A weekend of fun:)

I have a few moments of silence right now (Noah is napping and Scott is coaching/playing open basketball).  We had a GREAT weekend!  In this ever evolving life we have, where friends and family are so important, it is hard to make that adjustment from high school to college to grown up life and then to grown up life with kids.  I think I have written about it before...but it is still changing.  I feel like I am a lucky one...I still talk to my childhood 2 best friends, 2 high school best friends and 3 college best friends and I was lucky enough to make a few more best friends in grad school and at UNI.  Not sure if best friends is the word used when you are a grown up...but I am going to use it!!!  While we are all at different spots in our lives and sometimes a convo is only 5 minutes (in between rushing around)...I know that if I needed something, they would be there.  Anywho...just felt like saying thanks!  Noah this week has been inserting more and more of his independence.  Naps are a constant struggle at home (but not at day care...of course!!!) and eating is always interesting.  This week our new word was for a bear, and Noah will say, "ROAR"...PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!  We got out tax refund money and are putting some of it to updating a few things around the house (matching lights, new tub surround that isn't held together by caulk and a prayer!!!, etc.).  We are trying our own version of a budget, but are really thinking about the Dave Ramsey plan...so we will keep you updated.  Below are some pictures of Noah helping Daddy build, Noah dancing (to Glee music...I about wet my pants...country gangster!!!), Cousin Alaina's baptism, pics from a wedding and some beautiful flowers from Scott (Valentine's day...just didn't post last week).  Have a GREAT week and welcome MARCH!!!!!!!

Fun week:)

What a fun week!  Crazy in terms of work for me...I had one of my busiest days of my job this past Friday (and another one this Friday!!) and I was a bit stressed...Scott and Noah were great at calming me down!!  Our weekend was crazy and involved a wedding and a baptism (I will post pics next time...short amount of time today to type!!).  Our niece, Alaina, was baptized on Saturday and she was great!  Super cute dress and Noah was pretty good the entire time.  We drove straight to the wedding and made it just in time for the start!  I have known Melanie forever (and her brother Joe...used to work for their family for a couple of summers) so it was a blast to see them all grown up!  The best part of my week was Monday night...lots of reading and playing.  Noah got a new car out of the Cheerios box and it is one where you pull it back and it goes!  Noah of course thinks this is the best...watching Scott and Noah hunt for the car under the table made my day.  My house may not be the cleanest (at least it's not gross)...spaghetti hanging from Noah's high chair and clothes piled (clean and folded...big step!!!)...but watching Scott and Noah play is just the best.  That quote about "we may not have it all together, but together we have it all" sums up my family.  I have a lot of anxiety about the world (economy, government and countries going crazy...oh and health stuff...), but being at home with my family just takes it all away.  Happy week!

2 weeks...whoops!

The last two weeks have been kind of crazy!  The big snow storm of 2011 (hopefully the only one!!) kept Scott at home with Noah...then he got sick and the weekend was over.  Noah and daddy had a lot of fun with our neighbors (also teachers)...so Noah got really worn out:)  Noah also learned a lot of new words and noises these past few weeks...potato (comes out totato...) and apple!  The noises have included cow--moo; monkey--oo, aaa, eee; kitty cat--meow; duck--quack, quack; pig--he tries to make the sniffle noise...but just ends up sniffling his nose--HILARIOUS!  Noah and Daddy also made a yummy cake for Mommy...THANK YOU and LOVE YOU!  The big news of the last two week is more crib sleeping!  Daddy has the magic touch...it will probably be his job.  I think Noah knows that I will eventually give in and snuggle in bed...which is fine sometimes (weekends...) but during the week...we all need good sleep to gear up for our crazy weeks!  Speaking of crazy weeks...I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment with work because of two GIANT visit days the next two Fridays.  Luckily, I work with amazing people who are all helping...just nervous as always!  Trying to be at home as much as possible to de-stress before the madness begins!  Our February has been crazy and will be crazy till the end of the month...so anytime the three of us can be together is so precious.  Finding that balance for family and friends is never ending...but Scott and I did get a little date night this weekend and were able to go to the UNI Panther game (we lost...but we had fun doing the "Interlude") and handing out with Brittany and TJ:)  Noah also got to play with Carson (and Carson's cousin)...who is one of Jenny's best friends (Andrea) little guy...well not so little...Carson is a whole head taller than Noah!  They played with Jane (Andrea's mom) and a fun old school jack in the box.  Today Noah and Mommy had some fun in the snow, chalked the driveway and a sad attempt at a snowman!  Enjoy the pictures!!

