Eric Thies and his brother Noah

Sunday morning banana bread

2012-02-07T21:00:00.001-08:00

In the shape of a car! Always a fan favorite. He usually eats one car and one truck.

A little workout

2012-01-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

Momma pushed this light load (70 pounds of adorable, 1 scooter folded, a bad of snacks, a bundle of reading material) through Golden Gate Park starting at Arguello, down hill to Ocean beach and back up again for a total of 6 miles. We took a few pit stops and our fit friend Amy tried her hand at pushing. We ended this workout with time at the playground and a veggie egg scramble at Velo Rouge. Great time had by all.

A morning at the beach

2012-01-20T21:03:00.000-08:00

In January! We were actually hot.

Happy New Year and belated Merry Christmas

2012-01-11T23:18:00.000-08:00

Momma did some debating over the value of sending the traditional lick'em, post'em, and drop them in the mail box cards this year. In the end we decided to send them, after the holidays because that is just how it works in the house of two full-time working parents of two, adorably, high energy, enthusiastic boys on overdrive.

My late Grandma Bernell was so wonderful at "keeping the cobb-webs" out of my mailbox as she would say. We are so thankful for all the greetings that have delighted in keeping the cobb-webs out of our mail box this season. We are overwhelmingly grateful to have such wonderful family and friends. A card, and this note, is a small way of showing our gratitude and helping to keep the cobb-webs out of your mailbox and spice up you inter-webs.

We are lucky to have rang in 2012 with gusto in Tahoe with horn blowing and streamer throwing (at 8:00pm but it was midnight somewhere) with cousins, in-laws, and moms and dads.

Before 2011 is too far gone I want to review some of the big highlights: Eric goes snow skiing and sledding for the first time; Noah begins walking on his first birthday; Eric learns to ride a bike; Noah begins using words; Dadda turns forty years young; Eric graduates to scrimmage play in soccer; Momma runs Hood to Coast, a half-marathon, and completes 2 marathons both under 4 hours; Eric turns 5; Dadda begins a new job and closes up his in-home shop of ten years; we successfully fit our family of four in our queen-size bed on at least half of the nights of the year - because who doesn't love to snuggle or "nuggle" as Noah says.

In addition to all those BIG moments we have more small moments than I can count that collectively made 2011 another very special year.

(Insert highlights slideshow here when Momma figures out how)

Feel free to add your moments in the comment section!

January
Eric goes skiing with Momma and Dadda for the first time
Noah holds his own cup

February
Noah begins walking on his first birthday

March
Tara is a honored to be a bridesmaid for her dear friend since kindergarten, Meghan Rydell
Tara's dear friend Susanne meets the boys

April
Aaron turns 40 years young
Family visits Monteray for Sea Otter fun
Noah says his first words of "No, hi, and buh (ball)

May
Eric graduates from sneaker hockey to roller hockey
Momma runs a Mother's Day fun run
Mother's Day fun with Oma and the cousins

June
Noah starts to grow some hair
Father's day cookout
Roaring Camp railroad with Montoyas

July
Eric learns to ride his bike
4th of July at Oma & Opa's

August
Noah's first trip to Montana
Fishing trips
Picnic at Aspen Grove
Montana State Fair
We meet Caleigh and Graham of the Varrassee clan
Momma runs Hood to Coast with Team CLIF

September
Eric turns 5
We celebrate Aunt Kathy turning 60
Momma spends time with old-friend Maureen
Williamson's meet-up at Crissy Field

October
Momma runs Nike Women's Marathon in 3:59:32
Aaron "crews" Momma's marathon with cheer squad (Dempseys, Eric,Noah)
Eric and Noah are baptized
Pumpkin patch with Ryan, Spencer, & baby Caleb
Halloween at CLIF Bar and Alameda - Eric in Batman costume made by Grandma and Noah as a Scarecrow inspired by Stephanie Bolstad & Elliott

November
Aaron starts his new job at www.horoscope.com
Tara and her brother Sean run the Chico half-marathon together
We visit Santa
Eric and Noah build tours
Noah says his first sentence "I want a bear"
Dempsey party

December
Tara runs her marathon PR at Cal Internation Marathon 3:51
Holidays with family, friends, and a trip to Tahoe

Ted the elf, do you see what I see?

2011-12-24T15:19:00.000-08:00

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!

Stationery card

2011-12-18T22:56:00.001-08:00

Frames Of Joy Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for unique,Christmas card designs.

View the entire collection of cards.

Five years

2011-12-15T22:26:00.000-08:00

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.

The blondies

2011-12-06T22:31:00.000-08:00

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.

Beautiful blues

2011-12-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

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.

Recent activities

2011-11-26T22:28:00.000-08:00

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.

Language leeps

2011-11-25T23:57:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-25T10:46:00.001-08:00

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.

Noah knows style

2011-11-19T09:49:00.001-08:00

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

All while eating his breakfast. Momma is so proud!

Worth the wait

2011-11-01T23:14:00.000-07:00

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/

Preparations for Halloween

2011-10-30T21:09:00.001-07:00

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.

Noah knows what's up

2011-10-23T10:33:00.001-07:00

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.

Baptized and blessed pets

2011-10-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

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.

Our five year old big man

2011-09-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

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!

What little boys are made of

2011-09-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

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."

forearm shiver

2011-08-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

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

CLICK for Video

Pictures from summer 2011

2011-08-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

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

Rookie ball in Montana

2011-08-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

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.

Splip slidin' Montana summer action

2011-08-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

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

Two peas in Grandpa Jerry's recliner

2011-07-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

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.

First fishing trip

2011-07-25T11:15:00.001-07:00

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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Montana here we come

2011-07-24T19:44:00.001-07:00

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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15 Months and sooooo big

2011-06-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

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.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

Father's Day began with Momma whispering to Eric that she needed his help. Momma then told Eric we were wrapping Dadda's Father's Day present, a Giants hat and WorldChamps t-shirt. Eric excitedly handed the present to Dadda and whispered to Dadda, " Here is your surprise Giants hat and WorldChamps t-shirt." Surprises are just to exciting to keep secret.

Here some great Father's Moments:

Baseball, football, and purple couch ball

2011-05-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

Time to brush teeth

2011-05-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

When it comes to brushing teeth Noah and Eric are exact opposites. Noah asks to brush his teeth by rubbing is fingers on his teeth and giving "unh,unh" grunts while Eric runs the other direction the minute you say brush teeth time.

We used to have to forcibly pin Eric down to get a tooth brush in his mouth and even when we did I don't think we got much brushing accomplished. Noah is like" Yes! Let's do the tooth massages!" Anything that big brother does that Noah can do too is enthusiastically embraced by Noah.

Noah also has a few clear words in his vocabulary that he practices in the car to himself. "No" and "hi". He also say Buh, buh for ball and balloon. And, if he has also found a word for Elmo that sounds pretty close, which is another opposite from Eric who found zero interest in Elmo. He says aaapple wtih a long "a" sound. We haven't decided if he is saying up or help when he says "hep" which in context we seem to make a good guess.

If Eric hollers out, Noah will holler out in the exact same connotation which is pretty cute.

Silly Mommy for sure

2011-04-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Momma is going to have to bring up the commitment level a bit when it comes to getting out on those weekend runs. Why? Because somehow my name was drawn to run this event

and the Nike Women's Marathon (did I really put my name in for the FULL on purpose? Silly Mommy! What was I thinking!)

What this means is that I am going to have to get back into running with the kids. Eric has been in the baby jogger many times over his 4.5 years. Noah, hasn't logged as much time in the jogger partially because we live in a super flat place and I can run with in the "rockstar" stroller. Yes we have a multitude if wheeling choices that take over the garage so much that we can't get the car in.

