So Many Noelle Stories!

I know I am apologizing again...  However, we have been busy, busy PLUS it's hard to play on the computer with Noelle.  She only wants to type.

We had a wonderful Christmas!  Santa was very good to us all.  I am looking around our living room thinking "Wow - lots of toys.  I think we need more toy boxes."  Noelle's favorite presents have been a Dora backpack (which she picked out) and her piano/microphone.  I will take photos!  She keeps singing into the microphone.  Rockstar????

Updates:
-She eats with her pinkies up (such a lady)!
-Blows on her food saying "hot, hot!"
-Loves jazz - swings her head and snaps her fingers.
-Hugs you from behind when you are sitting down (heart melts).
-Getting even better at sign language (genius - I tell you)!!
-Loves her belly button and everyone else's...
-Unwrapped the presents under the tree... before Christmas
-Loves putting money in her piggy bank (before she drops it in, she smiles really big... then starts clapping at her accomplishment).
-Eats a ton of dog food and chews on Oscar's bone.
-Gives Eskimo kisses (again heart melts)
-So clumsy now that she is running (had her first shiner).

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She Talks In Her Sleep!

We have been waking up the past few weeks to Noelle talking in her sleep!  It is too cute.  She is having a conversation with herself while sleeping.  At first I got up because I thought she was awake.  I realized that she was definitely sleeping.  It runs in my family...  I didn't know it started this young.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

God, is that you?

We starting going to church (hubby really needs to confess all of his sins - j/k).  Noelle now points up at the ceiling and says "goooodddd."  I think she knows where God is!  She could be saying - "dog" or something else in baby language.  However, it sounds like God and she is pointing up!!!  Church sure is paying off!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Sign Language

Noelle is seriously a genius (well I think so).  I love that she is signing.  This weekend, Grandma flew down and helped unpack.  Noelle walked her to the refrigerator, hit it, and signed for food.  When we were at the grocery store, we were in the freezer section.  Noelle started signing "food" and "more."  Little did I know she was STARVING...  She also when she is all done eating, she will sign "all done."

It's time to teach her new words.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth...

Little Miss Noelle is getting more teeth (finally)!  She currently has the two bottom teeth and side right tooth.  The top middle and left side one just broke through this week.  Poor girl!  I just keep wondering when the girl will get teeth!  Hey - she maybe late with the teeth, but sooooo advanced in everything else:)

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

We are all moved in!!

Sorry for the lack of posts this past month!  We moved into our house last week.  Noelle is loving it.  She keeps doing laps around the house.  I think she is also happy to have all of her toys and dog, Oscar back:)  We are also setting up our Christmas decorations at the same time.  Once we get everything up, I will post photos!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I Like Hiding My Food...

Noelle has started the strange trend of stuffing food down her shirt and also underneath her leg.  This morning, she was putting scrambled eggs underneath her leg.  Yesterday, she was shoving strawberries down her shirt.  Maybe saving some for later?

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I Have THREE Teeth!

So Noelle told me this weekend that since she will be 14 months this week, it's time for her to have THREE teeth.  The next morning, her third tooth popped through (right side - next to the front tooth)!  The new tooth didn't seem to bother her that much.  What a trooper!!!

Now... if only we could get her top front teeth for Christmas.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Have I Told You That Noelle Doesn't Like the Car?

OMG!!!!  I went to Babies R Us and bought a bunch of fun car toys for Noelle.  Now I am distracted because I have mirrors everywhere and I don't know where to look.  I bought a CD (originally was excited to finally listen to the radio again.  Since in NYC - never in a car, so never listen to the radio).  Well it's all about the ABCs, a dog named BINGO, and tongue twisters.  None of it works...

We went to the park a few days again and she literally freaked out when I tried to get her in the car.  People  probably thought I was taking her.  She grabbed the door (again she is only 13.5 mos) and would not let go.  She arched her back and screamed at the top of her lungs.  I didn't know what to do, so I laughed.  She was still pissed.  I try to bribe her with toys and food - nope.  I sing songs to her - nope.  Seriously this has got to get easier.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Control Top for Baby Tights?

Why do little girls' tights have control top?  Shouldn't we be proud of their little chubby legs?  Since Noelle has been an infant, most of her nylons and tights have been control top.  So weird!  Are they trying to tell our babies that they need to "suck it in" already?  They have a lifetime to deal with that:)

I love Noelle's chubby little legs!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Bathroom in Public...

Okay... I am still trying to get used to the Suburban Mom thing.  In the "City", if I had to go to the bathroom, I would wheel Noelle's stroller in the stall with me.  In the 'burbs, I have no clue what I am supposed to do!  Yesterday I brought Noelle into the stall with me.  She walked around and played with the sanitary napkin bin!  I couldn't get up to get her.  So gross.  What do I do?

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She's Picking Her Nose!

What?!  Why is she already picking her nose?  I thought kids were 3 or 4 before they did that.  I SWEAR I have not been picking my nose.  I think it's something new...  She just keeps digging.  How do I teach a one year old that picking your nose is gross?

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Life In the 'Burbs

Well we have been in Indy for a couple of days now. We are getting used to the 'burbs!  It's definitely an adjustment having to drive everywhere.  I think I have already scared a few Hoosiers.  I also think Noelle is the only baby in the world that HATES the car.  It is so miserable.  Any suggestions?  She just screams and screams.

What have we been doing in the 'burbs?  Well we went and checked out the local YMCA.  It was so cool! It had three swimming pools PLUS an outdoor water park.  The daycare area was bigger than my old gym.  Noelle will be so excited!  We also went to the zoo and already had a playdate.

Today - laundry and another playdate!  We are meeting Baby Reese!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

We Have Moved!

We are officially Hoosiers now!  We had a great last week as NY'ers (well Hoboken'ites).  I can't believe it was 6.5 years!  Great memories... fell in love, got engaged, then married, and had the baby in the baby carriage.   It really felt like home.  Now time to build new memories in Indy.

Our last week was amazing.  On Friday, we went back to all the places we lived in NYC.  We took pictures and reminisced.

1. Waterside Plaza - WAAAAYYYY East 23rd:  I lived here before Freddy moved out.  It was a 400 sq ft studio.  The best memory was the homeless man that had a bunch of naked barbies gagged and bound by duck tape to his shopping cart.  Scary!

2. East 86th and York: Ahhhh... Freddy and I first co-habitated here.  It was a 425 sq ft jr. one bedroom (which really means a studio with a wall partition for a bedroom).  The best memory... we got engaged here:)

3. West 74th and Columbus:  The best apartment ever!  Well it was a 5th floor walk-up around 750 sq ft. Our first TRUE one bedroom in NYC.  Our best memory... besides getting married while living here - preggo with Noelle.

4. West 64th and West End:  One bedroom plus an alcove - around 930 sq ft.  A little sterile area, but still close to the action.  The best memory... Noelle arrived.

5.  Hoboken (with a Jersey City address): I quit my job and Freddy worked in NJ, so it made sense.  We really needed two bedrooms.  The best memory... watching Noelle grow.

We had a great run!  Now it's time to settle down and have space for babies and pets!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I remember...

Now that Noelle has become more verbal / expressive, I am flooded with memories from when I was little.   I remember waking up in the middle of the night, going into my parents' room, and snuggling with my mom.  I loved that comforting feeling.  I remember the excitement with a little anxiety of my dad chased me (Noelle seems to have the same emotion).   I also remember the scared, lonely feeling when I would wake up and no one was there.  I watch Noelle in the baby monitor and see the few seconds of confusion until she gets upset.  Finally when we are playing Peek-a-boo and can't wait for the surprise (when is mommy going to pop up???).  

It's so fun remembering my own memories/feelings while watching Noelle create hers.  

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy

Our Dog Is OCD...

Noelle LOVES eating dog food (photos to blackmail her with when she is older).  She knows it's a "no-no" to play with the dog food and water dish.  Every time I turn around, she is headed in that direction.  Well when she sees me coming for her, she quickly throws her hands in the food and water dish and makes a mess.  Our dog, Oscar, cannot deal with the mess.  He has to eat every piece of food that has landed on the ground.  Noelle does this to his food dish multiple times a day and every time Oscar cleans up.  Gotta love his OCD...

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Precious Moments

When it's time for bed, duty calls.  Noelle wants her mommy when she is tired.  We tried tough-love and were not successful.  We decided that she is only a baby once, so why not rock her to sleep.  We had friends over a few weeks ago and she would not go to sleep.  I had to hold her, sing to her, rock her for about an hour.  I kept thinking... go to sleep - mommy wants to socialize.  The more I thought about it, I got mad at myself.  I thought this period in Noelle's life is going to go by so fast.  I should cherish every moment she wants her mommy.  I will never get this time back with her.  She won't want me and only me forever.  Going forward, no matter how long it takes her to go to sleep, I smile as I rock her in my arms knowing how precious this time is with her.  I love you, Noelle.

