5L1-kxeSaC/s320/Noah+boxer+in+blanket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390263076869508146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWfaJokk-sKj_IXxTmWYS3f2MWzs6lE3p0xR3-wjsozHREHE8UCmoTAE4b3pBoKRi8AgTVLbsParK8Z2UBBfn560sQkszKkBDfe4yLfW3Ip_rfU1pyJKVtK8tNsn0YJ2lGK_lAKzaxxAf/s1600-h/IMG_0736.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWfaJokk-sKj_IXxTmWYS3f2MWzs6lE3p0xR3-wjsozHREHE8UCmoTAE4b3pBoKRi8AgTVLbsParK8Z2UBBfn560sQkszKkBDfe4yLfW3Ip_rfU1pyJKVtK8tNsn0YJ2lGK_lAKzaxxAf/s320/IMG_0736.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390265746819304770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRRS_UgPMPNJVFz3vUZOHldtPJdAuHkkjvk_gyxYqMnHodK8DUcR7TegYOgwXcKO8sMhwrkkalpqjLTa-hZTwJkYJRdLHC6g_r5p6gZYqIV9kuPxhTLbapuCoZtpxhjsLg2z5QxFHSZvM/s1600-h/IMG_0776.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRRS_UgPMPNJVFz3vUZOHldtPJdAuHkkjvk_gyxYqMnHodK8DUcR7TegYOgwXcKO8sMhwrkkalpqjLTa-hZTwJkYJRdLHC6g_r5p6gZYqIV9kuPxhTLbapuCoZtpxhjsLg2z5QxFHSZvM/s320/IMG_0776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390301308628126370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Aside from beginning to find his hands, Noah has also been finding his voice. He sounds a little like a magwa (baby gremblin). Listen for yourself below. (<span style="font-style: italic;">On a technical note: You can shut the music on the page off by scrolling up and clicking pause in the side bar on the right hand side of this page</span>.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dygxNwBgDUomXCqqhbP87rMdSA7gyPIRykNrX08EGIRigBQ7KWze5jjyFVmkkDHO2LjzKigDkSk0sBVw7jTQw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSe90Vjvvb09ubmms2-OBF3m_HiWUx-zMr04kmaeA7256eFeyDILOT-bXHCf7r6h2ROjoN3-FXipPodQpFYd3VOB-1IUo5YOmFGLwJVzq01u3TLTwVdh5MC_OutVA39abIIcEw6l7Bbm0/s1600-h/IMG_0850.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSe90Vjvvb09ubmms2-OBF3m_HiWUx-zMr04kmaeA7256eFeyDILOT-bXHCf7r6h2ROjoN3-FXipPodQpFYd3VOB-1IUo5YOmFGLwJVzq01u3TLTwVdh5MC_OutVA39abIIcEw6l7Bbm0/s320/IMG_0850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390258209345322626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8n00iLbjcIyBPZiZifOdLFy_l-jZ26QjuxFxah2pPq9sIykzTHZTEvzuF7AOEoH_TrimxbvlyGvd-uui7cmbIza68n197g7NHYUmarnCj6hB67WEsjbYzDtRgNYa3gXh1zuCzRPefbxU/s1600-h/Noah+bear+hat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8n00iLbjcIyBPZiZifOdLFy_l-jZ26QjuxFxah2pPq9sIykzTHZTEvzuF7AOEoH_TrimxbvlyGvd-uui7cmbIza68n197g7NHYUmarnCj6hB67WEsjbYzDtRgNYa3gXh1zuCzRPefbxU/s320/Noah+bear+hat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390267456375753634" border="0" /></a>Aside from becoming cuter and cuter, Noah has not been doing so great these past couple of weeks. His persistent tummy troubles have made him very uncomfortable and he is now on medicine that doesn’t seem to be helping much aside from making him smell like a toasted marshmallow, which is very nice. He has been on another feeding frenzy which I suspect can be attributed to his recent growth spurt. The nights have been very long indeed for the both of us… and we've been trying our best to make the days as fun and happy as possible for him.<br /><br />Please keep our little guy in prayer!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-70549781625530881152009-09-25T09:36:00.001-07:002009-09-25T10:17:51.143-07:00One Month Old Today!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3HtnD0lax23VCofMthXico4Y8bU21oIKnkr8FDsgaH2YSxllx7vTqbb326FTSFKuehnaPzdtrUU2Uq3k6xuW_XJl-Gc4w_MFoEZtpIhosL5h5mEv65dzr6NLYiv1jCc2U4kGzVk-66rX/s1600-h/noah+skullpjs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3HtnD0lax23VCofMthXico4Y8bU21oIKnkr8FDsgaH2YSxllx7vTqbb326FTSFKuehnaPzdtrUU2Uq3k6xuW_XJl-Gc4w_MFoEZtpIhosL5h5mEv65dzr6NLYiv1jCc2U4kGzVk-66rX/s320/noah+skullpjs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385453725310779346" border="0" /></a>I can hardly believe that Noah has been with us a month. Sometimes time seems to fly and other times, I feel like I cannot remember life before him. I'm starting to understand what my good friend Sherry means when she says "the nights are long, but the years are short." I hope they won't be. Either way, I know I'll treasure every single moment... even those where the crying is incessant or I'm so tired I can barely stay awake to feed him...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30O1HgpyUeqKvjetkt_u9FOwCwuAKNIMJWLt-5Gs1GAmR4QWF8iMd347qfyAO3RIa-IjMERfVtrwbSDKnISaf-1GB4nEPkNrmAKkE3jXyj14dMLLSCJQU2eXif3Y3Vp3UaB0nFdbAeL7K/s1600-h/noah+yay+im+ok.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30O1HgpyUeqKvjetkt_u9FOwCwuAKNIMJWLt-5Gs1GAmR4QWF8iMd347qfyAO3RIa-IjMERfVtrwbSDKnISaf-1GB4nEPkNrmAKkE3jXyj14dMLLSCJQU2eXif3Y3Vp3UaB0nFdbAeL7K/s320/noah+yay+im+ok.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385452559904384946" border="0" /></a>It has certainly been an eventful first month for baby Noah. The last few weeks were especially hectic for him. Suffice it to say that he has been to the pediatrician at least once a week every week since he was born, and yesterday he had to go for an ultrasound to rule out pyloric stenosis, a disorder which would have made surgery necessary had he tested positive. Fortunately, he didn't, but he continues to struggle with his tummy, which seems to be bothering him quite a bit. Poor little guy. I'm hopeful that by adopting a strict diet, I can help him feel better quickly. He has been crying a lot lately for no apparent reason and it's just been so hard to watch him seem so uncomfortable. At the pediatrician's office earlier this week, he cried real tears. It was heartbreaking. Fortunately, Noah is usually a very happy baby. Michael and I have certainly done the best we could do to keep him that way!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR0oyIrSE4xDVntB7De2in-FWLT__-gTT3xcCb14X1nGLW1vWlFZTE-nerZYU6ZfR-D6fzoosZkxhtZ3FCXp6wqTurdLdWnZptB13OnJs-xencAiWfWVACOntMj87OotZCzEhztfjmGji/s1600-h/noah+stripepjs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR0oyIrSE4xDVntB7De2in-FWLT__-gTT3xcCb14X1nGLW1vWlFZTE-nerZYU6ZfR-D6fzoosZkxhtZ3FCXp6wqTurdLdWnZptB13OnJs-xencAiWfWVACOntMj87OotZCzEhztfjmGji/s320/noah+stripepjs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385452311909373602" border="0" /></a>Over the past 4 weeks and 3 days my little baby has had some significant growth. It will not surprise you to learn that he is in the 75th percentile for height for his age. (Certinaly not something he got from his mommy!) Here are his weight stats:<br />Birth: 7lbs, 6oz<br />1 Week: under 7lbs<br />2 Weeks: 7lbs, 12 oz<br />3 Weeks: 8lbs, 12 oz<br />4 Weeks: 9lbs, 10 oz<br /><br />He is a very long and skinny baby but for all his growth, he is still a little peanut! <br /><br />It's amazing to watch him grow everyday. Everyday he becomes more alert, his eyes are more focused and he learns more about how to use his hands. It amazes me to think of where he'll be at in another month. I hope it doesn't fly as fast as the first...Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-61865662835643263322009-09-14T15:09:00.000-07:002009-09-14T15:45:05.914-07:00Noah's First Bath!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBVjl25KGioZLK7wzOvIFMBdpsDtJdbZ71ExCRMUwgEIsCDy4nuq9yUyJbztm_f2sQLdO9DeWEurF6equ0_LUzVEMH9_1rJXC3Dw2Lk5MdKQJJGN5F1LYialWYuV630rXwZecue5t8o7I/s1600-h/IMG_0642.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBVjl25KGioZLK7wzOvIFMBdpsDtJdbZ71ExCRMUwgEIsCDy4nuq9yUyJbztm_f2sQLdO9DeWEurF6equ0_LUzVEMH9_1rJXC3Dw2Lk5MdKQJJGN5F1LYialWYuV630rXwZecue5t8o7I/s320/IMG_0642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381450401666292050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X48pEKouyodniEqj9qbRAVgdJon2iFM4imVYwajT4JMaLGptDHwq1sDG92GJ37HM3Lh6du_QXSsIsZhDhlrs4ZTIQ721XfmE5RrCBVIXAuaz-iFnayT-CMcp5bTh83kBs1fDIdIbFxzK/s1600-h/IMG_0626.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X48pEKouyodniEqj9qbRAVgdJon2iFM4imVYwajT4JMaLGptDHwq1sDG92GJ37HM3Lh6du_QXSsIsZhDhlrs4ZTIQ721XfmE5RrCBVIXAuaz-iFnayT-CMcp5bTh83kBs1fDIdIbFxzK/s320/IMG_0626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381449828456073442" border="0" /></a>This weekend, my sister and her fiance came all the way from New York to see Noah and take part in one of his first milestones: his first bath! Given that my family lives so far away, it was really important to me that we "save" one of Noah's firsts for a time when they could be here. It was well worth the wait. So far, as shown in the pictures posted last week, Noah has not enjoyed being wet. He absolutely hates sponge baths and sadly, he has needed many as he now regularly pees as soon as his diaper is unfastened. (We are going through about 4 outfits a day so hopefully my reflexes improve quickly and/or I find a way to stop him from soaking himself instantly). Now that my sister has visited, I know that it's not just me that Noah does this to, as he did this every time Christine changed him as well. So far, Noah has been very kind to his daddy and has not yet put his reflexes (or patience!) to the test as he has mine!