Noe News is Good News

Landen- going on 16 months

I haven't written much about my children lately- their developments, their personalities & quirks, and I've been thinking about this for weeks. I just want to remember them and who they are now because they change so fast! I finally feel like I have the recent news and important stuff out of the way to do some "updates" on our family. I'll start with Landen.

(photo by Kasey Shaw)

Landen's personality is really starting to show. He's going to be one of those boys that will win the girls' hearts. He's very sweet, considerate and gentle. But he is also very much a boy.

-He loves to run really fast and give me a quick hug for no reason at all. He'll lay his head on my shoulder, "ahhhh" and then go right back to playing. It's like a little reminder "mom, I just wanted to quickly say that I love you"

(photo by Kasey Shaw)

-He's very friendly. I'm sure he's just doing what he sees Joselyn do, but he loves to wave and say hi to anyone who passes him. He flashes his big sweet smile and no one can resist his chubby cheeks, big brown eyes and red hair. Including me.

- He loves to eat, and he'll pretty much eat anything


(photo by Kasey Shaw)

- He loves to talk. He didn't speak much when he turned one but there was one week a few weeks ago when all of the sudden there was an explosion of words coming out of his mouth. Besides "mama" his first word was "THANK YOU". Yes, he practiced it over and over again. My heart is broken because I actually caught it on video on my new iphone... and then accidentally erased all of my videos this morning. He's so polite- he even knows exactly when to use the word. Following that he said bird, ball, and dada. Now he will try to copy just about any word he hears.

(photo by Kasey Shaw)

- He loves his mama. The other night I had to download the song "Song for Mama" by Boys II Men for a wedding reception. Since Landen loves to say mama and hear me respond (he does this a LOT) I thought it would be fun to play the song for him. He LOVES it. He actually tries to sing it and gets really into it. And when it ends he says "gin?" (like, Again?)

- He's a climber! He climbs everything and is not afraid to fall. In fact, he's fallen so many times it's just routine for him now and he only cries if it's a REALLY hard fall. The other day he climbed all the way up a tall ladder. He started up it and I stood behind him- I just wanted to see if he could do it. And he did like a pro. He's not safe at playgrounds. I have a feeling he's going to be very accident prone just like his daddy was when he was little.

-When he is really happy he smiles really big by squinting his eyes.

-He has the cutest little facial expressions. I wish I could capture them all. He has a face for when he is ashamed, one for when he is shy, one for when he is having fun and each one has a variation. I just LOVE them.


(photo by Kasey Shaw)

-Like most children he loves to go outside. He will often bring us shoes to let us know he wants to go outside!

- He loves balls. This one doesn't need too much explanation because I've written a lot about this lately, but he is seriously obsessed. One time I had to buy him a ball at Target because he kept crying for one. He insisted on holding it in his lap even though it was pretty much larger than he was, and screamed when we went through the check out. He wouldn't let go of it in the car either, and I laugh thinking about looking back there to see his little arms barely holding the ball on his lap. I couldn't even see his face. Just a big ball with legs and arms. And he held onto it the whole way home. Sometimes he even sleeps with a soft plush ball. 

- He has an obsession with vacuums. It could be because we like to play the chasing game with him when I vacuum- which is often. Like 3 or 4 times a day. When we're at a store and he sees a vacuum he goes crazy, He calls them "va-coo" or something like that. 

-He's definitely a mama's boy although I'm pretty much the only gal he REALLY likes. He would rather hang out with guys. If his uncle Steven is around he will have nothing to do with me. Nothing. He loooooves his uncle Steve. Of course Steven loves him too. They are buddies. 

(photo by Kasey Shaw)

-I can tell that he is going to be pretty mild-mannered. Although he loves to run around and be a boy and is very friendly, he doesn't make a big fuss very often. He's easy going. He's starting to defend himself when Joselyn takes a toy away, but usually will just go find another toy. (unless it's a ball. then it's the end of his world).

-He still sleeps a lot. He takes a 2 hour nap in the morning and a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. He goes to bed at 8 and wakes up around 6:30-7. I like his sleeping schedule a lot. 

