What better day for a baby blessing than mother's day? It was a sweet blessing and it was a wonderful day to be surrounded by people we love!
I bought her vintage 1920's blessing dress online for $20. It is so beautifully detailed. I made her headband.
Can't believe we are a family of 5!
I just got back Landen's 2 year pictures from Stacie. I cried! Getting pictures back is always so emotional for me- probably because they have always been my greatest treasures. I remember feeling the same way when I got my pictures back from Kasey earlier on this year. They are a window to the past- one that allows you to still get the same feelings you did when they were taken. We all know how fleeting childhood can be- our babies change so fast and there is really no other way to bottle up their personality at a specific time in their lives than through photographs.
I remember once my mom said she felt like she had "love affairs" with her children- kind of like your life is almost consumed by them. You can't get enough of just about every thing they do and the love you have for them just bursts from within you. I feel that way about my children. When it comes to Landen, there is something about him that just makes me want to kiss his little cheeks all the time and hug him until he almost breaks. His bright red hair, big brown eyes, squishy cheeks and chubby legs just get to me, not to mention his really sweet disposition and the way he sometimes just bursts our singing Boy's II Men's "Mama... mama you know I love you..." He doesn't love anyone else the way he loves me... he doesn't let anyone else hug him like I do. I am seriously in love with this boy. I can seriously say that Stacie capture EVERY LITTLE THING that I love about this boy. And the little facial expressions that he makes now that might disappear as he gets older... I have a record of all of that now and I am so so very grateful!
Thanks Stacie from the depths of my soul!!
Future GQ Cover Model... this one makes me laugh out loud!
This is the face Landen makes when the camera is pointed at him or he is saying "please" in his so adorable high pitched tone.
Oh so many more. I'll share them ALL on facebook later on today!
Thanks again Stacie!
There were so many reasons why a photo shoot was in order...
1. Birthdays coming up and I needed to document
2. Christmas updates
3. It was a beautiful fall friday and we had nothing else to do!
I came very prepared with lots of orange tic-tacs (Great idea Kauti- works like a charm!!) and other treats and brought along some props. I was expecting the worst, but hoping for the best. But I wasn't going to let it stress me out. Mainly I just wanted the kids to have some fun!
But they surprised me and did wonderfully!! I am so happy to have these pictures of my children to remember them and how they are right here and right now! I mostly got pictures of Joselyn and a few of the 2 together since Landen just had his photos taken by my talented friend Stacie!! You MUST go look at them!
Here are the pics I took of the kids (pre-dog bite!)
I love Joselyn's little finger to her mouth... she does this when she is acting shy or she's nervous. She is definitely acting here. Landen just wants his candy and is taking it very seriously.
I love that I caught this part of Joselyn- her silly laughing cute little self.
I can't believe I actually got my kids to do this!! It was one of my first shots... I don't know if they would have done this further in to our shoot...
These just about make me cry... Joselyn seems so grown up here in my eyes...
Some cute Landen faces with his pouty bottom lip. Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks? They are so pincheable!!
I was being very very silly but nothing I was doing could get Landen to laugh! Silly boy.
This took a lot of breaks and a lot of bribery. But OH so worth it!! I love my babies!!
I will never regret giving my child pacifiers. I know there is a lot of controversy about them, but Adam and I are content about our decision to let them have one. At one point before we actually had babies we were kind of against the thought of it... but after reading several books and hearing advice from doctors, we knew it wasn't so bad. And if they had turned out to be thumb suckers, well, things would have been worse. We do, however, wish we had weaned them a little sooner- and maybe if there is a next time we will do that. But listen- Joselyn is going on 3 years old. And honestly, she is too "grown-up" for a pacifier. I hated seeing it in her mouth, but these things were like drugs to my children! And I knew weaning them would bring lots of withdrawals.
I had to prepare myself for weeks- and Joselyn too. And finally my mom (and lifesaver!!) told me about an idea to put them at the end of a balloon and watch them fly away. This was a great idea because I knew that both of my children would need to see some sort of evidence that they were going away forever. Hiding them wouldn't have worked because Joselyn knows you can just go get new ones at the store. So then I started prepping the kids. I told them over and over that in a few days we would be going to get some balloons and that were going to tie the pacifiers to the balloon and send them off to "heaven" for the other babies who needed them. Both of the kids would get really sad about it, especially Landen.
Then the day- today- came. Adam wondered if we were doing the right thing. It took some reassuring- I mean, this was going to be hard for us too.
On our way to get the balloons, Joselyn said "Mommy, I'm not going to cry" and then she would turn to Landen and say "Landen, don't be sad. I'll help you!" I was so overwhelmed at her sweet and brave little attitude going into this. I don't think you can go into something like this thinking it's not a big deal, because it really really is. I let the kids each pick out 5 balloons. I was going to let them keep one and tie each paci onto 4 balloons.
