An Empty Seat

Hey Y'all!

We are here in Red Lodge, MT for the week visiting Justin's parents. Sunday morning we left our house as organized as we could possibly be for traveling with our little one. It's comical really...how early I started gathering toys, thinking about snacks, etc. With our prepared carry-ons and all the little (or big) items needed for Noah we loaded up into the car and headed down to the Oakland Airport. We won't go into details, but this Mamma was NOT feeling good (head cold). I was determined to have a fun beginning to our trip though :) He didn't sleep on the way to the airport since it was just after wake-up time, which meant he didn't get his first nap, but the airport was a great distraction. He arrived in style with the GoGo Roller and did great all through the ride, check-in, and security. He has learned that the term "all done" does not just apply to meal time ;) He says it when he wants to get out of the car seat, when he wants to get out of the swing... and the airport stroller was no exception. He wasn't too loud, but he did say "all done" many times to get out of his make-shift airport stroller. Once we made it through the gate he had free range to explore and watch airplanes.

All in all this trip went off without a hitch!

Remember, we are pretending that my head wasn't pounding...

Our flight was on time AND there were empty seats on our flight!!! This meant that Noah had his own seat right next to us. For the first hour of the flight he was completely enthralled with playing with the seat, eating his snack, and playing with the magna doodle. I literally could have read a book-crazy! He LOVES the magna doodle and I waited until the airplane to introduce him to his own. It worked like a charm! For the second hour we gave him some of the other new toys we bought and by the end of the flight he could barely keep his eyes open. We got off the plane, saw Opa right away, and our bags even came super quick. The little mister was asleep in the car within seconds and slept the whole drive home.

I am so thankful for the uneventful flight, safe travels, and the empty seat!

All our efforts led to this beautiful view :)

Airplanes

Today we had what ended up being a VERY fun outing (just ask Noah...), but all it really involved was going to Justin's work at the Santa Rosa airport.  Noah saw the airplanes and it was love at first sight. All he wanted to do was walk around them, under them, and explore them. It was really fun watching him have a blast checking out the airplanes. He literally squealed most of the time (not too loud thankfully), and the mechanics working nearby loved him, which made me thankful that no one was giving us the evil eye as we were having such a great time.

Here he is sitting in the super fancy, cozy chairs checking out what Daddy is up to. We couldn't turn on the lights in airplane so I used my flash on this picture.

Standing at the top of the steps as you enter the airplane. We were exploring a Gulfstream today. 

He's under a wing here :)

Sorry it's blurry but the kid wouldn't stop for anything! The tail of the aircraft you see in the background is actually the same plane Justin's grandpa flew in WW2, a DC3.

Couldn't help but head outside to see a few airplanes take off. 

"Ha ha, you can't catch me!"

Starting Early

The other day we went out to run errands bright and early because, well, that's when Noah decided to get the day rolling. We went to Western Farm Center to get a few things for our chickens who are getting very big and should be laying eggs within the next month or two!! After that we hit up our local hardware store and I thought it would be fun to get Noah his own broom. He's always following Justin around when he sweeps the deck, so I thought he would get a kick out of it. He definitely did! He cleaned half the store with it while we perused the aisles and now that it's home he too sweeps the deck. It's never too early to start getting him excited about chores right? 

Tongue out in true Noah fashion

A boy

I was reading Melissa's blog about her 30/60 Birthday Bash (read here) and saw this picture. Oh how I love it because it was a fabulous evening, my husband has a natural smile (that's rare folks), and we are all looking at the camera...but oh how it makes my hear palpitate a bit and my eyes tear up, because OMGoodness does Noah look like a BOY or what? Where did my baby go? Sigh...

From Newborn to Toddler

How did we go from this...

to this...

Oh my goodness, where does the time go?

Melissa stopped by the other day before heading to lunch in Rincon Valley and it was fun to see her and Miss C. When I was looking at the photos she snapped of the kiddos I couldn't help but think, "where has the time gone?" It took me back to a moment at her house when she was helping me with something photo related (shocking, I know...) and the children just layed on the floor, especially Noah as he is 3 months younger. I searched our blog posts from 2011 and found the above picture. In 20 years it will be so neat to tell Noah and Cambrie that they have known each other since birth.

 I have other friends where this is true and it's something I treasure!

Love you Miss Melissa and Miss C! Cambrie even says Noah's name! Of course in true toddler style she says it more when we are not around (but I did hear it once and it's adorable). It sounds like "No-no". Play dates are one of the only way my friends and I can keep up with each others lives and catch up. We may not always finish our conversations, but it's just the best feeling to see each other.  

Amen, Pasta, and Down

I feel like these days Noah is saying so many new words, it's hard to keep track of them all. It's so so fun! In the last 24 hours he has said Amen, Pasta, and Down. Another recent favorite is a whisper and very "breathey" Wow. He's said wow for quite a while now, but he's very into saying it this new way. It cracks me up! His new words make each day so fun and I'm always wondering what he will say next. I caught "Amen" on video this morning and I included one more video of Noah going round and round (which he also says in his own way) to a not so childlike song that so many of us grew up doing. Or was that just me?? Let's hope not... 

