She’s 12 Weeks Old Already March 31, 2009

Where does the time go? Noe reached the 12-week mark yesterday, and it feels like the last month (after the super-colicky stage) flew right by. She’s changing by the day now and learning new things so quickly…  Her smile still lights up my gray, dreary, wintry Minnesota days. Seriously, I think I’m going to start taking hits off her Vitamin D dropper pretty soon!

What’s New? She’s definitely developing her motor skills, learning to use her hands and legs in intentional ways. She can hold objects now, and in the bath, she’s able to splash her legs and feet and move them into the running water. She’s also thinking about flipping over (gets the legs going and then “swings” her body over to one side while lying on her back). She’s still discovering lots of different sounds, coos, laughs, etc., and testing them out. She clasps her hands together all the time now, at will.

What’s She Been Up To? Noe had her first “lunch date” outing last week. We met my friend Katie and her 10-month-old daughter, Emma, at CPK. Although Noe naps best at home in her crib and doesn’t sleep well (at all) in the car seat or stroller,  it’s good for mom to get out of the house (see gray, dreary Minnesota reference, above). She also had a visit from Auntie KJ, who flew in from Chicago for the weekend. Noe loves playing with KJ and had a blast tooling around the mall in the stroller, showing her the local sights. And hey, I’m not going to complain too much about a baby who naps best in her crib. After 6-7 weeks of nearly ZERO daytime naps, we are in a wonderful place now. And I’m WAY superstitious, so that’s enough talk about that.

My Turn: Time to celebrate little milestones… She turned 12 weeks and I “toasted” myself with a glass of white wine after feeding and putting her down for bed last night. Here’s to three months of exclusively breastfeeding. Wooooot! It hasn’t been easy, but we’re doing it. Yay!

Now it’s on to the photos…

At CPK with Emma

Playing with KJ, her favorite Chicagoan

Practicing for the 2030 World Cup

More “futbol” practice

Playing with baby kitty in the bouncy seat

The Pink Jammy Girls March 24, 2009

Noe attended her first slumber party last weekend, at Tess and Ruby’s house. Tess and Ruby are the daughters of our good friends Mike and Stacy. Here’s a shot of the three girls the morning after their sleepover:

Left to Right: Ruby (almost 7 mos.), Tess (almost 3) and Noe (almost 3 mos.)

Noe adores her “cousins” Tess and Ruby… For more photos from the slumber party, click here!

Noë’s First March Madness March 21, 2009

This was the scene at our house yesterday afternoon, as the Arizona State men’s basketball team opened NCAA Tournament play against Temple…

At first glance, you see a sweet little girl all pretty in pink

But look closer, and you’ll see what she’s really got up her sleeve…

You’ll find a little Sun Devil underneath

That’s right! She already loves sportin’ ASU maroon and gold and following Sparky’s team!

But to me (mommy), she’s really just a LITTLE DEVIL…

“Waaaaaaa-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,” and “GO DEVILS! GO JAMES HARDEN!” says Noe

OMG – We Did It March 20, 2009

Whew! Flying to Florida and back (alone) with a 10-week-old is quite an adventure! We did it, we survived and we learned that Noe loves to fly. Yeeaaah. That’s my girl.

When I say “WE” did it, I don’t just mean Noe and I. It was a complete group effort, with tons of support from Joe, our parents, KJ (who kept reassuring me that Noe would do just fine), Megan (who provided outstanding newborn travel tips) — and some angels along the way.

The angels were people who appeared at the most opportune times and offered to help. They were truly unbelievable, from the woman in MSP just past the security gates who held Noe while I put on the Baby Bjorn carrier, to the woman who held her on the plane so I could go to the bathroom, to the couple in the jet-way who commented that her cry was “soft and cute,” to the young father and son sitting ahead of us who offered kind words of encouragement… they all helped us out. We believe my Grandma Vivian and Joe’s Grandma Lala both had hands in sending them my way. And yes, I promise to pay it forward next time I travel. Fo. Shizzle.

So, it’s on with the photos as I’m sure you don’t need more rambling on from me… As you’ll see, we had great weather in the F-L-A, and Grandpa Dave and Grammy Jill were also there to lend loving, helping hands. Noe is a lucky girl! Joe and I even managed a date night at our favorite beach hangout — and got to toast with “Uncle” LaVelle and Dan-o from Baltimore.

On the last day, we realized we didn’t have a family shot of the three of us — and we were home alone, so Joe improvised. Cheers, all!

Florida or bust March 8, 2009

Noe here… I’m guest-posting on Mommy’s blog since she’s busy trying to get both of us packed for a trip. She keeps mumbling about seeing Daddy and warm weather and hoping I’m a good girl on the plane. That, and we’ve been bopping around the house, practicing riding in her Baby Bjorn carrier. I have no idea what’s going on…

All I know is she’s only checking one suitcase, and boy is it FULL. But a closer look and, gee, most of this looks like HER stuff, not mine! I hope she remembered to pack my swimming suit. God knows I won’t be able to wear one in Minnesota until at least July.

Peace out. I’m headed for the 2-3-9. Catch y’all later.

NV-C

A few of her favorite things… March 2, 2009

In no particular order, here are some of Noe’s favorite things in life, at the young age of 8 weeks…

 

Posing for the camera:

 

She loves her baths! Joe calls this her “Bartender, pina colada, please!” look. She definitely enjoys a nice soak in the tub (and I love the big naps she takes right afterwards).

 

Playing with and talking to Grandma R. She and Noe speak the same language, and Noe already misses Grandma terribly. Grandma is back in Arizona again.

 

Daddy-and-Daughter Time: Noe loves playing with Joe and adores his singing. Yes, that’s right! The navy and white pillow in the pic is currently her favorite “toy,” upstaging the Baby Einstein blocks (even the red block).