Noah Facts

Here for your reading pleasure and so I capture it somewhere to remember by are some Random Facts about Noah:

Favorite Songs: He has two of them, he always says. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" sung by James Taylor and Natalie Cole and "Pop, Goes My Heart" from the movie Music and Lyrics. He likes to sing "Once there was a Snowman", "Put your Finger in the Air", "The Wise Man built his house upon the rock" and "5 little monkeys swinging in a tree".

Favorite Books: "Are You My Mother?", Go Dog Go, "I Really Want to Eat a Child". "The Polar Express". and any dinosaur books.

Favorite Toys: Blue Lightsaber "Mo Haw", Star Wars Galactic Heroes, Big Gun and Blue Gun, Any Star Wars spaceship, Transformers. Cash Register at School,

He loves to play Star Wars still. He practices with his blue lightsaber all day long. He is very skilled at it. You don't play it with him you have to work hard if you are going to fight him with your lightsaber. He is quite strong and skilled now. He also plays with his Spaceships and Star wars characters. They all start out by saying Hi to each other and then either shooting or clashing lightsabers. But they are all friends. He loves Jango Fett right now for he has 2 guns and Clone Troopers for they have guns also.

He is really into pretend play. He loves to be something else and we have to call him that, for example "Noah Jedi", "Noah Batman", "Noah Doctor", "Noah Fireman", "Noah Blue Ranger" or "Noah Pal" when he is being a dog. It always has to have his name before it if he is something else for awhile. He loves to play kitchen and cooking, Nemo fish in the bathtub, Cars, and with his train table

Favorite TV shows: Curious George, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Super Why, Batman, Power Rangers (he has to go potty that day to watch Power Rangers, awesome incentive)

Favorite Movies: Star Wars: Clone Wars, Star Wars I, II,IV,V and VI,

Whenever he is watching a show, he acts out what is going on. So if you watch it with him, you get to see it in live action and on the screen. Everyone in the family has to be in the show too, sometimes we switch around. Right now in Star Wars, Noah is Anakin, Dad is Obiwan, Mom is either Padme or Shaak-Ti and Shaak-Ti is always Shaak-Ti so we have 2 sometimes. Uncle Nik is Mace Windu. When he is allowed to watch Power Rangers all of us are a Power Ranger according to color and he yells them out as the credits roll. TV is not a solitary event at our house. Even Mickey Mouse has all these activities you must do while watching. It is one of my favorite things about Noah.

Favorite Foods: Chocolate Milk, Cheese, Grapes, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets, Juice, Fish Crackers, Graham Crackers and Milk, Cookies, Broccoli, Carrots and Cucumbers

He is definitely a toddler about food right now. He used to eat anything that Dad or Mom would eat first. Now he is picky and silly about anything, even if he has eaten it before. Such a silly little boy.

Favorite Color: Everything has to be Blue, he always has to say all of our favorite colors, Daddy's is red, Mom is yellow, Apparently Shaak Ti's is pink, Noah and Pal are Blue

Words: He is really trying hard with his Big Words. He is so animated and energetic. I think he is so much cuter and entertaining because he has to communicate differently than other 3 year olds. He is not progressing really fast but at least you can tell he is trying hard. He gets really frustrated at times when you don't understand what he needs. He knows a bit of sign language and that has helped empower him a lot, I think. We try to learn a new sign every day. He loves it and asks to find out a word. He has been frustrated with aunts and relatives when he has told them he needed water or needed to pee with his hands and they look at him funny. I guess we need to educate them in some of the most used ones. He just gets the sounds totally mixed up when he has to put them all together.

Numbers: He Loves the number 3. He points it out whenever he sees one. I know he can count to at least 10 and I think above that, but you can't understand half the numbers.

