Dance Time

My favorite thing to watch?

Noah and Daddy's version of So You Think You Can Dance?:

A Big Boy Toothbrush

Yesterday, when Noah and I went to the commissary to do our big grocery trip, he and I picked him out a new "big boy" toothbrush. Up until this point we've been using one of those finger brush things and only brushing during our bedtime routine. The whole time we were in the commissary, he played with the toothbrush while I shopped and would show it to any one who happened to walk by. I thought we were home-free! He got pretty excited again tonight when he saw it sitting on the sink, but once we started trying to use it, it was a whole different story.

We love Elmo!

The first try wasn't too bad....

A little hesitant once he felt the bristles....

And then he down-right refused to open his mouth at all!

What a mess you are, Noah. :)

Art Time

A while back, I bought these Tadoodles for Noah. They are these amazing little Crayola crayons that are designed to fit perfectly into his hands and are meant for the youngest of artists and writers. I actually bought the type that is meant for the bathtub so that we could easily wipe down his extra highchair tray, instead of using paper for the time being. He's finally starting to actually like to use them! For the longest time, all that he would do with them is try to eat them {and he still does... thank goodness they are non-toxic!}, but now he'll actually attempt to make marks with them after I show him how. Needless to say, we had a fun time this afternoon, coloring during art time!

Well, we had fun until Mommy took them away.

Office Night

Thursday nights have become Office Night around our place. We didn't, however, check to make sure that there was a new Office on tonight. The Steele's and the Carroll's came over for dinner and when we sat down to watch The Office, there was no new Office! We were slightly bummed, but only until we realized that there is an hour long episode after the Super Bowl on Sunday. And, at least we got to spend some time with friends. :)

Wordless Wednesday {Video-Style}

Pajama Day

Evidently Texas is quite a bit like Oklahoma... we don't have "Snow" Days, but Ice Days! Thanks to a nice layer of sleet and ice on the ground, practically the entire city of Abilene {and the rest of Northern Texas and Oklahoma for that matter} was shut down. Even the base was closed. So today was a Pajama Day for all three of us! We stayed in our PJs all day and just enjoyed having Ben home with us for a change.

What We Do...

....all day, every day.

Play!

Finally a Haircut

I finally gave Noah another hair cut. This is the fourth time that I've had to cut it, but the first time that I actually did more than just a slight trim. We think he really looks like a little boy now, instead of a baby. And it almost makes me a little sad that my little buddy is just growing up so fast.

He no longer loves the vacuum cleaner... or at least not when Daddy is using it to clean up all the hair!

He's such a big kid now - he consistently walks all the way from the living room to the play room without falling. He still hasn't quite figured out how to stand up without holding on to anything though, so if he falls, he makes a beeline for the wall or the nearest object so he can stand back up!

And, because everyone likes a Noah video.... I give you TWO! The first is pre-haircut and the second is post-haircut.... can you tell a difference?

Craft Day

I love getting a little crafty... I guess that much is obvious, both from posts on this blog and my new craft blog. Throw in some friends and some good food, and I'm set for the day! This afternoon, some of the gals from our small group came over and we spent the afternoon crafting away. I would love to say that I got a lot of personal things accomplished, but I didn't. {Katy, Angie, are you as surprised as me?!} I did however, manage to get a shirt made for Kyleigh, teach Erin how to applique, make cookies, and almost finish the pig hooded-towel. So I guess I did get a few things done. :) I didn't take any pictures while the table was covered with scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, and crocheting... so here's a few shots taken after everyone cleaned up:

While we were getting to work on our projects, the guys were busy taking care of the kiddos. I didn't send Ben with a camera, so there's no pictures of Noah today... I totally forgot to take any until after he was already in bed. I promise you'll get a ton tomorrow though! :)

After we all ate dinner and got the crafts cleaned up, the Wii was broken out and even the kiddos got to play.

We thought about letting them play the way that Amanda and Damien let Deacon "play" {give them a dead remote, stand behind them and play for them}, but then we realized that it might be just a little more fun {and much more funnier!} to watch them play Wii Boxing. The girls, Jadyn and Chloe, did surprisingly well!

