Snotty noses and Hooters' girls

Really not a whole lot has been going on lately.  Noah has had a cold of sorts lately.  He wakes up super-congested and snotty, but after we do the bulb sucking thing he is okay for pretty much the entire day.  I think his sinus' are filling up when he's laying flat.  It happens to me a lot as well.  Speaking of the bulb sucking, how can he keep his hips facing up and then contort his body where he is face down to avoid the bulb sucker.  He's a little Houdini.

Yesterday afternoon we went grocery shopping and afterwards we were discussing dinner.  It was early and we had about a million things to do before bed so we decided to get Hooters to go on the way home.  Well I forgot my phone and Jenna didn't have their number (I thought everybody kept Hooters on speed dial) so we just decided to eat in since Noah was in such a good mood.  Well our waitress, Crystal, thought Noah was the sweetest thing since combining milk and cocoa.  She held him the ENTIRE time we ordered, ate, and cleaned up.  She even gave him his bottle.  She took him with her when she went to the other tables and when she went to ring up orders.  He did his normal little Noah thing and just people watched the whole time.  I started calling him "Biscuit" lately because his little bald head looks like an uncooked biscuit, but I may start calling him "Sponge Boy" because I swear he is just taking in all that info trying to figure out how stuff works.

Melissa and Jana visit

Aunt Melissa and cousin Jana came to visit this past weekend. We had a big time cooking barbecue and playing with Noah. The funniest thing was how Jana constantly wants to check on Noah when he's sleeping. She'll sneak off to his door and we'll hear her grab the handle. We'd whisper loudly, "Jana, what are you doing?" to which she would reply loudly in a non-whisper, "Gotta check on baby Noah!!!" If she'd ever actually woken him up it may not have been so cute, but no harm no foul. The other funny thing she does is pat him on the head when he's fussing. She wants it to be a comforting and soothing pat on the head to say "Its alright Noah," but it executes as a banging pat on the head to say "I shall scramble your brains Noah." It really wasn't that hard but each pat would make him stop crying and blink. Then we'd get on to her and he'd have a look like, "What the hell was that for?"

They are quite the pair.

Mamaw and Papaw up for a few days

Noah's babysitter during the day has had a rough week.  Jenna had to stay at home with Noah last Friday because the sitter's son (Logan) was really sick throwing up and running a high fever.  She called yesterday and her son is in the hospital with pneumonia.  So Noah's Mamaw and Papaw came up last night and are going to keep him for a few days until his Granda can come up or Logan is home and well.

Big weekend of...giggling

Noah's Magga and Aunt Sarah came to visit the past weekend. We had a lot of fun playing with the little man and visiting. He didn't sleep well due to belly problems resulting from the introduction of Sweet Potatoes into his diet. On Saturday we drove up to Branson and did a little shopping.

While we were there, Noah hit a big milestone. We were in the Disney Store and I was waiting for Magga to checkout. I knelt in front of Noah in his stroller and started "getting his toesies." Well this was more fun than we could stand so we let out a couple of squeals. Sarah was watching and got tickled at him. Well after about the 10th time, Noah decided to string his squeals together. The next thing we know he was laughing. I mean real laughter. We laughed along with him. I was scared it was a one time deal, but no. He repeated his performance when Magga got done. To top it off we went next door to the Gap where Mom was checking out. I told Noah it was showtime and Jenna stopped in the middle of signing her bill and lit up like a Christmas tree. She told the guys "Hang on my kid just learned to laugh."

Noah had one more laughing fit in the car on our way home. He has a sweet little laugh that's so cute because his mouth is wide open and he kicks his feet like he's treading water.

5 year anniversaries

Everyone knows what the 5 year anniversary we observed yesterday was. I heard a guy say yesterday that this is my generations "Where were you ?" moment. My parents' generation was the Kennedy assasination and now we have one to. I really like the new ad campaign for a memorial. I watch a lot of NY television to catch my Yankee games so I don't know if it is a national campaign or not. Basically it is a silent commercial showing different people from all walks of life pointing to where they were the day the towers went down. I was in the car between patients when ESPN radio said a plane had just hit one of the towers of the World Trade Center. Being a non-news station they didn't elaborate much so they went back to the daily roundup of sports talk. I thought it was a horrible accident and hopefully the casualties would be minimum. I arrived to the next stop on my day and went in without thinking much more on the matter.  The mother was watching the TV with her face ashen. She asked if I'd heard about the crashes and I said "Yes" but then stoppped. She had said plural. I remember sitting down in front of the TV and watching the news with her, her 2 sons, and their nurse. I didn't leave until the dust had started to settlle from the towers coming down. It was so surreal, yet the reality was inescapable. I remember the 24 hour news barrage and I remember the gas stations raising prices to over $4 because they were "told" the pipelines were going to be shutdown. I remember sleeping that night scared to turn on the news the next morning. The world I lived in had changed forever.