One of those wheeled options is Eric's bike. So for the first time I took him with on a run while he road his push bike. I knew 5 miles was ambitious but had a planned stop at the beach and potentially the the park. He did great and we had a few races between stop signs. After our stop at the park I did some cross training. Because Eric was pooped I put him on my back piggy-back style and clasped the mini-push bike in my fists for the 6 blocks we had left. We both had a blast!

Biker party in Monterey

2011-04-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

CLIF sponsors the "kick-off-bike-event of the season each year called Sea Otter Classic. This is not just bike racing but a celebration of everything bike. It draws every kind of biker (well, the ones without motors) from many different walks of life. In 2005 Momma, reluctantly agreed to join the CLIF office mountain biking team (complete rookie amateurs mind you). At the time I was pushing my comfort zone riding some single track and trying to learn some new skills. I am great climber and can ride forever so I thought "sure I can deal in cross-country race". Then I was told each team member had to do this "not very" technical downhill course. Any amount of technical is too much technical for me and then add the word downhill and that is TROUBLE. But I couldn't get out of it. I signed the dotted line and I was in. Five minutes before my turn at the starting gate I lean in and tell my fellow CLIFmate, Inger, that there is slight chance I could be pregnant (reminder this was in 2005)and that if I was it was so early it couldn't even be confirmed but I had suspicion and I was right! Six months later Eric was born and we hadn't been back to Sea Otter until this spring.

Bringing our bike-loving-boys back here felt like a pilgrimage. This time the only person who brought his bike was Eric and he rocked the trails like and expert. With out even a glance in our direction he was off!

There isn't a more family-friendly,down-to-earth event than this, and for our family no better way to mix business with pleasure. The reason we went was because Momma(me) was giving a nutrition seminar at the ladies day.

CLIF threw a rockin party with our in-house CLIF band, the Dung Beetles, and all the Pyramid and CLIF BAR wine you could drink.

Noah and Eric rocked out to the music and kept energy levels high with breaks for snacks.

Eric is a true fan of CLIF SHOT bloks and made himself at home in the booth recharging on them. He needed them too because he spent four hours in the super slide, Lightening McQueen bounce house slide!

First ski lesson & over night

2011-04-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we headed about to Squaw Valley Ski resort with the CLIF gang and had a blast despite their being SO much snow that the couldn't even open a quarter of the mountain while the tried to deal with it and the fact that the wind was gusting between 30-75mph. I have never been nervous on a ski lift before that is not until I experienced what must have been 75mph gust while I was on the chair by myself. Whoooeee, it was rockin like a cradle and grab the bar.

I still managed to enjoy the snow and so did Eric. He got out on skis for his first ever formal lesson. He was a half done in the morning, Eric's high time for vigor and verve. When we dropped him off they whisked him away in a sea of snow gear, instructors and fellow classmates. His lower lip protruded out ever so slightly as did mean. "No see ya later or have a good time" just mid waiver signature and he was off.

He did great! With the truest sign of success being that he was happy and smiling when I picked up at noon and couldn't wait to get his gear back on. He was particularly excited to have his own helmet and goggles. I think that was actually the best part about the whole thing to him. It as also a bonus that he new is fellow ski classmates, Liam and Sara, from CLIF School Base Camp.

Below are some pictures of the preparations. I didn't get any of the actually skiing because heck if I was going to release my fingers from the warmth of my mittens while out there. Plus, I was busying skiing as much as I could with Aaron during Eric's class time.

There were zero complaints with the multiple layers and gear. Amazing really.

Like father, like son. Eric told me that his jacket was very "similar to Daddy's". First time I have ever heard him use the word similar. He really picks up on everything and anything we say!

"Daddy, this is how you strap on your boots. See, like me Daddy."

Eric and Logan (Base Camp buddy) tromping through the condo in our ski boots and having a great time.

During all of this action Noah was having his first overnight with Oma & Opa. This means his first night away from Eric, Momma & Dadda all at this same time. He did great and use his charming ways to work his way into Oma & Opa's California king (bed).I knew Momma wasn't the only one they couldn't resist.

Noah after we got home enjoying the water, dirt, and mud out our back door after all the heavy rains.

Happy Birthday Papa Ralph!!

2011-04-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

Cut and past the the link below into your browser for birthday wishes from the grand-kids!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/mmsshareconfirm/slideShowOid=1023201016/ownerid=2562583/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALBMMS/

Dancing innate. Rhythm.....

2011-04-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

Noah loves music and so does his best school buddy Taavi. Taavi's signature move is the deep knee bends and Noah's the expansive hip swings, which can really get going at times. Here they swap dance moves and groove to the "monkey" song, a fan favorite.

Happy St. Patricks Day Guys

2011-04-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

A Saturday afternoon

2011-03-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

One of Momma's most dearest friends, Susanne, recently spent a Saturday afternoon with play Eric, Noah, and me.

As Eric would say, "Susanne has ever met me and Noah." Use see, Eric uses the word "ever" in place of the word "never". So this means that Susanne has never met Eric and Noah before, which is hard to believe given she is one of the kind friends that knows me just about better than I know myself.

In true friend form, after the boys were settled in for their nap we had lunch and talked and talked.........

As you can see we had a well-balanced lunched (not pictured: tomato red pepper soup) Girl Scout cookies go great with Santa Barbara wines. Cheers to Susanne!

Disney on Ice

2011-03-17T22:16:00.000-07:00

For the record Momma's desire to skate with Disney on Ice still stands. Eric and I joined Aunt Susie, Sam, and Maylen for the celebration-themed Disney on Ice show at Oracle Arena. Thank you Oma and Opa for such a wonderful Christmas present. We all had a great time and the seats were awesome!

The pictures I took are bad because my camera phone is lacking in low light situations but you can get an idea how wide-eyed the gang was on the edge of their seats.

Eric took his Mickey Mouse popcorn box to sharing day at school and shared his Disney on Ice experience. Made the $7 popcorn worth it.

Peanut butter

2011-03-14T15:01:00.000-07:00

Because Eric has a life threatening peanut allergy no one in our household comes within 2000 miles of peanut butter.

Sunflower butter is really close second to peanut butter so we are not missing out on much, but to people who use to eat several peanut butter banana honey sandwiches a week and loved Peanut Butter Puffins it is sometimes just making do.

When asked where I wanted to go to dinner in New York last week I responded with "anywhere that sell peanut butter and jelly sandwiches." If I had to be thousands of miles away from my kiddos I was darn well going to eat a PB&J!

Don't tell Eric because he believes Momma is also allergic to peanuts. I didn't want him to feel like he was alone in his allergy and since we can't have peanuts around or even on our breath I might as well be allergic too.

I remembered a visit to New York City years ago where I had the most delicious PB&J so Danielle and I pilgramaged in the rain to Grey Dog's Coffee in the Village. I ate half of my treat in an instant and saved the other half for dinner.

It was delicious but I must say my pallet has adjusted I do now prefer the safer butter of the sunflower.

As a dietitian and an allergy mom I am always searching out info and found this great resource www.allergymom.com

If you care for a loved one with a food allergy watch this video. Get educated and informed. Eric's allergy is life threatening and with every exposure the reaction is more severe. There is no such thing as a "mild allergy". The best thing about a reaction is that it can be prevented by avoiding the allergen!

10things children with food allergies want to you know

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2011-03-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

After a whirlwind week of being fully emersed in nutrition and exploring the streets of New York City and Chicago, Momma is on her way home. Yes, on her way, there is WiFi on the plane. What a world! On this trip I also discovered that I might be one of the only people left in the world that doesn't synch their work email account to their personal phone.

