Boys Will Be Boys

If you look up the word ornery in the dictionary, you'll most likely find a picture of my little boy. I knew one of these days we'd see an ornery side of Noah, because let's face it, he is just like his Daddy {love you Josh}. Well that day has arrived, and is here in full force. And guess who is getting the worst of it? You guessed it... Einstein! The passive, defenseless little Einstein. Poor, poor doggy. And I'm afraid, terribly afraid, this is just the beginning of Einstein's torture.

Let's start with Einstein's bone. Einstein loves chewing on his bone, um, when he actually has it. You see, Noah thinks it's fun to take Einstein's bone away from him. Between you and me, it's actually quite comical watching Noah carry Einstein's bone all over the house while Einstein follows at his heels. Noah will stand in front of Einstein and either a.) hold the bone up in the air so he can't reach it or b.) throw the bone at Einstein's face {which only happened once because he got in big, big trouble for doing that}. I know, poor Einstein!

It doesn't matter how many times we've said "No, that is not yours, Noah" or the countless times we've taken the bone and given it back to Einstein, Noah is downright determined to take Einstein's bone away from him.

Today while I was at work, I received a picture {a very funny one indeed} from Josh on my phone. This what what I saw:

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the picture. {Sorry about our ghetto computer. Noah actually pulled the front panel off.} Noah put Einstein's bone on top of the computer, so Einstein couldn't reach it. Imagine that.

Goodness gracious! What am I going to do with this little boy? Before we know it Noah is going to be lassoing Einstein and riding him like a horse.

Oh dear me, I guess I am in a house full of testosterone. Boys will be boys, right?

Silence = Noah + Mischievousness

Noah is a very active and vocal little guy {what toddler isn't}, so when Noah is being really quiet, he is usually up to something. Today while I was {wait, what was I doing?}, I suddenly realized there was silence in the house. So, I decided to check on my little munchkin to see what he was up to.

You see this little ornament storage box...

... well, it was not next to Noah's high chair.

But when I walked into the living room, this is what I saw:

What did I tell ya? I knew he was up to something.
Noah pulled the ornament box to his highchair
and proceeded to do this:



But seriously, how cute is that?

I guess little Noah was a hungry boy, so

he decided to take matters into his own
hands and get himself a snack.

And then look at the sweet little smile
he gave me after he got caught.

Oh, I just love this little boy!

Oh Christmas Tree & Curious George

Have I told you lately I just love this time of the year? Oh yeah. Ha. I told you that yesterday. Well, today is December 1st, and although I know the month will inevitably fly by, I am going to enjoy every single day of this holiday season.

I love going Christmas tree shopping! Last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, we set out to find the perfect tree. We originally planned on going back to Flower Mound {the same place we went for the pumpkin patch} to get a freshly cut tree, but we decided instead to run over to Lowe's since Noah had not been feeling very well. Oh, that and the fact that we no longer have my Jeep to safely fasten the tree on top. There was no way we were gonna attempt to lug a Christmas tree on our small car all the way from Flower Mound.

So all three of us went to Lowe's, and we began our search. Now Josh would probably tell you I'm a Christmas tree slave driver, but really, I'm not. Someone has to lift all the trees up so I can examine them, right? I mean who wants to go through all the trouble of bringing home a tree just to find out it's crooked or that there are a bunch of missing branches. I don't. So Josh is my Christmas tree handler, and I have to admit he does get a little very irritated with me. Sometimes I can just tell as soon as he begins lifting the tree up that it's just not the one.

Here is a typical conversation between the two of us every year we go shopping for a Christmas tree.

Libby: Oh, how about that one? It looks pretty.

Josh: This one? Ok.

Libby: Well. Hmm. Can you turn it around for me? No, the other way.

Josh: Which way!?

Libby: The other way! Stop right there! Well... it is pretty, but just lay it down there and we can come back if we don't find something else that is better.

Josh: Libby! It's not easy lifting these things.

Libby: I know, but this is only like the fourth one we've looked at. There might be a better one. Come on. Look at this one! Can you pick this one up, please?

Josh: Ok, but if I pick this huge one up and you don't like it I'm gonna be really mad at you.

You get the idea. Really, we always have fun picking out our Christmas tree {as we did this year}, but it's just funny because it seems like we go through that same conversation every year.

Anyway, after an extensive search {which really wasn't that extensive} we found the perfect tree!

