Two Weeks Old (Time Flies)

Biggest Brother Matt loves Noah as they cuddle in the living room. Noah is fascinated by Matt's out-of-control hair. Mommy thinks he needs a haircut, but teenagers can't be told these things. ha. Wait until Noah gets a good fistful in a few months, and maybe Matt will have a change of heart then. ha

Daddy asks Noah "How Big Are You?" And they play the "SO-BIG" game. Noah is always happy to just play and gaze at us, and we're just as happy to pass the time playing with and gazing at Noah. He's melted our hearts forever.

Bath time isn't one of Noah's favorites parts of the day, just yet. But, I am going to keep hoping that his dislike of the water changes with time. Here he's finally at least calm, and not pitching as big of a fuss over the bath session just moments before. He was too cuddly and cute not to capture this moment with the camera. His hair is really as soft and silky as it looks here.

Uncanny Resemblance...

Matthew, 1991, with Uncle Stuart (yeah, Stu used to have hair, this is proof)... Matt was less than a month old, visiting family for his baptism in Wisconsin.

Here Matt (again, 1991) sleeps peacefully... "back then" we were told to sleep our babies on their tummies... that would be a huge medical error in today's opinion. Check out the hairline just above baby Matt's eyebrow... his bangs went all the way down his forehead... now, move ahead in time, and look at Noah's hairline... UNCANNY!!!!!!!!!!!! How could they look SO identical, without being related biologically? Must be God's way of making us all FAMILY!!!!!

Noah LOVES sleeping in his bouncy seat (Thanks Grandma Karen!)... the little vibration in the seat soothes him, and the music the seat provides lulls him to dreamland! He's SUCH a good baby... never fussy (unless mommy is picking at him, or changing a diaper, ha). He is always alert and happy (well, this round of photos doesn't show much "alert") hahaha.

We've learned that sleeping on his back isn't his favorite in his crib... thus, we've graduated to having him sleep on his side. But speaking of sleep, we're not too deprived... Noah blesses us by going down for the night around 9:30 or 10pm, and he doesn't rouse us until around 2am... then sleeping in until after 6:30am... NOT BAD for a newborn!! I'm not complaining, anyway!

I just couldn't get over the comparison of Matthew's baby pictures (I took a picture of his scrapbook page, so I'm sorry for the imperfect photos above... they're 17 yrs old, ha), and our new baby Noah. I guess it just goes to show that a brotherly bond doesn't have to be biological.... they're brothers through and through!!! Ben doesn't mind that Matt and Noah are so connected, he's got the match in appearance (and everything else) with his dad... I'm still left solo. hahaha. I don't mind being the minority and the stand-alone female in my home.... just means they all better take care of me one day when I need them to. hahaha (NOT holding my breath on that one).

One week old

Tummy Time Together! This brotherly bond is so cool to watch!
Ben LOVES his new little brother. I was in Noah's room a little while ago, putting some stuff away, and Ben came in there, gave me a big hug, and said "This was a good idea mom." I asked him what he was talking about (not knowing if putting away laundry was a good idea, or what, ha), and he said "Adopting Noah. I'm so happy." Wow, that's heartfelt for an 11yr old.

Out of the Hospital!

Noah loves to just STARE... at whatever crosses his line of vision. I think here he was a little cross-eyed, but Ed says that's because I'm in his face all the time. I suppose he has to learn to focus sooner or later.
Noah has a little cousin, Devon, who is just 8 weeks old... WOWZA, what a size difference!!! And the giggles he can produce are adorable! Soon, Noah will catch up to all the cool things that Devon is doing now.

Noah and Devon have captured the hearts of their Grandpa Dean, and Grandma Karen. How is it that two adorable little boys can sleep so peacefully at the same time? Only with Grandma's touch, I'm sure. Pssst, Karen, I don't think we're going to get that lucky for very long, so soak it up now, while you can. ha. You're awesome grandparents!!! Can't wait to watch the two boys play at the lake cabin this summer (or next summer.... they'll really be terrors by then) ha.