From what I can tell the guys had a great week with Dadda leading the charge at home. I am curious how much bacon they ate while I was away. It was after all, man-food week.

Whenever I travel for work I always mix business with pleasure to keep me busy and from missing the cuddles of my boys. This was actually my first overnights away from the little big man so I was a tad nervouso.

I pounded pavement in both New York City and Chicago. The running route out my hotel door in New York took me right Times Square. It only took me two "smash and crashes" (to quote Eric's Truck Town book) to figure out that you can not run and gaze at the overly stimulating sites at the same time. Once I made it through that I headed to the west side to run the trail. Even in this urban jungle I had to jump over horse poop. Yuck! I ran by the building where the carriage horses live and they were hosing out there stables. I also saw some great billboards I must mention: Manhattan, where people are openly Gay and secretly Republican and the other, Larry Flynt's Hustler Club - Call Us to Arrange Your Next Company Party. I can see it now, CLIF's next company party that is.

I also soaked up Broadway seeing The Addams Family musical and scored some comp tickets from an eager ad salesmen for Phantom of the Opera. Between running, some shopping, and eating I was busy telling the world about our new CLIF KID foods. In my four days there I also squeezed some much needed girl time with Dani V.

Then it was on to sports nutrition seminars in Chicago. Between classes and meetings I managed to run up Lakeshore Drive and take in some shopping on Michigan avenue.
I am such a nutrition nerd and was excited to sip wine with the nutrition scholars who are practically celebrities in my book!

One thing I should have done more of to prepare for my re-entry into the house of my busy boys was sleep more. Regardless, I can't wait to get back and do what I do best, which is just be Momma

Happy Birthday Nana!

2011-03-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

Today is Nana Mary's birthday and we are wishing her great big birthday wishes and sending her warm cozy hugs and smiles. The snail mail is on it's way because in true-Momma-fashion we like to celebrate not just your birthday but your birthmonth!

Happy Birthday Nana! Love all of us!!!Noah ate enough cake for both of you on his birthday! But don't let that stop you.

First duo bath

2011-03-05T22:33:00.000-08:00

Noah is big enough now to join Eric in the bath tub which is nice because you can to clean in one bath! It also nice because Noah now LOVES the bath. Since his very first path he has disliked the whole event. As soon as he new how to pull up he was pulling himself up and out of the blue infant bath. This action made it easy to clean his underside but you had to be quick as lightening to get him soaped up, rinsed, and clean before he was clawing his way out.

It is so much more fun to be free in the tub and not contain to the infant tub and longer. It is also so much more fun to be with big brother Eric doing what he does and playing with him.

Let me tell you some thing

2011-03-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

Eric probably does know more than me given the number of questions he is capable of asking in 60 seconds like " are their sharks in that water? Why aren't they sharks in that water? Why do sharks like salt water and fish like fresh water? Why is your blinker on? Why aren't you passing that car? Did you remember you keys? Did you remember my water bottle? Why is Thies my last name? What bridge is that? What direction is behind us? How many mile is to school? Why is it that many? Is it garbage day? Why isn't it garbage day? Why is that train short? Why is dark now? Why is the sun not out? Why is there fog?"

I don't know what is more incredible, the question rate or that I respond to every one because I don't want to disappoint his fantastic curiosity of the world around him.

After returning from a weekend at Opa and Oma's house Eric also started several statements with "Let me tell you something......" Leave it to kids to pick up common phrases they hear out of our mouths. Opa & Oma probably didn't even realize until reading this just now that Eric undoubtedly pick this one up from him. You always know when to listen up and pay attention to Opa when he starts his sentences this way because he is about to impart some vary well-learned and earned wisdom that will most definitely serve you. Eric knows people will listen when starts sentence with " Let me tell you some thing (some & thing being emphasized separately by Eric) and his more recent evolution "Let me show you some - thing". He is a fast learner.

Noah's First Birthday 2011 (52 photos), by Tara DelloIacono

2011-03-03T22:02:00.001-08:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Happy Birth Day Sweetie Pie

2011-02-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

My snuggly sweetie pie baby Noah turns the big number "1" today. He knew his closest family and friends were coming over today because just yesterday he perfected his two-step-walk-plop routine to a series of steps that has just made Noah's world enormously bigger. Suddenly new things like the drawer and cupboard handles are at eye level. The outdoors has totally opened up to him as well.

I can not believe it has been one year since our eyes met in that magical moment. I feel like in just a weekend my baby is "all-grown" up. His personality has even matured and he isn't letting Eric or anyone else just bully him around without showing his teeth with an intense grrrr and a good swat from his hand. He is also climbing on everything. Watch out! He is waving and saying hi to people - a new combo just started today. He is really just exploding with new things he learns each day. This shouldn't surprise anyone because he watches and listens and studies everything and then with little inhibition tries it, even if it is something like saying the word "shoes". He is also doing the sign for more every time I take him out of his high-chair, which I think he thinks is the sign for all-done, but who cares, I know what he means.

The weather has finally been nice enough for us to emerge from the house and stroll around. Here is Noah on one of his first neighborly walk-abouts.

Naya naya naya

2011-02-19T21:43:00.001-08:00

Noah is a talker. Tons of baby talk. I have said since his first week that he is very good at expressing himself and he is.

Today while I was washing my hands in the bathroom Noah crawls and toddles over to the toilet paper roll and points while proclaiming "naya, naya , naya". This is him saying "no, no, no" with the exact same tone I use with him when I say it. Amazing. He has been doing this since the first no-no I gave him for trying to climb onto the dishwasher door. It also amazes me that he now knows what is no-no i.e. the toilet paper. He smiles at you while he is saying it in a way that is like he is asking if this is really a no-no.

Noah is also immensely proud of his achievements and grins ear to ear when accomplishing something like climbing up on couch, rearranging furniture, or taking his first steps, which he is managing in a one to two step fashion.

A power post

2011-02-17T06:26:00.000-08:00

Momma here. I have mentioned on many occasions how I wouldn't mind if it was my job (well-paying) to be a blogger on a regular basis. Lately, however, when I have the time I lack the motivation and when I have the motivation I lack the time. Well, at this very second I seem to have both so I am going to post this post Valentine's Day post probably without a photo because that would likely delay the posting because it would take more time that I may get at this early, quite moment before everyone in the house wakes up for another day full of fun and challenge.

Valentine's Day was Monday and I will be honest it has never been a day we celebrate and so expectations are nice and low leaving room for easy surprises with simple pleasures. Aaron and Eric took a visit to Home Depot last weekend where Eric made me a hook to hang on the wall. It was in the shape of a heart which he painted purple and adorned with heart stickers. He was so suppose to keep this a secret until Valentine's Day, which went something like this, "Momma, I have a SECRET (giggle, giggle)! It is a purple heart."

Eric hasn't yet grasped the concept behind a secret.....that it is something your keep to yourself. This is much like playing hide and seek with him. He hides and before you can even start seeking he bursts out of his "secret" spot all a giggle and laughs. Who can blame him. All that anticipation and excitement is hardly worth containing and much more fun to share than keep to yourself!

getting a morning workout

2011-02-10T08:27:00.001-08:00

This is the just-your-size gym at CLIF school. It should come to no surprise that Noah knew exactly what to do. He did take a few bites out of the railing, unable to resist chewing on the rubber foam.

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Eric hits the slopes for the first time

2011-01-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

Let the love affair begin......

10 month old stats

2011-01-15T22:11:00.000-08:00

Noah is growing by leaps and bounds each day and discovering new talents, new foods, and new sounds by the minute.

