Don't Bite or Karma Will Bite You

After it seemed like Noah was constantly getting bit at school, he finally became the biter. I got a call that after he bit himself on Thursday, he opted to bite someone else. Just GREAT! After I complained to the director about him always getting bit, he turns around and does it to someone else! Of course, beware of karma; on Friday he and another child were fighting over a toy and he got bit in the eye - well, on the eye socket where the bone is. Sounds painful and didn't look pretty but when I went down to check on him, he seemed fine (and there was no blood). I just need to learn that we're in that phase.

Friday evening Mike picked up Noah since I had poker night (no, I did not win) but before he left, I brought him up to my office and took him around to some of the folks who were still there. Noah is getting to be very bashful. When someone looked at him and tried talking to him, he put his head down and backed into my lap. He didn't want to smile so he puckered his cheeks, but you could see that smile was trying to get out. It was pretty cute!

On Saturday, Noah, Mike and I headed out to the outlet mall to shop for Mike. We opted not to take the stroller, thinking Noah might sleep on my shoulder since he had yet to have a nap. That was a mistake. He was wide awake and taking in the scenery. He enjoyed it so much, he insisted he walk but he didn't want to hold one of our hands, he had to do it on his own. I didn't really like that idea since I didn't want him to get kidnapped. Of course, if I tried to pick him up, he started throwing a tantrum, to which I then had to say that I was in fact his mother, and not a kidnapper myself. That was fun. If this is an indication of the terrible twos, we are in big trouble.

Aunt Dana was nice enough to come over Saturday afternoon to watch Noah while Mike and I attended a craw fish boil at his client's house and then later over to Dean and Klaire's to celebrate Dean's birthday. Unbeknownst to me, after I was ready to head out, I apparently dressed identical to Noah so Dana and Mike insisted we have our picture taken!


Sunday Dana hung out with Noah and I while Mike was at his soccer game. That evening, while having dinner, Noah starts doing this silly smile (closing his eyes with a big grin). He's taken to doing this quite frequently and it always makes us laugh. Silly boy!

Check out the video version!!

That's it for this weekend! Have a great week!

Love,

Corri, Mike and Noah

Weekend with Grandma Blick

What a wonderful weekend! We had 3 visitors stay with us: Grandma Blick, Aunt Judy and Uncle Jim Graves! We enjoyed lots of eating, playing games and shopping over the course of the weekend! Of course, there was no shortage of loving on Noah either!

Grandma knows the way to Noah's heart - she let him play with her phone. Here he is making overseas calls. Grandma's not going to like her bill next month! ;-)

Sunday after church, Noah got to go on a walk with his grandma and great-aunt. Unfortunately that did not tire him out much and he's ready to read some books.

Since the weather turned out so beautiful, we opted to go outside and blow some bubbles. Noah wasn't quite sure what to think of them. He was more interested in the contraption making the bubbles, than the bubbles themselves.

(Grandma pulled his pants up so high he looks like a little old man! (if he had no hair, he'd look like great-grandpa Blick!)

Aunt Dana walked him around the yard where she encouraged him to pick a "flower" out of the yard. Can't wait until he tries to pick mamma's actual flowers. Aunt Dana is going to be very busy re-planting!!

I couldn't resist this shot - how adorable is this little man?!

Noah loved showing off his flower but was not real big on sharing it. Aunt Judy had a way with him b/c he'd give it to her a couple of times, but when grandma would ask for it, he refused her!

Noah is also great at giving kisses! It's so sweet and he's not shy about sharing them. They are a little wet but we're working on it.

I'm excited to report that Noah can finally drink out of a straw on his own! I bought him a juice box on Saturday while we were out. He hadn't quite mastered the straw but he seemed to do well with it at Olivia's b-day party and we've been practicing on occasion. I thought the juice box was the way to go b/c I could squeeze it and then he would suck so he'd catch on. Sure enough, he did! By Saturday night he was drinking out of his cup with the straw! He seems to enjoy it much more than his sippy cups (which is fine by me!) because they leak everywhere so this was a big event for both of us! :-)

The weekend finally came to an end and it's been apparent that Noah does not like for visitors to leave. When grandma, Judy and Jim left, the crocodile tears came. He was sad to see them go - he wouldn't take a nap all day so as not to miss a thing. It wasn't until they were gone that he finally passed out for a few hours. When he awoke, the drama began.

Noah's gotten a little ornery. For example, he's been acting up a bit more in church and when he doesn't get his way, the tantrum comes out in full force. So, last night, Aunt Dana stayed over for dinner and Noah woke from a nap around 6. I figured he was hungry b/c it was late and he was a bit whiny. Mike tried to get his pizza cut up and when I tried to stick him in his chair, he threw the biggest fit, thrashing around and screaming. We had to lay him on the floor and ignore him for about 10 minutes while he got out his rage. Finally, when he calmed down, he sat and looked at me. I offered him a hand and he came over and pointed to his chair. Apparently he was ready to eat. Sure enough, as soon as we put him in his chair, gave him is food and drink, his mood completely changed! He was happy and smiley! Who does this alien child belong to because he can't be ours?!?!