Adam had stayed home to work, so he joined us in the "ceremony". During the prep, 4 of the balloons got loose, hit our ceiling and popped (the ceiling has those designs on it with kind of sharp peaks from the paint) So we only ended up having 2 balloons each for the pacis which thank goodness turned out to be enough. We told the kids to say good-bye to their pacis, and Landen started crying. It was going to be painful.
We went into the back yard and first we let go of Joselyn's paci. She didn't cry.
We let Landen's go as he screamed and begged for his "bah-bpee" back. (that's what he called his paci) It broke my heart and even I had to fight back tears. (the picture might break your heart too!)
Adam and I comforted both of the kids when it was done and tried to take their minds off of all of it. It was a beautiful day so I took them to the park and let them play. They suddenly seemed more mature... maybe it's because I hadn't taken them to the park all summer with it being so hot, but all of the sudden they were going down the slides by themselves (which they were too chicken to do before) and climbing up challenging play equipment. I have to say I was pretty proud of them.
The hardest part was not over yet though. I knew Nap time was going to be a BIG challenge and that there would be a lot of crying. I think both kids tried to tell themselves they would be ok, because they didn't really cry the first few minutes. But then after a little bit there was a chorus of back and forth crying for the next 30 minutes or so. I would take turns going into each room, comforting them and singing them songs.
Joselyn begged for her paci. She knew which one we had let go and knew there had to be more around the house so she started asking for her "pink paci" and her "bug paci" and her "flower one" etc. I had to tell her they were ALL gone and that I knew she would be brave and could go to sleep without one. She was the first to finally give in and go to sleep after some crying. Landen was a little more difficult. As long as I was next to him, he didn't cry. But as soon as I left the room he would cry his little heart out. I finally had to stand by Landen's crib and sing him 5 songs before his eyes finally started getting heavy and he fell asleep.
WE. DID. IT.
There was a big sense of accomplishment as I finally closed Landen's bedroom door. I felt a little sad knowing that part of their baby-hood was now behind me... and that they really were growing up way too fast. Yes, it was so so sad. But look at who they are becoming... very sweet, thoughtful and brave little children. I am so happy with who they are becoming. So proud of them.
I know there will probably be more crying tonight- maybe the rest of the week. But I think the hardest part is really over. I am looking forward to all the things in their lives that they will continue to do as they grow up- the hard things that they will triumph over and the difficult things they will overcome. It's so hard to watch your child go through these difficult things- but when you see how strong they really are as little people, it makes you appreciate them so much and really makes you realize that you are doing an ok job as a parent!
Situations with sleeping arrangements around the Noe Household has been a little crazy the past few months. First Landen was in a pack n' play (since the day he was born) while Joselyn was in the crib. When we moved to our new house, it stayed that was for a week or two- then we took the small mattress out of the crib and laid it on the floor for Joselyn. THEN we put Landen in the crib and Joselyn in a pack n' play (her request plus we didn't have the mattress anymore or a bed to put her in). Yep, crazy.
Well, when she started climbing out of her pack n' play a few days ago, I decided it was about time to move her to the big girl bed finally. I already knew exactly what I wanted because I have been planning her room for months as well. So at the last minute yesterday, I dropped the kids off at Adam's parents and took the almost 2 hour drive to IKEA. I had never been there before... but have been drooling over their stuff for years! It was an awesome experience. Their showrooms were inspiring and even the food was good there! I want to decorate my whole house with their (inexpensive!!) stuff!
Anyway, I got a LOT of stuff at a little price and came home really excited to put Joselyn's room together! While I went to pick the kids up, Adam put the bed together (easy as can be!) and then we surprised Joselyn with the completed project.
Her first night in her bed went very smoothly. But it didn't really surprise me because I have known for a long time that she was ready.
This morning, my sister Chelsea met up with me and we went to Home Goods in search of the perfect bedding for Joselyn. I had a very specific look in my head. I actually was starting to lean towards an all-white bed with colorful throw pillows and such. But when Chelsea pointed out *this* bedding, I knew it was IT. It was whimsical and colorful which was perfect for her very light room- and her personality! AND it matched the flower garland I'd been wanting to use! IT's just perfect. And a very nice price tag too! I had looked EVERYWHERE- and even my beloved Target couldn't follow through!
I decided to get Joselyn a Queen Size bed for many reasons. A lot of people have asked so I will explain.
1. It will grow with her way beyond Teenage years if she wants to. If not I'll keep it for a guest bedroom :) I love it!
2. She is less likely to fall off because she'll have plenty of room!
3. It's easier to cuddle and talk with her at night when I am putting her to bed. I just lay down beside her and we talk about our day and I sing her some songs. It's wonderful.
