Mama Fails, Child Friendly and Weddings

I don't know about other moms, but I have at least 5 mom fails a day! Some are small, some are not so small, and some are REALLY embarrassing.

Well yesterday Noah and I went to run some errands.  I had to scan some pictures at Kinkos and then we went to Starbucks (I found some gift cards in my wallet, Noah had hardly napped and Mama needed some coffee).  I got the stroller out of the trunk, put Noah in the stroller and we were on our way into Kinkos and Starbucks. We were probably in the stores for about 30 minutes total. When we walked out to leave, I noticed my trunk was wide open. How embarrassing! Ugh, and not to mentioned I walked from Kinkos to Starbucks and didn't even notice.  Major fail.

Another thing I have been thinking about a lot lately is stores, restaurants, gas stations, ect. being child friendly.  Now, I realize that people without kids do not always want a screaming baby or toddler around when they are eating their food.  But, with that being said for parents of children who do not like to leave them often it is frustrating to go somewhere that is not child friendly. Case in point, I went to lunch with some old co-workers this week and the place we ate did not have high chairs.  I got Noah's stroller thinking that he could sit in that and eat which he has done before, except this day he didn't want to sit in his stroller so I held him and fed him and ate.  To be honest this really does not bother me, but it is still frustrating to not have a high chair.  AND, the thing that is really irritating is when places do not have changing tables in the bathroom.  When we went to Texas countless gas stations (big ones at that) and restaurants did not have these. Ugh, what a pain in the ass.  I think I am going to stick to child friendly places from now on.

And last, I am getting married in 3 weeks. Let the nerves set in! My gosh planning a wedding is a task.  I would post pictures of the dress, but Rich reads the blog so I will wait until after the wedding and post some pictures.

And now for some cute naked baby pictures.

He loves watching himself in Youtube videos on Daddy's Ipod. 

Bath Time! Mohawk? Yes please. 

Fourth of July Weekend

We had a very busy Fourth of July weekend! After getting back from Texas on Tuesday at 11:30 PM, I had just 2 short days to get ready to leave again for 4 nights.  On top of that, Noah has not been traveling well so I was nervous about going again.  While in Texas he slept in the bed with me, but since Rich was going for this weekend he was going to need to sleep in the Pack N Play...or that was the plan.  He also hasn't been sleeping in the car which makes for some very long trips.

Ok, so Friday we left for Rich's sisters 40th birthday party. What a fun time we had! Noah was such a trooper especially since we stayed at the party until almost 10:00 PM.

Before the party we got to hang out with Auntie Sue (Rich's sister), and take a very brief rest on the couch. 

During the party we ate some yummy food, watched all the older kids, played on the instruments, and danced.  And, I got to hold a 5 week old little girl which gave me baby fever.  Rich said no, not until Noah is 3. :(

On Saturday morning we went to breakfast with Susan, and then headed out to drive to the lake.  My family was already there and we spent 2 nights with them.  We had a good time playing at the pool, at the beach, and hanging out in the hotel room. My brother Josh came in for the weekend which was nice because we do not get to see him often.

Overall we had a fun weekend.  I wish I knew a trick to get Noah to sleep better in the Pack N Play.  It was kind of a nightmare with sleeping.  He ended up in the bed with Rich and me each night and considering Rich doesn't sleep well with Noah in the bed that means I was up most of the night monitoring the bed.

Noah does adjust pretty well when we get home and seems to be excited about being back in his own bed in his room.  He is such a trooper especially these past few weeks with all of the traveling.

9 Months

I am a little over a week late in posting Noah's 9 month update.  He just had his doctor appointment yesterday and I wanted to wait for his stats to post.

Here are the stats from the doctor:

Weight: 22.3 pounds (75%)
Height: 30 inches (90%)
Head Circumference: 19 inches (99%)

So, Noah still has a big 'ol head. And yes, it is hard to find clothes to fit over his head. Old Navy clothes-out.

He is wearing clothes that range in size from 9 months to 2T.  It really just depends on what the clothes are and the brand. If it is a onesie I can usually stretch it to fit. I am running out of clothes that fit so I guess a shopping trip is in order.  I am trying to make the clothes I have last through the summer.  He still wears a size 3 diaper, but I will go up a size the next diaper purchase.  He has to wear sleep diapers at night because he pees so much at night!

We also bought his first pair(s) of shoes.  I really have been against putting shoes on him because 1. shoes are not really necessary until they start walking 2. shoes can interfere with the growth of the feet  and 3.  I really couldn't bring myself to pay money for shoes that he would wear a few time.

But, with him crawling and standing up I thought it was time for the first shoe purchase. I actually got a great deal on some cute brown sandals for under $5 and then a pair of cute boat shoes at Target.  He was so proud of his shoes and we came home and showed everyone. Of course, he has worn each pair once and I haven't put them on him since.  Funny enough, he is so big but he has cute little chubby feet. He can fit into shoes for 3-6 months.  Maybe his feet will grow last?

I really can't believe how fast he is growing! He is such a ham and is into EVERYTHING! He is crawling so fast I can hardly keep up. Forget about the treadmill, my new weight loss plan is keeping Noah out of things he shouldn't get into.  He is always busy and it seems like has a mission all the time.  He is eating tons of food, and should be on formula for only about 3 more months.  He loves the water and practically jumps out of my arms for bath time.  We got swimming at least 3 times a week and it is one of his favorite activities.

