5 Months with our Noah

It sounds super cliche, but I honestly cannot believe our little "newborn" is 5 months old today. I thought time was flying before having a child, but it sure does seem like the weeks are flying by even faster than before.

 Just yesterday, Noah was fitting perfectly in my arms, spitting up all the time, just learning how to follow us with his eyes, and was wearing loose fitting 0-3 month clothing. Now, our little man is no longer "little" to me. My arms burrrrn when I hold him and he is almost 16 pounds...but, my biceps are forever greatful!

Gosh, I'm loving every minute of this stage and tell Noah almost daily that I want him to stop growing. When Noah hit about 4-6 weeks old, Dan and I began to say, "I love this age". Now, as each month passes, we continue to love each stage. Right now it is just amazing to observe the new developments he is making and seeing more and more of his awesome personality forming....and although we do dream of him staying this little and don't want to let go of the cuddles and such, I know what's yet to come has it's own joys and fun. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Noah, my sweet boy, I love being your mom. You are God's greatest gift to your daddy and me. Even on the toughest days (which now are few and far in between)--usually when I try to fit a lot into the day, only to have it tire you out and make your cranky--we end the day with cuddles and smiles as your daddy "flies" you to my arms for story time and songs in the glider. Your smiles light up the room and you seem to smile constantly now.....unless, of course, you are hungry. Or tired. Then you either start to pout or stare blankly and show little interest in toys or songs.

You now are eating cereal and bananas. Beginning you on "solid" foods has been really fun for us. It's actually one of my favorites parts of the day--when we chill in the kitchen, listen to music, and you sloowwwllly eat your "dinner". Although you are not too sure about eating in this new way, you seem to have lots of fun getting food all over your face, hands, toes, and (somehow), in the nooks and crannies of your leg rolls.

You've recently discovered that you can splash in the bath tub. We love watching you concentrate so hard as you kick your legs and then discover it's fun feeling the water slash on you. Last week, you began sitting in the "big kid" part of the stroller. I sort of miss being able to look at you throughout our walk, but we stop about a million times anyway so I can check on you and make you smile. Your dad and I love how you now notice us as we walk around the car to come open the door and get you. You ALWAYS greet us with a smile and are excited to GET OUT. Which leads me to the simple fact that you love to be moving. You are constantly kicking your legs and I'm convinced that when you start crawling, I will be moving around the house non-stop to keep up. This makes us excited for when you are able to run and play outside. We already can tell you have a lot of energy, love to play, and enjoy being outside a lot. You are now rolling all over the floor, making laying a blanket down under you pretty pointless. I leave the room for 2 minutes to get a drink, come back, and you are across the room, smiling, and seeming so proud of yourself.

Gus really thinks you are fun these days and you find him VERY amusing. Just yesterday, he was licking your little toes and boy did it get you laughing. I love that you two are becoming buddies. 

Noah, you are amazing and such a blessing to my life. I have learned more in these last few months than I would have every expected. Your fun and determined personality are contagious and your dad and I can't get enough of you and your smiles. 

Here are just a few of our favorite pictures of you over the last few weeks....

Fresh Pasta Sauce!

So. Our garden has been producing Roma tomatoes like nobody's business. I had been trying to figure out what to do with all of them, and making pasta sauce crossed my mind. Then I quickly talked myself out of it, thinking it would be too hard and I would screw it up. I know, I know...sometimes I am very self-deprecating. Not good.

Well, as the tomatoes continued to sit and grew closer to getting overripe, the idea seemed more ambitious and fun. So, two nights ago, I went on a mission to create the best tasting pasta sauce. And I think I DID.

I must first credit Dan's step mom for the recipe. She is an AMAZING chef and I figured if I was going to start making something from scratch, I should use her wisdom and get her perfected recipe.

Since I am pretty sure it's a secret family recipe, I won't go into all the details of how I made this amazing sauce. I will however tell you it was beyond easy and the only ingredients were: fresh tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Yep. That's it.

