Noah Rocks Out

Yesterday we went up to Beth and Dan's because rumor had it that the boys were going to try to accomplish the endless song set on Rock Band (slight eye roll from the author). I like to play one or two songs, but 84, really? Anyway, we headed up there to hang out with everyone and support the madness ;-)

Little did we know that we apparently have a little rocker in the making! Noah has already shown a great interest in the drums (that was not an invitation to anyone reading this for a next birthday or Christmas idea, by the way) but last night he was also singing along and all around rocking. He thought the reverb from the microphone was really cool and kept picking it up just to say "Ahhhhh" And apparently his new favorite song is "Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads. (Lovely, I know) But he sang along with Aunt Beth on the "fa fa fa's" and "run run run" It was really funny! Grant took some video last night, but they were a little dark so he's going to try to clean them up. Keep an eye out for a post later with Noah the Rock Star.

We're thinking about heading off to the beach today for a bit, so that should be fun. Otherwise, no major plans for the weekend. Weekends like that are fun :) Noah turns 15 (!!!) months on Tuesday and sees the pediatrician for his check-up on Wednesday. And apparently I have to go have an ultrasound on my kidneys on Thursday. And more bloodwork on Monday. Ridiculous new High Risk OB (grumble grumble grumble) This time they're ruling out renal stenosis and connective tissue disorder...

Alright, enough grumbling about the doctors. I need to be off and playing with my kiddo :) Will try to remember to take lots of pictures at the beach today. Until then, enjoy the pictures!

Hanging out

Donuts!

I love donuts!

Not sure where Arthur does his beer shopping...

I know he looks annoyed but he kept getting in there himself

Silly Noah day

I think Noah took his extra dose off silly pills today. He has been so darn goofy. He's talking non-stop (his own secret babble language that is, heck if I know what he's talking about 90% of the time. Some of it I can discern) Anyway, he's been in a particularly good mood all day and has just been silly.

The rash was completely gone as of this morning. I'm very glad - one less trip to any doctor is a plus in my book at this point. The Gatchel family is going to make it three whole weeks without having to see any physicians if things continue to go well ;-)

Coen and Miesje came and hung out for awhile this afternoon. Noah and Coen even sat and watched Finding Nemo for about 20 minutes. Noah probably would have watched longer, but it was snoozie time, so off for a nap with him. I totally do not believe in parking them in front of the TV and he really doesn't have a long enough attention span for it anyway, but every once in awhile it's OK. I've decided pre-nap is the best time for a bit of a movie :)

Alright, back to my projects and whatnot. I can't believe we're almost half way through August already. January is going to be here before I know it, I'm thinking... Until tomorrow, enjoy the pictures :)

Noah and Bella

My grin monkey

Eatin' grilled cheese!

And then a silly grin for the Mama

Noah and Coen watching Finding Nemo

BBQ's and Baby Showers

Sorry I've been MIA again for a few days. I know that you miss us when we're gone :) We had a good overall weekend here, and managed quite well except for the heat. I'm really looking forward to about November, I'm thinking. That's when everyone up north starts complaining about how cold it is, but we're still enjoying the 70's here. Yeah, that's sounding pretty good right about now... This heat index over 100 is just not bearable for any of us.

Saturday we had the majority of the gang over for a BBQ. The Florida Family has rapidly expanded in recent months, and inviting everyone to one place is no small feat anymore. I mean, we didn't have everyone, and there were 16 of us at our place on Saturday night! It was good to see everyone as we hadn't been around too much since before we had left on vacation.

Sunday we had Giselle's baby shower. It was fun to have some grown up girl time without the kiddo demanding constant attention. We had a mini tea party and just enjoyed each other's company for a few hours. I think before 2.0 shows up, I need to make a point of having some quiet just Mama time. I love the kiddo, but I know if I think it's hard getting a break with just one, it's going to be a long time before I'll be able to get a decent break with both of them :) Grant has gotten so good at being Daddy and having Daddy and Noah time, but I know his patience only holds out for so long, too.

I'm pretty sure, that as of when I got him up this morning, Noah has heat rash. Scared me quite a bit at first (thank goodness for the Mama being online!) but it's not spreading, can't think of anything else that would have caused it, and he doesn't seem to be in any pain, so according to WebMD, it can take a couple of days for it to go away completely. In the meantime, the kiddo is enjoying running around in just his diaper (which he has now of course figured out how to take off). He sees the pediatrician next week anyway for his 15 month check-up (15 months!!!!) so unless it doesn't clear up, I'm thinking we'll just mention it then. Right now, he's in the greatest mood, running around the house with Daddy and Bella.

Alright, off for the evening. Still have two projects going that I need to have finished by the end of them month. (This is me not holding my breath on that one) Until tomorrow, enjoy the pictures!

The diaper cake I made for Giselle's shower

Yay for baby showers!

Noah enjoying a push-up on Saturday night

He made a huge mess, but really enjoyed it :-p

Cupcake monster!

I think there was purple frosting in his ears

The table at Giselle's shower

Tea party!