Josh & Noah at Lowe's

Josh putting the Christmas tree up & Noah pulling the lights out.
Looks like my boys have it under control.

Just a couple sweet pictures of Noah that night.
He had fun with Mommy & Daddy picking out our Christmas tree.



And the finished product {this lousy picture doesn't do it justice}!



And boy, do we have a Curious George around here.
I am constantly telling Noah not to touch the tree,
but he has a mind of his own.



His face is priceless in the top middle picture. I love it.
He knows he shouldn't touch, but as you
can see he went right ahead and touched.
As stubborn as he is, he sure is cute!

Maybe we should have gotten a table tree after all! Ha ha.

Dear Noah,

My sweet Noah, how do 14 1/2 months pass by so quickly? How do you grow and change so fast? The other day as I sat and watched you play, the realization of how quickly you are growing hit me like a ton of bricks. It is so exciting and such a blessing to see you grow, learn, and discover, but at the same time it's kinda sad. I don't want you to grow up too fast. I'm so thankful for you--thankful for the moments, the laughs, the snuggles, the kisses--thankful for every moment we have together.

And so tonight I would like to share some of the things you are doing right now, so one day we can look back and remember you at this sweet, precious age.

1. You love blueberries. I think in the past month I've bought 3 bags of blueberries, and you are finishing up bag number 3.

2. You are looking more and more like your handsome daddy everyday.

3. You are starting to chuckle and it is the cutest thing I've ever heard. It makes your Mommy and Daddy laugh every single time.

4. Mr. Noah, you are still very determined to get into Einstein's water bowl because you love to splash his water all over the kitchen floor.

5. You have 7 teeth already!

6. You have become very interested in the trash can the past couple of days. I'm still trying to figure that one out.

7. You have started to clap your hands together, and it is so very sweet!

8. Noah, Noah, Noah, you will only eat bananas if Mommy hides them in your peanut butter sandwich; otherwise, you leave every single banana untouched on your highchair table.

9. You enjoy very much pouring large amounts of water outside the bathtub. Einstein thanks you though.

10. You are starting to sign a couple of words, and when you do Mommy gets very excited about it and starts clapping and jumping up and down.

11. You laugh at yourself every time you sneeze, and it's so funny when you do that.

12. You have started this new break dance move every time your Daddy gets home from work, and it is hilarious! Let's show off some of your dance moves, shall we?



13. You love to hide things... especially balls. The other day I was getting a cooking pot out, and what do I see? Your big blue ball hidden away with all the pots and pans. But the best example I have is when I opened the fridge and found one of your mini basketballs sitting there. Who knows when you put it there and how long it had been chilling in there. You are a sneaky little guy.

14. And last, but not least, you are starting to climb on just about everything. I walked out of the kitchen for a minute, and when I came back I found you right here {the dishwasher door was closed when I left too}:

You are the best, and we love you so much!

Mr. Cool Guy and Some Cute Cookies

I have a video I want to show you; it is quite comical.

I love it for two reasons:
1. He just makes me laugh.
2. It captures Noah's response perfectly
when he is not in the mood. (you'll see)

Watch:

Josh said it perfectly in the video, "He has a look on his face like, 'You gotta be kidding me.'" I laugh every time I watch it. Most of the time he copies me and we go back and forth making noises together, but not that day, no sirree. He was determined he was not gonna do it. He sure is a funny little guy.

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In about a week or two our church, New Life Deaf Fellowship, is having a Fall Festival. So I have been searching the past couple of days for some fun cookies to make. I wanted something different. Something a little bit more challenging than just mixing up a prepackaged cookie mix. After a little bit of looking around at different websites I came across the cutest little cookies. But I have a little bit of a problem now that I found some ideas. I can't decide which ones I like better. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions. Here are my choices:

Spider cookies from Bakerella.com. Aren't these cute?

Or... bats from Parents.com! I think they're adorable! I'm actually
leaning more towards these little guys. What do you think?

Well which ever cookies I decide to make, I sure hope they turn out as cute as the ones in the pictures.

Well I better call it a night. I'm doing a little research on the H1N1 vaccine so I can make an informed decision as to whether Noah should get it or not.

Goodnight!

I Can't Think of a Good Title...

...But I do have a good post for you. It's just a little too random to fit under one title.

I was on a roll. For the first few days of this month I posted everyday, but I'm not sure what happened the past three days. I was bragging to Josh the other day telling him I was doing good keeping the blog updated. Psh. I guess I spoke too quickly.