She looks so tiny in it, but it's precious.
I finally decided on what to do with the Garland- I think. I might need to let it sit for a while. But I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Honest opinions anyone?? I still have a lot to do in her room before it's complete- lots of little projects and even more pillows on her bed! but now you have a little glimpse.
I'm glad this transition has gone smoothly because there are a few ahead in the recent future that won't be so easy and I am NOT looking forward to it!
I love how photography gives me the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. A friend of a friend contacted me a few months ago about her interest in photography and because she is so talented, I have invited her to be a second shooter at some photo shoots and weddings. Sarah is super super sweet. In a recent exchange of memory cards, she invited me and Joselyn to stay for dinner with her family. She has a little boy, Max, about Joselyn's age and another little guy a few months older than Landen. Max and Joselyn were immediate friends. They played together so well outside and since then Joselyn has not been able to stop talking about him and asking about him. Well, Max is about to turn 3 and Sarah invited us to his birthday party yesterday. We all had a great time! Joselyn had to right in the middle of all the action of course, even helping Max with blowing out the candles. (sorry Max!) At least she reminded him to make a wish. For his gift we gave him some balls and a garden set... and Joselyn added to it with a little smack on the lips for him.
Landen had his own plans... he wasn't so much interested in the party. Instead, he kept on roaming over to the basketball court where some teenage boys were playing a game. He found an extra ball and joined right in. The boys were so sweet as I apologized for Landen's continuous interruptions. Instead, they're like "Get this boy a jersey!" and were cheering him as as he tried his hardest to throw the ball up into the basket. It was actually pretty cute. I love it how Landen just thinks everyone is his friend. He's not afraid of strangers a bit.
Landen also learned how to drink out of a straw! He wanted a Capri Sun juice pack so bad but I kept on telling him no because I knew he couldn't drink out of it and I didn't want to waste it. We have tried over and over again to teach him but no luck. Well then someone at the party recommended squeezing the juice into his mouth so he knew how it worked. So I tried it and he immediately caught on. Like, it took one squeeze and that was it.
Such a fun party... and we're so glad we have made new friends!
I now have a child that is almost 2... and another who is almost 1. As I reflect upon the past 7 months of having 2 children in my life, it seems like it has been just a dream... almost like the reality of it all has still not set in. Our days are mostly spent laughing and playing and making a big mess in our home.
Joselyn has really started talking lately... talking in sentences, saying the cutest things. This morning when I went to get her out of her crib, she pointed at me and said "mommy!" I said "yep!" then she patted herself and said "Josin" (for Joselyn) me- "That's right!" Then she pointed to a picture of Jesus with some children that we have hanging in her room and said "Jesus!" me- "That IS Jesus! Right!" and she said "I wah you Jesus". (I love you). Man, talk about melting your heart! She understands things and it amazes me to see my baby growing... capable of understanding and making decisions on her own. And communicating. Adam and I are always laughing when she is around. The words that come out of her mouth are just too much for us. She has started responding to us with "yeah..." so much like an adult would. She tells us stories... reads us books of which we SOMETIMES catch a familiar word or sentence. She gives people "the look" on command, where she looks down with her eyes up and a serious face. Hysterical. She holds her hand up to her ear and says "LISTEN!!" when she hears a sound.
Joselyn loves to climb into the swing and pretend like she is a baby sometimes. Funny- I thought she WAS still a baby lol. Good thing she is still only 25 pounds.
The first thing she almost always says to me when I get her out of bed is "bye bye? Nannie? Steve? Melanie?" She loves going to my in-laws' to play. Hates being stuck inside at home. We probably go over there a little too much, but one thing is for sure- both the babies- (and me) get lots of love and attention there. The other day I took Melanie and Jos to a nearby field to play and take pictures. I love watching these two together!
Melanie helped Joselyn do a cartwheel. Or tried to at least.
Joselyn was playing fetch with me. No, not really. But you would think so looking at this next picture!
Landen. Our little non-sleeper. We think he really hates sleep. He just has never been good at it. I know there is probably something we could do to fix it but we're so sleep deprived that just the thought of the effort it would take to put a plan of action into place discourages us. But he is oh so sweet. He now can sit up quite well and will do an almost downward facing dog pose. (he is holding himself up with his arms and TOES)
A better picture- but a little blurry. But look at those TOES! lol. Makes me laugh out loud.
He can only hold that pose for son long before it wears him out and he needs a little rest. I just love how sometimes he takes a little break and lays his head on the floor and is oh so still.
Another thing is for sure- it just gets better and better watching these 2 interact. They really do love eachother. Adam and I always talk about how we can't wait until they are a little bit older so we can see them talk to eachother and really play with eachother.