-He is ticklish under his chin the most. And I love to hear his laugh so he gets tickled a lot. Sometimes his giggles break loose just by pinching my fingers together like I'm getting ready to tickle him. 

-He loves to lay down in random places with his head on the floor- like on our back patio he paid down on top of a chalk drawing of an elephant to give it some love. He also has laid down randomly on the kitchen floor. Maybe he likes the cold against his face?


(photo by Kasey Shaw)

-Which reminds me, he loves elephants. He can't say elephant, but makes the noise of an elephant to describe one when he sees one or is thinking of one. Just this morning he brought me a piece of chalk and made the elephant noise and I knew he wanted me to draw him an elephant. So I did!

I just have to say I love my little guy. I'm so lucky to have him!

What to do with a 1 year old and a 2 year old

Confession time again: I let my kids watch too much TV. They just love it and it keeps them happy! It came to a point where that's all they wanted to do. Joselyn would say "I want to watch TV" all day and I would usually oblige. I usually watched with them, and made sure that's not ALL they were doing, but it was getting out of hand.


(Yo Gabba Gabba- both Joselyn and Landen adore this show and even Landen tries to ask for it by name)

Remember when I complained that my children were misbehaved? I then read this on a blog that I read often:

"The demeanor of your child isn't simply the result of your parenting skills. In Parenting the Strong-Willed Child, Forehand and Long talk about the various factors that also influence your child's behavior. Here they are...

...problems with TV aren't all about what the child is watching, but what the child isn't doing while watching TV. This is something to consider. I know many parents closely monitor what their children watch on TV. I know I do. There are some great shows out there. But when your child is watching TV, your child isn't interacting or playing. I think we need to be mindful of the generation of children we are raising. I have noticed teenagers are becoming more isolated as Internet chatting and texting are becoming popular. I watch teenagers sit right by each other and text people rather than talk to each other. We need to make sure our children learn how to interact with other people face to face."

That kinda hit me hard. I think of myself as a pretty good mom, but I really want to raise a child who is well-rounded and well behaved and letting them watch TV all the time wasn't providing them the opportunity to learn how to master those skills.

So, I did something that I knew was going to be really hard. I limited TV time to 2 30 minute shows a day... one in the morning when they first wake up (to give ME time to wake up and get moving) and one in the evening.

Of course I had to start on the week where we have been stuck inside because of the weather. I would have taken the kids out to do fun things at the Library and such but Joselyn has a runny nose and is congested so I didn't think other people would appreciate me exposing her to their kids.

I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out something to do in our small town home that both of my kids will enjoy together. Crayons are out because Landen tried to eat them... that and any other craft related item.

Here are some things I came up with that keep them occupied for about 15 minutes (at least) at a time:

-Dancing: I created an awesome station on Pandora from the song "You are my Sunshine" by Elizabeth Mitchell. I love the folky vibe with music from Lisa Loeb and Jewel, and the kids love the upbeat tempos and familiar catchy songs. I put Joselyn in her ballet leotard and tutu and she dances her heart away. Landen tries too.
-Reading books: this is an easy one. Some of my kids' favorites:

Are You My Mother?


Blankie


The Gift of Nothing


In Grandma's Arms



-Hide and Seek
-Obstacle Courses: using blankets, pillows, chairs, the ottoman, couch etc. I create something for them to climb over and crawl under. They LOVE it.
-iphone games: both of my kids love Peekaboo Barn and Peekaboo Wild. Even Landen knows how to operate it.
-Singing time: I am in charge of singing time in the nurseries at church so I have ea few things up my sleeve. I try to recreate it at home.
-Pretend Play: Yesterday we had a tea party and made yummy stuff in Joselyn's play kitchen

Some suggestions that my mom gave me:
-Home Made Play Dough: I actually remember my mom making this stuff... it's "edible" (not tasty) so it would actually work for young kids!

    Recipe:

    2 cups Flour
    1 cup salt
    1 Tbs oil
    3/4 cup water (can be colored with food coloring)

    Mix dry ingredients. Add water and oil. Add more water if the mixture is dry and more flour if the
    the mixture is sticky. Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. 

