Noah, 3 weeks old!

Well, technically 3 weeks and 1 day... Little man has been quite the hungry hippo lately. Nursing every 1-1.5 hours these past 2 days! Can we say growth spurt?! He sure is making me quite the living zombie - thats for sure.

He is practically as big as his crib now :(

When I look at him, its hard to believe he is only 3 weeks old. He looks SO MUCH older. It's got to be his luscious locks... right? He is just so big. So big in pictures, so big in his pack-n-play bassinet, so big in his swing, so big in MY ARMS. The only thing he still looks small in is his car seat! I know everyone always says it goes by fast... but this really is way to fast.

We've hit some milestones this week! Noah has learned that he can actually poop without nursing - which makes nursing more bearable. The lack of the toxic bubble certainly makes breathing easier ;-). Which makes me wonder... are all babies the 'same'? For instance, Noah is the loudest sleeper ever. Not only does he snore like a grown man, but he moans and stretches and makes such funny noises almost every 2 minutes.  He farts all the time (although I think Alex may be the culprit on some... Again, sorry babe - had too!) and is just 100% little boy all around. I often look at Noah and I just can't picture a little girl doing all the same things... after all, us girls are way more polite!

His eyesight is becoming more distinct each day. He has now started to play with the toys on his swing. He can see them now and will hit them and try to hold on to them. It's amazing to see him develop each day. He has also learned his name now! If he falls asleep while nursing and I say his name, he will now open his eyes.

This past weekend we also took Noah to his first trip to the pumpkin patch! We go every year... we have for, geesh... I don't know, at least 6 years? Fall just isn't complete without the trip to the pumpkin patch! I don't even like Halloween - but I get so anxious each year to go to the pumpkin patch with my family. My sister posted a picture of her children from this year at the patch and from 4 years ago... definitely made me tear up. Not only because WOW my nephew and nieces are getting big :(... but in 4 years... how much will Noah and our little family change?! Ugh. I don't want to get there yet - I'm still trying to digest that my 3 week old looks 3 MONTHS old.

Our little pumpkin :)

That same day, Noah went to his first birthday party! We celebrated Lauten's 1st birthday - and my oh my did the birthday boy look handsome! However... I must say, Noah definitely took second place! There were so many kids and people are the party - you could just see and feel all of the love radiating in the house. Also, I saw some girls for work - which is always fun - and allowed me to catch up on all the gossip ;-)

Like seriously... how CUTE is he?!

We have also begun to do tummy time with Noah. If he lays on your chest or you hold him towards you - he will definitely raise his head and hold it up. He has been that way since the day he was born! I remember the nurse being so shocked at this. When we put Noah down on the floor on his belly he isn't so sure... he will play along for a little while - and then he will get frustrated and of course, start crying - but hey, it's a learning experience! We are hoping to amp up the time more and more each day.

His little face red out of frustration.

Knowing that Noah is 3 weeks old... also means that I only have 3 weeks left with him until I go back to work. Like I've said before, I love my job and don't have a problem with going back what so ever... physically. Physically, I could go back today. However emotionally, I'm already dreading it. If only I could bring little man with me. I'm pretty sure I'll have a few panic attacks my first few days back at work. But he will be in the best of hands, my Mum's, so again... I don't have a worry in the world about his well-being... only worried about me and how I'll handle being away from him!

So far, we have had baby steps with separation haha. Alex took Noah to the grocery store this week.. WITHOUT me - and I survived! I kept my self busy haha. I also have a couple other things planned that Noah will not be attending with me... so, slowly but surely I'll become emotionally stable haha. 

Our first family pumpkin patch picture!

Cousins!

Elijah... ugh, he really is almost as tall as me! 

Elyse - she isn't far behind Elijah!

And then... there is Ella! Haha. 

Elijah & Alex playing bean bag toss!

The girls jumping!

Noah watching his cousins jump.

Noah waving to the camera! 

It was bright for him - So Daddy shared his glasses!

The whole gang! Well... minus Mum & Dad who were taking the pictures :)

2 weeks going on 2 years?

