8,100 POUNDS!!! OMG!!

That's what our load came in at! Part of me feels a little bad because it was a rate guarantee at 6,500. On the flip side to that, we didn't add 1,600 pounds of stuff to our collection. The only thing of any weight that got sent was diapers - It's Noah's fault! No wonder I was sore after all the packing and moving of boxes.

Moving Day

I really wonder what Noah thought...maybe that the walls were closing in on him?

We were packing nearly to the final hour, 11 PM last night! We got 'er done!

The truck arrived right on schedule if not a few minutes early. Four men did the loading.

Noah on moving morning - I think enjoyed the activity
The dogs not so much.
The driver can drive the rig that's for sure.

We had a grand total of 318 tagged articles. Articles include the boxes and non-boxed items such as bicycles, wheel barrows, Noah toys, furniture...you get the drift. It was estimated to weight 6,500 pounds, I'm itching to to find out how much it actually weighed.

See why I kept running out of boxes? 318!! I still can't wrap my head around that! Geesh! Not looking forward to unpacking and hauling all the discards to get recycled.

Catch you on the flip side stuff :(

More boxes please!

I believe the movers are as thankful this day will finally come as I am. They didn't come yesterday as secondly planned but will be here tomorrow as thirdly planned. Yahoo!! I will be so glad when this part of the journey is over. I took today off to get things done (taking a small break to type).

I've probably called them 30 times and stopped by a couple of handful of time.

My calls are as such:

"So you said if it can fit in a box it needs to go in a box - I need more boxes"

"I need more boxes"

"Can I come by at 3 and get more boxes"

"I don't have a box for my stroller"...response: "Jennifer, if it fits in a "standard" moving box it needs to go in a box."...me again: "I need more boxes"

I've also probably asked them 10 times what size truck they are using. My dad has asked me because he's concerned about getting it where it needs to get in Fort Bragg. I think the movers think I'm crazy and am worried about having enough room ('cause I keep asking for more boxes). Their response is "A BIG ONE" "an 18 wheeler" "a semi". I guess they'll figure it out when they get there.

Bless their hearts, they seem to have a good sense of humor about it and are totally tolerating my AAA personality and control tendencies.

Sleep...

Last night I woke-up at least 4 times to a high pitched squeal (a little sad but also rather amusing). Noah has gotten in the habit of getting himself stuck in the slats of his crib. Upon trying to roll he finds himself stuck and uncomfortable...mom to the rescue!

This is me trying to take a shot of Noah's teeth, that's right teeth as in plural. Two bottom. No luck but did get giggle worthy shot.

Sprinkle for Hill

It was her day so I won't post any other pictures...I just couldn't resist with this one!

I love it!!

Big Boy Stats

6 Month MD Readings

Length - 28 inches = 90%
Weight - 19 pounds = 70%
Noggin - not sure of circumference = 70%

Noah has eaten:
Peas
Green beans
Carrots
Sweet Potatoes
Squash
Pears
Peaches
Bananas (which he doesn't love (yet) - thank the Lord!)
Chicken (out of a jar...poor lad)

Overall, just a perfect little (not so little really) boy!

Through the months

A little photo recap

And now 6 months!!

1/2 year old

I know I'm technically a few minutes (hours) early on this but I couldn't resist! We've had the most beautiful weather here so Noah and I were on the front porch enjoying it. Rest assured he will be wearing a big o'l 6 on his shirt tomorrow...you may even get pictures of that!

These were just too cute not to share.

At 1 day short of his 6 month birthday Noah has hit some firsts.

*First pair of shorts!

*First sun screen slathering!

*First time having dirty feet!

He's only had this walker just over a week. At first his feet barely touched the ground, today he managed to move himself around.

Me thinks he really enjoys it.

We'll have official MD readings and stats next week.

Team C.!

If you can't tell from the picture, we had our day in court! Judge Dusty Deschamps presided. DH was a rock, Noah a charmer and me...well a babbling baby.

For those that aren't getting my drift, our adoption of Noah is final. From day 1 Noah has been nothing less than our son and the love or our lives, now all official documents will show Noah as part of team C!

Welcome to the team baby boy!

Panic - check!

The movers called yesterday morning to asked if they would be able to pick-up our stuff Tuesday...as in a week from today!!

Apparently, there is a truck in Seattle getting a partial load this weekend and they want to head this way to get our stuff.

We will be at least 21 days without our stuff!!!

