Fun with Family

Whew! What a week! Its hard to believe its already come and gone but we had so much fun!!! Uncle Micah, Auntie Chicku and Uncle Flip-Flop arrived in Indianapolis on Tuesday afternoon. Noah and I drove down to greet them and thankfully had a very uneventful drive down.

Noah loves the DVD player we now have in the car. Everytime we get in, he points up to where its at and says "moobie!" He doesn't always like that I won't let him watch very often, but its been nice for those long drives we had to make. And not just for entertaining Noah, the movie is great for my sanity too as Noah has developed a new thought process. He calls my name over and over until I answer and will repeatedly do this the whole time we are in the car, pointing out things of interest: backhoes, go-go's (motorcycles), mei-mei's (fire trucks, ambulances or cement trucks) or anything else of interest. I really don't mind it, but having to answer "what" every few seconds can get old fast:)

So, we picked up Auntie Chicku, Uncle Micah and Uncle Flip-Flop (or as Noah calls them Ki-kah, Key-ku and Pei-Pei) from the airport and drove them back to South Bend. We enjoyed just a leisurly night and morning while we were waiting to pick up Aaron from the airport. Noah thrived under all the attention:) He was constantly asking for them and walking around the house until he found them.

The boys had 2 days of golf after that while us girls and Noah took it easy; a little shopping, a little napping and some great food!

Then we spent 2 days around the house just relaxing and enjoying time with our neighbors and friends Pat & Lori and PJ & Lai & Bowen. More great food and time just hanging out was great!

Then Sunday after church, Chicku taught Lai and I how to make some authentic Indian food! I am so excited to try it out myself!! And man was it good! I couldn't get enough!

Monday and Tuesday were spent packing up, driving down and spending some time in Indy. We had a great hotel that even catered to Noah. There were milk and cookies in the room for him and they gave him a little backpack with toys. He's wanted to wear it ever since!!!

And now it is sadly back to the three of us again for a few days before things get crazy again:) I was bummed to realize today that we really didn't get many pictures of our weekend, but we did get a few. Aaron got some of our day at the Indy zoo on the other camera, so I'll post those later, but for now, here are just a few from our week:

My little tan hawaiian! He looks like a tiger with these stripes on his feet!

Show everyone how big your mouth is, Noah.

He climbed into this box and then couldn't get back out!

Playing guitar hero with Uncle Flip-Flop

Playing against Uncle Micah...and almost won!! Just kidding.

Eating some great corn-on-the-cob! Noah's a serious corn eater!!

Spending some quality time with Uncle Flip-Flop

Over all, we had a great weekend! We even had someone comment at a restaurant how well behaved Noah was. I was so proud of him. He had his moments, but he did such a good job with very few naps and lots of new places and people. We can't wait to see what next year has in store!!!

Odds and Ends

Things have picked up for us significantly. Aaron has been super busy with work and now his trip to Japan. It really hit me this week that this is a lot different than his normal trips. Normally, he's within reach and if something were to happen he could be home in a few hours if necessary. Now, he inaccessible and it feels so far away. I am happy for him and all the new experiences he is gaining. Hopefully someday I can go with him!!!

Things on the home front are good. Surprisingly I have been really busy this week. Which is helpful because it makes the days fly by, but there is so much to still get done! Hopefully I'll manage to finish it all before Aaron's family comes in next week. That I am definitely looking forward to. I love the Labor Day trip with the family here.

Here are a couple of photos from the last week...enjoy

Our good friend and neighbor Lilly. She is moving next week and I know it will be hard for a while until Noah really understands that Lilly isn't just across the street. Whenever he thinks about or sees a horse he sees Lilly because we went to watch her horseback riding lessons. They've been great neighbors, I hate to lose them!

We inherited a swing set a few weeks ago. God is so good! (and all it cost us was the paint!)Because there are no parks close, Noah hasn't had many opportunities to go down the slide or swing. And now we can finally go just outside our door! WAHOO! Before I know it, he'll be running out there on his own to play.

