Monday, October 12, 2009

Front to Back

Note the two little teeth and the cute dimple!

Today Noble rolled from his tummy to his back for the first time. He is getting really good at propping himself up on his hands when he is on his tummy. I can tell he just is longing to crawl around already.

He is fitting 6 to 12 month clothes for the length but he is not too chunky. Long and lean is more his style. He looks more like his dad than any of my other kids have. His hair is far lighter than any of my other kids.

It is a strange thing to watch him grow. Every new stage remind me so much of Camille. I never felt that so strongly with my other kids. I guess because when the older sibling is still living you think of that older child at the age they currently are and it is hard to remember back to when they were nursing or crawling once you are used to them talking and walking.

My last memories of Camille are of her crawling. She had only stopped nursing a month before she died. Those memories of nursing her are some of the last ones I have of her so they are fresh to me still. As Noble grows and gets closer to the size she was when she died, I find myself remembering her so much more.

Noble's been sleeping so much better lately. He goes to sleep the same way Camille used to. He doesn't sleep well unless he is in his own bed. He has a really hard time falling asleep when others are in the room. Just like with Camille, he likes to be put in his bed with his head touching the crib bumper. He likes to have a soft blankie to snuggle up with. He rubs his face in the blanket, cries for a minute till we leave the room and then quiets down to sleep.

I wonder what it will be like when he passes the developmental milestones that Camille last attained and when he grows older than she ever did. Will he remind me less of her then?
photos by Lesli Streets

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Stephanie. He is so so beautiful.

I can see Camille, but I see Noble much much more. That smile. Wow.

Love,

Jane

mckenna said...

All I can say is that is one BEAUTIFUL boy!! He's just gorgeous!!

Mindy said...

He is sooo adorable!! He just gets cuter and cuter as he gets older! Love his little face, smile, and dimple!

Melissa said...

He's beautiful...

Denise said...

What a beauty. I love his blue, blue eyes.

Anonymous said...

I have been following your blog for a long time and have been praying for your family. Your struggles and life are an inspiration and have helped me grow in more ways then one.

Can I ask you a mommy question? My son was born about a month after Noble- how did you establish this bedtime routine? It is fantastic that he goes down so easily on his own. Ryan is not hard to put down but he is not as independent as Noble. I was just wondering. Thank you.

Susan Anderson said...

You have the best-looking children ever. Noble is pretty wonderful.

=)

chanel said...

oh my gosh- he is just GORGEOUS! What a blessing you have been given through all your grief, you have him HERE. His spirit shine HUGE even through the computer.

Rachel said...

Andrew and I have had Emma and our minds more and more as Sophie has gotten closer to the age that Emma was when she died. With each new milestone, I find my anxiety but excitement growing. I have Emma on my mind but now Sophie is reaching milestones that Emma never got to. Emma wasn't walking yet, but could surf like a champ. Sophie is already taking her first steps. It's exciting because it's uncharted territory for our family but it's so hard because I'm then wondering, "when would Emma have started walking?" When little kids interact with Sophie, I can help but think that Sophie should have a big sister to play with.

Next month Sophie will surpass Emma in age and become the oldest. And in the back of my mind, I can't help but have the thought, "if she makes it to that age." And I hate it.

Nathan & Michelle Watabe said...

I see a lot of Ann Marie in him in that first picture. Especially the eyes.

Anonymous said...

He is a beautiful baby.

Chelsa said...

he is GORGEOUS!!!

Heather H said...

Oh he is so cute!!

Anonymous said...

His eyes are AMAZING; love the smile and dimple, as well. I can only imagine how difficult, yet exciting, it is to see Noble at Camille's stage in life and eventually surpass it. You still have many prayers coming your way. I'm glad you are getting a little more sleep now, well, at least Noble is (hopefully you are too). LOL

Love ya,
Nikki K.

Tara L. said...

What a cutie!

The Robinson's said...

What a handsome little guy! Love the dimple. I see your 2nd daughter in him. His facial expressions are priceless.

Anonymous said...

Stephanie...He is simply adorable. I want to reach through my computer and give him a big hug.

Isn't it funny the way life has a way of working itself out...we simply have to just do the very best we can!

Angie said...

He.Is.ADORABLE!

Robin gut my favorite title is Grandma said...

He is beautiful and those blue eyes are amazing. He definitely resembles Camille, but I also see Ann Marie in him. You really do have beautiful children.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh!! What a handsome little man! He's changed so much and grown a ton! I love his eyes..

Mandi Roth said...

Beautiful boy and beautiful pictures. he makes me so happy to just look at his smile. :)

Brian and Kara said...

Hey Stephanie,

Your little boy is adorable! I'm sure Jonathan is glad he finally has another boy to scheme with. Thanks for your comment on our blog. I've been following your blog for awhile now seeing the ups and downs for you the past year and a half. I've left a couple of comments here and there, but I know you have a huge following so I'm sure it's a lot of work to sift through them all. Anyway, glad to see you're doing well. Your family is beautiful, and I often think of Camille when I'm rocking Addie to sleep. Sometimes I hold her a little longer because of you. Thanks for all of your inspirational thoughts and honesty.

We're still in Long Beach and will probably be here for awhile. Hope you're enjoying Vegas. Let us know if you're ever in Long Beach. There are a few of us left here. Take care! :)

Love,

Kara Costello

Wendy said...

Stephanie, what a beautiful baby! I think about you often and read your blog when i have a few minutes before I go to bed. I love reading your wise words and I appreciate you sharing all your thoughts with all of us. Sending love!

wendy lewis reni