1 YEAR OLD!

Dear Noel,
You have just turned ONE!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I love you so much ! <3 This is so insane to me. I don't feel like a year has gone by, but it has and it's been incredible watching you learn and grow this past year. You've turned into such an active, intelligent, fearless, and amazing little boy!!

You know so many words! Mama, dada, daddy, cat, kitty, dog, that, Lailah, sissy, no, yeah, rawr and hi!
You also know 3 signs - Please, Milk, and food (which is actually cookie but you use it for food lol). You are so bright!



You're now running and climbing like a pro; although, you have fallen a lot lol. That's okay though, you just get back up and go again! We officially can not put you in the jumper anymore because you know how to climb yourself out! Oh! And you LOVE dancing and trying to sing along to music! You know how to use a kazoo, you can hum, you can make clicking noises with your tongue, you blow kisses, you clap, you can walk backwards, you high five, and you attempt to sing "lalala" lol it's adorable. When you're really excited about something you make like a long gasping sound! hahhaa.
You love being tickled, tossed around upside down, and chased lol! You're a crazy kid!
You're also not very picky with foods, you'll eat just about anything! You love trying new foods!
You've started hitting and pinching when you get frustrated or you want someone's attention. It's normal for your age - you're right on track! LOL. You're so gentle and loving so I have no worries about that at all! When we act sad or we say ow or ask you to do nice you give hugs and kisses. <3

You've been on the go so much that it's been difficult to get many pictures of you recently. But I've got a few. :P

We've hit our 1 yr nursing goal!!! So proud of us! You are super attached to me and your numnumns /milkies lol. You climb up on my lap and sign milkies over and over with a huge smile on your face! And it is the SWEETEST thing ever when you are nursing and you stop to give me kisses and then smile really big and latch back on. <3 awhh, you are such a huge love bug!

You really are. A love bug that is. You love hugging everyone and blowing kisses all the time. You've already learned how to blow kisses with your lips pouted and making the smacking sound lol it is freaking adorable!!




I've made this dino cake for you for your birthday. We held your party a couple weeks before your birthday to avoid all the holiday parties. You had a blast and you loved eating all the frosting off your cake lol!

Mammy, papa, Uncle Brian, Auntie Moe, Lailah, daddy, myself, Sara and her daughter Lucy, Cassidy and her daughter Sienna, Chelsea, and mammy's step kids Elijah, Isaiah, and Nick were all at your party. :) You didn't really know what was going on but you did really really enjoy that cake !!







You and Lailah have such a close and amazing relationship so far. You both love each other so much. When you see her you yell, "SISSY!!!" Or you go, "Lailah!", it's amazing that you know exactly who she is. You just adore her. You and her grab my laptop and she puts on a kids show called Daniel Tiger and you both just lie together watching the show. I've never known a baby before that can just sit quietly and watch a show, but you do!






Well, I'm wrapping this up. Daddy, Lailah, and I love you so entirely much and I can not wait to watch you grow even more this next upcoming year! Now that you've hit all your big and quick milestones the next update probably won't be until you're 18 months old. :) I'm going to be very busy chasing after you and trying to keep up with you now!! <3

11 months old!

Dear Noel,

We've been busy! I am late.. and I've missed a monthly update but... that's because you are now up and running !! Not JUST running either; you also climb! You have officially learned to climb up on the bed all on your own with absolutely no assistance You are so intelligent and you know how to get into everything and anything. :p



You are mommy's little mischievous boy! But boy do I love you... and so does your daddy and sissy. :)


I also want to add here that you have grown the most beautiful curly hair!

You are talking! Oh man, are you talking!! You say Mama, Dada, up, Kitty, Dog, Sissy, hi, bye bye, and yeah!
You also still sign please and you've seemed to have started using the sign 'cookie' for 'food' lol! You wave hi and bye, shake your head no, nod yes, and you blow kisses. You've figured out how to drink from a straw sippy cup and you can hang off the table by your hands and arms with your little legs up in the air! haha.

You have so much personality in such a little body lol.
Oh and you've FINALLY stopped screaming ALL THE TIME in the car lol, you still cry sometimes but most of the time you're pretty calm and just handle it well.


You are an extremely good eater - practically a pro; you love food so much - you will eat just about anything.


Oh yeah!!! This is so exciting! You understand how to color ! I gave you some crayons last week or so with a notebook and you made a beautiful art piece ! <3 I love it so much. :) I read that babies/toddlers typically don't have the hand dexterity to color until they're between the ages of 14-16 months old and you are only just turned 11, my smart little man!!

