18 Months

"The days are long but the years are short"

Nothing can speak more truth than that little saying right there ^ ^

Honestly, I can not believe we have an18 month old. (Or if your counting, im posting a bit late so technically a 20 month old.)

This little monster is a ball of do-it-yourself E.N.E.R.G.Y

He wants to do everything himself and he doesn’t take help from others very kindly.

He can pretty much say any word that you ask him too. His vocabulary has soared these past few months. It’s as if one day he just knew how to say anything and everything.

He learned the difference of big vs. small. He can identify the colors blue and purple, and so far he can count to 2! He even knows what 2 is. If he is holding two of the same object he will run up to me and say, “mama two!”

If he doesn’t know a word for something or just wants something in general he will point or pick it up and say, “this, this!”

If he had a choice, he would live outside. His most favorite thing to do outside involves the garden hose, watering the plants and chasing me with a stream of water. I literally have to run from this little punk or I’m getting soaked. He’s gotten pretty good with it and if I tell him specifically that he can not spray mommy he looks down, smiles and comes at me with the hose. It is honestly hilarious.

He calls any type of bug that he sees outside a bee. “Mama bees!”

POPSICLE….oh the popsicle. We have faced many a tantrums due to those sweet frozen fruit treats. We believe he dreams only of crackers and popsicles and when I say believe I mean we know he dreams of them. He says them out loud in his sleep. But anyway, he loves these things. Since I am a crazy mom he is only allowed homemade strictly fruit popsicles made by the one and only, Nana, so I guess it’s not a bad addiction to have if were counting. But last week the little guy had a fever and these popsicles were the life saver that he pretty much lived off of. So now he thinks that they are the Holy Grail, the breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trying to break him of that.

TRUCKS. A boy and his trucks. In the delivery room, right when we found out Noah was a boy, I had dreams of a little boy and his trucks, playing by himself, pushing the truck back and forth to the vroom vroom, coming from sweet baby lips. This is just so awesome when it actually happens. He has been playing with trucks for a while but it is just so much more these days when you can see them using their imaginations. He carries his trucks everywhere with him and sometimes he will even fall asleep with a mini fire truck tucked under his arm. So awesome.

I love seeing this boy and his daddy together so much. One of their favorite things to do is sit together and watch videos of fire trucks. Noah associates any type of ambulance or fire truck with my husband and when he sees them in a book or on the street he points and says Dada! If he hears a siren outside he will run in its directions and make Woo woo woo noises. The cutest!

We got him a mini acoustic guitar for Christmas last year and he absolutely loves that he has the same thing as his daddy. When Brandon starts playing he will run to his toy room calling, “gtar, gtar!” He will grab his guitar and ask me to bring his little folding chair that gets set up next to daddy. Melt my heart.

He LOVES animals, the zoo, kicking the soccer ball, kitties, Whitey, building tall block towers and then crashing them, the Carousel, playing basketball,

Blueberries^^ Noah and I have been making our rounds at the local farmers markets this summer each weekend. Every time he gets a pint of blueberries. He HAS to carry it himself and he polishes off every last one of them.

He loves to juice with me but usually ends up taking bites from every piece of fruit or vegetable and then puts it in the juicer. And he usually ends up drinking more than me. His favorite is carrot juice! He helps me make his breakfast “cookies,” does the dishes and folds/un-folds laundry with me.  He asks for a “bite” or a “sip” whenever we have something that interests him.

I can't even describe the cuteness that comes along with him at this age but it is Insane. I just can't wait to see what this little boy becomes. Although, he can take his time with growing up for now, its going way too fast.

Baby talk...

Noah keeps on getting more adoarable the more his language develops. A few things he says and does now a days...

When he does something new or exciting he screams "I did it!" More specifically, he was pulling weeds outside and got a tough one out of the ground. He jumped up and ran over to the dog and yelled "woof woof, I did it!!" And gave him a big hug..

My sister (nu nu) watched him last week and when I got home she let me know that the dog ate noah's he green ball. I asked noah about the ball the next day, and he told me that "nu nu did it, popped ball." Haha.