He weighs 21 pounds and stretches out to 30 inches. He has teeth, 4 on the top front and 4 on the bottom front. He is working on the back teeth as evidenced by the biting and chewing of everything and sudden dramatic drops to the floor to try and bite the carpet. And not to be forgotten, the AM screaming wake-up calls asking for a some soothing please.

His hair is growing in straight and very blond. He has perfected the speed crawl with shoulders broad and hands slightly turned - kind of like a gorilla. He is attempting to stand on his own for about 30 seconds max and can walk along holding on to the couch. Today stood up from sitting several times and strengthened the muscles for the move by proceeding to complete a set of squats. He raises his hands high in the air each time with a huge grin of excited accomplishment because he knows he a just done something really, really cool.

He eats everything. Although yesterday he had an odd aversion to his previously favorite food, sweet potatoes. Maybe he likes them fresh and these I had popped in the freezer and thawed for later. This week he has discovered cheese. He will not stand for anyone to be eating at the table without him joining them.

He plays with balls, chasing them around like a cat pushing it along and then going to get it pushing it again and going to get it.

He loves to follow his brother around and play with what he is playing with. He loves music and will bounce on your lap if he hears a tune or swing his hips forward and back, forward and back, while standing at his learning table. His favorite objects are the telephone, the dishwasher, and (yuck!) Eric's potty seat. He LOVES peek-a-boo and will play it back hiding his face.

His smile is constant except when he is hungry, tired, or getting more teeth. He snuggles, loves to be held and carried and could do without being stuck in a carseat or stroller.

He has been to his first movie and loved his first Christmas. He has added so much fun and so many smiles to every day. That is what is up with the lovable, baby brother Noah!

Holy Infant So Tender

2010-12-26T01:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I like to believe that Christmas is about celebrating not only the birth of Baby Jesus, but the birth of all babies, so holy and precious. Christmas is the celebration of life. Merry Christmas to all.

Hello Angel

2010-12-21T21:25:00.000-08:00

And your name is? and you came from where? I am not sure I trust you yet

Momma on Holiday Eating

2010-12-20T10:39:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Momma the Nutrition Expert at (click the link here LUNA)

The rink

2010-12-19T21:26:00.000-08:00

The gang finally made it over to Iceland. It has been at least two years since Momma has been one skates. Yes, those are the last pair of professional skates my mom ever bought me back in the day when her car would drive to the west side of town and go only one direction...the 4 Season Ice Rink.

For those of you how don't recall everything Momma needed to learn about life she learned at the "rink". I am not sure when I realized I wasn't going to make an Olympic figure skater but it must have been soon after this photo was taken: (stay tuned...will insert scary photo here)

Momma started skating at the age of 4 so seems fitting time to start Eric. My career started in basic classes after Grandma & Grandpa Bernell & Eric took me to see my first ice show. I was hooked the minute I saw the costumes and the spot light on the ice. My (still friends - she as my made of honor) friend Heidi was a snowflake. My Mom's financial sacrifices and my Grandpa's taxi surface to the rink has always been a gift I have been grateful for. Nothing feels as good as cruising around the rink, forwards, backwards, edge to ice, with wind breezing by you. It is the biggest aaaaah.

Eric did really well for it first time out with Momma and we even practiced falling so he wouldn't be afraid to hit the ground. Lord knows I have bruised my tail bone more than once. Aaron has taken Eric on one other occasion and found Eric was more interested in the video games that time around.

Aaron picked up skating recently too. Hockey that is. I will never understand why they don't want toe picks. He saw a beginners class and showed up as a beginner....hardly even knowing how to skate or owning any gear. He found out that apparently beginning hockey lessons includes mostly individuals who already know how to ice skate. This did not discourage his interest in the least. He picked up the skills fast, borrowed some gear, and now is as anxious I am to get our boys comfortable on the ice.

Noah watched us cruise and banged his hands up on the glass waving at us.

He is a natural!Winter sports watch out!

Rain day

2010-12-18T22:14:00.001-08:00

Today we made the most of a rain day and duck taped the umbrella to the three -wheeler. It worked great. We road to the park where Eric wanted to see how wet the slide was but we never made it to the slide because We were distracted with pine cone soccer and pine cone basket ball. He said the baseball "court ", his word, was too wet.

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Wee play party

2010-12-16T23:39:00.000-08:00

We had the pleasure of celebrating our good friend Roane's first birthday at Wee Play. Here is a quicky blog to share some recent fun.

Here is a pic of the big birthday boy looking completely aware that we are all there in his honor.

DJ Noah owned the learning tables at the party and kicked out some good beat box sounds.

He wore himself out and was ready to snuggle in.

Dadda trying to "heard cats" for a group shot of Noah and the birthday boy. Good luck with that!

Congrats to proud Mama Jhana ( and Dada Christoper -not pictured here) for making it through the first full year as parents of two boys under the age of 4

Big brother Aemon (Eric's best buddy from Little Lion's) enjoy the homemade cup cakes.

Big brother Eric doing the same

Four years ago today

2010-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Our lives have just been getting sweeter and sweeter.......

http://ericthies.blogspot.com/2006/12/homecoming-pics-and-videos.html

Thanksgiving and stuff

2010-12-07T23:21:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving has come and now there is just 2 weekends before Christmas and we will be putting the tree up this week. I am a bit behind on reporting action from November and now here it is December.

Here is a run down of November events on Eric and Noah's calendars.
1) Visit from Uncle Sean & Aunt Courtney (actually end of October but who is keeping track?)
2) Visit from Papa Ralph and Nani Jeanne arriving on Mamma's birthday to celebrate

3) Two week trip to Boston. This was Noah's first time on an airplane and Eric's third trip to Boston to see the cousins, Great Auntie J, and Great Nana Mary.

This brings me to Thanksgiving, which is what I intended to write about when a started this.

We had a fantastic Wild Wood Thanksgiving complete with Noah's first visit to see Santa at Empire Mine State Park. Noah was intrigued with Santa's real (really!) beard. (You get a Santa with a real beard when you skip the Santa scene at the mall). Noah just kept diddling Santa's beard while Eric answered Santa's questions with eyes only for the bowl of candy canes in Mrs. Claus's bowl.

This is will also be the the first visit to Santa that Eric will likely recall. This is probably a good thing since the first visit to Santa resulted in a classic Santa scream which caused us to skip the whole thing last year.

Baby talk

2010-11-26T11:46:00.001-08:00

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Beantown

2010-11-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

Eric made his third trip to Boston and Noah his first to spend time with their Italian roots and the DelloIacono side of the family.

Momma has been soaking up knowledge and insights from a 4 day long (l.o.n.g. like morning through night) nutrition conference while Eric, Aaron and Noah have been cruising the sights. The have ridden the T, gone to the children's museum, and explored a few playgrounds. Daddy has been keeping them busy and getting smiles all the while. They also had dinner with cousins Madison & iDylaan, Great Aunt Janice while the Momma's attended a documentary film festival on organic and fair trade food (that made Momma want to adopt a child from Africa). Ne

We have also spent time enjoying the company of our Italian cooking sage, Nanny Mary. Such a special occasion for her to have all her great grandchildren in her lap. Although, we had to try and temper their energy to keep them from making her too nervoso.

Eric got to play the Big Bad Wolf in the Three Little Pigs play at the children's museum

name calling begins

2010-11-05T10:00:00.001-07:00

This morning Eric said to Noah, "Noah, you're a fat egg and I am noffing "

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Happy Halloween

2010-11-03T22:36:00.000-07:00

Halloween is practically a holiday in Alameda with more decorations coming out almost more than Christmas.

This Halloween we had fun Trick or Treating and then passing out treats to (we estimate) roughly 600 Trick or Treaters.

