Spring needs to get here, soon

Ah, it's been awhile. Sorry about that. I really will get more time to write in this blog, someday...

What's been happening at our house? Well, it's winter. Which means LOTS of cabin fever. And sick kids. (They've been nice enough to take turns at that.) Noah is sick now, some sort of runny nose-cough-cranky baby-thing going on. We got about a foot of snow yesterday, and we all went out to play in it, but Noah came in red-faced and suddenly all sniffly.


Did I mention that I can't wait until spring?


Here are some new updates:

Noah is 20 months old now. He is still mostly happy all the time, always smiling, although he's been teething like mad (must be the 2 year molars) which makes him a bit miserable, and of course, all these colds don't help. He's also learned to say the word "No!" (imagine that, he is almost 2...) so he throws a tantrum here and there when he doesn't get what he wants (which is usually either a treat, or mommy, or both). But he is quickly distracted and happy again, at least for now. His main feat these days seems to be getting into trouble. He always manages to find things he shouldn't play with, and he plays with them. This morning (5:30 am) he took all the clothes out of every drawer in his dresser, carried them into the hallway, and dropped them down the stairs.

He is also talking up a storm lately... his vocabulary now includes: ap-gi (airplane), bye, ca-ee-ah (Claudia, his nanny), boy (usually to Evan), CHIP!, cheer-o (cheerio), up, ball, shirt, sock, da-ee (daddy), mommy, circle (his favorite thing to find and say), book, car, truck, bus, juice (usually he says 'elmo juice' for his favorite kind), bo-lll (bottle), fii (fire), TV, COOKIE, apple, bampa (grandpa), baby, macaw (yes, the bird), bir (bird), fo (phone), foot (football), cop car (we think that is police car?), heli (helicopter), moo, neigh, baa... and there are probably a few others, so many words, wow! Oh, and of course, the newest: Poop! and I POOP!

So yes, we have started potty training. Enough said on that topic...

He also knows SO many other words that he doesn't say just yet. But he loves pointing at pictures in books and 'asking' us the words.


Evan seems to get taller every day. He is my height, but I think any minute now he will be taller than me. He is drawing more now than ever. Almost every night he goes on his computer and looks up superhero illustrations to copy and draw. He has really gotten to be such a good artist. I will scan some of his work and put it here for everyone to see soon...

Ev has also started taking karate! He loves it, so far, and he is really good at it, which helps. I am hoping it helps him to focus, which he needs in school especially. This year has been tough for him. And next year is.... middle school. I hope we are all ready...

A few more recent photos (and yes, that is Noah asleep on Evan's back!):

So much can happen in a year and a half...

Noah is 18 months old! It is amazing how fast it is going. It seems to be flying by quicker now than it did even with Evan. Tonight I fed Noah his nighttime bottle, and stayed a little extra long in the rocking chair, holding him and trying to memorize the moment. His little chubby arms, that sweet sleeping face with the long eyelashes. It was hard, though, because I was trying not to breathe on him (I'm still sick... ugh) and he really hates being cuddled. So after a few squirms, I finally laid him in his crib and whispered good night. (Although, who am I kidding? At the rate he's been going, I'll be seing him at 4am...)

Anyway, here is an update on Noah at 18 months: he can say a few words, generally only when he's in the mood... and the most frequent are: up, hi, dada, airplane, "gook" (cookie), "ca" (car), "twee" (tree), "buh" (bird), paci (pacifier), "maw" (more), "Ebah" (Evan), thank you (he's pretty darn close to saying it correctly). He's also 'talking' up a storm lately, but it's anyone's guess what he's saying.

Things he likes to do: playing with his brother more than anything, playing peek-a-boo (he'll hide behind a napkin, usually), playing hide-and-seek (he's good), putting things in and taking them out (usually tupperware-related), having his picture taken, going out for walks, going for a car ride, going out to eat, eating pizza, ice cream or chocolate chip cookies, having visitors over or going to see people, especially other babies, and pulling on mom's hair.

Things he doesn't like to do: putting on a coat or hat, eating most food (unless it is a tried-and-true baby food or the above named items), drinking out of anything but a bottle, going to bed, having his hair washed, or getting kicked out of Evan's room (when Ev is trying to get dressed or do his homework).

He loves the Christmas tree, the sounds of cars and trucks going by, and most of all, he loves airplanes. He is a sweet little boy with a big personality - he can tell you exactly what he wants by pointing and grunting, and when he is happy he has the BIGGEST smile. I love how his whole face lights up! And how he plays with his brother, well, that just amazes me. To be so little and yet... they cuddle, wrestle, giggle, roll, play catch, play with action figures, tear up the play area... everything I hoped but never imagined he'd be doing at just 18 months.