-Let your children help with chores (make beds, sweep floors and give them rags to wipe things)

Just found a recipe for cooked finger paints too- not a bad idea!!

    2 cups flour
    2 tsp salt
    3 cups cold water
    2 cups hot water
    food coloring

    Combine flour and salt. Pour in cold water and beat mixture until smooth. Put mixture in large                saucepan. Add hot water. Boil until glossy. Beat until smooth. Mix in coloring until you reach the
    shade you like.

-Paint with pudding (there are lots of colors available)- I remember doing this once now that I think about it.

When kids are healthy, we like to:

-Go to the mall: let the kids ride in the stroller, get a pretzel and let them play in the play area (although they almost ALWAYS end of sick after this)
-Story time at the Libraries
-Pet Store: my kids LOVE looking at the fishes, birds, hamsters and other animals. This keeps theme occupied for a VERY long time!
-Play Dates: Joselyn does SO MUCH better when a friend is around. If any of you would like some time to yourself for a few hours, please bring them over  in the morning for a play date! This is seriously my

So now I need your help. I really want more ideas. PLEASE share what you do with your kids when TV is not the favorite option? Any favorite books or ipod apps?

Landen's First Birthday!

Landen doesn't seem old enough to be turning one. I know that makes no sense, but he still seems like such a little baby to me. He's my little momma's boy. My cuddle bug. My little cute redheaded charmer. What an adventure watching him grow... and I will admit it has gone by much faster with him than it did with Joselyn! We decided to keep things simple for his first birthday party and just had mostly family over. My little (big) bro was to be married 2 days after Landen's actual birthday so that weekend was out. We ended up having the party a week early at my house. That doesn't mean I didn't have fun with a theme though... Ever since Halloween I've been calling Landen my little monster. So a monster theme it was! The ever talented Chelsea once again HOOKED ME UP with one of the cutest little monster cakes your have ever seen! AND little monster cupcakes to go with it! Don't forget the little monster smash cake either!!

 

 

 

Landen is waiting to smash his cake... literally... with his new toy hammer in hand and a monster "FEED ME" shirt.

Don't worry he got messier!!

Opening all his fun gifts!!

 

As I was making his birthday video, I must confess that I cried a little. I just miss my little baby and he has grown way too fast! The good thing is that he really does get cuter everyday and I just love him more and more as time goes on! Here's his video!

Cincinnati Zoo

Over the weekend, my Aunt Sherry (dad's sister) came into town with her husband Brian and their daughter Savannah. It's always great to see them but we don't see them nearly enough!! Joselyn immediately fell in love with Savannah... although she kept on calling her banana... hmmm... Anyway, on Friday we visited the Cincinnati Zoo. The last time Joselyn went to a zoo was when she was Landen's age (8 months) so I was really excited to take her. What made it more exciting was the fact that she already knew about all the animals... what they looked like, what noises they made etc... so I was really looking forward to her reaction when she saw the animals in real life for the first time after knowing what they were!! I didn't want to miss a thing... so I left me nice camera at home and let me dad be the photographer for once. I was glad I did. I did take my point and shoot and I got a few videos and pictures here and there, but I my dad got some awesome pics. Here are a few of my favorites!

Our first animal sighting- the elephant. Joselyn had a hard time finding it at first, but when she saw it her eyes and mouth got wide, she gasped and said "WOW!" and made an elephant noise. She couldn't believe that she was seeing a real elephant in person! It was priceless.

Her favorite animal of the day though had to be the giraffes. She couldn't take her eyes off of them and asked to see them again over and over again.





I just couldn't let myself watch Joselyn stuck in her stroller all day while her cousins walked around the zoo, so I let her get out and walk around all day. She was so good. She held someone's hand pretty much the whole time- mostly Autumn's and Savannah's. This was the trio pretty much the whole time at the zoo.

Can't you just see Joselyn's excitement? She loved being one of the big girls. SO CUTE.





I seriously loved seeing Joselyn so happy. It made my year.

