Don't Forget

Please don't forget...

- the way his little hands wrap around my neck

- how his arms hold me tight and grasp my shirt

- the way his sweet face borrows into me as he lifts his hands up, telling me he is ready for a nap

- that moment he began lifting his arms up, saying, "pick me up, please"

- the fun peek-a-boo always is. each and every day. 

- his sweet smiling eyes peering through the crib slats as he sees us walking towards him each morning

- his excited and demanding whines for us to feed him faster

- his heavy breathing as he concentrates, explores, and plays
- the proud face he makes when he reaches up, grabs my hands, and pulls himself up to stand
- the way he always gets excited and super smiley as he sees us walk around the back of the car to come let him out

- the way he tries to "catch" the slow pouring water coming from a plastic cup during bath

- that time when he discovered that sucking bath water out of a washcloth was simply amazing

- how he tilts his head and body to see you walk out of or enter a room

- that joy filled smile looking up at me as I rock and hold him after his morning "breakfast"

- the face he made the first time he tried avocado and peas

- seeing his eyes slowly drift more and more shut during car rides
- the way our cheeks touch when I hold him close
- how content babies are with the simplest toys-- Noah loves his Tupperware containers
- the joy his smile brings
- his "smiling" eyes
- the way his little two bottom teeth love to suck on (and bite!) our fingers
- the giggles that fill the room when the dog licks his hands and feet
- how he stops whatever it is he is doing and looks around when he hears his daddy's voice

3 Queens

I watched a short documentary the other day that brought me to tears... and I just need to share it. When people ask, "what did you do this week?" or "what have you been up to?" I sometimes have a difficult time answering. Well, this video gives a small glimpse into the day of a mamma and it's just beautiful.

Being a stay at home mom is a beautiful, messy, lonely, fulfilling, difficult, hilarious, memorable, and purposeful job. It's one that I didn't expect to love as much as I do, yet struggle with as well. I don't have time to get to my thoughts (enjoyments and struggles) right this minute, but I promise to do so soon!

Enjoy :)

3 Queens from Matt Bieler on Vimeo.

Cold Season

Just a warning to friends and family....

Stay away from our house for awhile.

It seems the yucky cold has struck and has lingered here for the past week. It started with me--achy, ear ache, sore throat, cough and now our little guy is down for the count. He is super congested and snot and drool are just everywhere. We feel so bad for him and hate seeing him this way--watery eyes, gagging on mucus, ugh...not fun. Despite this, he is in the greatest of spirits and is his smiley and upbeat self. Noah boy, you are a trooper and our little champ. We are sorry to see you sick, but know you will feel better soon.

Now, Dan. I love you, but it is safe to assume you are next. I'm sorry to break the bad news to you. Oh and thank you for taking a half day off of work and taking care of me and the little guy. You rock.

Baby After Bath Time

I am sure I've mentioned this before, but I will say it again. 

One of my favorite things in the world, and a moment I want to cherish forever, is the time Noah and I spend together after bath time each night. He is happy, relaxed, quiet, and has the best after bath warmth. I hold him close to breathe in that perfect clean baby smell, hum a few songs, pray over him, and we cuddle. Even at 6 months, Noah still gets his belly full of milk and cuddles on my chest like he did when he was a week old. 

It's the best thing, our special time, and one of my absolute favorite parts of our day together.

Loving Fall

This past weekend was BEAUTIFUL. I am talking perfect temperature, crisp air, and gorgeous fall colors. I am pretty sure fall foliage is at it's peak right now, which makes me VERY thankful to be able to live in a place where "fall" exists. There is just something about pumpkin flavors, spiced scented candles, gold and rust colored leaves, and sweater weather that just gets me all giddy inside. I really hope we get more time to get outside as a family and enjoy it, because as we all know, those colors and mild temperatures won't be lasting for much longer!

Noah and I went down to Maryland the other day to spend time with my dear in laws. Dan has had to travel a bunch for work lately, so I have really been trying to keep us busy---because we all know, boredom makes feelings sadness/missing your special someone that much more intense. Anyway, we had a wonderful time with them. We went to the cutest little restaurant called SoupR Natural, which features only fresh and natural foods. They grow their own veggies right outside the restaurant and use local eggs, meats, and ice creams from farms just a few miles away. The food was SO good and I am pretty sure I told my mother-in-law like 10 times how much I loved the place and wished it was closer to our area. It was super cute....and get this, they even made their own soda! I had never had soda like this, syrup mixed with club soda, so it was fun to try something new. If you are ever around the Monkton/Hunt Valley area of Maryland, you have to check out this place. It's truly a gem. 

Yesterday we decided it would be fun to all bundle up and take Noah on his first hike. It was chilly enough for him to wear his little "bear suit" for the first time and believe me when I say, he was very popular on the hiking trail! When you look at the pictures below, you will see why :)

Hiking always is really enjoyable and relaxing for me. It gives me time to "re-group", escape from the business of our life for awhile, and spend quality time talking and bonding with my two favorite people. It was really fun taking Noah hiking at his age. Dan and I talked about how hikes will change a bit as Noah gets older and what those changes may look like--we even saw examples of this in other families on the trails: "Ugh. Dad, I'm tired...can you pick me up?"...."Son, slow down, don't run too fast, and watch where you step!" It was fun to think about these different and unique stages and how much we will enjoy each of them, while also taking the time to embrace and fully live in the moment in THIS stage. We sure did love our time hiking with the cuddly, little 6 month old "bear" attached to Dan's chest. For this year, Noah was an awesome "onlooker", who took it all in, gasped at the blowing wind in his face, kicked his legs nonstop, enjoyed the fall air, and constantly looked down at the colorful leaves. He even started laughing when I would run far ahead, turn around, and then run towards him! He was smiling the entire time.

And so. were. we. 

If you can, go out and ENJOY the beauty of this season.
God is an amazing artist and that is quite apparent right now.