Here is when Noah was just a few hours old:



And here is Noah now:




Oh, and here is WWBW (WorldWideBabyWrestling) at our house... (a bit of a weird pic of me, but you get the idea... Noah has me pinned!)

First Snow

We had our first snow of the season on December 7th (I know, I'm still behind...) and the boys got outside to play a bit. Noah was amazed, he didn't remember snow from last year (he was only 6 months old last December) and Evan had a ball showing it to him. He was so happy to have someone to play with!

People say to me all the time "Oh, too bad Noah isn't older so they can play together", or "Evan must have no interest in Noah since he is so much younger" and I just crack up. They couldn't be further from the truth... these two are inseparable. Every night, I have to nag Evan to get back to his homework 2x, 3x, 4x... because he is playing with Noah. When he comes home from school, they play together for at least an hour... and their giggles can be contagious, like tonight. Noah was laughing hysterically at Evan's antics... and his laugh made everyone else laugh... all I can say is, these boys love each other to pieces. I hope it always, always stays this way.

Cabin Fever

The weather has been pretty miserable - either it is freezing cold (too cold to spend much time outdoors) or it has been mild and pouring rain.

Either way makes for many days stuck indoors. I am so looking forward to spring already... and it is not even officially winter yet. Ugh.

So... here are a few indoor photos we've taken recently... see how happy Noah is in the bath!

And here he is reading a book....



















...and getting into trouble in the new fireplace.



And playing with Evan....


Best of all, though, is when they've been able to finally go outside.... like when we had our first snow!! Will post photos from that next.... :)

Thankful

I am so far behind! I hope to catch up this week... I have so many great photos and videos of the boys to post....

Here is some of the old stuff, to catch up: we had a hectic Thanksgiving 'week', celebrating with family over several days. The boys had fun being with all their grandparents, aunts, cousins, more... and Evan was a HUGE help cooking. He helped make a delicious whipped sweet potato dish, pumpkin soup, turkey stuffing and more... and he raved about all the food. He was so sweet. Noah, on the other hand, refused to eat anything except maybe a few pieces of american cheese and some corn. He's going through a beyond-fussy phase, although has a big appetite, so when he eats, he eats. :) The other night he put away more mac-n-cheese for dinner than his big brother did!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for all our wonderful friends and family. And, of course, I'm thankful for these amazing brothers.

PS> Lately Josh brings Noah into Evan's room in the morning to wake Evan up. He puts Noah on the bed, and he climbs over and gives Evan a big hug. How cute is that?

Here are some photos from our Thanksgiving morning, at the traditional cousin football game. (I have no photos from the rest of the day, since I lost my camera. A huge thanks to cousin Mindy for finding it for me!!! Where would I be without it...LOL.) I'll post more video next...

Following in big brother's footsteps

Noah has had such a bad cold this week. Thank goodness Evan hasn't gotten it! Evan has been such a sweetie with his brother - like usual, but taking extra care with him since he isn't feeling well. He built Noah a Noah-sized fort, which Noah was absolutely thrilled with - as you can see in the video below. We think he thinks he is playing 'like a big boy'. He idolizes his big brother...(PS> yes, if you are wondering what that shadow is, Noah's shirt is completely soaked with drool. Since he can't breathe through his nose, the open mouth leads to.... a change of shirts every hour. Fun.)

Here are the boys with the fort:



And, in more Noah news: he is really trying to walk! Of course he is. I called Early Intervention services to come check him out (since he is 16 1/2 months and wasn't walking... I was starting to get nervous since the doc diagnosed him with hypotonia at his last visit, and even though that is mild and not a big deal, I thought he may need some physical therapy to help him along.) I knew I was jumping the gun a bit, since really they say not walking up until 18 months is within range, but I figured better safe than sorry. Then the day after I called, he took 5 steps, from Evan to me. A few days later, the physical therapist and an education specialist came to evaluate him, and later that same night - he stood up and walked. All by himself.

He must have known.

See the wobbly steps in feetie PJs for yourself below... (and his beautiful big brother, who I sort of cut off at the end. Sorry about that, Ev. :)

Hands off

Noah is using a fork! Well, for the most part, anyway. And he is REALLY proud of himself, as you'll see in this video of him (chowing down on canteloupe with his nanny, Claudia).