Eric's good buddy Aemon and his family joined in on our neighborhood action. The made for a brilliant Batman and Star Wars contingent. Aemon's dad Christopher was Dagoba Skywalker toting Yoda (baby Roane) on his back while Jhana (Aemon's Mom) was the best looking Sith Lord I have ever seen. Aaron came in strong as Darth and Eric pulled his weight as the superhero Batman.

Noah and Momma went the traditional Halloween route as which and baby creature next door.

I run to be a Momma

2010-11-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I (Momma) ran my favorite half-marathon course in San Francisco as one of the 20,000 runners running the Nike Women's Half Marathon. Can you see my name on the list of runners? Hint: its in alphabetical order.

"I run to be....." was the theme of this years Nike Women's. Marathon. My goal was to just finish the 13.1 miles given I had hardly run a step until 2 months prior. Last year my goal was to NOT run it. Not as strange as it sounds. If you have been a runner as long as I have you know what I am talking about. Not running can be as hard and sometimes harder than actually running. Last year I was pregnant with our precious boy Noah and had my own marathon of pregnancy to focus on.


Jodi (good friend) came all the way from Anchorage so we could run this together

Jodi's fellow Alaskan ran the Marathon & joined us in some goofiness

This year running was about celebrating. Celebrating my blessed boys and all they have brought into our life, and celebrating the fact that I can run. This may sound corny, but it is true. I get so emotional at this race that when I run it I am smiling and sometimes even tearing up through the whole thing.

It might seem contradicting to some to say I run to be a Momma and then see me running "away" from my kids, but every time I take that running break I come back being a happier and more vibrant Momma. Not to mention running equips me with the stamina and endurance I need to stay ahead of these very active little boys!

Running is my sanctuary, my meditation, and my moving prayer. It is my giant exhale at the end of the day, in the early morning, or after my mind is over-jumbled with questions and thoughts. Running affords me the time I need think, or not; reflect, or not; it is after all my time and my choice however long or short it may be.

Seeing my boys waiting for me at the finish line with my dry clothes and chocolate milk was....well I can't describe it any other way than warming....warmed my heart.

So don't tell me that the Nike Women's event has nothing to do with men because for me it is all about them. I run to be a Momma.

All Mommas Running like a motha

I also run to be a friend and was so lucky to share this with my a friend who knows more about me than I know about me. Jodi came all the way from Anchorage to run and play.

So special for Jodi to meet my boys

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first time

2010-10-27T19:34:00.001-07:00

Noah and I had a slight case of the sniffles last week. That didn't stop up us from enjoying our day at home together. After some good rest and relaxation we felt the need for some fresh air and headed to our nearby neighborhood park where Noah had his first ride in a park swing. He was curious and delighted.

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Go Giants...

2010-10-23T20:22:00.001-07:00

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Eric's 4th Birthday (72 photos), by Tara DelloIacono

2010-10-11T15:38:00.001-07:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Eric & Noah pay the check

2010-10-10T15:18:00.000-07:00

Eating out at the dinner store as Eric calls it is a special treat. It is especially nice when Eric lays down his card.

Whirlwinding

2010-09-25T16:35:00.000-07:00

If I could make a living blogging about my family and kids boy would you see A LOT more posts!

We have been whirlwinding through the last 2 months of adjusting to Momma being back to work, which has also included moving to the hip to new head quarters with ON SIGHT PRE-SCHOOL and CHILDCARE. More on Eric's first day in the next blog.

First things first and that is catching you up on what our favorite six-and-a-half- month- old -Noah is up to, and I do mean UP.

He is not only crawling with verve and vigor that matches his older brother's famous moves, but he is also sitting up and pulling up to his knees. AND he is also doing these downward dog-type-moves and sometimes looks like he is going to just bend up at the waist and stand up, but I think we have a few more weeks before he does that.

Most babies start to sit up using there hands in tripod fashion with their bum, hands, and legs. Not Noah. He decided to go hands free. He would hold his arms out straight trying to catch his balance and wobble from bum cheek to bum cheek. Just when you thought he might tip over his "core strength" would kick in voila! he was sitting. I wish we had video of this but I was so busy spotting him in case he went over and I couldn't free myself up to take the video.

I put Noah in his crib while I went downstairs to retrieve laundry from the dryer. I returned to Noah looking at me so proudly with his satisfied smile because he had grabbed the side of the crib and pulled himself up "pullup style" onto his knees. He was pleased as punch with himself and we soon lowered the crib down a notch.

Noah loves to explore and is always looking under things ie the couch to see what he can find. He has also begun the adventures in food and is enjoying a broader menu of apples, avocados, bananas, rice cereal, and sweet potatoes. All organic all the time around here.

That is the scoop.

Here is a lovely picture of the boys Skyping with Grandma & Grandpa while each of them is (already) trying to elbo the other one out of their way.

Panda is much loved in this house

2010-09-20T11:05:00.001-07:00

Panda arrived on Eric's first birthday and is now being loved by both Eric and Noah. If anyone has suggestions on how to clean Panda let me know. His white fur has a nice tan at the moment.

Happy Birthday!

2010-09-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

Four years ago today Eric began teaching me what really matters in this world. All babies are evidence of God's miracles, but preemies are touched with something even more.

When Eric was born we couldn't even imagine what he would be like today. He has an energy and enthusiasm that we can only hope to match! Watching him cruise around like a little mountain biking pro on his mini bike brings tears to my eyes because I am so proud to be his Momma and guide him on this path.

Each night I tuck him into bed and sing him Twinkle. Each night he requests one more verse which I sing (most of the time) and each night he asks me to lay down for a "little bit". I say to him, "Momma loves you." Just two weeks ago he said in a complete full sentence as he put his hand on mine, "I love you too Momma." I melted into a thousand pieces.

Happy 4th birthday to my sweet - totally Virgo - boy.

Hey Mom here I come

2010-08-30T21:12:00.001-07:00

Noah is happy as can be exploring our long hallway. Smiles as he follows me

Noah is 6 months

2010-08-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Noah is 6 months old and very motivated to keep up with his brother. He is so close to crawling, getting up on all fours and then "plop" he is back down and squirming and propelling him self forward with his signature "DelloIacono-Thies" toes.

He also love to hold his own bottle when it is less than half full and eats like a champ, every 2-3 hours. We have started him on a little rice cereal which he seems to find interesting but would still just rather have a bottle.

He has also gotten quite good and playing the piano and loves exploring his toys all over the living room - or the "house" as Eric refers to the living room-

Spelling his name

2010-08-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

Eric is named after is great grandfather on Momma's side of the family(the story of his name). Ask him how to spell it and he says E-R-I-C. When he spells it out on the frig with the magnet letters he spells
B-E-E-R. I would have thought this was a coincidence had I not seen him spell his name this way THREE times while stating E-R-I-C.

We have made some progress though.....check it out

Movin & shakin

2010-08-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

Noah is soooo on the move. He is quite determined to reach toys just out of his reach and will shimmy and pivot to get there. He really wants to crawl and his clumsy yet somehow coordinated efforts have recently propelled inches. And just when he reaches that truck Eric snags out from his reach with a "hey".

Noah is lucky enough to have a wonderful nanny, Courtney, who cares for him while Momma & Dadda are at work. Momma is also lucky that Courtney sends her updates, pictures, and videos of her little Sweetie Pie.

Here is a video Courtney sent today with Noah doing some of his moves.

Aaron asked me if I call Courtney a 100 times a day to get updates because I come home and seem to know exactly how the day went. Lucky for me Courtney is a quick and efficient texter so I don't have to interrupt her flow with my Sweetie.

