October Wrap-up

Oh October, you have come and gone so quickly!  

Noah dancing along to Doc McStuffin's -time for your check-up! 

Play date with the Vogel's --  These 3 kiddos just command a room wherever we go!  We capped this fun day off with dinner at Brody.  Someday, maybe these 3 will cause some ruckus together at MSU.  I can only dream :) 

  

I snuck away for a fun dinner and a movie night with some friends from work.  We ate at Pablo's in Old Town and saw the movie Gone Girl.  (The book was amazing so I was excited when the movie came out)  See it if you get a chance, it's pretty thrilling.  What a fun night with some pretty special ladies.  

Noah finally holding his bottle on his own.  When the bottle is ready, we will hold it out to him and tell him "take it", but he won't.  Instead he whines and cries until you put the bottle in his mouth, then he will finally reach his hands up and take hold of it.  What a stinker!  

Some days we resort to just pure craziness!  Hannah was being an "reo-bics" teacher!  (I told her she looked like an aerobic instructor and that was what she called it!)  

Noah just loved her crazy antics, he was laughing and trying to catch her. 

  

Some days are calm and quiet, where both kids are much more mellow... 

 

I'm so proud of this girl!  She was trying so hard to write her name.  She's got the letters down, just need to put them in the correct order.  

Hannah is onto month 2 of her weekly swimming class.  For the first 4 weeks, John or I helped her in the pool.  For the final 4 weeks, the kids were encouraged to try the class alone.  Hannah had absolutely ZERO hesitation about going alone.  In fact, she commanded me to "Stand over there!" as she proceeded to walk down the steps into the pool.  I could have cried tears, I was such a proud Momma!  Hannah was the only kiddo who didn't scream, cry, or cling to their parent. She kept waving to me and telling me to "watch this" as she did the class.  Little Ms Independent had no problems at all.  

 

 

Here is Mr Noah eating his lunch.  There is nothing he won't eat.. or try anyway.  

 

Before bed we always read a book or 2 to Hannah.  Noah decided he wanted to stay for this part and climbed right up into Hannah's chair to listen.  She thought it was hilarious and did her best to read him a story.  

  

Story/Craft time at the Delta Township Library!  Hannah loves these days because she gets to pick out some new books to bring home.  Here she is reading her new story to Noah as they sit under the kitchen table, in their "fort".  This is where I find them frequently.  

 

More swim class pictures!  One of the other girls asked to wear goggles which prompted all of the kids to ask to wear them.  So here is Hannah giving them a whirl.  Needless to say, she wasn't all that impressed.  

 

John and I had the pleasure of attending the MSU vs UM football game on this beautiful fall day!!  We also got to spend time with Petey and LT as they came into town for the game.  We spent the morning tailgating with Brad and Jody and enjoying some beverages and games.  

  

The game was great!!  Er, what I can remember of the game.  I think I may have cat-napped for a good majority of it.  I had worked both Thurs and Fri nights before, decided to come home Sat morning and not sleep.  Once I sat down at the game, I think I may have snoozed a bit... But GO GREEN anyway!!  After the game I went to Reno's to eat with the Ben & Diana, Petey & LT, and Mel Green.  We had a great time chatting, laughing, and enjoying each others' company.  

 

Morning snuggles with Hannah as Noah watches from the floor.  

   

My Queen Elsa of Arendale. 

 

and meanwhile... as this guy climbs on top of the basket like its a toy... 

 

Play date with Jamie, Chase, and Piper. I wish these cool kids lived closer to us.  

Hannah and Chase are 5 months apart, Noah and Piper are 2.5 months apart in age.  

 

 

We are onto November!  Time for Thanksgiving, turkey, and all of the things and people we are thankful for every single day!  

Halloween!

Back before we had Noah and we would talk about Halloween costume ideas, I have always loved the idea of having a Mickey and Minnie year.  I had told John a few times that if we ever had a boy and and girl that we would do it one year before they could protest.  And thank goodness we could make it happen!  

Hannah was a little reluctant to dress as Minnie, she had her sights set on Doc McStuffins or Princess Sofia this year.  But tricky momma knows best!  As we were shopping, I assured her that the other costumes were not in her size and showed her the Minnie dress.  It was a success when she agreed.  Then as we looked for boy's costumes, it was Hannah who found the Mickey costume and proclaimed how fun it would be for Noah to wear that!  It couldn't have been a better outcome! 

Now the big day arrived and Hannah just couldn't wait to put her costume on.  She was so excited and couldn't wait to show everyone her dress.  We drove over to Grandpa & Grandma's house to take some pictures and eat some pizza before meeting up with the Vogels'.  

  

The trick-or-treat gang!  