He loves Preschool. His teacher gave him the best compliment that a mom always wants to hear, she said of all the kids in his class he is the one that makes sure to include everyone. He will go and get the other kids to make sure they don't miss out. He has a good friend Blake in his class that told his Dad that Noah is his new best friend. I had Lilly's mom come and tell me that Lilly talks about Noah all day after school. The teachers says she follows him around at school. She has a crush on him. I don't blame her. He always comes home happy and full of news. I am so glad he is going.

Those are some random things about Noah, thank you for indulging a mom. I want to remember a bit about him now.

Update: warning might be a little long

Sorry, I have not posted in days. A lot has been happening around here so I will be updating you all here for now. Warning: very long winded and long post. So, First here is an updated pic of my sweetest boy, Noah in his Sunday finest today. He had 2 penguins on his vest and had to take penguin books to look at in church. He is being so fantastic and snuggly. I feel he knows I need him to make good choices and help me. I really am a very lucky mom.

So now for our week, Tuesday Night my ward threw us a baby shower for Shaak-Ti. It was so fun and everyone was so generous. It was at this house that was decorated so darling and different. It was just fun to be there. All these cute old ladies knitted and crochet some beautiful blankets. I have missed talking and being around women since being on bedrest and not seeing women at church. I really appreciated the thought and the party. It was fun.

Wednesday was my crazy day. I had the eye doctor in the morning. Noah LOVES the eye doctor. Granted, my eye doctor lets him use his light and touch all the cool tools that he uses. This time he looked at Noah's eyes and told him that his eyes are perfect. And then said he had the most beautiful eyes. Noah kept saying "Boo Boo ful eyes", the rest of the day. He even had to call and tell Dad about his eyes. On my note, my right eye is getting really bad. It is accelerating at an alarming rate, he suggested that it would be good if the baby came early. No matter when the babe is born, I have to go two weeks afterwards for some out patient surgery. I have had it before, it is painful but only puts me out for the rest of the afternoon. I will have my mom take me and hold the baby while I have the procedure. He sent me on my way with a note for my Baby doc that I was seeing that afternoon.

I dropped Noah off at Grandma F* house for my other two appts. My doc was really busy and I was informed when I walked in that it was time for an ultrasound. That is always fun to see your baby. Even though in a couple of weeks, I can take real pictures all that I want. He had one of his partners come in and talk for a minute and then realized I had to see Dr Esplin. So I talked about my eyes, he checked all of my other fun problems and decided to schedule an amnio the day after Christmas to see if her lungs are developed enough. Apparently, the lungs of babies that have diabetic moms don't develop as quickly although they grow bigger faster. If the tests come out okay then they will take Shaak-Ti on December 28th. I then had to go have a Non-stress test. Which showed that the baby is doing fine with no stress but the mom is freaking out and going a bit nuts. This is making me so nervous and stressed, is this really the right thing for Me and my Babe.

My sisters and mom had planned a baby shower for that night. And since so many people could not come and it was just not a good day, decided the night before to reschedule a "Meet the baby" party after she is born. I am really glad they changed it. I was freaking out a bit. Kerst had to calm me down on the phone. I bought myself a fruit smoothie at Costco. I had a blessing that night that said she would come when it was right and she would be fine. Cute Noah, asked for a blessing afterwards and he looked like he felt so important and special as he got a fathers blessing. It said he would have the ability to calm his sister and they would be best friends. His made me cry.

Since we did not have the shower on Wed, on Thursday Lena came and brought this darling Shaak-Ti cake she was planning for the shower. She was so excited to make it that she made it in spite of having no party. Noah was so excited and it was the yummiest cake. Lena is so talented, it was really fun to have a surprise like this. There is a pic above of the beautiful cake. Is it not so awesome?

Friday Night we went to an Adults only Christmas Party in our ward. Emilee took Noah and he had a sleepover at her house. We had a fantastic time visiting with other couples around our age in the ward. It was a Shephards dinner but with simpler food. It was fun to get to know people better and have adult time together as a couple. I am so pregnant and tired that afterwards, I went to bed. I got to sleep in until 9. So that was heaven.

