I guess January's not over yet...

Tuesday Noah was running a fever at daycare. A new ear infection. We are all tired. Sick babies are sad. Work is hard. Daycare is harder. I really need to post a smiling Noah picture to go with this post, just to give it some redeeming quality. He's pretty cute, isn't he?


Oh, and there are a few new photo album links posted on the right over there. In case you're not on the mailing list.

Happy New Year, finally!

Happy 2008! After a gloriously fun-filled holiday season with lots of family and friends, the three of us had a rough start to the new year, with a nasty cold bug that was complicated by mommy going back to work and Noah starting daycare. I could say so much more, but not without using phrases like "heartbreaking cough, gobs of snot, blisters on eardrum, 104 degree fever, vicious diaper rash, force-feeding medicine...." On the bright side, things are starting to get better. And my students didn't complain when I cancelled two days of class and called in subs for another. We'll hold off on the full daycare report. Things are improving, but I still can't say he doesn't hate it.

Despite it all, Noah's been a trooper. And he knows how to have a good time. This evening I overheard squeals of delight coming from the back bedroom, where Noah had crawled chasing his daddy, and this is what I found (click for a must-see video that's guaranteed to make you smile):



And if that wasn't enough to tickle your funny bone, here's another from a few weeks ago:

kissy face

Merry Christmas!

Noah did a great job opening gifts. We let him get a headstart last week with one of the packages when he started showing interest.

The practice paid off and by Christmas morning, he was up to the challenge and knew just what to do. He didn't make it through the whole pile by himself, but he did a great job for a first-timer.

Christmas comes early when you're a baby...

Noah has started trying to unwrap his Christmas presents under the tree. We decided to go ahead and let him try. It might take him till next week to get all the paper off!

Besides, who couldn't use a little more fiber in their diet?

SCREEECH!

Noah is fascinated with outlets and anything that might be plugged into them. He's also mesmerized by the digital alarm clock in our bedroom. Oh, and he loves to push buttons. That combination means that our Carbon Monoxide monitor with digital readout is irresistable. The worst part is that it makes a long ear-piercing beep when you press the "test" button, and Noah has quickly figured out how to do that! I thought for sure the noise would scare him away from ever doing it again, but NO.

Should I post an audio clip so you can get the full experience?

Walking By Christmas?

One of my friends in the computer and I have started a bet about which of our six-month olds will be walking first. (I'm not sure it's a bet I want to win!) Her little guy is cruising around the coffee table already. Noah is standing up and letting go with both hands. I think it will be a tight competition.


I've been told -- by a pediatric physical therapist, no less -- that "walking" is SIX steps.

Big Boy

For the last 3 or 4 days, when I go to spray Noah's nose with saline before bedtime, he just sits really still and patiently lets me do it. Same with the blue sucker bulb. It's freaky -- he used to scream and twist and bury his face where we couldn't get to it! It's like he's all grown up and knows it's good for him. So weird. Yesterday I was doing the sucker bulb and he grabbed for the tip, and I thought he'd stick it in his mouth (all little boys eat their boogers, right?), but he gently stuck it back in his nose. How bizarre!!!!!!!!!! Maybe he was aiming for his mouth and he missed!

He's also become a little more destructive. Not intentionally, I'm sure; he's just learning to throw his weight around. Here he sits in the middle of his play gym, after pulling it down around himself and yanking the windchimes off:



One more thing that I just have to share - Noah LOVES it when I sing Christmas carols to him. He grins ear to ear. I guess I do more singing in December than usual! Hope you all are having a merry season too!

what Noah did this morning

It’s a little hard to tell with his pants all scrunched up, but he’s standing on his feet. With one hand for balance. David said he caught Noah doing this yesterday in the crib. So far we haven't seen exacly how he gets into this position.

Tree

We put our (fake) tree up this weekend, and Noah keeps crawling over to it and gently touching the needles, then pulling back because he doesn't like the sensation. Then he does it again. It's pretty funny to watch his little brain process it.

He also enjoyed helping with the lights!