Thursday, September 3, 2009

Let's Talk

Here is the cute little Mr. Noble. He will be 4 months old on Monday. I feel the need to journal a bit about him and since I have been using the blog for that lately, you will have to bare with me for this post. It may not be so interesting to you but someday Noble will want to know what he was like as a baby and I am sure I will not remember so well.

Noble is not my easiest baby. But he is not the hardest either. He is a bubbly boy. He has gas bubbles and burpy bubbles and lots of spit bubbles -- lots of bubbles with this boy. He is just starting to really play with and be interested in toys though his attention span is still short. He like a good game of peek a boo. He loves to be held facing out with an arm across his tummy and he wants whoever is holding him to be standing up and moving. He just wants to go.

He is rather easy to put to sleep as long as we are at home. In this regard he is exactly like Camille was. He just needs to be put in his own bed with a sound machine on and a blanket to snuggle. He may cry in protest for a minute but if he is tired he quiets right down and goes to sleep. Where he differs from Camille is in nap length. He doesn't sleep for very long. She would sleep for hours and he does about one hour and is done.

When he is fussing in the car we can usually get him to settle down by turning off all music and singing "Maybe" from the movie Annie. Sabrina was practicing this song ALL THE TIME when I was in my last month of pregnancy as it was the song she sang at the talent show. I guess he heard it in the womb enough to like it or at least be comforted by it. His sisters are good to sing it to him over and over when necessary.

Annie likes to have staring contests with Noble. He usually wins. All the girls love to help with Noble whether it is changing diapers or rocking him in a rocking chair. They all adore him.
Noble is not a giggly baby. He has a more serious temperament like Ann Marie. He will readily give a hearty dimple filled smile but laughs are hard to come by. He often stares at us as if he just has something so important to tell us. I am sure he does. I just wish I could understand his language or read his mind. The other day I took him over to see Camille's big photo in the family room. He just stared and stared at it then turned his head around and looked at me in such a knowing way and then turned to look at her picture again.

Sometimes when he is being cranky and loud I hold him up to my face and put our cheeks together with my mouth to his ear and we talk. We have full conversations and he always has so much to say in our whispered tones. If only I could understand all that he is telling me.

These are dear moments to me -- our talks. They make the sleepless nights and aching back and tired arms worth it. Let's face it. The first year of life is just hard. Babies are so much work. But it is a work I am happy to have on my plate. I am blessed by it. Often our hardest trials are blessings in disguise when we allow them to push us in the right direction.

Noble is pushing me to have more patience and to stretch myself physically. I am daily tested at how I will handle myself and react under the pressure of kids, lack of sleep, and more chores on my plate that I will ever finish. Some nights I feel I have not passed that test for the day. I thank my Father in Heaven for every tomorrow I have with my family to get it right and do it better.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

He's a beautiful baby.

Diana Lesjak said...

Noble is so sweet! He looks really long and tall~I am impressed he is learning the stand in hand trick with his daddy already! Love the stories about your boy! Isn't it just so special having a son?

Krista Jones said...

Stephanie,
I can't tell you how your blog has changed my life. I have a new sense of what this life is really about, and I have grown spiritually through your experiences. I am in awe at how many followers you have on your blog, and it makes me happy to know you are influencing the lives of others just as you have mine. Your precious Camille was truly an angel sent by Heavenly Father to lead others to him- I feel closer to him every time I read your blog. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

Anonymous said...

He is beautiful Stephanie and your entry was lovely to read. I read every word.

Love,

Jane

Angie said...

He is so dang CUTE!

Sharla said...

I have been following your blog for over a year, but I don't usually comment. My baby is 1 year old today. This description is so familiar. I agree that the first year is hard. I love that you point out the blessing in that challenge too. I can relate to so many of your feelings on motherhood. Thank you for sharing your insights on this and other topics.

shanan said...

call me crazy, but I think he looks like Annie when she was his age ... difference eyes though. Maybe it's just these pictures.

At any rate, he's adorable!

Ficklins said...

He is a darling little guy!

angela said...

I read your blog from time to time, and I thought this was a GREAT post. He sounds like he will grow into a most interesting boy. :> I also thought of you when I was flipping through a children's clothes catalog today:

http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/sleep-thief-playsuit/productinfo/23139/

Noble may be just the baby for those jammies. :>

Larsen said...

So cute! He looks like a little man in the pictures. Have you tried bouncing with him on an exercise ball? Sawyer Love LOVE loves that. he quiets right down and it's easier for me then pacing back and forth. I hope things continue to go well!!!

Michelle
Gavin's mom

Heather B said...

I loved reading that post. He is such a cute baby. I know you don't know me, but I read your blog. I used to live in Las Vegas too. Anyway, you just have a way with words. Reading this tonight brought tears to me eyes. Thanks for that. You teach me a lot.

Rachel said...

I'm a new reader to your blog, and will be a reader for a long time. My son Boston is only a couple days older than your Noble, and they sound like they could be twin babies. You put into words exactly how Boston is. I've been looking for the right way to do that and haven't quite been able to yet. I have those talks with Boston too, and they are some of my favorites. Thank you for always being so honest and open on your blog. You always have a way of putting the blessing in my life back into perspective. :)

cynphil6 said...

He is so handsome! And BIG!!
WOW!

xoxo

my stay-at-home-momma drama said...

I wanted to pass along to you a little tip that has helped me through some sleepless nights with my fussy newborn. Several of my friends recommended the miracle blanket to me and it has helped my little boy sleep just a little bit longer at night :) You can find it at miracleblanket.com and it really helps.

P.S. I don't sell this or know anyone who does. Just passing along something that might help, mom to mom.