Well... I guess I kind of have an excuse for my absence. I posted a picture of my first diaper cake on Facebook, and not too long after that I got a message from a friend asking me if I could make one for her great nephew. Um, yeah of course I would! I was so excited to have the opportunity to create another one, especially one for a little boy this time.

I have found a new hobby: making diaper cakes! I can't get enough of it! When I am finished with one I'm ready to get started on another. I love decorating and seeing the diaper cake come together. Now every time I'm out somewhere and see something cute I catch myself thinking, "Oh that would be perfect on a diaper cake." Somehow I refrain from spending money, but it's not easy!

Of course you know I can't just go on and on about it without some pictures, right?

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Ah! I just love that little monkey. Isn't it the cutest?

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Speaking of monkeys, I have a little monkey of my own around here. A little monkey that is mischievous and silly! Earlier today I told Josh, "Noah is too quiet. He must be up to no good." And sure enough, look where I found Noah hiding today.

I caught you! His sweet smile sure does make up for his orneriness. He is so funny. I actually couldn't believe he crawled in there all by himself. What a independent little guy.

Guess what else Mr. Noah did today? He took his first step! And both Mommy and Daddy got to see him do it. Yay Noah! I'm thinking it isn't going to be long before he is chasing Einstein around the house. It will be good for Einstein though; he could stand to loose a few pounds.

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Josh was on the computer this afternoon and he yelled at me to come see something. So I walked over to the computer and squealed (no pun intended--you'll see) with giddiness as I laid my eyes on this:

I know one thing for sure: my sister, Megan, is squealing over these "teacup pigs" too. Megan and I love anything that is "teacup." Teacup pugs, pigs; you name it, we like it. Are they not the cutest little piggies you've ever laid your eyes on? I can just imagine Noah swinging that little pig by his curly tail, so for the sake of the pig we better not get one. That, and the fact that they cost a whopping $1,100 each. If you want to read more about them, click here. The article is actually pretty interesting. Apparently they are pretty good pets, but with swine flu going around I'm sure there won't be too many purchased. Haha.

One last thing before I go: would you please lift my grandmother, Gigi, up in prayer. The day before yesterday she fell down a steep flight of stairs, and thankfully has no broken bones or internal injuries, but she is very very sore as you can imagine. Thank you so much!

Have a wonderful night!

Mommy's Little Helper

I am so lucky to have such a good little helper around here. I mean what would I do without him? As you know, Noah's favorite area in the house is the kitchen. So when it comes time to clean the kitchen, Noah gets busy helping momma clean it.

As you can see, Mr. Noah got into the paper towels while I was vacuuming the living room. I turned off the vacuum thinking I better check on him, and I walked into the kitchen to find Noah rolling around in rolls of paper towels. And he was having the time of his life! Ha!

Of course how could he get in trouble when it is so darn cute!

So another lesson learned: paper towels don't go on the floor of the pantry anymore.

My Mischievous Little Boy

Noah has several things he loves to get into around here.

1. Once he started crawling, Noah found out how to open the kitchen cabinets in no time. And guess what his favorite cabinet to open is? The cabinet with all the cleaning stuff. I don't care if he gets into the pots and pans, but the cabinet with the cleaning supplies is a no-no. And Noah knows that cabinet is off limits, but does he care? Oh no. Because he knows he isn't supposed to get into it, he does. Our bar stools now have a permanent residence in front of the cabinets until I get something to lock those things up!

2. Take a look at this picture. Remember seeing the decorative item in the very left corner from "Our New Home" blog?

Well, Noah loves to bang it against the wall, so most of the time you will find it up on top of the glass table. I knew when I was decorating that he would probably get into it, but didn't realize it would become one of his favorite things to play with.

3. Noah loves the lamps in our living room. They are kind of wobbly anyway, but when Noah gets his hands on them, you'd better not get too close because that lamp is coming down on you. I always look at him as his little hand is tightly clinched around the pole and say, "no-no Noah," but that lamp is swinging back and forth before I can even finish saying his name.

4. Here's another thing Noah loves to get into:

As you can see from this picture, he managed to squeeze his little body past my barricade so that he could play with the tree's fake grass or moss or whatever it is. I have to say this is probably his favorite thing to get into. He loves to play with that stuff, and you can imagine how messy it gets.

And here is the face he gave me when I caught him playing in the tree!

Noah, Noah, Noah what am I going to do with you?

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!