Love,

Noelle's Mommy

The World of Pretend...

Noelle received a rocking horse for her birthday that she loves.  You press it's ears and it sings "I am a little pony..." I have heard it about 1000 times.  Tonight she was rocking on it and laughing so hard.  I wonder what she was thinking about.  She then grabbed her monkey and put her on the horse.  It was so cute - she was giving her baby a ride on the horsey!  She was talking to the horse and monkey - gabbing and laughing away.  I wish I knew what she was saying or what was so funny.  It's the best hearing Noelle's deep belly laughs.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Northeast Trip!

We are back from our trip to the Northeast.  Noelle did so well in the car.  Now that she is a big girl, we moved her car seat forward-facing.  It made a world of difference.  She also has her first crush.  Boyfriend Brad - oh she loves him.  She was so shy and would flirt with him.  Ahhh... the memories.  We went to Maine, Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket, New Hampshire, and Mystic, CT (Julia Roberts' pizza movie).  Her favorite thing was the HUGE playground in Boston Common.

Lots of milestones!
-She blows kisses to everyone.
-She took three steps.
-First ponytail (she looks like a toddler vs. a baby now...)
-She clicks her tongue.
-She points at everything.
-She says "yum".
-She dances to any and all songs (especially loves rap).

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Why Do I Get So Offended When Someone Calls Her a Boy?

It happened again!  I don't know why I get so offended.  I think Noelle looks very girlie.  She has her ears pieced and wears pink everyday.  Someone in the post office said "He would be perfect for my granddaughter."  Actually no she won't.  He's a she!  Then he said "Oh yeah, I see the earrings."  Grrr...  Do mommies of boys get offended too?  Today she is wearing a trendy jean jacket, a pink shirt, cords, pink shoes, and ruffly socks.  Hmmmm...  She did happen to throw her hair bow and paci somewhere in the streets of Hoboken.  I will give that to the granddad (no hair bow).

I guess we need to invest in more PINK!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She Ate a Bug!

Noelle was chewing on something yesterday.  I held out my hand for her to give it to me and it was a BUG!!!  It was black and about 3/4" long.  Nasty! She had black stuff all over and in her mouth.  We immediately gave her a bath and washed out her mouth.

So gross...

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Our Little Girl is ONE!

We officially have a toddler vs. a baby!  Noelle has been so busy lately (below are a few milestones).

1.  She plays "pretend."  She pretends to eat something off the floor and then feeds it to you.  She drinks tea out of her little tea cup and teapot.
2.  She had her first dentist appointment.  It's like she KNEW it was the dentist and refused to open her mouth.  She flirts with everyone - except the dentist.
3.  She is still a peanut!  She had her 12 month appointment this week.  She is 7% for weight and 15% for height.  However she still has chub in the thighs and a gut.  The doctor said she will probably always be tiny.
4.  She took a FIRST STEP!!!  Noelle can walk / stand by herself.  She just doesn't want to.  She walked ONE STEP to daddy and then fell down.  Nothing since... will keep you posted.
5.  On our way back from Wisconsin, our flight got delayed on the runway for about two hours.  It was MISERABLE!!!  Noelle was not happy and pooped in her pants.  The lady in front of us was definitely not into screaming babies.  I was more stressed than anyone.
6.  Noelle is going to be a HOOSIER in one month.  Yep - we are moving to Indiana November 1st.  No more city girls.  Noelle and Oscar the dog will have to get used to space, yard, etc.

On another note... I will probably have to blog more now.  My "Baby's First Year Journal" has expired.  I don't know what to do anymore.  I wrote in the book daily/weekly.  Now I don't know where to write random things and read about Noelle's progress.  Maybe I will write one.   What will I do without "The Book?"

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I Really Feel Like a Mommy Today and a Little Like Britney Spears...

Noelle has a cold and has been crawling up to me to wipe her nose.  I have snot from head to toe.  Guess what!!??  I don't mind!  I feel very "mommy-ish" today!

Also my hair is finally growing back (lost a bunch after Noelle was born)!  I feel like Britney Spears when she was growing her hair back.  I have bangs which I don't like (most of my hair fell out in front).  I also have "bunches" of hair scattered through my head.  I can only do one hair style - a ponytail.  It was so worth it.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I LOVE My Birthday Week!

Noelle had so much fun at her NYC birthday party.  She got so spoiled (thank you everyone).  We dressed her up in a Tinker Bell costume - stay tuned for photos.

The best story of her party...
-While opening gifts, Noelle crawled about five feet away from everyone and went #2.  I guess she was "overloaded!"

Her birthday week has been FILLED with milestones.
-On Friday, she started nodding her head and saying "yah-yah".  She does it all the time now.
-On Saturday, she started walking while holding our hands.  She can walk with only one hand.  She is so close!  We got her a corn popper.  Noelle was walking with it all by herself!
-She grew!  She has always been a little peanut.  Noelle sprouted!  I can't wait to find out her percentages next week for her doctor's appointment.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Getting Ready for the Birthday Parties!!!

Only a few more weeks until the BIG 1st birthday!  We are having two parties - one in NYC (this weekend) and one in Green Bay (next weekend).  At first I was looking at personalized invitations/plates/cups/balloons.  Then it hit me- Noelle will be the only baby there.  I was actually having a 1st birthday party for adults.  Well we went to Toys R Us and bought everything Tinker Bell (Noelle looks like Tink).  I thought I was okay with burgers and hot dogs.  Ummm... now I am freaking out because my little girl can't have a boring 1st birthday party.  Scratch the original menu and bring on a lot more decor!  Pixie sticks, gum balls, butterfly balloons, fairy dust - oh yeah, get ready for it  - TUTUs galore!  


I am so excited:)  Get ready for photos!
Love,
Noelle's Mommy


PS:  I can't wait to tell her friends when she is older that she LOVED to drink out of Oscar's water dish.  I cannot keep her away from it.

She's a Big Girl!

Sorry that I have been MIA.  We were on vacation and Noelle doesn't let me play on the computer.  We have lots of updates!

1.  She has mastered "bye-bye" and waves.
2.  She will only eat big people food (no more baby food) and only wants to feed herself.  It takes about 45 minutes for her to eat since she will grab oooooonnnnnneeee piece of corn at a time.
3.  Noelle is a speed walker when pushing her stroller or Mater (walker).  She just needs more confidence standing up and I think she could walk.
4.  She grew!  Noelle gets a big gut before she has a growth spurt.  Last week she had a gut and this week she grew.  It's so crazy to see her grow overnight.
5.  She will be ONE year in only a few weeks.  This has been the fastest year of my life.  We are so blessed.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Who took her halo? We need it back!

Where oh where did my little angel go?  Into the depths of teething hell...  I thought one tooth - wow, this is easy.  I thought babies were really fussy when teething.  Well Noelle is getting THREE teeth on the bottom right now.  Ummmm...

She won't eat and when she does, she spits it at us.  She is really fussy.  She uses my arm as a teething toy (I have the bite marks to prove it).  I am calling Noelle the "crazy lady" because she can turn at anytime.  Watch out!

On a positive note - she is sleeping really well at night.  She might have brain damage because she keeps smacking her head so hard on her crib.  We FINALLY put up the bumpers.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Tantrums!

I thought tantrums started at two years old (the terrible twos)???  What happen to our little angel?

Noelle started throwing her head back and stiffening her back when she doesn't get want she wants (which is rare).  She doesn't want to go into her stroller (really fun in public).  She doesn't want her diaper changed (the smell, the smell, ahhhh).  She doesn't want to eat her dinner in her highchair.

I am a little worried now of the ACTUAL terrible twos.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Big Foot - Holy Crap!

We were at Target yesterday playing in the toy section.  We saw a diorama with a talking Big Foot. I pressed the button to see what Noelle's reaction would be.  BIG MISTAKE!  I think she crapped her pants out of fear.  Big Foot roared and moved towards her.  Freddy was pushing the shopping cart.  I screamed "Run, run!  She's going to flip!" I was so worried she was going to have nightmares - thinking of Big Foot.  

I felt terrible!  I have never seen Noelle act that way.  Whoops!  No more Big Foot!

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy

She Really Has A Tooth This Time!