He is quite the character. He has a cowboy hat and found it the other day in his closet. He mashed it down on his head and walked around the house. He loved wearing it! Now we just need to teach him that its supposed to look like a cowboy hat and not a pilgrims hat, we'll be doing good:)

He also acquired a slide this week off of Craigslist (I love that place!) It was a deal I couldn't pass up and Noah has had a blast. I think it will be a great winter toy for him. He wants to drag it around the house though, so that could become a problem. And we've been having a bit of difficulty understanding that it is for sliding down, not running down, jumping off or falling down. I've had a few scares and he's been pretty upset with me since I've had to take it away half way through the day these last 2 days. Hopefully we'll get a day soon where he can play with the slide the whole day:)

Noah the ringbear

What a day-This is a day that will forever be remembered!!! Noah did such a good job!! When it was their turn, Lilly and Noah walked down the aisle. (It was a really long aisle from the clubhouse to the green where they had the chairs all set up.) So, they walked down hand in hand, or should I say run. Lilly was walking so fast that Noah was running to keep up and almost fell several times:)

They got to the end of the chairs and Lilly had to let go of Noah's hand to drop her petals. Noah stayed glued to the very spot where she let go and just stared at all the people. He looked really unsure and I kept trying to call out to him from my place in the front, but he just wasn't listening.

Dahmane (the groom) knelt down and held out the Nutri-grain bar for Noah and called out his name. As soon as Noah saw him, he got this big grin on his face and thrust out the pillow and ran to Dahmane, ready to exchange it for the nutri-grain bar.

Whew! He made it!

Our neighbors Pat & Lori. We had so much fun with them! (and of course, Aaron had to have all the pictures taken out on the t-box of the 10th hole!) Mr. Debonair!

Dancing with his best friend, (and the flower girl) Lilly. He was a big hit with the ladies!

The best part of the night though was definitely the reception! After Dahmane and Calie had their first dance, the DJ opened the dance floor to everyone but no one got up. We had let Noah down to play and all of a sudden, he is grabbing my hand, dragging me to the dance floor! Of course, we were pointed out as being the first couple out there and from that moment, Noah hardly stopped dancing!

He was on the dance floor, dancing his little heart out almost the entire time! He was such a big hit and I joke that the DJ should be adding him to the team since he really got the party started. At one point, all four of us:Me, Aaron, Pat & Lori were all a bit tired, so we sat down to catch our breath. Pretty soon, Noah came over and pulled each of us out of our chairs and back onto the dance floor!!!! I'm not joking! It was the funniest thing!

My little dance star and show stealer!!!

Whew! Had to take a little break Mom!

Aaron and I even snuck in a dance or two...

but most of the time, we were too busy laughing and watching Noah and all of his dance moves.

And then, suddenly, he was tired. So he grabbed his blanket and laid down right next to the dance floor!

But the best part of the night for me...was the cuddling at the end! He slept great that night!!

Blueberries, just like Daddy and friends

We have enjoyed a really quiet week. I think we had better soak it all up while we still can. Things are about to become crazy for the next few months!! Noah has been so much fun and so much of a challenge lately. He is really starting to communicate and understand us, but he is also starting to test us and we are getting full force into the world of discipline. Ughh! I just keep reminding myself that there is a reason and purpose behind all this hard work!:) And parenting has been such a reminder to me of my relationship with God and his role as a parent in my life.

Tomorrow, Noah will be in his second wedding. Hopefully this time, we'll be aware enough to get some pics of Noah in his little tux! Its fun to see him all dressed up, but I'm a little nervous about his role in this wedding. There is the prideful side of me that wants him to be on his best behavior the whole time and do exactly what he needs to do. But all you parents out there know that that is not always the case. And its the times when you are hoping for the best behavior when the temper tantrums always occur! I suppose I should really pray that however Noah acts tomorrow, we can be examples of Godly parents in dealing with him around everyone.