I gave Noah a sweet potato to bring to nu nu and said that she would be able to cook it for him for lunch. He carries it inside and and gave it to nu nu, pointed to the kitchen and said "cook it."

His sentences are blooming and it is so exciting to see. My favorite is the I love you mama, of course. ;)

Baby picasso

I have had this canvas laying around my house for about a year. I've been meaning to do something with it, anything really. But I just never had time or an idea of what to put on it. So Sunday while my hubbs was sleeping, Noah and I set up shop in the backyard and got all sorts of messy. It was probably a really bad idea on my part but, hey. We ended up with paint all over the patio table and chairs, on our hands and in our hair. What a rookie mom I am in that I left him fully clothed, duh. Eh, nothing that won't wash off.

I'm not sure what I expected but I think I just assumed he would take the brush and stroke some genius onto the canvas. Which he did, however, when he climbed up on the table and kneeled on the painting It threw me off guard. But I think that gave this masterpiece it flare. I started with the big red streak in the middle and that littleman posing next to his work up there did the rest.

I truely do love it. Like, I LOVE it. He was so excited when we hung it up even though you can't tell in this past-my-bedtime photo above. Alll night as I was cleaning up and getting lunches made I would walk past this gift from my littleman and a smile would peel up my face and I couldn't even help it. Because as sad as this is, and strange for an art and photo lover such as myself, this is the first piece that we have ever hung up in our house. Can you believe that? We have lived here for four years! Four.

This small single painting has already brought so much to our little house. And so many smiles. I need to remind myslef to thank that littleman of mine. 

Life lately...

Life....lately its been all about being outside, amazing summery salads, and firetrucks.

1) My dad's surgery went very well. It was a long day for him and my family as well, but God was with us the entire time, putting a calm in the air. The Dr. Is certain that he was able to remove all the cancer and at this point it has not spread! Praise God. He is still off of work and slowly recovering. We are all just completely grateful.

2) Noah and I got to watch daddy drive the fire engine for the memorial day parade we had in town. And he could have played in their new engine all day. He had too much fun. That little boy absolutly loves fire trucks. And I cant imagine the joy Brandon feels when he sees him get so excited about his own passion. Nothing like it. I feel a second generation coming on :)

3) Our days consist of this....gardening, baseball, basketball, baby pool, sprinklers, cars, books, trucks, baking, matching games, counting to 3, and too many more little boy activities. We love it.

4) Our totally awesome babysitter and family has moved away :(  I had been dreading this for the past few months and it finally had to come. I am incredibly thankful for the time we had with them and for the first real friendship that Noah made with their sweet little girl. The hardest thing is that they don't really understand they will not be together anymore and it breaks my heart. But like I said, I am thankful for all the many months that I did not have to worry for a second that my baby was taken care of. That right there is a beautiful gift to a mother. We are in transition mode right now (day 2) and the mornings so far have been rough. I had to peel his hands off me today so that I could leave. But not 5 minutes later my sitter reassured me that he was fine. And I know everything will be ok.

Those times that make your heart melt

Yesterday was a good day. It started off on the wrong foot as I had to call off of work, but after the initial call-in I felt good and free.

My husband is a huge soccer fan. He would rather watch the Chicago Fire than the Bears....... I know, I don't get it either. Back in the day we used to get season tickets, sit in section 8 (where the crazy awesome instrunmental singing, standing only, did I say crazy? fans sit.) It was fun. My husband loved it. Life now a days doesn't always allow for that but he gets to sneak away to a game every so often.

Well wednesday we had a crazy storm over here so they rescheduled the game for Thursday and knocked the price down to Free. We Caruso's like Free. I told B to go ahead and just take Noah. I didn't really feel like being at a game and thought it would be cute for the two of them to go.

When I talked to my husband after the game he was so happy. Just happy. He said that when everyone would cheer, Noah would look up at him to see what daddy did and would then follow along and cheer. He said that his excitement was unreal and that they just had the best time.