I have been crying wolf for awhile....  However, it only took 10 1/2 months to grow.  I am proud to announce - Noelle has her first tooth!  It is the front, bottom left.  Noelle's diapers have been OUT OF CONTROL, so I figured something was up.  She has been wonderful.  I thought babies were super crabby, fever, etc when teething.  Noelle has been happy.  We are lucky!!

I will try to take a picture. She doesn't really like me prying her mouth open:)

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I Am So Proud To Call Her Mine.

I am always proud to be Noelle's mommy.  However, during the Puppet Show this past Friday, I was really  proud!!!  Noelle was the youngest child by about six months (she was the only crawler).  This was our first time there.  Once we sat down on the rug, she crawled into the middle and started playing with the other kids (aka trying to eat their feet). Once the puppets came on, Noelle started laughing, clapping, waving!  She had so much fun.  The puppeteers came up to me and asked if this was her first time here since she was so comfortable.  She was the little girl that everyone was oohhhing over.  It was so cute.  Next time we go, I will videotape it.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She's a Sponge!

This is the first week of Noelle's life that I have noticed she mimics us.  Yesterday at the gym daycare, the ladies told me that she shrugs her shoulders.  Later in the day when I was reading her a book, I noticed I was shrugging my shoulders and using lots of hand gestures.  She was mimicking me!!!  Then Noelle was playing with my cell phone (she kept throwing it behind her back).  I realized she was trying to put it between her shoulder and ear!  How cute!!

Gosh I love her!  She is so much fun:)
Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Noelle Slept in Her Room!

Ahhh...it's only been 10 1/2 months, but Noelle slept in her room for the first time.  She slept like an angel. I must admit the floor next to the crib was not comfortable.  She had been waking up multiple times throughout the night.  Daddy and I were getting deliriously tired, so we decided she was old enough to sleep in her own room!

To my defense, the baby monitor was not working.  It was static-y.  I was worried I would not been able to hear her or see her.  I slept on her rug.  It will get more comfortable over time...

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She has learned to master the remote control!

Noelle is so smart (not saying that just because I am her mommy).  She has figured out that the remote control works the TV.  She will take it and start pushing buttons.  This morning, she took my cell phone, pointed it at the TV and started to push the buttons.

How fun!
Love,
Noelle's Mommy

PS:  Still no teeth...  if the Tooth Fairy is reading my blog.

She is going to be a "girlie-girl" and love sports!

Noelle has started to brush her OWN hair!  After we give her a bath, she won't let us brush her hair.  She takes to brush and starts hitting her head (trying to brush her hair).  She is such a girlie-girl!!

However... she also plays catch - by HERSELF.  She will take Oscar's ball or her toy eggs, throw them, retrieve them, then throw them again!  She has a really good arm.  She is going to be a softball player!

Another cute story...
On the weekends, she takes a shower with one of us.  She LOVES the shower - playing in the water.  Yesterday, she heard the shower running and crawled into the bathroom.  She stood up on the bathtub and trying pulling off her shirt and diaper.  She wanted to get it!

I love her!
Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Kids Say the Darnest Things!

At the park this week, some kids have flocked to Noelle.  They want to play with her!  A few days ago, a little boy came up to us and said that he still goes poopy in his diaper.  What do you say to that?!  I encouraged him to keep trying on the potty.  Then yesterday, two little boys asked if they could push her on the swings (about three years old).  They were telling her how much they love her and what a good baby she was!  One of the boys tried kissing Noelle and she poked him in the eye!  What a good girl!  You need a few dates before the first kiss.  The boys in Hoboken sure are aggressive!

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy  

She is such a big girl!

Noelle has changed so much in the past few weeks!  She has hit many milestones!!  It is also getting more difficult to get onto the computer because all she wants to do is play with it.  So let's get started...

1. She started walking with her stroller!  Noelle will push her baby stroller and walk behind it.  YEAH!
2. We ordered off the children's menu for the first time.  Noelle had pancakes with strawberries.
3. She gives real, open mouth kisses!
4. She has her first cold.  She has been bothered by allergies and teething before - but no cold.  Poor girl!
5. She poses every time you take a picture of her (even if she is crying).
6. Still no teeth...
7. She claps all the time.
8. She started to wave!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

And She Stands...

Noelle stood up all by herself.  Yeah!!!  I was so excited that she did it, I screamed with excitement and scared her:)  She fell down.  Whoops!  I had to go out and buy "walking" shoes for her today.  They are hot pink - of course.  August could be her lucky walking month.  Stay tuned...

PS:  Still no teeth.  I really thought something would break.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She Gives Kisses!

Noelle had another huge milestone!  She gives kisses!!!  The only concern is that... they are tongue kisses (aka - French kisses).  I think she learned it from the dog.  She has been kissing the dog with the tongue for the past few weeks.  We thought it was cute at first.  Good thing we have photos to blackmail her when she is older.

It is so funny, she comes at you with an open mouth and tongue out - ready to smooch!  Get ready for the next time you see her.  I love her!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

The Pole Photo!!

I have gotten a lot of comments about the pole photo!  Isn't it a classic?!  I took it when we were at the NYC Children's Museum.  They had a mini firehouse of the FDNY.  We let Noelle slide down the pole. She had so much fun at the museum. I can't wait to go back.

PS:  It wasn't a naughty pole - it was a FIREHOUSE pole.

Love,

Noelle's Mommy

Half Plum, Half Prune

So I thought once I endured the 10 months of pregnancy plus 14 hours of labor, I could keep a little of the fruit.  Ohhhhh so not true!  Now I am half plum, half prune.  I had to go out for the first time since high school and buy a new size of "over the shoulder boulder..." (you know it).  Let the truth be told!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS:  This whole Noelle teething thing is not always cool.  She blew out a diaper for the first time since she was an infant this morning.  I threw up in my mouth while changing it.  Gross.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

And I Thought a Newborn Was Needy!

Wow oh wow!  Noelle is such a handful.  She is officially teething (has a tooth bud).  I feel so bad for her (and for me).  Her diapers are worse than when she was first born!  Ellie Bird's lip is raw from chewing on everything... also diaper rash, not eating, etc.   She wants to be held ALL THE TIME.  I blame Grandma Larson since she did not put her down at all over the 4th!  I LOVE that she favors mommy and wants me to hold her, play with her, love her all the time.  Sometimes mommy needs to go to the bathroom, grab something to eat, anything!  I am not complaining - still love being a mommy:)

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Disciplining Little Noelle

Now that Noelle is 9.5 months, she knows what's right and wrong.  For example when she makes a beeline for Oscar's food dish or if she chews paper.  Noelle will look at me a smile right before she is naughty.  I try not to smile back or laugh, but it's so hard - she is so darn cute!  So "the books" say that you should not raise your voice or say "No".  Instead you should take them away and create a new distraction for them.   Hmmm...  apparently "the books" have never met a little girl like Noelle.  The girl has a one track mind.  If she is by Oscar's food and I pick her up and set her by her toys, she cries and instantly crawls back to Oscar's food dish!  The new distraction does not work, now what?

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I prune her like a monkey!

Have you ever watched the "Discovery" Channel or "Animal Planet" and seen the mama monkeys pruning their young? They remind me of myself.  While the monkeys are picking off insects and then eating the insects, I am inspecting her body of dirt, food, foreign substances, etc.  I have even started the "camel lick" with her hair!  I will get a big wad of spit on my hand and flatten her hair.  Noelle doesn't necessarily like it.  What child does?  At least she is clean from mama spit!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She has a foot fetish!

I think Noelle has a foot fetish.  Every time go to a play group, she goes right for everyone's feet!  On Thursday, we went to a music class (it was so fun).  Noelle was playing with the little boy's feet next to us - first grabbing them and then eating his feet.  Last week when we were in Wisconsin, she was eating Cameron's feet (her future boyfriend).  A few months ago - again at a playdate - she took the little boy's shoes off first, then his socks and starting eating his feet!  What?!!!  I think she is going to be the aggressor!  PLUS she loves to suck on her own feet.  

PS:  The music class was great.  BUT... they offer a baby Latin dance class!!!  How awesome is that?!  We are going to sign up for that one for sure.  Stay tuned.

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy

Noelle's Nine Month Appointment!

Yesterday we had Noelle's nine month appointment!  Can you believe she is already nine months?!  The pediatrician said "She's perfect."  Of course she is!

I thought she was tall for her age.  Many people have told me how big she is.  Well Noelle is a little peanut!  She is 27.5" tall - 23%.  She also weighs 20 lbs - 41%!  No wonder it's getting difficult to hold her for hours (I will manage).  The ped said we could start feeding her anything we want (except for the high allergens).  Meatballs - here we come!  Well she did say we should stay away from the ice cream for a few more months.  Noelle will be so upset.  I guess we will have to switch to frozen yogurt!