7 days old and sleeping in his crib all by himself. Yup, its true. The last few days between our 8-11pm "shift" Noah has been wide awake and quite the little fuss bucket. He wants to stay awake... but is so tired he just gets very frustrated. So last Tuesday when he was having a little episode and it was my "turn" to calm him down, I put him in his crib and turned the mobile on. He never had been in his crib before so I thought - why not?! Well now, mommy slightly regrets that decision :( He fell right asleep! And every night since then he has been in his crib, happy as can be. I really wasn't ready for that... at all. I was banking on at least another week sleeping with us before we began to slowly transition him there. Hmph :(

2 weeks old!

I feel like Noah is going through what I call second child syndrome. Where the second child as an infant wants to be big like their sibling so badly they are just blossoming so quickly. Maybe its just because I'm one proud momma or maybe he really is? I don't know. He just wants to sit up and roll over so badly. He absolutely loves to sit up - if only his poor little neck would support him. Alex holds him and sits him up and Noah gets so happy! We had his 2 week check-up today... little chunks weighed in at 9lbs 4.5 oz! I was expecting him to be back to his birth weight... and boy is he - and then some! He is healthy as can be and the pediatrician is still amazed of how happy both Noah and I are.  Like I told the doctor... when you have a handsome little boy that is as good as he is, you can't help but smile and be happy! Newborn clothes have become muscle shirts on him now... they still fit, but they are getting a little snug to get over his head now. I'd prefer to put him in 3mths just because the head opening is bigger and he doesn't get upset as easily.

I've noticed that his face is starting to change - I feel like he skipped right over the whole baby phase and truly is just a little man. I'm slowly starting to see a little more me in him... just a little. Enough for me to have some claim on my child ;)

Me as a baby :)

My Mum as a baby!

I still take a million pictures a day. I have yet to capture his huge toothless smile which melts my heart each time - I cry! I had my phone out trying to capture the smile after feeding him one night and Noah got so frustrated because he couldn't see my face and I was taking so many pictures... he knocked my phone right out of my hand! Okay... I know he had no idea what he was doing, but the timing was perfect!

His favorite face to make this week.

This past week Noah and I have been out and about almost every day. He had his newborn pictures taken on Thursday by littledunksphoto who also did our maternity pictures (see header photo above!) Brittany is amazing and truly has such a wonderful personality and soul - she is one of those people with just first meeting her you feel like you've known her forever. I'm SO anxious to see all the pictures - she gave us a sneak peak Thursday night and I'm pretty sure I look at them every 2 hrs - they are THAT good. But then again... there was a pretty cute baby being the model if I must say so myself...

After the pictures, we stopped by my work to say hello to everyone and he was such a hit! It was great to show everyone at work who has been growing in my belly these past 9 months. There is so much support and love at my work - I'm definitely going back before my maternity leave is up... I still have a few more people that have to meet Noah!

Friday Noah & I had our first mommy & baby date with my girlfriend Emily and her son Lauten who will be one tomorrow! Noah slept the whole time, but hey - I'm still going to count it :)

This Sunday we of course went to my nephews Flag Football game - and the weather was so beautiful, when compared to last week where I thought I was going to freeze to death. It was so nice that I even used our moby wrap with Noah! I was so excited, its such a great idea. To have your hands free and still have your baby nuggled up close to you - so many doors have opened up for Noah and I during the day!

Rooting for both Mommy & Daddy's football teams on Sunday!

My boys <3

Argghhh!

In One Way... Out the Other!

I can't believe our sweet Noah James is 1 week old today. In one way, it's crazy to think that I've only known him for only 7 days when it feels like I've known him forever, like he has always been with us. On the other hand, I can't BELIEVE that one week has already passed - I would really really appreciate it if time slowed down just a little now!

Noah James, 1 Week Old

Today is the first day with just me and the little man - Alex went back to work today and honestly, I'm looking forward to just a mommy and me day. We have been so blessed to be surrounded by loving friends and family this past week and couldn't be more thankful for them and all that they have done for us. But its hard to not just feel like a vending machine when you have to "share" the baby so much - so today, I am getting all the nuggles I can! I feel like I have to make up for lost time - he has already grown so much.

