. . . of extreme cuteness overload. It was still raining on Friday and I knew we were in for a miserable day indoors, so I called Portrait Innovations for a last minute appointment, grabbed some clothes, bathed Noelle, and here's the result: Dang adorable 4 month-old portraits. I'm never able to capture the complete smile, but they did. Can you stand it?
Sam and I have been enrolled in "merbabies" for the last 2 months. It's a good break from the norm since it's been raining non-stop for the last 2-years. Sam basically doesn't do anything the instructor asks us to do. He's Mr. Independent and likes to scale the wall all around the pool all by himself. He also sneaks a kick board and floats around the pool on his stomach saying, "I flying". His was the only name the instructor knew for the first few weeks--because he's so wild and crazy. He loves to go underneath and touch the bottom.
I entitled this one: I don't want to be Superman!
Movin' to the beat of his own drum.
Now that's my kind of Super Hero.
Sam is a very organized, helpful kid. He puts his dirty clothes in the hamper, garbage in the trash can, wipes off the table after eating, helps me wash the dishes, and cleans up his toys. Mostly, I never have to ask him to. When he's done with his bath at night, he unplugs the drain on his own and cleans up his toys...carefully placing them in various places around the tub--I snapped a picture the other night so you can see--how perfectly orchestrated is that? He's a chip off the ol' block.
These picts were taken at the zoo a couple weeks ago. I know there are ugly babies out there, but I'm so glad I don't have one of those. Seriously, she is one gorgeous little girl - inside and out. What I like about Noelle Joy: cleft in chin (not that apparent in these pictures) that happens to be a characteristic of both grandpas that no other grandchild posesses, kissable heart-shaped lips, almond-shaped blue eyes, dark curly lashes, eyebrows that looked painted on they're so perfect, slightly pointed elfen ears, hair that's beginning to grow like soft, flowy muppet hair (my favorite--you know, the kind that sticks straight up with static when they slide down a slide), unstoppable smile (Noelle can't stop smiling--in the middle of the night when I feed her she has to stop and smile at me for like 10 minutes and even when she's asleep, she'll peep her little eyes open to smile), lively conversation (she's always a-talkin'), and spirit that beams forth from every exremity (Noelle smiles with her eyes as well and it radiates all over the room). She's seriously the best baby ever--easy going, calm tempered, great sleeper, happy, sweet and adorable.
Darling it's better, down where it's wetter.
Just some of the wildlife you might see at the zoo.
Monkeying around with Sam, Asher and Cyrus (cousins) at the Oregon Zoo
Here's my little secret: I eat Cheez Its every day. As snacks, on salads, all the time. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't know how I would live without them. They are quite possibly the most important snack food on the planet. Not to confuse with Cheese Nips which taste like cardboard. Never ever buy Cheese Nips. Nips are for cats, It's are for awesome people. The regular ones are fantastic and the cheddar jack ones are tastey morsels. You may like them in a tree; you may like them playing Wii. You may like them here or there; you may like them anywhere. I am so much a Cheez It fan. Thank you. Thank you, Sunshine man.
Today I received my first "real" Mother's Day gift. It wasn't jewlery, it wasn't chocolates, it wasn't breakfast in bed, it wasn't clothing or flowers or anything bought by my dear husband in behalf of my children. Nope, what I got was a true gift that came from the heart. My perfect little Sam came into the bathroom this morning where I was hurriedly getting ready for church. He had been out in the garage (where our refrigerator is--it has his sippy cup of milk) and found a treasure that he decided should go to his mom (unbeknownst to him, it is Mother's Day). He proudly lifted his find to show me. A dead leaf you say? No, "Look Mom, butterfly." Yes, it does look like a butterfly. "Spin." Yes, you can spin it while holding on to the stem. Sam showed me everything special about his present and then with a big hug handed it over and went off to play cars. I'm one lucky mom. Happy Mother's Day to all.
Sam bowled a better game than I. I'm pretty pumped if I break 50.
Noelle bowling.
The picture is superflous, but I'm never in a photo, so I thought you might want to see what I look like.