Win a Stroller!

I Never Grew Up is giving away a stroller! I just love the color and since we don't own a single jogging stroller, I figure a double would be much more handy - I know Ben would enjoy using it and *maybe* I would too! :)

A Little Busy

I got a little behind on the blog this week { you know, due to being busy with things like Noah, Ben, the house, and trying to get my Etsy shop ready...}, so rather than attempt to go back and fill you in on everyday {of which, I'm not even sure if I took pictures for!}, I decided to take the easy route and simply to post a few pictures from the last few days and get myself back on track, just in time for a busy weekend....

Dancing to the music that Daddy was making with his maracas and tambourine.

Taking a break from playing to have a nice drink of milk.

Playing with Chloe during Office Night.

Trying to get away before Mommy makes him go to bed!

***

Don't worry, I won't let another three day lapse happen again Jessie! ;)

Exploring

Before we left Oklahoma to head back home, Noah had to explore the house one more time with Nana:

We love you!

My Dashing Little Boy

For Christmas, Mom and Daddy-Man had got the most adorable little suit for Noah, so today, we dressed Noah in it for church. He was the cutest boy at church! It's hard to see the details in the pictures, but it's a little pin-striped suit, very similar to one that Ben wore often when we first met. Noah looked so very dashing!

We also had an extra visit from Grami and Papa Snow after we all got home from church.

Noah now has his own high chair now at Nana and Papa's! He told me he really likes the little froggies all over it.

Enjoying a couple of books with Aunt Jessie before bedtime!

Birthday Boys

This morning, Ben, Noah and I loaded up into the truck and headed up to Oklahoma to spend the rest of the three-day weekend with the family. We always do joint birthday parties, bundling everyone who has the same birthday month {or very close birthdays} together. So, instead of doing a separate birthday party for Ben in February, we added his birthday celebration in with the January birthdays.

We had a good time, playing, talking, and eating!

Ben keeping the {younger} cousins entertained with the {third} train. :)

Grami and Mae-Mae in matching purple... they didn't plan it either.

The Birthday Boys {minus Mickey, who wasn't feeling too well} - don't they look just so happy to get to open cards and gifts?

Nana and Noah, just before bedtime. Once he finds her, he's hard pressed to leave her arms or lap... even to go to Mommy!

The 2009 {Life Group} Dundees

I know I've said it once, and I'm positive that I'll say it again, but our Life Group is just about one of the coolest groups of people I know. As a going away celebration for Matt {more on that below**} and as a birthday party for him, Lacey, and Christina, we had our First Annual Life Group Dundee Awards ceremony tonight! {If you are not an Office fan, the rest of this post might be lost on you... I'm sorry!}

Matt was a very believable Michael Scott and Josh was an {almost} believable Dwight Schrute {sorry, Josh, you laughed too much!}. We started the evening out at Chili's and ended up back at our place for the actual award ceremony! The awards were hysterical... and all planned by Matt and Josh. Ben received the "Booze Cruise" award, because everyone would want to go on a cruise with him and I received the "spiked Dessert" award, because, well, my amaretto cake and White Russian cupcakes are so well loved! But my favorite award of the night went to Lacey, the "Martha Stewart" award.... and during her acceptance speech, she announced that she and Matt are pregnant!! Yay!

Matt with his award - The "I piss excellence" Award: for Streetfighter Smackdowns, clutch Life Group Poker wins, and Taliban Termination.

Josh with his "gift" from Matt. :)

**Please be in prayer with us for our dear friend Matt - he is leaving soon for a deployment to "the desert". Pray for safe travels, effective and protected sorties, and for a peace that his family at home is being well taken care of in his absence.

Monkey Hooded-Towel Giveaway!

Check out my new craft blog: I'm giving away a monkey hooded-towel! Good luck to all those who enter!

"He's a boy"

"Oh, he's a boy."

I say this phrase at least one time, every time Noah and I go out into public. Today, I said it twice. It drives me crazy! And one of those times was to a cashier at Wal-mart whom I said it to just last week!! I mean, I know his hair is currently a little out of control and really needs to be cut {for the fourth time!}, but really. Really? A girl? Dressed in brown and overalls, holding onto a blue blanket? I don't think he looks like a girl:

Do you?