Noelle also had to get more shots and blood drawn.  She is such a trooper.  Mommy cried more than Noelle!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Great weekend!

We had such a great weekend!  Noelle started saying "da-da" and "baby."  She also started to pull herself up!!  What a big girl!  So many new milestones in the past few weeks.

I went out with the girls on Saturday night.  I had a blast!  Noelle stayed home with daddy and the boys.  I put her to bed at 7:30pm.  However, she is such a flirt and knew boys were coming over.  She woke up and would not go back to sleep.  Freddy sent me pictures throughout the night of Noelle playing.  She finally went to bed at midnight.  It was kind of a blessing since she woke up at 7:00am (we got to sleep in).

On Sunday we took her to her first MOVIE!  We saw "Toy Story III" in 3D.  Noelle did really well.  She was very interested in the movie for the first 20 minutes, then she didn't care about it.  She played with straws, ate some Nilla Wafers, ate lunch, shared my pretzel, and screamed with delight!  We only had to leave the theatre three times.  I can't believe we actually got to see a movie!  I am predicting more movies in our future...

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Determination!

Now that little Noelle is crawling, she loves crawling to Oscar's food.  I have put barricades around his water and food dish.  She is soooo determined to get to his food.  The weaves in between the chairs and bar stools.  She can't fit her body through the bar stools, but still doesn't not give up.  Her Go-Go Inspector Gadget arms try to reach for one nibble of food.  Too funny!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Dear Shoe Fairy:

Dear Shoe Fairy:
Could you please stop stealing Noelle's shoes?  I know she kicked off her shoe within one block of our apartment.  Where oh where did you hide it?  Do I go out and buy more shoes or go shoeless?  You stole her favorite shoe - it had VELCRO!  She is really sad over it right now.

Also...

Dear Memory Fairy:
Could you please give me back some of the brain cells you took from me when I was pregnant (and a little from college)? It's very difficult to remember things like your wallet, your Metro card, baby wipes, deodorant.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She is NOT solid!

To the man that just called Noelle "Solid,"  I don't like you!  You can't call a little girl who is sooooo stinking cute - SOLID!  Also she is not solid.  She is getting ready to go through a growth spurt.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I have to watch her like a hawk!

What a difference a week makes!  I have to follow Noelle where ever she goes now.  Everything goes in the mouth.  She climbs over and under everything.  Nothing is in the bookshelf anymore.  WOW - is she into everything!  The best has been climbing under the table, through the chairs, through the bar stools to get to Oscar's food.  Oh also the door stoppers!  Must take off the rubber part on the stoppers.

I don't think Oscar likes this new found mobility.  His tail has been pulled numerous times.  He can't find a quiet place to call his own anymore:)

Gotta go!  The DVDs have been taken out since I have been typing...

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Crawling and Screen Saver...

Noelle is officially mobile!  She started crawling yesterday.  Nothing is safe!  I got her to crawl to her yogurt treats.  I felt like I was treating her like a dog (whistling to come get a treat).  It worked!  She is so much fun!

Random story...  I was in our local 7/11 to get a slurpie on Thursday.  The cashier asked if he could take a photo of Noelle.  I would normally say "No", but I knew I would see him again.  I let him take her picture. Then yesterday, Freddy and I were in 7/11 again (to get a slurpie - so delicious) and the cashier showed us his phone.  NOELLE WAS HIS SCREEN SAVER!  What?!!!  That is so weird.  I know she is so cute, but really - your screen saver.  That's a little uncomfortable.  Daddy was upset that I let him take a picture of her.  Lesson learned!  I will not let strangers take her picture.  I will also not visit 7/11 again (unless I really need a slurpie or it's July 11th - slurpies are free that day).

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She begs more than the dog...

We started to give Noelle real food (a french fry here, a noodle there).  She also has been drinking from our glasses - only water.  She loves it!  So now every time I get myself food, she rolls over to me (still not crawling, but so close) to beg for food.  I always give into the dog.  How can I not give her food?!  This morning, I gave her a wee bit of my waffle without butter and syrup.  She loved it!  She is great at begging and getting what she wants.

So... while at Wal-Mart this weekend.  I HAD to have McD's french fries.  I gave Noelle a really mushy one (again a wee bit).  It's like I have never fed her!  She was in heaven (she is my daughter).  As we were shopping, I kept giving her fries.  I went one aisle over with the McD's bag and heard the worst meltdown EVER.  I ran over and Freddy said, "Give me the bag, give me the bag.  She wants a french fry!"  What have we created?

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Toga, Toga!

We had a parents' night out on Saturday.  We celebrated Kelly and Marcus's bachelorette and bachelor parties!  Kelly's theme was a Grecian one since they are heading to Greece for their honeymoon.  It was the second time we had a babysitter for Noelle (besides our friends).  The babysitter called us twice.  One time to say Noelle was sobbing for 15-20 minutes, but finally fell asleep.  What can I say?  The girl likes her nighttime routine that includes ME!

I have not been to the Meat Packing District in forever.   It made me think... Mama needs to go clubbing!  What do you think, girls?  In a few weeks we hit the clubs!  Great it's planned!

We took great photos of Noelle yesterday in a togo and a grecian head piece.  She is so cute and was such a great sport!  Toga, toga!  Enjoy:)

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Signs That I am a Mommy

I have been noticing lately that I do things that I said I would never do once I became a mom.  Most of them I don't even realize I am doing them.  I am not complaining...just stating the facts (love being a mommy).

-I always thought it was so weird when moms called their children by the wrong name.  I thought "You know their name, it's not that hard."  Well...  I only have one child, but I call her Oscar, Kosmo, Freddy, then Noelle all the time.  I seriously have no memory.  YES, I know her name.  It just doesn't seem to want to come out of my mouth.

-I also thought that when you were a stay at home mommy, you had all this time on your hands.  Not true.  Noelle takes two naps a day that each last about 45 minutes.  The rest of the day I am entertaining her, changing her diaper, feeding her, etc.  The thing that I am the worst at doing (due to lack of time) is folding the darn laundry.  I wash the laundry.  It just sits unfolded for a few days.  Thank goodness for wrinkle releaser.

-Spit up is my new perfume!  When she spits up on me, I just wipe it off.  Before I thought it was so gross - clean yourself mommies.  Not the case...  I don't even smell it anymore.

-Noelle does not like it when I am in the shower.  I now take the fastest showers ever! Sometimes when I attempt to shave my legs (sorry Freddy), I only shave one and plan on shaving the other leg the next day.

-Since I am trying to get ready so quickly, I tend to put my underwear on inside out about 25% of the time.  I laugh the first time I go to the bathroom and see what I did again.  I need to focus more...

-The best sign that I am a mommy... get ready it's a little gross...  I found a 3/4" armpit hair!!!!  I don't have time to exam my shaving job.  Of course I showed Freddy the hair and we laughed.  It now has been removed from my body.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Move Over Martha Stewart!

Yesterday I was so efficient!  I don't think Martha could keep up with me.  Oh boy... I am officially domesticated if I am comparing myself to Martha.  I do have a big sense of accomplishment.

-Laundry done - CHECK!

-Baby food made - CHECK!

-Kitchen scrubbed - CHECK that too!

-Floors cleaned - Oh Yeah!

-Read to Noelle - Of Course...she's so smart.

-Went to the gym - CHECK!

-Grocery Shopped - DONE!!!

Martha eat my dust!

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy

Shhh... She's Sleeping

Ahhh... life as a new mommy.  Noelle has been sleeping on her side for the past couple of weeks.  Well a few nights ago when I woke up to check on her, I found her on her tummy.  I FREAKED out!  I immediately ran to her and shook the @#$#@ out of her to make she is was okay.  I then quickly turned her on her back - all while screaming "Noelle, Noelle!!!!"  I was so scared.  She looked at me with a look of "Mommy, what the heck are you doing?  I was sleeping!"  Well Freddy was like WTF was that?  He thinks I am a little paranoid anyways.  She is EIGHT MONTHS TODAY!!  Happy 8 months, Noelle.   I still wake up approximately 4-5 times a week to check on her.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

PS:  Just in case... my legal clause.  I did shake her.  However, I did exaggerate a little in the note above.

PSS:  I think I read too many mommy books, websites and they add to my paranoia.

Top 10 Reasons Jelly Shoes are AWESOME!!!