I love how there were peacocks roaming around the zoo. My dad caught some great pictures of them- AND also caught one of the guys trying to steal some of Joselyn's snacks while we were on the train!

 

The rhino and White lions:

Landen enjoyed himself too. Despite the heat, he was cheerful 98% of the time. He was I'm sure enjoying all the new sights, sounds and people.

 

 

Here is the 2% moment- (I had left him with my dad while I went to see the manatees) and classic little bottom lip pout.

Enjoying the water and Joselyn giving statues hugs. All inanimate objects deserve hugs in Joselyn's world. (especially vacuums)

And last but not least, the carosel. We happened to get first pick of animals. I asked Joselyn which animal she wanted and she said the "raffe" (giraffe)

We only got through about 1/3 of the zoo- it was really really hot and we were all drained. But a lot of fun was had by all- I was so proud of how well-behaved my children were and how brave Joselyn was in petting the snake and baby alligator! I can't wait to go back! (maybe when it's a bit cooler next time)

More cute Joselyn stories

AS I was reviewing my day today and realizing how much cuter Joselyn is getting by the nanosecond, I thought I better record a few other cute things she does or says recently before it vanishes with my memory.

Some words she says that are just too cute:

moom: moon (this is just my favorite for some reason. The way she says it melts my heart)
kichen: chicken
wawawa: chihuahua (from a book we read)

Stories:

The other day we were driving and we saw a helicopter in the sky. Joselyn loves planes, so she immediately pointed to the sky and said "PLANE!" I corrected her and said "No, honey, that's a helicopter". She then smiled, waved, and said "Hello copter!"

Lately when I go to bed I will name every one in our family and tell Joselyn that they love her. Like, "Grandma loves you, Aunt Amaree loves you..." you get the picture. Well, a few nights ago I said everyone's name and she laid her head contently on my chest. Then she perked up and said "Sierra?" (who is a good friend of mine) And I assured her: "Sierra loves you too." It was just so out of the blue and cute.

Another nightly routine as of a few weeks ago, is that after we put Landen to bed and scriptures are read, Adam gets his laptop and goes to yogabbagabba.com to watch a few videos. In order to illustrate my next point of the story, let me show you this pic that I took tonight:

The last few days that we have done this, Joselyn will sit next to Adam and say "arm, arm" until Adam puts his arm around her. It is so stinkin' cute!!

Today I pulled out an v8 to drink and as with everything else, Joselyn begged for a sip. I warned her she wouldn't like it, but she kept on insisting, so I put a straw in the can and let her take a sip. She made the most awful face and looked at me and said "yucky". But as she looked on and saw me enjoying it she asked for more. So I got another straw and stuck it in there and we shared the rest of the v8. She pretty much forced herself to like it. So funny what she will do to be like her mommy.

One cute Landen story too while I'm at it from today:

I was blowing bubbles and Landen was laying on the floor. He's seen bubbles before but I don't think he really paid much attention to them. well, as he was laying on the floor, the bubbles started "falling" and he got that look you get when you think something is about to fall on you. He totally thought the bubbles were going to hit him hard! I laughed so hard. Then when he realized they weren't going to hurt him, he tried to catch them. He got a little frustrated that he couldn't 'catch' any of them. Silly guy.

Bathtime Cuties

Now that Landen has sitting up perfected, we let him sit up in the bathtub for the first time yesterday. It was a whole new world of fun for Landen and he LOVED it. Joselyn got quite excited too and was showing him all sorts of toys to play with and teaching him how to splash. There were all sorts of giggles going on. I got so many cute pictures of the two of them, I couldn't post them all individually on my blog. So after these few favorites, watch my little slideshow of all the fun. You won't wanna miss it.

 

Gotta love babies all lathered up in soap. I love doing Joselyn's hair into a mohawk. It's starting to get a little too long for it, but Joselyn always comments on how pretty it is. She doesn't even have to look in the mirror. She just knows.



Landen was having fun chewing on the foam numbers... it was so funny though cause he would stick a number in his mouth and chew on it then play with other toys with his two free hands. So a little number was just hanging from his mouth the whole time. Adam and I were getting laughs over it.