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ1FbdKt3_ZInVHNazCQOXGWv1NnSCdLDfsahK1Wn_AUwHiqY4inIE9iHwHeb_fWC520cqCq4veeL4gB86QCtbDhaSs73fihGunVzLdypZjnNj2y-IZtCvnrgVkIv1dnbra5uXhfjstv_/s1600-h/IMG_0654.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ1FbdKt3_ZInVHNazCQOXGWv1NnSCdLDfsahK1Wn_AUwHiqY4inIE9iHwHeb_fWC520cqCq4veeL4gB86QCtbDhaSs73fihGunVzLdypZjnNj2y-IZtCvnrgVkIv1dnbra5uXhfjstv_/s320/IMG_0654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381457568506433186" border="0" /></a>Aside from the fact that I wanted my family to share in one of Noah's milestones, I also had another motivation. My sister, Christine, is a pediatric nurse, and so, I just assumed that she would know more about how to bathe a baby than I would. Long story short: it took four of us (Michael, Christine, Anthony and me) to give Noah a bath and not one of us knew what exactly we were doing or supposed to be doing! Areas where we struggled: getting the water the right temperature, getting the excess water out of the tub, figuring out how much water belonged in the tub, holding him up in the tub, using the right amount of soap, keeping the soap from getting where it did not belong, rinsing him off... need I continue?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJuTuhiGFFNLOcRFlzo_QjF3nJaZVh9mDWB0cWeiquYfxaPUS6WSnNTqOq-YtEwjW73MrL0p-HIU6mDstacQZxy0jrtEAiYjdYccCWX6bjBPOwqjNHwPPQFZ4s_2eY4454qi00VBhxKiU/s1600-h/IMG_0657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJuTuhiGFFNLOcRFlzo_QjF3nJaZVh9mDWB0cWeiquYfxaPUS6WSnNTqOq-YtEwjW73MrL0p-HIU6mDstacQZxy0jrtEAiYjdYccCWX6bjBPOwqjNHwPPQFZ4s_2eY4454qi00VBhxKiU/s320/IMG_0657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381452426096698386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBdMxnQjnODO6T13TPt8jxrtIhfG0jJk509_PkX9MV8H74lDIr027vkONGK9Ae0X2ELNrg3odRV4_YfCL6R97xWsqt-2kD9rnAJWLtJg93RBXeaAy4E420hfxaF7s5oS_z3E5oCvuFyGa/s1600-h/IMG_0678.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBdMxnQjnODO6T13TPt8jxrtIhfG0jJk509_PkX9MV8H74lDIr027vkONGK9Ae0X2ELNrg3odRV4_YfCL6R97xWsqt-2kD9rnAJWLtJg93RBXeaAy4E420hfxaF7s5oS_z3E5oCvuFyGa/s320/IMG_0678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381452654840793458" border="0" /></a>To begin with, the four of us crowded into Noah's bathroom and ran the hot water in the sinks and tub to steam up the room. Then we had to figure out where to change and undress him. A towel on the floor over Noah's rug seemed to be the only logical place. Noah, of course, did not appreciate being undressed. It's one of his least favorite things in life. Anthony had been saying up until that point that he had not yet seen Noah cry (or turn himself into a "killer tomato," as I call him when he gets truly hysterical). Within seconds of undressing him, Noah did not disappoint and showed Anthony and my sister the full extent of his lung capacity. Noah did not fully show how much like a tomato he can appear until Christine attempted to dry his ears after his bath... He was not a happy boy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XSvEtFT5SRKcViXnPcc4O0HYVEAteVXOod5S8Eiy73F36kt_XVCwVN4ygSyJc2zKHg0baV0xY8lRAfpbaoeJ4gtU8fJ-hfc24mGOhG2KIvoinb7yigl-5U_gsyS17kHrlvL6vGBPxg2i/s1600-h/IMG_0660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XSvEtFT5SRKcViXnPcc4O0HYVEAteVXOod5S8Eiy73F36kt_XVCwVN4ygSyJc2zKHg0baV0xY8lRAfpbaoeJ4gtU8fJ-hfc24mGOhG2KIvoinb7yigl-5U_gsyS17kHrlvL6vGBPxg2i/s320/IMG_0660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381454067414391074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0LOrb_AG9qmSasMNimvpjnrDvenojm0kRbcFWPv5Z3ITuYAA9yQlT4Iz7S83VJL-FMvwzTyOI133wZjhAtqQ_Gv6H6HIuhVoLe7lqXsVwt9kFPeF_6_cIe64u3B3zsrFj8q2XkAWd7z7/s1600-h/IMG_0670.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0LOrb_AG9qmSasMNimvpjnrDvenojm0kRbcFWPv5Z3ITuYAA9yQlT4Iz7S83VJL-FMvwzTyOI133wZjhAtqQ_Gv6H6HIuhVoLe7lqXsVwt9kFPeF_6_cIe64u3B3zsrFj8q2XkAWd7z7/s320/IMG_0670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381455654869618850" border="0" /></a>Fortunately, Noah didn't seem to notice that none of us really had a clue as to what we were doing... He slipped easily into the tub and seemed extremely relaxed. He even looked at himself in the mirror -- something Michael has been teaching him to do this past week and something that generally calms him down when he is fussy. He did not cry once during his bath and even briefly fell asleep in the warm water... If only the aftermath of bathtime (as illustrated above) had gone as smoothly, it would have been a better night for my precious little one.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzydghzB5XHlDYnyG-j3t0LUWkw_uLs9Y6K938YHblobxb9Yzl5nO_0oY-1zW1-MgoUznVsHEONCZaFs2vUsA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Noah getting his first bath! (video)</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXD66dq3iGTHtIDVZtsvzUS0S1J6TgmLi9hQ3eIGpirRlC2WC7rVI169srq2fAhqwzRo48kAGineM58d6rDLVIWxJOSWUZn_fLi-mx4aVmqP06nOAG8acwuiu1OTUjTanCXWqeX94hY__/s1600-h/IMG_0679.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXD66dq3iGTHtIDVZtsvzUS0S1J6TgmLi9hQ3eIGpirRlC2WC7rVI169srq2fAhqwzRo48kAGineM58d6rDLVIWxJOSWUZn_fLi-mx4aVmqP06nOAG8acwuiu1OTUjTanCXWqeX94hY__/s320/IMG_0679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381456415087860930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SCE_6nDkwaIbYu0Q9nlNgRWvm374d_hHnpvmdZ-L1LavSI39tTceOn-CXM4qPMZ5FHs-ra6CimADJpEse7lqv10dHDFh-RfZnTkPfEzbwE4H8Bpn9Ep_rYhqw3D92H2Fg0qHSeNop-RK/s1600-h/IMG_0636.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SCE_6nDkwaIbYu0Q9nlNgRWvm374d_hHnpvmdZ-L1LavSI39tTceOn-CXM4qPMZ5FHs-ra6CimADJpEse7lqv10dHDFh-RfZnTkPfEzbwE4H8Bpn9Ep_rYhqw3D92H2Fg0qHSeNop-RK/s320/IMG_0636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381456774348350354" border="0" /></a>After it was all over, we dressed Noah in one of the new outfits his Aunt Christine and Uncle Tony bought him (his puppy pants!) and I allowed Noah to nurse away his sorrows. He had a very good night sleep afterwards. It may be a while before we attempt to give him a full bath again but at least now we know he likes it -- and that we have a lot to learn! :) Next time, I will be ready!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-29391769366612676862009-09-08T13:52:00.001-07:002009-09-08T14:44:52.247-07:002 Weeks Old Today<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmAbrGiMan2cROBpgMDp0J6L1UEX4Moji9umkbfpNJkV8U5T81SH7SdX9VlPakbrP5eVM-a8AR36RCGzlMwny0JCRowNc5ewuATSLxUxJZIJ2vwOYiPtnuAOZC_YBFLbzfoUBvvHVyT6K/s1600-h/IMG_0592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmAbrGiMan2cROBpgMDp0J6L1UEX4Moji9umkbfpNJkV8U5T81SH7SdX9VlPakbrP5eVM-a8AR36RCGzlMwny0JCRowNc5ewuATSLxUxJZIJ2vwOYiPtnuAOZC_YBFLbzfoUBvvHVyT6K/s320/IMG_0592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379206282571068962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"Has it really been two weeks already?!"</span> </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu-2_Qny7lqxohbaejuXauK9Pr-89V1uVCf_9mY35vThllOVee3uhYdsVnhmLXSwUzccqtilJ1eXC_vPOZdk9X-qGKmGI4JK3e5-bgOs-b6-Xtd5lctdaA1igDjOqY6FC1QoFnwyloy9C/s1600-h/Noah+2nd+doc+visit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu-2_Qny7lqxohbaejuXauK9Pr-89V1uVCf_9mY35vThllOVee3uhYdsVnhmLXSwUzccqtilJ1eXC_vPOZdk9X-qGKmGI4JK3e5-bgOs-b6-Xtd5lctdaA1igDjOqY6FC1QoFnwyloy9C/s320/Noah+2nd+doc+visit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379205288439021682" border="0" /></a>Today, 09/08/09 was Noah's original due date... and on this date, he is exactly 2 weeks old... which means, I had to bring him in to the pediatrician for his 2 week check-up this morning. It was a daunting task, as I am technically not supposed to be driving yet on account of my stitches, nor am I supposed to be going up and down the stairs, let alone doing so while carrying Noah in his car seat! Today, I did all of these things without too much difficulty, albeit a fair amount of pain. A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do! Noah was none to happy about it and cried from the moment we got into the exam room until the moment we left. Fortunately, they did not give him any shots or take any blood from his tiny feet. I was very nervous bringing him all by myself given that these were real possibilities... Just stripping him down to his diaper proved difficult as he threw an absolute fit the moment the first snap on his onesie came undone... He was not a happy boy... :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4ARpuS68gxKpI6_X0hhDfbd1nQp1QRV96rTFUEfphociLq1oD-okFqZQgONbIRqr50JalsuXcQtssDFlq7J-FZhUZXcLzGKmDmHf09CDGRCg2gwuUptL8LNBRYzkEyVBrHPGQgw5Y0NU/s1600-h/IMG_0579.