You have become very active at the park now that you can walk... although, now we can't go until spring time because it's just become far too cold to be outside for any period of time. You've gone down the slides and you climb up the activity things. I also put you on one of the little rockers and you knew exactly how to get it to rock - all on your own!! :D

With Piper <3

With Sophie <3

You have such a strong friendship with Sophie - papa's cat. You love her so much. You kiss her, cuddle her, hug her, lay on her, and she just lets you. It's the sweetest little thing. You're so kind and gentle to her - I've never known a baby to be so gentle with animals but you're a natural. <3







We're now 11 months into breastfeeding and we're nursing strong!! <3 Almost 1 full year of breastfeeding! I am so proud of us and I'm so proud of my body for being able to give you this incredible nourishment and comfort! <3



We have remained in contact with Lucy and her mom Sara who we met at the babywearing meet ups. :) We meet up with them from time to time - this past month we met up at the library and at the park. You two together are just adorable. Especially since recently you've picked up a habit of hugging other children that you meet haha, it's SO CUTEE!!! Aside from Lucy you've also hugged Lailah's cousin Ava. You walked up to her at the park and you hugged her and just wouldn't let go lol. And you also tried to hug a little boy in Lailah's school yard while we were waiting to pick her up from school. You are just such a love bug!



Let's NOT FORGET!! YOUR VERY FIRST HALLOWEEN!!!! :D You were adorable. I crocheted your costume. :) You were Superman! Or Superbaby :p Whatever. :p It was so cute. We went trick or treating with your sissy, Mammy, Papa Doug, Mammy's step kids, Uncle Brian, and Daddy. :) I carried you in our Mai Tei Carrier.

Oh my goodness.. your relationship with your big sister. <3 I've never seen anything like it. You both love each other so much! I'm not even exaggerating. She comes home from school and you yell SISSY!! And you reach out to her and sit on her lap, hug her, and kiss her. I'm positive it's how you tell her you miss her. It's just so amazing. I've never seen siblings so extremely close before as you both are to each other.

To wrap this up... you have come SUCH A LONG WAY. You have hit many milestone and you are on your way to becoming a toddler! :*) It makes me tear up!! This year has flown by and I am so sad to acknowledge the fact that you won't be my little infant anymore! But I am so excited to watch you continue to grow and learn each day. Next time I make a post you will be ONE. A whole year old. Time flies. I want you to know I love you more than words can describe. I am proud to be your mommy. <3

9 month update!

Dear Noel,
You've just turned 9 months old! You weigh in at 17lbs 11oz and you are 2ft 3.5in! Every day you grow a tiny bit more and sometimes I wish I could just freeze time and keep you as my little baby. <3 You are just learning and growing so much, it's insane. Very bittersweet.











You are now standing like a PRO, you climb on everything, you also push chairs or your sisters baby stroller and you walk yourself across the room! You seem to think about walking sometimes but decide, better yet - it's probably easier to crawl. LOL.



SO MUCH has happened in this past month.

You have started clapping as of a couple days ago! You wave bye and actually say, "Bye bye!" You say Mama, Dada, and up as well. Today you actually crawled up onto the bed - almost completely on your own and you said clear as day, "I did that!" Your dad and I freaked out, we were SO SHOCKED !! You love to give kisses to people but mostly animals and other children. It's adorable.






You are SUCH a little character! You have this crazy strong personality. You are so laid back, easy going, but stubborn! LOL, You definitely know how to tantrum if you aren't getting what you want. And you've actually recently started throwing yourself backwards on the bed, you toss your head back and then land right on your back on the bed haha. It's cute, but I'm hoping you won't be doing it on harder surfaces. That wouldn't turn out so well.



Oh and your hair seems to be getting curly! I'm kind of really hoping you get beautiful curly hair. Such a handsome little boy ! <3

I've had to be away from you this month longer than I ever had before. :( I got appendicitis and had to have my appendix taken out. I then had complications after the surgery and I had to stay in the hospital for a whole week. Daddy took you in to see me every day I was there around 8am-10pm but ALL NIGHT we weren't together. :( So you've pretty much have night weaned. You now nurse around 10pm when you go down for the night and then at 6:30 am.
You've really warmed up to daddy since then, since he cared for you while I was in the hospital getting better for you and sissy. :)


But we made it through. :D

And ... we also have made it through these obstacles and came out on top when it comes to breastfeeding! We are nursing on strong! 9 months! <3


You also eat almost anything and everything under the sun. :p My porky little baby!







We went to the zoo again either Thursday or Friday of last week - I can't remember. You seemed to really acknowledge the animals now though! And whenever we walked away from an exhibit you waved and would say bye bye! You seemed to really enjoy it for the very first time. :D

Your sissy and daddy love you so much. <3 You've also spent more time with your uncle Brian and Mamee these last few weeks because they helped me with you while I was in recovery from my surgery.
You've really been getting used to them, although, you're still majorly a mama's boy !!! <33 When you see me and you know you're coming into my arms you light up and flail your arms and legs excitedly as you're entering my arms. It is THE sweetest thing,

8 months old already!

Dear Noel,
You are 8 months old today!! Incredible. You are such a happy, giggly, amazing little boy. You are learning things so fast I just can't believe it.

Playing in Sissy's dollhouse
The best I have of you standing on your own

You are now actually standing yourself up. You get on your feet with your bum low to the ground and you power push your legs and you stand straight up ! So insane ! You've been doing this for the past few days or so.

You love riding on your daddy's shoulders and you've even started holding your arms out in his direction to go to him!! :)

Your new teeth have given you
a sweet 6 toothed grin!