In a way, I feel like I'm dreaming. I just can't believe all that has happened - I'm truly just at a lost for words because I am so happy with my life. I married my high school sweet heart, I have a career that I love and look forward to going to each day, our families are so supportive and loving... Our life is beautiful - and one week ago today, all sense of reality left me as we welcomed our sweet boy into the world. I just can't wrap my head around him... I just stare at him in amazement. I can't describe it - just an abundance of an incredible amount of love, a mother's love.

I'm trying my hardest to not bombard social networks with pictures and updates of Noah for the sanity of my followers - but then again just thinking of it, they can always block or ignore me - so then it's a win win situation... hmm...

Noah as I write todays blog :)

I feel like I don't take enough pictures of him. I always have my phone near me and a real camera isn't far by. I don't want to miss a minute and with Alex going back to work, I don't want him to miss anything either. As like any new mom, I believe whole heartedly that my son is the cutest thing to ever be placed on this Earth and I'm pretty sure I'll fight you if you say different ;-)

Anyways... moving on from my sentimental, hormonal reminiscing....

Noah's first week! He has been wonderful. Alex and I have adjusted to parenthood so good - we really make an awesome team. I'll be honest, I was very scared, quite hormonal and doubted Alex a lot during my pregnancy... I mean, he yells and gets frustrated at me when we play Lego Harry Potter for the Wii because I'm so OCD and I have to pick up all the lego pieces... so how could we be a 'team' with a baby?! Well, he still yells at me when we play video games... but when it comes to Noah, it was just natural. We didn't even discuss it - we just have our routine and it couldn't work more perfectly. It also helps that Noah has been so good. He eats about every 2-2.5 hours and stretches it to 3 hrs at night. During the 8-11pm time frame we try to keep him awake as much as possible so he sleeps longer at night and it's worked so far!

The day after we got home from the hospital, Thursday, where did we go? Carter's of course! Yes, Carter's was Noah's first public outing! We had to return all of the girl clothing we got and because someone was a little chunky monkey.. we exchanged some newborn clothes for 3 month sizes. Newborn sizes at Carter's go up to 8lbs... Noah was weighed Thursday at the pediatricians office and weighed 8lbs even! He fits both sizes nicely, obviously the 3mth are a little big on him... but they will certainly last longer than the newborn sizes. We may or may not have gone a little crazy at Carters... I mean we have you over $200 in credits and coupons on top of BOGO deals... well, you can only imagine :)

First family outing!

Noah has welcomed me into motherhood properly. I've been peed on, spit up on, had poop on my shirt... all of it, and each time I laugh. I love every minute of it. Noah has got the hang of feeding very well - a little to well at some times, where I'm very thankful he has no teeth! Every time he feeds, little boy explodes in his diaper... every time. In one way and out the other! He is quite the little stinker - just like his Daddy! (sorry hunny... I had too)

His furry brothers have adjusted to him so well. Our cats aren't bothered by him - in fact, they are probably thankful for him because of all the new fun stuff they can sleep in. Our dogs reacted just the way I predicted with their personalities -  Popeye could care less, Sami is such a sweetheart and is every so gentle and Oscar... sweet Oscar loves him so much and is very protective over him. He (Oscar) gets worried when Noah starts to cry and we don't soothe him right away. It's precious. And more importantly, the puppies still get there time with me so they don't feel left out either!

Nap time with 4/7 of my boys! I'm a little outnumbered I think...

We've been out and about almost every day with him. We want him to get used to different noises, atmospheres and environments. I also think its good for me to get out and walk around, I feel like I'll heal quicker if I'm out walking about. My pace is still slow, but I can slowly feel my body getting back to "normal." People are amazed when we tell him how old he is... His luscious locks throw people off - its so funny. I love his head full of hair - love love love.

Mad scientist in the making?