Every night before we go to bed we say our prayers together. I pray with Noah about things we have done that day and thanking Jesus for them. At the end we say Amen, and for a long time he loved when I said it, but never attempted it. Now he fully participates and it warms my heart.

Summer Nights

Sometimes you have to get a good owie while playing in the hot summer sun after dinner. Look at his first "big" owie, and really, it wasn't that bad, just scary to watch. 

After we walked to dinner with the Ives near our house we came home to play in the sprinklers because it was still nice and warm. Noah loves the water and loved walking right into the water. Check out the video below :)

Jenna took some time to warm up, but was really into it then. Her Daddy made it super fun with airplane rides through the sprinkler.

And upside down thingamabob's...looks like torture, but he was lovin' it :)

Belly

Muscle, muscle man (or tan line man)!

This evening felt like that perfect summer evening that so many children experience when they are young and don't care about being wet, getting messy, getting hurt, etc. All you need is water and a hose...and a cheering squad (aka the parents).

It may not look like it, but he is right under the sprinkler. At first he wasn't sure how to get out (silly boy), but then he figured it out :)

6 months and 15 months

At around 6 months Justin began doing a specific song with Noah. 

It has motions, it makes Noah smile, and well, it's a little on the girlie side...it's I'm a Little Teapot. 

Pause for embarrassment and laughter :)

I know, right?!?! How did that song ever start. Ya know, I'm not sure either of us know. I think it was the first one Justin thought of with motions. It's become a fun tradition. When Justin stands on the edge of the bed facing our dresser mirror, Noah knows just what's going on. He gets really into. I caught it on video when he was 6 months (I might have it earlier but can't find it right now), and just the other day at 15 months. It's these memories and small traditions that I hold dear to my heart. 

I love love love my boys! Yes honey, I said BOYS :) :) Heehee!

A blankie with a memory

Noah has a blanket that he sleeps with every night that he loves, loves, loves. He loves to snuggle it and drape it over his face before he goes to sleep. He has another blanket that holds a sweet memory.

A few years ago when I was teaching 1st grade I met a sweet girl who I hold dear to my heart.  My husband and I grew close to her family and it felt so neat to take education beyond the classroom, to remember that relationships are important, and simple gestures can turn into much much more. I have a few favorite memories of this little sweetie that pop into my mind from time to time. You see, shortly after I taught Miss H her family moved out of state. She gave Noah a very special blanket that we used when he was little and that we still use to this day. He likes it because it has airplanes on it (shocking right?). Today I thought it would be fun to send a simple collage her way, and then I thought it would be fun to share it with all of you. I absolutely love my profession for so many reasons, but beyond the obvious, I cherish the relationships I make and the families I have grown close with. 

Sweet Moments

I'm considering seeing how many times I could use the title 'sweet moments' for our summer activities...not really, but it's becoming quite to summer theme. Tonight we went up to Healdsburg for their Tuesday in the Plaza and as always Noah was lovin' life listening to the music and hanging out with all the fun people (the faves of course are Nonni and Grandpa). I took a video right before we were going to leave...I had just changed Noah into his pj's and handed him to my (dancing) parents for a goodbye. And a sweet goodbye it was. I could watch these two dance with Noah for the rest of my life and think it is just as sweet each time. Sweet summer and sweet memories and what we're about these days :)

Noah made lots of friends and loved grazing on the food all.night.long! Man that kid can eat...and I have no clue where he puts it. The poor thing is still in 12 month jeans in this picture.

He was wiped (it doesn't help that he was up before any regular, normal human should be this morning) and fell asleep on the way home.

Go Giants

On Friday we had a spectacular date night with Jaime and Jared at the ballpark!

It had been way too long since we had been to a game and it was something on the calendar we were very much looking forward to. It was an evening of laughing, eating...and then repeat that a gazzilion times. We took the ferry, and on the way back we played cards-so fun! The Giants won and they topped the game off with fireworks afterwards. Apparently Buster Posey hit a home run at a previous game Jaime went to and he hit a homer at our game too.  Jaime thinks they have a connection... 

A sweet sweet couple

Three tall folks and one shorty 

A big thanks to Auntie Chris for watching Noah, making pesto for us while we were gone and waking up with Noah the next morning (we didn't get home until 1:00 a.m.-my eye lids didn't even know what to do at that hour).

He's 15 months and livin' life!

Here's what you are up to Noah:

Some of your newer favorite words are:  on, shoe, all done, all gone, choo choo, wow, and animal sounds such as a cow, chicken, sheep, and kitty.  Your absolute favorite word is all done :)

You are still obsessed with lights and fans and point them out all the time.

You're trying to walk fast/run and it's as if your legs are flailing about you-haha!

You're REALLY into trains and drive them all around, as well as carry them around the house with you.

You are always scanning the skies for airplanes and hear them before I even do!

You have two favorite books: I Love You Through and Through and Driving My Tractor

You are learning your shape sorters and although you often choose this toy, it also frustrates you.

Your love for water is still strong and you even enjoy standing under the sprinkler.

