Ready to Learn

Noah is the short kid in the striped shirt.

There was a group of elementary school kids in the park yesterday, learning about bears. Noah abandoned the slide (WHAT?!) to play with them. He sat and listened very attentively to the teacher talking about what bears eat and how many bears can survive in the forest. He so wanted to hang with the older kids... he caused quite a scene when it was time for him to leave them alone and get back to the playground.

I think he's ready for daycare.

Smile

Peek-A-Boo
Uploaded by houseofhanson
For those of you who don't speak Noah's language, the only word he says in this video is "Smile." Thanks, Noah. I will.

OK, there's another word at the end of the video too. I haven't translated that one yet. Any ideas?

Cheese and Whine

We haven't posted a video in awhile. This part is the cheese.

Noah Hugs Greta
Uploaded by houseofhanson

Noah is taking more interest in his sister. He means well, but his hugs can sometimes be a little aggressive. Just ask Wilson.


As for me, I'm doing OK. Just OK. I miss being able to get out of the house with the ease of just one extra person to pack up for. I miss makeup and hair products. I truly despise this no-longer-pregnant-but-not-yet-normal body. And although Greta is a better sleeper than Noah was at her age, she's still a normal three-week old. I miss sleep. I miss being able to have the dishes and the laundry done simultaneously. I wish I had more arms. It kills me to pick up just one baby while they're both crying.


In these sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, post-partum hormonal days, it's really difficult to find perspective. Remind me that I have a beautiful, healthy family, OK? And that this crazy time is so short. Pretty soon, the 0-3 month clothes will have been handed down, the mountains of diapers will be gone and I'll never have to hear Elmo's annoying voice again.

And I'll be 25 and wearing the size I wore in college.

Goodbye, Mommy

Noah doesn't need me anymore. He's found a new love. She's younger and cuter than me, and she has the most fantastic pink sparkly shoes. They met at the park yesterday. I could see why Noah was attracted to her: she's an older girl (probably about three) with curly blonde hair who shared the bouncy bridge with him. Usually the older kids run right by, barely managing not to knock him off the playground enitrely. Noah was thrilled to have the attention of another kid (who wants to play with Mom & Dad all the time?). So thrilled, in fact, that he decided to hug her.

At first he was timid. He held out his arms sort of near her, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do next. Should he hug her? What if she didn't hug back? After a few awkward moments, he decided to go for it. She hugged back, then turned to go down the slide. Noah was so delighted at his success, that he hugged her again. And again. And again. He followed her around the playground hugging his new crush.

Should I be weirded out by this? Is this just because he's an affectionate kid, or is it some sign that he's no longer getting all the hugs he needs at home? Ann-Marie, I need a little help with my Pre-K Psychology.

Baby, Baby

Our pediatrician warned us that Noah might take a few developmental steps back with the arrival of the new baby. He has. He's back on the pacifier constantly and he's waking up at 5:00 am again. We're not even going to talk about bottle-weaning right now.

Fuscia Fantastic

Thanks to the House of B for introducing us to this slide show maker. Because who can choose just a couple pictures of their adorable baby?

Glee

Dads are super fun.

Giddyup

Noah rides off into the sunset.

I know this picture is out of focus, but I think it's hilarious. Noah drags all of his toys out onto the deck whenever he has a chance. Including during rain storms and when naked. I'm not sure if he's outdoorsy or just odd.

Sleeping Beauty

For the second day in a row, Noah feel asleep in the middle of lunch. Being a big brother is hard work.

P.S. I cut his hair again today. Badly. Someone please take my scissors away.

P.P.S. I also managed my first solo outing with two kids today. It was a trip to the park, and it took such extensive planning on my part that I was not about to be stopped by the rain that started falling as soon as our car left the garage. We had a few slides down the slightly moist slide, a few trips across the (slippery) bouncy bridge, then came home. Greta snoozed in the Bjorn. Success.