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4ARpuS68gxKpI6_X0hhDfbd1nQp1QRV96rTFUEfphociLq1oD-okFqZQgONbIRqr50JalsuXcQtssDFlq7J-FZhUZXcLzGKmDmHf09CDGRCg2gwuUptL8LNBRYzkEyVBrHPGQgw5Y0NU/s320/IMG_0579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379206021106688706" border="0" /></a>To back up a bit, this past weekend, Michael and I did get around to doing a lot of what we planned to do. We put Noah in his swing for the first time and assembled a few other items he'll hopefully soon enjoy. He really seemed to like the swing. In fact, he is in it right now with his little slate eyes fixed on the window in front of him. As the days go by, Noah has more and more periods of being alert. Usually his mouth is in a perfect little "O" the entire time, as in the photo above.<br /><br />Aside from introducing Noah to his swing, this weekend, we also introduced him to his stroller. On Sunday, Michael and I decided to take Noah for a little walk in our old neighborhood (South Riding). Though we're keeping Noah out of public places and restricting his contact with children until he reaches the 6-8 week mark, as recommended by our doctors, we figured that a little fresh air would be good for all of us. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_75gBHB3lbDe8krPv2L52Hdx5Tjncgyz-XBnJt1vkbF6WFvV_5QRiT1Cau223LwS8GJaAMtnz0mmTkHeHZmZZKoQHwgzBL9RjacVPrq2GQXNvRfGT881szderPmaCYjp2MQZwKCsHb6iS/s1600-h/IMG_0586.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_75gBHB3lbDe8krPv2L52Hdx5Tjncgyz-XBnJt1vkbF6WFvV_5QRiT1Cau223LwS8GJaAMtnz0mmTkHeHZmZZKoQHwgzBL9RjacVPrq2GQXNvRfGT881szderPmaCYjp2MQZwKCsHb6iS/s320/IMG_0586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379212680719488786" border="0" /></a>While we were on our way to South Riding, we got the call back from the pediatrician about Noah's worsening rash. (We had called on the advice of my sister, who is a pediatric nurse.) The pediatrician on call instructed us to take Noah to the Emergency Room immediately, as the rash might have been an infection. We were on our way to Fairfax's Pediatric ER when the doctor called back and asked us to send a picture to her. Once she saw it, she told us that we did not need to take him since I had an appointment scheduled for today and gave us instructions for how to care for him in the meantime. By the time we made it to South Riding, we were all so exhausted that we only walked halfway up the block and back before we headed home. My stitches, which seem to inexplicably get tighter and tighter without much notice, would not permit much more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtUthLoNIR-Rn5dA6ADTsdMSjqMm81qWaSdnnlm0pA-9KKRhzei9b4DirmntxzLN2Kx0zigfXAWwX5cz-KZVxHDkjd8dqSjaa2zBkSGP80ICFz03FxZcavMlbK0pUMnOLf3yGEWjym-uk/s1600-h/IMG_0588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtUthLoNIR-Rn5dA6ADTsdMSjqMm81qWaSdnnlm0pA-9KKRhzei9b4DirmntxzLN2Kx0zigfXAWwX5cz-KZVxHDkjd8dqSjaa2zBkSGP80ICFz03FxZcavMlbK0pUMnOLf3yGEWjym-uk/s320/IMG_0588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379213724492954242" border="0" /></a>So today, I brought Noah in. The doctor told me that he thinks Noah's rash is the beginnings of cradle cap, but that otherwise he is doing great. He has gained some weight and now weighs in at 7lbs 12oz. He also grew a quarter of an inch. I'm very glad that he is growing but there is a small part of me that wishes I could keep him tiny forever. He is just the most precious thing I have ever seen!<br /><br />All in all, the last two weeks have been very hectic. I find that I am just losing my days just trying to stay on schedule with changings and feedings and tidying up and doing Noah's laundry, which there has been an increasing abundance of since Noah recently decided that he'd pee everytime I am about to put a clean diaper on him. (I am still getting the hang of all this!) It seems that I get nothing else done apart from caring for him, but hopefully it will get easier and soon I can start working on my school projects... Time seems to be flying, while at the same time the nights seem to drag on forever, as I try to get in what little sleep Noah will allow me to get. "It really does get easier." That is what I'm told. I really hope so... In the meantime, I just focus on what a little blessing our baby is and that sustains me... I love him so much!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-2378229508308129482009-09-05T15:04:00.000-07:002009-09-05T15:40:41.809-07:00A Quick Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQyiRz2g4oX9bDXMv1Bse6sigAoNVZ_Q6pIvamWGE9ZtxLoY99F46v7sjwYGVRQyfNb5qB7CrfwVNOQeCRYL5PUIav8j9s7C_6xghCvlvsgh4RvPs9nKZ8i_wZQs6btydwkl0ULivvGWR/s1600-h/IMG_0506.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQyiRz2g4oX9bDXMv1Bse6sigAoNVZ_Q6pIvamWGE9ZtxLoY99F46v7sjwYGVRQyfNb5qB7CrfwVNOQeCRYL5PUIav8j9s7C_6xghCvlvsgh4RvPs9nKZ8i_wZQs6btydwkl0ULivvGWR/s320/IMG_0506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378111599889966674" border="0" /></a>Serves me right for posting a blog a few days ago about what a good schedule we had Noah on! That very night, after having written that entry, Noah decided to spend the whole night crying and demanding to be fed every hour and a half. That has continued ever since. I suppose it might take a while to have a schedule that sticks... We are surely being taught patience.<br /><br />Aside from Noah's nighttime irritability, we had a good scare a few nights ago when one of my OBs insisted that I go to the Emergency Room for what she thought was an infection in my incision... as well a case of early mastitis that has been extremely painful. Fortunately, the doctor was wrong about the incision and it seems that the underlying problem is a build-up of scar tissue from where the catheter was inserted into my incision for pain control while I was hospitalized. That is a relief but it gave us quite a scare, especially because an infection would have meant that I'd have to have my incision reopened... something that would not have been fun. Fortunately, my family was in town and they were able to watch Noah while M and I spent the night in the ER. Poor Michael had worked all day long and then sat with me all night long before we came home to Noah who had no interest in sleeping for the few precious hours M had left before his next day of work. It didn't help that we had to drive all over Northern Virginia looking for a 24-hour pharmacy to fill my prescription either... or that M had to fix a flat tire after 3:00AM so that my family could make the drive to New York the next morning. Needless to say it has been a rough few days. Rest has become a fond memory for me though we do get bits and bursts of sleep while we can.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOQBa7yTC1W9uaylXXiTU1doi64WXFJeguxFEHohB5ze-gH86RBoFoS_BbUcEDmLzWUr-geASogffUJ-xD13SKMEOup5vxe6mxwhB7WuYGnbk8A3Ex0D1m8TCCrRU0MsG_rFRG1oZ_OW4/s1600-h/IMG_0492.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOQBa7yTC1W9uaylXXiTU1doi64WXFJeguxFEHohB5ze-gH86RBoFoS_BbUcEDmLzWUr-geASogffUJ-xD13SKMEOup5vxe6mxwhB7WuYGnbk8A3Ex0D1m8TCCrRU0MsG_rFRG1oZ_OW4/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378111864964627634" border="0" /></a>For all his nighttime shenanigans, Noah could not be a more wonderful baby. He is just such a little joy, I can't get mad, though it's certainly hard to keep frustration from creeping in during those late hours. When he grins in his sleep and makes his sweet cooing noises, I just feel nothing but blessed, even at 4:30 in the morning when I have finally fallen alseep and he has lost his pacifier for the 99th time!<br /><br />Michael finally has a couple of days off from work and I am really looking forward to us having some time to spend together as a family -- not sleeping! Truth be told, these last few days, M and I have spent nearly all of our time together trying to get in quick naps while Noah is asleep. This weekend, aside from getting in some rest, we will hopefully be able to put Noah in his swing and bouncy seat for the first time as well as finish up the nursery. I am so looking forward to it and can't wait to post pictures!