 

Joselyn was cracking me up as she brushed her teeth. She started making the silliest faces in the mirror. Must have gotten that from Adam? Seems like an Adam thing to do. She ahs always loved to sit at the edge of the sink, turn the water on and let the water run over her feet. I personally don't think there is a cuter sight than seeing a little baby wearing a hooded towl (a lady bug one at that) brushing her teeth and making silly faces in the mirror.

Joselyn hears a who

Love the little smile peeking out in this next one...

Joselyn goes to her first birthday party

One of Joselyn's favorite friends, Nafeesah, recently turned 4. Her mom is a good friend of mine and does sucha CUTE job planning parties. And you should have seen the cake... good thing I got pictures!

The party was a Ballerina theme. Little details were adorable including handmade backpacks for the older kids that they decorated, little ballerina dolls, a bouquet of flowers for the girls and tutus! There was even a little stage for them to dance on and a dance instructor who came to teach them a little routine. Of course Joselyn was into EVERYTHING and tore down the cute little stage set-up! But it was really SO MUCH FUN and now I can't wait to start planning Joselyn's next party!!

Here are the favors that Joselyn got: a cute little ballerina doll and stickers!
 

Here is Autumn with her little backpack and ballerina

Some candids from the party:

And lastly, but not leastly (ha ha) the beautiful cake that Nafeesah's mom Jaleelah made herself. Yes, she is a master.

This was honestly the perfect birthday party for Joselyn because she LOVES to dance. What a great party!!

Joselyn's sculpture

I walked into the kitchen this morning to find this beautiful masterpiece created by Joselyn:

I laughed. I wondered what she was thinking as she did this? What a cute little girl. Definitely a future artist don't you think?

Joselyn goes to Nursery all by herself today.

I must admit that Joselyn has been a bit of a handful these past few weeks at church. She is just at that age where she can't sit still very well. It's also hard to keep her quiet because she LOVES to talk and giggle. Those are the things I am LOVING about her now though. I LOVE her energy and I love her little personality, so trying to calm it down is hard. Because of this, there are many things that I miss at church because I am out in the hallway chasing her down or calming Landen down. And yet, I was never one of those mothers who said "I can't WAIT until she goes to Nursery!" I may have said it once or twice because I thought it was what I was supposed to say and feel, but deep down I was aching that my little girl was growing up.

We started preparing early so that the transition would (hopefully) go smoothly. Adam and I would take turns with the kids every other week- one of us watching Landen while the other went into Nursery with Joselyn. I must say though that after a few times of going into nursery with Joselyn, that I was NOT looking forward to leaving her in there. There were just a few things that bothered me about it that I won't mention here, but I basically dreaded the day I would leave Joselyn in there by herself (when she turned 18 months old). And Joselyn absolutely HATED it int here even when we were in there with her. In fact I was SO concerned about it, that I called the Primary President to share my concerns.  Well, it turns out that there were some changes being made, and I felt a LOT better about leaving Joselyn in there.

Well, today was the day. Changes were in place and I was feeling better about it. My plan was to stay in there just a little bit while she got to know some of the new faces - but it was apparent after a few minutes that the best thing would be to leave her in there. I trusted the caretakers a lot and knew they would give her the attention and love she needed- and so I picked Joselyn up and told her I was leaving and that I would be right back. I told her that she would have fun in there (and I felt confident this time that she really would) and that people would take care of her. Then I handed her over to the Nursery leader and left as she started screaming "mommy! mommy! mommy"

I really had to hold back the tears... it was HARD. And I never thought it would be that hard. I stayed right outside the door for a little while and then went to find Adam in Sunday school. I was there maybe a minute before deciding to check on her again- no crying. I tried to peek through the little window, when one of the nursery leaders at the door said she was doing great. Relief. I checked 5 more times- and each time I saw her playing happily or being held by a nursery leader saying "mommy will be back" but there were no tears. What a comfort it is to know that the baby I love was being taken care of.

So I would call today a success at Nursery- her first time in there alone. And I can't believe it. My baby is not a baby anymore.

And I am so proud of her.