noel august {one month}

Noel August, you are ONE month old!

At one month old we don't expect much except eating, sleeping, and pooping.  I'm happy to report that you are great at all 3!  You could maybe work on the sleeping one at night.  During the day you are a pro sleeper - nice job.

As far as cuteness goes, you've got that locked up.  We saw one little smile a few days ago and I know lots of smiles are right around the corner - I can't wait!

You don't complain about much - except if a meal is moments late - and are a really easy going baby. As the 3rd little one in our house we appreciate your go with the flow attitude.

You are still a newborn and I'm soaking up this time.  Before long you will be off and running, so I'm taking my snuggles while you're giving them out.  As often as I can you nap in my arms, but you love the swing too - a first for us!  Your brother and sister have adapted to you joining our family with virtually no issues, which both amazes and surprises me.  I keep waiting for one of them to get upset but they haven't.  They love their baby brother!

At one month, Noel you:

* are exclusively breastfeeding and eat every 2 hours on the dot (pretty much round the clock)
* are sleeping most times in between feedings
* are sleeping from 11:30-3, then up every 2 hours to eat after that.  I'm tired.  ha!
* love your pacifier and swaddle
* make great eye contact and follow our faces
* weigh 10.5 lbs
* wear size Newborn clothes
* wear size Newborn diapers (just until these are gone, then it's on to size 1)
* love baths
* really, really love the swing!

Noel August, it's been one month since you joined our family.  As our last little baby you have a special place in our family.  Every one of us is excited that you're here - we can't wait to see the ways you bring something new to us.  You have already brought us all so much joy!

visitors for noel

This week my Mom was able to fly up and help me with the kids and Noel.  Up until now my mom-in-law was staying with us and helping so much.  I'm blessed to have TWO great moms in my life!  The first weekend that Mom was here my sisters came to visit as well so we could all spend a little time together and meet Noel.  Naturally we didn't get many pictures, but it was such a nice weekend to see them, be cared for and relax.

Asher was excited to show everyone how he holds "his baby" - sweet big brother even shared his breet.

Noel was 4 minutes past 2 hours since he last ate and went a little ballistic.  Hadley is trying to teach him how to take pictures.  "No crying baby Noel."  ha!

Drew snapped this picture of me and, while I think I look pretty newborn rough I know someday I'll look back and be glad that I'm in some photos.  This is the season I'm in!

My Dad came for a few days as well and the big sibs were so darn excited to see him!  Asher and Hadley had a special day out with Grammy and PopPop and they were thrilled.  Sometimes it's fun to be the bigs!  :-)

We were all pretty sad when they had to leave later that week.  After Mom left, Drew went back to work and it was all me!  After nearly 6 weeks of help though I was ready (or not - but here we go!!)

march happenings: week one

As we started Noel's first March I found myself looking at him and trying to decide who he looks like.  I could have sworn his ultrasound looked JUST like Asher, but Mr. Noel came out looking nothing like his big brother.  Even now I can't really tell who he favors.  I think he might be our first true blend!  

Noel's aunt and uncle sent him this adorable moose romper - we had to try it on right away.  :-)

Can't forget about Hadley who keeps us all on our toes.  She's a star in the making for sure - ha!

Noel is really struggling with sleeping at night.  He still has some day-night confusion, so we try to help him by swaddling him tight, running white noise, giving him a paci, and using blackout shades.  All of these things help him sleep 1-2 hours in a row from 11pm-6am.  Between 6am and 11pm he sleeps like a log like this.  

Yes Noel, this is precisely how I feel about your sleep habits too.  

We've tried to wear this "crabby but cute" outfit a few times and every single time Noel has had a bad day.  Might be a coincidence, but we aren't taking anymore chances.  Sorry, crabs.  

february happenings: week four

Life sure is different now that Noel is here!  We've been getting good use out of the Solly baby wrap. I love this thing and Gus does too!  Look at his fancy one week old head control - he's pretty advanced.

Other times he's been sleepy, sleepy, sleepy.  But only during daylight hours.  Tricky, confused newborns.  

We also suspect that he might be a wizard.  "yer a wizard Gus!"

I got the "new mom special" Amazon delivery this week.  All the coffee and all the paci, please!

Asher offered to read a story to Noel and I took him up on it.  Love that I get to see these brothers grow up together!

Aunt Erin came to visit!  We are so excited that she got to meet Noel when he was still itty bitty and brand new :-)

The big kids went to a birthday party on Saturday (thus Hadley's fancy face) and we were able to get our first picture as a family of 5.

noel's newborn photos

I had planned to hire a photographer to take newborn photos of Noel, like I had with the other kids, but it just didn't work out this time around.  Of course I needed to document his little snuggly time, so I took some myself!  I'm not a pro, but how could this guy take a bad picture?  :-)

Baby stink eye ;-)

As I was finishing up big sister came home from school and stepped right in as assistant photographer.  Thank goodness - ha!  

getting into the groove of things

The next few weeks after Noel came home are a bit of a blur.  Newborn haze is a real thing, friends.  All of those day and night feedings (every 2 hours around the clock - Noel seriously was born with an internal atomic clock) are no joke.  The first weekend after he came home the weather was beautiful and I was feeling some major stir craziness, so we decided to take the kids out to the park.  

Noel got wrapped up in the Solly wrap - which I l-o-v-e!!  Mama is looking rough, but what can you do.  (yikes).

Before Noel was born Asher and I prepared his 100 day project.  I knew I wouldn't feel up to doing a project the day after giving birth so we got ready a little early.  Asher and I worked together to cut up this 5x7 photo of him to make 100 Pieces of Asher! 

Besides that I did a lot of newborn gazing and snuggling.  While the early days are exhausting with day/night confusion, lots of breastfeeding, and a hormonal rollercoaster they are also so special.

Tiny baby trying out his BIG crib for a rest.  That didn't last long - he slept in the MamaRoo in our room at night.  :-)

Drew was able to take some time off from work to be home and I was so grateful.  He helped keep things normal for the bigger kids - like doing Hadley's hair.  ha!  (we fixed it before she left the house)

Adding a new person to the family is such a big deal.  I'm so proud of the way that the older kids transitioned to welcoming Noel.  He's our last little baby and I tried to enjoy every minute of every stage with him!