<br /><br />As for the sleep positioner, Noah is still finding a way to turn himself during the night -- but fortunatley, not onto his belly, which is what we are trying to prevent. Today when I removed his blanket, this is what I found. He is a strong little boy. He has also, on multiple occaisions, kicked his way entirely out of the sleep positioner. I'm going to have to get creative to figure out a way to stop him from doing that again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUctShh9dxvcvIBw3B-nD7lvLveTdB__lM2PQKI8HlFW1nV5zxTgKQwXKocopY6po7bmkdfgkm-b8NSsCcE6khvWsH321dOFhk8sRGaBewnwyrPpNL-ZKfL0nzvK0pWuf_Xw_f0AM1L_Q/s1600-h/IMG_0573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUctShh9dxvcvIBw3B-nD7lvLveTdB__lM2PQKI8HlFW1nV5zxTgKQwXKocopY6po7bmkdfgkm-b8NSsCcE6khvWsH321dOFhk8sRGaBewnwyrPpNL-ZKfL0nzvK0pWuf_Xw_f0AM1L_Q/s320/IMG_0573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378116638105964386" border="0" /></a><br />Well... just thought I'd post a quick update and a few new photos. This one is by far my favorite! What a little doll, our baby boy is! I just can't get over it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQNs_F5csUoCczQuWDBNAcr97NukmKI58r8l0DuqkSpDsc5hP9pzvEULtAlCemFly2rz6P-niZcSpQn5lHv36E_aPk52PlnxHFKD62aT74duka6C4w7kE6jR3i2sDDl2swl4jjI4cHSUU/s1600-h/IMG_0473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQNs_F5csUoCczQuWDBNAcr97NukmKI58r8l0DuqkSpDsc5hP9pzvEULtAlCemFly2rz6P-niZcSpQn5lHv36E_aPk52PlnxHFKD62aT74duka6C4w7kE6jR3i2sDDl2swl4jjI4cHSUU/s320/IMG_0473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378112189148877458" border="0" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-37204319452929422272009-09-01T16:07:00.000-07:002009-09-01T18:50:19.757-07:00One Week Old Today!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzheghduoO1wdB5NsDKPyprLKNrWN3eNDgOlrP1ektHKjjC8qiPzsmdcypKr2ReHieMPbcgjxqeOcMx2AtJRVSed0E5o0mWGTsMQXrBp3jFtFn-uEOCZvECDdo3O2Tq3Xzsv5lFCAe-qxb/s1600-h/Noah+learning+to+Roll.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzheghduoO1wdB5NsDKPyprLKNrWN3eNDgOlrP1ektHKjjC8qiPzsmdcypKr2ReHieMPbcgjxqeOcMx2AtJRVSed0E5o0mWGTsMQXrBp3jFtFn-uEOCZvECDdo3O2Tq3Xzsv5lFCAe-qxb/s320/Noah+learning+to+Roll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376674460860867714" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, I put Noah down for a nap between feedings. As instructed by the doctors, I put him, as I always do, on his back. After a few minutes, I heard him make a very adorable sound in the bassinet. I looked upon him and this is what I found. Small as he is, our little guy is very strong! Needless to say, Noah now sleeps with the sleep positioner his Aunt Christine bought him. Let's see him try to wiggle his way out of that one. (I'd rather not see that actually!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85HLuP1Yk3BpJzh_IsgYGCgeOXF7vR2-iLaHqczuQkrEaro6vEL7XFeX0N8V5H_Fqc66n7a0221d3hMEJBV2mieZJZn387qtcs__5ZTa8mDbW_UyV-TKxE8Ba2nFJv2Pi7JVAY0X2IL4t/s1600-h/Noah+sleeps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85HLuP1Yk3BpJzh_IsgYGCgeOXF7vR2-iLaHqczuQkrEaro6vEL7XFeX0N8V5H_Fqc66n7a0221d3hMEJBV2mieZJZn387qtcs__5ZTa8mDbW_UyV-TKxE8Ba2nFJv2Pi7JVAY0X2IL4t/s320/Noah+sleeps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376646468825739170" border="0" /></a>Today, Noah is officially one week old! This week has seemed like one of the longest of my life and it's been so wonderful. Noah seems to get cuter by the day and all his puffiness and redness from birth are all but gone. His newborn rash may still need a little time but it's not a big deal. He is now on a great schedule and doesn't cry to be fed or changed because it's all being taken care of before he has a chance to. (A two-hour feeding schedule, I must say, is ROUGH, but it's working out so well for our baby!) I still cannot stop staring at his little face. I am so in awe of how perfect and beautiful he is. I took this little video of him just being himself today and couldn't wait to post it. I'm just fascinated with what Michael and I have made by God's Grace :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy8oqhRTW5hmTYMzY1VAhFdlEYudM2tTKpqieswYi03yu0nH65-WZRoLYniQiAZhqNYsD15Ht6hniqZd-nwAA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgrSpgkTfez3W4BGlEYIRlXXGACemHif_SvBxhPZ6naDHMnoZ2f_EAbg7AJcWHAjcrz5Caa2v_6z3fYX3jxJeczrLKYBi-DRebq6uRvj7lc4uZ3TvBIzAqBAgx8aZtTgiiyKlvq915E9S/s1600-h/NoahDaddysBoy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgrSpgkTfez3W4BGlEYIRlXXGACemHif_SvBxhPZ6naDHMnoZ2f_EAbg7AJcWHAjcrz5Caa2v_6z3fYX3jxJeczrLKYBi-DRebq6uRvj7lc4uZ3TvBIzAqBAgx8aZtTgiiyKlvq915E9S/s320/NoahDaddysBoy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376646968765969154" border="0" /></a>I know everyone says this but I really do have the most wonderful husband a new mom could ask for. I cannot express what a help Michael has been to me during this last week when so much in our life together has changed. He has been such a trooper about staying up with me all night long to feed and change Noah and help me to have everything I need to deal with the pain as I recover from my Cesarean. He has functioned in this last week on little to no sleep at all and has still had so much energy to hold and comfort Noah for hours every night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZPc0EeiBViUib_MBVXf9gpMqsJDMXTqC5mmJnvUN4tUHXMR0FjoJEbA08JvJaW-y1ZMh7MXLktVFGFKmo-J_yw2a8Jc8SAp022-aUgxtRPX-naHt1_eNv8y4opQS8UDQpyjg6iCB7HiL/s1600-h/noah+daddy4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZPc0EeiBViUib_MBVXf9gpMqsJDMXTqC5mmJnvUN4tUHXMR0FjoJEbA08JvJaW-y1ZMh7MXLktVFGFKmo-J_yw2a8Jc8SAp022-aUgxtRPX-naHt1_eNv8y4opQS8UDQpyjg6iCB7HiL/s320/noah+daddy4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376667551770541682" border="0" /></a>On Saturday, Michael was injured at work, when he caught his hand in the running part of an engine, and spent the last half of the day in Urgent Care where he got stitches and a splint. When he got home, instead of taking a nap as I wished he would have, he offered to go to the Outlets with Vanessa to get some nursing apparel to help make this week easier for me. He and Nessa were gone for many hours. When they came back they presented me with what clothes they had bought as well as a gift (a wristlet) that they had bought at the Outlets. (I've been in need of something bigger for many months). I was so moved that Michael would spend his time shopping for me to try and make me happy when he desperately needed some rest for himself. A little while after I was done looking through what they'd bought, I noticed that Vanessa kept looking at the bassinet. I told her that she could pick up the baby if she wanted to. Michael said, "Why don't you hand him to her?" So I got up to get Noah. I pulled back the blanket and this is what I found.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYmayZwN2GRL6sKBlGr3aoRt2PpSs2n1oZ6rXiag5k3u7D7pGcqWgoQfs_A_iFnoVq2XGof5DYfCb8r9m_4RHCuERL7lzDUydKaFmOEgPwiony_HxVEUfTjyZz-cHqpH7saXQICBCtzfr/s1600-h/TwoGreatGifts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYmayZwN2GRL6sKBlGr3aoRt2PpSs2n1oZ6rXiag5k3u7D7pGcqWgoQfs_A_iFnoVq2XGof5DYfCb8r9m_4RHCuERL7lzDUydKaFmOEgPwiony_HxVEUfTjyZz-cHqpH7saXQICBCtzfr/s320/TwoGreatGifts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376641838730472082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlfDR6kmvNkzB-MEYx2UTrOORzc815bLpfqs9LZJUP0WKLvqlyxWgfPgCyzNhU2Efq94sGPrsZIScdKdsyQd7Qgm_P2gtt9NJBTK1PawkTyrjtkVLkNkaoOQTnwcAmpa-uLhHmrWm1ITw/s1600-h/Push+Gift.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlfDR6kmvNkzB-MEYx2UTrOORzc815bLpfqs9LZJUP0WKLvqlyxWgfPgCyzNhU2Efq94sGPrsZIScdKdsyQd7Qgm_P2gtt9NJBTK1PawkTyrjtkVLkNkaoOQTnwcAmpa-uLhHmrWm1ITw/s320/Push+Gift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376647839200614962" border="0" /></a>In the box was a beautiful silver bracelet with a charm on it that says "Mom." Michael plans to get it engraved with Noah's name and birthdate and Vanessa plans to get me a charm with her name and birthday on it next time there is a holiday. Aside from going to the Outlets after his harrowing day, Michael had trekked all the way to Tyson's Corner to buy me this "push gift." I am an incredibly lucky girl. He had been working extra hard in the weeks before Noah's birth to save up and has not stopped working hard since in spite of the long hours he's stayed up with me and the baby. To top it all, Michael started his third semester of college on Monday. He'll now be in class one day and two nights a week in addition to working a full-time job. I was very sad yesterday waiting for him to come home, but fortunately his class let out early and he got home in time to eat the beautiful dinner our friend Kate had prepared for us. Tonight, he will not be getting home from work until after 8:00pm. I miss him terribly. :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkgjgDbK4fblCQzn7Mt3mHws2_YkDEbVXEATnEpVHrxIbcO4sIf1Ood6qLJ_t_F47gJfobSrbILj8YV9_jYZalYEmzLuu5CVjRNAdKFY3xgheOCzwLshsMSU4zYKjz3BaCIaN-fJTGVpP/s1600-h/Noah+making+Os+at+Ma.