Finally...its been a while!

I know it has been a long time since my last post but we've been busy!  Here are two months worth of updates!!!!

MONTH 8--I actually had this typed a while ago but have been waiting to publish it b/c of the information it shares!  So, I decided not to make changes because when I go back and read this someday I want to remember those details!

Well month 6 was a big milestone month and now month 8 has proven to be another big milestone month for Little Miss Noell....where to begin....

I know you have seen this picture before, but can you notice anything new/added???

Two things about this photo:

1.  We put the flag on our kitchen table so it never touched the floor.  Actually Noell did better on the table...so we might have to take the next four like this!

2.  Yes, you read right.  Chad is HOME!  He got home to El Paso a while ago but was waiting to surprise a friend whose wedding he is in.  Please check below to see pictures of Noell finally getting to meet her uncle!

1.  Noell finally got her first toother!  Her bottom left tooth.  The only reason I noticed was because I saw it when I was brushing her gums.  I was hopeful that all her teeth would come in this nice....but I was wrong immediately.  Just a couple days ago, when I was nursing Noell she was done and put her head back and had a huge smile and there it was another tooth...this was her top left tooth.  So as of now she has two teeth....both her top/middle left and bottom/middle left teeth....so right on top of each other.  I hope she gets at least one more before they grow too big so it doesn't look so silly...ha!

2.  Noell FINALLY crawled on all fours.  She has been so close for a couple months now but never got the courage to actually move.  She was on the blanket up at Lake Wissota to celebrate cousin Brooke's birthday and cousin Jamie was trying to talk with Noell while holding a treat in her hand.  Noell wanted the treat and she was already up on all fours, and then all of a sudden she was moving towards the treat!!!!!  Then when I brought out the camera she stopped, got down on her belly, and did her usual army scoot.  She has done it more and more in the past few days and is mostly choosing to crawl this way!

3.  Noell can get herself to SITTING and STANDING position all by herself.  She is such a strong girl and is very determined to move and figure things out.  Climbing on anything (mommy, daddy, pillows, piles of cloths, blankets, end tables, etc) has really helped her build those muscles to accomplish sitting and standing!  Our next goal will be standing by self with no support!

4.  Noell loves baby food and real food.  She gets two servings of baby food a day (morning and night).  She also will snack off of whatever mom and dad are eating as well.  She loves everything (except she still cannot tolerate dairy)....our little garbage can!

5.  Noell has started waving (technically after she was 8 months but close enough).  It is fun to watch her look at her hand/arm and figure it out.  Such a smarty already!

6.  This isn't a milestone but a thought I had.  I leave the bumbo seat on the bathroom counter because Noell loves to brush her gums/teeth when mommy brushes hers, and its great for her to play while I get ready.  She especially loves giving herself high fives in the mirror...so cute.  Anyway, I started doing her hair there as well...so much easier.  I got teary-eyed the other day when I was putting her hair in a ponytail and was thinking that someday we will be looking in the same mirror when I am helping her with her hair and make up and telling her how beautiful she is when she is getting ready for prom or a date.  I know that I am jumping way ahead but I am sure that time will be here in a blink of an eye...and that is why I cherish every moment, take a lot of pictures and videos, and write a blog...I want to remember it all :)

7.  Noell is spending her first night alone with just Daddy.  She has spent hours with him before but never a full night.  Momma is going camping with the girls for the night (very much needed) so Daddy and Noell can get some good bonding time in!




MONTH 9

We had Noell's 9 month appointment last week and she only gained one pound in three months and is up to 16 pounds which puts her in the 6th percentile for weight.  She is about 26 inches long and is in the 7th percentile.  Her doctor says she is growing just fine and that she is not worried b/c she is a busy baby!!!  Noell didn't have to get shots this time....thank the Lord.  But for her 1 year appointment she gets three shots and possibly four if we have her get the flu shot.  Poor baby.


Well like I mentioned before Noell finally got to meet her Uncle Chad this past weekend when he was home.  We are so proud of him and Erica and all service men and women for their sacrifices!

Her onesie says, "I love a man in uniform."  Thank you Amanda Vesta....it worked perfectly for when they met!

Giving high fives!

Noell with her furry cousins, Yuri and Maya!

Thanks Uncle Chad for the cool gifts!!!

Noell also got to meet her cousin Elissa and her three kiddos, Liam, Ella, and Aidan!

Great- Grandma Mary and her four Great- Grandchildren.... Aiden, Liam, G-G Mary, Noell, Ella

Noell was at Great Grandma and Papa Guse's for a week and by the end of the week she was raising her arms for "so big" and clapping!  She loves to stretch as high as she can when someone asks her how big she is.  She is also getting her wave down.  She loves waving to herself as soon as we walk into the bathroom and she can see herself!

So Big!!!  Sometimes its one arm up and sometimes it two!