The many words of Noah!

This week was another fun with Noah!  Some days with Noah...he talks and talks and others, we can work on him repeating words...and nothing...:)  So this week the words included:  cat, duck, hippo, tractor (sounds a lot like cracker...but Papa Rokes thought it was great!  retired John Deere Papa!!!!), and bubble.  We also worked on noises for animals like "quack, quack...moo...and oo ahh ee (monkey noises)!"  Another update that I forgot (we decided to write things down as soon as Noah does them on a post it note wherever we can find them...so we don't forget!!)...our friends (Amanda and Ashleigh) had taught him to "pound it" and it is hilarious!!!  So whether it is a high five or pound it...he thinks he is pretty cool!!  Noah had some fun with some play dates this week and got to meet his cousin Alaina this weekend!  We are so blessed to have such good people to hang out with and learn from.  On the parenting/marriage side of things...Scott and I are still learning a lot about quality time with Noah versus just being with him.  While I love TV (sad...but I am admitting it)...I know I need to turn it off and play!  My parenting magazine this month talked a lot about play and the importance of it...they learn so much all of the time and play is important!  Picking the right discipline choices has also been interesting.  Scott and I were raised a lot alike so that helps...but still knowing when to say no/stop or talk about a time out...has been something we have learned a lot about.  Noah is a normal toddler...doing normal things...pushing boundaries like he should and we just have to learn what works best!  Enjoy some fun pics of Noah and Alaina, Noah in the snow (and helping Daddy and Jordan shovel snow...thanks for the shovel Papa Connolly)!  He was not a fan of the sledding...but loved shoveling!

Another week in January...BRRRRRR!!!!

This week was a whirlwind for some reason:)  Even though I had Monday at home, I still seemed to be behind around the house!  But enjoying that time with Noah was great...I do know that I couldn't be a stay at home mom...but it was nice to have another few hours with Noah.  This week was a step in the right direction for sleep!  Noah slept in his crib a few more nights and last night...Scott got Noah to sleep on his own in his crib!  No falling asleep with us...I think this might be a good idea to pursue!?!?!?  Any other hubby's out there who put their kiddos to sleep?  Scott has done a lot of refereeing but is still home at a decent time which is great...so Noah still gets to see him before he goes to bed.  This week was more of Noah jabbering away...the word my mother-in-law taught him yesterday was JJ (for cousin Jordan)...otherwise...just a lot of the same words and lot of reading.  He seems to have a few different favorite books each week.  We are big Eric Carl fans...and anything that he can touch and feel in a book.  Working on animal sounds...really had woof woof down...and sometimes meow and baa, baa...he definitely knows what a duck does...so maybe it will be next!  The next month or so is going to be a bit crazy with weekend commitments...so we will treasure every down time moment we have.  I am one of the luckiest wives out there I think (my parents keep telling Scott he will be a saint someday b/c he puts up with me:)...and Scott did it again.  He surprised me with flowers at work on Friday!  I guess he had been planning it all week...wasn't sure if he was sucking up for something or just being sweet...and it was just to be sweet.  I hope Scott and I can be good role models for Noah and his future partner.  It is a lot of work sometimes...but at the end of the day...it sure feels good to have that other half supporting you:)  Here are some pics of the pretty roses, Noah and Mommy eating a malt made by Daddy and Noah baking (we made banana chocolate chip muffins and corn muffins/yellow cake mix for our chili!).  Have a great week...stay warm!

Noah's Second UNI Basketball Game!