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkgjgDbK4fblCQzn7Mt3mHws2_YkDEbVXEATnEpVHrxIbcO4sIf1Ood6qLJ_t_F47gJfobSrbILj8YV9_jYZalYEmzLuu5CVjRNAdKFY3xgheOCzwLshsMSU4zYKjz3BaCIaN-fJTGVpP/s320/Noah+making+Os+at+Ma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376648445288172898" border="0" /></a>Fortunately, my family is visiting from New York and have been keeping me company. I have tried to get in as much sleep today as I possibly could so that I can try to stay up alone tonight and let Michael get the rest he'll need to get him through a full day of work and a night of classes tomorrow. I hope that will work.<br /><br />Noah has had fun with his great grandma Nancy. Here is a picture of him making O's with his mouth -- one of his signature facial expressions that I just love! It has been so wonderful watching Noah getting to know her.<br /><br />Anyway I will end this entry here as it's dragged on pretty long. Everyone warned me the first week would be the hardest. Admittedly, it has been trying. But I would not have traded a single moment of it -- not even when Noah peed at me last night because I wasn't keeping a proper lookout! (Fortunately he missed.) Yes girls, you did warn me!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=c2d7b6dd-c8d3-4858-a0d7-d1edc2df99a4"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEfpjwsn9a4KKyyYRLRA1LfASN_F7b9SUfacxjG26AmeS_8kylKYQcH_vt8pOdtosI8e_Qfsztsq1n-pAZj021tlp216pSKEn3O1B9juOPHVD-0ufZPg2IyEpPGV_cttXluIdvAeCWhnn/s320/Picture+25_3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376668599171508386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We are so blessed.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-59944558017645484602009-08-30T14:49:00.000-07:002009-09-01T18:47:07.763-07:00First Family Weekend in Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW7dsU5A5M0Z01TFswKiCE1rtG6u06yP-wJcCAFIHGmyR_hABTvxwSraFS5gMFP-Cu7kT1gPr_JX_2kTDzOOds1LPdOrlKvyZ_cinN16DAYEzToOJQhBRhrE7JZFqe920blO7X9_z8SN7/s1600-h/Noahshome+boppy2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW7dsU5A5M0Z01TFswKiCE1rtG6u06yP-wJcCAFIHGmyR_hABTvxwSraFS5gMFP-Cu7kT1gPr_JX_2kTDzOOds1LPdOrlKvyZ_cinN16DAYEzToOJQhBRhrE7JZFqe920blO7X9_z8SN7/s320/Noahshome+boppy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375905597404141890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuflD5OME-Zo3p873nCmhsr_9NVp-fECzA0iuXRsQ7A8_Xm_dyw61g_M2x4NWKl0HdXqfiqGhNhh1XGGWpETR4KYGGZ8sVBwdo9CUnWTLjtND1DEyWXxOw42QQnLutBlC6oVc2Ohg18-5w/s1600-h/NoahsHome+Vanessa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuflD5OME-Zo3p873nCmhsr_9NVp-fECzA0iuXRsQ7A8_Xm_dyw61g_M2x4NWKl0HdXqfiqGhNhh1XGGWpETR4KYGGZ8sVBwdo9CUnWTLjtND1DEyWXxOw42QQnLutBlC6oVc2Ohg18-5w/s320/NoahsHome+Vanessa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375885167435042098" border="0" /></a>Noah had a wonderful first weekend at home with mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa and especially, his big sister Nessa.<br />Vanessa was so thrilled to get to know her little brother. This weekend, she learned how to hold and handle our little guy properly, as well as change his diapers. This will surely come in handy in the future! Noah was very happy to spend time with Vanessa too. Who says babies don't smile? :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbK5Fk3wiqS3KWWqvF0sbszyG3UP61vVdKWoT75FPhMQlC8pt26RvZkWQMW5UESrplIgGAmQZ4Ic8Scz3fb7ypF47HJWjgFqfacikOENAP7p8OZxMQ7V_RqgA3iyWN2sKt6vG05Gb_eKH/s1600-h/Noah+meets+Gene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbK5Fk3wiqS3KWWqvF0sbszyG3UP61vVdKWoT75FPhMQlC8pt26RvZkWQMW5UESrplIgGAmQZ4Ic8Scz3fb7ypF47HJWjgFqfacikOENAP7p8OZxMQ7V_RqgA3iyWN2sKt6vG05Gb_eKH/s320/Noah+meets+Gene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375905231129157426" border="0" /></a>This weekend, Noah also got to meet his great grandparents for the very first time. I "woke up" early this morning after another all night feeding frenzy and put Noah in his first real outfit. Until today, Noah's wardrobe has consisted only of onesies. Last night, however, I did put Noah in his first nightgown, which unlike the onesies, go over his head rather than snap closed. I was having trouble dressing him and Michael offered to help. After he was done pulling down the gown over Noah's feet, he looked at me and said "Did you just put my boy in a dress?!?!" I said, "No, you did," and then explained that a gown is NOT a dress! Michael was unconvinced. In any case, Noah looked very cute for his first visit downstairs and Ruth and Gene seemed to enjoy spending time with him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3DcBPfYm0hllakdMs8OzqJvvKaR39oLVkGiCujxeY0eCspeHrMSMa2m2swtAZkn3orAutBl35Zp5sjkEqYrqKjBeFr35Rs9kSqEAA65q2phcadGX_M0ugv-Ie1hetsGvTqHqKyZ9urQx/s1600-h/Noah+Meeting+great+grandparents.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3DcBPfYm0hllakdMs8OzqJvvKaR39oLVkGiCujxeY0eCspeHrMSMa2m2swtAZkn3orAutBl35Zp5sjkEqYrqKjBeFr35Rs9kSqEAA65q2phcadGX_M0ugv-Ie1hetsGvTqHqKyZ9urQx/s320/Noah+Meeting+great+grandparents.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375904993336516482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymt2Ag19EDPg2YoQqn4I1hUYFgkZAaNRmLTXI88m2psrCUNLjidkFDyGOlrbomFYHU82v1np43eddXmL7twxYwgtXNbu4TSBKw4gk7XYs65RmIR8vfgLa0RQHMapeYzQzh5wulD1v5Y_M/s1600-h/Noah+dog+done.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymt2Ag19EDPg2YoQqn4I1hUYFgkZAaNRmLTXI88m2psrCUNLjidkFDyGOlrbomFYHU82v1np43eddXmL7twxYwgtXNbu4TSBKw4gk7XYs65RmIR8vfgLa0RQHMapeYzQzh5wulD1v5Y_M/s320/Noah+dog+done.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375907020378321330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today, we were also fortunate to get a visit from our good friend Erich, who was good enough to bring us dinner tonight that can only be classified as a feast. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw6edGWwBu7mZksL35Ghkyjp6waQyNgH_-toT7lNzkExVLlBmC8elmJyT5OYGSnB3PRSUYFDNbpQolllmF-0Xn05NlgxNehyphenhyphen3LBNUl8YElHrZJoDp0xLXGW6QIW2tqWhGiugfhjh7iYSh/s1600-h/Noah+meets+Erich.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw6edGWwBu7mZksL35Ghkyjp6waQyNgH_-toT7lNzkExVLlBmC8elmJyT5OYGSnB3PRSUYFDNbpQolllmF-0Xn05NlgxNehyphenhyphen3LBNUl8YElHrZJoDp0xLXGW6QIW2tqWhGiugfhjh7iYSh/s320/Noah+meets+Erich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375908411199925714" border="0" /></a>He was very impressed with our little addition and had a good time holding him. Vanessa instructed him on exactly what he needed to do!<br /><br />We have been very blessed to have so many friends who have offered to help us out during these first few hectic days. The transition has certainly been very difficult but it has all been wonderful.<br /><br />It seems that Noah gets more adorable and changes so much with every passing day. His hair gets blonder by the day, and everyday he seems to open his eyes more and recognize our voices. He also seems to be adapting to life here with us. This morning was the first time I changed his diaper where he didn't cry hysterically -- and it was a VERY bad diaper to change -- because I sang him a silly song the whole time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jmgit-MZE5B-otDgfN-3iHxaaT-xELhoCMPOsvA2f_8pmYlxFg6EfxPsYigTh7cV0V42YekQetYWZHcdxQO-Invl8qdG60wGdFO4M-6Ti4N9nIUZWcu5NfD0c-IMXfRGgqx79Y65yOCp/s1600-h/Noah+new+belly+button.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jmgit-MZE5B-otDgfN-3iHxaaT-xELhoCMPOsvA2f_8pmYlxFg6EfxPsYigTh7cV0V42YekQetYWZHcdxQO-Invl8qdG60wGdFO4M-6Ti4N9nIUZWcu5NfD0c-IMXfRGgqx79Y65yOCp/s320/Noah+new+belly+button.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375912302125667570" border="0" /></a>Although today is only Noah's 5th day with us, it marked another milestone. Today, Noah got his belly button!! He also seems to have figured out how to hold his pacifier in his mouth all on his own -- though this is something he is obviously still working on!<br /><br />Tonight we will hopefully be giving Noah his first sponge bath. More posts to come soon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYj1kqal0Ucd257-_eNb3h-ROOpeBI8N50ttt8_ju6w-j3p4P-sWlRSNx4w5wVtwI-Twa3KVnuq_ATRLJeYYkr7iSYJrkVex6yODY61YfREqrnTEpqg7rHFUg_EnmdTykL6I8WB98cn0y/s1600-h/Noah+holding+paci.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYj1kqal0Ucd257-_eNb3h-ROOpeBI8N50ttt8_ju6w-j3p4P-sWlRSNx4w5wVtwI-Twa3KVnuq_ATRLJeYYkr7iSYJrkVex6yODY61YfREqrnTEpqg7rHFUg_EnmdTykL6I8WB98cn0y/s320/Noah+holding+paci.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375911618867542002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />UPDATE 09/01/09<br /><br />The spongebath went...well... Noah was none too happy about it but he slept well afterwards!