ONE!

One amazing year. One amazing baby boy! I feel so lucky to have Noah in my life. This has truly been the most enjoyable, fulfilling, and exciting year of my life. Watching Noah grow from a tiny, helpless, squirmy little infant to a curious, inquisitive, happy little boy has been simply amazing. Each day I love him just a little bit more, which doesn't seem possible. I think my heart must be about ready to burst!

In the last month, Noah's budding personality has truly blossomed. He is such a happy-go-lucky kid. It's hard not to get a picture with him smiling or laughing. He giggles in response to our giggles, mimics our hand gestures, growls with the dog, and howls and sings when we do the same. He watches our every move so intently, and takes great delight in trying to copy us. In doing so he's picked up on clapping and giving high fives. We're still working on blowing kisses. He thinks it hysterical to shake his head "no," even when the answer is a definite "yes." I'm pretty sure he hasn't actually connected meaning to the shaking, but Mommy and Daddy laugh so hard that it's simply too fun to stop. Another BIG achievement this month: taking his first steps! The night before his first birthday, Noah took two steps towards Daddy! He has repeated his new skill a number of times now. I think his record is around 4 steps before falling to the ground. Like I said, it is just so amazing watching him grow and develop. I can't even imagine how much he'll have changed by this time next year! And I can't wait to find out!

At times, I find myself thinking about the future and what that will look like for our family. I know I definitely want to experience pregnancy again. I loved pretty much every second of being pregnant. Yet I find that I keep having this really odd feeling. One day as I was reading Lauren's blog, I finally realized what this feeling is. She wrote something about her son (who happens to share Noah's name), and she finally put into words what I couldn't. I do want to be pregnant again. But what I really want is to be pregnant with Noah again. When I think about having another baby, I find myself thinking, "No! Noah is my baby! I don't want to have to share his time with anyone else." I don't know if this feeling will fade over time or not. What I do know is that yes, I do want one more child, but I am nowhere near ready yet! For now, I have my baby, and I couldn't feel more content!

Anyway, Noah had his 12 month appointment yesterday. After losing a little weight in March from 2 straight weeks of the rotavirus, Noah packed on 2 full pounds, and finds himself at 19lbs, 3oz (6th %ile). He is 29.5 inches tall (25th %ile). Overall he seems very healthy, and is meeting milestones right on target. I talked with the pediatrician a little about vaccinations and her thoughts on the whole Autism debate. I do believe in vaccinating, but I hate that there has to be so much controversy over it. No one wants to think they could do something to cause their child harm. She is of the opinion that the increase in diagnosis is tied to the increase in awareness and understanding of Autism. And from her observations, she felt that Noah shows no signs. Does anyone else worry needlessly over these things? I just hate the thought of losing the boy that he is, because he's so perfect to me!

So on that happy note... ;)

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY LITTLE BUG! I cannot imagine my life without your happy little face!

Spring Break 2011

Noah has discovered the thrill of walking. My back is killing me!

I remember last Spring Break well. I was full-term, and staring 4 months of maternity leave in the face. I had just 5 days left of work. If only...

This year, Spring Break was a lot of fun. It's given me quite the teaser of what this summer will be like. I thought last summer was going to be fun with a little baby, but I am certain this summer will be even more enjoyable with a slightly bigger baby who is mobile and playful. Anyway, we started out our break with a trip to our favorite mexican restaurant, D'Corazon. We met up with my friend Maggie who is days/weeks away from giving birth to her daughter. D'Corazon used to be the place where we started out many of our Friday nights. Their margaritas are killer, and any night that started there always ended with a good story or two. Fast forward a couple years, and there we were with a baby in tow, Maggie full-term, and her sister lamenting that she shouldn't drink because she had to work in the morning. Wow how things change!

What a night out at D'Corazon used to look like!

On Monday, Brian's mom arrived for a quick visit. She allowed us to have a date night on Tuesday. I'm not sure who had more fun that night, Wendy or us! On Friday we attempted a trip to the zoo, but it was packed and the parking lot was full. My friend Heather doesn't live far from there, so we headed to her house instead. Her son Sammy is almost two months old, so we enjoyed visiting with the two of them. He's a real cutie!

Baby Sam

My friend Emily stopped by with her 5.5 month old daughter Autumn. It's funny watching Noah interact with younger babies, because he's used to being the young one at daycare. He's definitely curious, and likes poking at their eyes. Not the best idea!

Saturday was amazing! We set a new record high (84), and it was sunny and gorgeous all day. In the morning we went to Washington Park with my friend Noelle, her husband Earl, their son Wilson, and Maggie. It was fun watching Wilson walk around, and Noah and I chased behind.

Best buds, reunited at last!

In the evening we met back up with Heather and Emily, along with their babies and husbands, to watch some NCAA basketball. Not much basketball was actually watched, but we had a fun time drinking, eating, and entertaining the kids. Noah might have developed a small crush on Autumn, but if he's truly Brian's son, then eventually he'll fall for an older woman. (All but one of Brian's male relatives married an older woman.)

Noah checking out the adorable Miss Autumn

Today we're just hanging around the house and watching snow fall. That's Colorado... record setting heat, then snow the next day! (It reminds me of when I had Noah. The day after he was born, there was a tornado warning issued. We had to leave our hospital room and sit in the hall on a hard chair for about 30 minutes until the warning expired. Not fun when you have a sore bottom! Then, the next day we drove Noah home in a snowstorm. So weird!)

So that was our Spring Break in a nutshell. I'm sad to see it go, but hopefully the next 8 weeks will zip by and then it will be Summer Vacation! And in the meantime, I have a First Birthday party to plan! How is it possible that Noah is turning one this month??!!