He is getting more and more alert each day. He doesn't get fussy as long as after he eats he gets a few moments of cuddling. We are fortunate that he doesn't need to be held often. It's so hard to not pick him up at every moment - but I know that as we transition into his crib and develop more of a pattern with him - the less we need to rock him to sleep and soothe him the better the transition will be. But thats not to say I don't break the rules every now and then...

First bath!

At his first flag football game!

Can't forget our Sunday Tie-dye!

It's a Boy!

October 2, 2012 9:47am

A day that changed our lives forever. A day that was so beautiful, magical, painful, joyful and so much more. A day in which we welcomed our precious LITTLE BOY into the world. Squirt is a BOY! When the doctor told us the sex I'm pretty sure I had asked him several times that he said BOY. He was funny, he said "Oh yes, You cannot mistake him as anything but a boy!"

Our families were waiting downstairs to here the news, Alex and my sister had determined earlier in the morning that once I delivered he would open the blinds and either do a touch-down or a ballerina gesture. As soon as he was able to, Alex threw open those blinds and made the most perfect touch-down gesture ever. Our families yelled and cheered so loud people in other rooms and different floors came out to see what all the commotion was about!

When my water broke there was some meconium so NICU had to be called in for when I delivered.  I'm pretty sure this was the most heart-wrenching part of the whole labor & delivery process. Because NICU had to take him right away, I couldn't hold him for about 10 minutes after he was born. I could see and hear him... but there is nothing like being able to hold your baby for the first time, nothing. 

He was completely healthy and had a real nice set of lungs on him. There was not a worry in the world. Our baby boy was healthy.

Welcome to the world Noah James Waller! 

Our chunky monkey... 8lbs 8 oz

Daddy holding his son for the FIRST time!

On his way to see his Mommy!

Holding my sweet baby boy for the first time.

There were some hiccups during the process... at one point while we were resting before I started push I had Alex roll me over to my other side. Apparently, little Noah was squished just the wrong way and his heart rate dropped for about 4 minutes. I was put on oxygen and rolled back over to my left side. After a minute or so his heart rate resumed back to normal and all was well. Still, the nurses reaction is enough to have your fear for the babys life. I was put on oxygen several times while pushing, which I was thankful for because I wasn't breathing and my contractions were so close together I couldn't re cooperate fast enough. Noah was also face up, which was why I was having even more difficulty pushing - so when it came time for him to come out, they had to turn and flip him over quickly all in a blink of an eye. Of course, NICU coming in when I delivered was nerve-wrecking. After delivery I also had a difficult time recuperating from the epidural, it just took me longer than normal to bounce back. When it was time to transfer rooms it took me an extra three hours... my blood pressure kept dropping the moment I would sit or stand up, making me fall out and almost pass out. I had to get hooked up to some more IV's, but after that I was able to finally move rooms.

Oh yeah... Where was my husband during the time I was passing out multiple times? In the new room SLEEPING. In his defense, he didn't know that I would pass out over and over again. However, he had my phone... my mother was with me, but her phone was dead, I didn't know what room he & my dad were in so I couldn't call up to the room to let him know what was going on... I'm just glad nothing to serious happened because we sure would have been in a pickle! (Dad was sleeping too!) Glad he was so worried about his wife and newborn ;-)


I really couldn't ask for a more perfect delivery, truly. Everything that I wanted... an October birthday, the doctor I wanted to deliver, the DAY of the week, a healthy baby and a head FULL of hair.

I always said throughout my pregnancy that if this baby didn't have a head full of hair between Alex and I, the baby had to be the milkman's. Well, I'm glad to say that not only does Noah have the most beautiful head full of black hair with a streak of blonde, he is also the SPITTING image of Alex. Well almost, I think he has more of my shape eyes and chin, but still... I'll give Alex all the credit on this one. I was just the oven cooking the bun ;)

Happy Family of Three (Please pardon my grossness!)

We didn't stay the whole 2 days at the hospital. I got a little stir crazy in the room... we left the hospital Wednesday at 4pm. There was no incentive or benefit for us staying there - I'll just say, like the triage unit, I was very unhappy. The staff was great... very kind. However they were not helpful or informative. It was pretty much okay, you had the baby - your own your own! Again, I'll just leave it there :)

On our way home for the very first time!

