Indoor Ideas for Fun...

1. Take pictures of really cute, smiley, chubby babies.

2. Bake with Mommy...especially if it involves chocolate.

3. Leap from the furniture. (Probably not the safest...but one of the most fun.)

4. Help get the corner cob webs on Daddy's shoulders.

5. Build a ramp/obstacle course for your match box cars on your train table...ending with the cars landing in the cement truck mixer. (DI enjoyed this more than it appears in the picture...and he came up with this on his own.)

6. Climb up Daddy like a monkey on a jungle gym.

7. Watch "The Little Rascals" online for free, and then do your very own Alfalfa hair-do.

8. Put on your really cool Spiderman swimsuit and play with bath foam (found on the same aisle at Wal-Mart as bubble bath, inexpensive and smells good, too!)

Two Month Check-Up...blood, sweat and tears

Noah David (and Mommy) survived his 2 month check up...but not without blood, sweat, and tears. Noah David doesn't "bleed well", so he had his 3rd PKU done in addition to 4 shots on Thursday. The PKU started it with a heel prick and then about 5 minutes of the nurse trying her best (very sweet nurse, too) to get enough blood for them to test. Following those tears, Noah David had worked himself into a good sweat, and then had to have his 4 shots. I believe all of this hurt his feelings as much as it hurt him. It is terribly sad to see, and after about 5 long minutes of consoling and nursing him, he calmed down. He had a slight fever and didn't feel well the rest of the day, but today he was all better! Whew!

Despite all of that, he is a healthy, growing boy, and we are so thankful! He weighed 15 pounds and 8 ounces and is 24 and 3/4 inches long! He's in the 90th percentile for height and 95th percentile for his weight. BIG BOY! We love our pediatricians, and are thankful for a wonderful staff to go along with them!

I could not help but think about how the Lord must feel when He allows necessary pain in our lives, knowing that there are long term benefits and that it's for good...and for His purposes. I could never imagine just standing there trying to soothe Noah David getting hurt if I did not believe and know that he was being hurt for his good and for his protection. As an infant, of course, he does not see this or know this. Just as we, God's children, do not see and cannot see all that God has in store and planned for us. Pain is necessary in our journey as Believers, to help us grow, to keep us healthy, and to keep us reliant on the Almighty Father we serve. As tough as it may be, and as much as we may cry, sweat, and bleed over this...be encouraged, our Father loves us dearly, has a plan, and sees far more than we can imagine.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving us like you do and for caring enough about us to allow difficulty in our lives for our good and ultimately that we may serve and glorify your Name!

Noah David...talkin' and smilin'

Noah David's personality is absolutely precious, and we are enjoying him so very much. His face lights up with a bright smile all day long...at the sound of his big brother, Daddy, seeing something he likes, after eating, and "just because". He "talks" to us, as well when he hears us having conversations, he joins in wholeheartedly with coos and other sweet baby sounds. Of course, it's hard to capture quickly enough on video, but here's a little glimpse into the precious sounds and sights of sweet Noah David.

As I laid in bed the other night, just staring at Noah David, as I so often find myself doing, tears streamed down my face as I pictured our Lord literally weaving and knitting him together. I looked at each finger, his beautiful long curled eye lashes, the peach fuzz on his forehead, his wavy strawberry blonde hair, his pudgy cheeks, his precious chin that looks like it was carefully placed in the middle of his double chin...and I just wept in awe of our Creator and how carefully He crafted Noah David. I thought, "He knows the exact number of peach fuzzies on his head!" He has a beautiful plan for Noah David, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to parent him. Daniel Isaac continues to adore and show such sweet affection to Noah David (who he now calls "Chancho" since his "cheeks are so chubby, Mommy"). Daniel Isaac and Noah David are such gifts to us, and we are in constant awe and gratitude to our Father for giving them to us.