My Big Boy

Yesterday we went to lunch with Auntie Melissa and you sat in a high chair at the Merry Piglets AND you held a sippy cup.

I lay you in your crib and you grab your blankie and just babble yourself to sleep like some kid I've never met before.

You see Daddy and get so excited that you can't even finish eating.

I've always heard that before you know it your baby is all grown up and I'm starting to really understand that now. I know he's not all grown up yet, but I can't believe how fast the last 6 months has flown by!

Six Months Old

My handsome Noah is already SIX MONTHS old! I get a lump in my throat when I think about what a wonderful family God has given me. Three years ago I would never have imagined the life that God had planned for Chris and I. Noah is such a huge blessing to us.

Here are some random updates...

I started picking up shifts waiting tables at Sidewinders again and it is SOOO fun for Daddy and Noah to have time together!

Noah has eaten sweet potatoes, butternut squash, peaches, green beans, bananas and a little bit of avocado. I think he likes the sweet potatoes and squash the best.

Last Sunday he stayed in the nursery the WHOLE time and only cried for the last 10 minutes!

He is still sleeping a straight 12 hours every night. He is down to two naps a day now.

He's a string bean... tall and skinny!

He is laughing lots and lots these days. He loves to fly around the house with Dad. He loves kisses all over his face. He likes when Mom sings silly songs.

Once again, we are just so thankful and amazed at this gift from God! Noah is a joy. The Lord has used him so much to grow me as a person. I have learned to be more flexible, more patient, and more selfless...lessons that I'm sure will continue!

Two Birthdays!

My nephew William and my niece Amalia have birthdays two days apart. Friday Liam turned TWO and today Ami turns FIVE! I love these kids SO much. They are completely adorable and make my heart melt every time I get to see them.

I have a couple really special memories of Amalia. Christmas 2007, my future husband came up and spent Christmas with my family even though I didn't know him super well and he had never met my family. He slept in the living room on a blow up bed. My brother's family was living with my parents at the time while their house was being built next door and early in the morning Amalia started exploring Chris and jumping all over him. Seeing as I didn't know him super well, it could have been awkward--him in his underwear, waking up to the family of the girl he likes all sitting around staring at him--but he handled it with such grace. I think all the women in my family were immediately drawn to him because of how great he was with my niece.

Another funny memory of Amalia is when we went on family vacation to Oregon this past summer. Again, we crawled up in bed with Chris while he was sleeping. His shoulder was propped up on the pillow instead of his head and when Amalia pulled the covers down slowly to wake him up and scare him, she saw his shoulder and said, "What kind of head is this?"

Seeing as Liam doesn't talk much and he was born while Chris and I were already living in WY, I haven't had nearly as many special moments with him. But I can tell you a few things... William is ALL boy. He wants to jump, run, explore, be a cowboy and be loud. He loves his family very much. When my brother's family came out to visit and Liam was put in the nursery at our church one of my friends said, "Becky, all I can think when I look at him is that you might have a child this cute." It's true, we have great genes.

Thankful

Some of you might know that Chris' time at the school district here in Jackson has been pretty rough. The schedule was super demanding and often took away from ministry. His boss was just down right mean to him. He was really flexible and humble with all of it, but it was hard.

Today the Lord provided a new job for Chris!! I'm soooo thankful. He is going to be working at 3 Creek Golf Club...one of the best golf courses in the country. Tiger Woods has home there. He will be doing facility maintenance. The schedule is Monday-Friday either 7-3pm or 8-4pm... it's up to him. He may have to work some Saturdays during tournaments, but he won't have to work Sundays ever. The boss seems really nice. The work will be a lot more fun than what he was doing before. I'm just so so so excited for him. It's seasonal with the potential to be part time from November until next April. He would have to get another part time job. It's a little less income than he made at the school and they don't provide benefits...but we are sure that God will provide.

So excited!

And Suddenly He's 5 Months Old!

I think I just did my 4 month post the other day, but sure enough, he is five months old! Time really does fly. He doesn't do many new things... but he does do many wonderful things that I love so much! Some memories from this month...

Mommy and Daddy sneaking in to your room at night to watch you sleep. You sleep on your side now and it's ADORABLE.

When dad gets home late from work he says he always hears you chatting to yourself in your crib.

We have hard a very difficult week, but every time you smile at us it is hard to stay upset.

You sleep 12 straight hours now with no eating! Mommy is a new woman.

You are not a fan of the nursery at church.

Our dear friend Melissa babysat you and you had lots of fun with her.

You and Frazier are starting to take an interest in each other.

Winter Ready!

Hanging out on his tummy
Oh hi, bald spot
Sort of obsessed with these rosy cheeks
Right before he flipped over!

Happy Birthday Bradley!

Today my brother turns THIRTY! I'm tempted to say I can't believe that he's 30, but that's not entirely true. He has had a productive 30 years. He has been married for almost a decade and has three amazing kids (one who I have never met, but I hear she's amazing). He even has a house! God has been so kind to Bradley in his 30 years of life. I'm very thankful to have him as my brother! Some things that I love about having him for my brother....

Brad and I have inside jokes that no one else would appreciate... "I'm covered in oil!"

He loves to talk theology with my husband.

He is a fun dad.

He likes good music...but is open to even not so good music if it's lovely to him.

He is a true Goonies connoisseur and will give dirty looks when someone says the obvious quote, "Hey you guys!"

He used to be a rockstar.

He married a really wonderful woman that I love a lot.

He loves Jesus.

4 Months

I was playing Monopoly Deal with Chris on Tuesday night and just started laughing because of the funny things that Noah did that day. Having a four month old is such a sweet blessing! We do lots of smiling, giggling, and dancing around. And now for the monthly NOAH FACT SHEET:

Noah LOVES his mommy.

He is soooo close to rolling over, but can't quite get there yet.

He is a string bean... 27 inches long and 13 pounds at his last appointment.

He wore two SIX MONTH outfits this week! As sad as i was to pack away all his 3 month clothes, it is super fun to put him in new things.

The main disappointment of not having a girl was not being able to dress her up, but I have way more fun dressing up a boy than I would have anticipated!

He is doing lots of exploring with his hands. Everything is a new experience.

Noah brings his dad and I so much joy! Anyone who is on the fence about whether or not they should have kids right now should just go ahead and do it. It's too much fun to pass up. I know that we are soon entering a new phase of not just providing food and sleep and clothing for this little one, but he will need shepherding as well. I'm praying that God will give us lots of grace to shepherd this little heart well. I find myself second guessing myself and confused as to what he needs almost daily, but this causes me to run to Jesus and ask for his grace, comfort and patience.

And now what you really came here to see...

Noah is SO tall!

Bath time with Grandma

Noah's favorite girl friend... Charlotte