10.  You don't have to worry about your shoes drying off in the rain.  Your feet are SUPPOSED to get wet.

9.  No sweaty feet here...  Plenty of ventilation!

8.  Price...  always $5 or less at Kmart!

7. The color options...  We've got neon yellow, purple, black, and let's not forget CLEAR!

6.  They go with every outfit.  Hmmmm... what to wear with my LBD?  What about jeans and tee-shirt?  I know - my jellys!

5.  You don't have to do the "thumb check."  You look to see if they fit!

4.  The smell brings me back to my childhood.

3.  Comfortable - HELLO... they are made from jelly.  How can they NOT be comfortable?

2.  AWESOME tan lines!!

1.  Noelle and I can wear matching shoes and both look trendy for our age groups!

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy

Safety First!

Our fire alarm has gone off in our building 10 times + since we have lived here (not even three months).  I feel like I am in the dorms again...except with a baby and freaked out dog.  This morning my allergies were bothering me, so I thought I would take a long shower.  Nope... the darn fire alarm went off (THIRD time it happened while in the shower).  I still had conditioner in my hair.  I jumped out of the shower and called the doorman to ask if the alarm was real.  He said he didn't think so, but I should evacuate the building anyway.  Previously the doormen recommended calling down to see if the fire was real before leaving the building (sounds so safe).  It is sooooo hard with a baby to quickly get dressed while not tripping over the dog.

A few weeks ago when the alarm went off - it was 11:30pm.  Noelle was sleeping in her bed (first and only time) and we had a 5K the next morning.  Oscar was the first one out of the apartment.  Basically he has the SAVE YOURSELF mentality.  He was already at the exit door by the time we closed our door.  It was the first legitimate fire alarm since we moved in (someone burnt dinner).  Guess what happened???? No one left their apartments.  They thought it was a fake alarm.  The fire department came back to the building the next day and said the next time this happens and people don't evacuate - the building will get fined.

We have evacuated every time - safety first!  My legs might be in the same underwear hole, Oscar may pee all the way down the hall, Noelle may not have her paci, but we rush out of the apartment.

PS:  You may be wondering where is Kosmo the kitty?  She is hiding.  Poor kitty...

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

No Matter How Many Toys You Buy...

No matter how many toys you buy, she will still go for the cheap one!  We bought a floor mat for Noelle to protect her from the wood floors. This morning I put all of her toys on the mat.  Guess what she went for?  The pacifier clip (holds on her paci to her clothes)!  AND... her mirror.  She keeps laughing at herself this morning.  It's so cute!  She has her laptop, Leapfrog doll, Mrs. Potts, Leapfrog ball, etc.  Nope - just give me a pacifier clip.

PS:  The Leapfrog ball is very interesting.  It keeps saying "Roll me."  I feel like I am hearing something else. So strange.

PSS:  Yep - she just fell and miss the mat.  Her head hit the carpet thankfully.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Home Alone

Noelle and I are home alone tonight.  Freddy went to the Yankees game (so bummed that Beyonce and Jay-Z are sitting a few seats from him).  I thought that I would relax once Noelle went to sleep.  I was going stir crazy - didn't know if I should clean the apartment, do the laundry, read a book, take a bath...  I decided to take a bath and read my book.

Well while I was in the bath, my mind went all crazy.  I was SCARED to be home alone.  I thought I kept hearing noises.  Who have I become?  Rewind a year ago... I was a jet setter, traveling around the world by myself.   15 hour flights by myself - no problem!  Hotel room in a foreign country where I don't speak the language - why not!  Move to a few states where I don't know anyone - ahhh - adventure!  Fast forward to present day... home alone with Noelle.  AHHHH - anyone want to spend the night?

It doesn't help that the only shows on TV are "Law & Order," "CSI," "Dateline," "20/20," etc.  Nightmares anyone?  I think I will sleep with all the lights on and have my guard dog (5.5 lbs Yorkie) sniff out any trouble.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She Sounds Like a Pterodactyl..

She sounds like a Pterodactyl when she screams!  Or a least what I think a Pterodactyl would sound like.  Yesterday when we were swimming, Noelle kept laughing and screaming.  It was a new sound - similar to a happy dinosaur (I am very familiar with their sounds).  Then... when I was attempting to feed her carrots yesterday, she sounded like a mad Pterodactyl during her meltdown.

She just woke up from her nap... must feed the snappy dinosaur:)

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Mother's Day Rocks!

Mother's Day is definitely my favorite holiday - even better than my birthday.  You are put on a pedestal by your family, your husband does everything for you, you get gifts, and you appreciate even more how lucky you are!

I had such a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.  It started off with a TRUE date night (just hubby and I).  Three of our friends came over to watch Noelle. We went out to dinner and drinks.  Elizabeth, Lauren, and Jami are AWESOME!  On Saturday, hubby surprised me with a Mother's Day party / brunch with our friends.  I thought we were going to brunch with another couple... then more and more people kept showing up.  I felt the love.   Finally on Sunday, hubby made me waffles, cleaned the apartment, and changed all the "dirty" diapers.  It was wonderful.

Thanks to everyone who made the weekend so special!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Dear Noelle...

Dear Noelle:

Happy 1st Mother's Day to me!  These past seven months have been the happiest time of my life.  You have brought so much joy and love.  I am the luckiest mommy in the world.  You are truly a blessing.  You change everyday.  Today all you keep saying is "baaa-baaa-baaa."  It makes us laugh (Daddy made another video of you).  I love that I am the only one you want when you get hurt and when you are tired.  I love how you randomly start laughing so hard at Oscar just because he is drinking water. I love your smell and smile.  I love you.  I feel like time is going too fast.  I want to play life in slow motion, so I can enjoy every moment with you.  However, I also am excited to see who you will become.

I love you so much!

Love,
Your Mommy

New Holiday... National Tutu Day!

Noelle woke up this morning begging to wear a tutu.  How can I deny her?  I mean - who doesn't LOVE to wear a tutu every now and then?!  My friend, Erin, has a tutu and likes to wear it.  I am positive Jami has a few tutus in her closet.  I thought - "Why not start a new National Holiday?"  This new holiday will occur multiple times a year.  I will give you notice before the next Tutu Day.

Tutus are easy to make.  I am going to make tutus for all the girls on "Crafts Day" in two weeks.  Stay tuned...

Enjoy the first official "Tutu Day!"  Embrace your girly-ness.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She can now take off her diaper!

I thought I would let Noelle hang out naked this morning (we all need to do that sometimes).  Well little did I know, she can take off her diaper.  My first thought was "Oh crap!"  Then... I took a closer look and really thought "Oh CRAP!"  The floors are not safe.

Also do you ever wonder how they can fit their entire foot in their mouths?  She is doing it right now.  Noelle is like a little monkey.  Okay... she is too cute.  It's picture time.  Stay tuned...

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

My First Guest Blogger - NOELLE!!!

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Please excuse a few of the spelling errors.  We are still working on our grammar!  Noelle was so excited for her first laptop.  She is already beginning to write to colleges.  Since she played with our laptop all the time, Daddy thought she needed her own.  She loves it!  We are both typing right now!

So we decided Mondays are going to be "Crafts Day".  We are going to make crafts!  Since it is Mother's Day this next weekend, we can't reveal what craft we are doing today.  However Grandma and Gma will LOVE it!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Last Night...

Noelle has been waking up in the middle of the night crying because she wants her pacifier (falls out while she sleeps).  We have tried to put multiple pacis in the crib, so she can grab one easily. Well it doesn't work.  We have tried the tough love...wait 10 minutes and she will fall back to sleep.  Ummm...nope - not her.  It is the WORST 10 minutes ever.  We have two options:

Option 1:  Wait 10 minutes to go to her... guaranteed she will still be awake after 10 minutes.
Option 2:  Put her paci in her mouth and we are all back asleep before the 10 minutes is up.

We have been choosing Option 2.

Well last night, she was so upset.  I got up to rock her to sleep (teething and allergies).  She is in the discovery phase where she has to "pet" me when I hold her.  I wish it were just "petting" me.  The girl grabs my skin and pulls - eeekkk!  Last night I thought for sure she was going to pull out my jugular.   I have finally stopped losing my hair, but now my hair is getting pulled out.  Noelle is just so precious and doesn't know what she is doing.  It's hard when I am deliriously tired and I am getting pulled and ripped. I will take it:)

Off to a playgroup today in the park!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Sign Language

Noelle just "signed" for the first time this weekend!  She was so hunger and she signed "milk."  It was a great accomplishment.  We have been signing to her since she was four months old.  Now that she has picked up "milk", we are teaching her - "more", "food", and "all done".  Yeah!

PS:  Her seven month b-day was Monday.  I can't believe how fast time flies.  She changes everyday.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Beer Drinking, Tea-Infused, Oatmeal Loving Mommy!