Prairie Dog Town - USA

We were in the far away land of Billings this weekend visiting Noah's birth families. I promised DH if he was a good boy all weekend we would stop at Prairie Dog Town...he's wanted to stop there each time we've passed.

DH was a good boy!

It was perfect timing for a bottle and diaper change.

We learned prairie dogs live in communities with 2 males, 4 females and all their young. Within the park there were many communities. If a dog from another community tried to visit another the fight would be on! The dogs are pretty clever hole diggers and watch dogs. Very interesting. Our K9's would have gone absolutely berserk if they were there.

Noah did surprisingly well with the drive, by hour 4 1/2 he was getting a little restless but all in in all he did well. He also did pretty well sleeping in the hotel. We were prepared for anything and thankfully we didn't need to be.

Our visits were lovely, we're glad we made the time to make the trek...more pictures later.

25 Weeks!

Okay, yeah, I know, I've been totally slacking on my weekly Noah updates. It's hard to believe little guy is going to be 6 months next week! Where has the time gone?

On to the updates:
The obvious first - he's adorable, charming, brilliant, this could go on and on and on...

Noah has conquered peas, squash, green beans and (just tonight) carrots! He's eating about 32 oz of formula a day, nearly two cups of rice cereal and 3-4 oz of puree.

Noah is sitting up pretty well unsupported, he's mastered the tri-pod (sitting w/hand on the ground between his knees). He seems to be on the verge of forward motion while on his stomach - what it looks like now is similar to the yoga pose down dog only with his elbow on the ground.

Now for the most exciting milestone - a tooth!! Not the whole tooth yet, just a little sharp shard pushing out of his gum!! This would explain a little of his fussiness the past couple days. I thought I felt it yesterday, today there was no doubt when he decided to take a taste of my hand. It's visible to a very well trained mommy eye!

Little guy no more?

In the name of the...

Child of God

From day 1, Noah has been a Godly child but now it's official - Noah is a Child of God!

We were hoping to have Noah's baptism the weekend of graduation so everyone would be able to attend however it just didn't work out that way. The church calendar was filling up fast so we just had to go for it.

Aunt Becky a.k.a. Godmother was able to fly in for a quick 23 1/2 hour stay on her way to a conference on Tuscan. Godfather Aaron was unable to make it.

Fortunately G'ma S. was in Italy during the time we were waiting for Noah's arrival so she picked up a beautiful handmade baptismal gown on the island of linen and lace known as Burano in Venice. It was very special to have such a magnificent garment for such a magnificent little boy.

Doesn't he just look like a doll?

There was one other baptism schedule yesterday. Isaac & Noah were anointed, blessed and received into the Catholic Church together. Father Sean Raftis presided.

Our pictures were staged after mass - we're hoping the other family will be emailing us pictures of the actual baptism...waiting patiently.

Happily in Aunt Becky's arms.

After mass we headed to a lovely dinner. It was a nice, simple yet spiritual affair.

I'm hoping to hold off on washing Noah's hair as long as possible...it smells so good!! The personal recipe of oil from Bishop Thomas is delicious!

Kind of a BIG deal

Schools out! Sort of. Mike finished the last day of his last rotation on Friday!! Yippee!! I even felt the weight lift. He still has a little paperwork, an exit interview and graduation but that's all easy stuff.

Noah also started being a tummy sleeper on Friday. Terrifying yet very cute.

Our petition has...

been filed for finalization!!! We're just waiting for the call with our court date.

On the move

Yikes!! Have you seen the countdown to the right?!?!? --->

Not that anyone really called us on it but, our home phone service is no longer - please use our cells.

Our house is in absolute disorder! We've booked our movers! Due to timing, logistics and receiving it sounds like we will be without our worldly possessions as of April 30th!! I've only come close to a mental breakdown once and only hyperventilated a few times. I think I will get through this!

Adventures in Peas

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Noah's First Easter

And ours as a family! The E-Bunny brought Noah some treats, books, blocks, a bunny, clothes, cards. Thanks to all that remember Noah and us this Easter.

It's difficult when it's just the thee of us to get a picture with Noah looking at the camera.

This is our best attempt for our first family Easter photo.

After mass (the early one) we were planning on going out to breakfast....everyone seemed to be doing brunches that didn't start until 9 - we ended up at IHOP. Not great but still fun to have Easter breakfast as family.

Eggs!

We got in the spirit by dying some eggs. Noah was interested in the processes.

So happy with the egg

We'll teach him to peel and eat an egg when he's legally allowed.