The Culprit

Noah has not been himself the last week or so. He's been waking up at night.

 Moaning and groaning at the slightest upset.

 Whining if he's not being held.

And sadly, I have even seen him just lay his head down and cry. Which makes me want to cry too. Poor little, guy! I had my suspicion's about the culprit, but it's only just today that I've been able to catch that troublesome bad boy on camera.

That's right, you guessed it: Noah's first tooth.


 So as any good mom, I've been keeping the Ibuprofen and teething rings handy, offering as many extra snuggles as I can, and praying that the next 19 baby teeth are smooth sailing.

Growing up isn't easy, is it, Sweetheart?

December Photo Project, Day 4

Siamese Twins

December Photo Project, Day 3

Okay, so they are not really Siamese twins. Nor are they even twins.

But my two "older" boys, Isaiah (4 yrs) and Joshua (2 1/2), born 17 months apart, have often been called

Two peas in a pod

Best Friends Forever

Partners in Crime

Joined at the Hip

Okay, so now they are sounding more like Siamese twins again. Whoops.

Regardless of your analogy of choice, it's clear that the bond between these brothers is more than just matching Lightning McQueen jammies. It's something truly special that I pray will last a lifetime: brotherly love.

By the light of the moon

December Photo Project, Day 2

When I was little, my dad would often play the piano in the evening after we had gone to bed. I'll never forget lying there with my eyes closed, listening as the music serenaded us to sleep. My dad would usually  play with the living room nearly dark, or as we often said, "by the light of the moon." He didn't need the light to read the music, he would just play from his heart and let his fingers find their way across the keys.

Once or twice, my siblings and I didn't fall asleep, but had whispered a secret plan to each other as we lay there and waited till the music finished. As the last note died down, my brothers and sisters and I erupted in a chorus of cheers and clapping; our hearts filled with joy and delight over the wonderful music he played.

Do you remember that, Dad? I don't think we ever knew if you heard us yelling "Encore" or not, but we could not contain our applause. In our simple and childish way, we had to express how much we loved the music you brought into our home.



To this day, I love playing the piano in the late evening as well. I hope that I can make the same memory for my children as they drift off to the Land of Nod. I often feel tears in my eyes and a shiver of delight, as I play in the darkness by the light of the moon. Or, in this case, by the soft light of the Christmas tree.

The King of Early Rising

December Photo Project, Day 1

My dear little Joshua is the King of Early Rising. He loves to get up early, especially if he thinks something exciting is going to happen. This morning was no exception.

He thought it was Christmas.

When I explained that today was Dec 1st and Christmas was Dec 25th, he nodded in cheerful agreement and said, "Can I sleep here till it's Christmas-time, Mommy?"

I guess that's what happens when you try to explain "time" to a 2 year old.

Just for fun, I'm going to attempt to do the December Photo Project this year. Check it out!

Wordless Wednesday

  

"Mommy always says I look the absolute cutest in the bath...

...but I'm convinced the water adds 10 pounds"

 "So...Quick! Take the picture, Mom, while my cheeks look skinny!!"

Linked with Wordless Wednesday