Once Noelle turned six months, the doc recommended a more "solid" diet vs. a "liquid" diet.  She loves her food (I am still making the majority of it).  However, since I have been giving her more food, my supply is reducing - supply and demand.  I am getting so paranoid and sad that I am going to dry up.  I heard that Guinness beer, nursing tea (tastes like black licorice), and oatmeal help.  I feel like I am a drunk mommy who has to pee all the time - hence the tea - that is sick of oatmeal!  Just kidding... I don't have to pee all the time.  No...just kidding... I do have to pee all the time, but I am not drunk:)  Guinness tastes gross.  Couldn't a nice wheat beer help out?  If anyone has any suggestions - please pass them along!  I will keep you posted on my faucets!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She gave me a hickey...

We went to dinner with some friends last night and I think Noelle was hungry.  She gave me a hickey on my arm.  She is too cute.

We brought her to the doctor yesterday and she has allergies!  I can't believe at seven months you can already have allergies.  Running nose, eczema on her back, congested, puffy eyes...  She has been in a really good mood despite all of her ailments.  Booger sucker to the rescue!!!!!!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Today's Venting Day!

I just needed to vent...

-Dear Miss Know It All Who Makes You Feel Like A Crappy Mom:  It's 70 degrees outside.  I think Noelle's long sleeved shirt, pants, socks, and shoes are warm enough.  You don't need to tell me that I need to dress her better (quote "Even though the weather is warm enough for you, it's not warm enough for your baby.").  I don't want your advice.

-Dear Person Who Stole Noelle's Winter Hat From the Pediatrician's Office:  I am still mad at you.  Noelle was only two weeks old when you stole her hat.  You are mean.

-Dear Not Clean Person On the Street Who Touched My Baby:  Really?  I don't know you and you don't look clean.  You can look, but don't touch.

-Dear Tourist Who Tried Taking Pictures of Noelle:  Please don't circle us while we are picnicking and then take out your camera.  I am a little uncomfortable of strangers taking pictures of her.  PLUS - you didn't ask, you just were going to snap away.  Remember...don't get between the mama and her cub.

Sorry for venting... crazy people this week:)

Love,

Noelle's Mommy

That's not a kiss...she's hungry!

This past weekend, we went out to dinner with friends.  I was holding Noelle and she started sucking on my face.  Our friends thought it was so cute that she was giving me a kiss.  I told them - "That's not a kiss, she is hungry!"  Noelle thinks that milk comes out of every part of my body.  When she is hungry - I better watch out or I will get a nice hickey. My chin - no food, my nose - no food, my arm - still no food.

PS:  I think she is really teething this time.  She is stuffy, not sleeping, drooling more - poor girl.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Dare I say it?.... Drama Queen

Our little princess is turning into a drama queen or maybe a diva.  Noelle has started to fake cry to get what she wants.  The problem is I give her everything she wants.  I need to stand strong, but it's so hard.  She also is the pickiest eater EVER!  She won't eat anything green.  I thought babies were supposed to love green beans.  I can understand the asparagus, but green beans are good!  I have to put them in her rice cereal in the mornings.

She literally changes before my eyes.  She is turning into a little person with a HUGE personality.  Right now she is jumping in the exersaucer (which she wants to stay in for hours).  However, she is fake crying.  She wants me to stand next to her, so she can have the best of both worlds (playing and have me near her). I am not complaining.  I feel blessed everyday to have her!  Also how can I complain when she loves her mommy.

She's so cute!

PS:  Happy Birthday, Papa Larson!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I don't know where I live!

Yesterday was the first time I have driven in about four months (we have moved to NJ since then).  Freddy picked us up and dropped himself off at work.  I know how to get around from his office, but that's about it.  I called him after lunch to see when he wanted me to pick him up.  He said to go home and he would call me when he was ready.  I told him I couldn't since I don't know where we live ... really!  I went shopping near his office instead (Noelle got some cute, new outfits).

I do know how to get home from the PATH or Lightrail (aka trains).  Give me a car and I am lost.  Freddy has told me a few times, but my brain doesn't absorb this information.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Mommy Faux-Pas

So since I have been a mommy, I have made many faux-pas.  Here are a few...

1.  On Friday, I went out to lunch with another mommy at a NON-KID friendly restaurant.  While at lunch, Noelle was grunting away and made a stinky.  I had to change her diaper on the floor (with the changing pad) - no changing table.  I normally keep the little odor plastic bags with me, but I changed diaper bags and forgot to put them in.  It was a level 8 diaper. I put the smelly, level 8 diaper in the garbage.  It immediately left an odor in the bathroom.  Whoops!

2.  Noelle is so hungry when she wakes up in the morning.  She screams if I try to change her diaper, so I normally feed her first.  Today she got up at 6:00am.  At 9:30am, I was feeding her for the second time and thought - gee I never changed her diaper.  Whoops!  It was so heavy.  She is such a good baby (but I probably gave her diaper rash).

3. I attempt to go to the gym three times a week (feel guilty if I don't since we are paying uber $ for a gym membership that I HAD to have and now have no desire to go - locked in for one year).  Noelle is normally so good at the daycare.  I work out for about 30 minutes (but very worth the money), so she is not away from me for long.  Sometimes I drop her off when I know she is tired.  She CRIES and CRIES.  The daycare ladies are so nice and just hold and rock her.  They think she misses me.  I probably should let her nap and then workout...

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Calls are coming in!

I submitted Noelle's information to a couple of modeling agencies this week and we are already getting calls!  We have an interview on Monday.  I am so excited!  Most of the gigs are in Manhattan which will be perfect.  Wish us luck!  Notre Dame will be paid for by her 1st birthday!

Also she got her ears pierced yesterday.  She was SOOOOO upset.  I think I cried for longer.  It's so weird.  I am not normally an emotional / crying person.  However, if my daughter is upset - let the waterworks flow!  I was a little worried that piercing her ears would affect her modeling gigs...but who cares!  She is so cute - everyone will still want her.

Yeah Baby Noelle!

PS:  Milestones - she slept on her side last night.  She also was trying to copy me when I held up my pointer finger.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Sleep...

I love sleep.  Pre-baby, I would sleep 8-10 hours every night.  I NEED my sleep.  Freddy, he can sleep six hours every night and be fine.  He feels that he operates better on six hours vs. eight hours.  Noelle has taken after her daddy.  I think I could sleep more than Noelle in a 24 hour period.  She goes to bed at 9pm and wakes up at 6:30am (could vary from day to day).  She takes a couple of naps - only lasting one hour each.  I give her plenty of opportunities to take more naps, sleep longer.  Nope - she doesn't want to miss a thing.  My mom tells me that when I was little she would say "Kimmey, time for bed."  I would go to bed without a fight and fall right asleep.  Hmmmm...I think Noelle will be a fighter when it is bedtime:)

Wish us luck today - Noelle is getting her ears pierced (for real this time).  Stay tuned for pictures.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

HUGE Milestones!

Noelle is so wonderful!  She is rolling over tummy to back and back to tummy.  She is definitely mobile.  She is also sitting up on her own.  Yesterday we put her on her tummy and a toy out of reach.  She was inch-worming her way towards it.  SO CLOSE TO CRAWLING...  No teeth yet, but she is a drooling monster.  She still only likes bananas and rice cereal.  However, if I put a little bit of spinach in her rice cereal - she doesn't notice (but just a wee bit).

Story of the day... I didn't realize that I was "nesting" when I was preggo.  I did go through a can of Pledge  per month.  Since Noelle blessed us with her presence, I don't think I have touched the Pledge.  Freddy was so patience.  We did really clean a lot (mostly him since I could not move around my big belly).  Note to self...clean.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Dear Doctor...

Dear Doctor:

I know I am supposed to fatten up my daughter, but what do you do when all she wants to eat are B - A - N - A - N - A - S?  One day she likes eggplant, the next day not so much.  I try oatmeal cereal (for babies)... the next day she won't open her mouth.  Our little girl is smart.  I start feeding her bananas and when she isn't looking, I switch the food.  She sticks out her tongue to taste it before opening her mouth.  I also tried Jessica Seinfeld's book ideas about adding healthy ingredients.  Didn't work!  I tried putting Greek yogurt in her bananas...nope.

Today I am making sweet potatoes with a hint of avocados.  Wish me luck!

Yummy list:
-bananas
-rice cereal
-sweet potatoes
-carrots
-apples
-pears

Sometimes list:
-eggplant
-oatmeal

Icky list:
-peas
-and everything else when she feels like being a picky eater

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

B - A - N - A - N - A - S!