When they got home B told me that he got teary eye'd during the game just watching his little boy. He said that it was one of the greatest days of his life.

Part of me wished that I had been there to see it all. To see both of my boys in such excitement and awe. But then I think again and I am so glad they can have those moments to themselves as father and son. I know that Noah won't remember much, but Brandon will. And that is special. Here's to many more games together!

Little Red School House

When I think about the Little Red School house, all I remember is a tiny bright red house that sat on the corner of a slightly busy road. We had gone there as children and the place has since moved and magnified a bit. We visited the new schoolhouse a few weeks ago and although it looks nothing like that cute little red house it is still pretty great.

Of course we collected every rock in the world

Noah loves everything about being outside so anwhere he can run around and be happy is a good place to us.

In the city......

Last weekend was spent in the city with my brother and his fiance. Rachael's sister lives in the West Loop and their little family goes out of town fairly often so we were able to stay at their place. We went down early saturday morning and hit up the Randolph Street Market. The place was awesome. A vintage dreamboat, if you will. The prices were laughable though. Since vintage became something trendy, the prices became something ridiculous. I know some antiques are worth a lot, but my husband said it welll, that they take advantage of these people. Selling items they paid almost nothing for at a huge price increase. I guess thats just how it goes though. It was fun to browse and dream aside from that. Later on B and the little man went down for a nap so my brother, Rach and I went to this rebuild store where they sell old wood, doors, and amazingly beatup and battered but beautiful old stuff from houses. Glorious. I dreamed up an amazing kitchen table that my brother is going to make for me from this old plank wood. Saving up for that! Not that I have a million and one other unfinished projects in my house, whats one more. :) We had a nice grilled corn with mashed taters and broccoli kind of dinner. Topped off with a margarita and it was devine. The next day was spent showing the little man the big city. We took him to the bean of course and walked the city up and down. He was in heaven with all of the buses, trucks and cars he saw. Pretty awesome weekend. Love that family of mine. :)

Another trip to the zoo

 

 

 

 

 

Our friends Britney and Matt from Texas came in a few weeks back and we brought out boys to the zoo to meet for the first time ever. Jaxon is a few months older than Noah and just the cutest thing around. They got a long pretty well and it's too bad that we live so far away!

 

Currently....

A few things....... // and pictures, of course

 

//Our hearts have been heavy and worrisome over here lately. We found out earlier this month that my dad has cancer. It's kind of a surreal thing, really. One of those things that you hear about but never think will happen to you or your family. In a way it doesn't seem like anything has changed. He is still my daddy. He is still whipping up gourmet meals in the kitchen, tending his amazing garden, and overflowing my little man with love as usual. We know God is greater than this and trusting in him is the only way to go about it. He is scheduled for surgery this Wednesday and after that I feel like a bit of relief will come. Praying, praying and more praying.

//On a lighter note. It's Garden season! Noah and I prepped the garden a few days back. He pretty much shoveled around dirt and picked up the manure after I laid it out. Awesome! I have to get a few more plants this weekend and I think I'll put them in the ground this coming week after the rain stops. So far I'm going with kale, chard, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, cucumbers, blueberries, mint and basil. I'll probably add more one I go back to the nursery as my dad got me a gift card for mothers day. I'm really excited this year because Noah will be able to help and even if he doesn't, he will be occupied by playing outside. Last year was hard with a six month old. I put him in a walker a few times but he got bored and so my garden pretty much went to waist. We will see if my black thumb can brighten up to a shade of green this year!

//My sister surprised me with 3 new cook books for mothers day this year. I just got them in the mail and I could not be happier! Time to start experimenting and meal planning! Can not wait to just sit down and skim through all the amazing foodie creations.