Noah has a love/hate relationship with fruit. He will love them for a while and then not want anymore for a while. He came into his room with me the other day, and then went back to the kitchen and brought back this whole bowl of blueberries! I suppose he's getting all his antioxidants all at one time...no need to spread it out:)

Noah is such a Daddy's boy. I think he brings up Daddy atleast every hour until Aaron comes home from work. So of course, whatever Daddy is doing, Noah needs to be doing too. He wears a bandana around outside just like Daddy and LOVES to wear Daddy's earplugs. Half the time they aren't even on his ears, but he doesn't care.

Noah is really into dipping his food. I have FINALLY figured out that he will eat alot more of the stuff if he can only dip it. Last night, though, he went a little crazy with the pasta sauce...This isn't the end picture, but it gives you an idea...the sauce ends up everywhere and it takes quite a while to clean all the places it ends up!:)

And finally, where would we be without friends! Noah has a buddy in Jake, a frieds 10 year old. They play together so well and Jake really looks out for Noah. They came over to play today and Noah has an obesssion with this go-go (aka motercycle). The only problem is that the battery isn't working right now. But thankfully, (for me!) Jake pushed/pulled him all around the yard. Noah was in 7th heaven!

Noah's addiction

Noah has an addiction...to muffins! He can't get enough of them and its the only thing he wants for breakfast every morning. Anytime I ask him what he wants to eat, he says, "mu-mins"! I suppose there are worse things to be addicted to, but we only have so many more muffins and he really does need to branch out into the food world:)

Our God is an amazing God! 12 weeks and counting

"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." Psalm 139:13, 14

I have a confession to make. There are so many times when it is easy to become lazy. So many times, it is so easy to do what I want to do rather than spend time doing the one thing I know I should be doing. I have been convicted lately that I haven't been spending the time I should learning and growing in my relationship with Jesus Christ. Its easier to pick up a novel and zone out or take a nap or fill my day with endless tasks than to face my Creator. And I have to stop running.

Why am I telling you this? you wonder...

Because I want to tell you about what he has shown to me even in the midst of my hiding. And I figure if I put my thoughts on paper, I will feel more convicted, no, accountable to those who know me well.

We are at the 12 week mark...the end of the first trimester and my thought keep returning to the verses above. How God knits a child together in the womb. That just amazes me! And then I read this weekly email today that helped me understand just how awesome our God is:

"This week your baby is now almost the size of a lime, weighing almost an ounce and measuring almost 2.5 inches! Her eyes are now positioned in the front of her face and her ears are in position on the sides of her head. Most notably, reflexes have begun! Your little one's mouth is making sucking movements, her eye muscles clench, her toes curl, fingers and hands open and close, and she may even begin to suck her thumb. Though she is still too little for you to feel, she can feel you. If you were to apply pressure to your abdomen, your baby would squirm in response! Her brain has been developing rapidly too. Nerve cells are multiplying, and synapses, or the small junctions across which nerve impulses pass from one nerve cell to another, are forming at an impressive speed. A little lower, her intestines are developing and will soon be moving into her stomach cavity. It's incredible to think how far she has come in just a few short months!"

My God has already made my child. My child isn't an "it" or something that can be erased. She/he is a living, breathing, fully functioning child by God's power. Whoever thinks things came together by chance or with a big bang isn't fully comprehending just how this process works. How can my baby already be sucking her thumb or curling his toes at just 12 weeks if that were true!

This has been a much different pregnancy than the first. But the best part is now that I know what I'm feeling, I have felt the baby move. Its more like a butterfly right now, but I definitely felt movement! Noah's brother or sister is growing and changing and definitely doesn't like to be crowded:):)

And so, all that to say...God is revealing himself to me in every nook and cranny of my life. There is no true hiding place from God!