The next day did come. The sun has a habit of always rising. All day at work it was, of course, what everyone talked about. You'd catch glimpses of firefighters or stories of heroism. You also heard the speculation of who did it, but everyone thought it was the group found ultimately responsible. I even turned my radio to Fox News Radio instead of ESPN during my commutes. That night would ultimately change my life more than the previous one. I'll always remember where I was on September 11, but I'll remember and reflect more on September 12. My friend Carey called and asked me over for dinner. I would normally have declined. I had a new puppy at home and I was tired from the previous day's events. But for obvious reasons, I didn't want to be alone that night. The thought of sitting at home in front of the TV and watching the news all night again was more than I could bear. So I accepted. He said it was burgers and beer. No big deal. One of his employees and his sister were coming over as well and maybe some other people. I didn't care. A quiet night with friends sounded normal and reassuring in the new world. The decision to go wasn't the kind to make you turn the page fast in the book adaption of my life. It wouldn't have dramatic music in the background during the made for TV version. It certainly wouldn't be in slow motion with my hair blowing during the big screen version. Yet, somehow, the smallest decisions you make in this world can come from nowhere and change your life profoundly. That night I met a girl named Jenna Johnson. The world I lived in had changed forever.

To all of our school friends

I've had so many people come up to me this school year apologizing because they can't check Noah's site as often as the past.  For those who do not know, Springdale Schools had a person request all email from the 2400 school employees under the Freedom of Information Act.  I did not realize this, so I assume the majority of school employees do not know their email is public record and has zero confidentiality.  I do not personally have a Springdale email but plenty of people used their email for personal as well as work related material.  Who wants to check 2 emails during a day?  Anyways, Springdale has had to enforce their policy of no playtime on work computers even from home or your spare time (I'm typing this during my 10 minute lunch break but I'm not a Springdale employee).
The moral of the story is for people to relax.  Just because you don't check as often during the week, doesn't mean we think you don't love us anymore.  It just means the man is keeping you down:)

First Razorback Weekend

Noah's first Razorback weekend has come and gone.  Our friend Katie kept him while we went to watch the game.  Earlier in the day we went to Mika's house where Noah hung out with his buddies Connor and Hayden.  Everyone was decked out in full Razorback regalia.  Noah did well for the  sitter.  He went to bed on time and slept through the whole game.  Sort of like the Razorbacks.

Boys on Gameday

Everything is ok

No one knows why he cried all day because Noah is fine.  The doctor said his ears look fine, his color, weight, height, etc. are all fine.  She also looked at his fingernail and said not to worry, it will grow back.  In fact it is back but its brown and scabby.  I forget about it because it is so teeny tiny.  We did get slightly reprimanded for giving him ibuprofen.  When Jenna told her the pharmacist told us too, she kind of backtracked and said "Well we don't recommend it but you didn't hurt anything."  It cracks me up the difference of opinions out there.  You just want to know if the docs are covering their butt half the time.

Down, up , and back down

We now think Lil' Bit had an ear infection. I spoke to a nurse and she said the way he would cry out as if in pain and then would immediately be fine when he was held upright sounds like pressure was building in his ears until they hurt and then he was better when he was vertical because the pressure was relieved. We didn't know babies could have an ear infection and not have a fever (because we kept checking his temp). So Jenna looked up ear infections in her book and it said 70% of ear infections clear up on their own within 4 days. And sure enough according to my math skills the 4th day was when it got better and the 5th night (last night) he slept 11 hours. So now we feel confident it was an ear infection.

Today, the sitter called Jenna and said Noah has been crying all morning long. This is the first time he has cried at all for her so she was worried. Jenna called and got a pediatrician appointment this afternoon. This is his first 'Sick' side visit to the pediatrician so I guess this is some sort of milestone. He goes in at 3:30. I'll let you know what he/she says.

Easy day

Lil'Bit and I are hanging out today.  This is my last Friday off before school starts next week, so we are hanging out being lazy.  Jenna's had a rough first week of school, but she's keeping her chin up. Just be patient with her if she hasn't returned any calls :P

Noah has had his best week of sleep ever.  Monday-12 hours Tuesday-11hours Wednesday-8 hours Thursday-11 hours His best previous night of sleep was 8 hours and he averaged 6-7 hours so this has been a huge turnaround.  His daysitter says she doesn't do much different so maybe its coincedence.  However, I do not plan to change anything experimenting with it.
Aunt Holly had another surgery on her leg yesterday but Uncle Bill told us everything went well.  She'll have to stay in the hospital 2-3 days and then back to rehab.   I know her spirits are down, but we're thinking of her.  Noah can't wait to bounce on that knee, so keep your head up and work hard.  I've always heard doctors make the worst patients when they are sick, but I don't know if therapist's make bad patient's in rehab.