Saturday, we cleaned out our entire bedroom and moved all the furniture to fit the cradle in there. My mom came to my house 5 minutes after I woke up to help. She was tending Baby Allie and stayed for a couple hours and worked so hard to get it to a point we could do it on our own. Lena showed up to help just as my mom left. We also wore her out. We really could not do all that we need without the help my fam has given us. Emilee showed up with Noah and her kids and Kristin folded my socks for me and we finished the room and cleaned the front room.

I noticed Ernie fish was looking really sick and dark. I asked Lena as she is our resident fish expert. She and Kristin took him up to PetSmart to see if he could be saved. He has probably been sick for awhile but I have had other things on my mind. Ernie has a fungus. The tablet that would help has to be put in a 10 gallon tank. Ernie lives in a one gallon tank. So we had to find something to save the water so that we can keep it and change his water with his med water every 4 days. He seems to be better today. So that is good. I figured if something happened to Ernie, it would be a good learning experience. I am glad he seems to be doing better. To much change for Noah to fast.

I go to the doc again on Wed. I am going to go over everything with him again to make sure we are making the best decisions all the way around. It was really strange making my last appts for the doctor. I have had numerous people who saw me from Tues to Sat say I am carrying this baby different than I was at the beginning of the week. I can totally feel it.

Today I am grateful for all I have an am blessed with. I see how the Lord has a hand in everything in my life. I have such a wonderful husband and son. A family and family in law that are doing all they can to help me when I need it most. I am just grateful to be a mother. I really never imagined I would get to be and I am so blessed to be born at this time where it is possible for me. Sorry this entry is so long and drawn out. I am totally not offended if you did not make it to the end.

Christmas MeMe

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper for under the tree, gift bags for neighbor gifts etc.
2.Real or Fake Tree? Fake all the way, It has to be up for a month and it is less messy
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually sometime during the week after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the week between Christmas and New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? LOVE it
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My stereo in 7th grade
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes quite a few. It is my favorite part of my decorations
8. Hardest person to buy for?My step -mother and step-dad
9. Easiest person to buy for? Kids. Toys and books! and Kersten for he always tells me what he wants of buys it for himself early
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever got? To big pajamas that were not returnable. A maternity jacket when I was not pregnant
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, and I love to make them. It is a true delight to me. Although this year people are getting baby announcements in January instead
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf, love it and The Muppets Christmas Carol (best version ever)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In September Usually
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I did last year sadly, I got a late Christmas Santa from a neighbor and never even unwrapped it and regifted it the next year to some acquaintances that we did not know well
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Virginia's Divinity, Kersten's mom's rum balls and Peppermint ice cream with fudge
16. Colored or clear lights on the tree? Growing up it was colored but now we have clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night and Baby, It's Cold Outside
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home but go around the valley like crazy people.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Olive the Other Reindeer
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Right now it is an Angel but I am on the lookout for a great star. A little bit picky about it
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Kersten's fam opens them ALL Christmas Eve, We did one on the Eve and the rest Christmas Morning. This is a big debate in our marriage. But convenience has made it so we open them Christmas Morning with our little family. To much going on the Eve before to try to open all our gifts also.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? It is over before you have time to really enjoy it as an adult.
23. What do you enjoy most about Christmas? How magical and festive it is. I am big on magic. Watching the wonder in my child's eyes.
24. Hot Chocolate or Cider?Hot chocolate with whipped cream on top and stirred with a candy cane.
25. What do you want for Christmas? This year I would like for this baby girl to wait till after Christmas to be born. That would be the best gift ever.

Grateful Sunday 12-9-07 on Monday

Our computer monitor blew out on Saturday and two days without a computer was a bit of a struggle for us. Luckily we have some nice people that are letting us borrow one until Christmas. Who knows after that.