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCEHBvkpMljtEcs2Eg_ViVOBN_cFLbW_QeR2BZk31Q0ohUhU0SVym2ivIHG55JwaO75-1_81IFIsPh2SUMNww8O5VdDy0kiQMEnSale3ZWYDWczbccWB1JtzKFu-3INjqucz7ZAzSYwLZ/s1600-h/noah+spongebath.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCEHBvkpMljtEcs2Eg_ViVOBN_cFLbW_QeR2BZk31Q0ohUhU0SVym2ivIHG55JwaO75-1_81IFIsPh2SUMNww8O5VdDy0kiQMEnSale3ZWYDWczbccWB1JtzKFu-3INjqucz7ZAzSYwLZ/s320/noah+spongebath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376671877666386034" border="0" /></a><br />I also have to post this picture that Michael took with his phone because it is way too precious not to be posted on the blog. This picture was taken right before Michael carried Noah into the house for the very first time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rPsTq-qGAWx8hY7k5ZPqmSiJZOFg5Jdwh9ewRMeRi0lqaubxFOgr5mGFR3rB2wnIUxzcgmwZSsim9wGdBRTfarkv5ChS8kYCvuLDy9SoO94IHCKK4ZqRBcU4DoaGNz3zMBpgUF42lrVz/s1600-h/Noah+ness+arriving.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rPsTq-qGAWx8hY7k5ZPqmSiJZOFg5Jdwh9ewRMeRi0lqaubxFOgr5mGFR3rB2wnIUxzcgmwZSsim9wGdBRTfarkv5ChS8kYCvuLDy9SoO94IHCKK4ZqRBcU4DoaGNz3zMBpgUF42lrVz/s320/Noah+ness+arriving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376673282170711042" border="0" /></a>What a beautiful family God has given to us.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-16578002681527125232009-08-29T17:03:00.000-07:002009-08-29T19:13:57.399-07:00Noah's First Trip to the Doctor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnkHSkb4a0UkWFlEirCGvorBCLCBmxUA-Jk0Tvg5Qjqg45lvjOBcRZJ-vAApsgGjP5k1k51_v_9OlrdmSs3WTsCRy97yPbpdWZNjL8Ci38MywZR9-3SCDJRcbn5Kg1uDVHxGaOu7xwiAB/s1600-h/NoahCarSeatSadness.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnkHSkb4a0UkWFlEirCGvorBCLCBmxUA-Jk0Tvg5Qjqg45lvjOBcRZJ-vAApsgGjP5k1k51_v_9OlrdmSs3WTsCRy97yPbpdWZNjL8Ci38MywZR9-3SCDJRcbn5Kg1uDVHxGaOu7xwiAB/s320/NoahCarSeatSadness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375567827159605154" border="0" /></a>After getting in so late last night and getting only a few winks of sleep, Michael and I decided that I should try to get my appointment for Noah rescheduled to a time when we could go together, as he had to work. I called as early as I could and was talked into coming in, so I literally had five minutes to get both of us ready to go. My mother in law said she would drive us, as I am not permitted to drive for the next two weeks. And so together, we got Noah loaded up into his car seat, which was no easy task -- especially given the fact that Noah was incredibly hungry and not at all in the mood to deal with my inability to work a four-point harness.<br /><br />Oh, how I wished I had made the time to read the instruction manual! (I had to call both Michael and Chrissy at two separate points today to figure out how to get him in and out!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVWh9n0x4-jT7F082QFDpRaLhr0svsfgHKPv4-50cvqzYlfdk8B2W2Z2QDBZc2rFM4f7xrGb_KT3RCwizngVQf1iIuTQKSFhko7zxZhFT3IhMIede9ektoZPfGEpnelLEUvDyqK2Pjv-f/s1600-h/NoahArrivingatDoc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVWh9n0x4-jT7F082QFDpRaLhr0svsfgHKPv4-50cvqzYlfdk8B2W2Z2QDBZc2rFM4f7xrGb_KT3RCwizngVQf1iIuTQKSFhko7zxZhFT3IhMIede9ektoZPfGEpnelLEUvDyqK2Pjv-f/s320/NoahArrivingatDoc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375568359387398530" border="0" /></a> While my mother-in-law worked on figuring out the set up, I fed Noah for a few minutes and then we got him situated. Given the time limits, Noah's outfit was far from color coordinated for his first appointment since the hospital! Fortunately, my quick feeding did help Noah to fall asleep and he was very calm for his visit. Fortunately, this was not one of those visits where baby gets poked or prodded very much and gets all worked up. I was very glad.<br /><br />He did, however, react very unfavorably to being undressed and weighed and he dirtied his diaper in response.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yqlAXsIe4Y1XdETon2UeBLZ9l_hViSahfEBdYZ6x52zN4YIz3G686I0Aw4gXffQk-N4ablSkvRtgAQ_-PBOQ-3pppifs9zBD61GRGM2PXT3L9Plz0BOEKvpmd4JBbEvi38Je0bs8TJfG/s1600-h/NoahPoopingonScale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yqlAXsIe4Y1XdETon2UeBLZ9l_hViSahfEBdYZ6x52zN4YIz3G686I0Aw4gXffQk-N4ablSkvRtgAQ_-PBOQ-3pppifs9zBD61GRGM2PXT3L9Plz0BOEKvpmd4JBbEvi38Je0bs8TJfG/s320/NoahPoopingonScale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375572179156137794" border="0" /></a><br />So, here are the "stats" on our little guy:<br /><br />- Noah now weighs 7lbs, 3oz., which is a big relief given that he dropped to below 7lbs. in his first days of life. Our all night "feeding frenzy" and scheduled feedings over the last two days seems to have done the trick! The doctor recommended that I continue breastfeeding and said that there was no reason at all for me to supplement with (evil) formula. lol - sorry I really am very into this whole breastfeeding/bonding thing and the thought of having to use that stuff ever again makes me a little crazy :) Who ever would have guessed?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmiM7eDJtFH6IiEUKQfWA-G1WYys3CG8EGrSoc0W1j7pskF7dfXklaTy2Ht3l5HpTgWia2O-3NT9RbPdnOTLtIBN9YGUeZq6FlBYeKHc1IrHjFCHp-andWLXD2s_A4_g7mjcNF6TuvTHB/s1600-h/FirstDayHomeNoah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmiM7eDJtFH6IiEUKQfWA-G1WYys3CG8EGrSoc0W1j7pskF7dfXklaTy2Ht3l5HpTgWia2O-3NT9RbPdnOTLtIBN9YGUeZq6FlBYeKHc1IrHjFCHp-andWLXD2s_A4_g7mjcNF6TuvTHB/s320/FirstDayHomeNoah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375569991375280386" border="0" /></a><br />- Noah is a little jaundiced and the doctor told me it was nothing to worry about and that I should put him by a window inside and let him be in the sun for a little bit if the weather improved today, which I did as soon as we got home.<br /><br />- In all other ways, Noah is as perfect as he looks and so far I haven't done anything too terribly wrong as far as she could tell. (I just assumed that last one. :) She did tell me to keep up the good work!<br /><br />I shall surely try!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-78145568769161174792009-08-29T15:07:00.001-07:002009-08-29T16:14:21.547-07:00Bringing Baby Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkh00CUBYFE33eaaiGD6dtRNOq_uTdrkR24IbPpmsCPi34P7B2hAYJVu-xqvb9w2M8xATRZaRA22yzY3w20It58dsDUHKFJ-j_bHoSOR-4D1TH1zLIQxn2w5ynltT0Vzpi9RFXSAEypXG/s1600-h/TakingBabyHomeDaddy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkh00CUBYFE33eaaiGD6dtRNOq_uTdrkR24IbPpmsCPi34P7B2hAYJVu-xqvb9w2M8xATRZaRA22yzY3w20It58dsDUHKFJ-j_bHoSOR-4D1TH1zLIQxn2w5ynltT0Vzpi9RFXSAEypXG/s320/TakingBabyHomeDaddy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375512308939665586" border="0" /></a>After a very grueling few days, Noah and I were cleared to be discharged from the hospital yesterday. I was not feeling anywhere near ready physically to leave, but we were so excited about the idea of bringing Noah home, that I pushed as hard as I could to get mobile enough to leave. Michael and I were both by this time very sleep-deprived (not that we aren't now!) so it was a pretty exhausting day trying to get everything done that we needed to do before we could "check out."<br /><br />Before we left, Michael and I had Noah's first pictures taken and they came out BEAUTIFUL! To view them, click: <a href="http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=c2d7b6dd-c8d3-4858-a0d7-d1edc2df99a4">here</a>. Noah was very cooperative and we were able to get a couple of shots where his eyes were open, as well as a very great shot of the three of us together than I cannot wait to post here soon!