Dan was so impressed and happy last night when we devoured our angel hair pasta smothered in the good sauce. We typically are canned sauce people, which I'm not afraid to admit. However, after experiencing the goodness and tastiness of the GOOD stuff, I"m not sure I can go back to the dark side (Prego)...haha.

Lately

Rather than recap in detail some things we have been up to, I'm just going to list our recent whereabouts. It's been a busy September, with cereal trying, crazy temp changes, and babies being born! So, without further adieu....

- a fun Labor Day picnic with friends
- a fun Labor Day picnic with family
- a Hershey park happy date
- crabs and football watching in a garage
- my first MOPS meeting of the year.... So excited about connecting with other moms in the community!
- a few fantasy football drafts
- an anniversary dinner. And we brought with us our large gift.... Noah boy.
- bachelorette festivities for Dan's sister, which led to....
- my first night away from Noah :( ... I'm happy to report that Noah and his daddy had a wonderful time together!!
- I put on work clothes for the first time in five months. It felt weird, but really good. I'm back to facilitating a support group for adopted teens at a local church.
- a 5k (walk) for the American Heart Association. Each year we walk for my dad and it's a really fun, fall day.
- Dan went on his first mini business trip since Noah was born. Boo.
- Babies! Went to a baby shower. Had a friend have her baby. And have another friend ready to deliver any day now. Thinking of and praying for these ladies as they transition into motherhood (or having two babies). I swear, something is in the water around these parts. Everyone is getting married and having babies. It's either that or the fact that we are in our late 20s...
- a lunch date with my mom. A lunch date with my grandmother.
- and coming up this weekend... An O's game and a birthday dinner for my father-in-law.

Wow. While we we have been quite busy , our family has also had plenty of relaxing evenings walks, drives for ice cream, and lounging on the couch. And we all know, nights like those are just the best.

It's going to be a gorgeous fall week. Enjoy it!!

xox

Love and Some Verses

Curious about the title of our blog?

It's actually the title to a song that I have always loved by Iron and Wine. 

Here, give it a listen...

Crazy for Aldi

Over the last few months, a number of my friends have made comments about how much they love the discount grocery store, Aldi. 

Well, I LOVE to find a good bargain so I was quickly very curious and intrigued by this mysterious grocery store I had passed hundreds of times. I, like most people I know, first had to ask..."Well, why is it so cheap?"...thinking there must be something wrong with the food there...."Is it damaged or expired food?". 

What I learned was fascinating--not only was the food fresh and undamaged, they carry most everything we liked to buy each week, but for significantly less. I learned that Aldi is a global company and is very popular in European counties. So, hey...if those Europeans approve, it's gotta be good, right?!? So there is a small catch...(shocker)....What you don't get is the aesthetically pleasing shopping experience. So there's that factor. But, hey, if I can save $15 or more each week on groceries, do I really need fancy displays and a cafe that never gets used? Don't get me wrong, I do love my trips to Wegmans...love them. But, I also love knowing I saved my family a few bucks. So, if it means couponing and shopping at discount grocery stores every few weeks, I will totally take it. 

The food is GOOD. If you have an Aldi near you and have never ventured inside, try it. 

Then, use the money that you saved shopping there and go buy yourself a new scarf. Or DVD. Or catch up with a friend over dinner.

See? Saving money can be fun and useful :)  

A Happy Day, Indeed

Today is a very special day. 

It's the day we vowed to commit to one another for the rest of our lives (aka our wedding anniversary!). 

It's so hard for me to believe our wedding was already 4 years ago! Our wedding day was truly the best day of my life (and in a verrrrry close second, the day our Noah was born). Life has been amazing since the day we began dating over 7 years ago.  We have been through a lot together, and have grown in so many ways.... sort of expected considering we started dated when we were practically babies (I was 19, he was 20), and the memories that we've shared are so so precious to me. 

I am so thankful to God for Dan. For the man that he is and the love, laughter, and friendship that we share together. 

I love knowing that he is my one and only, is extremely devoted to me, as I am him, and that we love unconditionally and fervently. 

