Saturday, December 24, 2011

Ted the elf, do you see what I see?

I see two children so tender and mild and joyful and beautiful and precious who bring with them so many blessings.  And ooooh so much more
Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Stationery card

Frames Of Joy Christmas Card
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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Five years

December tenth doesn't mean much to Eric. He doesn't get presents and it isn't his birthday. To Momma however, December tenth never goes by without specially noting its significance in our lives. Mark this day on your calendars as the day we brought Eric home from his first 96 days of life spent in the hospital.

For most bringing your newborn baby home is expected and normal. For first time parents who are also parents to preemies, bringing your baby home is a bit more terrifying. Any parent who enters the NICU for any amount of time is greeted to parenthood with fear rather than joy . This first time parent is introduced to medical terms, treatments, immunizations, and ongoing developmental monitoring. This first time parent is told to stay far away from crowds and anyone with a runny nose or cough of any kind. This first time parent is told that to give there child the best health outcomes they need to everything in their power to prevent their preemie from getting a cold for at least TWO YEARS and that toddlers carry the plague.

The pressures and challenges this first time parent comes home with are much different the first time parents of newborns. I didn't realize how different until I had Noah at full term under the most normal circumstances.


At the time Eric came home I was still convinced that babies must BELONG in the hospital for a LONG time because how can anyone ever be allowed to bring someonw so fragile and little into a house full of obstacles and un-sterile-ness. When he came home his  Dadda and Momma and gotten zero sleep the night before. You see, we spent that night in the hospital with Eric. We attended to him and watched him all night to make sure he was breathing, eating, swallowing, and pooping. There was no twenty-four hour medical surveylance and no monitors. There was only Aaron, me, and Eric.

Babies need someone watching them at ALL TIMES right? I mean, in the hospital he had a nurse assigned to meet his needs at all times and those nurses never slept. It took only four days and a visit from the home-visit nurse to understand that indeed, yes, you must find a way to let yourself sleep and SLEEP WHILE HE IS SLEEPING. Seriously? Who will watch him sleep if we are both sleeping?

Five years later I look at the parent I have become and the person I have always been and compare it to that time in my life. There is nothing like it. It is almost like an out of body experience. Some days I amazed at how I found myself again and how we found our marriage and how we have moved so far beyond there that some days it feels like it happened in another existence 

Here we are five years later enjoying life in our little house with our TWO little boys and doing all the normal things families do. Remembering those difficult and scary times when we left the house only to go to the doctor's office or for a breath of fresh air helps put today into perspective and find the joy in the everyday actions involved in the balancing act of  family, full-time jobs, owning a home, and just taking it all in.

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

The blondies

On Thanksgiving Eric and Noah got to spend the weekend chasing around with their cousins. Sam is six, Maylen 4, and Addison 2. Eric and Noah complete the roll call at 5 and 1 respectively. This group has more fun when they are together especially when the are bonding at Oma and Opa's house which is able to corral the energy most of the time with plenty of entertainment and tasty snacks.

The day after Thanksgiving we have made it a new tradtion to visit the Empire Mine in Grass Valley where not only does Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive but there is also plenty of room to run and explore the grounds of this beautiful state park.

We had a major photo sessions and I was able to play with the fun camera app on my phone capture these sweet moments. I know you will expect to see photos of Santa here but to manage expectation I will tell you know that is for another post.




Thursday, December 01, 2011

Beautiful blues

At 21 months and 26 pounds my baby still wants to be carried in the comfortable arms of his Momma or Dadda. He also enjoys lounging on the couch or Eric's bed pouring over a good book, studying intently every page. Noah is a snuggler cuddler who prefers slower paced mornings of sipping his milk and hanging out in his jammies as long as Momma will allow.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Recent activities

Building tours out of CLIF KID Z Fruit boxes






Visiting Chico and watching Momma and Uncle Sean run the Almond Bowl Half-Marathon

Eric and Sean hangin'

Enjoying fresh air at Crab Cove even with stuffy noses and with Dad away on is first day at the new job.




Friday, November 25, 2011

Language leeps

For about a month now Noah has been able to say Eric's name - Eggick
Last night we heard Noah also say his first complete sentence " I want a bear". I was awe struck. He clearly spoke English and expressed his need without question. Impressive for 21 months. By the way, his request was for a bear is his gummie vitamin bear.

Noah loves his brother. Watching them laugh with each other and play and now even talk with each other is one of my greatest joys. Of course with that "admiration" for one another comes the desire to play with whatever it is the other is playing with. Eric will be quietly playing with a train for example and in walks Noah with a truck, which triggers Eric to drop the train and plead for the truck. The pleading turns to screaming and Noah just revels in that outcome jeering him and running from him.

Noah has also begun to anticipate that Eric will want something and he will begin screaming for it before it is even in sight. For example, the one drawing board we have has been a hot item in our house. Noah brought it with him in the car and was told to leave it in the car. When returning to the car Noah started screaming for it when he realized Eric was getting in first and would consequently get the drawing board first. Guess what someone is getting from Santa, another drawing board.