Joy, work, & then some

2010-08-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

When I think of these past five months one word comes to mind joy. I have had the most joyful five months getting to know Noah and nurturing our new family dynamic of a foursome. You will laugh when I tell you the joyful feeling began when I went into labor. If you would have seen me then you would not have described me as joyful, and Aaron is also laughing because he would not describe me as joyful at 4am or any time he caught me with rattled nerves. If you saw me in our first month (Mom) you wouldn't have described me as joyful either, but underneath a veil of sleep deprivation, nursing woes, and postpartum recovery was a strong sense of happniess and relief that Noah was here, healthy, and happy. The 3 H's.

Clif Bar & Co provided me a generous five month maternity leave that I like to refer to is the Total Mommy Immersion Program. We started out with a crash course in swollen & bleeding boobs, pre-schooler pink eye, and new-sibling rivalry adjustments. But, you know what was joyful about all of this? It was simply the normal challenges of becoming parents to two kids.

Thankfully Grandma was around to help us through our new normal, and after the first month we settled into our routine of really, no routine. Grandma went home leaving us to fend for ourselves with dinners, Dadda went to work, and Eric went to school. I took the popular advice I received and kept Eric in his routine of attending Little Lions each day. He got to play with his friends, learn things, and be rowdy with the other boys his age while Noah and I got acquainted.

The days flew by and I truly soaked up the moments. Unlike Eric at this early age, Noah and I were eager to get out and about together. A big difference with a full-term baby is that instead of our lives coming to a screeching halt, things kept moving and we had to incorporate Noah into the action right away with activities like going to the park, the Oakland Zoo, grocery shopping, lunch dates, and strolling boutiques on Fillmore or Chestnut streets. Aaah, so this is what it is like to take a new baby out in public.

I was eager to introduce Noah to others and we had many visitors: Isabella, Moose (a big dog), Lisa, Nicole, Sam, Maylen, Addison, Susie, Rachel, and our friendly neighbors. How nice to let someone hold him without feeling a rush of panic come over me. Sharing our joy is really fun.

Over the course of the past five months I have watched the seasons change from winter to summer through the view of our pear tree out our front door.

This earthy measure of the time is now green with leaves and staining our cars with each splat of falling pear nuts. The tree is telling us 1) that it is time to put the car in the garage and 2)it is time for me to return to work doing I job that I love, for a company I love, with people I love being around.

I can say that I have enjoyed just about every minute of my Mommy Immersion immensely, but I am craving some self-expression and time think differently, which I am lucky to bring to the work I get to do.

The work I do is a true expression of another side of me. Having completed the Mommy Total Immersion Program I am ready to graduate to phase 2 of Nutrition Strategy Career Mom. Working at Clif Bar recharges me and makes me a better mom. Our kids thrive on the change in energy. To sweeten this deal, soon both of my boys will join me at my office, all piling into the car and heading to Clif Bar together, them to the Clif Children's Learning Center and me to desk at our new office location! What will Dadda do with the new-found quiet house? Probably recharge and have the break-through epiphany ADS is just waiting for!

For those about to rock.....

2010-08-08T21:27:00.001-07:00

We salute you!

Old friends

2010-08-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

We regularly get together with our preemie buddies Ryan and Spencer. If we haven't seen them in a few weeks or so Eric will start asking when about them. The other night when I was tucking him into bed he said, "We can go to Spencer's house sometime. We can play with his big trains. Ryan will be there."

Here some pics of our last play day in Novato.:

Hard to believe that almost 4 years ago these boys each weighed less than 2 pounds

Always goofin'

Time does keep a movin'

2010-07-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Noah is growing and changing at a daily rate of very fast. I began this posting the day after Noah's 4 month well-check and now that I am actually getting around to posting this post he is 5 months. How did this happen? Well I will tell you that this month has been jam packed with summer fun and vacations. I like to call at least the last half for the month Momma Summer Camp since Eric has been home with Little Lions closed for their two week vacation and I have been scheduling activities galore to do with him so he is stimulated and entertained.

So here is Noah's 4 month old stats given to you, my faithful readers, one month later along with the cutest little video. Noah had his 4 month well-check and he is doing so well. We are overjoyed by his giggles, growth, and happiness. Just looking at his rosey smile will tell you how incredibly well he is. He is more fun by the day and his personality is all his own.

He weighed in at 16 pounds. He is 27 inches long and his growth of 5 inches surprised Dr. Parker so much that she measured him three times. This puts him at 75th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height. At 4 months he has also discovered his long toes and narrow feet ( a DelloIacono Thies family trait). He is already quite the accomplished yogi doing happy baby pose and rolling all over his blanket on the floor for tummy time.

Here are some happy giggles on the purple couch

Photos galore

2010-07-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to our Snapfish photo for our fun in the sun in July! And yes, Eric took many of these outstanding photos. I am not kidding when I say he has an eye for composition. He really does. One of my favorites is the part of the handicap stamp on the ground in the parking lot. I also really like the one of his orange and blue Addidis shoe. Eat your heart our BullsEye!

Brothers

2010-07-15T16:04:00.001-07:00

Just watching a little Sesame Street before setting off on our first foursome family vacation, which is a trip to Costanoa near Santa Cruz!

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Addison and Noah hanging out on 4th of July

2010-07-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

here are the two cousins partying at Lake Wildwood on the 4th with Oma.

July 4th cousin mania

2010-07-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

Water guns, smores, swimming, boat rides, and fire works all from the comfort of Oma & Opa's lakeside home front at Lake Wildwood AND the Hoevers AND ALL FIVE cousins at the Wildwood ALL at the same time. Great fun, food, family and friends in all! (with very little sleep)

Lake Wildwood hosts an annual themed boat parade. This year the theme was Hollywood and the sky was the limit. Pirates, Julius Caesar, Marilyn, Dorthy & Toto, you name it. Not to mention that Opa was the Grand Poobah in the front boat leading the parade. Each year it is a contest as to who gets the most wet, the spectators on the shore or the characters in the boat.

No boat float was spared when passing docks on Forest Park Circle. Aunt Susie lead the taunts carried out by Sam and Eric. They exclaimed, "you want a shower" as the blasted the boats with water.

No fourth of July is complete without Smores and fireworks. This was Eric's first year to taste the "smears" and witness the colors followed by the sounds of booms and cracks. He made it halfway through the fireworks before asking us to please put him to bed.

Noah slept through it all which is also and excellent way to celebrate the fourth. Nothing like really good naps!

Thanks for a great weekend full of memories Oma & Opa!

Cinnamon joker

2010-07-03T21:35:00.001-07:00

Eric attacks his morning cinnamon toast with gusto biting right off straight in the middle. The result? A very happy boy with ear to ear cinnamon that resembles that sly grin from Batman's Joker.

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Father's Day Rocket Ship

2010-06-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

I never imagined I'd have two little boys. With all the work we do every day to raise them, give them what they need and keep the ship together, I often forget to savor the joy they bring to my life. My first Father's Day with both of them was a perfect time to remember how blessed I am and just have fun, laugh and love them.

All Noah needs right now is for me to talk to him, hold him, give him lots of smiles and mix in a bottle every 3 hours. Eric on the other hand, requires a rocket ship. After sleeping in and having some breakfast with the family all together, Eric and I took a huge box that we had in the garage (thanks Aunt Kathy and Uncle Rick!) and turned it into our own interstellar vehicle. Eric actually decided that the box would be a rocket ship. I had suggested we make a castle but his imagination was bigger than that. We cut the windows, made the escape portal, added power buttons and steering wheel, and spent an hour painting it. After that it was time for lift off. We flew to the moon, battled monsters and hid from momma. I think I had more fun than Eric.