Yummy snacks!

Only a few more weeks until Baby Briana is here!

Duck Cleaning?

We just got back from a quick trip to check out the new Target that opened just a little north of us. I had been bummed out originally because I found out it wasn't a Super Target. Imagine my surprise when other than the full produce/bakery section, there are nearly as many groceries at this one as the Super Target up in Viera. YAY!!!! Given my history with obnoxious people at Wal-Mart, I'm all for going to Target ;-)

On our way home, we were driving behind a truck that I kid you not, on the back of it said "Duck Cleaning of Central Florida" followed by a phone number. Both Grant and I were amused. I'm assuming they meant 'duct' cleaning, and was sorely tempted to call the phone number to find out. Grant suggested telling them we were plum out of ducks, but we had a gaggle of geese that were in desperate need of a bath. Or even the peacocks over on Walden! I know it's not nice to laugh at other people, but I think you've got to at least advertise your business correctly if you plan on attracting any customers.

Noah's back to being a bit cranky today. I see a couple of teeth trying to pop through on the bottom, so I'm trying my best to just roll with it. I know he's uncomfortable, but it is definitely a test of my patience. He's not doing the screeching (thank goodness) it's just pretty much constant whining. I'm looking forward to bed time...

Got one of my projects finished, but still working hard on another. I unfortunately didn't get out the camera today, but hopefully will remember to tomorrow. Until then, you'll just have to be amused by my Duck Cleaning story ;-) Until tomorrow...

Back to Normal

Not much time to post tonight (I've got two projects I'm working on that have a rapidly approaching deadline...) but I wanted to get the promised pictures up at least.

Noah and I spent most of the day cleaning the house and doing the laundry. The kid is great at helping with the laundry! He likes to take things from the washing machine and put them in the dryer. Hey, one less step for Mama sounds good to me. He was also helping unpack the rest of the suitcases, that was... helpful... Mostly, the kiddo was good for the day which made the prospect of straightening up after vacation a little less daunting, at least.

Alright, like I said, off to work on my projects. You know it's big when I've even roped in Grant to help ;-) Pictures of both later this week hopefully. Until then; enjoy the pictures :)

Noah trying to drink out of a sealed water bottle (I'm probably a bad mom, but it kept him occupied)

How come this isn't working, Mom?

He was then blow drying his hair

And then curling it

Introducing - Baby G 2.0!!!

And their feet!

Big feet for such a tiny baby, I'm thinking...

Anyone want to make a gender guess now?

It's A....

I thought I was going to have a great announcement to make today about whether we're having a Baby Jakob or a Baby Mikayla, but alas no such luck at my ultrasounds today. Baby G 2.0 was not cooperating.

But I've decided that in 4 weeks when I go back, I will be making the official announcement here on the blog. I have had such a good time creating this blog, maintaining it and sharing daily (sometimes ;-) ) that this is the perfect place to share the news. So you'll have to keep reading to find out more.

I do have some pictures of the kiddo to share, but they need to be scanned in and I am working from my laptop right now, so I will try to get those to share tomorrow. Until then....

Vacation in South Carolina

Our trip to South Carolina was wonderful. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was just to relax! It was wonderful to be with the family for awhile and just hang out.

The house we had was just outside of Lexington, SC (about half an hour from Columbia, SC) The house was absolutely gorgeous! There was a huge master bedroom downstairs, two bedrooms upstairs, a well equipped kitchen, a TV room on the main level and then a huge game room downstairs. We had plenty of books, games, video games, movies, and even air hockey to keep us occupied inside. Both the main level and the lower level had their own deck area with picnic tables, a grill upstairs and tons of chairs and the most wonderful hammock in the whole world. There was a long deck leading out to our own section of the lake, and it even had two kayaks and life jackets. Did I mention the house was great?

We spent a lot of time relaxing, reading, watching movies, sleeping, just being content doing nothing but hanging out. Noah had a lot of time hanging out with grandma (you have to check out the video of the Shell Game). Everyone (except me) even did some swimming and a few of us took the kayaks out. Even Noah went swimming and road in the kayak with Mama!

On Thursday we went to Charleston (about a two hour drive) for the day. We got to check out a lot of history and walk parts of the town. Sorry, no pictures for there, I was too busy trying not to melt. South Carolina is gorgeous, but it was HOT! and HUMID! I'd go back anyway, though ;-)

All in all, we had a great time. I was bummed to come home on Saturday and could have used about at least another week of just relaxing. We are really looking forward to next year...

Noah and the giant tortoise (at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia)

The giant tortoise

Elephants!

Noah the lion

Daddy, Noah and the penguin (bottom right)

Swimming!

Papa Larry watching Daddy and Noah swimming

My boys (Noah loved the water)

Swimming, Swimming swimming

Mommy and Noah kayaking while Grandma sits on the dock

Mommy the expert kayaker ;-)

Taking Noah for a ride

Noah helped me paddle

Me and Noah

Papa Larry, Daddy, Noah and Uncle Scott

The boys playing in the water