Bananas, bananas, yeah, bananas!  Noelle's favorite food so far has been bananas.  I ate about five a day when I was pregnant.  I could not get enough.  I think it's in her blood system.  When my sister was preggo, she ate so many apples and drank tons of apple juice.  My niece gobbles up apples all the time!  We I am preggo the next time, hubby wants me to eat lima beans and broccoli:)

Cute story... As if on cue, everytime I put Noelle in the highchair she has to take a potty break from eating. She grunts and grunts until everything is out.  Only time in your life where you can relieve yourself at the dinner table and everyone is cheering you on!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Six Month Doctor's Appointment

Can you believe Noelle is already six months?  Time flies by, but I also can't remember life without her.  It's as if she has always been here.  The best six months EVER!

Yesterday we had her doctor's appointment. It was downpouring out.  Even though we have moved to the burbs (aka New Jersey), her doctor is still in the city.  It is so difficult to get around in the rain.  I had two options on how to transport her there.

Option 1:  Bring her big stroller (has a really good rain guard), get off the 72nd stop (only stop that has an elevator), and walk to 87th street - while being blown around in the wind with the umbrella.
Option 2: Put her in the Baby Bjorn and get off at the 86th stop.  She may get a little wet and my back will hurt for a week... but she will be out of the bad weather for most of the time.

I chose Option 2.  We survived!

We did have an eventful time at the doctor.  She was given three shots and only cried for 10 seconds - literally (what a trooper). She was supposed to get her ears pierced.  However, the doctor who pierces them was not in.  Bummer - we go next Wednesday!!!  Now for her status report...  She is only 18% for height and weight.  We have a tiny little one.  The doctor said I need to put butter in her vegetables (remember - I am making her baby food) and give her high-calorie food.  She needs to be on a mostly solid food diet vs. liquid.  I was so worried it was my fault.  I am always worried about something.  The doc said she could be petite like her mommy, so don't worry.

Goal = fatten up baby!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

"No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk..." WHATEVER!

Whomever coined that phrase never breastfed.  Besides my family, the most precious thing in our house is breastmilk!  I am so sad when I spill milk.  I worked so hard to create it.  I am kind of a freak when it comes to storing milk.  You can never have enough in your freezer.  You never know when you will need 20 gallons.

Any who... we just got back from Florida.  Noelle had a great time.  She met all the Disney Princesses and swam everyday.  We spent time with her cousins, aunts, grandma, and papa.  The weather was perfect.  I applied 100 SPF every hour on Noelle, went inside every couple of hours to make sure she wasn't overheating.  She wore a tee-shirt and big hat all the time.  She has fair skin... I didn't want her to get burned.  I love it that they invented 100 SPF!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Midnight Poos

For the past couple of weeks, Noelle has been pooing in the middle of the night.  I have woken up to the beautiful diarrhea sound more than once.  I am just so tired that I try shoving her pacifier back in her mouth and say "Go back to sleep, sweetie."  Well that doesn't work.  Noelle doesn't cry - she just squawks when she has a dirty diaper.  She just squawks and squawks (saying "Change my diaper, mommy!").  I end up changing her diaper in her bedroom (remember - she sleeps in our room), so we don't wake up daddy.  She is then wide awake, so I rock her to sleep.  One poo = 30 minutes.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

I really need to get out more...

Somedays you really need social interaction with adults...

This week, Freddy had a funeral for a coworker's brother (say a little prayer for their family).  He told me he was going to come home change and then head to the viewing.  I offered to go with him.  We would get home late (past Noelle's feeding schedule and bedtime).  He said that he would just go - pop in, saying his regards, and leave.  I told him I really need social interaction and would like to attend the viewing with him.  We were going back and forth.  Bottom line - he couldn't leave me!  I needed adult time!  If the only way I was going to get social interaction was by attending a funeral - by golly - let a girl go!  I was fighting to go to a funeral for someone I didn't know just to get out of the house.  Hmmmm... what have I turned into?  I need to start meeting new people in NJ. Funeral crashing should NOT be the way to meet people.

Step 1:  Let hubby go to funeral by himself.  Hold yourself together!
Step 2:  Go to the gym to meet other mommies / friends.
Step 3:  Get therapy... and read what you just wrote.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

We have a swimmer!

In preparation for our trip to Florida next week, I took Noelle swimming today.  She LOVED it!  The lifeguards mentioned how rare it is to find a baby that loves that water as much as she does. Ellie Bird giggled/screeched the whole time.  It was so much fun.  I am going to start taking her swimming a couple of times a week.  She took such a great nap afterwards too.  I will take plenty of photos next week of her in the pool.  Stay tuned...

PS:  What is up with the darn fire alarm in our building?  It went off AGAIN (while I writing this post).  The dog is flipping out.  He first was on top of Noelle and then jumped on the back of my neck.  Jeepers creepers.  You think they could give us a little warning.  I will need to get the doggie some anxiety pills if this keeps happening.

PSS:  The ladies in the gym's daycare keep telling me how blessed I am and that Noelle is such a good baby.  I know:)

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Gym - What's that smell? Oh my daughter...

Noelle and I joined a gym to meet new people and be social.  I put her in the daycare (on all the workout equipment you can view the daycare room).  I thought that she would cry when I left.  We are together 24/7 - literally.  Noelle didn't even know I was gone.  She just played on the exersaucer staring at the other kids. The ladies in the daycare mentioned that they do not change dirty diapers.  If she needed a diaper change, they would come and find me.  Well wouldn't cha know...  After 30 minutes they had to come get me because her diaper had an explosion.  And did it smell!  

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

The Big Debate

So we officially moved to NJ!  I am missing the city; however, we have more space for the baby and animals.  My goal is to head to the city at least once a week.  The big question...where will Noelle sleep?  She has her own room now, but she is just so comfortable in ours.  Daddy feels that she is old enough to sleep in her own bedroom (5 1/2 months old).  I really can appreciate his thoughts on this one...however, she likes sleeping in our room.  I can just pop my head up and see her precious little body sleeping (breathing, crying, smiling, did I mention breathing?).  Is it really that big of a deal to have her sleep in our room forever?  I don't think so.  Right now I am winning the debate... I don't know for how long:)

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy

Save the Nipples!

The truth about breastfeeding... When I found out I was preggo, I decided to breastfeed.  I read everything I could about the best techniques.  I even took a class that reviewed these techniques.  I had heard that it might be "uncomfortable" for the first couple of days while mom and baby got into a rhythm. While I was at the hospital, I felt like a failure because Noelle wouldn't latch on correctly.  I thought - okay it hurts because we do not have the proper latch.  We did get into sync after a few days.  All I can say is "SAVE THE NIPPLES!"  Wow - I am pretty sure Noelle chewed my nipples off and I had to regrow them.  Whomever says it doesn't hurt has nipples made of steel.  OMG!  I will tell the truth...  think of it this way, you get chapped nipples and then the child latches onto these chapped nipples (starting the healing process all over again).  I had to count to ten every time I had to feed her.  I completely understand why mommies decide to formula feed.  Pain - think of the pain!   I would chose childbirth over the first week of breastfeeding any day.  It took a good couple of weeks for open wounds to heal.  Now I feel like Gumby.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Brown floaties in the bathtub...

It was bound to happen one day!  Noelle and I were taking a bath tonight.  She kept tooting.  I thought the little bubbles were cute (must of been the carrots).  Then I noticed little brown things floating on top of the water.  I did what any mom would do... called my hubby to scoop them out!  What a nice guy!!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Jersey Girls

Life has definitely changed!   As I was on the phone with the pediatrician the other day discussing Noelle's poo (or lack there of), I thought of my old city life.  My clubbing nights have now turned into praying Noelle poops - checking out the color of it when she does.  I am not complaining.  I feel blessed every minute of every day that Noelle entered our lives.  However, sometimes a mama has got to go out!  This weekend we are going to a engagement party (yeah Kelly and Marcus).  We hired our first babysitter.  We will see how long I stay out!

Next week, we are moving out of NYC (it's been a good six year run) and moving to Hoboken, NJ.  Yep - we will officially be Jersey girls.  I don't know if I am more of a Snookie or J-Woww.   Any who...  We are moving into a two bedroom apartment that is so much bigger than our current one bedroom.  The apartment complex also has two dog runs.  Oscar will be so excited.  I thought that if I could train my dog to go "outside," it would be good practice when it's Noelle's turn.

Noelle's milestones:

-She started real food this week!  Sweet potatoes (she loves my cooking).

-She screeches all the time - adds to the conversation.

-She reaches for her toys.

-She laughs all the time - mostly at Oscar the dog and Kosmo the kitty.

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy

Solid Food = Solid Poop!

