Prior to the move...

On the Memorial Day, Jen and Joel Searby hosted a party for all of us friends to get together one last time before the move. We ate pork and brat's, hung out by the pool, and of course played some games- catch phrase, outburst, and what if. "What if" was definately the big hit and we played probably 10 rounds before we gave it up. We had so much fun and cannot wait until we can all get together and do it again!

At the pool...

Jimmy looking thrilled that I am taking a picture of him and his beautiful wife Katie...

Jen planting a wet one on Joel...

Josh planting one on an always giggling Krystle....

The group...

The crazy pic and my personal favorite!!!

Renae and Chris came to say goodbye too, but had to get back to their fam!

The Move and More

I just wanted to let everyone know that Matt and Peanut made it to Iowa safely and all of the stuff made it with only minor bumps and bruises. Noah and I stayed a few days with Baga Sue, then came down to stay with my mom. Next week we are going to be house sitting.
Before the move on May 27th, Noah got his first big boy haircut. He looks even more like his daddy now,as if he didn't before!

Noah before his first big hair cut

The first cut...

Look at all his curls...all gone!

Noah's new look! He looks so grown up.

All the hair after it was all finished.

Also, when we loaded Noah's carseat up in my mom's truck, we turned his seat around to face the front of the car. I think he likes it, but it also makes him complain louder because he can see us in the front seat.

Today we went to Kelli Jo's graduation party and found out that Becca is moving to G-ville to be a gator! Noah is getting more and more confidant walking around and will actually take your hand now and walk around. Also, I got my hair cut off again, a little shorter and spikier this time. When Matt gets some time I will have him load pictures of Noah's haircut and I will try to load up pictures of my haircut. Noah is going to Penny's next week for his 1yr pictures. I know it is a little late, but we are going to do them anyways. Well that is all I can think of for now...

This one is with it styled
This is just after a shower

more, more, more

This week, Noah started using the more sign! At first he was really concentrating on getting his fingers to touch, but now he signs "more" like a pro. Now we need to work on "Please" and "Thank you!"

Check the birthday post again because I finally uploaded some pictures from the party.

These are some random shots I just thought I would share...

I think these are Noah impersonating Richard Simmons

Noah thought it was his turn to get packed for our move!

Noah's First Movie

Last Friday, Noah and I went with Angie and Isabella to see Shrek 3 for Isabella's birthday. The previews were on when we arrived at the theatre and Noah got really excited at seeing all of the previews. He started kicking his legs and turning around to smile at me. He even joined in, eating popcorn right out of the bag like a little man. It was great. He watched for about an hour, took a brief nap, then woke up to see the end. He was a perfect angel.

Today we went to see Pepe, a renowned dog trainer to help Matt and I modify Peanut's behavior and learn how to be the alphas in the pack. I was really encouraged and we will be meeting with Kim, Pepe's assistant, on Friday to learn some more about this training method.

Noah is becoming more, and more confidant with his walking. Anytime he stands up he takes some steps. Sometimes one, and the most on record now is seven. By the time we fly up to Iowa, we will chasing him around I am sure. This should make the airport experience a little more interesting.

That is all for now...

Noah turns one, mommy graduates

Hi all! I am sorry this is so late, but I have been busy with the party and getting thank-you notes written. We had a great time while the Bolins and their tagalongs were here. Last weekend we went to Tampa and helped get Helen moved. Mother's Day we spent at Baga Sue's house. Matt grilled out kabobs for us and we had a great time visiting with everyone. As soon as I get a chance, I will load up some of the pictures we have from the past couple of weeks.

10:00am I graduate at the O'Connell center.


As I went across stage, I did the Gator Chomp!


Ashley and the Birthday Boys- Papa Ted-May 4th, Uncle James-May 6th, Noah-May 7th



Noah with his own personal birthday cake, compliments of Publix for his 1st birthday.

Just getting into it!


The aftermath!

Just FYI, Noah is really starting to get the hang of walking! He has taken 4-5 steps (May 5th) on one excursion. I am sure in the next couple of weeks he will be running around here driving me crazy!

Updates on Development

Well this past week, Noah's 6th tooth poked through. The top right. He still just has two on the bottom and four on the top now. Last night we had the Searbys, Whitlocks and Williams over for games and dinner. While Matt and I were both looking at Noah he took his first step! He just took one and it was a pivot step. Matt said it was a "perfect Basketball move." So hopefully he will be working on walking for this weekend!

Also, sometime this past week, Noah began to point at things. The first thing he pointed at was his milk!

