Happy Birthday My Sweet Baby

One year ago today, my precious Noah came into the world. I can't recall what I did during the day of August 27th, 2008, but I vividly remember that evening. It was a Wednesday, so Josh was at the church finishing things up for Bible study that night. It was my first pregnancy, and I didn't know what it would feel like if my water broke, so I hoped it would be very obvious. I remember calling Josh around six that night saying, "Josh I seriously think my water broke." I didn't know for sure, but I just had a feeling.

Josh's response was, "Well if you think it broke, why don't you call the doctor." I don't think he actually believed me. Haha. Anyway, Josh told me he would be home shortly.

Meanwhile, I called the doctor's office and talked to Dr. Freeman, the doctor on call, and I told him I was pretty sure my water broke. He asked me a few questions, and then he told me to go to the hospital to get checked out. I will never forget that moment. My heart started pounding in my chest. "Could this really be it?"

At that point, Josh arrived home, and I told him we were going to the hospital. I jumped in the shower, because I knew if this was really it, I wouldn't get a good shower for a while. I knew I'd be having a c-section, because Mr. Noah decided he was comfortable in the breech position. I always had his little head poking up at the top of my big, round tummy.

So, we got our stuff together, and Josh patiently walked with me as I waddled to the car. We were so excited as we drove to the hospital, because we knew that we would be meeting our precious gift from God that evening. But I remember my heart was still pounding in my chest. I was going to be a mommy. Was I ready? What if I didn't know how to be a mommy?

We arrived at the hospital, and sure enough we found out my water had broke. Noah was ready to come! And we were ready to meet him! Within a couple of hours, I was being wheeled into the c-section room, and at 8:59 pm, I heard Noah cry for the first time. I can't begin to express the emotion I felt hearing his sweet cry. Our little Noah was here and just by hearing him cry I already felt a connection to him. Tears were streaming down my face; it was one of the greatest moments in my life.

I waited for what seemed like a very long time to meet him and kiss his sweet face. Kim Clark, one of my co-workers and Noah's nurse, brought him over to me, and and I met my sweet little one for the very first time. Oh, what an amazing privilege it is to hold the child God has created within you.

Today Noah turns one. It seems like just the other day we were in the hospital room holding our tiny little baby. How does a year go by so fast?

It may have gone fast, but it has been the best year of my life. God has poured out his abundant blessings in our lives, but the greatest blessing of all is Noah.

I made this slide show the other night to show our first year with Noah. When I heard this song, I couldn't hold back tears. There is nothing more I want for Noah's life than for him to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. This is my prayer for Noah.



Happy Birthday Noah Bear! Daddy, Mommy, and Einstein love you so much!

Missing in Action

I have very much missed my blog the past couple of days. Whoa. Actually I think it has been more like a week. And you are probably wondering what the heck I have been doing all this time. Well I've been at the Texas Baptist Deaf Youth Camp all week as camp nurse. And yes I did leave Noah for five whole days! I can't even begin to explain how much I missed my baby. Especially when I called to see how Noah was doing and I would hear his voice in the background, or I would talk to him and then hear his precious voice saying, "mama." You can imagine I got very emotional. But knowing he was in good hands with my Mom and Dad made it just a little easier being away. Thank you SO much Mimi and Granddad for taking care of Noah all week; we really appreciate it and know Noah loved being with you!

As much as I (and Josh too) missed Noah, we really had a great week at camp. The theme for the week was "Live out Loud" with the focus of being set a part for God and wholeheartedly living for Him. God was definitely at work in my heart this week and I left with convictions and a renewed passion for Him. I want to know Him deeper. I desire to be a godly woman, wife, and mother and I pray God will continue to mold me to become more like Him. I am so thankful for this past week at camp.

But, I sure am happy to be home, and I have loved every minute being with Noah today. I missed every little thing about him while I was away. And it was so hard for me to lay him down for naps today and bed tonight because I missed him so much all week and I have to go back to work the next two days. When I saw him today it looked like he had grown in just a couple of days. It's amazing how fast little ones make changes so quickly. Speaking of growing, Noah will be a year in 16 days. I think I just shed a tear. A year has come and gone so quickly. It feels like just the other day when I was holding a 7 lb 14 oz Noah in my arms. Sometimes it's hard to believe he was ever that small. What a joy and blessing he is in our lives this past year. I can't imagine our lives without him.