//My little guy is still having sleeping issues. After we were out of the house for 2 months it was extremely hard getting him back in his crib. So hard that he is still in our bed. Sometimes I don't mind but I sleep terribly when I have feet in my face or I am being pushed off the bed every five minutes. The real issue now is that my husband is working nights. He gets home at 6am and the baby will sleep until about 7:30 but almost always wakes B up with said feet and pushing. Oi! I've tried again and again to get him in the crib and let him cry but now that he is older his cry has turned into the most saddening "mamaaaa, mammaaa," of my life. I am a huge baby and I just can't do it. This may sound extremely dumb and backwards but I found a toddler bed at a garage sale today. We are going to try it out. Who knows, time will tell, but something needs to change. We all need a good nights sleep!

That's what is going on around these parts lately. Constantly thanking God for all these special people in my life. For the good things and the bad.

Rock Poop.....

Last weekend Noah and I hit up Lake Wampum for a bit of fun, in and/or around the sun, ya know. I figured I would just follow him around as he ran about recklessly back and forth from the grass to the water. I had to find my heart a few times which somehow escaped through my mouth several times because he just doesn't understand yet that water swallows people and momma is a paranoid freak. Anyway, He is all "Mama, Hock! Hock! (rock)" so I'm like, awe he's such a cute little boy, collecting rocks. His hands were all dirty full of mud and I was seriously a proud mama. I took part in helping this baby become a full on 'boy,' you know?

After about 10 minutes of hock collecting, I cautiously took him by the water and asked him if he wanted to throw his rock in. "Yea!" (His newest response) This boy winds up, releases flying hocks, they land 6 cm in front of him and in the water. I'm all ready to start making up explaining some law of gravity or physics or something when I realize these, "hocks," didn't sink to the bottom of the water. Those hock's are just floating. We both looked at each other. Me: confused//him: happy as a clam. Then I grab him and start running to the car to get the damn wipes because sweet Lord them things were not hock's or even rocks for that matter........

"Hock Poop Collecting"

Oy, mommy fail.

Easter

I just realized that I never posted this! Better late than never....

 

We took the littleman to an egg hunt at the rec center a few weekends ago. He ran around like it was his job and I'm pretty sure he loved it. 

Not too many words over here today.

Just loving this beautiful weather that allows us to be outside!

The Name....

I remember when I first found out we were pregnant, after all the initial excitement and worry, the next thing in my mind was the name. I actually remember planning names out with my co-workers before “pregnant,” even became a description for myself. There is something of such importance in a name. For the most part, it is with them forever. It can be a powerful thing and it can somewhat go along with defining your child. B and I went back and forth with names my entire pregnancy. I would get random text messages with a few names and a question mark and I would do the same, usually just as unsure myself. One of the names I Loved was, Noah. Did it have anything to do with Ryan Gosling? Ha….uh…Whatever…. you don't know anything…….. Just please don’t tell my husband. B didn’t share my feelings on the name so it became one of the many names that simply flew out the window.

We didn’t find out the sex of our little guy until the day he presented himself, all wailing and what not. And I liked it that way. I think that is the main reason that we never actually agreed on a name. Because we didn’t have to pick one or the other yet,  so It slipped our minds? It just hit me today that we were totally and completely unprepared when we went to the hospital to have him. And my induction was scheduled (not by choice). I don’t know why but I think that is so strange. We had a few boy names picked out, but nothing definite and as far as girls? Who knows? We probably would have wound up with some crazy name spelled backwards or with one of those, “no name,” babies you read about.

The day finally came. I remember my husband saying with a smile so big I could hear it, “baby, it’s a boy.”  I was in love. The nurse quickly followed that with a, “what’s his name?”
Seriously lady? Give me a minute. I was shocked that we had pretty much forgotten to pick one of those. I didn’t answer her at all. Im going to go ahead and assume that my husband must have felt really bad for me after seeing what just happened or maybe the name just fit. He looked at the nurse and said simply, “Noah Ryan.”
And that was it. It fit him so perfectly, and it gave me the biggest smile. I looked down at our fresh, clean (not literally), and innocent baby boy with a fresh new name that was perfect. Perfect for him and us. 

Noah Ryan: 15 Months

 

 

 

Weight: 25 lbs

Height: 30 ish inches?

