Noah is 2!!

Like two weeks ago...forgive me... ;)

On April 6th Noah turned two! He was really excited about his birthday, especially the birthday cake and candles...but did he eat the cake? No! It was so funny. He was super excited about the cake both times, and both times, he did not eat even one bite of it! We sure enjoyed it though :) 

On his actual birthday we had a very low key day with a surprise birthday delivery from Jenna and her parents in the afternoon, and a birthday dinner with my parents in the evening. He was really looking forward to us singing the birthday song. He sits at the kitchen table and pretends to sing it to this day. Pa had a birthday a few weeks before Noah, so I think it helped him get the idea as to what birthdays are all about! 

The next day we had his small birthday party at My Gym. Best part...I did not have to clean my house before or after ;) He had a blast playing with his friends and celebrating at My Gym. It went by way too fast. When Monday came I was sad that all the birthday festivities were over. 

Our little boy is growing up so fast, and even though I miss that little baby beginning to crawl around our house, I look forward to and cherish each phase (except the hitting phase ;) Glad that has passed (forever hopefully)!  

April 6th 

Breakfast pancakes! After I took the picture, I realized I used a very unattractive paper plate for his pancakes. Ah well, he's only two and won't remember me being lazy about the plate. I better step it up next year!

Then it was present time and he loved the Lego wrapping paper. I didn't even mention it and the moment he had the present in his hand he said, "Wego!"

Go Giants! Would he look at the camera during presents??? Noooo!

Bubbles!

Next came a birthday surprise from Jenna and her mommy and daddy...

A jump house y'all! It is so fun :) We knew they were up to no good when they came over, swiped my keys, moved my car, and had to use the garage to get the present ready. Come on over and bounce :)

For dinner Nonni and Pa came over and I made one of Noah's favorite meals, Pasta! I made it in the form of Spaghetti and Meatballs by Pioneer Woman-yummo!! Try it. I promise you will appreciate how easy and how yummy it is.  Nonni had brought his favorite cinnamon raisin bun from the bakery in Healdsburg, so between the pasta and his bun he was one happy fellow. 

Then we ate cake. The cake that Noah did not so much eat, but sure liked to look at!

He's ready :)

He sees it coming and is one happy camper!

PS. Those are Lego candles!

Birthday Kisses! Except he doesn't want to take his eyes off the cake~heheee!

Happy Birthday Noah! We love you and can't believe you are two. We look forward to all the memories of the Terrible Terrific Twos!

A Day at Nonni and Pa's

I uploaded these photos and videos in the wrong order, so I will tell you about our fun day in reverse order :)  Justin was working all day Sunday, so we went up to my parents house early in the morning to spend the day with them. We had a blast just hanging out together!

We ended our day with dinner, dessert, and snuggles on the porch.

Hanging out!

Watching the world go by, just like I did with my Grandma Emma.

His words were, "I be like Mamma."

After nap, we went to the park. Noah loves the park near my parents house. It's very updated and has lots to do.

This bridge is super high and somewhat scary, but nonetheless, very fun!

At the park there is a "Moon House." It's actually more of an acorn shaped hut, but to Noah it's a Moon House and every time he goes to the park he needs to touch the moon. I can only imagine how special it is for a little one to "touch" the moon :)

Earlier in the day we hung out in the front yard and enjoyed the sunshine. Noah helped my mom with her flower arranging, and wanted to be just like her in wearing big gardening gloves.

And OF COURSE, we had to play in the water!!

Then he helped Pa pick up flowers and mow the lawn :)

What did I do you ask? I watched the fun, took pictures, and enjoyed the sun-it was a treat!

The day began great too! My mom took Noah down to the bakery to do "their routine," which includes a walk downtown to the bakery, a "bun", and mingling with friends...a super special tradition they started about a year ago. The bun is a whole wheat cinnamon raisin roll that Noah loves. Murray and I went to breakfast (and I didn't have to feed a little one while eating-bliss).

Grandparents are so special and each time Noah shares in memories such as these, I am reminded of how special my Grandma's were to me growing up! 

"The Zoooo"

Noah adds a few extra O's to his new favorite place, the Zoooo. On Tuesday we took a spontaneous trip to the zoo. Justin worked the days before and was going to be working the days after, so family time was on the mind. We were sitting on the couch in the morning, talking about how the day might go, and I thought of the zoo. In about 30 seconds the decision was made, and we decided to get into "get ready mode" and head to the zoo. So fun! I love being spontaneous and it just doesn't happen enough. 

Here are some iphone photos of our excursion :)

First stop...the bears.

I love the sheer joy on his face as he's looking at the first animals on our tour of the zoo.

Not soon after we were petting (and hugging-only a toddler would hug a goat), and brushing some fun farm animals.

Stopped to do a little climbing :)

After lunch we saw many of the big animals, including his favorite of the day, the elephants. 

He kept hanging on the fence, yelling "Hi elephants, " which is more like "elfents." It was all very loud, and very cute.

So pretty! They were doing some "training" with this one which was fun to see.

When you're at the zoo during your nap time, soon daddy becomes a pillow :)

Our last stop was the tigers! When you ask Noah about the zoo, they are the first he lists. At the zoo the elephants seemed like a definite favorite, but the Lions are trying to come in for a close tie :)

In awe of the tigers!

I'm not sure what he's pointing to here, but that's why I included it. This is how most of our pictures ended up...Noah pointing at all the animals and saying "More animals Mamma!"

It literally took him less that two minutes to do THIS! Tuckered. Out.

I love the Oakland Zoo because it is just the right size and has all the animals a little boy could dream of. We do want to check out the SF Zoo soon just to compare and try something new (it's been forever since I have been there and Justin never has).

Lesson of the day: Being spontaneous is awesome!

A few videos of the day as well :)

Update

I'm happy to report that just after I wrote about Noah hitting, he virtually stopped. It's an answered prayer and a good reminder that children go through all kinds of phases and we have to remain positive through it all.  We were consistent with what had worked the first time and it payed off.  I think in the first few days Noah really fed off of our frustration from the hitting, which made it worse. Once I felt refreshed from a good day and had a positive outlook, it all changed! Lesson learned :)

We aren't onto another color box yet because he still likes to play in the Red Box a few times a day. It was so fun watching him explore the initial time, and the funny thing was, he was very concerned that the things were not in the right place. He felt the need to go put the red ball back in the ball pit. Ha! I think that comes from his daddy :) I will be honest, Justin is cleaner than I am. I love to organize and such, but he likes things more neat and tidy than I do in general. We will move on to our next color when I think he is good and over the red one...probably pretty soon.

We have been lounging around lately with the occasional park stop, as I now have Noah's cold. Summer please come fast! Like really fast.  No more GERMS please! Needless to say, I was very happy when Justin returned home from his trip on Monday night. 

Here are some recent phone photos of simple, every day life :)

This is how Daddy warmed his towel while I was doing bath time ~ so sweet!

When Mamma is sick and we can't really go anywhere, we play in the sink :)

At the park

Love these two!!

Snug as a bug in a rug!