Thanksgiving

I figured I would open the Thanksgiving post with a Halloween photo since I have not yet made mention of Halloween, of which there is plenty of content.

Eric was once again the best Batman around in his specially made costume made by Grandma in record time.


 Noah made an equally as cute scarecrow as his brother did two years ago. The scarecrow costume was originally worn by Elliott, the son of Momma's dear friend Stephanie. The hat Noah is wearing is of the original Elliott costume, but the overalls and plaid shirt are new for Noah.

Both Noah and Eric loved there costumes. Eric was a bit hesitant about his bat hood but once he saw other batmen around town he was all over it. Noah was pleased party punch to wear his hat and would request "halp" putting it on when it fell off.

Our neighborhood is known for prime trick or treating and Eric is always happier to give than receive. We passed out around 350 CLIF KID Z Bars and CLIF KID Z Fruit, which is about 250 less than last year but it was a Monday night after all.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Noah knows style



Noah knows. He pointed to the items he liked and said "oooh and nice".

All while eating his breakfast. Momma is so proud!

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Worth the wait

Here are some great pictures from the activities in the month long celebration we seemed to have of Eric turning FIVE (yeah it took me two months to get the pictures uploaded so there. We are too busy having fun)!

Highlights included:
Double chocolate Timmy Lincecum birthday cake made by Mom
Cowboy Jared Birthday Party  at school
Celebrating at Ryan's birthday of Ryan turning FIVE - with Ryan & Spencer!
Lego City Fire Station
Birthday weekend of Lake Wildwood fun at Oma & Opa's
Birthday A's baseball game with Mom (played hookey after collecting cans for the food bank)

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4323293016/a=2562583_2562583/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Preparations for Halloween



Pumpkin carving is hard work. Just ask Eric. He decided it was a job for his new crane he bought with his birthday  gift card from Papa Ralph and Nana Jeanne.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Noah knows what's up


Eric and Daddy are off on a two day camping trip to enjoy this beautiful Indian summer weekend. I asked Noah " where's Daddy?" He says " Ootball waatch. Daddy". He isn't right in ths.case but any other Sunday he would be right on.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Baptized and blessed pets

Baptized Holding a Dirty Baseball!
On October second Noah and Eric were baptized by Pastor Dave. The service took place outside in Pastor Dave's backyard (shared with the church). It was also the day of the blessing of the pets, which made it even that more special as dogs, chickens,a bird, and a lizard came to be blessed.

The day was sunny and bright and very special. We have been asked by some why we wanted to have a baptism for Eric and Noah. We are not "religious" so I guess this seems confusing to some. We are however spiritual and believers in something greater than ourselves. Having these two beautiful boys is proof enough for me that there is a God and from what I can tell the lessons God has for us help to seal in all that is holy: faith, hope, love, gratitude, forgiveness, kindness, self-lessness and compassion.

There is something so special about baptizing the boys at this age. Eric will always remember it being 5 and having a memory that is spot on. Don't ever tell him something thinking he will forget. He won't. He will hold you to it at some point. Even if you think it as been so long that he must have forgotten. He didn't.

Noah was baptized holding a dirty old baseball. He loves balls and if that was his only toy he would be happy and entertained always.

At this age they are old enough to participate. Baptism wasn't just something that happened to them. They were so interested and attentative and curious. They each watched the other closely as the seashell of water was poured on there heads. Eric went first so Noah had a clear picture that if big brother was doing it then it was just fine. Noah stood still when it was his turn and Eric leaned in to see the look on Noah's face. Precious.

Here are some photos:

We ride our bikes to church. The pet blessing also included the receiving of the cat you see here.



Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Our five year old big man

We began this blog five years ago. Today Eric is 5 years old. Happy Birthday to my baby boy! Oh, sorry, I mean big boy Eric.

This many years ago, I remember sitting by Eric's side and my Mom by mine listening to her tell me that one day I would tell Eric the story of how he was born and that he would ask,"Please Mommy, tell the story of how I was born again."

The other day I said to him do you have any idea how small you were when your born (1 pound 14 oz) and he said, "Nope" and went about his playing. In many ways that is how it should be. Him having no idea how different his arrival was from many and how much "catching up" was before him. But to know his own story is to know how strong and determined he really is. So I have begun to share with him how strong he truly is and, yes Mom, tell him the story of how he was born.

Sometimes pictures say more than words.

September 7, 2006

Running fast, smiling, after falling and skinning his knee 

Getting his first real hit at the Clif Bar Company Picnic game
Showing us his beautiful smile and bright blue eyes

Your Momma and Dadda love you more than words. Happy Birthday buddy!

Thursday, September 01, 2011

What little boys are made of

The age-old nursery rhyme says girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice and boys are made of snips, snails, and puppy dog tales.

Today, as Noah and I parted for the day and he sent me off with a kiss. For the first time Noah blew me a kiss.

Yes, he enjoys making dirt angels and thinks food in his hair is funny (literally will place food in his hair and proclaim "FUN -ny") but there  is no denying he is sweeter than sugar and full of spice.