He's also going through this thing where he's not too happy with Mike. Any time Mike tries to hold him or give him affection, Noah wants no part of it. I know that can't be easy on Mike but I know it's only a phase. One of these days, Noah is going to want to go everywhere with daddy and it's going to drive him nuts! It's not too easy on me to see Noah so upset with daddy and vice-versa. Hopefully that will change soon!

That's all for this week. We hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as we did!

Love to all,

Corri, Mike and Noah

Easter Weekend

We had a very busy, fun-filled weekend! My girlfriend, Diane, came to visit and stayed with us Thurs-Sunday. On Friday Noah had an Easter Egg Hunt that we all participated in. She is our photographer for the pics below. (One of his teacher's Ms. Penny is in the purple.) Noah got the concept pretty well of picking up the eggs and putting them in the basket.

He also got the concept of pulling eggs out of other kid's baskets and putting them in his! The little girl next to Noah is Lanie, who was actually helping him to gather eggs and put them in his basket. I see the male/female traits already working in action at this age. GIRLS = GIVE; BOYS = TAKE :-)

Diane, Dana and I left Noah at school while we enjoyed some shopping out the Allen Outlet mall for a few hours. We had to leave around 3 as Diane's sister (and Dana's best friend!) and her daughter came to visit as well! We all enjoyed trying out a new Mexican restaurant (and Margaritas!) for dinner.

It was a little sunny so Noah decided he needed his shades before dinner.

Saturday I went to the grocery store to prepare for Easter dinner and decided to pick up a few helium balloons for the kids. Best decision I ever made! Noah would not put the thing down and all he could say was "boon" "boon"! It was too cute! He stole Jaydon's balloon every change he got and carried both around. He ate with it, played with it and even tried to sleep with it. I had to pry it out of his hands once he fell asleep!

Saturday afternoon Mike attended a friend's craw fish boil while all of us girls and Noah went to the Dallas Arboretum. Noah loved all the animals and the activity. He especially loved the bamboo rails which he tried to eat at every chance. Here he is checking out the huge fish, manatees, turtles, etc. He was in awe!

You know how much Noah loves his aunts and uncles. We have recently taught Noah to give "kisses". We make the fish face and he opens his mouth, then closes it for a kiss. It's too cute! Here he is giving Aunt Dana a kiss!

Saturday started out rainy but then turned into a beautiful day. While I got dinner ready, Mike and the girls played with Noah outside.

We had an early start on Sunday with 7:30 am mass. Here Noah is eating his breakfast (with his balloon!) before getting dressed.

It wouldn't be Easter without a family photo! Of course, this is the best we could get. Noah did not want to cooperate!

We ended up having way too much food for Easter! Mike made a delicious brisket! We all got our fill and you can see that Noah also enjoyed his meal!

Needless to say we had a fabulous Easter, but we did miss having our families with us. We hope that everyone had a very Blessed Easter!

Love to all,

Corri, Mike and Noah

More Sickness

This week was another hectic one for me. My boss was on vacation and for some reason that is always the time we get slammed at work. I ended up having to work almost every night after Noah went to bed so you could say I was rather exhausted. Saturday we enjoyed getting Noah's Easter pictures taken - they turned out so great!! Just wait until you see them! And I'm sorry but you will have to wait. Since it's after 10 now, I won't have time to get them downloaded but I'll try later this week.
Noah had a slight fever Saturday afternoon which we attributed to teething - yes, he's getting more in! I took him over to cousin Jamie's Saturday night to celebrate cousin Jess's 26th b-day (albeit a few weeks late). He always enjoys chasing the dogs and of course all the attention he gets!
By Sunday mid-morning, Noah had another fever, this time a little hotter than Saturday. We gave him some Tylenol and he slept most of the afternoon (on me of course!). It was obvious he wasn't feeling well since he did sleep so much and only wanted me to hold him. We enjoyed a nice dinner out with my monthly dinner group. What started out with 8 adults a few years back, has now grown to 8 adults and 5 kids! We are a sight at the restaurant! Of course it was great catching up with friends and seeing all of the little ones.
Unfortunately when we got home, Noah had another fever and was pretty upset. I no longer think it's teething but most likely a viral infection. I'm going to stay home with him in the AM and wait for Mike to take over the afternoon shift. Of all weeks, I'm flying out to NY tomorrow for a few days. I feel like the worst mother in the world leaving my baby, esp. when he needs me the most. At least I leave him in wonderful hands. I have no doubt Mike will take special care of him but still the guilt will stay with me.
I get back Wednesday night and I won't be coming home alone! My girlfriend, Diane, who lives in CO will be visiting through the weekend, flying in Wed. night. I can't wait to see her and get to show her around my city!
All in all, it will be a jam-packed week. I just look forward to getting out to NY and then getting home to be with my family.
Sorry there were no pictures this week. With Noah feeling under the weather, it didn't make for any great shots. I'm sure there will be plenty next week!
Love to all,
Corri, Mike and Noah