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkeMzuSVxk-0sjjwD2lOYn7sEqA4-O-V_bhK5hmzAky6jwEBoFdWH5a0LVs5yanphy8NYhkR93rh0YwBALthj_4s2Q2_Yu9APNQ-Mj9XXxnAxqqJAopfEPxh62yMvWfx-PJ_wc2b2qnYD/s1600-h/TakingNoahHomeMommy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkeMzuSVxk-0sjjwD2lOYn7sEqA4-O-V_bhK5hmzAky6jwEBoFdWH5a0LVs5yanphy8NYhkR93rh0YwBALthj_4s2Q2_Yu9APNQ-Mj9XXxnAxqqJAopfEPxh62yMvWfx-PJ_wc2b2qnYD/s320/TakingNoahHomeMommy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375513529699868098" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After picture time was over, we then loaded Noah up into his car seat for the very first time and headed out to Warrenton to pick up his big sister, Vanessa, who was extremely excited to see her baby brother again. Although we were in a hurry to get there, Michael and I stopped along the way to attach the "baby in sight" mirror to the back seat. (Fortunately, there was hardly any traffic and we arrived early for pickup). The mirror allowed both of us to watch Noah as he slept in his car seat through the rear view mirrors. Vanessa also enjoyed watching Noah as she sat by his side for the rest of the car ride home. It was so great being to go home as a family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpzkOuVSG0B8a6GDi43TtbQ0MqPu8bFRuJMlivrhgdjREKHgj7lyamG-1FjedQzalFdXL9ShsRDk4y_JWychYXb3XmGIDt2jezyrLDQgd4CUBrrWsFr4anli_P4RsQfplBL4xk6zlqxAx/s1600-h/TakingBabyHomeNessDaddy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpzkOuVSG0B8a6GDi43TtbQ0MqPu8bFRuJMlivrhgdjREKHgj7lyamG-1FjedQzalFdXL9ShsRDk4y_JWychYXb3XmGIDt2jezyrLDQgd4CUBrrWsFr4anli_P4RsQfplBL4xk6zlqxAx/s320/TakingBabyHomeNessDaddy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375523072261052354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As we drove home, we marveled at this being the very first time Noah would be outside, his first ride in the car, the first time he would ever see the sky or feel sunlight. How exciting for our baby boy to see the world for the first time (when his eyes were actually open)!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY7jS2UZINPSlKWrDaRCu5Bq2ec_O54UUfhh060YdIM8AwZ-b_gec1BadnMzUEsfCbDPBwKbjsKQ5tFkJPC8XfOIRzSQ5LqptfJr1gpoSsQi4S8xuKS79Am11Nnvaq_l78ogJEUh2UE1W/s1600-h/TakingNoahHome.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY7jS2UZINPSlKWrDaRCu5Bq2ec_O54UUfhh060YdIM8AwZ-b_gec1BadnMzUEsfCbDPBwKbjsKQ5tFkJPC8XfOIRzSQ5LqptfJr1gpoSsQi4S8xuKS79Am11Nnvaq_l78ogJEUh2UE1W/s320/TakingNoahHome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375514007193544306" border="0" /></a><br />We did not get home until pretty late, but were so relieved when we did. It was so nice to be back in our own bed again, but I must say that my recent unwillingness to even try and sleep, which I persisted in, in the hospital for the last two days and until almost 3 in the morning yesterday, soon turned into a desire to get much more than I am going to be able to. Last night's sleep was the kind of sleep that the more I got, the more tired I felt. Poor Michael, after having such an exhausting week that he fell asleep in the Starbucks drive-through the other morning, has barely gotten any sleep at all given that he has had to work all day and help me with Noah all night, since I've been unable to lift Noah on my own before or after feedings once I am in bed. He has also been such a trooper by doing all of the night-time feedings ever since Noah was born. I must say that having a baby has certainly strengthened our marriage in so many ways.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5ZdMvvZUUMv0W_i_lkcgGivBeHerZZikvoQG5KmhnPBy33i9NSN6L7_P95u0-vdtTvkIGeDK6u8VNt8DR4Pr455ylUt9cPFLx-sdxAxArJH0GTmMvXoKC4iUxL7ca0QuqZTdfMv0u1pm/s1600-h/TakingNoahHomeDaddysMiniMe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5ZdMvvZUUMv0W_i_lkcgGivBeHerZZikvoQG5KmhnPBy33i9NSN6L7_P95u0-vdtTvkIGeDK6u8VNt8DR4Pr455ylUt9cPFLx-sdxAxArJH0GTmMvXoKC4iUxL7ca0QuqZTdfMv0u1pm/s320/TakingNoahHomeDaddysMiniMe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375518197125533314" border="0" /></a> It's amazing how fast the bonding happens and how quickly our little family has come together and adapted to this new little life. It's so amazing to look at my little guy and see how much he looks like his dad. This picture cracks me up because I think Noah looks so much like Michael here that it's scary!<br /><br />So far we have agreed that Noah has Michael's forehead and temples, cheecks, lips and mouth and my hair and ears. His nose is pretty identical to how both Michael's and mine looked when we were kids and is very similar to Vanessa's. It will be so exciting to discover all the ways in which Noah resembles us more and more while he becomes himself more and more as he gets bigger. Right now, even though he looks big in most of these photographs, Noah is a little peanut. He is so tiny! And he is such a character, with a wealth of adorable expressions. He makes the sweetest little sounds. What a huge blessing our little boy is! It is so good to have him home!<br /></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-85985410810872471902009-08-27T11:53:00.000-07:002009-08-28T10:58:50.576-07:00The First Few Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGoRLX1hJLPsIUqzvJxueM3ndlFxTQbO6pTjiDItmTRGrj01dLAunJeetTg2fa0HK4MabHzIc9YYCbeR9PoD9-4y9R6IYMtVn3hy6pzMYBvIETyeMM32-cjhCOh7cZ5oq1VYHsu79IizN/s1600-h/IMG_0187.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGoRLX1hJLPsIUqzvJxueM3ndlFxTQbO6pTjiDItmTRGrj01dLAunJeetTg2fa0HK4MabHzIc9YYCbeR9PoD9-4y9R6IYMtVn3hy6pzMYBvIETyeMM32-cjhCOh7cZ5oq1VYHsu79IizN/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374754431164823106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb... I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." </span><span style="font-size:85%;">(Excerpts from Psalm 139).</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQh8hBG8JJO8MgI7qxsW9b5Nk6e6EVW6oOor1cV4uOzK4FlyOAuVvYixvXPOAm7k2gmdws7j5302J4hO7XTSnJwzaAMwHIyGzM_tfpf3J1j39imp_9_1VowVbP9P0sA2VAa53Eyu7V0IF/s1600-h/MyPreciousDoll.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQh8hBG8JJO8MgI7qxsW9b5Nk6e6EVW6oOor1cV4uOzK4FlyOAuVvYixvXPOAm7k2gmdws7j5302J4hO7XTSnJwzaAMwHIyGzM_tfpf3J1j39imp_9_1VowVbP9P0sA2VAa53Eyu7V0IF/s320/MyPreciousDoll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374753962364061154" border="0" /> </a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 3</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_1xiMjJFW2bHEm3KoOcrB_JOZ-vdNsThTOHg22vd1tXyyGJKzbl-xJ0qEVIN2M2VgBLM6sqM7_rxUWckC8y__e1aommUq6p-SZmwst7CzPEhzSkEmO0pei237Z_0Qy3xUonBpI9Z4Ljh/s1600-h/IMG_0190_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_1xiMjJFW2bHEm3KoOcrB_JOZ-vdNsThTOHg22vd1tXyyGJKzbl-xJ0qEVIN2M2VgBLM6sqM7_rxUWckC8y__e1aommUq6p-SZmwst7CzPEhzSkEmO0pei237Z_0Qy3xUonBpI9Z4Ljh/s320/IMG_0190_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374752909562369250" border="0" /></a>I cannot believe it has only been 3 days. I am so accustomed to life with my baby that it seems like we've spent a lifetime together. It hasn't been an easy three days but they have been amazing nonetheless.<br /><br />Noah is such a good baby. I feel very blessed to be able to say that. Although most of you know that my experience with babies is minimal at best (I have more experience putting diapers on stuffed animals, even 3 days in), I think you'll all agree. He does not fuss and never cries unless he has gone to the bathroom, is having his diaper changed, is being undressed, or is hungry. That's pretty good, I'd say, as we always know how to investigate what is going on and can determine what is wrong by the simple process of elimination.<br /><br />Seeing Noah face to face and being able to observe him in the world has been incredible. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB26KBWewYvumMgDpYOpH7oqbCovorVzByoF0tLLv4F5sbur3lFnK-mQvEc-FcYd87wTuXVcdR7KTCtzsr72UYLIJZnIOEfPx7ZK5A1zYIbGU2wTHdzjVWwRu5vk1WDjDjam6gzJ6nWAc/s1600-h/IMG_0174.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB26KBWewYvumMgDpYOpH7oqbCovorVzByoF0tLLv4F5sbur3lFnK-mQvEc-FcYd87wTuXVcdR7KTCtzsr72UYLIJZnIOEfPx7ZK5A1zYIbGU2wTHdzjVWwRu5vk1WDjDjam6gzJ6nWAc/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374753541672585858" border="0" /></a> I have solved many mysteries as to what I was feeling in my belly while I was pregnant. How many times did I feel as though I was being punched and kicked on both sides of my belly at the same time? Well apparently it was Noah "frogging out" in his favorite position that looks a little like he is flexing his muscles with his arms and laying in a yoga pose with his legs. When unswaddled (or when he escapes) Noah loves to lay just like this... I also confirmed that he WAS hiccuping for 5 minutes at a time! He did that on his second day. On the third day, Michael found out for himself what I was talking about and we had a good laugh. It's been so comical and so exciting to discover so much about our little boy.<br /><br />What I've also learned is that Noah is a sweet little boy with a ravenous appetite, which has made breastfeeding a little challenging but no less amazing. There is a reason I call him my my little alligator. :) I always told my girlfriends they were crazy when they ranted and raved about what a bonding experience it is, so I have to say I have been shocked at how right they all were and are (no offense...and sorry!). It's a surreal experience to look down at his little face knowing I carried him for nine months and that I am helping him grow big and strong even now when he is here with us. It is the sweetest thing to have him holding on to both my hands with both of his and squeezing his little hands to hold mine harder and harder while he eats. I have been blessed to get the hang of this as much as I have, while I'm laid up for the most part. The recovery has been difficult, but I'm hanging in there. Michael has been great but sadly today he had to go to work. :( It's been sad without him here and a little scary on my own. Fortunately I have lots and lots of help from the nursing staff which have been very helpful and accommodating. Soon, there will be no red button to push and no nursery to send Noah to for care when I need to get cared for myself... or sleep! I am looking forward to the challenge. I can't wait to bring my little guy home! Sleep is overrated anyway!