My little baby had four teeth until today when another top tooth popped through.  This tooth has given her a little trouble but I still can't complain b/c she is eating and sleeping normal!  She loves to use her new teeth to take bites of food...it is so fun to watch her learn how to use them.  Speaking of biting food....she LOVES to eat anything.  She eats breakfast and supper with mom and dad and whatever we are eating.  She will eat some baby food and some real/finger food at Liza's during the day.  Her nursing has gone down a lot...she is only drinking 3oz bottles....and sometimes will only drink 2oz.....it makes momma sad knowing that this stage is almost over.  Although, I will NOT miss having to pump when I'm away from my baby.

Noell is all over the place with her crawling and standing.  She stood today with no support for 2 seconds....I know thats not a lot but its a start and everyone has to start somewhere!  I cannot believe that in within a few months I will have a walker and a toddler....WOW!

Noell and I finished our second 5K together!  Noell of course fell asleep again!

Noell, Daddy, and Katie love to play together...blankets make sweet tents and are fun to play Peek-a-boo!!!!1

Kelly & Mike

Well, school is back in full swing and my kiddos have me on my toes.  It is definitely going to be a fun, interesting, challenging, exciting school year....but what year isn't!  I just love working with young kids...they have so much energy and are so eager to learn!

I am definitely keeping busy this fall with also coaching c-team volleyball and taking grad classes.  I started grad classes my first year out of college as it was a requirement for my first teaching job and thats when I got my 4th-6th grade certification.  I continued to take some classes while I taught a year in Wittenberg.  I only have four years left to complete my masters so I am just taking one class this semester and hopefully two classes in the spring....if I continue this cycle I will hopefully finish in three years!

Mike is enjoying work!  He has definitely been busy during these hot summer days working on people's air conditioners, but that will quickly turn to working on furnaces....we all know how Wisconsin weather can be!

Mike has been the one picking Noell up from Liza's since I have volleyball.  He loves getting to spend time with his little "pumpkin."  He is excited to take her to the gym to watch mommy coach volleyball.

Sorry for such a long post but you chose to read it ;)  Haha.  Have a great weekend!

AND GOOOOOOOO BUKCY and PACKERS!!!!



cfddxfghggyiguguy...... Noell says, "Good Bye"

Sweet Summertime

Well the summer is going super fast....as usual.  The forth of July has already come and gone, and now we are in the final weeks before school starts.  It is definitely hard to believe since the weather didn't start to get nice until the middle/end of June.  Although it is going fast, I am enjoying my time with my little princess, husband, family and friends.

We enjoyed our first family vacation in Bayfield, Wisconsin for Mike's cousin's wedding (Kirk and Alex).  Noell stayed in her first hotel.  The first night she got to sleep in the same bed as mommy (I think it was a treat for both of us).  The second night she stayed in her pack-n-play in Grandma Rachel and Grandpa Todd's room so mom and dad could enjoy the reception and dance!  Noell also went swimming for the first time in the hotel pool.  It was a beautiful wedding and amazing weather for all of the festivities.

Noell swimming at the hotel with daddy.

 

Noell swimming with mommy.

Family picture by Lake Superior in Bayfield, Wi.

Giving some love to cousin Ryder.

Noell saw her first fireworks on the 4th.  My dad shoots off fireworks in Knapp and Mike has helped the past two years.  So Noell supervised them as they were setting up and then attempted to watch them.  We were sitting closer since Mike and my dad were shooting them...so she just watched them shoot out of the tube, but didn't follow or look at them in the sky.  For the lower ones she usually closed her eyes because they were bright.  She was very relaxed laying in my lap....wasn't scared but wasn't in awe.  Maybe next year and if we sit a little further away it will be a more exciting experience!

Noell supervising dad and grandpa!

Happy Independence Day!

We have made it out to Lake Wazee in Black River Falls a couple times, and we made it out on the pontoon over the 4th on Lake Wassota.  Noell LOVES the water and the sand.  She likes to lay and sit and pick up the sand with her hands as well as kicking and splashing in the water.  Here are just a couple pictures of the fun we have!

Lake Wazee

Lake Wazee



Noell and Eva!  Cousins and BFF's!

Swimming fun with family!

Noell's first pontoon ride with the Michel's family!

We attended another wedding this past weekend in the cities celebrating Shelly and Ben.  Noell stayed with Grandma and Grandpa again so mom and dad could enjoy the festivities alone/with other adults.  It was great catching up with my best friends and their husbands.  Since both the bride and groom are teachers they had a teacher theme.  Some of the centerpieces were clear vases with apples, they had pencils as the wedding favors, and sweet glasses and flashcards for some funny pictures and great memories.  I also got to hold my friend's two month old, Cooper, and he is such a handsome little guy.  He is about the same size that Noell was at two months and it is so crazy that she used to be that small...time just goes by too fast.  I also chatted a lot with Cooper's mommy, Jess.  Sometimes, it is so nice to talk with other new moms since babies are your whole life...you can relate to each other and ask questions!!!