Good Friends-I am one very blessed woman to have some very dear, close "Kindred spririts" in my life. You don't realize how important these women will be to you as you grow up and raise your family. Thanks

Family-Lena came and put up my tree on thursday. And I am so glad that she did. It really has been cheerful and magical. Just like Christmas should be. Now, I feel so less Bah humbug. My mom also came and cleaned my bathroom and mopped my floor. Sanity returning. Kersten's family has also been so helpful and available. Monika tends Noah for me so often for doc appts and Heinz is always being creative in ways to help us. I am so very blessed.

Pampering-I was finally able to get my hair cut on saturday. The lady who cuts my hair did an extra long shampoo and sat and brushed it for awhile. It was so very nice and then Kersten massaged my legs. Heaven. Little things help a lot right now.

December Real Simple Interview

For my birthday my brother Nik and mostly his wife Lena got me a subscription to Real Simple Magazine The coolest thing was that I got my first issue the saturday before my birthday and they stopped by. I commented that I randomly got my favorite magazine in the mail with my name on it and had no idea how. They laughed and spilled the beans that they got if for me. Hooray! I am one lucky sister

What is the most unusual holiday gift you've ever received? In high school, I was trying to get all the Aladdin toys from Burger King. The only one I did not have was Abu the monkey. My brother Nik, wrapped it in a huge box with tons of newspaper and gave it to me for Christmas. It is a favorite memory.

Most useless invention I am sure there are a ton of them out there but I don't pay that much attention or forget about them after I see them.

What makes you laugh? My boys, my brother, the movie Elf, Undercover Brother, THe Man who Knew to Little, The Office, and mostly myself.

Bath or Shower?Shower, unless I have a huge jetted tub at my leisure.

If you could change careers now without consequences or financial loss, what would you switch to?Well, I am living my dream job of being a mom but if I could go back to school I would get a masters in Speech pathology.

What was your most embarrassing moment? I have way to many to think of just one. I have introduced some people in really kind of embarrassing ways trying to give the other a reference of who they are in my life. They probably have forgotten them but I replay them in my mind. Lame

How often do you exercise?Right now, walking and standing up feel like exercise.

What surprises you most about your life? How much joy I take from being a mom, The continuing struggles and unlucky surprises that keep popping up in life and I never thought my family that I grew up in would be like it is now

The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is . . .once again, what to name this baby girl. Should I tie my tubes, should I put up a christmas tree or just lots of lights and make one of paper. Should I just blow up my storage room so I don't feel a need to have it organized and cleaned out

Bah Humbug!

For reasons that seem really lame and lazy to me right now. I am having a hard time getting in the mood to put up my Christmas Tree. I put up the stockings and the cute Santa on my mantel that Polli made years ago. I can not seem to get myself to pull out the energy needed for a tree. Oh, I am determined that we will have one. Christmas is three weeks from today and my goal is to get it done in the next two days. I will be honest. If it was not for Noah, there would be not tree. Part of my Bah Humbug is that I will need to take it down very very soon after Christmas to be ready for this baby. How sad is that. I have the Christmas spirit just not feeling the spirit of the tree. Hmmm

Grateful Sunday 12-02-07

Kersten-He has been so much happier and optimistic lately. I have been reminded why I loved him so much in the first place. He truly is my best friend and he is such a man of integrity. I just love him.

New Snow-It has snowed twice this week and luckily each time was a day we got to stay inside. It was beautiful to watch the new snow fall and later my two men going out to play in it. They were so satisfied and happy about everything.

The New Hospital-Oh, how happy this hospital makes me. It is so much easier to get to for me. The parking is so much easier if you are a patient and it is so clean, new and nice. They are still working out some of the quirks but so far I really like it there. It will be so much better having my baby there.

Date Night-I know that one thing I need is to have some time just with my spouse to feel content, happy and loved. We went out with Ryan and Kristine last night to a movie at Gateway. We got there early and had a bit of time to window shop and talk. We dreamed and talked about our new girl and Christmas, it was just so nice to have a bit of time that seemed stolen.

My Mom-I have had some fun good talks with my mom this week. I have needed that where we just gab and laugh about nothing and everything. I don't know what I would do without her right now. She has been so helpful and willing to be there.