Nursing: Like a Champ

Teeth: All Front top and bottom and has 4 molars

Sleeping: Lol

 

Sign language: You sign for "More" "Nurse" "All done" "please" "I don't know" And that's pretty much all we need. It's amazing how easy signing has made things for us. Instead of whining I know that he needs something, and it helps keep the situation calm.

 

Words: Thank You, Mama, Dada, Papa, Nana, Buck, Rachael, Hi, Bye, No, Clock, Ball, Book, Bath, CRACKER, Turtle, Shoes, Rock, Hat, Hello, Helper, Dishes, Blue, Hot,

CRACKER>>>>> its all about the cracker. He dreams about the cracker. I know this becasue he cries "Cracker" in his sleep as if someone stole the earthly supply. Its  a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e

 

DANCE PARTIES!!  his utmost favorite thing in this world. This kid can literally dance for hours. Prayers be with he who turn the music off, just saying......

 

FOODS: He loves Blueberries, frozen Ezekiel bread? Sweet potatoes, Avacados, Quinoa, apples. And he has been eating everything that we eat since he started on solids. Baby Loves his food.

At 15 months he is our little muscle man. Bench pressing futons as he let's out little lifting grunts. He challenges hismself to anything that looks heavy, its just too funny.

 

 

He has  started to use the potty this past month and is pretty darn good at it so far. We usually ask if he has to go "poo poo," after dinner and he runs to the bathroom yelling "pa poo pa poo."

After he goes, he almost always request a bath. Like father like son. I know he is pretty young to potty train, we are more like getting him used to it so that when we do start, he will already be somewhat farmiliar.

 

Sometimes I feel like he is just too smart. Im sure every parent thinks that about their child but Im amazed at how much he understands. If I ask him to throw something away or give this to daddy or to go put this in the bathroom, he listen's and does exactly what we say..

 

He is just soooooo funny! Something he has done since he could crawl is the peek a boo. Aunt Louey has done this with him since he was a baby. But not just the peek a boo. I often walk into a room and am surprised by the cutest baby head popping up from behind a chair or table with a cute little chuckle before he sinks back into hiding, only to pop up again a few seconds later. I can't get enough of that one.  

 

Animal noises.....His favorite thing is animal noises. So far he can do cat, dog, monkey, owl, wolf, elephant, sheep, horse, duck, cow, shark, fish,

 

It's all about the HAT-A (hat) He loves them. Sometimes requesting to wear them to bed and wake up wearing them while he eats breakfast. I think it's because he knows he looks so cute. We all awwww and ahhh over him in them and I think that carried on.

 

 

I can tell he is going to be a nature lover. Maybe it's just because it is newer to him but he loves to be outside. Many of the tantrums that he has thrown so far have been after asking him to come in from outside. I still have to carry him to get into the car because if those size fives touch the concrete it's over for mama and our plans that day.

 

He is pretty much too cool for sippy cups and high chairs. When given the option he will choose the big boy cup and the dinner table.

 

 

Littleman loves his Dada. These two together just makes me melt. Nothing is better than having a loving husband for you babies.

 

DISLIKES: Blankets, clothes and jackets touching his wrists, highchairs, wet hair, going to bed.

 

LIKES: Lifting heavy objects, Biting noses, crackers, being outside, doing the DISHES! He will play in the sink doing the "dishes" for hours if we let him. And he loves being a "helper." If we are cleaning he says "helper" and wants to join in. I will be reminding him of his "dishes" obsession

when he is 16.

 

He can point out his nose, ears, eyes, head and toes if you ask him and he knows the color blue!

 

His smile, his giggle, his run, oh my goodness. Sometimes it will stop me dead in my tracks and I have to catch my breath. How is he a toddler already? How did this time go so fast.

Here's to 15 months and many many more my little man. I love you more than anything.

 

 



 

Morning hair, mommies favorite

 

 

DADA!!!!

 

 

PAPA!!!!

 

 

Littleman and his Aunt Louey, besties..

 

 

Mamma Kisses

 

 

 Stud