Me and the hubby!

We are soooo smart!!!  haha

Noell is still just army crawling all over the place, but wow she can move fast.  She continues to get up on her hands and knees and has moved a very small amount, but prefers to scoot around.  I think she might skip regular crawling since she still hasn't "figured" it out because she gets up on her hands and feet and really tries to push off.  I am fine with whatever our little girl tries to do....at least she is mobile and can get to where she wants to go and can get a toy or object that she is interested in!  While on her hands and knees Noell has just learned how to get herself into a sitting position all by herself.  I set her down on her tummy and the next time I looked she was sitting...I was confused at first...haha.  Since the first time she has done it a couple more times.  She has also learned how to balance.  She will be on her hands and knees and pick up an object or reach for something with her opposite hand...and she doesn't tip over!  She also loves to crawl through, under, and now climbs on top of things (couch cushions, mom, dad, pillows, clothes that mom folded, small stairs, and more).  She has even started to attempt to climb up the side of her crib...so I guess it is almost time to lower her crib!  I made a tunnel for her to crawl through with chairs and blankets....she loved it!

Tunnel fun!

Another fun milestone for us at the Giedd house is that Noell is starting to give kisses.  It is the best.  She will pull our faces in and give us an open mouthed, slobbery kiss.  She has also started giving herself kisses in her little mirror book....so sweet.

Noell getting ready to give herself a big smooch!

Noell LOVES her swing and will usually only nap in there for Mike and I.  For anyone else, she will nap in the pack-n-play or crib.  So, I was thinking to myself the other day, what will I do when she is too big to fit in that??  So, last week I started having her attempt to take one nap in her crib and it worked for the three days that I tried it...hopefully it continues!!!  I will add that she has always done fine sleeping through the night in her crib so it is funny that she won't nap in there!

So sweet!

Well I think that is about it for now.  I am sure we will have more updates soon with Mike's birthday, our 2nd anniversary, and Noell's 8th month birthday coming up!  As for now I will leave you with a fun fact...haha

1.  Only 5% of Americans wash their hands correctly.  (You are supposed to wash your hands for 30seconds in order for this to count).  I know I teach my students to sing their ABC's while washing their hands to make sure they are doing it long enough, but I know most of the time I don't do it for 30seconds.  So, lately I have been making sure I wash my hands correctly and I encourage you all to try!

Our life with a 7 month old

Well another month has past and our peanut is now seven months old.  She continues to grow and amaze us more and more everyday.

This month Noell has been working on her crawling skills.  She continues to "scoot/army crawl" across the floor.  She gets up on her hands and knees, rocks back and forth, and then plops back down to scoot.  Also, in preparation to crawling, Noell has mastered some yoga poses such as the plank and downward dog.  She is a strong little lady.  Our little mover scoots herself all over now and is getting quicker.  She enjoys crawling to the hardwood in our dining room and banging her hands on the floor...she likes the sounds it makes.  She also enjoys crawling over to Katie's toy basket and play with her toys instead of her own.  She also found the entertainment center and touches the playstation and the wires to her swing.  We quickly go over and say, "No" and move her to a new spot.  We also purchased a gate for our stairway.  She hasn't made it over there yet, but it would only be a matter of time and we want to be safe!

Working on crawling.

Downward Dog

Baby Plank

As for eating, Noell enjoys trying new foods.  Her main diet is still breastmilk and will be until she is one.  She gets one "meal" a day.  It is usually a mix between rice cereal, breastmilk, and a pureed fruit or vegetable.  Her favorite so far has been sweet potatoes (and prunes--which she needs...poor girl).  I also read an article on baby led weaning which is where you put non pureed food in front of her and she chooses what she wants to eat and how much.  I have tried this with some different foods such as peas, watermelon, crackers, and noodles.  She has gotten better and chomping down with her gums and the swallowing process (less gagging).  Once she finally gets teeth that will help her with some of those foods as well.

Noell has had some fun firsts this month.  She made it up to Lake Wissota on Father's day and got her toes in the sand and the water.  The water was still cold so she wasn't a fan right away.  Noell also went swimming in our little pool that we got for her.  We are hoping to get some swimming in this weekend on our first family vacation to Bayfield, Wisconsin for Kirk and Alex's wedding.