{Sorry the pics are so dark.... I'm too tired to Photoshop them tonight!}

***

Drumroll please!....

The winner of the giveaway is.....

Michelle and Holly {and ironically, they are both OBU friends}! I decided to draw out two! {Actually, both of them came out when I pulled one of them, so I decided to send both of you something!}

Holly, will you please email me your address and Kyliegh's shirt size? :)

Michelley, I'm going to hold your prize ransom until you come see me in February.... more incentive that way.

***

And, the moment I just know everyone has been waiting for... the link to my new craft blog! Here it is: http://www.greenakerscreations.blogspot.com/ I only have a couple of posts up, but they're pretty fun, if I do say so myself! My favorite is my "Ultimate to Make List". Make sure you check it tomorrow for my first giveaway and a sneak peek at something you'll find in my Etsy shop very soon!

One Year Well Baby Visit and a Train

Noah had his one-year-old well-baby check up today. We'd known that he was on the lean side, but his percentiles shocked even me... 18lbs 11oz {2%}, 29" {14%}, and head circumference of 19.25" {98%}. Still a very, very skinny little kiddo with a big head. But again, his pediatrician showed no concern {after I expressed some concern} and said as long as he is eating and drinking, he is fine. And he is, so, I guess he'll just be a bean pole like Mommy and Daddy {use to be}! :) And the poor thing, he had no clue he was going to have to get shots. Actually, I didn't even realize that it was going to be five shots. Needless to say, he got some extra cuddle and play time with Mommy this afternoon for being such a brave boy.

And, despite the shots, he was ready to play as soon as we got back home.

What a stud-muffin!

***

We all know what a bargain hunter Ben is... especially when it comes to shopping at Target. He's had his eye on a train set, just waiting for it to come down in price. He really wanted to get one to set up around our Christmas tree for him and Noah to enjoy, but at full price, it was way out of our price range. Today, I checked on it and it was 50% off! Yay! After Noah went to bed, Ben got it out of the box and set it up, "just to test it out".

I love it that he's just a big kid. :)

***

And, an update: the new craft blog will be unveiled tomorrow!!! Also, my Etsy shop likely won't be "open" until next week {I say "open" because by no means, be fully-stocked for a while}... and don't forget: comments for the giveaway close tonight at midnight!

Not Really a Baby Anymore

A couple of days ago, I wrapped up Noah's exersaucer and walker for Ben to put up in the attic. He's outgrown them and while he does like to walk around them and play with the toys, he has plenty of other toys to play with and they were taking up a lot of extra room. Today, I finished getting the last few things prepped {except for the swing... I need to get bigger bags} to be put away until the next baby gets here.

I was a little nostalgic, I admit. I kept thinking about him sleeping in his swing, playing in the exersaucer, walking around in the walker, laying on the playmat, and wearing all the various clothes that are far too small for him now.

I still cannot believe that he's not really a baby anymore.

He likes bread and butter...

he likes toast and jam.

That's what his {momma} feeds him,
he's her loving man.

Our 2009 Mottos

He has just gotten so big. The comparison pictures just don't do the change justice. And getting him to stand or hold the doll? Forget about it.

At least I can entice him to hold still with his sippy cup.... long enough to try to snap a few pictures.

***

Ben says his phrase/motto for 2009 is "Waste not, want not" and I think I've literally heard it pass from his lips about a million times in just the past 11 days. Almost to the point to where I want to strangle him for saying it. Even so, we're both making a concerted effort to use the things that we already have - whether it be food, shopping bags, or time. I, on the other hand, found a great little post that made me decide to simply choose a word for the year. I chose "cultivate". Every single definition of the word defines how I want to impact my family, friends, the Kingdom, and the world. I want to cultivate my son's mind and heart. Prepare him to impact the world. I want to cultivate my relationships: with my God; with my husband; with my family; with my friends. I want to cultivate my own heart, my own mind, and my own attitudes. Cultivate. I think it's going to be a great year.

{I don't know what this face was all about, but it reminded me of Dwight pretending to be Jim and was too funny to not share!}