Move over, Mylanta!

I'm not sure if Mylanta is the one that cures constipation, or not, but we have discovered an interesting alt-remedy for Noah's constipation. Yes, now that I'm a mom, my discretion has gone out the window (if you know me well, you're probably asking yourself "what discretion?!").

The kid will not go for days and days... Then, like clockwork, when we're out in public, he starts making these funny LOUD noises that sound like a squeaking puppy. Sure enough, the air is soon filled with a lovely aroma...

He has done this new trick at the library, the doctor's office (when I did not have his diaper bag because we were only there for a FIVE MINUTE shot!!), at Donna's house (moments after our arrival), and today, at the bank. Talk about a converstion starter!!!

Yea For Big Boys!!!

ReCap of Last Week:

Noah and I got to play with the big boys last Monday. Unfortunately, the big boy shoes were left at home. We did have fun, though!!





(For those of you that don't know, Donna is my germphobe pal. For the first few months that we knew each other, she did not touch my kid and I did not touch hers. We admired from afar and eyed each other's sanitization habits.)

Thursday marked the coolest thing ever for me... my 2 guys and I took a REEEAAALLLLLLLYYYYYY long nap together!! (Who would have thought that a 3-person nap would ever be a highlight???)

On Friday night, Laura and John watched Senor Wiggleworm for our first date in months... Laura reported that John and Noah watched football, and Noah learned some plays! She also lent me a book called "Shepherding a Child's Heart." I can't wait to read it!

After completing a thorough inspection of all parties involved, Donna and the Big Boys offered to sit for Noah, so Carlton and I went to another movie on Saturday night. Here's a super cute pic she and her husband, Eric, took of the 3 guys...



So, thanks to the Mawers and the Culhanes, the Goulds had 2 dates in one weekend and are ready to dive back into parenting head on!!!!

A special thanks to Liam, also! He is an AWESOME babysitter!
(ADDED BONUS: everyone stayed HEALTHY!!! Horray!)

Migration Refusal

I have some very stubborn birds outside my window. This morning, when I woke up to this:



I heard the whole family chirping it up! Why they are still here is beyond me. These are my top theories for the morning:

1.They are afraid throngs of cicadas will be returning soon to steal their home.
2.They are lazy.
3.Their nest is a bird-mansion.
4.Their parents neglected to teach them about migration.
5.They like me.

Speaking of migration, remember the year of the tsunami? All these scientists said the Earth was tilted X-amount of degrees on its axis, as a result (AMAZING!).

So, that following spring, I was out for a walk and I noticed these strange birds at the park. They had big duck-like bills and duck colored feet, but were MASSIVE (as far as ducks go). There were a couple dozen of them and they seemed very friendly, walking close to me and honking their cute honks.

In speaking to a man that looked like one of the local bums, I discovered that the birds usually migrated to the Toledo area (1/2 hour south of where we were). He theorized that the axis tilt had knocked some migratory patterns slightly off course.

The birds continued to return each spring until I moved. I used to feed them with 3 yr. old Lute. They would eat right out of our hands and he would laugh and laugh!!!Later, I learned they are called White Fronted Geese. These ones were so pretty that they made the normal geese look like bums...

AH-MAZING!!!

Normally, I wouldn't dream of posting such a terrible pic of myself (actually, yes, I would:). However, I am just blown away by the miracle of my son. Those of you who have been with us since April have heard it all before, but I simply CANNOT get over it!!

Today was a big day for gratitude. I was nannying and the other boys were asleep. I crawled over to my happy little guy and just had to PRAISE GOD for his life!! I remember that he is a miracle, often. But today, it just REALLY hit me!!! I lay down next to him and just stared into his beautiful eyes....



On the way home, there was a snowstorm, so I took a different route. I ended up stopped by the hotel where we stayed when Noah had to be transferred (he was extremely tiny and ill). If you know me, you know I just started bawling!!! My windows were fogged up almost instantly and I kept turning around to (again) look at my precious gift!! Good thing traffic was at a standstill-Chicago drivers LOVE their horns!



The 3rd time for mom's tears came at bed-time. Noah was squirming ALL over the place, and I sang him the same song I've sang since his birth. As the familiar tune began to settle the munchkin, I was reminded of the days when I called up to the hospital throughout the night to check on him. All I could do was look forward to the time when Noah would be home, with us, at night. And there he was, tonight, home with me and in my arms. Thank you, Jesus!

2 Grandmas and a holler

So, I finally got some more pics from Michigan. Since people usually read a blog once, I will post them here (as well as any more that I eventually get developed).

Granny Ann is like "What does this boy think he's doing?!"


2 Grandsons and a Gramma


Horray for cousins!! (Even if they can't touch or breathe on each other)


I should probably get Chanelle and Yolanda to share some of their 50 pics they took on their cell phones!! LOL

Or I can just develop the cameras my dad brought, now where did they go...

Welcome Badgers fans!

So, my aunt, uncle and two cousins came to visit us today. It was so nice to see them. My cousins are the "babies" of the family, but they are both taller than my husband. I was just looking at old family pics (when they actually were babies), so it was AMAZING to see them turning into young men!

They've lived in Wisconsin all my life. Now that we're in Illinois, I've seen Aunt Amy and Uncle Tim 4 times as much (literally!). Highlights of their visit: remembering back to when they visited me in the hospital and Noah's diaper was SO TINY (but still too big on him)




When Carlton dropped a "Noah bomb" on an unsuspecting Brett,

Aunt Amy and Uncle Tim holding him (in their Badger's gear),


and hearing about Adam's "Real Job"-enjoy the Cadillac:)

It was great to see you guys, thanks for making the trip!!!

Work it out...

I was talking to my friend earlier today, and telling her about joining the gym. There was a 2 for 1 special and we couldn't resist. The gym is open 24/7 (which means I can boast about it, but will probably never go after 4 pm). It also offers day care for $1 per hour (too bad I'll never use that feature, either). I will however, utilize the stationary bike.

I LOVE the stationary bike. It is the lazyman's dream for working out. You are sitting on your butt and there is a TV 1 1/2 feet from your face. How hard can that be? If you want to actually work up a sweat, there are handlebars on the sides of you, so you don't even need to lift your arms. You can grab on, grit your teeth, and go for it!

So, I ran out to the store to get diapers and realized that I still had 25 minutes b4 my husband had to leave for work. I made a very committed decision: I drove up the street to the gym, jumped out of the car, ran to the door, swiped my super-cool membership card, looked at the clock, beelined for the bike, jumped on, grabbed the handlebars, and pedaled like a MADWOMAN!!! There was an older man on the bike next to me, and I think he barely found the pedals by the time I had cycled 3 miles! I jumped off the bike, eyed the clock, grabbed the sanitizer, wiped the bike down, returned the sanitizer and bolted for the car.

I was very sweaty and very proud to have burned all those calories in only 14 minutes. On the way home, I grabbed a Snickers bar to celebrate! I can't wait to do it again the next time Noah needs diapers.