I hope that in the next week, you are able to find areas in your life where God is showing himself faithful!

Summer fun!

Hi! I bet you all have been wondering why you haven't heard from me in a while...well, I've been a little busy. But I decided it was time you got a glimpse of summer from my point of view.

I love to play outside...I wish Mommy let me out there more often! I have a mower, a wagon, dump truck and tons of rocks to play with! We went in the sprinklers with Bowen and Lai and it was actually fun. I could run underneath and not get wet. Now thats the way to have a sprinkler!!!
This is my go-go. Mommy calls it a moto-something...I'm not really sure, but go-go is easier to say. I love my go-go and can't wait to get one with pedals!

And Mommy helped me set up my tent so I could play with it outside. Isn't it cool? Its a giraffe...what noise do you think a giraffe makes?

Hmmm...I think I should plan my next adventure....where should I go?!?

Changes and trash trucks

Noah was so excited he just couldn't wait to tell you all anymore...

Coming Soon: Feb 2009

Yup, thats right...baby #2 is on the way. We are really excited, but I'm too tired to do much about it:)

We have otherwise had a normal week, pretty quiet, but thats the way I like it. Aaron is finally done traveling for a while. Thank goodness!! We were so ready to have Daddy home for more than a couple of days in a strech. And Noah has decided he is a definite Daddy's boy. He is constantly asking for Daddy and we finally had to call Aaron at work yesterday to prove to the stubborn boy that Daddy was no where in the vicinity, mowing as Noah was sure he was:)

The picture below is how Noah spends his Monday mornings. He is infauated with the trash trucks and loves to watch them drive by. So he stands at the window with his head craned watching the trucks every move.

He finally has enough hair for an actual spike!!!

4th of July with Family

What a week we have had! Uncle Mike and Auntie Marlene came up Tuesday afternoon and we were able to hang out while we waited for Aaron who was driving back from Ohio and Aaron's parents who were flying in. Then the fun began...all of us in one house...it doesn't get any better! Noah thrived/basked under all the attention. There was always someone there to play with. We spent a lot of time just relaxing. Uncle Mike, Dad, Mom and I all went canoeing-what a great way to start our time together. But who knew steering was so difficult!?!?!

Then we came back and played games until Aaron got home from work. Thursday we all went out for brunch and then ran a bunch of errands. We came home to have dinner with PJ, Lai and Bowen. What a tableful, but it was so much fun. I miss the big tablefuls from back home at my parents house, so this was especially fun for me.

I love that smile!!

Noah's checking to make sure the mower has enough fluids!:)

Uncle Mike was helping Noah put on his gardening gloves.

What a silly boy. He put Poppi's hat on and left it this way

Poppi and Noah had so much fun together

It actually looks like Noah was playing the game with us:)

Uncle Mike & Auntie Marlene-we are so glad you were able to come down to spend time with us! We love you!!

Sisters!

We celebrated Noah's 19th birthday on Friday! Okay, so that's months, but I figured you'd get that.

The whole crew

Like father, like son...

Noah was very clever and figured out how to get Daddy to stop mowing so he could help!!

Poppi and Noah were good supervisors!

Friday, Auntie and Uncle left and the boys headed off to play golf. We had another yummy dinner and then we walked around the neighborhood with PJ, Lai & Bowen too to see all the fireworks. We walked into a cul-de-sac just in time to see a huge display. They all must have gone in together, but our timing was perfect! We were worried how Noah would handle it all, but he really enjoyed it. We heard the word "Pretty" a lot!! (Noah had taken a late nap so it worked out really well and he ended up staying up until 11!) We came back to the house and set off our own display.

Noah has turned into a snuggle bug!

Swimming with Daddy. The whole time we were in the pool, all Noah could think about was his Daddy. Forget Mommy, Poppi and Lolli-just Daddy!

Saturday, we hung out at the house, played croquet and went swimming...it was a perfect end to a great week together.