Aunt Anna

On Nov 25th, Noah really wanted to wear his WRV shirt so his Aunt Anna would know he was thinking about her and praying for her. Anna isn't a Valentine or a Featherstone, but she's family to Matthew, me and Noah and we wish we lived closer so we could visit more.

Thanksgiving

This year Matt and I were given the second best gift of our lives. The best gift is the amazing grace that we receive daily from our awesome God. It does amaze me daily, that he loves us this much, and that we are so incredibly blessed to know His love and grace in such a personal way. The second best gift, Noah, has made us so much more keenly aware of the love that our Father has for us, and the depth to which it reaches. We know so little, but we know that God's love is perfect in every way, and ours is far from it. We are eternally grateful to know this love, however limited our understanding of it may be. We are thankful, but not nearly thankful enough.

Yes, we blinked and Noah is becoming a little boy...slow down!

Insanely behind...

No, I have not been on vacation for the past month...but it's the holidays people. I'm busy! I'll try to catch up fast...
My mom (Noah's Grammie) came to visit for a week before Thankgiving. She babysat while I worked 2.5 days while she was here, so she got in a lot of Grammie time. Noah loved seeing his Grammie and also the sweaters she made him (the red one not the striped one).

The day after Thanksgiving my Dad and sister came to visit us (or more accurately, they came to visit Noah). Yea family!

Welcome Isabella!

Noah's newest friend Isabella (another possible future Mrs. Valentine-apparently he has a lot to choose from) was born on the 4th at 1:53 am. Isabella's mom went through much more than I did for this precious baby girl...but as always the pain of childbirth is more than worth it. Isn't she just beautiful?! I had forgotten how little newborns are...she was so light compared to Noah (7lb, 6oz). We went to meet her on Wednesday, so she was already a day old here. Noah didn't seem too excited to see her, but he was pretty preoccupied trying to figure out why in the world I thought it was a good idea to stop somewhere after picking him up from Hannah's (rather than going straight home to have dinner). He survived the delay and will hopefully be a little more excited next time we see her.

Come on McCain...

This morning Matt, Noah and I took our first trip to the polls together as a family to vote. We probably had to wait about 45 minutes or so, but it was worth it to go as a family and start this tradition. Right now it's looking like our man is not going to come out on top. I do have to say that it looked that way four years ago too. I remember Matt and I going to bed after 11 thinking that Kerry had won, and waking up to learn that he hadn't...anything is possible!

First Tooth!

Noah's first tooth has arrived! I discovered it yesterday after Noah had finished his dinner. I tried to get a picture of it, but when I went to hold his mouth open his tongue was all over the place. Needless to say I didn't' get a picture. Below was the night before at Anna's. Noah loves unpacking the diaper bag. If you look closely you can see that there is definitely not a tooth there...but now there is! It seems like a little thing, but it just reminds me of Noah's Perfect Creator. I'm in awe.

Micah's Party

Micah wanted to dress like Spiderman for his party. When we asked him what he wanted several weeks ago he said he wanted stuff to get the bad guys with! So funny. Beth said that he'd like some toy tools, so we got him this chainsaw, and the chain actually moves. After he had opened his presents he was outside trying to cut down a tree. Precious!

One of Noah's favorite things to play with is a plastic cup...any plastic cup. Look at that belly!

Micah sat with Noah and played with him for 10 minutes...it was so precious! Oh, and Noah's second favorite toy is currently the travel wipe holder - he LOVES it.

Chillin with Uncle Silas.

Love these kids. Yes, this is the best of many pictures taken of the three of them. So funny.

Hakon, Noah's newest friend!

What a beautiful baby boy! Noah and I went to Virginia Beach this weekend to meet his newest friend, Hakon. We drove down Friday night and back up Saturday night (Praise the Lord for the safe trip...and I'm never doing it that way again.)

We had a shower for Kate and Hakon Saturday morning. He is now just over 3 months old, so it looks like he's on his way to being a big healthy boy, just like Noah! I'm so excited for the day when Noah says, "Mommy, can we go visit Hakon at the beach?" I love that right now I have total control over who Noah's friends are...too bad it doesn't stay that way.

Noah also got to meet Lucy for the first time this weekend. She is a month older than him and is such a joy to be around. Another possible Mrs. Valentine perhaps??