The constant climbing worries your mommy but it's a super duper fun activity you're doing :)

You are still loving the food we give you and most times you choose veggies first.

You love going to Nonni (Non) and Grandpa's (Pa) house.

You're beginning to test us with your opinions about things and you've figured out the "no" word, although you don't use it much (yet...)

You're becoming quite the snuggler at bedtime and I cherish that time.

You love carrying things around with you.

You love pointing at things and when you don't know what it is or how to say it, you say, "dees" for this.

I'm sure there is more that you're doing sweet boy, but it's time to go get you up from your nap. You're daddy and I love you very much and have so much fun with you!

Spontaneous Tuesday

Spontaneous fun is the best kind!

Today after Noah woke up from his nap we gathered ourselves and a few items and headed out River Road to find a spot to play along the river. We didn't know where we would stop as we don't do this often (Sad I know...born and raised here and I don't know the best spot...) but we knew we wanted to have some fun in the water. Right away Justin saw a few cars parked along the road and people walking with chairs. We followed them to a perfect spot along the river. It wasn't too far, but definitely private enough.  A sweet family floating down the river gave Noah a ping pong ball...do they know him or what?!?! They made his trip to the river extra fun! 

Of course we had to have snacks along the river :)

Cheeser!

 Checking out the rocks together

It was so much fun that he conked out on the way home, which made for a crummy second nap, but oh well, we had a blast!

I love my little family of three and the summer memories we are making.

Sweet Moments

It all started with this fun and sweet invitation for a Morelli/Cambra Birthday Bash. Just look at those sweet faces of a Papa and his daughter. This picture is a million times sweeter knowing that Melissa is, and always will be...a daddy's girl.

The sweet moments of the evening just kept coming. This sly sequence says it all! You see, Melissa and Damon didn't know that anyone was watching them dance a sweet slow dance off in the distance, and if they had, I wouldn't have caught these adorable photos. They are nothing spectacular as far as quality goes, but all I had near me was my iPhone. The moment she caught me snapping away they stopped. I may get in trouble for posting this little collage, but I just can't help myself. So. Very. Sweet.

More sweet moments were found when Mommy snapped a picture of Noah and Daddy listening to the live music. The music was great, and such a fun touch. Noah loves himself some live music and he sat and watched with Justin for quite some time as the band got going.

Not as sweet as it is funny, but Noah was very much content walking around with the plastic spoon and fork playing with the hay bales.

Here is another sweet moment between Noah and Justin. They had been playing on the grass for a long time. Noah was having fun falling down on purpose. In this video the background conversation is priceless mommy talk. 

Although I don't have many pictures of this event, gee, I wonder why (walking toddler maybe??), there were sweet moments at every turn we made as Noah and I walked the Morelli property forwards and backwards and then again...and again...

Sweet moments between Melissa and her dad as we sang Happy Birthday

Sweet moments between Damon and his sweet little Cambrie as they played together on the grass

Sweet moments as Cambrie missed her Papa (grandpa) when he vanished out of sight

Sweet moments as my hubby and I danced (with Noah too)

Sweet moments as children from all over Sonoma County played together in celebration of a beautiful daughter and her Dad. 

Fun with Apps

While Noah was playing outside and I was procrastinating pulling weeds I played around with a few photo applications I have on my phone. It's totally unproductive, but very fun! Here's what we've been up to lately-summer style!

Kinder Gym at the Finley Center

4th of July on Nonni's patriotic porch

More good old Americana fun

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Happy Friday y'all! 

Noah loves his music

Noah was a big fan of music on the plaza tonight in Healdsburg. He sat on my lap for a lot of the time and just listened and watched. His mommy is happy that he loves music so much! He also had fun walking around, dancing with Nonni, laughing with Grandpa, and flirting with two of my mom's employees (they just adore him).

I love my husband for so many reasons, but one of the things that attracted me to him from the very beginning was his love for, and willingness to dance. We love to do a casual country swing together, but these days there just aren't opportunities.  Tonight we went to Healdsburg for their Tuesday's in the Plaza and the band had a folk-like feel to them and every few songs felt very country-I love me some country :) My mom also loves to dance with Justin and it was fun watching them dance together. Later I got my turn!!!! It's been years since we danced and it was so much fun. I love my man and his dancing skills. 

The Bella girls with Noah

A play date with a view

Today we joined Melissa and Cambrie at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito and it was so so fun! They have a great thing going there. Melissa took pictures throughout the day (shocker I know... :) so I will post more when she sends them to me (I love her for that and many other reasons). For now here are a few taken from my phone. Noah had a blast and was completely distracted from the fact that he had not napped!

Playing in a tunnel

Cambrie showing some leg with a beautiful background

Just chillin' in the stroller

Being silly in the fake pond

So Sleepy

I'm so sleepy, but I feel like blogging and Justin just got home from flying and usually needs some time to unwind, so here I am. Nothing too exciting...

Here are a few videos of recent:

This video is from today. We spent most of the day in Healdsburg and Noah had fun exploring Bella.  And walking up and down the sidewalk 546, 322 times :) Gheesh, no wonder I'm tired!!

STILL loves his pinwheels!