On Saturday the 2nd of August we attended the Big Latch On! Event. We were counted in a tally of people whom gather together and nurse all together at the same time for a chance at being part of breaking a world record! I was so proud of us for breastfeeding as long as we have to become a part of it. We then attended the Born to Breastfeed event at the zoo on the following Weds - the 6th. It was fun.We have now made it to 8 months breastfeeding! It has been so rewarding and I love that I can nourish you with my body. 8 SOLID months! That's huge! I am now in the process of pumping and storing 100 oz for you for when I attend school in a few weeks. I have 47.50 oz stored and frozen. I am so proud of myself and I am so proud of you. Together, we work together and we have accomplished this amazing goal together. <3




Last weekend we went to Aunt Cindy's and Uncle Mikes. We stayed for a cook out and there was an antique car show in their area. So we went for a walk and looked at all the really neat cars. It was super fun. You rode on daddy's shoulders like you love to do! At the party there was this little girl - she was 8 and so pretty. She was talking to you and making you smile and everything, so so sweet. And I guess you decided you really liked her and you grabbed her head and you leaned in and kissed her right on her cheek! HAHAHA. A big wet, open mouth, slobbery baby kiss! It was just the sweetest thing I've seen. <3 So adorable.

Cutie Patooties!

We've recently been meeting up with a mommy and her baby. Sort of a play date for you and mommy may have a potential good friend. :) It's been nice getting out and having someone to interact with and I think it's good for you as well to be around a baby around your age. :) The mommy is Sara and she has an adorable little girl named Lucy - Lucy is 10 months old. She's so sweet and cute. :) We met at a babywearing meet up - the Kangamama's group.





Today we met up with them again and we went to the zoo. It was a rather decent sized group lol. You, daddy, me, sissy, uncle Brian, and Sara and Lucy. We all went. It was a lot of fun! They have so much new stuff and new animals at Roger Williams! I was so excited to go again. We even went into the butterfly exhibit. I love the zoo! You probably will too. :D

7 1/2 months

Dear Noel,
You are hitting 7 1/2 months tomorrow! Not too much new going on. You are starting to stand on your own for a couple seconds at a time. You are a pro at crawling. I've also bought some baby treats for you. You love them. :) There are fruit crisps, banana cookies, and some other type of cookie too.

(Edit in - 8/2/14- 3 days after original post: You have 2 new teeth coming in! Two more top teeth on either side of your other two top teeth. That makes 4 top teeth and 2 bottom teeth!)





We're still nursing. 7 1/2 months strong! :D I'm so proud of how far we've come. You've started thinking it's funny to stick your fingers in my mouth while I'm nursing you lol. Also, you like to rub your hands on the satin edging on the blanket when you're nursing and trying to fall asleep. You must get that from me. It's so sweet. <3

We still babywear too.








We've actually gone to 2 babywearing meetings which is pretty nice. Hopefully we'll both find friends there for meetings and play dates. :)

And last but not least I'm going to leave a pic of you with daddy and a couple with sissy. :D

7 Months old!!

Dear Noel,
Today you are 7 months old! I can not believe how fast time has flown by. You never cease to amaze me. You are doing so many new things already.

You went to see fireworks for your first time this year. For the 4th of July. You didn't cry or anything. You looked amazed with them lol.

At parade <3

You also went to your first parade. It's called The Great Gaspee parade.
You have started waving to yourself lol, it's cute! I don't exactly know what you're doing but you stick your hand up with your palm towards you then slowly move your fingers up and down while staring at it haha.
You've also started shaking your head side to side and up and down. Although, you seem to shake side to side more. You mainly only shake up and down when you hear music or someone singing. It's cute!



You are super mobile now! I took a video of you a few days ago. You shocked me! I was so impressed by you! You crawled yourself from Mamee's living room to her kitchen. You then tried to get up on the walker but it moves because it has wheels. You then somehow figured out that if you hold the tag that is on the seat underneath the walker, you can hold it in place. You then did that, pulling the walker into you and holding it in place, while you stood yourself up and crawled up onto the back of the walker! You actually stood and then placed each foot on the back of the walker. Crazy child!!

Potato !

You've been eating more foods recently but we have made 7 months on our breastfeeding journey! I am so proud of us and so happy I could give you such nutritious milk!

The other day at Mamee's house you were so jealous that I was holding a baby. So you crawled up into my lap. I got you both into a position where I could hold you both and you could nurse. You then reached out to take the babys hand. Big "awhhh" moment. <3








You like to grab a cup and yell into it to hear yourself echo haha, so freaking cute. You love to make sounds and listen to the vibrations of your voice.
You also say "dada" a lot lol, no "mama" yet though. But that's okay!



Oh and you've officially have 4 teeth! They are just precious haha.

She put the headband on you :p

You love your sissy. She is really a big help with you. You guys watch cartoons together and she plays blocks and with toys with you. It's just the sweetest. I love it. I love how much you love one another. <3

Oh and I made this recently because I thought it was amazing. Flashback to when you were in my womb and just born.

Oh and the video!! :