Wow - I had to light two candles this afternoon after I changed Noelle's diaper!  I thought her "milk" only diapers smelled ripe!!  I am very proud to say we moved into the next milestone - solid foods.  We started giving her rice cereal last week.  I didn't know how she would react to the cereal.  Would she like it?  Would she eat it?  To my surprise she liked the taste, just didn't know how to eat with a spoon.  Noelle kept trying to suck on the spoon like a bottle.  It was so cute.  It only took her two days to figure it out.  She now opens up her mouth and grunts when she is ready for another bite.

Next week...VEGGIES!  The pediatrician recommended bad tasting vegetables first, so she will eat the veggies plus yummy fruits.  Hmmmmm...what ones to start with?  Also - stay tuned... I will be making my own baby food.  Baeba - check, recipes - check.  So excited!  I love being a mommy!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Life In a Bubble

A few days ago while I was soaking in the tub, I was reading the latest "Fit Pregnancy" magazine.  I found an anti-balloon article.  I realized I am not the only one anti-balloon!  I became "bubble girl" about 9.5 years ago when my niece was born.  Hot dogs, balloons, small candy, peanuts - stay away from Noelle!  When my niece was three years old (okay - probably five), she bought Runts from a candy machine.  When she put one in her mouth, I immediately broke down in tears.  I thought she was going to choke.  My sister said "Kimmey - calm down, she has teeth."  Then about two years ago, I saw my three year old nephew with a balloon.  The water-works came on again.  I normally don't cry, but I couldn't help it.  Last month when I was over at a friend's house, her son was putting large amounts of banana in his mouth.   I had to leave the room.  


My family was worried my children would live in a bubble.  However this article proves I am not the only paranoid one!  I am going to keep this article forever.  I am proud to be anti-balloons, anti-hotdogs, anti-Runts, and anti-peanuts.  Noelle can try them when she is 10 years old and not a day sooner:)


Facts:
-Noelle loves bath time so much, she gets upset when we take her out.  She cries and cries!
-The breast pump doesn't work when you forget to attach a bottle to it (milk everywhere). Tired...so tired...
-Noelle rolled over for the first time this weekend!  Go girl go!


Love,
Noelle's Mommy

First Date Night...post baby!

Freddy and I had our first date night since the arrival on Noelle!  We could do anything...and we chose to go the movies.  We saw "Sherlock Holmes."  Before we had our little princess, everyone said "Go to the movies. You will miss it once your baby arrives."  Wow - wasn't that the truth.  Erin and Tommy were our babysitters.  I wasn't nervous to leave her, I was more nervous about how she was going to act.  I didn't want her to cry the whole time.  I wanted her to be the perfect little baby that she is!  Even though we have playdates with Erin every other Friday, I still made a long list of reminders for them:)  What have I turned into?!  I wrote down... times to give her a bottle and how much, when she goes to bed and how she likes to be held, gas medicine to give her and how to tell if she has gas, etc.  I probably was a little paranoid - but it was my first time leaving her.  I left my cell phone on vibrate during the movie just in case they called.  I wanted to call during the moive, but Freddy said "Relax, she's fine."  It was the LOOOOONNNNGGGEEEESSSTTT movie ever.  I kept checking my phone - did they call, what time is it, is this movie almost over?  I should have gone to a movie that was 1.5 hours vs. 2.25 hours.   Well the movie was finally over and Freddy said it was okay to call and tell them we were on our way home.  I didn't even ask Erin how she was doing?  How's the baby?  Is she sleeping?  Did she eat? Did she need me?  Did she cry for me?  Did she have gas?  Well she was an angel (of course) and everyone had a good time.  I think her mommy did pretty well too.

Thanks Erin and Tommy - you rock!!!
Love,
Noelle's Mommy

She's gonna be a star...

I know everyone thinks their child is the most beautiful being in the world and I am no different.  After a friend told me about their "baby agent", I decided Noelle needs an agent too!  She is going to be a star!  Gap - Babies R Us - Infomericals here we come!  This week, Freddy and I are going to take photos of her (head shots) and submit them to an agency.  Since she is over three months - she is eligible.  I am so excited.  Her college fund will explode!  Notre Dame is expensive, so we will need to start now.

I promise not to be a show mom (no pageants - only infomericals).  PLUS all of the money she earns will go straight into her college fund.

AHHHH!!!  Once we finalize her best head shots (it will be so tough, since all of them will be great), I will post them.

Love,

Noelle's Mommy

PS:  One of the great things about being preggo was not cleaning the litter box.

PSS:  Why does Oscar (the dog) feel the need to eat Kosmo's (the kitty) hairballs - gross!

Peeing on the walls!

As I change Noelle's diaper, I recall our first outing with her.  Since we live in NYC, we have to take public transportation to get anywhere.  When she was five days old, we went to Babies R Us to get a few necessities.  I didn't want to take the subway, so we decided to take the bus.  We left around 2:30pm - just as school was getting out.  We were on the bus with tons of kids.  I was in tears because I thought she was going to get swine flu (plus some girl was painting her nails next to us).  I couldn't talk to Freddy (the kind of emotions that if you say one word, you would start crying).  After 1.5 hours, we finally got there.  We had to transfer buses.  It was awful.  Noelle's diaper was wet, so I needed to change it.  I found they have the most amazing room "the Mother's Room."  I grabbed her, one diaper, wipes, and the changing pad and entered the room.  Freddy stayed outside with the diaper bag and stroller.  The Mother's Room was occupied with a few ladies with babies.  I went to the changing table and began to change her diaper.  I took off her diaper and she peed like a boy!  Pee went on the walls, all over the changing table, her clothes, her one and only diaper.  I was so embarrassed.  I attempted to clean off the walls and table.  I put her wet, new diaper on her and fled the scene.  I found Freddy and starting crying again.  I told him what happened and asked if he would change her in the men's restroom because I couldn't go back in the Mother's Room.  I felt like the worst mommy in the world!  I took her on a swine flu filled bus and couldn't successfully change her diaper in our first outing.  Also I didn't bring a change of clothes, so she had to stay in the peed-on wet outfit.  I now always bring the diaper bag with me just in case she decided to pee on the walls.

After three months, I feel much more confident on the bus, subway, and changing a little girl's diaper.  PLUS... Freddy is the bestest hubby and dad - he supports me when I have breakdowns in public.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Entertaining Miss Noelle

I love reading, so when I found out I was pregnant I went out a bought seven pregnancy books.  I also signed up for three websites to get daily updates. Now that the baby is here, I went out and purchased even more books.  PLUS I have three journals for Noelle (they are all different).  I am a little fanatical.  We also made the decision for me to stay home with her.  I now have the most important and fulfilling job in the world - Stay At Home Mommy!  Noelle is already a genius and we are saving up for her Notre Dame education (hubby is a Catholic boy from Indiana).  So what do we do all day?  Not much...  I try to keep her entertained and further her genius level.  The "books" say to give her tummy time (done within five minutes), wave a yellow or red toy - can only be yellow or red since babies prefer these colors - in front of her (done within five minutes), read to her (done in 15 minutes), try to get her to grab a ball - needs to be a textured ball not just a plain ball (done in five minutes), walk her around our home to get her familiar with her environment (live in a 1-bedroom NYC apartment, done in 30 seconds).  Now what?  According to the "books", our day would be complete in 30 minutes and 30 seconds.  Well the girl LOVES TV!  It doesn't matter if its the "Today Show" or "Law & Order" reruns.  I let her watch the colorful, noisy tube often.  One of the "books" even said that a one year old who watches two hours of TV a day knows six more words than children who do not watch TV.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to entertain a three month baby - please share!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Happy New Year! The flight home...

Happy New Year!  2009 was a great year.  We welcomed Noelle into the world.  2010 will be very memorable as well...many firsts...crawling, walking, talking, hugs, kisses, etc. 

We flew back from Green Bay today.  This was Noelle's 4th trip in her three months.  She has been an angel on the first three flights. Today she decided to introduce a new sound to us... the wail.  OMG!  I have never heard this screechy, extremely loud noise from her before.   I am glad we were able to make our presence known on the plane.  We were getting the nastiest looks from the fellow passengers. I know she is crying!  Don't make me feel worse than I already do.  I am TRYING to console her.  The girl was hungry and our bottle was frozen.  Freddy was trying to thaw the bottle and froze his daddy parts instead.  We asked for hot water and the flight attendant said there was none..?? We overheard passengers trying to change seats away from us.  Meanies.  We already feel like crap because our child is unhappy.  Lesson of the day... be nice to new mommies and daddies on airplanes.   Oh - and thaw your bottle BEFORE getting on the plane. Thank goodness for the traveling boob (more to come). 

Love,

Noelle's Mommy