 

Good ol Michigan weather gave us a brutally cold, windy, and rain/sleet evening to attempt trick-or-treatin' but we got it done with some extra layers, hats, and gloves. And of course CANDY, candy never stops the kiddos from running around house to house.  Hannah wasn't too excited about anyone else in costume, she was pretty timid and scared.  She would wait until the other kids left the front entrance or sidewalk then take her turn running up the door to get her candy.  My own little scaredy-cat, just like me!  

 

Noah lasted for a couple of house before I took him back to the Vogel's to help Diana pass out candy.  It was too cold to have him get sick.  Once the girls and dads were done, we warmed up inside with some popcorn and Frozen as the adults chatted.  It was a fun evening with good friends.  Next year... Halloween booze trail!!  

Noah 10 Months

My 10 month old little man!! He is so stinkin cute, I can't even handle it :)

 

 

                                    

What you've been up to this month:

You had your FIRST tooth come through!  It was your bottom right tooth.  And believe me when I say it, boy were you ever a baby about that thing!  You were much more fussy the days leading up to it, had horrible poopy diapers, and were super sensitive to things rubbing along your gums.  Not to mention the drool, it was everywhere!!  We knew your tooth was coming and were happy when it finally poked through.  

One week later, your bottom left tooth arrived.  Thankfully you weren't as fussy, but you still had your moments.  (which is totally okay, I'm sure they hurt!)  This teething phenomena was a new concept to us because Hannah never batted an eyelash, she woke up one morning and we saw teeth, she never made any complaints.  

I don't know if you are considered an official "walker" yet, but boy are you ever close.  You are taking between 5-10 steps unassisted without falling down.  If that's not walking, you are certainly pretty darn close.  If you need to crawl somewhere, you are a quick little dude. You love, love when Hannah chases you around. Hearing the two of you laugh as you play, is such a beautiful thing <3. 

You like to stand at the TV stand and "dance" to the music.  You wiggle your hips and shoulders, it's the cutest thing!  When you hear the music for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse come on, you get so excited and start squealing at the TV.

Noah also likes to stand and watch what's going on outside on the back deck. He loves listening to the wind blow the leaves around, the rustling catches his attention. When the squirrels make their way up on the deck, he goes crazy!  Usually there is a toy in hand that Noah proceeds to smack against the glass!  It's like he is trying to tell the squirrel, "hey man, get off my deck!".

You have started waving goodbye with your hand/fingers and seem to understand when people say goodbye to you. Even though you don't like it when Mommy or Daddy leaves, you get over it pretty quickly. 

You are a wonderful, messy little eater! You are eating a lot of table foods like: chicken, beef, pasta noodles, chicken nuggets, raviolis, turkey/cheese, bread, most veggies, all fruits, animal crackers, goldfish, pretzels, teddy grahams, etc. When we shake the box of Cherrios, you get super excited!  You know what is coming.  You may get a jar of baby food if it doesn't seem like you've eaten enough, but that is it.  You seem to get pretty upset when you see us eating food and you screech until we give some to you too.   It is definitely much easier feeding you "normal" food! 

Well your sleep...  Quite honestly, you sleep rather terrible! Every single night, without fail, you wake up about 15-30 mins after John and I go to bed. It is if you sense the house just got completely quiet and you don't like that. We have gone back to the "pick you up and take you to the couch" method to get you back to sleep. Or some nights you come join us right away in bed.  Sometimes you want to be up for another 20 mins or so playing, and then you have no problem going back to bed on your own. Once you fall asleep, and we can get you back into your bed, you will sleep fine. You may wake 1 or 2 more times and we do the same thing all over again. I miss my sleep!  But I know that someday (sigh!) you will get over this!

We had an "extra" follow-up Dr appointment this month because, yet again, Noah's weight was in a lower growth rate percentile with his 9 month check-up.  It also happened to coincide with needing the second round shot of the flu vaccine, so thankfully it wasn't that big of an ordeal.  

Quite honestly, I don't even know what Noah weighed. And at this point, I am pretty much over it.  We saw the actual Pedi (not one of the NPs who always have him follow-up) this time.  Now for the second "bonus weight" appointment, the Dr has told us that Noah is growing and gaining appropriately.  He most likely has a smaller profile, and probably has both mine and John's smaller frame and that there was no need to worry. Hannah was always on the smaller side as well.  So pretty much, I wasn't worried, or concerned and just needed the flu shot!

And seriously, just look at this happy-go-lucky little boy :)
 

Big sister lovin!!  Well sometimes... there are some days when I have to count to 10 (times 100) and take a deep breath to remind myself that both of you do not understand your limits.  There are times when Hannah can be so aggressive and downright mean to Noah.  It can be so very challenging and frustrating at times.  But I hope that this too will pass.  There will always be the tough days to remind us how much sweeter those good and great days are! :)