This is the last in a series of pictures. First, Noah has a greep plastic solo cup. Lucy takes it. Scottie and I try to explain sharing to our 7 and 8 month olds. Eventually I get a 2nd cup so they each have one. Noah tries to take Lucy's cup. Lucy succeeds in taking Noah's cup. Noah is not happy about how this story ended, but he still likes Lucy.

Lil Stinker

I found this costume at Old Navy back in September and HAD to get it for Noah. It says "Lil Stinker" in a heart on his behind...so cute! He got to wear it last weekend to the Fall Festival for the first time...

Noah's friend Jude was a skunk too, Tabitha made his outfit (yes, she's a supermommy!)

Noah was a skunk again on Friday. (I brought him in to work to trick or treat for kisses!) He looks miserable, but I think he was just a little hot with the costume on inside. He does love Jessica (she was a person you can count on for Halloween~so creative!)
I love how much Cassy and Jessica both love Noah...it really is one of the best gifts to give a parent, (after free babysitting of course!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICAH!!

Micah is 4 today...can you believe it?? His party is on Sunday (which is Allisons 1st birthday...I see a lot of posting in the very near future for me)!! How can we stop these sweet babies from growing up so fast?! Anyone have any ideas...I'm getting desperate!

Squash!

Noah is on his way to eating like an actual person! A few weeks ago we started him on squash, and he has since had peas and carrots. Carrots have been his favorite so far. In case anyone was worried I don't think he'll be starving anytime soon! We are also currently making the transition from three naps a day to two...its a work in progress, but we're figuring it out.

Great Grandparents!!

I'm behind...pictures say more than words anyway!

Noah has discovered that glasses are FUN!

Noah loved meeting his Great Grandma and Grandpa!

Just chillin with Aunt Rachel

Having a party with Granddaddy, and Great Grammie and Granddaddy (it was quite the month for family visits!)

21 lbs. and Counting...

That's right folks...Noah had his 6 month check up this week and is a whopping 21 pounds. (Yup, getting a new carseat this week!!) He was great for his appointment. He grimaced and whined for the shots, but didn't really cry. This kid never ceases to amaze me. I can hardly believe that he's over halfway through his first year. Every day is exciting, but a little sad too since time slips by so quickly. I already feel like he's not really a baby anymore...well, he is the size of some toddlers even though he isn't one yet! Here are some more pics from around the 6 month mark...

Noah says, "Thank you Mimi for my cool outfit...I sure am cute!"

That was a surprise for me when I looked at the pictures...but I love it!

This was the first time I had Noah sitting straight on the grass rather than on a blanket. He didn't know quite what to think about the prickly grass! Amazingly enough, he actually did not try to eat any of it!

6 Months...A look back

Noah is officially 6 months old (as of Saturday) and the time has FLOWN. I'm stealing this idea from Tabitha...let's take a look back.

Newborn!!

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months


6 Months!!!

Noah LOVES to jump. He is so fun to watch and interact with when he's in his jumper. This video is so great of him...except I didn't think about the fact that video can't be flipped, so I recorded it the wrong way. Won't make that mistake again, but even though it's annoying to turn your head through the video...it is so worth it to watch. Enjoy...and feel free to make fun of me for my lack of camera skills (Matt did)!

More Virginia Beach...

We drove down Friday after Noah was asleep and stayed with Noah's Auntie Anna. Saturday morning we went on a walked by the beach with Noah. It was a beautiful weekend, not too hot, nice and breezy.

Just playing at Anna's on Sunday morning.

We stopped at Applebee's halfway home on Sunday. (Noah did great on the ride home...the last hour he was definitely done with his carseat, but he did really well nonetheless!) Matt gave Noah his first taste of a lemon...

We also gave him his first taste of some plain water that weekend (just a few drops from a straw). Funny how the simplest things can be so exciting and fun!

Just plain cute

Southern's Wedding

Matt, Noah and I were in Virginia Beach for Southern and James' wedding two weekends ago. (Only one more wedding coming up this year...) Matt and Noah ended up missing the ceremony, but we all had a blast at the reception. The band was fantastic...and Noah actually went to bed at his normal time and slept in the car seat (with several burp rags stuffed around his ears to muffle the noise!)

Beautiful Bride!

Bed time!

Girl's House...