Noah's Aunt's Amanda and Sue will be here in a couple of weeks to meet Noah.  That will just leave his Aunt Judy, Uncle Ed , Aunt Patsy, and Uncle Stanley in the pantheon of relatives to meet.  We'll see them soon though.  Take care everybody and enjoy your Friday :)

First day of daycare

Noah had his first day of daycare today. I dropped him off this morning and Jenna picked him up this afternoon. It wasn't that hard. He had a great morning at home and apparently a good day at the sitters. The lady keeping him also keeps 2 toddlers with Noah. They both belong to girls Jenna knows from work and school. The great thing about her is she has 2 kids starting kindergarten this year so we don't have to pay for the days school is out like a couple of our friends do. I also have ties to her since her sister is the foster-parent of a little boy I just picked up as a patient.

Noah continues to do a lot better the past 2 days. Its amazing how your outlook changes after a couple of good poops. His nail is also healing nicely. He actually has about half the nail grown back. It just shows you the resiliency of youth. I lost half my nail 3 months ago and I can't tell if any has grown back. He loses the whole nail and 5 days later half of it is back. You can also touch it and he won't pull it away.

He was so tired tonight when he got home. He didn't cry during his bath and he fell asleep during his bottle. I don't mean catnapping either. I mean he fell asleep. He didn't even wake up when I burped him. Mrs. Flowers, his sitter, said he watched the kids play all day from the floor and his bouncy seat and only took a 30 minute nap. Hopefully this will translate into a full night of sleep. I'll keep ya posted.

Noah rolled over!

As I was typing the last post Jenna had Noah on the floor on his belly. She remarked how much higher his head was than the past. The past few days I've had him on one of my therapy balls practicing being up on elbows. Well today he was actually up on his elbows and his head was at a full 90 degrees. Then all of a sudden he rolled over to his right and landed square on his back. We both yelled "HE ROLLED OVER!" and either the act itself or our reaction scared him to death and he cried for about a minute. He may be too scared to do it again but at least he did it once.

Worst father ever

Most everyone has heard the story by now but I'll tell it to you folks who haven't heard it yet. Last Wednesday morning I got up and fed Noah his bottle about 5:30. He had scratched his face so I went to do what everyone, including our pediatrician, says to do and bite the nail off. Now I have bitten his nails off since he was 2 weeks old and never had a problem.

Well this morning was different. I bit his nail and at the same time he jerked his hand away from my mouth. He had never done this before so I wasn't prepared at all. The short story is his entire nail came off. The only thing left was the nailbed. You can imagine how horrible I feel. He cried almost all day Wed and Thurs. The Pharmacist had us alternate ibuprofen and tylenol. He also stopped eating as much and didn't poop for a couple of days. We assumed the problem was the ibuprofen stopping him up, but now we know we have a little hoity-toity baby.

We also changed his formula this week from the $23 Similac Lactose Free to the $12 Wal-Mart lactose free. Since a container only lasts 6 days we hoped to save considerable money. Well again for sake of brevity, he doesn't like the cheaper formula. Give him the good stuff and he eats like a truck driver. Give him the cheap stuff and he turns up his nose. He also finally pooped today and now I truly regret wishing for that so hard. Formula poop is not made the same way as breastmilk poop. Not even close.

Headed to LA

That's lower Arkansas for the non-Southeners in the audience. We are headed to ElDorado tomorrow to introduce Noah to the rest of my family. I'm lying here after 1 awake because I'm so excited. I can't wait for Mamaw and Papaw to meet Noah. Of course, my Dad and Rosalyn go by Mamaw and Papaw as well so this is about to get confusing for me. I can only imagine what little kids think.

Anyway, Noah's having his portrait taken tomorrow. Then Friday, Rosalyn's girls are coming up and Noah will get to meet his other 6 girl cousins. On Saturday, Mom says we may be going to Beverly and Randy's for an impromptu family gathering. Papaw is cooking a brisket according to a little bird. Sunday we shall rest. Jenna is declaring it a pool day. Granda and Pops are coming over from Texarkana and maybe I can get Dad and Rosalyn over as well. It may be the first time Noah will have all his grandparents together since the night he was born. We leave on Monday, back to the real world. Jenna starts school the next week so I'm sure she's gonna sleep in as much as possible.

Pray for a safe journey down and back.
Sweet Papa

Boys Day Out 1 & 2

Jenna has had a work project the past 2 days so Noah has been with me. The first day he went with me to see clients and he was a litle star. He was in a good mood, went easily to different people, and frankly slept everytime he was in the car. He even sat with me at BCBS yesterday afternoon for over an hour discussing insurance and he was awake the entire time without crying once. Today, he and I were going to run a few errands and go to the library when Ron called and reported a batch of Stabbing Goat beer blew out of the fermenter. So...we went to Ron's while he was at work and we cleaned everything up. Noah watched me from his car seat and then he fussed a little so I put him down in Hayden's crib. He stayed awake the whole time and just cooed and kicked his feet. His temperment has improved so much in the past 2 weeks its like he's a different kiddo. He's even watching Baby Einstein videos for 20-30 minutes before getting bored. And by watching I mean staring at the screen and not moving a muscle. Everyone always told us Baby Einstein was crack for babies but I thought he wouldn't have the attention span for another month or so.