Noah discovers ketchup

Tonight Michael had to work late so it was just Noah & I for dinner. I steamed some vegetables and pulled out some delicious soy/veggie chick patties. I know, most people think it's gross, but it's protein and we like it! When I asked him if he wanted chick patty, he said, "Chick, Bok Bok!" He noticed I dipped my chick patty in some red stuff, and immediately wanted to try. I put some ketchup on his chick patty and he was sold! "More, more," he said, as his mouth was still full, chewing the ketchup-covered patty. He ended up eating 2 full chick patties! It was hilarious. I couldn't get it to him fast enough. Noah is an official member of the ketchup-lovers club.

After Daddy got home & he played with Daddy, it was time for bed. I desperately wanted to get a head start on my evening run, but Noah wouldn't have it. He wanted Mommy. I took him in my arms, sang him songs, and rocked my almost two-year old angel to sleep. What sweet perfection it is...staring down watching my darling Noah rest peacefully in my arms. I am truly blessed.
The treadmill could wait. And it did. So glad I didn't miss that kodak moment.

Spring 2010 Mud Run

Excitement, excitement! Today was the 1st day to register for the spring 2010 mud run! Registration opened at midnight on the 1st & the system was so overloaded with registrants that it crashed but they got it up and running again. Michael & I are officially registered for the run April 11, 2010...2 days before my birthday. What a way to end my 35th! WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!
Can't wait! There's nothing like it!

Noah's 2nd Birthday Party

Noah's 2nd Birthday Party This smile is worth every Elmo I hand-made for the party. Priceless. Grampa as Elmo & Noah

Noah was not even the least bit scared of the red monster. In fact, when my dad went to our room to get some air, Noah started crying...so of course he came back:) Such a good Grampa!

My Dad...amazing doesn't cut it! He was sweating, barely able to breath, dancing up a storm, picking up the kids & dancing with them...then picks me up and swings me around! He's still got it! He told me, "You won't be able to see my face underneath the costume, but I was smiling big."

Grampa as Elmo makes the big entrance! Check out those moves!

Noah was so overstimulated and tired after visitors, cake, dancing, and Elmo...I think he maybe opened 2 presents...this was one of them.

SPECIAL family & friends that helped us celebrate the day:

Daddy, Mommy, Grampa, Oma, Aunt Susie, Matthew Nick Nick, Uncle Doug, Aunt Denise, Andrew, Ella, James, Mary Beth & Taylor, Paw Paw, Granny Meg, Sarah, Elizabeth & Roni, Ben, Candi, Savannah, Sierra, & Summer Turney, Shawn, Vickie, & Todd (his kids were sick but Christine sent the cutest present & Noah loved it).

Yesterday (January 30, 2010) we celebrated Noah's 2nd Birthday! My how time flies! Noah loves Elmo now, so it was an Elmo party. The big surprise of the day was the "Red Monster," aka "Elmo." Since Noah loves dancing & loves Elmo, I thought we could combine the two and have Elmo come out & dance with the kids. My dad (Grampa) did the amazing of job of being Elmo. Actually, amazing would be an understatement. I mean, he's 62 years old and jumped up and down, danced, and even spontaneously lifted me up during part of the dance party. Noah loved him. Just LOVED him. My dad was worried it would be a disaster and the kids would run scared from the red monster. Actually James did, but he was the only one, so that's a pretty good outcome.

Elmo Birthday Cake

Noah & Mommy

Noah actually stuck his fingers in the cake while we were singing happy birthday.

Noah dances up a storm to Ghostbusters with Elmo & his friends.

I had a photographer, Jacklyn Capt, come to take pictures for the party so I could really focus on staying in the present and enjoying the moment without worrying about taking pictures. They won't be here until next week, so these are just a few candid shots taken. More to come!

Happy Birthday, sweet angel. Mommy loves you!

Picnic N' Playground with Taylor & MaryBeth

Noah gets a thrill going down the big slide!

Happy boy!

Could Taylor be any cuter? I think not!