Later in the day, Eric's rambunctous friend Aemon came over to play and they quickly discovered how to crash the rocket ship. Here's a sweet video of the two kids:

Summer, summer, summer time

2010-06-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

The weather has been pretty nice these past few weeks minus the days when the San Francisco Fog rolls and cools things down about 20 degrees. You think it is summer and than *wham*, just like that you are freezing. It is certainly the time of year you see swarms of tourists on the cable cars wearing shorts brrrr and the SF fleece that bought at Fisherman's Wharf.

News in Noah's world is that he is starting to grab various things and bring them straight to his mouth, not of the toy variety yet though. He prefers fabric like birth clothes, blankets, and his very own chew-guy that was given to him by Nicole. This weekend he also began getting more and more familiar with his feet grabbing his toes and rolling his hips side to side.

Noah is very good and communicating. He only uses crying as last resort or if something is really, really uncomfortable like that dang GERD. I really need to get this on video, but when he is working up a hunger he will start squirming and "talking" more. If you dare walk by him or set him down while the hunger is building he starts shaking his fists and feet at you with this look of real concern while he states "unh, unh, unh".

Being summer time we have also had some time up at Oma and Opa's house on Lake Wild Wood, a regular Disneyland for Eric. Boats, golf carts, bikes, hoses, tennis, dirt, fishing, and local wildlife (deer and humming birds). We are gearing up for the big Lake Wildwood 4th of July extravaganza as we speak which will be the first visit with all the cousins (except Semi the black lab cousin) together.

Ready for the World Cup

2010-06-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

Where's that chicken

2010-06-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

This morning Eric and I were sitting on the couch, me feeding Noah and Eric talking. Out of no where (as most of his thoughts are) Eric asks me, "Where's that chicken Momma?"

"What chicken?" I say. "Oh, you mean the rooster three houses down that doesn't know morning from night?"

"No Momma. The one on Shari's old roof."

Our living room window looks out on a view of our neighbor's (Shari) gorgeous roses and the roof of her house (ever since we got our new roof in December Eric refers to all other roofs as old). A few weeks ago we were sitting in our morning spots on the couch (me feeding Noah and Eric keeping us company) and there was, on Shari's roof I kid you not, a huge wild turkey. I was so stunned my reaction was to scream out "uh,uh help". Then the turkey flew off the roof, down to the ground, and over the fence into Dean's yard.

Now, turkeys are pretty common up in the Oakland hills and the state parks up there but I have never seen them down here just wandering around so I was a little taken aback. In San Francisco I have seen foxes (red & gray), coyote, skunks, raccoons, and flocks of parrots but not a turkey. And to see a turkey eye to eye out your window and 6:30am is pretty surprising. You see, there is only about one foot between our window and Shari's roof so that turkey might as well have been in our living room.

So to answer Eric's question "where's that chicken?" Well that would be three houses down in Chucks backyard, but the turkey is now roaming around on Burbank street.

Look at Noah's cute eyes

2010-06-11T23:01:00.000-07:00

Noah and I were sitting on the floor with Eric watching him play with his fire truck and their crew Bill, Trevor, and Mel. Mel is a female and Eric makes her lead driver in just about every rig he owns (dump truck, garbage truck, fire truck, flat bed, digger, and 4x4). Don't ask me why. Maybe it is because I am raising and equal opportunist. In the same breath he was using to script his work crew he moves in close and quickly to Noah and says, "Oh, look at Noah's cute eyes". I nearly cried. Then his next sentence is to tell me he likes me ear rings and that Annee (short for Rosanne - his teacher) also wears nice ear rings. In the last month Eric's communication skills have gone from choppy to crystal clear and he you know he is happy when he is jabbering.

Eric is really warming up (finally) to his role as big brother.Today he sat next to Noah, opened a book and began "reading" him a story that started like this "Once upon a time....".

Noah is growing by leaps and bounds and my shoulders are getting buff from carrying around this 14 pound person in his favorite spot, over my shoulder, most of the day.

Some of his latest milestones:

1) Discovering his hands - I love it when he throws them out like he is going to give you a big hug, meets his hands in the middle, watches them, and pulls them to his mouth studying them the whole time.

2) Rolling from back to front and front to back - to date only once but he meant it. He was nearly nude up at Oma and Opa's so maybe he was feeling free in the fresh air.

3) Strengthening his neck - he can almost hold it up without bobbling too much. He also likes to lift his head, legs, and bum off the floor all at the same time. In yogi speak we call this boat pose and I can barely do it.

4) Looking at shapes, patterns, little toys and trying to swat them with his hands and feet. He will also grasp a small rattle if I put it in his palm but after a few minutes will start to cry because he can't let go of it so swoop in and save the day.

Click this link below for some of the May photos

2010-06-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

For the pics click this:

SnapfishPhotos

Sing it cowboy

2010-06-06T11:22:00.001-07:00

Snail mail happens

2010-06-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Susanne of Pica Press & BULLSEYE created these beautiful birth announcements for Noah

I will get them out to you in the snail mail the old fashioned way but before I did I wanted to capture how beautifully they arrived. So special for Susanne to share her talents. It means so much to me.

Nebulize THIS Momma

2010-05-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

So the day has finally come. It took 3.5 years for the virus to break through all my defensive moves, but Eric has his first bad chest cold. The doc gave one listen and said since he is not a chronic smoker she was suspect a virus had set it.

Once Eric turned 2 and we put him in day care with all the germ sharing I new it would be inevitable but I also knew that his "preemie" start was behind him and his lungs were strong enough to take it and recover. I had mentally prepared for these nasty colds toddlers are culprits for carrying. But some how he managed to dodge the respiratory germs until now which is pretty amazing considering most babies and toddlers have about ten colds a year.

I do feel a bit vindicated now for all the precautions I have taken because even as a tough and strong three year old he is still a former preemie and the doc could tell with a good listen to his lungs so I can only imagine what this would have been like had he gotten this when he was one or two. Ask anybody who tried to come withing twenty feet of my son. Aside from being the hand-washing nazi, I practically required them to submit recent medical documentation that they were not sick!

We are treating his cough with albuterol that has to be administer through the "nebulizer". Oh, let the good times roll. Eric isn't a huge fan of the "nebulizer" as you might have guessed. Have you ever met a three year old who wants to sit still for ten minutes with a mask on their face. No, me either. We have pulled out every reward we can think of. He turned down chocolate but being able to watch Handy Manny seems to get the job done. Mostly we have had to grab him, pin him on my lap with my legs and hold the mask to his face for TEN MINUTES. We get to have this fun at least three times a day for a week!

He is however getting more accepting of this and it is getting easier. He also gets a steroid medication. Now if you know Eric you know he doesn't ever stop moving. He is MR. Action. Now imagine Mr. Action on fast forward. This medicine jacks him up like I loaded him up with a "shot- in-the-dark" ( shot of espresso in a cup of dark roasted coffee). It is pretty amazing to see.

With all of this he is in pretty good spirits but who wouldn't be once you are breathing easier.

Of course brothers share everything and Noah caught this cold too. His biggest issue is post-nasal drip making him gag and worsening a mild case of reflux. Try as I did, it was impossible to keep Noah out of Eric's line of coughing and goopy nose. At least Noah is building his immunity before he has to go childcare.

All this has me thinking we should start having happy hour in this house because I could use the mellowing effect of a stiff drink! Chocolate seems to help though. Good new is everybody is feeling better and recovering quite well.

Eric the photographer

2010-05-26T22:07:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed the Flickr photostream to the right of the screen. I put together a collection of streaming photographs taken by Eric. Some day he will be a famous photographer and I will be able to say "hey check out this amazing photo composition you had at 3 years old!"