**Oh, by the way... yes, Ed and Dean are brothers (since it's hard to tell) ha.

A Super Great Day!!!

Ahhh, the sleepiness that comes from a good bottle, after a warm bath! Noah got his little IV and the white arm board removed this evening at bath-time, and I'm sure he feels so relieved to have freedom of his little arm. He rests peacefully no matter where he is, but especially in the arms (or lap) of his new mommy or daddy.

"Look out world, I'm going to break the hearts of all the little girls I encounter! I have already captured all the winks and grins of the crews of nurses in the Special Care Nursery... they can't get enough of me!" Noah stops the nurses in their tracks, he's so cute! And I don't think that's just a biased mommy talking, either! He's perfect, and we couldn't be more blessed! And he smells SOOO good!!!!! :) His curls are so soft and sweet! I hope you get to meet him in person one day... he'll touch your life forever, like he's touched ours already!

We will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow morning (finally), and we'll go stay with his Grandpa Dean, Grandma Karen, and his birth mommy Steph. They love him just as much as Ed and I do, and want to get a few more cuddles in before we head back to North Dakota.

Ups and Downs...

Our day had several turns... we started out great with a healthy little guy, and turned toward the challenges of jauntice, possible infection, lack of eating-thus lack of messy or wet diapers. His cards were stacking higher and higher against him, and it's a good thing we opted to have him checked out a little closer, before being discharged from the hospital. But, as you'll see by the end of these photos, his day had a positive turn by late afternoon, and he is thriving again (but still on an IV). He'll come around all the way, just needed a little help from the people who do it best.

Noah basks in the warmth of his isolette. They had him "living" in here for 24 hours, so that he would have help shedding the jauntice, and hoping to perk him up a bit. Check out his cool-dude shades... wish they had them in my size (NOT). Not only was there a set of lights shining down on him from above, but there's also a "light-blanket" under him (see the glow under his back), to give the phototherapy to both front and back at once.

His colorful little hat was specially chosen by one of the nurses. The fact that it was HUGE on most of their premie patients, I think made it a perfect fit for Noah. He loves it (he squirms when I take it off, so that means he loves it, right?), and looks so cool in it! Ed thinks it looks "girlie", but I don't think the girl-scout troop that made it, had blaze orange or camo colored thread for their knitting projects... so blues, yellow, and white is "boy" enough for me. ha.

Daddy burps Noah after a FEAST of a feeding! He ate his best amount yet, and we were so proud of him. He goes into a "milk coma" after a good feeding, as he's headed for here (aka, great deep sleep). There's nothing better than a full baby falling asleep on your shoulder (and he isn't even a "spitter"!!!!!). He's such a little angel! And guess what? He's even GAINING weight! Usually babies loose a couple ounces after birth, but Noah is beating the odds now! He's now weighing in at 7lbs 7oz (born 4oz lighter). He's PERFECT!

Sleep well everyone, we'll update more tomorrow!

NOAH'S HERE!!!!!

Daddy and Noah cuddly in the chair!

Mommy gives Noah his first bottle, YUM! (yes, he has a little conehead... it'll get better). We think he's handsome regardless! And he has SOOOO much hair!!!

Noah is so content to just have his eyes open and look all around his new world! He's a very

awesome blessing to us!!! 7lbs 3oz, 21 3/4 " long, born at 12:54pm Saturday, February 16, 2008.

We have a room at the hospital, and life is GOOD! I'll update more tonight or tomorrow, but we

couldn't be happier!!! GOD IS GOOD! Ben and Matt are going to love him so much, and he's going to love them back, and idolize them tremendously! He took 36 hours to come into this world, so his birth mom was exhausted. She's doing well though, and will be going home from the hospital today. Noah gets to stay a little longer, probably to go home tomorrow (it's a "guy" thing, ha). We will be in the cities for a few days after that. We'll keep you posted!