This past week has been another adventure with Noah:)  His two new words for the week are "help" and "elmo."  Noah and his daddy have been building HUGE towers out of blocks and he likes to "help" pick them up when he knocks them over (he even tries to blow them over...HILARIOUS!!).  We are working on cleaning up (singing that song...clean up, clean up, everybody clean up)...and sometimes it works...especially if we use the word "help!"  Mommy had to stay home one day this week because of a nasty sinus infection and Daddy was on full-time duty...and he was awesome!  We are pretty even in our tasks around the house (THANK GOODNESS!!)...but on Wednesday...it was all him:)!  Noah has been one great kiddo this week and bought Mommy kleenex's whenever needed. 

This was however...a long week of sleeping.  We have been trying to come up with ways to get Noah to sleep on his own...but to no avail.  Daddy did get Noah in his crib past May...but we backtracked in late July and have had Noah in our bed ever since.  I really enjoy the snuggle time...but Noah is up and kicking and rolling and it makes it hard to sleep.  I wake up every time he kicks and Scott can sleep through it...but neither one of us gets good sleep.  We decided Noah was too old to try the cry-it out method (and I just couldn't do it...maybe next baby...)...asked some knowledgeable co-workers and they recommended a book called, "The No Cry Sleep Solution,"  by Elizabeth Pantley.  We know it will take time...but it sure makes me feel better!  I know it is only the beginning...but after Saturday night and waking up 4 times in the night to last night in his crib all night...I have hope!  It will take time...but we are going to follow the techniques and give it a whirl!  I don't regret co-sleeping at all and think it worked for us...but Scott and I miss our time at night...just catching up and such...I am looking forward to that again...instead of the whispering and hoping Noah was asleep!    Well...gotta run and gear up for the week (MLK day off...so Noah and I had a blast!!!)

Noah did great at his second UNI bball game...great RA Alumni night...fun to catch up:)

Not sure how to put words in between pictures...oops!  The one's of Noah and his hair...forgot to write about it!  We decided to give the baby mullet a little trim:)  And yes...I did save a few pieces:)  The last round of pics of Noah and his daddy building his towers (yes...Noah does have Xmas pjs on...they are so soft!)

The Holidays and an 18 month old!

Oh Noah...the Holidays were a blast!  Our first two Christmas's of the year took place in the beginning of December...so he wasn't quite sure what to do with presents...he loves to rip paper...so that was fun...but he didn't grasp the idea of presents (or in his case..TOYS!!).  By the time the third and fourth Christmas...he was a pro and then did not want to wait to play!  So...Daddy got good at ripping out toys with lots of plastic:).  Noah makes anyone smile...and his personality really shined this holiday season.  With both of our grandparents (our mom's parents are still around and healthy)...he just brightens their day!  With the many aunts and uncles around...lots of playing!  And of course...Noah's grandparents...well...to say the spoil him and he spoils them with laughter is an understatement!  There are pictures below of Noah and his fun!  Updates for Noah...he got another moler!  Scott and I were so worried at first...because Noah did not get his first tooth until he was 10 1/2 months old!  Everyone assured us that it was okay...everyone gets teeth...but we were not so sure:)  He drooled sooo much from 3 months till about 9 months...and was a bit cranky...we were sure it was teeth...turns out...no!  He did have ear infections...which we do think explains the crankiness...thank goodness for tubes at 9 months old.  Noah now has about 10 teeth...BIG BOY!  Other highlights...we have heard him say:  spoon, baa (sheep), meow (cat) and pop pop (popcorn).  We are working on please and thank you...not much luck yet.  Noah was a dancing machine over break as well.  The Connolly's decided to get rid of cable TV (to save some money)...so we don't have the Disney Channel and Noah LOVED the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show.  We have one DVD of it...guess what we have watched...over...and over...and over!  He also had developed a love for other books besides Brown Bear and Hungry Caterpillar...which has been fun!  We had a great break...minus a few sick days and are ready for the new year to begin!  Blessed and healthy and have decided to devote ourselves to budgeting (in December we wrote everything down that we spent...not a good month to start...we were shocked at how much we spent!!), healthy options (planning out our week's worth of suppers) and time with family and friends!  Happy New Year!