Babe, here is to celebrating this day for the rest of our lives. You are my rock and I will love you forever.  Oh and P.S. So sorry about being in such a deep sleep the other night that instead of putting my gum on the nightstand, it found it's way into our bed.... :( 

 Gross? Yes. Fun memory? Oh yes. 

 

BOGO

You better believe I took advantage of Dairy Queens current Blizzard special. It's buy one get one for .99. Oh my gosh. If you have not tried their new s'mores Blizzard, do me a favor and forget about eating healthy for just like 30 minutes while you go out and try it. You will not regret it. Promise!


.

Way. Too. Hot.

I just have to say that it feels awfully strange sipping on my pumpkin spice coffee when the high today is 93 degrees. Ugh. Fall, come soon please. My boots and sweaters are begging you!!

Family Promise

Dan and I recently had the pleasure of volunteering for an amazing local organization called Family Promise. Family Promise is a national non-profit organization who serves families who have recently lost their homes. What makes FP so unique is that it takes in and provides housing and a number of other services for entire families, not just women and children, which is unlike most shelthers. It keeps families together and we love that about this particular organization. And FP is not really a "shelter", but finds local church congregations to volunteer to provide housing, food, and volunteers to get to know and spend time with the guest families. We were humbled and thankful to be able to meet and dine with such strong, resilient people. We met three mothers and their children and are already talking about the next time we can help and be a part of this amazing ministry again. If you have a few minutes, please check out their website to learn more... there may just be a local Family Promise in your area where you can join in and be a part of the awesome work that is being done to help families in their time of need.

Family Promise

Hello Tuesday

Today is day two of attempting to give Noah oatmeal cereal. I'm honestly not sure how to report that it is going, because based on our first two trials, I'm pretty convinced more food ends up on Noah's nose, upper lip, hands, and hair then actually in his mouth. I knew starting solid foods would be interesting, but I think I was naive to the fact that it is not something that babies just love and naturally get the hang of. I have a feeling it may take awhile before the little guy actually enjoys his new breakfast. It's okay though. I'm having fun witnessing the most hilarious and cute faces as he grimaces, whines, and looks oh-so-confused by this new food thing. Here are two pictures that I think capture well the before and after of the food trying experience for the little man....

In other news, Dan travels to Nashville today, so we will be without our favorite person for a little while. I know we will survive (of course) but, just barely :) Dan always has a way of making our evenings full of laughs and smiles, even when I am feeling like an exhausted mama around the 6:00 pm hour. He will be missed, for sure...but goodness, with Skype, email, and cell phones, traveling is definitely a lot more bearable and "easy" then it would have been 15 years ago. And for that, we are thankful. 

Oh, and one more little update. We had a lot of "us" time last night, because Noah was in bed by 7:45 pm. Can we just stop and take that in?

Little Noah loves to be awake and explore and learn, but he loves his sleep too (like Dan and I!) and for that, we just smile.... 

Anyway. Couple time....So, we talked about a possible spring vacation to the northwest, a place Dan and I have always wanted to travel to. Even the thought of this possibly happening makes me smile. A lot. I'm hoping this idea can become a reality. We will have to REALLY budget and be wise financially to make it happen, but we both feel vacations, no matter how big or small, should be a priority (if possible), so I think making a few sacrifices in other areas will totally be worth it. So yeah, this is a little goal/plan we have. My husband is such a good travel planner, so I have no doubt he will scout out flights and accommodations to see if we can create an affordable, awesome little trip for the three of us.  

Dan, as if you need any more convincing, here is a picture for you of a beautiful spot in Portland... :)

A Simple Reminder

Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were "dead' in transgressions--it is by Grace that we are saved. And God raises us up...in order that in the future, he can show us the riches of His Grace, expressed in His kindness to us. For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not from your own doing--it is a gift from God. Not by works, so that any one can boast....

