Do you not know what causes that?

Chanukah Night #3 - Noa

It was such a wild day!  But Kevin made latkes and we really enjoyed them.  He also made his famous rugelach over the weekend.  We did not let Noa light candles, so Kevin did the honors.

We didn't even wrap her presents, mainly because wrapping paper and a clueless child draws siblings like flies.  So we just handed her her presents.  She loved the xylophone, which we knew she would.  She was not as thrilled with the doll we got her, which really surprised me.  She also got a book and a wooden sushi set (which I realized was a bit old, so it will make a reprise as a birthday present!).

Wish Upon a Star

It's true. Wish upon a star and your dreams can come true.  Two years ago today I was at a bonfire with some friends in Indiana.  I looked up and saw a falling star.  Without a moments hesitation, the first thought was - "I want to have another healthy baby..." And after another serious of pregnancy losses...

Noa was conceived shortly after that...so I can thank my falling stars.

Steps...

Noa took her first steps tonight!  I was trying to give her a bath before minyan.  I'd stripped her down to put her in the sink and she started walking away...  Too cute!

Ike - One year later

This time last year, baby Ocho, finally had a name.  But only a few people actually got to hear it in person because her naming was in the middle of a hurricane here in Kentucky. A few brave souls made it over despite the flying trees and many more had damage to their cars or property trying to get there.  We still had a blast!  Though the resulting lack of electricity for more than a week wasn't so hot.  We stayed with grandma for a few hours but knew that her tiny condo was no match for us, so I took some of the kids back to the Galt house where the Lamaze conference had been.  I had to go as I was still pumping for Noa! Thankfully K was on paternity leave.  We're mostly healed from the storm with a few minor limbs still being worked on.

Nine Months

This is the view from nine months...

My baby can barely be contained in a stroller and will definitely NOT sit still for photo shoots.  Kevin turned her stroller seat around today, and she loved it!  He told me that she is starting to realize she sleeps differently.  He feels like she sleeps more soundly, and as he put it, "more like a toddler."  I told him to bite his tongue. 

She weighed about 13.5 lbs at the doctor's a few days ago.  She's crawling everywhere, eating everything and talking our heads off.  She loves to be tickled and play peek-a-boo.

Nine months is a special time to me.  Up until this point, I've reigned supreme as her mother.  I have held her longer than anyone else, during pregnancy.  But now, now the world is in charge.  Her days outside of my body are now fewer than those in the open air of life.  She is truly a baby of the world.  I miss the days when it was just the two of us, wrapped in a silent cocoon and able to shut everyone else out...

Babyhood

Last night, I had just finished nursing Noa.  I rolled over and was going to read like I usually do.  But I felt her breathing against me as we lay back to back.  I decided to just lay there, back to back, and be with her and feel her.  She was so peaceful and satisfied.  It was beyond food or sleep.  It was just life was wonderful, if only for a few minutes.

I'm so acutely aware of the fact she's almost not a baby. I know toddlers have their own special things, but there is something about this stage that is so wonderful and I will truly miss it.  (We are most likely done with having babies.)  I'm not sure as a first time mom I could have stopped to "smell the roses" as I did last night.  But I'm glad for it, even if it was merely a few moments in time.

She crawls, she talks!

Noa is just growing by leaps and bounds!  She's no longer spinning like the Tasmanian Devil, she's crawling and quickly.  It's not a beautiful crawl, other than the fact it's from my kid.  She's also a bit more talkative.  She usually "talks" in the car when we're alone or when everyone is quiet.  She even says "Mama" only to me...

Harlequin Sign of the Newborn

I don't want to forget that Noa had this freaky thing where half of her body would be dark red and the other half light colored.  I mentioned it to Eve who told me what it was: Harlequin's Sign.  It's harmless and babies tend to outgrow it at about two months.  This was Noa on 10/29/08, so almost two months and already much lighter than it was originally.  Thankfully I remembered a photo.  It would extend the length of her body.

Noa takes a bath!

Noa in her Puj bath tub.

A Quick Brag

I interrupt this grief to bring you a quick blog post about happy things:

Isaac:  His chess team just picked up a second place trophy after a close tie break for first. He also was chosen to go to the state tournament for the Student Technology Leadership Program.  He was so helpful, his teacher has him coming back to help teach!

Lilah: Her chess team (K3) just got a 2nd place trophy at a chess tourney!

Owen & Clara: Just won a 3rd place trophy for their chess team (K1) with only three players!  (Impressive!) I'm too lazy to flip it...

Noa: Is out of the brace at night for a few weeks.  We'll check again to see how she's doing and potentially she doesn't have to wear it again.  She rolled back to belly and belly to back tonight! Moo cow also weighs 10 lbs 3 oz!