Clearwater Beach

Saturday, April 28th, the three of us, with Joel and Jen Searby, went to Tampa to check out the building and grounds of the church plant that is to be a mission trip for our church. Since we were so close to the Gulf, we (Jen and I) decided that we should go on over to the beach. Noah was a little bit scared at first, but seemed to enjoy it once he got used to it.

Miscellaneous stuff

Hi all! I promised to update the blog sooner than I have been, so here we go...

This is Noah eating a bitter biscuit...Looks pretty normal here, but wait till you see the next two photos!





This is showing Noah's 5 teeth...his sixth one is almost through

Noah crawled in between the fridge and the wall (turn your head to see it up right:)-

This is Cheena one of our close friends. She stopped through on her way out to Tx where she moved to:(

This is what I call "Pharaoh" Noah!

Almost One!

Well it has been over a month since I posted to update everyone on the happenings in Noah's life. His first birthday is bearing down on us quickly! He is now getting close to walking and I think he will be walking by his birthday. He has five teeth through and another couple on the way. We have sent out the invitations to Noah's 1st birthday and my graduation party. We cannot wait to see every one then-the more the merrier! Matt and I are both busy finishing up the semester. We weighed Noah at Publix the other day and he weighed 20.5lbs! One of his favorite pastimes remains opening and closing doors. He is beginning to use sign language to communicate and it is so neat! He knows the sign for milk and we are working on more please, drink, food, daddy, and potty. He also will wave hello and goodbye and loves to clap. We are trying to discontinue the use of baby food altogether, but it has proven as more of a challenge than we had thought. For anyone who has not heard yet, we are moving to Iowa at the end of June. We are excited for the new doors God is opening to us and cannot wait to see what he has in store. We are also sad to be leaving our family and friends down here. We haven't started packing yet, but plan on working on that this weekend. Hope everyone is well and we will hopefully keep this updated better in the future!

The pictures below are from mid April for our invitations

The picture of Noah in the swing is at Paynes Prairie State Park where the party is (mid March).

Noah in his "Kiwi" Shirt from Suzie and Patrick in New Zeland taken in late Feb/early March!!!

Black and Blue

Well the last couple weeks have been rough on Noah... or Noah has been rough on them!

He got his first rug-burn crawling in his carseat upside-down. When it flipped over, his nose skidded across the carpet and created exhibit A. On Saturday night (March 3rd), Noah was pulling up on the entertainment stand and slipped only to catch himself on the way down on his cheek bone, just under his left eye. Finally today, Noah pinched his hand in the bifold closet doors to create what we have here in exhibit B.


Exhibit A


Exhibit B

One cool thing for Noah this week is that his 3rd tooth poked through on his upper jaw, right-hand side. Looks like it is the tooth next to his front tooth...All Noah wants for his birthday is his two front teeth!

A Well Oiled Machine

Today Noah went in for his nine month check up. He received his third Hep B vaccine, had a hemoglobin check, and weighed in at 18lbs, 26 3/4 inches. Dr. Beebe told me he was doing great and keep up the good work.

Noah is beginning to stand freely more and more. This evening Matt saw him let go of the chair and pivot to the deep freeze in the kitchen.

Also Noah has begun making what I believe to be monkey face #1. For those who do not know, My "gaganny" (Noah's great granddaddy Hughlett) used to have me make monkey face #1 and monkey face #2. I sure do wish he would have been here to meet Noah and see his monkey face!

Detective mommy?

Well I took Noah to the doctor again today. It seems these visits are becoming weekly, not because I have some over active need to take my kid in and be told everything is fine, but because I know there is something wrong before the doctors can even detect it. This past friday Noah was diagnosed over the phone with pink eye. Since I took him in today, the ARNP thinks he probably didn't have a classic pink eye, but rather an infection in the whole right side of his face. He is developing an ear infection in the left ear also, with the right ear already there. The good news is that we do not have to pry Noah's eys open to put drops in his eyes anymore. He is on Omnicef that will cover anything that is going on.

On a lighter note Noah is beginning to stand up without holding on!!!! Yesterday, Matt was standing with him and let go expecting him to sit down, but he stood there for 5secs or so. How exciting!!! Also, his second bottom tooth broke through last Monday (Jan 29th). Well I guess that is all for now...Wish Noah a happy 9 months birthday tomorrow!

And the Winner is...

Well through many sleepless nights, (Not due to the photo contest, but due to an irritable, teething baby) it has been decided. C will be the picture we will send on to Regis and Kelly. A was the close second, and although maybe the best photograph, not the best representation of Noah's beauty. Maybe we will enter it into a photo contest at the state fair...