4 Month Sleep Regression, Life, etc.

A lot's been going on lately, so thankfully Amber has been taking some time to keep this updated most days.  Rather than going into detail about everything single thing, I'll just give some highlights and put up some pictures.
-Noah is getting big and learning and being awesome and fun and happy and smart.  It's great.
-Our vacation was wonderful.  Time spent with family is always such a blessing.
-Went to our first Orioles game as a family
-Noah is going through this whole 4 month sleep regression (whatever that means.)  All I know is he is learning a ton and rolling over a lot.
-Went to a US Men's National Team game.  Always a blast.
-Went to the Gentlemen of the Road tour with some friends.  Saw Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe, and some others.  Again, was a blast.
-Noah got sick for the first time.  It's been tough, but brought Amber and I closer together through working to get him to feel better.

Enjoy the pictures.

A Little Family Vacation

Earlier this year, my mom asked me if we had any plans to go the beach. Sadly, I replied "no", and explained that we probably would not. Dan and I just sort of assumed that traveling and vacationing with a baby would be "too hard". Thankfully, my mom did not take "no" for answer :) and later asked again, if we would go if she and my dad would plan it. She is a firm believer that vacations are necessary, and I could not agree more. Even if we did not do much, getting away was important and always a little special treat. Gosh was she right. Dan and I usually try to vacation each year, and if we were honest with ourselves, were sad we had not planned anything. We happily obliged and quickly began counting down the days for our little getaway to the beach.

I think we both had some unspoken nervousness about how Noah would be away from home and his normal surroundings. This would be our first big trip with a baby... forget quickly packing the hour or two before departure, haha. Despite my slight anxiety, I knew it would be nice to get out of town for a few days and have some "assistance" where Noah was concerned, because we all know that grandparents and aunts just love any chance they can get to kiss, hold, and stroll the little guy. I was so thankful for my parents and Dan during this trip who all took it upon themselves to take care of Noah for awhile, while I got some sun, rested, or just went out to get us coffee. I feel like those moments really rejuvenated me and made me even more thankful for the amazing people in my life, all who love and adore Noah as much as I do.

We were only away for 5 days, and in ways, it was more work packing and preparing and then unpacking and cleaning, then I had realized.... But, getting to sit on the beach our little guy (who totally rocked his 1940's inspired bathing suit) and enjoy gorgeous views of the water each morning, walking around and shopping on the beautiful Cape May streets, and sipping on a fresh cup of Wawa coffee (my favorite) was just was a perfect way to "end" our summer.

Noah LOVED the pool and the beach, especially the breeze. It was definitely crazy to think about how next year, Noah would be running around and playing in (and possibly trying to eat?) the sand. We embraced this time, realizing each proceeding beach trip would be different and fun in new ways, as he grows older and more independent. Now, I don't want to paint a too perfect picture of this vacation. Yes, we definitely had moments of Noah screaming in the car when he decided he was hungry and/or bored and yes, Noah didn't always nap for as long as I felt he "should", but hey, he was on his first vacation. I guess he thought staying awake and seeing the sights was more fun then taking long naps. I must add that I was thankful for him sleeping through the night and... even sleeping in. Gosh, this crazy boy has figured out the meaning of vacation already.

One of my favorite moments of the trip occurred when we were packing up our stuff on the beach. Dan started wiping sand off of the tent and Noah, out of nowhere, just started LAUGHING and got the biggest kick out of the sand swiping. It was the BEST. Of course that meant Dan had to continue swiping the tent for 5 more minutes as we all smiled and laughed along with this precious little boy.

So that is just a little recap into our beach trip this year.

**Oh, I should also note that my husband is just the best and surprised us all by taking off work last minute and arriving a day before he was scheduled to. It was the best surprise and made me the happiest girl. It just didn't feel right not having him there, since a piece of our little family was missing, and I think Dan had realized that he missed us a little more then he had anticipated. :) I might add, the guy even stopped at Fractured Prune in Lancaster, PA and brought with him a dozen of the most scrumptious donuts. YUM.

Thanks Mom and Dad for encouraging us and helping us make it to the beach this year. We were very thankful for this wonderful time away!!

Enjoy the pictures!!