A little known fact is that Momma was once obsessed with photography back in the day of film, developing, and dark rooms. Oh the fun we had goofing of in the art department dark room at Great Falls High. I always say I spent half my senior year in the dark between taking photos for yearbook (thanks Mr. Kirk for always post-signing my get-out-of-class-free-card to photograph something for yearbook;) What a sport!)and my hologram class. Yes, instead of physics I shot holograms, which by the way is all physics and geometry, neither of which I was good at by themselves. I continue to digress here by saying that it was between photography and nutrition when choosing a college major.

I am no photographer.

Here is a great picture Eric took of Noah

and another abstract of Rollie, Scoop and Muck

These are photos he took of himself. The red-eye flash went off and give him a tint. I think they are pretty cool photos:

Strange looking ritual or mom-baby yoga?

2010-05-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

Momma and Noah just finished up a 4 week series of MomBaby yoga. While bringing Noah to yoga wasn't conducive to the most mind-body-busting yoga I have ever done,and as much as I wanted to jump into viniyasas,inversions, twists, and backbends it did have many benefits:

1) Practice getting out of the house and being somewhere semi on time

2) Time to giggle with the Noah and meet other moms and babies

3) Repair the muscle that pulls apart in the abs during pregnancy

4) Locate the obliques

5) Remember how to slow down and breath

6) Prevent me from jumping doing too much too soon

It was a great kick start but now that those classes are over Noah and I bond and giggle at home or in the park and I go to yoga for some internal time to get crazy and find peace all in the same 90 minutes.

Noah's first walk to the Golden Gate Bridge

2010-05-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

He was just thrilled!

Chatting with the lil'monkey

2010-05-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

Where's Waldos?

2010-05-16T15:07:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was the annual Bay to Breakers run in San Francisco so this is a very pertinent question for Eric to be asking. We took E & Noah over to Alta Vista Park & had lunch at the crepe place on Fillmore street. An entire community of people out of the estimated 70,000 runners dress up like Waldo making him fairly easy to spot. Eric was spotting Waldo all over the city all afternoon. While the run begins downtown at 8am it takes most of the day for many of those Runners (in costumes) to make it from the finish line at the beach back to their homes. So all over the city, far from the race route, in random places you may see Snow White, a man in chaps (and nothing else), 80's dressed jazzercisers, or Where's Waldo. We once saw a clown "resting" after the race on the pavement, feet dangling over the duck pond. Classic. Momma and Dadda have participated several times. You don't run for time. You run for the experience.

Eric was amazed that he could spot real life Waldo's everywhere when he is so difficult to spot in those darn books. I should have gotten pics of Wald but didn't. Instead here are some photos of our Bay to Breakers day activities at the park.

I love the way you call me Momma

2010-05-09T23:06:00.000-07:00

This is Momma's (that's me) first Mother's Day as a mother of not one, but two beautiful boys.

I am in awe every day as I look at there happy faces and watch them grow, their personalities emerge, that I have been the chance to bring them into this world and guide them along their paths.

Eric is three and a half .He is sweet, sincere, and imaginative. He is also ambitious, determined, head-strong, courageous, and speedy. He knows exactly what he wants and he goes after it after careful calculation.

Noah is now two and a half months. He is sweet and sensitive. He is calm and happy. He is 11 pounds 7 ounces and 22 inches. He has a good appetite and smiles at the sounds of our voices and at the smiles on our faces. His eyes are as big and bright as his brothers and I see so much familiarity in is face. I am going to be bold and say that he resembles me and sometimes I see expressions that mirror my mother's expressions.

Today, I caught Noah smiling and kooing at Eric. It made Eric so happy to get some attention from Noah. Eric smiled and giggled back at him. Of course it melted my heart. These boys are going to great pals.

For Mother's Day the boys surprised me with tomato plants and other seeds that we all planted together today. Eric and I spend a lot of time in our yard with our gardening gloves on and I have been wanting to plant tomatoes so this was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better Mother's day. Spending the putzing in the dirt in the yard was perfect. This on the heals of getting to go to yoga (by myself - not mom/baby yoga) yesterday AND get my hair done in the city. I was definitely spoiled this weekend.

When Eric was born our lives came to a screeching and sudden halt. I did NOTHING but pump milk and go to the hospital. I didn't listen to music, watch movies, go for runs, meet with friends, have guests over, go out to eat, go to the store, ride my bike.....nothing. There was nothing in our lives besides Eric, hospital, and - for Aaron- trying to work. When Eric was Noah's age we very slowly starting re-incorporated the things we loved back into our lives . Noah being born a blessed full-term big, healthy baby we are experiencing incorporating him into all we do. I must say this is a profound and welcomed difference. Noah gets to come along on the ride and hear so much laughter (from us and his brother) and be with parents who aren't worn down from spending three stressful months prior in the hospital.

Eric is a beautiful miracle of a boy to have arrived at 26 weeks and 2 days and be the thriving little boy he is. Noah is a beautiful miracle to have achieved a goal of full term and be the health happy boy he is. I am filled with gratitude to have experienced both. I am a better mother because of these experiences, not letting the normal hard stuff (like being awake with both kids at 1:00am or Eric having ZERO interest in potty training) get me down because after all it is NORMAL; and as my wise sister-in-law and mother of three says when things seem tough, "It is just a phase and it will pass." I also don't let the small stuff like "spilled milk" or even finger-nail polish on the rug get to me because, well, messes happen and they can be cleaned up. It's ok. In fact when Eric spills something now he looks at me and says "its ok" and I look right back at him say "it sure is!"

Thank you for this blessing of motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mama's!

Happy 2 months & Happy Birthday Dada

2010-04-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Noah is 2 months old on Dada's birthday, April 27th. His personality is starting to shine through and he is blasting us tons of smile session in response to high pitched voices, face to face close-ups, and of course gas (the most common cause for smiling these days). His last weigh in put him a 9 pounds 4 ounces and 21 1/4 inches. That, however, was two weeks ago and we are definitely noticing him being heavier and longer - probably closer to 10 or eleven pounds and 22 inches. He has out grown the newborn diapers and moved on to size 1. This happen rather suddenly and caught us completely off guard. After a few too many blow-outs and leaks we abandoned the 2 packs of newborn diapers we had on hand and made a mad dash to the store for the "big boys".

Speaking of big boys, Eric is getting more used to having Noah in his world and shows him off proudly to his friends. Eric is still more interested in Noah's gear than Noah. Turning on and off his swing, bouncy seat, or music. Although he does get down and close and talk to him and kiss is forehead from time to time and he likes to hold Noah's hand. He also gets quite a concerned look on his face when Noah is screaming and quickly tells me, "Momma, Noah is hungry again!"

Noah is sleeping for longer stretches now sometimes five our six hours. We have struck a happy balance of nursing and formula. We learned the first month, after Noah hadn't regained his birth weight, that my milk production wasn't keeping up. So we became a little milk factory over here breast feeding, pumping, and bottle feeding. Sounds simple enough right? Well, insert washing pumping supplies and bottles and a a good amount of burping time and you will realize why we never answer the phone around here. We are all amped up on this activity for about a week or so and now found a happy place that we can maintain with a whole let less expectations and guilt. Happy, weight-gaining baby = success. Happy, rested, momma = success.

Love his little tuft of hair here. Sometimes when the sun light hits it just right we think Oma will get the red hair she is hoping for, but Eric teased us with red hairs too and then it turned blondey blond. I imagine Noah will be a blond too.

2010-04-25T11:27:00.001-07:00

"Noah is my baby brother. He doesn't have teeth cuz he can't eat thin mints"