Attention Mothers...

What would you do if you were the woman featured in this story???

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/22/china.breastfeed/index.html

Labor of Love

Does anyone think I look happy in this picture? Aaron was not so happy either. I am in labor with Noelle and was incredibly miserable. No one was having a good time.

Aaron tried to be nice to me, but really he snickered a lot because he thought all my little comments like, "Man! This is for the birds!" were just so funny.

This is cousin Marin bringing me ice chips at the end of my labor. Why on earth did we not think of that sooner? They were pretty good!

This is Dr. Cooper. He delivered my cousin, Brian, 25 years ago. I hope he lives long enough to deliver all my babies. I love him. Have you ever had a doctor that hugs you and kisses the top of your head? I do! Then in the next sentence he uses the F-word. He is old and sweet and cranky and never gets enough sleep. It's so fun!

This was the end result. It kind of makes me choke up. She was so preciously sweet and I could not believe she was mine. I would do anything to be back in that moment. That soft brand new baby skin is like nothing else. I first time I saw her was beyond words.

Why am I posting all of this stuff? In about 6 months we will be going through all these shenanigans again! Woo-Hoo! We are beyond excited that we are having another baby.

Yes, to all of you who want to know. I plan on having another natural childbirth without pain medication.

Early Mornings.....

Noelle used to sleep in until 7:30-8:00, sometimes even later. It was really nice. If I was tired I could sleep in a little but normally I would wake around 6:30 and go downstairs to have some alone time. Now that we have taken off the front of her crib and turned it into a toddler bed, her wake up time is 6:00, ugh! It's getting old. I know there are all of you Moms that have to work or have kids in seminary and have to get up early, so ignore this. Why am I complaining, anyway? I used to wake at 4:45 to catch a 6:00 train when I worked.

Then there was this morning...... I hear her on the side of my bed and crack my eye open, it's 6:10, dang! She climbs up on the bed, lays down next to me for about 30 seconds (which is actually a long time for her!) then she throws her arms around my neck, nuzzles her sweet soft face into mine and says, "I love you, Mama!" My heart melted and I am just so grateful that I get to be her Mommy.

In an hour or so when she is screaming and crying I need to remind myself of that moment.

Mother's Day Camping

Aaron bought me a really nice Mother's day gift. We have been thinking about buying one but thought it was a while off. Then I saw a used one on Craigslist that had actually never been used by it's owners and was too good of a deal to pass up! What is it? It's a Tent Trailer! Yea! We took it to the beach on it's maiden voyage. Despite the fact that it was FREEZING and WINDY we had a good time.

Noelle running around after Noelle. Poor Evynn could not get rid of her tag-a-long the entire time.

Noelle loved her bed.

She could not get enough of walking the dog. That is Auntie and Unc's mo-ho in the background.

We got an hour or two of sunshine on Saturday and we had fun playing Scattegories. I cannot believe I posted this horrible picture of me!
I love this picture!!!

Daddy and his girl playing on the rocks.

Most of us know Aaron and that he is really silly, actually a lot like a child himself! He always makes up little fun words and songs. When he comes home from work he plays and tickles Noelle, when he starts tickling her he says, "Oh, gee-gee-bop!"

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Noelle's new favorite song.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Mean Mother

Why am I a mean Mother? Because when my precious two year old climbs behind her bed and gets stuck, I laugh and take pictures.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

What Is That Child Doing?

She is licking a window blind with dried crusty frosting on it.

I Didn't Think We Were A Huge TV Family...

...but I guess Noelle has shown us otherwise. She has her own 'words' for things.

POUNDS! = Biggest Loser (this show is long over and she still asks for it)

PEOPLE! = Little People Big World (we never watch this so I don't know how she got that)

BLUE! = Jeopardy (when I am getting dinner ready I love to listen to Jeopardy)

A! = Wheel of Fortune (she's in bed before this is over so who knows about this)

What are we teaching her?

Grandma's Doctor Appointment

Last week we spent the day with Grandma taking her to run errands and having lunch. Grandma has a disease called Macular Degeneration which has caused to lose her site, she is legally blind. She a special pair of glasses that help her see some things really close up. When we were out and about somehow she lost her glasses. We were so upset, she cannot function without them. We immediately called the eye doctor and she got on appt for the next day. We went and picked Grandma up and went to the appt we were there for THREE hours! I thought I was going to die. Noelle actually did amazing! She just played and played.

They had a little house that she was crazy about.

We took funny pictures of each other.

My foot.

After two hours I could not handle it anymore so we went and walked around until Grandma was ready to go. Luckily, they were able to order her a new pair which will be here next week. YEA!

Never Turn Your Back On A Two Year Old

I answered the phone and was talking for a few minutes. I hear Noelle playing in the background but it did not sound like anything out of the ordinary. Meanwhile, she got a roll of ribbon out of the closet and she wrapped the whole spool around the table and chairs.

The things kids come up with!

Aaron thought she was taking a nap but she was actually in the office playing with a marker. Mama's little Zebra.

Lucky Me!

Look what came in the mail from my very good friend Julie. I love belated birthday presents. It goes perfectly with our couch! This is the very first quilt that has been made just for me and I guess it is the first one I have ever owned. Julie is one of those people that is crafty and good at everything she tries. She also flew to California and helped me sew Noelle's crib set before she was born.

Thank you, Julie! I will love it forever.