I am a biased Momma for sure but, my boys are exceptionally sweet and I have met some little girls at the playground who were not so "sugar & spice" and how dare the treat me little men like that!  Funny to think that all men were once precious little boys. The thought of it has found me being a little bit nicer in those moments where I am  just a little irritated by the seemingly skillful way men can look right at you while you are talking and not hear a word you have said, or their incredible ability to look right through what it is they just can not find.

My boys are not immune to these traits and Eric has demonstrated these gender skills quite well already. Ladies, we can hardly hold it against them because clearly these traits are necessary to survive our genetic trait for being so bossy. We ladies are born delagaters and directors and it starts on the playground.

Here is a video of my boys being sweet boys and doing that playful wrestling-thing that I commonly witness grown men still enjoy. You know, those friendly sucker-punches.

They are joy in action and every day I look at them think "they are as little as they will ever be so don't let the moments escape you."

Thursday, August 18, 2011

forearm shiver

Noah gives Graham a cheapshot on the stairs. Five minute major.

Pictures from summer 2011


Eric, Noah and friends Graham and Caliegh from Delaware run wild at backyard BBQ



Eric loving the rides at Montana State Fair
Kadillak & Thies kids play with Jake in Bozeman, MT.



Eric and Noah watching some cartoons

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Rookie ball in Montana


July 2011
Great Falls Voyagers vs Helena Brewers baseball game. Great Falls, MT

This was Noah's first baseball game. The Voyagers were also Eric's first baseball game during or 2008 visit. Noah kept yelling "ball,ball" and heckled Orbit, the mascot, from a safe distance.

Eric move up for a closer look at the field and a player tossed him a piece of bubble gum. He was beside himself! He also had a really hard time containing himself as he waited for Orbit to come by for a high-five.

We had a good chuckle when Eric hollered out to me across the stands," Hey Mom, our team is losing".

Here is a picture of Eric chumming with Orbit while Momma tries to move Noah in close enough to get in the frame.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Splip slidin' Montana summer action

Hot summer days in Montana bring out the best in Grandma & Grandpa's backyard

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Two peas in Grandpa Jerry's recliner

Boys are busy moving, shaking, dancing, and pulling things out faster than you can say "no, no not Grandma's antique glass vase." They run, play, and are full of energy and it is awesome, except when you are trying to get out the door and things little turn into a zoo (or a three ring circus). Both analogies are suitable for most households I have witnessed including ours.

This type of energy can test unsuspecting grandparents whom have, since their children have "left the building", grown accustom to well planned, timely, and organized exits from the house.

This was the case when leaving for our fishing trip. Then Eric reminded us. "Grandma do you have PBS Kids?" Voila! The power of well-timed TV exposure. Sesame Street was on and captivation ensued as the boys dominated Grandpa Jerry's recliner and cozied up together with Elmo.


We were ready to go a half-hour earlier than planned.

Monday, July 25, 2011

First fishing trip

Eric has perfected his casting in his first fishing trip. Wadsworth park was the fishing hole destination scoped out be grandma and grandpa. While fishing commences Noah snoozes in the Montana summer breeze.
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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Montana here we come

We are off on our summer adventure to Momma's homeland. This is Eric's second visit and Noah's first trip to Montana. Excitement is high and the anticipation is uncontainable.
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

15 Months and sooooo big




At Noah's 15 month check-up we found out many fun facts. He is bigger than the average 15 month old, weighing in at 24.6 pounds, reaching heights of 33 inches, and in the 93% for height and about 50% for weight. Tall guy. He has all his teeth and loves nothing more than to chomp down one most any and all fruit, meat, and cheese. Unlike Eric he has little interest in bread, crackers, cereal, BUT of course he LOVES Z Bars.


Noah is walking, walking everywhere and since his first birthday he has been doing laps around the house. Noah has increased the speed, which is one of the reasons for the lack of posts lately. Well that, and two parents who are at major crossroads in the career but that is another story. Chasing after Noah is a full time job no doubt.

This boy also has a lot to say and is really coming into his own as he learns to express himself more clearly. He uses sign language for please, milk, more, and all done and is so thrilled when you are able to guess what he is asking for, as if we are playing charades and you have finally got it.

Not only his he excellent at mimic sounds and tones of words he is also excellent and just spitting out words seemingly at random. We walked out the front door and he exclaimed "bike" and indeed, there was a man riding by the house on his bike. He says no, no in the most polite, soft spoken way and adds a shake of his head for emphasis. He also answers your questions with and very enthusiastic "yeah". "Noah, would you like more milk?" "Yeah!" head bobbing with a huge smile on his face.

He loves animals. Eric has shown little interest in animals but Noah is attracted to them. Bo the black lab next door will bark and we will hear him from  in our house and Noah will smile and so Bo while he points outside to the backyard. He chases pigeons relentlessly and had points out birds in the sky.

Noah loves to rough-house and that playful, brotherly love sort of way which is new to Aaron and I growing up with siblings of the opposite sex. This is not to say we each didn't have moments were we slugged our brother or sister. We just didn't do it for play.


Best of all Noah loves to be cozy and snuggle. His snuggle time is in the morning and the evening. He just wants to be held and loved and shows he love for you in overwhelming return.