He loves to play with his toys and is actually more playing rather than just picking them up.  He has quite the temper and will throw things when he is mad. He has learned how to give kisses (we call them smooches) and crawls around smacking his lips all day giving kisses.  He loves music and knows how to dance.  He is picking up language very quickly and can respond to multiple questions.

I was trying to get a good 9 month picture of him, but as you can see he was refusing to look at the camera because hey....the puzzle is just so much more interesting.  

He can pull himself up on anything and hardly stays sitting if there is something to pull himself up on.  One of my favorite things to do is get him out of the bed in the morning because he is just standing there waiting on me.  He gets so excited when I walk in the room and becomes a dare devil by letting go of the crib.

Oh, and one of the biggest things that has happened in about the last month is how social he has become.  He really has always been aware of things going on, but my goodness he is Mr. Social Butterfly.  Every time we go out he flirts with EVERYONE.  He will try to get the attention of people walking by, he will scream at little kids, he smiles at everyone, he reaches out for total strangers.  He loves sitting in the cart at the grocery store and any time we see another baby he screeches, talks, screams, whatever he can think of to get their attention.  Most of the time it scares the poor other kid and they do everything they can not to look at Noah.

So, I am going to start looking for a program for him to go to. He just loves interacting with other kids and he loves to play and is so social.  I think it is time for him to have some play time.  And, I am starting to apply for jobs.  I have loved being able to be home with him, but for him I think it is best to put him in a "school" setting.

I was finally able to get him to look at the camera:

I caught him in the middle of playing with his instruments.

We had a really fun Fourth of July weekend.  I will post about that later.

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright...

I grew up in Texas (College Station...Gig em?). I have lived in Virginia for 8 years. I haven't been back to Texas since February 2008. I miss some things, but others I could do without.  Last weekend my parents, younger brother, Noah and I packed up and drove to visit my 90 year old grandma.  She lives in a tiny town about an hour from Houston (North). This was Noah's first time to meet her.  We drove 40 hours there and back to spend about 5 hours with her. It was a long trip, but worth it.  Noah did pretty well in the car.  The last two hours before we got home he had a total meltdown.  Who would blame him though? He is so active so being in the car for so long is just not his cup of tea.

Keeping a 9 month old entertained in a car seat is no easy task.  We played, played and played some more. He watched his Disney Land sing a long, and we listened to his music.  He took short naps (no more than an hour at a time) and he threw every toy off the side within about 30 seconds.  

We stopped often and even got to see the worlds largest grasshopper at the Texas boarder rest stop.

That thing was as big as my phone. 

Finally we made it to my grandma's house.  Noah thought she was hilarious...

and even tried to strangle her.  

We found her chickens and of course Noah had was totally in to the dog.

Noah and my dad got an egg. 

Noah wanted to have Grandma's dress

Oh, did I mention how hot it was? Um ya. This is the part I do not miss about Texas.  That thing says 98! This morning in Virginia it was 55 degrees and at noon it is 75.  Texas, you have so many fun things to do and lots of fun places to eat...but you are too hot for me.  

We took my grandma to lunch, came back and had the apple pie she made, talked for a little bit  and then we headed back to Houston to spend the night before our 2 day trip home.  Whew. It was a whirlwind trip. 

Oh, and what would a trip to Texas be without some Texas sized cheesecake:

Next we leave for the lake and to visit Rich's family on Friday. 2 days home and ready to pack all over again (at least we won't be in the car for so long). 

Father's Day Weekend

To celebrate the lovely fathers in our life, we traveled to a near by lake to spend last weekend.  Let me tell you, we have some wonderful fathers around here! First, Rich. He is the best daddy to Mr. Noah.  My dad is a wonderful dad and Papi.  And my grandpa aka Papa is just as awesome!

This was the FIRST time that we have spent the night away with Noah.  I was more than prepared.  I planned, shopped and packed the entire week.  I had 7 bags packed for just Noah and me for the 2 nights we were away.  We had a wonderful time.  Noah did not adjust well to sleeping away from his crib, but he loved being at the lake and playing in the water.  The first night he was up every 15 minutes and finally ended up in the bed with Rich and me.  The second night he slept about 5 hours in his Pack N Play and then ended up in the bed with Rich and me.  And as usual he was up bright and early before 6 both mornings (this is typical even at home).

In the next few weeks we will be doing a lot of traveling. This Friday we leave for a road trip to Texas.  Then, next Friday we are going to visit Rich's family and then back to the lake for the 4th of July.  Before it is all done Noah will be an expert traveler.  Rich is not going to Texas, but my parents will be a big help.  We are not bringing the Pack N Play because it will be easier to have Noah sleep in the bed with me.

So, what do you do at the lake with an 8 month old baby? Well, you try to take them on a boat ride.

The ONLY smile we got out of him. 

My mom, Noah and me

He hated the life jacket. I do not blame him. It was hot, restrictive, and uncomfortable. 

He lasted about 10 minutes on the boat.  Next, we tried the beach. This was much more his style.  He loved playing in the sand and water, watching the boats zoom by, and playing with his toy boat.

We are going back for the 4th of July. I am pretty excited.  I love to be on the go and it is nice to get away from the every day routine.

My dad and Noah watching for boats EARLY Sunday morning.  

View from our condo.  Lovely. 

My grandma, my mom, Noah and me. No, the color coordination was not planned. 

After a lot of fun Saturday and Sunday morning at the beach, we decided to try a local place to eat. It was at a marina close by the condo and it was called Mangos. It was fun and the food was good (well, at least I was told it was good). Apparently, they had the BEST hamburger ever.  And, Noah got his first try of lemon...

Yummm

Here is to the next few weeks of traveling and fun!