It's amazing how some people have told us, "oh, well, that all will change when you have kids." Or, "say goodbye to all those date nights and all that alone time!" Or, "yeah, life as you know it pretty much ends when you have kids." Or, "enjoy sleeping in now!"
Seriously??
Life just
begins when you have kids! =) These past eleven months have been some of
the best,
most fulfilling months of our lives. Wouldn't trade them for anything! And as a side note, don't believe and get caught up in all of the negative things people tell you - in reference to the above statements, we're less selfish (always a plus!), we still have date nights and alone time, life has only gotten more fun, and sleeping in has really never been a thing of the past (our boy loves to (and always has loved to) sleep!).
So the last month with Noah...... well, nursery at church has been a slow-going process. It didn't start off great, but we're taking it one step at a time and it gets a
little better each time. We're sure we get some looks when we refuse to let Noah stay in there and cry the whole time, but that's OK.
Every week, we get emails in our inboxes from BabyCenter.com about where your baby should be at this week/month, things to avoid, fun toys to buy, etc. Well, so far, Noah's been far more advanced than the BabyCenter emails indicated he should be. We always think to ourselves that "they need to catch up!" =)
He absolutely loves to just lay in his bed and have his own down-time/quiet time. Quite often during his naptime, we'll sneak in and check in on him, and he'll just be laying there, holding his blanket, sucking his binky, and staring around! Even when he catches us looking at him (which we try to avoid at all costs), it doesn't phase him - he will let us know when he's ready to be bothered. =)
He has now learned to wave "bye-bye." We think it's SO CUTE!! =) We are working on more words (since he somewhat talks) and a lot more signing for things he wants. Mimi taught him how to say "up" when he wants picked up instead of pulling on your pants and throwing a hissy fit. ;)
He has now seemed to have a distaste for most of his baby food. For the most part, he just won't eat it. He wants what we're having. He has loved eating the fries, cheeseburgers, and sweet tea from McDonald's. His new favorite is chicken nuggets, waffle fries, and peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes from Chick-Fil-A. He also loves Mexican food, most meats, and cheese. Sounds like we're horrible eaters, but we figure when we treat ourselves to a little "bad food" every once and awhile, he may as well get some too! It's only fair. =) We're trying hard to not be one of those psycho parents who doesn't want their kid to ever have anything bad for them. ;)
We have also joined a playgroup at Gymboree which Jen and Noah will start going to once we get back from our cruise. Hopefully he'll like it! =)
So Noah's eleven months..... the next time we blog about him, he will be a year old. Where has our baby gone? Are you as in as much disbelief (and somewhat denial) as we are?
Now for some pictures of the cutest kid ever! =)
Silly boy. Binky's in upside down! =)
His first cheeseburger at McDonald's. He ate about half of it!
"N" for Noah! =)
Cute sleeper. 
Cute jammies.
Uncle Brian (4 or 5) and Noah (10 mos). Same tent. Same fun.
Bundled up and off to the Donut Mill!
His new favorite place with one of his favorite people. =)
First donut. He ate about a quarter of it.
Snuggles with Daddy.
Another silly face. =)
He will hold his own sippy cup now, thank you!
Walking around the store!
Looking cool in Auntie Cheryl's sunglasses. 
Mmmmmmm! Peppermint chocolate chip milkshake from Chick-Fil-A!
Thanks Auntie Erynn for my awesome new beanie! =)
Playing "fort" behind the couch with Daddy.
Here's a song we think of often...... (it's by Country singer Darius Rucker)
It Won't Be Like This For Long
He didnt have to wake up
He'd been up all nite
Lay'n there in bed listen'n
To his newborn baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK
It won't be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laughin'
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
It won't be like this for long
Four years later 'bout four thirty
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This will only last a week or two
It won't be like this for long
One day soon we'll drop her off
And she won't even know your gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won't be like this for long
One day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times you'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she up and cryin'
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers
He lays down there beside her
Till her eyes are finally closed
And just watchin' her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows
It won't be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah this phase is gonna fly by
He's tryin' to hold on
It won't be like this for long
It won't be like this for long