Had to steal this pic from Mary Beth to prove I was there today.

Mary Beth was sweet enough to call today and invite Noah & I to the park for a playdate. After I thought about it, I realized that this was Noah's 1st official "play date." And we couldn't have had better company! Taylor is only 2 but he is SO well-behaved...and even shared his ball with Noah...a skill that not many 2 year olds have. Mary Beth even packed a picnic with snacks for the boys...which was really thoughtful considering I only had some suckers and puffs in my bag! Noah played so hard, and climbed all over the playground! I'm glad Daddy wasn't there because he would've freaked out watching Noah climb...AND GO DOWN THE BIG SLIDE. It was a little nerve-racking for me to think about Noah going down the big slide (it winded...big stuff!). So, I went down with him a few times, until he said, "Do it, do it," which meant he wanted to do it himself. With Mary Beth spotting, he went down like a pro...O.k..in all honesty, the 1st time I hung onto him for dear life until he was 1/2 way down the slide so he went down VERY slowly. But after that, he went down all on his own. And he was thrilled! How scary & exciting it is to watch our children grow! What a perfect afternoon with great friends:) Taylor & Mary Beth...love this pic!

Noah going down the slide

Noah & Taylor enjoying their picnic

Climbing, climbing, climbing

Climbing some more...all boy!

Christmas Part 5

Paw paw, Sarah, Noah, Michael, Meg

Paw Paw, Noah, & Sarah check out Noah's new tool box

Noah & Dad'N play with the sit-n-spin

Got cake?

Noah dancin' it out, the nightly entertainment!

Well, it's almost the end of January, so it seems fitting to have another Christmas, right? Well, maybe not, but we did it anyway. We celebrated Christmas with Michael's dad & step-mother tonight. Noah was on cloud nine...it was his bedtime & he got to stay up late & have cake and prizes. Noah got a sit-n-spin, some fun tools, and a tool box. Michael's Dad & step-mother also recently had a birthday, so we surprised them with a cake and champagne to celebrate. We finished the night out in Noah's room, where he danced and entertained everyone.

A Scary Night

Last night was the scariest night we've had since last April 11th when I had to take Noah to the emergency room. We came home with hopes of relaxing only to hear newscasters reporting that multiple tornadoes were possibly headed our way. We stayed glued to the television (until it went out) which confirmed several tornadoes and two headed right our direction. Earlier that day in my cancer support group, we had a serious talk about the "stuff" that really matters in life...not money, social status, or prestige, but relationships that matter most. Whether it's cancer you're facing, or tornadoes approaching your home, it's not the STUFF you worry about...it's your family. As for me, I'm real honest about my greatest fear....losing those that I love. As the hail came down, flower beds flooded, and thunder rolled, my heart raced at the thought that harm may come to Noah or Michael. Noah actually fell asleep in my arms while the weather reports were running. I rocked him and rocked him...even as we went into the room under the stairway and piled pillows up in case the tornadoes hit. He slept through the whole thing. I just stared down at my darling angel, praying for more time with him...more time with Michael...rocking, rocking, rocking. The storms passed, and praise God everyone is safe. Isn't it a shame that it sometimes takes reminders like terminal illness, an earthquake in Haiti, or threats of tornadoes to get our focus on what matters most....relationships. It's funny how the night can be so scary and foreboding, and the day can bring sunshine and hope. It was a beautiful 70 degrees today. Noah and I spent most of the day outside, soaking up the sun...and precious time with each other. Countless hugs, kisses, and laughter were exchanged. God is so good. Life is so good.

My photogenic angel

The photographer (Rose Bailey) that took Noah's picture last Sunday posted this picture as part of her advertising on the website. I just happened to browse her site & was so surprised to see the cutest red-headed angel ever...my child, of course! Check him out at http://www.rosebaileyphotos.com. His pic is featured in the Valentine's Day mini-session. She's also on Facebook & had Noah's picture posted this morning. I really love her work. I love it more now, of course! Proud mama.


Brenda Joy McBride