Noah a couple days old

Noah almost One!

I am anxious to share Noah's most recent pictures with you! I have a few already, but they are hidden away until his invitations to his party are sent out. They are the cutest things I've ever seen.

Have a fabulous day!

A Furry Brother

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

That explains Einstein perfectly. Einstein is the most loving dog I have ever known. As you all know he was our first "baby." Life was good for our little pug. He was the center of attention and he knew it. Walks, treats, clothes, you name it, Einstein had it. Well, at least until August 27, 2008. On that day, Einstein became a big brother and he didn't even know it yet!

On the rainy Saturday of August 30th, we brought Noah home for the first time and Einstein met his little brother. I will never forget this precious moment:



Einstein was no longer the only child; everything had changed for him. Despite the changes and adjustments he had to make, Einstein's love for us remained strong and faithful, and I can honestly say he has loved and watched out for Noah since the day we brought him home.

Let me show you what I'm talking about.

Where ever Noah is, you will find Einstein. They are always together. How sweet is that?

Einstein takes on the role of Noah's Protector very seriously. Anytime Einstein hears anything or even if there is absolutely no noise at all, Einstein stops what he is doing and will bark until what he hears or doesn't hear is gone.

Even though the Baby Einstein DVD's are for babies, Einstein doesn't care. He still watches them with his little brother.

And Einstein is always willing to share his toys with Noah. Isn't that sweet of him?

Einstein even helps bathe Noah sometimes.

Out of all the ways Einstein shows his love for Noah, I think his gentleness towards Noah is his greatest act of love.

It doesn't matter if Noah is pulling at his tail or ears, Einstein takes it.

Noah could be crawling all over him, but Einstein doesn't care.

The fact that Einstein is always so gentle, shows how much he loves Noah.

What a wonderful companion Noah has in Einstein. Thank you Einstein for your wonderful example of selfless, unconditional love. We love you!

My First Mother's Day!

Yesterday was my first official Mother's Day, and what a special day it was! I remember last year I was pregnant with Noah on Mother's Day, and although it was exciting knowing I would be a mother within a couple months, I had no idea at that point what being a Mother was all about. Eight months ago God blessed me with Noah, and I became a mother. It has been the most wonderful eight months of my life.

Yesterday morning, we woke up late for church. Our little alarm clock didn't wake us up; I guess he was tired. Anyway, somehow we made it out the door on time. On our way to church, Josh handed me two cards. One was from him, and the other one was from Noah and Einstein. Of course Josh's card was sweet (as always), but Noah and Einstein's made my heart melt. Noah scribbled his signature, and Einstein had written me a note. At the very bottom was a P.S. saying my present was on my iPhone under the video section. There I found two videos, one from Noah and the other from Eins. I love the quote at the beginning of Noah's video.





I had tears in my eyes as I watched the memories of Noah's birth, bringing him home, and all the fun we've had together over the past eight months. Besides having Noah in my life, I cannot imagine a more perfect gift for my first Mother's Day.

What also made my Mother's Day special was time spent with family. We had the rare treat of being able to spend time with both of our families on the same day. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Better Together

It has taken Einstein a while to adjust to having a little brother in the house. When we first brought Noah home, Einstein didn't know what to think. There was so much going on around our house when we first arrived home; I think Einstein thought things would settle down, everyone would go home, and things would go back to the way they were before.

Well, Einstein had a rude awakening and quickly realized Noah was here to stay. I think Einstein has come to accept Noah as part of the family. Of course, Einstein had no choice, but I think he is actually beginning to enjoy Noah's company rather than just tolerate it.

Now that Noah is sitting and starting to really interact with the world around him, Einstein is beginning to realize he has someone to play with. It has been fun watching them interact with one another. The other night I put Noah on the ground to sit and play with his toys, and when I looked over to check on him, Einstein was laying right by Noah's side playing with his own toy. It melted my heart. I'm so glad Einstein is warming up to Noah. I have a feeling they will be the best of friends.