 

Another first for Noell was spending the night away from mommy and daddy.  She stayed with Grandpa Todd and Grandma Rachel while Mike and I went to Milwaukee for the Brewer game.  She did awesome for grandma and gramps and of course they loved having her as well.  My mom and dad were very good about sending picture updates!  The Brewer game was so fun.  We went with our friends, Krista and Heath.  We had Gold parking so we were just a couple rows away from Miller Park and our seats were 16 rows up behind home plate looking down the 3rd base line.  It was finally the first Brewer's game I had been to that the roof was open.  They did have to shut it towards the end of the game...but it was still a beautiful night.  We drove home from Milwaukee that night and right outside of Milwaukee we drove into a storm.  I was in the middle lane and I could barely see anything so I finally made it to the right lane where I had a straight, solid line to follow.  I was going about 20miles per hour.  There was a guy on a motorcycle that passed me...crazy man!!!  Thank the Lord we got through that because it was not fun.

This past Sunday we met my sister-in-law, Erica, and her parents, Mike and Deb, out for supper at the Stout Ale House in Menomonie.  She was home for a week for a friend's wedding, and I'm so excited that it worked out to see and visit with her!  Noell has grown a lot since she saw her last!  Now Noell just cannot wait to meet Uncle Chad (in person).....the time is getting closer!  We have been very fortunate to face time with my brother on Sunday afternoons.  It is great to see him and hear his voice AND know that he is okay!

I am excited to be spending the summer with my little precious girl.  The first week of "vacation" I organized and cleaned some rooms in our house.  Then last week I helped with the little girls volleyball camp...so this week is our first week home together!  Our summer will be short as I accepted the high school C-Team volleyball coach position this year.  So, practices start in mid August and then teacher inservice will start the week after. I am excited to be coaching the girls I coached last year as 8th graders.

There will be a new blog post soon I'm sure!  Have a great end of June and beginning of July!

Mike's First Father's Day and more!

Well on Sunday it will be Mike's first father's day.  Noell and I have been busy getting his awesome gift ready!  We did some art work (painting of the hands and feet) this morning.  It went MUCH BETTER than I thought it was going to.  It was fun to get all messy...and then she got to enjoy a bubble bath.  When I was wrapping the gift later in the day, she was right there to help.  The wrapping paper was shiny with lots of different colors and it made a neat sound when she would grab it.  We couldn't wait until Sunday to give him this gift...so he got it a little early but that's okay...he will still get the rest on Sunday!

Noell helping daddy open the present.

He LOVES it!

Reading the poems!

As for honoring Mike on his special day...I have all good things to reflect and say.  He was been an awesome father from day one.  He changes diapers, lays on the floor to play and read with Noell, feeds her, makes her special baby food, watches her when mom plays volleyball and does yoga, talks with her, carries her around the house when he is cooking or whatever, gives her baths, helps keep her smiling during mama's silly monthly photo shoots, helps get things for me when I am nursing, does her laundry and even folds the clothes (and lets me put them away...which is a good thing since I have it organized a certain way)....you name it...he does it (well except breastfeed of course....haha.  Just this morning I asked if he would pump for me...I guess that isn't happen' either).  I usually sing to Noell in the morning when I get her from the crib

"Good morning to you,
  Good morning to you,
  Good morning beautiful Noell,
  Good morning to you."

And if Mike was the one that would be waking her up in the morning he would carry her to me so I could still sing to her.  BUT on Tuesday morning of this week, he got her up and sang her the song himself!!!  AWE...melts my heart!

I hands down have the most amazing husband who also is the best dad to our daughter.  I imagined what he would be like when she arrived and he has exceeded any of my dreams of the father he would be.  I am going to add in there that I always knew he would be a great father...and he is better than great; I meant that in all positives (for all of you Negative Nancy's out there who thought I meant that comment negative)!!!  So, thank you Michael Ross...you are simply the best :)



Here is what the poems read from the gift pictures above:

Walk With Me, Daddy

By:  Helen Bush

Walk along side me, Daddy

And hold my little hand.

I have so many things to learn

That I don’t yet understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe

From dangers everyday.

Show me how to do my best

At home, at school, at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand

To guide them as they grow.

So walk along side me, Daddy

We have a long way to go.

My Daddy's Hand

Daddy, take my hand in yours and you will plainly see,
How very much I need you now to love and care for me.
As my little hand grows, I will need you even more,
Everything I do in life, I have never done before.
Teach me to be kind and loving, sharing and forgiving,
Show me through your acts of love the pure joy of living.
The years will pass by quickly and one day I will be grown,
I will pass what you have taught me onto children of my own.
Hold me always in your thoughts and remember when we are apart,
The special love between a child and a daddy's heart

I'm also going to do a tribute to my parents.

Here is to my dad who was a great father to Chad and I!  He has helped me in more ways than I even know.  I can't thank him enough for all that he has done and still does for me.  Love you, dad!

My mom is awesome.  She is my rock and my best friend (besides my husband).  She is a strong woman who has taught me a lot.  Since I didn't post anything on Mother's day, I thought I would honor her now! Love you, Mom!

 Have a great weekend, everyone!!!