<br /><br />Anyway I just wanted to give a little update about our little addition. (I'm a corndog, I know). I'll be posting some more pictures soon. Now that Noah is here I won't be sending updates/notifcations unless you email me and ask me to... so let me know :) Otherwise, feel free to stop in from time to time and see how our little one is growing! I hope time does not keep flying... I want to enjoy every moment.<br /><br />True to what I've been told time and time on end, the last few days have had me experiencing every emotion you can imagine: love, joy, fear, sadness, anxiety, you name it. But most of all, today, I feel blessed.<br /><br />Nan<3Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-66425123860358683512009-08-25T18:21:00.000-07:002009-08-26T02:27:58.644-07:00Welcome Baby Noah!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuRXnrHdqmE2Ze67jEMmjBTunY-QSgVeOZR7zRBhM9lIpiHRuRs4S-AXw4wsGUoCIYlOxpo-Or9WPho3NEfl2lZBK2H-LdyE4F8e41kdLXO9OdaZwztmGSX-RLNLyjwEpkurUuk3sUxF5/s1600-h/IMG_0109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuRXnrHdqmE2Ze67jEMmjBTunY-QSgVeOZR7zRBhM9lIpiHRuRs4S-AXw4wsGUoCIYlOxpo-Or9WPho3NEfl2lZBK2H-LdyE4F8e41kdLXO9OdaZwztmGSX-RLNLyjwEpkurUuk3sUxF5/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374079518932408834" border="0" /></a><span>Introducing </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Noah Thomas Lunsford</span><br />Born: August 25, 2009<br />1:17AM<br />20.5 inches<br />7 lbs, 6 oz.<br /></div><br />Slightly before one o'clock this morning, I was told to say goodbye to Michael and enter the operating room. I really wish I could have done so blindfolded as it looked more like a chamber of torture than a hospital room. I was laid upon the table for what seemed like an eternity as I was strapped down, undressed, catheterized and drawn upon. My body was shaking the whole time from either the cold or my nerves or both. Dr. C told me that the same thing happened to her, but this was not reassuring. I never felt so scared in my whole life as I did laying there. I kept praying as hard as I could for God to give me peace about the surgery but as I was doing so, the anesthesiologists and nurses were moving at rapid fire pace without explaining anything to me. Out of nowhere a mask was brought down on my face and I suddenly could not breathe. Because I was strapped down everywhere all I could do was jerk my face out from under it to indicate that I could not breathe. The anesthesiologist told me that I would fall asleep soon but I could not help but fight to get away from the mask that was making it impossible for me to take a breath. Eventually (obviously) I fell asleep.<br /><br />I woke up in the recovery room to see Michael feeding Noah a bottle. I could not really see much as my eyes were blurry from the medicine but I was so relieved that Noah was OK. It wasn't until later in the day that I was able to see just how beautiful my little boy really is. When Michael finally handed him to me he kept opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue. It was too precious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGC9n0sr9T2g83Ocdqd-23Mz8J4EWHgVu-caqR9HK313p8R9wPgvpRuqbVHdgM_mJyzNb_c_VSGS9DDKiI-YAFLrNsQYiYnGMMb6DeE_TpH5r48y9hmoxxs9pvPL-ywzvWy6bEk2EWJSK/s1600-h/IMG_0156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGC9n0sr9T2g83Ocdqd-23Mz8J4EWHgVu-caqR9HK313p8R9wPgvpRuqbVHdgM_mJyzNb_c_VSGS9DDKiI-YAFLrNsQYiYnGMMb6DeE_TpH5r48y9hmoxxs9pvPL-ywzvWy6bEk2EWJSK/s320/IMG_0156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374079832485026994" border="0" /></a>My family arrived shortly before noon. It was such a great moment to see everyone together and to watch everyone's reaction to meeting Noah. It still feels a little surreal to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq4nMUoiUiq-y0CrrfeRFBgI3ArZXYDxwiN-aLib_iFYZCzQXi99AwbtphhqbGRgf6ciT3tr_xdLx-eG5tANVKa7jrwFqSGH_hg3q-dhdCUtPD5orIEtB4HoBC8VWDqZ2Jlu8qCycmWt9/s1600-h/IMG_0130.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq4nMUoiUiq-y0CrrfeRFBgI3ArZXYDxwiN-aLib_iFYZCzQXi99AwbtphhqbGRgf6ciT3tr_xdLx-eG5tANVKa7jrwFqSGH_hg3q-dhdCUtPD5orIEtB4HoBC8VWDqZ2Jlu8qCycmWt9/s320/IMG_0130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374080197040958466" border="0" /></a>Seeing Vanessa's reaction to meeting her little brother for the first time was priceless. She could not have been more thrilled. Noah bears a striking resemblence to her in so many ways -- he is Michael's "mini me" for sure. As far as looking anything like me, I disagree with my sisters who both think he looks like me but I must admit... he certainly was born with my hair!<br /><br />At about a quarter to 7:00PM, Michael left to take Vanessa back to her mom. My family had gone a few minutes prior. So here I was, all alone with a newborn! Of course, what seemed to come so easy to me when I had so many people to help became the most challenging and difficult task. Fortunately the nurses were able to help me but only after I practically knocked down everything on the table near my bed to reach the phone and call them. Noah would not stop crying and I took as many deep breaths as I could and tried to stay calm. I was SO relieved when Michael returned!<br /><br />This has definitely been the LONGEST day of my life and one which gave me the hugest blessing. Noah is asleep in his little plastic bassinet besides me and I'm wondering what it will be like to wake every 2 hours to feed him tonight. I am up for the challenge but for now it's time to sleep...<br /><br />I cannot believe how much love I feel for something SO small. God is so great and we are SO blessed! (And for now...and surely for MANY days and nights to come... exhausted!)<br /><br />Goodnight and thank you all for your prayers, your love and support.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTpwdU8iB6yayFZGUF1rmMJGso782LQrWTvnRp1afNr_eW4fEPjo4Kg30tPN5DYZeS_MQoBLo1FO9naLivJeXPTLonluYrGRn7NR9_WLIHJf5lYlhpk4IsQciBlUrIkNxAvXpkrRUddyL/s1600-h/IMG_0151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTpwdU8iB6yayFZGUF1rmMJGso782LQrWTvnRp1afNr_eW4fEPjo4Kg30tPN5DYZeS_MQoBLo1FO9naLivJeXPTLonluYrGRn7NR9_WLIHJf5lYlhpk4IsQciBlUrIkNxAvXpkrRUddyL/s320/IMG_0151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374080432668615970" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Michael, Nancy, Vanessa & Noah Lunsford<br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739611491926200114.post-85278688544207150362009-08-24T19:29:00.000-07:002009-08-24T20:30:04.365-07:00A surprise ending?I am writing this on my iPhone from Labor & Delivery at Fairfax Hospital. It looks like date night will have to wait. It appears that I'm in labor. I am contracting every two minutes. At 5pm I started having bad pains and realized that in all my rushing around today and fussing with laundry I hadn't felt Noah move. So I ate some teddy grahams and drank some juice and laid down. Since that time I have been having bad contractions. Noah started moving shortly after so I did not go to the hospital. But once they got worse I had no choice. So here I am. Waiting. Feeling really nervous. I thought I had more time but I guess nothing prepares you for this, huh? After two botched IVs and contractions that have made me see stars I am accepting that it's now or never. We are still waiting on the platelet count so they can decide whether to transfuse me. Because I ate the Teddy grahams I have to wait until 1:00am for the cesarean. So it looks like Noah will be born on august 25th unless things start moving faster. My water still hasn't broken for whatever that is worth. Dr. C will be delivering Noah. For now we wait...<br /><br />My family just called to tell me they going to be on their way from New York in a few hours. I still can't believe this is happening or that I'm just hours away from meeting my baby. I'm so nervous. Please keep us in prayer. Will update this entry if more news. <br /><br />Nan<3Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16445509889422945547noreply@blogger.com1