"That's Cool. That's Gross. That's Cute."

Well folks, needlessly to say... our 2 mile walk and grocery store run WORKED! At around 10:30pm on Monday October 1, I began to have contractions. We had a late dinner that night so at first I wasn't really sure what was happening (aka, if it was gas or not) so I just stayed quiet and didn't tell Alex. He was downstairs doing homework so I wasn't about to bother him if it really was just gas. However, then I noticed the pain was happening every FIVE minutes and lasting well... for a minute! And if thats not the huge hint your having contractions then I don't know what is. But still, I was hesitant to say anything to Alex. I guess I was just scared that I was just making it up, or that if we went to the hospital they would turn me away and think I was crazy. 

Alex came up stairs about an hour later and I said, "Hunny... you may want to get your stopwatch ready." He's reaction was priceless, he was so excited and scared at the same time and so entertaining because he reacted just like me which truly surpised me. He did time me for a while and we decided that yes, I was having contractions! And then, to my surprise, he ran around the house cleaning up. Hahaha, this makes me laugh because that is the exact thing I was doing only upstairs. I even ran in to clean the baby's room one last time.

Naked Belly picture... right after I doubled and triple checked the babys room and only minutes before we left for the hospital!

So two hours passed... the contractions were still bareable, but the intensity was definitely intensifying. At around 12:15 in the morning of October 2nd, I decided that we should go to the hospital... but only after I showered, did my hair and put make-up on. Why? I have no idea, I was giving birth not going to a fashion show... but hey, what can I say :)

We got to the hospital at 1:15am - I spent 2 hours in triage before getting admitted, one in which I did not enjoy and got very angry. I felt like they didn't believe me and forgot about me. Lets just say it took them a half hour to just tell me to change into a gown! I could go on... but I'll just leave it there for your sake. While in triage my water broke, so although I wasn't officially 'admitted' the moved me into a labor and delivery room. By this time, the contractions were hurting... a lot. They were still bareable obviously, but it was taking everything out of me (and of course the nurses then ask you your whole life history right as everyone contraction start!) At around 4am they gave me some kind of drug to take the edge off of the contractions.... that, was interesting. I was definitely out of it. I remember getting the epidural and not feeling well sitting up during the process, I remember everything truly but it's more like a dream state - it's hard to explain. Once I had the epidural I was 6.5cm dilated. My doctors came in and said this is the time to sleep and rest as much as we can because when I start pushing, I'm going to need every ounce of energy.

The epidural certainly did its job. I couldn't feel a thing and I couldn't move. Literally, if Alex wasn't there this baby would have shot out crooked because I couldn't even lift my legs to push! I got checked again at 7:15am and was 9 cm, a half hour later... I began to push. 

Pushing... thats something that I don't think anyone can ever portray to others unless you experience it yourself. It didn't hurt of course because I was numb, however I was SO frustrated because I just couldn't feel what in the world I was doing. They will tell you to "bare down" and "take it out of your face and push down below" - Well, if ya can't feel your down "below" how the heck are you to know if your doing it right?! 

Alex was truly amazing, he was so supportive and encouraging during the whole entire process. Not to mention strong because he literally had lift all of my dead weight at each push. Although, when he asked me if I was okay or if I was alright during a contraction and after a push... yes, I did in fact contemplate murder several times. My nurse tested me, she pushed me hard. I'm pretty sure I cursed her multiple times throughout the pregnancy - she had me push about 6 times each contraction which took the absolute wind out of me. 

The title of this post... "That's Cool. That's Gross. That's Cute." Is how Alex described the labor and birthing experience and it just made me laugh so much, I'll never forget when he said it. It was priceless. 

After almost 2 solid hours of pushing... Our precious little Squirt had at last arrived...

Contraction.

No contraction!

Excited Daddy to be.

Yes... this was shortly after I had the drug that made me all loopy before the epidural.

Glad someone got to rest a little.

The Baby's on the way!