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